Doctor Whos very first companion has insisted the BBC has a duty to the fans to keep the long-running sci-fi series alive, amid renewed discussion about its future following the conclusion of its deal with Disney.

Photo: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/LaraCornell

Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford, who originated the role of Susan Foreman in 1963 and recently reprised the character alongside Ncuti Gatwas Doctor, praised the loyalty of the shows global fanbase and said the corporation must honour that devotion.

She told RadioTimes.com: The fans are very loyal and they've stuck with it through thick and thin over the years. And when the BBC weren't producing it, they were producing it themselves. There's a huge love out there [and] it'd be a shame to squash that. I do think they have a duty to the fans to reproduce it, to carry it [on], to keep it going.

The 85-year-old star's comments follow uncertainty surrounding the programme after the BBCs partnership with Disney came to an end.

However, reassurance has since been offered by the broadcaster, with BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips confirming the series will continue. It has also been announced that Russell T Davies will return to write a new Christmas special later this year.

Caroles stance echoes recent remarks from former showrunner Steven Moffat, who described Doctor Who as a programme the BBC has a national duty to preserve.

Reflecting on her emotional return to the TARDIS, Carole admitted reprising Susan felt deeply personal.

She said: It somehow cemented Susan within me. When I walked through the junkyard and saw the TARDIS, it was a feeling of home. I didnt see the outside, I saw the inside, which was much bigger.

She also fondly recalled working with the late William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor, revealing the pair created their own backstory when scripts offered little detail.

Carole said: Bill and I put our heads together and we made it up. We decided the TARDIS wasnt this years model  it had been tarted up and didnt quite work properly. He bundled me inside during an invasion and we escaped, with him fiddling with it all the way until we landed at Totters Lane.
KIRUHURA, Uganda, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President-elect Yoweri Museveni on Sunday outlined key priorities for his next term in office, pledging to focus on wealth creation, poverty eradication, improved public services, and a strong fight against corruption following his victory in the presidential election.

Speaking a day after being declared the winner by the country's Electoral Commission, Museveni warned against election-related violence and foreign interference, urging all Ugandans, including opposition supporters, to uphold peace and national unity.

Addressing the nation from his home district of Kiruhura in western Uganda, Museveni said his next term would prioritize support for wealth creators, including commercial farmers, manufacturers, hotel operators and investors, through institutions such as the Uganda Development Bank.

He added that the government would intensify efforts to lift the remaining 30 percent of Ugandans out of poverty, with the goal of ensuring all households transition to sustainable livelihoods.

Museveni also pledged to strengthen public service delivery, including maintaining free education in government schools, improving healthcare services, particularly the availability of medicines in public health facilities, and enhancing supervision by leaders at all levels.

The fight against corruption and the pursuit of justice would remain central priorities, he said.

Museveni said Uganda is set to begin oil production this year, marking a new phase in the country's economic development. 
BRUSSELS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Valerie Hayer, president of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, on Sunday urged European Union (EU) leaders to activate the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument following the latest U.S. tariff threats over Greenland.

In a letter sent to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Hayer argued that the EU must move "from reliance to deterrence" in the face of escalating U.S. pressure.

"If the United States wants to play hardball because it thinks the EU is just a soft power that will simply take it, let this be clear: the U.S. is making not only a dangerous miscalculation, but a painful one," Hayer said.

She called for the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument, which has never been used before, describing it as an "economic nuclear weapon" that would allow for immediate retaliation.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1. Those tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
BERLIN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Sunday said Germany must not allow itself to be intimidated by the United States' Greenland policy, according to German public broadcaster ZDF.

"We must not allow ourselves to be blackmailed by what is happening right now," Klingbeil said at an event in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Klingbeil stressed that a response must be clear, adding that an answer to the U.S. threats is being coordinated among European states. "A line has been crossed here," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.

The tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.

Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has recently ramped up his threat.

Multiple German media outlets also reported on Sunday that a German reconnaissance team, which arrived in Nuuk on Friday, had completed its mission and was scheduled to leave the island on Sunday. Several European countries have sent military personnel to Greenland to take part in a joint mission. 
PARIS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron will request the activation of the European Union (EU)'s Anti-Coercion Instrument if U.S. tariff threats are carried out, French radio RTL reported on Sunday, citing sources close to Macron.

Macron on Saturday slammed U.S. tariff threats over Greenland as "unacceptable," stressing that Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
Members of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group are seen in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jan. 17, 2026. The M23 rebel group announced on Saturday that it would fully withdraw from Uvira, a strategic city in eastern DRC, though the Congolese government has repeatedly disputed the claim. (Str/Xinhua)

KINSHASA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group announced on Saturday that it would fully withdraw from Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), though the Congolese government has repeatedly disputed the claim.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the group has taken a "difficult decision" to pull out its forces, adding that Uvira would be placed "under the full and entire responsibility of the United Nations and the international community."

He said the withdrawal was intended to give ongoing regional peace efforts a chance to succeed, though he did not specify how many fighters were involved.

In December 2025, the group said it had begun withdrawing from Uvira, a key city in South Kivu Province that it had previously captured, describing the move as a goodwill gesture to support peace efforts.

The Congolese government, however, has consistently rejected those claims. Speaking on Saturday evening, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya dismissed the announcement as "meaningless," calling it a "disinformation tactic."

"What is a withdrawal without departure?" Muyaya asked, warning that the rebels could leave behind infiltrated fighters. He stressed that the government would only recognize a withdrawal once state authority and public services were fully restored.

"The withdrawal will only be considered effective once state services can operate normally again," he said.

Uvira, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika near the border with Burundi, had served as the provisional administrative center of South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to the M23 in February 2025.

Clashes have continued in recent days across several fronts near Uvira, underscoring the persistent instability in eastern DRC.

The M23 said on Thursday that it had asked the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect civilians in Uvira in line with its mandate, though the mission has yet to respond.

Eastern DRC has endured decades of armed conflict, a situation further exacerbated by the resurgence of the M23 rebellion since late 2021. 

Members of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group are seen in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jan. 17, 2026. The M23 rebel group announced on Saturday that it would fully withdraw from Uvira, a strategic city in eastern DRC, though the Congolese government has repeatedly disputed the claim. (Str/Xinhua)
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The body of the last remaining missing person in the Jan. 8 landfill landslide in the central Philippine city of Cebu was retrieved early Sunday, bringing the total number of victims who perished in the tragedy to 36, the country's Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

In a social media post, the BFP said all reported missing individuals had been accounted for as of 5:41 a.m. local time on Sunday, marking the completion of search, rescue, and retrieval operations nearly two weeks after the incident.

"Responding teams have completed systematic search, rescue, and retrieval operations, ensuring that no further missing persons remain," the bureau said, adding that coordination among ground units and partner agencies remains in effect as post-operation assessments and site monitoring continue.

The victims were among workers trapped inside a facility when a portion of a dumpsite collapsed on Jan. 8, sweeping the structure in its path.

Cebu City officials said 18 people were rescued from the incident, all of whom sustained injuries. Of those injured, 14 have since been discharged from hospitals.

Authorities said they will continue to monitor the site while assessing safety conditions and reviewing protocols following the deadly collapse. 
SYDNEY, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A landslide impacted three houses in northern Sydney as life-threatening flash flooding prompted evacuation orders on Saturday night.

Residents of the Narrabeen Lagoon area in Sydney's Northern Beaches, around 19 km north of the central business district, were told to evacuate shortly before 11 p.m. local time Saturday due to rising floodwaters caused by storms that brought intense rainfall.

The State Emergency Service (SES) said on Sunday morning that authorities had rescued 25 people trapped in floodwaters across New South Wales, many of whom were in Sydney.

Three properties at Great Mackerel Beach, an isolated outpost on the northern beaches, were impacted when heavy rain caused a landslide.

The Bureau of Meteorology weather station at Terrey Hill in the Northern Beaches received 179.6 millimeters of rain in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. local time on Sunday, surpassing the 46.6 millimeters it recorded for the entirety of December.

The SES said it responded to over 1400 incidents, including 743 in the Sydney area, and authorities have warned that heavy rainfall is expected to continue north of Sydney on Sunday. 
SYDNEY, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A boy, believed to be aged about 12, is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark at Sydney Harbor beach on Sunday.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that emergency services were called to Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at Vaucluse, an eastern suburb of Sydney, at about 4:20 p.m. local time on Sunday afternoon, following reports of a boy being bitten by a shark.

ABC quoted the NSW Ambulance service as saying that the boy was in a critical condition with injuries to both legs and was being transported to the hospital.

The beach was closed, and swimmers were advised to stay out of the water, according to the report. 
Voters at the annual town meeting at Williamstown Elementary School in 2012. The meeting had been at Mount Greylock or at Weston Field since 2019.

Williamstown Moves Annual Town Meeting Back to Elementary School

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Town Meeting will be held at Williamstown Elementary School for the first time since 2019 after a unanimous vote by the Select Board last Monday night.

The board voted 4-0 to move the annual meeting back to the Church Street school after it was held at Mount Greylock Regional School the last four years.

Twice, in 2020 and 2021, the meeting was held outdoors at Williams College's Weston Field during the height of the pandemic.

Technically, the 2022 meeting was scheduled for WES, but by the time it was convened, everyone who attended knew that the first order of business would be a motion to adjourn to a couple of weeks later at Mount Greylock to take advantage of the larger gym.

That gym was home to the meeting the next three years.

Board members discussed whether to move the May meeting back to WES and closer to the center of the town's population made sense.

"It would be nice to get a younger generation participating," Shana Dixon said. "A two-minute walk down the street as opposed to an eight-minute drive to Mount Greylock makes a difference, a big difference."

Members Matthew Neely and Peter Beck countered that the time and distance concerns might not be what are keeping people away.

Neely said he thought the meeting's length and child-care concerns are bigger factors keeping younger couples  or, often, half of those couples  from attending the meeting where the town conducts its annual business.

Beck said lack of interest could be the driving factor in attendance rates that hover around 300 in a town of 7,500.

"I think rather than child care or the hours or the day, the number one reason people don't come to town meeting is that they'd rather do anything else than go to town meeting," Beck said. "I think even those of us who go to town meeting probably have years where we've felt that way, and that's OK.

"But people who do want to go and aren't able to, that's the problem we should be addressing."

That said, Beck said, "I think having the ability for our densest, most walkable part of town to be able to walk to the meeting has benefits."

Since moving to town meeting to Mount Greylock, the town has offered a free bus departing from the Harper Center (across Church Street from the elementary school), but it has been, to say the least, lightly used.

"My understanding is two years ago they ran a bus and only one person used it," Neely said. "Is there pent up demand of people who can't get to Mount Greylock?"

Other members of the board noted that using the bus could leave a resident with the perception that they are then committed to staying until the end of the meeting in a way that doesn't happen at WES, where all attendees can leave when they want.

Town Manager Robert Menicocci told the board that moving the meeting back to the elementary school  the site of all elections in town  would be an adjustment for town staff but not necessarily an obstacle.

"It's smaller," Menicocci said. "Logistically, it's a little more difficult to get around there. Check in is a little different."

Menicocci noted that a February 2023 special fire district meeting that approved the new fire station drew nearly 600 residents that the WES gym accommodated.

Neely argued that the middle-high school works fine, but he admitted that he probably was the only person in the room who grew up within walking distance of the Mount Greylock campus on Cold Spring Road in the town's Rural Residence zoning district.

Chair Stephanie Boyd said she would rather put the meeting back at WES.

"I have a preference to try it at the elementary school," Boyd said. "I think there are pros and cons to both locations. To me, the elementary school seems to be more part of our community. It seems to be more of a community event."

Monday's meeting began as a joint meeting with the Finance Committee to review the Select Board's priorities for the town's fiscal year 2027 budget.

"Some of the priorities [in a memo that the Select Board sent the Fin Comm] are a little self-explanatory, in the sense that we need to have a frugal budget," Beck said. "We need to consider smart growth and economic development to increase our tax base.

"We, at the same time, don't want to cut for cut's sake and end up being penny wise and pound foolish and not able to maintain the incredible town that we have and the essential functions that we do have."

Fin Comm Chair Fred Puddester said it was good that the two panels are aligned on controlling costs but suggested that the Select Board needs to talk with the Planning Board when it comes to encouraging economic development.

Members of both bodies agreed that they should support a current Planning Board initiative that would encourage mixed-use development in the town's Limited Business and Planned Business zoning districts.

That initiative, if passed by town meeting, would only permit new development. It is the market that will decide whether developers take advantage of any changes in the zoning bylaw.

In the short-term Puddester reminded the Select Board of two potential storm clouds on the horizon for FY27: another anticipated spike in health insurance that will impact the labor-intensive "businesses" of municipal government and public education and reduced fiscal flexibility for the Mount Greylock Regional School District.

"We have to understand the [School Committee] has been, I think, very generous to the towns [of Lanesborough and Williamstown]," Puddester said. "They've been spending down their reserves, recognizing that we have the highest tax rate in the county, people are burdened. It's very hard to be able to afford to live in Williamstown.

"They've run out of their reserves, so they're actually starting in the hole, because they used reserves to balance their FY26 budget that won't be there in FY27."

Menicocci told the Select Board and Fin Comm that despite factors the town cannot control, like rising health insurance costs, the FY27 budget he'll present to the Fin Comm for review in February is "well under control."

"Long-term, if what we're facing today sustains itself at the rates that it is, we have some trouble ahead," Menicocci said. "I think it's good we're having these conversations in a serious way, but it's not a conversation of panic. What we're doing here now is signalling that there are actions we need to take to maintain our fiscal health and be responsible with our budget.

"No need to panic just yet, but don't expect a lot of bells and whistles [in the FY27 spending plan."
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At least 15 people were killed and dozens still missing as Pakistani firefighters searched the smouldering remains of a sprawling shopping centre in the southern city of Karachi on Monday.

The huge fire swept through shops and warehouses at the Gul Plaza in Karachi at around 10pm local time when most shop owners were winding down their businesses, while some had already left.

Gul Plaza houses 1,200 shops in a multi-storey complex spread across an area larger than a football field in Karachi's historic centre.

Footage from the scene showed intense flames engulfing the structure as firefighters battled the blaze through the night.

By Monday, crews had moved into a recovery phase, hosing down the remains of the building and beginning the hazardous task of removing mangled metal and debris scattered across the roadway. Dislodged air-conditioning units and shop signboards lay among the wreckage.

Emergency workers cautioned that what remained of the building was dangerously unstable, warning that parts of the structure could give way without notice. At least 60 people were still missing after the fire.

Large crowds gathered around the cordon as rescue teams worked, including traders who had lost their shops. Many stood watching as the scale of the destruction became clear.

"We've been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone," shop owner Yasmeen Bano told Reuters.

Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of the southern Sindh province that includes Karachi, said 15 people had been killed, including a firefighter, and 65 were still missing. He added that 80 people were injured in the blaze with 22 already released from hospital.

open image in gallery Firefighters douse a fire that broke out at a shopping mall in Karachi on 18 January ( AFP via Getty Images )

"The rescue efforts are underway and we hope it can be completed as soon as possible but I can't provide a timeframe," he said, adding that approximately 18 people who had been injured in the fire had since been discharged from hospital.

"As the rescue operations continue, the number of casualties may rise."

Anger was bubbling when Karachi's Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site on Sunday night after 23 hours, with people chanting anti-government slogans and protesting about the response time from the fire department, local media reported.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police said an investigation would be launched once the blaze was extinguished. However, officials suspect that the fire began in the ground-floor shops and is believed to have been caused by a short circuit before spreading throughout the mall, according to police officer Mohsin Raza.

According to rescue services, authorities received the first emergency call at 10.38pm on Saturday, reporting that ground-floor shops were on fire. By the time firefighters arrived, the flames had already spread to the upper floors, engulfing much of the building.

Images of the mall's interior revealed the charred remains of stores and a bright orange glow as flames continued to rise throughout the building.

Dramatic TV footage showed multiple columns of thick black smoke emanating from the multistorey building as firefighters in protective gear battled the flames. Several fire trucks used ladders, water cannons and hoses to douse the buildings floors, where flames shot out of windows and balconies.

Firefighters said Gul Plaza's lack of ventilation caused thick smoke to fill the mall and slowed efforts to reach people trapped inside. "It appears to have been caused by a circuit breaker," Mr Odho told reporters.

"The layout and construction of this market was such, and secondly, the nature of the items in it, such as carpets, blankets and other objects made of resins, so the fire is still simmering because of these."

Many local residents gathered to watch the firefighting operations, as worried family members also queued up.

Authorities said the fire spread rapidly after erupting in an area of the mall where shopkeepers had stored imported garments, clothing and plastic household goods.

open image in gallery Firefighters douse a fire that broke out at a shopping mall in Karachi ( AFP via Getty Images )

Fire incidents are common in South Asia, as most structures and other parts of the country lack fire prevention and firefighting systems, which often result in damage and casualties.

However, thee blaze at Gul Plaza could be Karachi's biggest fire since an industrial site went up in flames in 2012, killing more than 260 people. A court ruled in 2020 that that case involved arson.

The incident follows a separate fire a day earlier at the Karachi Port Trust, where at least 20 containers, most carrying electrical batteries, were destroyed.

In November last year, at least 18 workers were killed, and 21 were injured after an explosion at a glue-making factory in Faisalabad city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Police said they had arrested the factorys manager and were searching for the owner, who fled shortly after the explosion.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Indonesian authorities have found the wreckage of a surveillance aircraft that went missing in South Sulawesi and have recovered the body of one of the 10 people on board. The others are still missing.

The ATR 42 turboprop, owned by aviation group Indonesia Air Transport, used for monitoring fishing activity, lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday at about 1.30pm local time, while flying from Yogyakarta to the provincial capital Makassar.

Debris has been spotted scattered across mountainous terrain near Mount Bulusaraung, almost 1,500kms northeast of the island nations capital, Jakarta.

A large-scale search is underway, and a national aviation safety body will investigate the cause of the crash.

The body of a man has been recovered from a ravine about 200m (656ft) deep on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung. The evacuation of the body is underway, said Muhammad Arif Anwar, who heads Makassars Search and Rescue Office and is the mission coordinator.

The body has not been identified yet, but the South Sulawesi Police have started summoning family members of the crew and passengers to begin the identification process as recovery operations continue.

Pictures released by the National Search and Rescue Agency on Sunday showed rescuers trekking along a steep, narrow mountain ridgeline blanketed in thick fog to reach scattered wreckage.

Parts of the turboplane were seen lying in the forest area amidst a thick blanket of fog.

The plane was carrying seven crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry when it was last tracked in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a mountainous district of South Sulawesi province.

Debris of an ATR 42-500 turboprop airplane at Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, Sunday ( BASARNAS )

The three officials were part of an airborne maritime surveillance mission.

It was discovered a day later after a rescue team aboard an air force helicopter spotted a small aircraft window in a forested area on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung, said Mr Anwar.

They then launched a ground rescue operation and retrieved larger debris consistent with the main fuselage and tail scattered on a steep northern slope, Mr Anwar told a news conference.

The discovery of the aircrafts main sections significantly narrows the search zone and offers a crucial clue for tightening the search area, Mr Anwar said.

Our joint search and rescue teams are now focusing on searching for the victims, especially those who might still be alive.

Andi Sultan, an official at South Sulawesis rescue agency said: Our helicopter crews have seen the debris of the planes window at 7.46am. And around 7.49am, we discovered large parts of the aircraft, suspected to be the fuselage of the plane.

He added that the tail of the plane was also seen at the bottom of the mountain slope.

Strong winds, heavy fog and steep rugged terrain slowed down the ground and air rescue teams, but the operation continued on Sunday, said Major General Bangun Nawoko, the South Sulawesis Hasanuddin military commander.

The national police disaster victim identification team has been sent here, South Sulawesi Police chief inspector general Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro said.

The younger brother of the aircrafts co-pilot, Farhan Gunawan, has arrived in Makassar for the identification process, while police have collected samples from other families elsewhere, including those of a flight attendant in Bogor, West Java, Jakarta Globe reported.

The ATR 42-500 is a short-haul regional turboprop aircraft developed by ATR, a joint venture between Frances Airbus and Italys Leonardo. It is designed for operations on short and medium routes, particularly in regions with challenging terrain or limited airport infrastructure. It can seat between 42 and 50 passengers.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said on X that the aircraft had been flying at low altitude over the ocean, limiting tracking coverage. Its last signal was received at 4.20am GMT, about 20km north-east of Makassar airport.
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The UK must plan for a financial crisis that would be triggered if the US government announces that aliens exist, a former Bank of England expert has said.

Helen McCaw, who served as a senior analyst in financial security at the UKs central bank, has written to Andrew Bailey, the Bank of Englands governor, urging him to set out contingencies in case the White House ever confirms the existence of alien life, according to The Times.

Ms McCaw, who worked for the Bank of England for 10 years until 2012, said politicians and bankers can no longer afford to dismiss talk of alien life, and warned a declaration of this nature could trigger bank collapses.

She reportedly said: The United States government appears to be partway through a multi-year process to declassify and disclose information on the existence of a technologically advanced non-human intelligence responsible for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs).

open image in gallery The warning comes from a senior analyst with 10 years of experience at the Bank of England ( Getty/iStock )

If the UAP proves to be of non-human origin, we may have to acknowledge the existence of a power or intelligence greater than any government and with potentially unknown intentions.

Her warning comes as senior American officials have recently indicated their belief in the possibility of alien life.

In a recent UFO documentary, The Age of Disclosure, 34 US government insiders, including those from the military and intelligence community officials, were spoken to about an 80-year global cover-up of non-human intelligent life and a secret war among major nations to reverse-engineer advanced technology of non-human origin, according to the films description.

The director, Dan Farah, spoke with sources, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, New York Democratic senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and former director of national intelligence James Clapper, to discuss the governments work with UAP  the formal term for UFOs.

open image in gallery Marco Rubio has become a prominent figure pushing for transparency about UAPs ( AP )

Marco Rubio told the documentary maker: Weve had repeated instances of something operating in the airspace over restricted nuclear facilities, and its not ours.

Ms McCaw said: UAP disclosure is likely to induce ontological shock and provoke psychological responses with material consequences ... There might be extreme price volatility in financial markets due to catastrophising or euphoria, and a collapse in confidence if market participants feel uncertain on how to price assets using any of the familiar methods.

The former Bank of England worker explained there might be a rush towards assets such as gold or other precious metals, and government bonds, which are perceived as safe.

Alternatively, she said precious metals might lose their status as perceived safe assets if people speculate that new space-faring technologies will soon increase the supply of precious metals.
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The proposed new Chinese super-embassy in London could be advantageous to national security, the former head of MI5 has said.

It comes as the government faces mounting calls to reject Beijings plans for the embassy at Royal Mint Court over security concerns, with a decision on the long-delayed planning application expected this week.

But Lord Evans said having a single, larger building might not be a disadvantage when it comes to Britains security.

He told Times Radio: "The current director of MI5 has been very explicit about the scale of the intelligence threat that the Chinese intelligence services pose to Britain and its allies. So, this is an area of real concern.

Theres a judgment about whether the introduction of this, or the building of this, or the authorisation of this new embassy changes the risk. There are some aspects of it which I would guess are probably advantageous.

open image in gallery Lord Evans said having a single building might in some ways not be a disadvantage in security terms ( PA )

At the moment, there are a variety of Chinese diplomatic premises across London, several buildings. Having a single building might in some ways not be a disadvantage in security terms. It is a very big embassy.

I'm sure that has been looked at and I'm sure that appropriate security advice has been taken.

He added: But the fact that there is a Chinese embassy in itself has always been the case and will always be the case.

And I dont think that that in itself is a threat to our security any more than having a dispersed number of buildings across the capital that we have at the moment."

It comes despite reports this week that the plans for the site, near the Tower of London, include 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber.

Critics fear the secret rooms, located in the sites basement, could be used for the detention of dissidents who have fled the Chinese state for Britain.

The hidden chamber would be located in close proximity to data cables said to be crucial for financial sector communications between the City of London and Canary Wharf, The Telegraph reported.

open image in gallery The proposed new Chinese super-embassy in London ( Sky News )

But Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to announce that the proposal has finally been approved after the decision was repeatedly pushed back.

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the site, some with flags and banners, chanting no mega-embassy.

Speaking at the protest, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for the government to intervene to stop the plans.

Accusing the government of being scared of China, she said: I will always fight for freedom, and I am calling on the government to stop this decision.

Mrs Badenoch added: We do not want a country that spies on our MPs having this super-embassy right here, and I will do everything within my power to continue speaking on your behalf.

She said China is a country that has harassed and sanctioned our MPs, harassed and abused British nationals connected to China, it helps our enemies, like Russia, and disrupts the global trade system.

Labour MPs have also voiced concerns about the embassy, with nine sending a letter to communities secretary Steve Reed this week, urging him to reject the application.

They raised security concerns and warned the embassy could be used to step up intimidation against dissidents.

Ministers have promised to decide on whether to grant the Chinese embassy planning permission by 20 January.
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Rightwing Conservative MP and shadow foreign minister Andrew Rosindell has followed Robert Jenrick and defected to Reform UK.

Mr Rosindell, who became a Tory MP in 2001, announced his decision to switch parties on Sunday evening, citing the Conservatives position over the Chagos Islands as his main reason for defecting.

But the Tory leadership have said that Nigel Farage is welcome to an MP who has been in parliament for 25 years and remained a backbencher for almost all that time.

open image in gallery Andrew Rosindell told MPs that immigration is only successful when integration is successful ( UK Parliament )

The Romford MP was one of the most rightwing on the Tory benches, having previously opposed gay marriage, taken an extreme pro-Brexit stance and expressed "huge admiration" for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. He was also a member of the now disbanded Monday Club, an anti-immigration political pressure group.

Previously, the MP was involved in the 2009 expenses scandal after he claimed more than 125,000 in second home expenses for a flat in London while designating his childhood home 17 miles away  where his mother lived  as his main address.

In 2024 the police dropped a rape and sexual assault investigation against Mr Rosindell, saying the evidence threshold for criminal prosecution had not been met and no further action would be taken.

Responding to the news of his defection, a senior Tory source told The Independent: Rosindell had been threatening to defect for months, denying it was happening as recently as Saturday. Kemi said Farage was doing her spring cleaning, and this is another prime example.

open image in gallery Rosindell feeds his dog Buster before the Westminster MP's dog of the year contest in 2006 ( PA )

The Conservative Party supported Rosindell throughout his many troubles, and hes responded by stabbing his friends, colleagues and activists in the back. Reform are welcome to him. Were not going to be distracted from holding this disastrous Labour government to account.

Another source close to the leadership added: We had a duty of care to a very troubled man but now he is Nigel's problem.

Mr Rosindell, speaking about his decision to defect, argued that Reform UK is now the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom.

He said a clear red line for him was 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.

The Romford MP also claimed the Tories were irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions they made.

He added: The views and concerns of the majority of the British people must no longer be sidelined. Our country has endured a generation of managed decline.

Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain  one that firmly places the interests of the British people first.

The latest Tory defection comes after Mr Farage insisted over the weekend that Reform was "not a rescue charity for every panicky Tory MP". He warned that any potential defectors would have to admit publicly that the previous Conservative government "broke the country".

Mr Rosindell was first elected in 2001 but it is understood he had asked friends as early as last autumn whether it was time to defect to Reform.

One sticking point was understood to be the fate of Margaret Thatcher House, his headquarters in Romford officially opened by Baroness Thatcher whose memory Mr Rosindell was devoted to.

His decision comes just four days after Mr Jenrick defected to Reform UK following his dramatic sacking from the Conservative front bench and kicked out of the Tory party.

Launching an extraordinary attack on his former colleagues at a press conference in Westminster, the former shadow justice secretary said the party had betrayed its voters and members and was in denial  or being dishonest about its record.

open image in gallery Robert Jenrick with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Thursday ( PA )

He said he was joining Reform UK because the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch had failed to change after their 2024 election wipeout, arguing that the country now needs Nigel Farage.

In the days after Mr Jenricks defection, the Conservatives placed 11 of their MPs on a defection watch list amid fears more could follow him to Reform UK - a list which featured Mr Rosindell.

But Mr Rosindell had been popular in the Tory party with a number of future MPs and special advisers getting their first job with them. He had been one of just two Tory gains against Tony Blair in 2001 and was known as Mr Romford because of his strong connections with the Essex town he grew up in and represented.

Figures inside the party are now convinced that former home secretary Suella Braverman could be next to jump ship to Reform.

In the wake of Mr Jenricks defection, Ms Badenoch had attempted to play down talk of further MPs quitting the party, insisting that pretty much all of Robs former supporters have come to me and said sorry.

But responding to Mr Rosindells defection, Labour Party chair Anna Turley said the stench of a failed and dying Tory Party now engulfs Reform.

The Conservatives left public services on their knees, and Nigel Farage is now unconditionally trying to rehabilitate their disastrous record. The public wont be fooled: the Tories failed Britain and Reform want to do it all over again, she said.
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Donald Trumps 10 per cent tariffs on the UK could have a damaging impact on Britains economy and potentially tip it into recession, economists believe.

The US president threatened to increase the tariff to 25 per cent from 1 June, until a deal is reached to buy Greenland from Denmark. It applies to the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. The countries released a statement underlining their solidarity with Denmark.

Mr Trump has long had his eye on Greenland, first proposing US control over the territory in 2019. In his renewed plan for a takeover, he said it was "time for Denmark to give back", adding: "China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it."

Sir Keir Starmer said the government will take this up directly with the Trump administration, after the US president warned world peace is at stake if the US is not permitted to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong, the prime minister said in a statement. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

open image in gallery Donald Trump has theatened the UK and several European countries with 10 per cent tariffs ( PA Wire )

What are the UK and EUs exports to the US?

Cars, medicine and pharmaceutical products, and machinery are all among the exports to the US which will be slapped with tariffs. The UK also exports scientific equipment, non-ferrous metals and organic chemicals.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Americans bought 27.8bn of machinery and transport equipment, 16.7bn of cars and other road vehicles, 14.3bn of chemicals, 11.7bn of machinery and 10.8bn of pharmaceuticals in the 12 months to November.

Between July 2024 to July 2025, the US was the UKs largest trading partner accounting for 17.8 per cent of total UK trade, according to the ONS.

open image in gallery Protestors have taken to the streets since Trump threatened to take control of Greenland ( AP )

How will the tariffs damage trade?

The higher prices on US goods are likely to dampen demand for the products. This will in turn affect British exporters trade.

New tariffs on goods exported to the US will be more bad news for UK exporters, already struggling with the tariffs levied last year, said William Bain, the British Chamber of Commerces head of trade policy.

We know trade is one way to boost the economy and the success of transatlantic trade depends on reducing, not raising, tariffs.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, right, said he would discuss the tariffs with Trump ( PA Wire )

Last year, the US and UK reached an agreement which saw a 10 per cent levy being imposed on most UK goods.

Marco Forgione, the director-general of the Institute of Export and International Trade, said the impact for the UK will be huge and could even tip the UK into recession.

He told The Telegraph: Were going to see goods trading with the US suddenly becoming uncompetitive in the marketplace. So the impact for the UK will be huge, particularly at a time when we are struggling with very anaemic growth.

Trumps tariffs on other countries

Trump threatened China with a 145 per cent tariff at one stage in 2025, after the Chinese government announced plans for new export controls on rare earth metals used in a variety of technology-related products.

He then wheeled it back to 47.5 per cent, admitting it was not sustainable.

India was hit with a 50 per cent tariff, due to its appetite for Russian oil. However, the tariff was not unilaterally imposed on all products. Several exemptions were made, including for pharmaceuticals and electronics.
OSLO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen posted on her social media platform on Sunday that "Europe will not be blackmailed," following a series of emergency calls with European leaders after U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats over Greenland.

Frederiksen said she had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a post on her social media platform, she said, "The Kingdom of Denmark is receiving great support. At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders."

"It is all the more important that we stand firm on the fundamental values that created the European community," she said, adding, "We want cooperation, not conflict. I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed."

The response comes after eight European countries, including Denmark, issued a joint statement expressing "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland and warning that the U.S. tariffs, imposed in retaliation for their stance on Greenland, risk triggering a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic ties.

Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, and raise the levy to 25 percent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
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Kemi Badenoch has warned against Britain becoming a poodle to Donald Trump, while promising to rebuild the countrys defences if she became prime minister amid mounting global instability.

The Tory leader also took aim at Reform UK, saying the party is afraid to speak seriously about hostile states.

Her comments come amid growing global instability, with Donald Trump threatening to hit the UK and Europe with fresh tariffs over their opposition to his threats to annex Greenland.

Meanwhile, Ms Badenochs party has suffered a difficult week after Robert Jenrick defected to Reform.

open image in gallery Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Britain could end up being poodles as the US annexes Greenland ( PA )

Speaking to The Telegraph, Ms Badenoch warned Britain must invest in its defences to avoid being seen as weak on the international stage.

Getting Britain working again means fixing our economy and fixing our country, and that means putting our national interest first and rebuilding our defences.

Otherwise we will end up being poodles as the US annexes Greenland and were slapped with tariffs because we have not shown any strength, she said.

It comes after Mr Trump used a post on Truth Social to announce that 10 per cent tariffs would come into effect on 1 February on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 per cent on 1 June and would continue until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland, Mr Trump said in the long-winded post in which he warned that China and Russia both want to control Greenland, which he claimed only the US can prevent.

open image in gallery Protesters in Greenland and Denmark took to the streets to condemn the circus of Trump tariffs over the last few days ( AP )

Ms Badenoch also hit out at Mr Jenricks narrow, inward-looking and performative defection speech, noting that it failed to mention foreign affairs.

Earlier this week, Mr Jenrick used his speech to launch a stunning attack on his former party, saying it had betrayed its voters and members and was in denial  or being dishonest about its record.

But the Tory leader noted that the speech contained nothing about Russias war in Europe, nothing about Chinas growing economic and security penetration and nothing about Iran, North Korea, cyber warfare, AI, or the erosion of the rules-based order.

Reform presents itself as insurgent and anti-establishment, yet it displays no serious interest in national security at all.

Its not just the fact that their leader in Wales was taking bribes from Russia, but that they are afraid to speak seriously about hostile states, alliances, defence, intelligence, or economic security, and when they arent afraid, they dont know what to say, she added.

Taking aim at Sir Keir Starmers approach to foreign policy, Ms Badenoch said his failure on national security is different to that of Reform, but just as dangerous.

She said that the PM speaks in abstractions while allowing Chinese state influence in universities and infrastructure, Chinese intimidation and espionage on British soil and strategic ambiguity on foreign policy, that wills the ends of a rules-based framework but not the means, believing diplomacy alone will win.
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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has secured his seventh term with 71.65 per cent of votes, according to official results on Saturday, in an election marred by internet shutdown and fraud claims by his youthful challenger.

The musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine took 24.72 per cent of the vote, the final results showed. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has condemned what he described as an unfair electoral process and alleged abductions of his polling agents.

He said he had rejected the fake results and urged Ugandans to peacefully protest until the rightful results are announced.

Wine said he had to escape to avoid arrest by security forces who stormed his house on Friday. His party said earlier he was forcefully taken away in an army helicopter, but police denied it.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said Wine was not under arrest and was free to leave his house, but there was controlled access for others trying to go into the property to prevent people from using the premises to incite violence.

open image in gallery Supporters of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni celebrate the announcement of the final presidential results ( Reuters )

Electoral officials face questions about the failure of biometric voter identification machines on Thursday, which caused delays in the start of voting in urban areas  including the capital, Kampala  that are opposition strongholds.

After the machines failed, in a blow to pro-democracy activists who have long demanded their use to curb rigging, polling officials used manual registers of voters. The failure of the machines is likely to be the basis for any legal challenges to the official result.

Museveni said he agreed with the electoral commissions plan to revert to paper voter registration records after the biometric machines failed, but Wine alleged fraud, claiming that there was massive ballot stuffing and that his partys polling agents were abducted to give an unfair advantage to the ruling party.

Museveni, 81, has stayed in power over the years by rewriting the rules. The last legal obstacle to his rule  term and age limits  have been removed from the constitution, and some of Musevenis possible rivals jailed or sidelined. He has not said when he will retire.

open image in gallery Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu ( AP )

Yusuf Serunkuma, an academic and columnist for the local Observer newspaper, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Wine didnt stand a chance against the authoritarian Museveni. He has quite successfully emasculated the opposition, Serunkuma said of Museveni. You would have to credit him for that.

Even with Wines courageous challenge, Museveni faced one of the weakest oppositions in recent times, in part because opposition figures are not united while Museveni is the undisputed leader of his party and enjoys authority over the armed forces, Serunkuma said.

The security forces were a constant presence throughout the election campaign, and Wine said authorities followed him and harassed his supporters, using tear gas against them. He campaigned in a flak jacket and helmet due to his security fears.

Uganda has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since its independence from British colonial rule six decades ago.

Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison after he was charged with treason in February 2025.
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A man who ploughed a pickup truck into a Fourth of July barbecue in a New York City park, killing four people and injuring seven others, has been sentenced to 24 years to life in prison.

Daniel Hyden was drunk at the wheel when his Ford F-150 mounted a curb, tore through a chain-link fence, and crashed into a gathering at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan two years ago.

The devastating incident claimed the lives of Ana Morel, 43; Lucille Pinkney, 59; her son, Herman Pinkney, 38; and Emily Ruiz, 30. Seven people were injured, including Halena Herrera, who was hit in the face by debris and whose best friend, Emily Ruiz, died in the crash.

The trucks momentum was only halted by the bodies trapped underneath, stopping just feet from Herrera.

Speaking after Hydens sentencing in a state court in Manhattan, Herrera expressed the profound impact of the tragedy.

"Learning that the only reason I lived was that four other people were dying under the car is still very hard to deal with," she told reporters. While acknowledging a sense of justice, she added, "It doesnt help much. It doesnt bring anything back, but its good to have it over with, so Im happy for that."

Hyden, 46, from Monmouth, New Jersey, was convicted in November at a non-jury trial of murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, and other charges. Despite being a substance abuse counsellor who authored a 2020 book on coping with addiction, he described the incident as an "accident" in his courtroom apology.

He claimed he had broken his sobriety after his own sister was killed by a drunk driver in 2021, and was preparing to speak at that drivers sentencing at the time of his crash.

However, Herrera dismissed his remorse, stating: "He has shown no remorse from the very beginning, so for him to sit there and say that hes sorry is just  I dont believe any of it." Diamond Pinkney, son and brother to two of the victims, called the sentencing a "big relief," adding that Hyden "knew what he did, he knew the possibility he couldve caused and he did it."

Hyden claimed he had broken his sobriety after his own sister was killed by a drunk driver in 2021, and was preparing to speak at that drivers sentencing at the time of his crash ( AP )

Prosecutors detailed the events leading up to the crash, revealing that less than an hour before, Hyden had been refused entry to a nearby party boat and clashed with security.

Police officers who responded testified they saw nothing warranting an arrest and left him on a park bench. Hyden then got behind the wheel, accelerating through a stop sign at 39 mph (63 kph), speeding through a construction zone, and driving over a pavement at up to 54 mph (87 kph) before reaching the park.

He was pressing the accelerator fully and did not brake until half a second before impact. Witnesses pulled the keys from the ignition when he attempted to reverse.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated: "While this prison sentence will not reverse the fatalities, injuries, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of comfort for those who were impacted by this mass casualty event." He issued a stark warning: "If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel  it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted."

Both Herrera and Pinkney hope Hyden remains imprisoned for life. Herrera, who is studying to be a therapist, continues to grapple with depression and post-traumatic stress. "Every day, Im worried that something else can happen," she said. "But to live it is a different thing. So, now its like: Am I going to get hit by a car crossing the street? Is something going to happen to me?"
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The December 16 debate inside the council chamber in Oakland, California, was fierce, and stretched from lunchtime into the evening.

"You are doing more to advance Trumps agenda in Oakland than anyone," one citizen admonished the council.

"My parents were Holocaust survivors. They were hunted like animals by an authoritarian, white supremacist regime, said another. "We're seeing a frighteningly similar playbook in the US today... a yes vote on the flock contract will make you complicit.

"Too many crimes in Oakland go unresolved because there is not enough evidence to hold offenders accountable!" preached a speaker with the opposite view. "Communities deserve safety, evidence, and justice!"

At issue was a fast-growing Atlanta-based tech start-up called Flock Safety, which operates tens of thousands of AI-enabled number plate recognition cameras in more than 5,000 communities across 49 U.S. states. These cameras have rapidly spread throughout the country based on a pitch many local leaders find irresistible: dramatically cut crime by making it easier for cops to track missing persons and dangerous criminals.

The company trumpets its role in busting theft rings and bank robbers, catching alleged child kidnappers and even tracking down the gunman who killed three and wounded nine at Brown University last month.

But now many cities are cancelling or suspending their subscriptions after a string of scandals over Flock's data being accessed by immigration authorities racing to fulfill Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda  a concern only made more urgent by the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by ICE agents.

open image in gallery A Flock automated license plate recognition camera watches an intersection near the campus of the University of California-San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital. The data from the cameras is now being fed to ICE ( Io Dodds for The Independent )

Among the cities that have ended or paused their relationships with Flock are Austin, Texas, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Olympia, Washington, Santa Cruz, California, Eugene, Oregon, Oak Park, Illinois, Staunton, Virginia, Flagstaff, Arizona, and Hillsborough, North Carolina.

"They didnt just mislead us; it's coming out that they theyve misled a lot of people," alleged William Paige, a city council member in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, who previously voted yes to working with Flock, in a September meeting.

"I feel like Ive been played. And it doesnt feel good."

How local police share Flock data with ICE

Flock was founded in 2017 in the Atlanta metro area by three George Tech alumni, starting with handmade cameras built around the dining room table. After a local detective credited the tech with solving a burglary, CEO Garrett Langley advised his co-founders to quit their jobs.

"I think we run a risk today as a country that a generation of people will not believe America works for them because they dont feel safe," Langley told CNN last month. "Its too easy to get away with crime in America."

Using a technology known as automated license late recognition, Flock's cameras can track cars around the country, continually logging their location. Law enforcement clients can search not only by plates but by color or brand of vehicle.

In many places, courts have ruled that this does not require a warrant. Even some retail chains, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, have reportedly embraced Flock's products.

open image in gallery The company sells AI-powered video cameras designed to track and analyze human figures ( Flock Safety )

Crucially, Flock says the resulting data is owned and controlled by clients, not by the company. Each customer decides who else can see their data and how it gets used. But Langley himself has said that data sharing between different agencies is critical to his vision.

Indeed, the company told Congress in August that 75 percent of its customers were enrolled in its "national lookup" network, which lets every member search every other member's data. The result is a vast pool of information on Americans' everyday movements that has often found its way into federal hands, officially or unofficially.

In May, an investigation by the tech news site 404 Media found that cops from across the country had used this network to perform thousands of immigration-related searches on behalf of federal agencies. While some might have been about serious crimes committed by immigrants, many searches gave extremely vague reasons such as "immigration" or "ICE."

That pattern has repeated across the country, even in places with immigration sanctuary laws. Cities have been forced to cut off access to federal agencies that used their Flock data for immigration enforcement, or discipline officers who shared their login details with federal agents.

In August, Flock admitted that it had been secretly running a pilot program to give direct access to the Department of Homeland Security  despite previously denying any federal contracts. Due to internal miscommunication, customers were inaccurately informed that Flock did not have any relationship with DHS," the company told Congress.

open image in gallery Houstonite Alek Schott, who is suing Texas authorities for violating his constitutional rights via indiscriminate surveillance, stands in the infrared beam of a Flock scanner in Houston, October 2025 ( AP Photo/David Goldman )

To privacy advocates, it effectively amounts to a massive nationwide surveillance system that logs the movements of criminals and law-abiding citizens alike.

According to AP, the U.S. Border Patrol is mass-monitoring millions of American drivers via unspecified license plate systems, then stopping and questioning any deemed to have shown "suspicious" travel patterns. Authorities have also reportedly used Flock data to investigate people at No Kings and anti-ICE protests.

'Spin the facts and shift the blame'

Over the past year, Flock says it has worked hard to tighten its rules. It has "paused" all federal pilot programs, banned feds from nationwide and statewide searches and banned them from accessing data from sanctuary states.

It now lets customers block any outside searches relating to civil immigration enforcement, abortion or transgender healthcare, while requiring all searchers to specify a criminal offense category rather than just a vague reason like investigation or crime.

Critics, however, argue that the company has already shown it cannot be trusted. In one chilling example last year, Texas cops searched Flock for a woman who'd "had an abortion." When this was exposed, the sheriffs insisted this was actually just a missing persons case to ensure the woman's safety. Flock loudly echoed his claim, decrying "activist journalists" for spreading "clickbait.

But public records revealed that in fact the sheriffs were investigating the death of the woman's fetus, and discussed whether she could be criminally charged. Reportedly, the documents never mentioned her "safety" until after the story came out.

"Flock has not taken responsibility for the harms it has enabled, and has instead attempted to spin the facts and shift the blame to others," wrote Democratic senator Ron Wyden in a scorching letter to the company. "I now believe that abuses of your product are not only likely but inevitable, and that Flock is unable and uninterested in preventing them."

In response to detailed questions from The Independent, a Flock spokesperson said: "Feel free to see our website. We have no additional comment."

In Oakland, at least, the city council ultimately opted to extend their contract with Flock, albeit with numerous new safeguards. The police force said Flock had been responsible for 10 percent of arrests and was "one of the most effective crime-fighting technologies" it had.

Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Chicago, residents reportedly caught Flock workers reinstalling cameras that the city had ordered to be taken down, without any official authorization, leading officials to manually cover up their lenses.

"We disagree, respectfully, with any assertions that we have broken the law," the company said.
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Kyrsten Sinema was heckled by two men who claimed they had affairs with the former U.S. senator after the ex-wife of her former bodyguard sued her for allegedly breaking up their marriage.

The former Arizona Senator and Utah Governor Spencer Cox were interrupted during a panel discussion on the economy, tech sector and politics Friday hosted by the Utah Chamber of Commerce and the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported.

Sinema is graduate of Utahs Brigham Young University, whose mascot is the cougar. I get called that a lot, the 49-year-old former senator from Arizona joked to the audience.

Moments later, a man stood up from the crowd and declared: Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make. I am actually having an affair with Kyrsten Sinema.

The man continued to yell as he was removed by event staff from the room. Soon after the panel got back on track, another man stood up and yelled out a similar message, the Tribune reported.

open image in gallery Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, pictured in 2023, was interrupted twice during a panel talk by men claiming to have an affair with her ( Getty Images )

The second heckler was also grabbed by security and escorted out of the room.

It was not immediately clear whether the hecklers were performing a prank.

Neither were cited or arrested, according to the report.

I promise I didnt plan that, Sinema said.

The outbursts followed a blockbuster lawsuit filed by the ex-wife of a member of Sinemas former Senate security team, alleging that Sinema had a romantic relationship with her husband that led to the breakdown of their marriage.

Heather Ammel is seeking at least $75,000 in damages from Sinema.

open image in gallery Simena changed her party affiliation from Democratic to independent before leaving office in January 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The complaint was initially filed in September in a North Carolina court but gained national attention after Sinemas attorney asked to move the case to federal court last week.

Ammel claimed in the filing that she and Matthew Ammel shared a good and loving marriage marked by genuine love and affection until Sinema allegedly pursued Matthew, who worked as her bodyguard.

The lawsuit alleges that Ammel accompanied Sinema on various trips, including to Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, while Sinema was still in office, Heather Ammel reportedly uncovered romantic and lascivious messages exchanged between her then-husband and Sinema through Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

North Carolina, where the lawsuit was filed, is one of a handful of states that allow spouses to sue for alienation of affection, allowing abandoned spouses to seek damages from a third party responsible for breaking up a marriage.

The centrist senator changed her party affiliation from Democratic to independent in 2022, though she continued to caucus with Democratic lawmakers on committee assignments.

She resigned after the 2024 election, and she ended her six-year tenure in office in January 2025.

The Independent has requested comment from an attorney for Sinema.
Ever since the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, speculation and conspiracies have run riot in the darker corners of the internet.

The financiers death was ruled as a suicide, and a Department of Justice report four years later found no credible evidence of foul play. Yet that hasnt stopped many from claiming that Epstein, who cultivated an array of rich and famous friends, was murdered before he could blow the whistle on powerful associates.

And among the loudest voices asserting that Epstein was killed to protect the interests of those wealthy friends is his younger brother, Mark. The 71-year-old property developer has spent the past few years doubling down on the theory that his older siblings death was murder, not suicide. He has reiterated his scepticism of the official verdict in a series of interviews with major news platforms and programmes, from CNN to Newsnight, typically with his camera turned off, bringing what was once the stuff of the online rumour mill into the mainstream.

There are only three ways to die in prison, he declared to the US channel NewsNation earlier this month. Suicide, natural causes or murder. And Jeff was murdered. I want to know who killed him and on whose behalf. He then cryptically claimed that more autopsy facts will be coming out in February that prove Jeffrey was killed. Why the cover-up? he asked. Why the charade? Who are they trying to protect?

Strong words indeed. Whats particularly striking is how the younger Epstein brother, who maintained a very low public profile throughout his siblings life, has decided to stick his head above the proverbial parapet to become a part of this grim circus of intrigue and insinuation. Despite being only a year or so apart, most people didnt know Jeff had a brother, he told The Telegraph last year.

In stepping out from the shadows, he has inadvertently invited scrutiny into his own life; in the same interview, he admitted that hed been protected by armed guards for a while after receiving threats in the wake of his brothers death. His finances have also become a source of fascination: although his rumoured wealth hardly compares to his brothers millions, Mark, has reportedly been semi-retired since the age of 39 and is thought to have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity. Wealth of Jeffrey Epsteins brother is also a mystery, claimed the headline of one Wall Street Journal article from 2019.

open image in gallery Mark Epstein has maintained that his brothers death was not a suicide ( @notuitionever/CC BY 3.0 )

Also notable? His willingness to make bold claims about Jeffreys relationship with Donald Trump. He didnt tell me what he knew, but Jeffrey definitely had dirt on Trump, Mark suggested last year (the president has always vehemently maintained that he did not know about Epsteins crimes, and says that they ended their friendship sometime in the 2000s).

Born a year and a half after Jeffrey in 1954, Mark (nicknamed Puggy) grew up in the quiet gated community of Sea Gate in New Yorks Coney Island. He went on to study art at the prestigious Cooper Union College, then founded a silkscreen printing company, Izmo. Later, though, he swapped these more creative pursuits for property development. And its here that Marks business affairs become more complicated.

In the early Nineties, he launched another company, Ossa Properties, which at one time possessed more than 500 renter-occupied apartments across four co-op projects in New York City. But since Jeffreys death, it is one particular building, a nondescript block of flats at 301 East 66th Street, that has been the focus of most scrutiny.

Out of the 200 units in this building, the vast majority were owned by Ossa; Mark reportedly bought the property from Leslie Wexner, the former CEO of Victorias Secret, who employed Jeffrey to manage his finances for two decades (Wexner also previously owned the sprawling townhouse at 9 East 71st Street, where Jeffrey later lived and allegedly abused underage girls). Wexner has always maintained that he was never aware of Epsteins activities and that he severed all ties with him around 2007. I would not have continued to work with any individual capable of such egregious, sickening behaviour as has been reported about him, he wrote in a memo to employees in 2019.

Jeffrey is thought to have rented a number of apartments at number 301 from his brother; the buildings address was listed in his notorious black book as apt. for models.

The 71-year-old property developer has spent the past few years doubling down on the theory that his older siblings death was murder, not suicide

It is here that the eldest Epstein is alleged to have housed associates and models linked to MC2, the modelling agency funded by Jeffrey and founded by his friend Jean-Luc Brunel (who was later accused in court documents of procuring girls for the financier, as well as sexual harassment and rape; he denied the charges before he died in prison in 2022). Mark, meanwhile, has repeatedly stressed that he did not know his brothers actions or his alleged crimes. I dont live in that building, I dont monitor who uses those apartments, he told Crains in 2019. Im not sure who pays it, but Jeffs been renting there for years.

Mark has also shut down any attempts to link Ossa with J Epstein & Co, his brothers business. Documents filed by a Harlem-based charter school suggested that Jonathan Barrett, a proposed board member for the school, worked for both Ossa and J Epstein & Co over four years in the Nineties. Despite Barretts employment seeming to connect the two companies, Mark said this was a mistake, and told Crains that theres no business relationship between those entities.

When he has been asked about his financial affairs and how they might have overlapped with his brothers, Mark has offered only brusque responses. I dont have time to talk about it, and I dont see any purpose in talking about it with anybody, he told the Wall Street Journal in the summer of 2019, shortly after Jeffreys death. Since the president of the USA wont divulge his business info, and there are many more compelling reasons for him to do so, and since I have not been accused of wrongdoing by any government agency, I see no reason why I or any other American should either, he hit back at The Daily Beast around the same time.

open image in gallery Mark Epstein was interviewed on Newsnight last year ( BBC )

Should Jeffrey have died without a will, Mark, as his only close living relative, would have inherited the entirety of his estimated $577m estate. However, just two days before his death, he made a new will, one that placed his assets into a private trust. And in doing so, he shielded the identities of his beneficiaries from public view (Mark, for his part, has said he was not among them).

The developer has painted a somewhat contradictory picture of his relationship with his disgraced brother. According to one interview with The Guardian, theyd only occasionally been in touch after their mother died in 2004; hes also said that when he identified Jeffreys body after his death, it marked the first time hed seen him in seven years. Yet when his sibling had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking of minors a few months before, Mark had offered his home in Florida to guarantee Jeffreys bail bond (the request was denied).

He has also repeatedly claimed (including in a 2009 deposition) that he once flew on his older siblings private plane with Donald Trump in the late Nineties; emails unveiled during the release of the Epstein files, meanwhile, appear to show the pair joking about Trump as recently as 2018.

open image in gallery A report into Epsteins death highlighted negligence and misconduct at the correctional facility ( New York State Sex Offender Registry/Getty )

Its far from the only time that Mark has poured scorn on the president, distancing himself from his former friend. Hes described Trump and Epstein as extremely close, and cast doubt upon the POTUSs assertions that theyd ceased all contact in the early Noughties  and he has even claimed that theyd spoken in the aftermath of the 2016 election.

Jeffrey told me that it was after the election that Trump called him and it was sort of like, Can you believe this? Because nobody believed Trump was going to win, Mark told CNN in November. (Trump, meanwhile, has said he has nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein and threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.)

But, it is Marks firm conviction that his brother was murdered that has generated the most headlines. Shortly after identifying his brothers body, he hired the forensic pathologist and former New York City chief medical examiner Dr Michael Baden, who disputed the official conclusion of suicide. According to Baden, Jeffrey had a number of injuries that are extremely unusual in suicidal hangings and could occur much more commonly in homicidal strangulation.

In 2023, a report from a US justice department watchdog admitted that negligence, misconduct and outright job performance failures at Manhattans Metropolitan correctional centre provided [Epstein] with the opportunity to take his own life. It also cited issues with security cameras, and guards failing to check in on the prisoner as required. Yet it did not find evidence contradicting the FBIs determination there was no criminality in connection with how Epstein died.

open image in gallery Mark has offered only brusque responses when asked about his financial affairs ( Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty )

This, however, does not seem to have satisfied Mark, who has again and again called for a full investigation into his older brothers death; in the same year the watchdog report was released, he even submitted a tip to the FBI, writing: Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in his jail cell. I have reason to believe he was killed because he was about to name names.

The exact nature and source of the new autopsy facts that Mark promises will be released in February remain unknown for now. But if this case has taught us anything, we can surely expect that any such details will probably raise more questions than answers  and only lead conspiracy theorists further down the rabbit hole.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline 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.
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A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop has garnered national attention for warning his clergy to finalize their wills and affairs, preparing for a "new era of martyrdom."

Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, made these comments earlier this month at a vigil honoring Renee Good, who was fatally shot on Jan. 7 behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

Hirschfeld's speech cited several historical clergy members who had risked their lives to protect others, including mentioning New Hampshire seminary student Jonathan Daniels, who was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy in Alabama while shielding a young Black civil rights activist in 1965.

The Trump administration has defended the ICE officers actions, saying he fired in self-defense while standing in front of Goods vehicle as it began to move forward. That explanation has been panned by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others based on videos of the confrontation.

I have told the clergy of the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness, Hirschfeld said. And Ive asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies, to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.

Demonstrators have gathered to protest the death of Renee Nicole Good after she was fatally shot by an ICE agent Wednesday morning ( Kerem Yucel )

Hirschfeld did not call for violence, but instead said people of Christian faith should not fear death.

Those of us who are ready to build a new world, we also have to be prepared, he said. If we truly want to live without fear, we cannot fear even death itself, my friends.

Other religious leaders have also called on Christians to protect the vulnerable amid the uptick in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, including Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

We keep resisting, advocating, bearing witness and repairing the breach, Rowe said during a prayer earlier this week. We keep sheltering and caring for those among us who are immigrants and refugees because they are beloved by God, and without them, we cannot fully be the church.

In Minnesota, Rt. Rev. Craig Loya urged people not to meet hatred with hatred but instead focus on love in a world obviously not fine.

We are going to make like our ancient ancestors, and turn the world upside down by mobilizing for love," he said. We are going to disrupt with Jesus hope. We are going agitate with Jesus love.
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Santa Barbara County officials this week approved a 72-hour ban on the annual Deltopia party in Isla Vista, a college town where University of California students flock to for spring break.

But the change may be a relief for nearby celebrity neighbors like Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who call nearby Montecito home.

The ordinance, unanimously approved during Tuesdays board meeting, takes effect from midnight April 3 to midnight April 6 and bans amplified music in an attempt curb large, unpermitted gatherings of out-of-town crowds on Deltopia weekend.

County officials said Deltopia regularly attracts thousands of people, causing spikes in arrests, emergency medical calls, and public safety costs.

Emergency medical officials say calls during Deltopia weekends can surge up to 60 times higher than a typical Saturday, while sheriffs and fire departments said the event has cost the county more than $465,000 in overtime since 2023, the Santa Barbara Independent reports.

Santa Barbara County officials said Deltopia weekends can spike EMS calls 60-fold and cost over $465,000 in overtime since 2023 ( Getty Images )

Authorities clarified that the ordinance still allows for sanctioned events organized through a government entity, such as the Isla Vista Community Services District.

The lively student atmosphere in Isla Vista is in striking contrast to the quiet luxury of Montecito, an affluent and private community roughly 22 minutes away that has been home to A-list celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rob Lowe and Jennifer Aniston.

University students  several of whom spoke at Tuesdays board meeting  opposed the ordinance, claiming it would drive parties underground and potentially create greater safety risks.

University of California, Santa Barbara student leader EJ Raad argued that past bans on unsanctioned events often led to new large gatherings and reminded officials that Deltopia began nearly 20 years ago as the beach-based festival Floatopia.

Deltopia began as Floatopia, an unsanctioned beach festival. An ordinance ended it. And what was the result? Students created Deltopia, said Raad, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.

Deltopia, which saw riots and dozens of arrests among 20,000 attendees in 2014, has since been managed with measures like parking limits and education, while student groups have promoted drug harm reduction with the distribution of overdose reversal drug Narcan and organized medical support.

In 2020, during the first event in two years, authorities declared a multi-casualty incident at Deltopia due to numerous medical emergencies, including a woman who fell from a roof.

Isla Vista Community Services District Community Programs and Engagement Director Myah Mashhadialireza urged county officials to collaborate more with the community, saying that Isla Vista lacks the infrastructure to safely handle the yearly influx of visitors without a coordinated event.

However, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps argued that the county should focus on a sanctioned alternative that ensures public safety and allows for proper planning and emergency response.

The second and final vote on the ordinance is set for January 27, after which the Deltopia festival ban will take effect.
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Abigail Spanberger made history on Saturday, sworn in as Virginias first female governor. The Democrat took her oath at noon amidst a cold drizzle outside the state Capitol, ending centuries of male leadership in the states highest office.

Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, succeeding Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Her inauguration signals a new chapter for Democrats wielding power in Virginia, even as Republican President Donald Trump occupies the White House.

The day also saw two other significant inaugurations: Ghazala F Hashmi became the first Muslim woman to hold statewide office in the U.S. as lieutenant governor, and Jay Jones was sworn in as Virginias first Black attorney general.

A former CIA case officer and member of Congress, Ms Spanbergers November victory made her the states 75th governor. This is a historic first, as only men have held the post since Virginia became a commonwealth in 1776, with no woman serving as a colonial governor prior.

Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, succeeding Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin

She will now be formally addressed as "Madam Governor" or, by some officials, "her excellency."

While traditional protocol, outlined in "A Guide to Virginia Protocol and Traditions," suggests morning coats for men and dark suits for women  a tradition upheld by many, including her husband  Spanberger chose to wear all white.

This sartorial choice, with a gold pin on her long white coat, is seen as a potential tribute to the womens suffrage movement.
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The Trump administrations leading auto policy officials have championed federal efforts to reduce car prices by dismantling vehicle emissions regulations, as affordability remains a significant concern for American consumers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer concluded a two-day Midwestern tour at the annual Detroit Auto Show. Their itinerary included visits to a Ford truck factory and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Ohio on Friday.

The administration has aggressively rolled back electric vehicle rules from former President Joe Biden's administration. Mr Duffy stated that these changes "will bring car prices down and allow car companies to offer products that Americans want to buy." He further clarified, "this is not a war on EVs at all ... We shouldn't use government policy to encourage EV purchases all the while penalizing combustion engines."

President Donald Trump is grappling with economic headwinds a year after taking office and ahead of November's midterm elections, having campaigned on quickly fixing higher prices for American consumers. Average new car transaction prices reached a record $50,326 in December, driven by consumer preference for pricier trucks and SUVs, according to research firm Cox Automotive, while automakers offer fewer entry-level vehicles.

Last year, Trump signed legislation eliminating a $7,500 EV tax credit, rescinding California's EV rules, and cancelling penalties for automakers not meeting fuel efficiency requirements. Mr Zeldin asserted that the government "should not be forcing, requiring, mandating that the market go in a direction other than what the American consumer is demanding."

Automakers also face steep tariffs imposed by Trump on imported vehicles and parts. Despite these policy shifts and new tariffs, new U.S. vehicle sales rose 2.4% in 2025 to 16.2 million vehicles.

Democrats argue that auto tariffs and efforts to eliminate EV incentives will harm consumers. However, Greer contended that car prices are trending down and "whatever effects those tariffs may have on various parts of the supply chain, they're not really getting down to the consumer."

Kathy Harris, director of clean vehicles at the environmental activist group NRDC, criticised the administration's auto policies. She warned, "The oil industry will rake in billions more from cash-strapped Americans who can't afford to spend more to fuel up their car or truck."

In December, the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed rolling back Biden-era fuel efficiency standards that had encouraged auto companies to build more EVs. The EPA is also expected to finalise a rule in the coming weeks eliminating vehicle tailpipe emissions requirements. The USDOT estimates its proposal would reduce average up-front vehicle costs by $930, but increase fuel consumption by as much as 100 billion gallons through 2050, and cost Americans up to another $185 billion for fuel
ZAGREB, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian government on Sunday criticized the threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on European countries over Greenland, and expressed solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

The Croatian government's position is that allies should respect each other and acknowledge the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark, it said in a statement.

"In this context, we express our solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. We do not agree with the imposition of any additional tariffs that would upset the balance of the EU's trade relations with the U.S. and weaken the trans-Atlantic partnership," the statement said.

Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
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Its not just the East Wing of the White House that President Donald Trump has demolished.

In his first year back in office, the president has trampled long-standing American institutions and norms that, for generations, had defined the federal government, at a breakneck pace that has left even seasoned Washington observers scrambling to keep up.

Since his inauguration one year ago, the 79-year-old president has unilaterally gutted agencies, targeted political foes, frozen federal funding, upended global trade, issued blanket pardons for January 6 rioters who stormed the Capitol in a bid to overturn the 2020 election, deployed the National Guard and swarms of ICE agents to the streets of U.S. cities and carried out military actions in multiple countries.

Viewed together, experts say, these moves reveal a consistent trend: an effort to consolidate and expand the presidents power.

Critics call it a blow to the constitutional system of checks and balances  with Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, telling The Independent that the past year has been a sprint toward an autocracy.

open image in gallery Since his inauguration, Trump has done things no other president would have dared do  gutting agencies, freezing federal funding to Democratic states, deploying the National Guard and ICE agents en masse to city streets and willy-nilly slapping trade tariffs on foreign nations. ( Reuters )

Supporters counter that the president is rightly reclaiming control from an entrenched class of unelected bureaucrats.

"Trump is going to go down in history as the most successful and consequential president in our lifetime, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded when asked for comment from The Independent. His successes on behalf of the American people will be imprinted upon the fabric of America and will be felt by every other White House that comes after him.

Heres a look back at some of Trumps boundary-pushing actions.

Gutting agencies, freezing funding

open image in gallery In the past year, President Trump has worked to concentrate and broaden his executive authority, troubling critics and exciting supporters ( AFP via Getty Images )

On the domestic front, the first signs of Trumps expansive view of executive authority appeared soon after his inauguration, when he created the Department of Government Efficiency. The cost-cutting outfit empowered mega-donor Elon Musk  the worlds richest man  to eliminate entire agencies, including USAID, forcing nearly 300,000 workers out of the federal government.

Trump also froze billions in congressionally approved funds for universities, medical research, and foreign aid  much of it bound for Democratic-led states.

The most central, unwavering power of Congress is the power of the purse. And Donald Trump has refused to spend money that was approved, Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, told The Independent.

Many argue Trumps sweeping actions mark a sharp break from his first term, driven largely by personnel changes. During his first administration, he was surrounded by people who worked to tame his wildest impulses, Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway told The Independent. This time, hes cast most of the establishment aside, filling the White House with loyalists.

Flurry of executive orders and pardons

During his first 100 days, Trump issued a record-breaking 124 executive orders, several which were deemed unconstitutional by critics and courts, including one ending birthright citizenship and another requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.

These orders are extraordinary, not just in their number, but in their breadth, Rory Little, a law professor at the University of California-San Francisco, said in April.

open image in gallery In December, Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction' ( Getty Images )

In his second term, Trump has also aggressively wielded his pardon power, granting clemency to thousands  including nearly all 1,600 people charged in the January 6 Capitol riot  as well as numerous figures convicted of fraud, bribery and tax evasion. Many of those granted reprieve are politically aligned with the president.

Weaponizing the Justice Department against his foes

In another notable break from presidential norms, Trump has publicly pressured the Department of Justice to investigate his political adversaries.

In September, he blasted Attorney General Pam Bondi over the lack of charges against guilty as hell ex-FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, he wrote on Truth Social. Soon after, both Comey and James were indicted on charges of making false statements and other offenses by federal grand juries.

open image in gallery The DOJ opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell  a frequent target of Trumps ire. 'That jerk will be gone soon,' Trump said after the probe was announced in January ( Getty Images )

Earlier this month, the Justice Department also opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell  a frequent target of Trumps ire. That jerk will be gone soon, Trump said after the probe was announced.

John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security advisor during his first term, cited these as examples of the weaponization of the Justice Department. Bolton, who was indicted in October on charges of mishandling classified documents, told The Independent: Earlier administrations have done it, thats for sure, but you dont cure the problem by expanding the use of it.

Deploying National Guard, large-scale immigration raids

Last year, the 79-year-old president deployed the National Guard to multiple U.S. cities as part of a bid to crack down on crime. These actions, often done without the support of state or local officials, have scant historical precedent, according to The New York Times.

Hes also significantly ramped up ICE operations, particularly in blue states. On Thursday, he threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act  an emergency power not used for more than 30 years  to deploy the military in Minnesota, following anti-ICE protests there.

Summing up this cascade of boundary-pushing actions, Jacobs said: The imperial presidency has moved decisively and fully into the realm of domestic policy.

To his supporters, though, Trumps centralization of power is a feature, not a bug. Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has argued that liberals radically perverted the structure of government by empowering unelected career experts in federal agencies. His remedy: concentrating more power in the executive, as outlined by the unitary executive theory.

open image in gallery Earlier this year, Trump deployed the National Guard to multiple U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Bolton, an advocate of greater executive power, said he believes many of Trumps actions have been legitimate. But he noted: The effort to extend power over regular, everyday life, like through what hes doing with ICE and so on is something very different.

Meanwhile, Yuval Levin, a senior fellow at AEI, struck a more contrarian note, tellingThe New York Times that while the administration has shown a lot of action, it has produced little durable policy change.

Hinting at an unconstitutional third term

Though not an official action, Trump has repeatedly hinted at pursuing a third term in office  something explicitly barred by the Constitution.

A lot of people want me to do it, the president said in March, while in December, he said one of his donors offered him $250 million to mount a run in 2028.

And, in a January interview, while boasting of his accomplishments, Trump said, When you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election. The White House said he was joking.

open image in gallery Earlier this month, the president ordered a surprise U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of deposed leader Nicolas Maduro ( White House via Getty Images )

Foreign conflicts

Some observers say Trump has also pushed the limits of presidential power in foreign policy.

Presidents have historically exercised broad latitude abroad, often going unchecked by Congress when entering conflicts. Recent commanders-in-chief, for example, have launched attacks without a formal war declaration or even an authorization for the use of military force (AUMF).

Trump officials have cited that precedent, with one senior White House aide noting that former President Barack Obama carried out hundreds of deadly drone strikes without offering legal justification to Congress.

Yet Trump has gone further, former GOP congresswoman Barbara Comstock told The Independent. For example, in Venezuela, he didn't notify the gang of eight  a group of lawmakers traditionally briefed before military operations.

Beyond the raid in Venezuela, which led to the capture of ousted leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump has authorized military actions in Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Nigeria. His administration has conducted multiple lethal airstrikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, which critics call illegal, while making unprecedented threats to annex allies like Greenland and Canada.

Bolton, a supporter of U.S. intervention in Iran, said Trumps military endeavors have not been markedly different from those of his predecessors, though he noted that Greenland might be a different story.

The problem with Trump is, so much is bluster and braggadocio, he said.

Many critics, though, have sounded the alarm over Trumps frequent threats and unilateral military actions, warning that hes steering a conflict-weary nation toward more forever wars and imperiling longstanding alliances.

open image in gallery In April, the Republican president announced sweeping 'Liberation Day' tariffs on dozens of countries around the world ( AFP via Getty Images )

Sweeping tariffs

One of Trumps most extraordinary foreign policy moves came when he imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of nations and set a baseline 10 percent rate on all imports. Since introducing the tariffs in April, he has repeatedly paused, reversed and reinstated them.

The imposition of these wide-ranging levies marks a significant departure from the post-World War II era, where tariffs were typically targeted at specific industries or countries rather than applied broadly across all imports.

He has failed even to try to win congressional approval for many of his important acts  such as increasing tariffs  that have nearly always required that approval, Michael Kazin, a Georgetown University historian, told The Independent.

Trump himself has made clear that he sees no external constraints on his power on the world stage. When asked by The New York Times this month what restraints he faces, he replied, My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me.

The public appears wary of the presidents bold agenda, with 54 percent of respondents in a recent Quinnipiac survey saying that Trump has exceeded his authority.

open image in gallery Trumps unprecedented actions have been met with weak or little resistance from The Supreme Court and Congress, critics argue ( Getty Images )

Muted response from Congress and Supreme Court

So far, these dramatic measures have been weakly opposed, if not outright endorsed, by the Republican-controlled Congress  the branch of government intended by the nations founders to hold the most sway.

The Republican Congress has held no oversight hearings on any of the outrages that have taken place, and that includes the threats to invade our NATO allies, the clear war crimes taking place with the attacks on Venezuela or the abuses of ICE, Ornstein said.

He has, by and large, a Congress of enablers, Comstock said. You have this fear that the Republican Congress has, particularly the House, of their MAGA base.

As examples of congressional inaction, experts pointed to several failed war powers resolutions, which attempted to reign in the president on Venezuela and Iran.

open image in gallery He has, by and large, a Congress of enablers, Comstock said ( Getty Images )

But, many indicated a change could come after the midterm elections, which historically have resulted in the presidents party losing seats in Congress.

The Supreme Court has also moved cautiously amid Trump's flurry of high-profile actions. In multiple instances, it has ruled in the administration's favor, such as permitting a temporary freeze on foreign aid.

The Supreme Court basically gave him a free pass, Ornstein said.

Bolton noted that the judicial process has always been slow-moving, saying, The courts are still way behind Trump, but inexorably, they start to catch up.

In the coming months, a series of high-profile decisions are expected to be made by the high court, including on Trumps tariff powers and his executive order on birthright citizenship.

But, given the uncertainty surrounding these rulings and the outcome of the midterms, whether the court and the Congress will impose meaningful constraints on the president remains unclear. There are still three years left after all.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt threatened CBS News that President Donald Trump would sue the network if it cut his recent interview, according to a report.

In the moments after Trump finished taping a 13-minute interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil in Michigan on Tuesday, Leavitt issued a warning to him.

He said, Make sure you guys dont cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full, Leavitt said in reference to the president, according to audio of the exchange obtained by The New York Times.

Yeah, were doing it, yeah, Dokoupil replied.

He said, If its not out in full, well sue your ass off, Leavitt added.

open image in gallery White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned CBS News employees that President Donald Trump would sue if they did not air his most recent interview in full ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery Leavitt confirmed the remarks, saying in a statement, The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts ( AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson )

Several CBS News employees who witnessed Leavitt make the comments thought she was joking, one source told the Times.

Audio of the interaction revealed the group of employees sounding surprised by Leavitts comments. Kim Harvey, CBS Evening News executive producer, reportedly replied: Oh, great, OK!

Dokoupil seemed to try to lighten the mood, saying:He always says that! according to the report.

Leavitt did not laugh in response, according to the report.

CBS News told The Independent that it had already planned to air the interview in full. The moment we booked this interview, we made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety, a network spokesperson said.

Leavitt confirmed the Times report. The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full, she said.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump previously sued CBS over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of deceptive editing in an attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic nominee.

open image in gallery In the moments after Trump finished taping a 13-minute interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil in Michigan on Tuesday, Leavitt issued a stern warning to him ( White House via X )

Paramount, CBS News corporate parent at the time of the lawsuit, agreed to a $16 million settlement, drawing sharp criticism from both in and outside of the newsroom. Soon after the settlement, Trump approved a deal for Paramount to be sold to Skydance, led by CEO David Ellison.

Ellison later hired opinion journalist Bari Weiss, who founded the neoconservative site The Free Press, to lead the newsroom as editor-in-chief, alarming many of the networks journalists due to her lack of broadcast news experience.

Weisss editorial judgment has been called into question, as critics wonder if she is trying to make CBSs news division more Trump-friendly, a claim she has rejected.

Weiss recently courted controversy for pushing a story about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross alleged injuries following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, despite concern from journalists.

CBS News was the first to report last Wednesday that Trump officials said Ross suffered internal bleeding in his torso, citing two unnamed sources.

The report about his injuries sparked internal skepticism at the network according to internal emails obtained by The Guardian. However, Weiss expressed a high level of interest in the story, and the publication went forward with the story.

Trump hailed Weiss as the great new leader when he appeared on 60 Minutes last year. Weiss was on location for the interview and approached Trump afterward to introduce herself, sources told The Independent.

He was so happy to see her and she was so excited to meet him, they both leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek, one source said.
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Donald Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence has joined a growing number of Republicans publicly opposing his administrations efforts to acquire Greenland.

Pence criticized the presidents aggressive tactics in pursuit of the Danish territory, including threats to seize the Arctic island through military force.

I have concerns about using what I think is a questionable constitutional authority, imposing unilateral tariffs on NATO allies to achieve this objective, as much as I had concerns about the threat of a military invasion, which apparently is no longer being talked about, Pence told CNNs Jake Tapper Sunday.

The former vice president echoed other critics of the administrations latest threats, warning that Trumps current posture could fracture not only the U.S. relationship with Denmark but with all of its NATO allies.

Still, despite rejecting Trumps approach, Pence said he supports the broader idea that acquiring Greenland  home to roughly 57,000 people  serves U.S. national security interests. He pointed out that American presidents have pursued the island for more than a century.

The United States already has a longstanding treaty with Denmark, which allows the U.S. government to operate as many military bases on the island as it sees fit.

The White House has intensified efforts to incorporate Greenland into the United States in recent weeks, capping a whirlwind first year in which Trump sought to reassert U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere, with the possibility of trying to buy the island from Denmark or putting American boots on the ground.

The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security, Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, claiming that Russia and China will take over absent American action. Anything less than that is unacceptable.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently said that utilizing the U.S. military is always an option.

open image in gallery Former Vice President Mike Pence joins a growing number of Republicans splitting with President Trump on Greenland ( CNN's State of the Union )

This week, senior administration officials met at the White House with emissaries from Denmark and Greenland, which the Europeans characterized as unproductive.

After the summit, Trump announced plans to implement a 10 percent tariff on Denmark and other European nations, which will be payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.

European and NATO allies have wholeheartedly opposed Trumps attempt to acquire the Danish territory.

On Sunday, eight European nations  including the U.K., France and Denmark  released a joint statement condemning the presidents latest levies, claiming they undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron released a statement appearing to compare Trumps Greenland threats to Russian President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, Macron wrote on X.

European officials are now weighing a response to Trumps latest tariffs. This week, a European Parliament member said the E.U. will reject a 15 percent tariff deal negotiated with Trump last summer.

A number of other high-profile Republicans have denounced Trumps attempts to seize the island.

Rep. Michael McCaul, a former chair of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, warned that a military invasion of the island would press a war with NATO itself.

It would end up abolishing NATO as we know it, he told ABCs This Week.

open image in gallery Protests have cropped up across Greenland following Trumps repeated attempts to acquire the Arctic island ( Getty )

Rep. Mike Turner, a former president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, said Trumps attempt to acquire Greenland is not art of the deal, referencing the presidents book.

This is more the dating game, he told CBSs Face the Nation Sunday. This certainly isnt the type of language that someone should be using and trying to ask someone to join you in a partnership.

Theres certainly not an appetite here for some of the options that have been talked about or considered, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier this week.

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, Thunes predecessor, said that military action against the territory would be an unprecedented act of strategic self-harm, which would risk incinerating NATO alliances.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, also traveled to Copenhagen this week to reassure Danish officials that U.S. military action lacks congressional support.

Many congressional Republicans, though, have offered Trump their full-throated support.

When it comes to Greenland, I want to commend President Trump for being single-mindedly focused on America first, Texas Senator Ted Cruz told Fox News Sunday. I believe it is overwhelmingly in Americas national interest to acquire Greenland ... The whole history of America has been a history of acquiring new lands and new territories.

Polls show that there is little public appetite for taking over Greenland, with a recent Ipsos survey revealing that just 17 percent of Americans support Trumps plan.

At the same time, support for such an acquisition  which would dwarf the Louisiana Purchase  is even more muted in Greenland, where protests have erupted with a call that the island is not for sale.

A poll commissioned by Danish newspaper Berlingske last January found just 6 percent of Greenlanders would support joining the U.S.
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U.S. forces have killed an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader believed to be closely linked with the Islamic State member believed to be responsible for an ambush that left two soldiers and an American civilian interpreter dead in Syria, according to military officials.

A retaliatory airstrike strike in northwest Syria on Friday killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, who was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks, according to U.S. Central Command.

The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces, Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement. There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.

Al-Jasim was directly connected" to an attack on December 13 that killed Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat, CENTCOM said.

President Donald Trump previously vowed serious retaliation against ISIS thugs in the wake of Decembers attack.

open image in gallery U.S. forces have killed an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader directly linked with the Islamic State member responsible for an ambush that left two soldiers and an American civilian interpreter dead in Syria, military officials said ( AP )

This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS,] Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.

Trump stressed that Syria was fighting alongside American troops, as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with security forces as part of a coalition against the militant group.

The attack occurred as U.S. soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement as part of a counter-terrorism operation near the ancient city of Palmyra, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. The motive for the attack was unclear.

open image in gallery Donald Trump previously vowed there would be serious retaliation to target the ISIS thugs responsible for Decembers attack ( AP )

Let it be known, if you target Americans  anywhere in the world  you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

CENTCOM subsequently launched large-scale strikes in Syria. The operation, dubbed Hawkeye Strike, resulted in U.S. and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with more than 200 precision munitions.

Despite pulling some troops from Syria, the U.S. continues to fight back against ISIS, though U.S.-backed troops initially defeated the last holdouts of the caliphate in 2019.

As of December 2024, roughly 2,000 U.S. troops were in Syria, but the Trump administration has been reducing the number of troops over the last 10 months. In April, the administration said those forces would draw down to 1,400.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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A pardoned January 6 rioter led a rally in support of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis but was vastly overwhelmed by counter-protesters demonstrating against Donald Trumps administration and a surge of law enforcement agents in the city.

Jake Lang, who was among the roughly 1,600 rioters granted clemency by the president on his first day in office, was chased from the citys federal courthouse and targeted with water balloons amid sub-freezing temperatures Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Langs group played the song Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice and railed against immigrants, who they claimed were replacing white people as counter-protesters shouted them down, according to The Washington Post.

Lang, who promised to burn a Quran during the demonstration, branded the rally a CRUSADER MARCH on Little Somalia, referencing the states large Somali population that the administration has accused of widespread fraud as the president expands his mass deportation campaign.

The event drew sharp opposition from critics, who derided his march as racist and Islamophobic.

open image in gallery Jake Lang, a Jan 6 rioter pardoned by Donald Trump, led a pro-ICE march in Minneapolis, which was vastly outnumbered by counterprotesters who chased the group off the street ( Reuters )

Ahead of Saturdays rally, Lang said he planned to burn a copy of the Islamic religious text on the steps of City Hall. America is a CHRISTIAN COUNTRY; we will not allow Somali Daycare Pirates to overtake Minneapolis, he wrote on social media.

A group called the Peoples Action Coalition Against Trump said on Instagram that it would demonstrate against Langs hateful anti-Islam rally, and dozens of counter-protesters arrived on the scene.

Hey, Minnesota what do we say? one demonstrator chanted into a megaphone. F*** Nazis every day.

They also tossed water balloons at the pardoned rioter and hurled snowballs at other anti-immigration protesters as they chased them from the scene.

Video footage posted by Lang shows throngs of counterprotestors, some of whom held anti-ICE signs, surrounding him, pulling at his clothes and attempting to remove him from outside the courthouse.

Lang later claimed on X/Twitter that he was stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter. Video footage shows him walking away from the area with what appeared to be blood on his neck.

open image in gallery Counter protesters tossed water and water balloons and overwhelmed Jake Lang, who labeled his rally a CRUSADER MARCH to support ICE ( Reuters )

open image in gallery Lang, who was charged with attacking police officers with a bat at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, was hit with silly string during his pro-ICE rally on January 17 ( Reuters )

The dueling demonstrations unfolded after hundreds of federal immigration agents flooded into Minneapolis in recent days, following a pair of shootings by ICE agents. On January 7, an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, sparking political outrage and protests across the country.

On Thursday, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act  an emergency power not used for more than three decades  to deploy active-duty troops against citizens protesting his administration. But the president appeared to walk back his comments one day later.

State and local officials have sought to expel federal immigration officers from the North Star State. After Goods killing, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a blunt message to ICE to get the f*** out. And last week, Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration over its unprecedented surge, alleging it violates the Constitution.

The White House has vowed to redouble its immigration enforcement efforts and accused Democrats of supporting violence against law enforcement. The Department of Justice has accused Frey and Minnesota Tim Walz of obstructing law enforcement, which the governor condemned as a dangerous, authoritarian tactic that weaponizes the justice system against the presidents political opponents.

Lang, who was charged with attacking police officers with a bat at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, spent four years in jail before Trump pardoned him upon returning to office.

In March, he mounted a long-shot bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida.

On social media, where he has amassed thousands of followers, Lang regularly rails against immigrants, particularly Muslims. Earlier this month, he posted footage of himself holding a pig head with a Quran in its mouth. In recent days, hes made racist attacks on Minneapolis Somali community, which the president has repeatedly used racist and derogatory language to describe, including labeling them garbage who come from hell.

open image in gallery Counter-protesters rallied near Minneapolis City Hall after federal law enforcement surged into the city to support Trumps mass deportation campaign ( Reuters )

The governor has directed the mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

They are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully, according to the agency.

On Friday, a federal judge limited the use of force against protesters in the city, blocking agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and indiscriminately using riot control weapons on crowds.

While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated, agency commissioner Bob Jacobson said Friday. Demonstrations must remain safe, and they must remain lawful.
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Saturday Night Lives first sketch of 2026 brought out James Austin Johnsons Donald Trump and his Cabinet of curiosities for a status update on the administrations threats to Iran, the capture of Nicolas Maduro and a surge of federal officers in Minnesota.

I got what I wanted for Christmas, my very own someone else's Nobel Prize, which I cherish, said Johnsons Trump after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gifted him her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal.

And in my stocking I got Maduro  Nicolas Maduro, he said. We did a reverse Santa on him. We came down the chimney with a bag and took him away.

The cold open sketch referenced the U.S. governments capture of the ousted Venezuelan president now facing federal drug charges, with Trump vowing that U.S. oil companies will rebuild the South American nations oil and gas infrastructure.

Johnson then re-introduced his Cabinet, which he described as his fellow freaks, various monsters and nightmares from the twisted mind of Guillermo del Trump. Familiar faces returned including Marcello Hernandez as a bashful Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colin Jost as an explosive Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drinking from a jar of protein mix.

open image in gallery Saturday Night Lives first sketch of 2026 brought out James Austin Johnsons Donald Trump and his Cabinet of curiosities including parodies of Marco Rubio and JD Vance ( NBC )

White House deputy policy chief Stephen Miller, Johnsons Trump said, is on the ceiling somewhere in the White House.

Someone brought a Bible in here and he sort of scampered up the wall, he said.

Newcomer Ashley Padilla also debuted as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who thanked my hair and makeup team, who obviously hate me.

She went on to discuss the volatile situation in Minneapolis, where the Trump administration has deployed hundreds of federal officers to support his mass deportation agenda, met with a fierce resistance from protesters and exacerbated by an Immigration and Customs Enforcements fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good.

The Trump administration has repeatedly labeled Good an agitator who committed an act of domestic terrorism while masked federal agents have been accused of brutalizing immigrants and civilians alike.

open image in gallery Newcomer Ashley Padilla also debuted as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who thanked my hair and makeup team, who obviously hate me in the shows cold open sketch ( NBC )

Obviously, there's been clashes on both sides in Minneapolis, Padilla said. And have we been perfect? Yes.

She continued: I know a lot of people looking at the situation in Minnesota are wondering the same thing, can I join ICE? Well, let me ask you this: is your neck wider than your head?

Are you currently wearing a Punisher T-shirt? Have you ever punched a hole in the wall because your son took a dance class? If the answer is yes, then grab a gun, any gun, and saddle up big boy!

open image in gallery SNL veteran Colin Josts aggressive portrayal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proved a hit with fans when he debuted last season. He returned for the first sketch of 2026 boasting threats to Venezuela and Iran ( NBC )

Josts aggressive portrayal of the Hegseth proved a hit with fans when he debuted last season.

Now listen up in case your ears are too fat to hear the news! he said as he joined the stage in his latest appearance. We went into Venezuela and, como se dice? We tea-bagged their country!

Next, the United States is gonna sack-tap Iran, he said.

I'm gonna tell him, if Ayatollah you once, Ayatollah you 1,000 times. You don't dare kill your protesters. That's our thing! Jost said.

So just remember, you F with America, we're gonna F you right back.

The first sketch of the year in the long-running sketch series follows the presidents suggestion that he could deploy military action to intervene in Iran if protesters are killed. Despite his threats, monitoring groups say that hundreds have died since Thursday, with more 10,000 arrested.
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Roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers are reportedly preparing for possible deployment in Minnesota following Donald Trumps threats to invoke the Insurrection Act to crush protests against a surge of federal immigration officers in the state.

Service members are assigned to two infantry battalions with the Armys 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska and trained for cold-weather operations, according to The Washington Post, citing defense officials. ABC News first reported the move Saturday.

Pentagon officials said troops have been placed on alert to respond to potentially escalating violence in the Minneapolis area, describing the move as prudent planning.

The president has repeatedly suggested he could deploy active-duty military against Americans after demonstrations escalated in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month. The president has labeled protesters professional agitators and insurrectionists in a state run by corrupt politicians his Department of Justice is also investigating over what critics have labeled spurious obstruction allegations.

The rarely invoked 19th century law would allow the president to dispatch active-duty troops and federalize National Guard service members to occupy a state and city led by Democratic officials and his political opponents.

open image in gallery Roughly 1,500 active-duty troops are being prepared for potential deployment to Minneapolis, according to defense officials ( Reuters )

It was last invoked by former president George H.W. Bush to suppress Los Angeles riots in 1992 after the acquittal of four police officers over the beating of Rodney King.

The Independent has requested comment from the Pentagon and the White House.

In a statement shared with The Post, a spokesperson said that it was typical for the Department of Defense to be prepared for any decision the president may or may not make.

Last year, the president began ordering National Guard troops to several Democratic-led cities, an effort that one federal judge rebuked as a national police force with the president as its chief.

Legal challenges from state and local officials accused the administration of using American streets for political theater, and in December, the Supreme Court blocked the administration from sending the military into Chicago. Trump later announced the withdrawal of service members from other cities.

open image in gallery Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota following growing demonstrations against the surge of federal law enforcement officers into the state ( AP )

Goods death and the Trump administrations allegations that she was a violent rioter who committed terrorism have sparked nationwide protests and outrage from elected officials across the country.

Administration officials argue Good weaponized her vehicle by making contact with the officer as she attempted to drive away from a group of agents who were swarming around her.

The president himself suggested that Good and her now-widow were professional agitators and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called her a lunatic.

open image in gallery Minnesotans and civil rights groups suing the administration have accused federal officers of violently targeting immigrants and citizens alike ( AP )

The Twin Cities are home to roughly 80,000 people of Somali ancestry, the vast majority of whom are legal residents or American citizens. But the president  seizing on a series of fraud cases involving government programs where most of the defendants have roots in Somalia  is surging federal law enforcement and Justice Department resources into the state as part of a nationwide mass deportation campaign.

The surge is Homeland Securitys largest immigration enforcement operation yet, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests, with officers accused of violently targeting immigrants and citizens alike and facing off against protesters in violent clashes.

Minnesota officials have also sued the administration to stop the surge, alleging the operation is a politically motivated and unconstitutional attack on the state.

The Justice Department, meanwhile, has launched a criminal investigation into Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have roundly rejected allegations and defended their response to what the mayor has called chaos and danger brought on the city by the Trump administration.

A federal judge has blocked federal officers from retaliating against protesters and firing riot control weapons into crowds demonstrating against the administrations operations.

District Judge Kate Menendez, who was appointed by Joe Biden, has blocked federal agents during Operation Metro Surge from arresting anyone who is engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity after a wave of complaints accusing officers of targeting peaceful demonstrators in violation of their First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Officers are barred from using chemical irritants and intimidation, including by pointing firearms at them, detention, and arrest, according to the judges Friday order.

They also are blocked from stopping or detaining drivers and passengers in vehicles when there is no reasonable articulable suspicion that they are obstructing officers or roads, her order says.

A federal lawsuit accused federal officers of following demonstrators and observers home, firing chemical spray and rubber bullets and threatening them with arrest.
Nearly one year after returning to the White House with a promise to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history, masked immigration officers ripped a woman from her car as she tried to get to a doctors appointment in Minneapolis. On the other side of the country, a 21-year-old protester in Santa Ana, California, was recovering from eye surgery after an officer fired a riot-control weapon inches from his face.

They both came just days after an officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good.

The Trump administrations promise to go after the worst of the worst in his nationwide campaign to rapidly deport tens of thousands of people has turned American cities into conflict zones patrolled by hundreds of masked and heavily armed officers.

Democratic officials warned for months that a surge of militarized Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers would only stir up more unrest. They warned that the scenes of mass protests were by design, giving the president an opening to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy active-duty troops on Americans in cities run by his political enemies.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has reshaped the government to pursue an anti-immigration agenda across nearly every federal agency, with a mission to find, arrest and deport thousands of people, deter new arrivals and impose new restrictions on legal immigration that have repulsed humanitarian aid groups and civil rights advocates.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has surged thousands of federal law enforcement officers for his mass deportation campaign, sparking protests across the country and violent scenes of arrests and use of force against demonstrators ( REUTERS )

Thousands of people, most of whom have never been convicted of a crime, are now locked up in immigration detention centers, entering a byzantine legal process that the administration has pushed to make it virtually impossible to escape.

Federal officers, whose identities are largely kept secret and whose faces are covered, are routinely seen jumping out of cars and vans to round up immigrants and citizens alike, sometimes leaving their cars stranded in roadways or rolling down streets. They leave behind neighborhoods in shock and families in crisis, scrambling where to find members who often end up jailed hundreds of miles from home.

From Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, to Chicago, New York City, New Orleans and Charlotte, North Carolina, footage and stories of violent arrests and volatile protests have emerged at a dizzying pace.

In Washington, D.C., last summer, Trump invoked a never-before-used authority to seize control of the citys police department as deployed the National Guard and surged federal officers into the streets, claiming the city was overrun with bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people. Officials there accused the administration of waging a politically motivated hostile takeover.

And in Minnesota, where thousands of federal officers descended in recent weeks, news reports simply dont do justice to the level of chaos and disruption and trauma the federal government is raining down upon our communities, according to Governor Tim Walz.

This long ago stopped being a campaign of organized immigration enforcement, he said January 13. Instead, its a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.

People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement announcing a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of spreading terror in the state. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close.

open image in gallery Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota after Democratic officials warned for months that the use of militarized ICE and border patrol officers would only stir up more unrest to give the president justification to deploy active-duty troops against citizens ( REUTERS )

Trump promised to target the enemy within throughout his campaign and into his second administration. In 2023, he told a crowd in Iowa that he would send troops into Democratic-run cities whether officials there wanted them or not.

And one of the other things Ill do  because youre supposed to not be involved in that, you just have to be asked by the governor or the mayor to come in, he said. The next time, Im not waiting.

Facing widespread protests against his mass deportation campaign, and relying on varying justifications for their deployment, Trump did exactly that. In June, the president began ordering National Guard troops to several Democratic-led cities, an effort that one federal judge rebuked as a national police force with the president as its chief.

Legal challenges from state and local officials accused the administration of using American streets for political theater, an attempt to stir up unrest to justify the presidents military and federal law enforcement occupation of cities with large immigrant populations.

In December, the Supreme Court blocked the administration from sending the military into Chicago, and, sensing impending legal failures in the face of other lawsuits over his threats to put boots on the ground, Trump pulled out of the idea altogether on New Years Eve.

But the administration has continued to surge officers into Democratic-led cities, dovetailing with the presidents crusade of retribution against his political opponents.

In courtrooms across the country, protesters and detainees alleged officers shot them with chemical weapons at point-blank range, turned neighborhoods into war zones filled with tear gas, and racially profiled citizens and Native Americans before hauling them to detention centers.

The administration has blown through normative guardrails to make mass deportations a central element of government function, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

That scorched-earth anti-immigration campaign is part of a broader Trump administration assault on constitutional rights, from the arrests of international scholars Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk that presaged the administrations threats to dissent, to his ongoing efforts to unilaterally define who gets to be a citizen, according to Uzra Zeya, president of Human Rights First.

Days after an ICE officer in Minneapolis fatally shot Renee Good, whose death sparked a renewed wave of protests and political outrage, Trump promised a day of reckoning for Minnesota, his latest target. RETRIBUTION IS COMING, he wrote.

open image in gallery Kristi Noems Homeland Security is running the single largest federal law enforcement operation in the nations history, with a massive injection of taxpayer cash into ICE that outpaces most foreign military budgets ( Getty Images )

Less than one year after she was sworn into office, Homeland Security Kristi Noem is now facing threats of impeachment from dozens of Democratic members of Congress. And years after moderate Democratic figures sidelined abolish ICE demands, lawmakers entered the new year mulling how to cut off new funding for the agency, potentially triggering yet another government shutdown in Trumps second presidency.

The abolish ICE movement gained momentum on the political left under Trumps first term after the administrations catastrophic family separation policy and a fresh wave of raids and arrests. Years later, without any new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement, a Republican-controlled Congress last year approved a massive injection of taxpayer cash into ICE that outpaces most foreign military budgets.

A record amount of new funding has turned ICE into the single largest federal law enforcement agency in the nations history, with nearly $15 billion a year to expand immigration detention and billions more dollars to recruit and hire officers.

Indiscriminate, large-scale arrests increased by 600 percent within the presidents first nine months, with roving patrols and raids supplementing targeted operations, according to the American Immigration Council.

Those arrests exploded alongside a historic expansion of immigration detention, with dozens of jails, makeshift facilities and state-backed facilities such as Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and a wing of the notorious Angola prison in Louisiana holding more than 60,000 people at any given time, shipped around the country and jailed hundreds of miles from where they were picked up.

Unauthorized arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border have plummeted. Immigration arrests have more than quadrupled. Detentions are at their highest level in modern American history.

More than 622,000 people were deported by the end of 2025, according to Homeland Security. But as many as 73 percent of those booked into ICE custody last year had no criminal convictions, according to ICE data reviewed by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

The administration has also de-legalized more than 1.5 million people who were already legally living and working in the United States, swiftly expanding the pool of undocumented or illegal immigrants who were following immigration law until the moment Trumps government changed it.

Immigration agencies are canceling citizenship hearings and threatening green card holders and married immigrants interviewing for permanent legal status. Officers have arrested thousands of people who were showing up for court-ordered check-ins with ICE or immigration court hearings where they sought to make their case to stay in the country, with federal agents waiting on the other side of the door to literally rip them away from their lawyers and families.

open image in gallery More than 600,000 people were deported in 2025, though a vast majority of ICE arrests targeted people without any criminal convictions, plunged into a byzantine legal process that the Trump administration intends to make it impossible to defeat ( REUTERS )

With that radical expansion of the nations immigration detention centers came an avalanche of reports of abuse and neglect inside them.

A series of sworn testimonials from detainees at the largest ICE facility in the country allege deteriorating conditions and routine beatings that have left several people hospitalized, including detainees whose testicles were firmly crushed by guards.

Federal judges have intervened to force ICE to improve conditions inside facilities in New York and Chicago, where detainees were allegedly forced into cramped cells near open toilets without adequate food, water, clean clothing or a place to bathe or brush their teeth.

After nearly 35 years of experience with federal law enforcement in this judicial district ... I have never encountered anything like this, Trump-appointed Judge Gary Brown wrote in response to squalid conditions at one facility on Long Island.

He rebuked chillingly brutal conditions at the jail and questioned why ICE shouldnt be held in contempt.

The agencys behavior shocks the conscience, he wrote.
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A significant winter weather system is poised to bring widespread snowfall and sub-zero wind chills across the American Midwest and East Coast this Saturday, with unusually cold temperatures, nearing freezing, also forecast for parts of the South, including typically warm Florida.

In northeastern Ohio, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported a snow squall  characterised by sudden, intense bursts of heavy snow and strong winds  was creating hazardous whiteout conditions.

These squall conditions were moving into the Cleveland metropolitan area on Saturday and are expected to track eastwards into Pennsylvania and parts of eastern New York.

The NWS warned. "Expect visibilities of less than a quarter of a mile and rapid snow accumulation on roadways. Travel will be difficult and possibly dangerous in the heavy snow."

Below-average temperatures are predicted for the Central and Eastern US throughout the weekend and into early next week.

Midwest and East Coast temperatures are expected 15 to 30F below normal over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, with cold spells continuing into early February ( Getty Images )

The Weather Prediction Center, a division of the NWS, stated on Saturday: "The next few nights are forecast to be very cold for much of the Central and Eastern United States. Sub-zero wind chills are forecast from the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast, with the coldest wind chills expected in the Upper Midwest on Sunday night." By Sunday night, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island could see up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) of snow.

The cold snap is not confined to the northern states, with Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida all anticipating near-freezing temperatures through at least the weekend.

Tallahassee, Florida, could even experience some snowfall on Sunday morning, according to the NWS. However, any accumulation is expected to be minimal. Kristian Oliver, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Tallahassee, explained: "So here in Tallahassee, the likelihood of any snow accumulation is not zero, but its very low. I mean, the ground will be just too warm for anything to stick and accumulate."

Should Tallahassee receive snow, it would mark the second consecutive year Florida has experienced such winter conditions. In January 2025, parts of the Florida Panhandle saw up to 25 centimetres (10 inches) of snow as part of a record-breaking storm that affected the deep South, including areas unaccustomed to snowfall like Houston and New Orleans. Mr Oliver noted: "On average we have an event like this maybe every few years. But having two, back to back, Id say is pretty anomalous for the area."

Further north, central Georgia, south of Atlanta, could see up to 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of snow on Sunday. The NWS Atlanta office advised: "Plan on slippery roads during the snow, as well as on Sunday night into Monday morning as remaining water/snow refreezes."
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A letter from South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has been made public, showing he strongly urged the Adelaide Festival board to cancel Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattahs appearance at the 2026 Adelaide Writers Week.

In the letter, written days before her exclusion, the premier warned that the festival risked public ridicule and accusations of hypocrisy if it kept her on the program, especially after the Bondi terror attack.

The board removed Ms Abdel-Fattah six days later and later cancelled the entire event.

In a three-page letter to the boards now former chair, Tracey Whiting, Mr Malinauskas detailed his reasons for opposing Ms Abdel-Fattahs inclusion.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine evokes exceptionally strong and polarising views and emotions, the premier wrote in the letter.

Freedom of speech is fundamental to Australias democratic society and any Australian is entitled to express their views on this conflict, including their strong opposition and condemnation of the views or actions of involved parties. However, I am of the view that the statements and actions attributed to Dr Abdel-Fattah go beyond reasonable public debate.

I am surprised at the decision by Adelaide Writers Week to give a platform to this author and deeply concerned that the Board is not prepared to remove her appearance from the program, particularly in light of current circumstances, the national mood and need for social cohesion following the Bondi terror attack.

He stated that the government would not hesitate to publicly criticise Ms Abdel-Fattahs inclusion at Writers Week.

I will also make it clear that I believe that the Boards failure to remove Dr Abdel-Fattah from the program following the Bondi terror attack, would be contrary to the Boards broader responsibility to the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers Week, the premier wrote in a letter which was published by

The Palestinian authors lawyer has described the premiers intervention as coercive and disturbing, accusing him of undermining the boards independence.

Despite his repeated public protestations that he did not do so, his letter is obviously coercive and would have left the Board feeling it had no choice but to comply, Michael Bradley said in a statement.

Their independence apparently meant little to him, and it should be remembered that his government appoints the Board and provides most of the Festivals funding.

He also said that the premier had explicitly linked Ms Abdel-Fattah to the Bondi terrorist attack despite the fact that she had nothing to do with Bondi, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Last week, Ms Abdel-Fattah said her lawyers had issued a concerns notice threatening defamation proceedings against the South Australian premier, describing parts of his commentary as a vicious personal assault.
South Korean actor Park Seo Jun has offered rare insight into his past relationships and approach to dating, sharing personal reflections following the conclusion of his latest JTBC drama. Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the actor discussed how his real-life personality and experiences with love closely mirror those of his on-screen character.

Following the grand finale of JTBC's "Surely Tomorrow," Park sat down for an interview that revisited both his acting journey and his personal growth. During the conversation, he addressed questions about his younger years and how those experiences shaped his outlook on relationships. The interview was conducted with News1 and later highlighted by Koreaboo as fans reacted to his openness.

When asked to describe what kind of person he was in his 20s, Park reflected on how closely he related to his character Kyeong Do. Explaining his personality at the time, Park said, "I was extremely introverted back then, and college was where I really started learning how society works. While playing Kyeong Do, I thought a lot about my college days." His remarks emphasized how acting the role prompted him to revisit formative moments in his life.

Park's character in "Surely Tomorrow" is known for unwavering devotion, having remained committed to one person for nearly two decades. Addressing this aspect of the role, Park explained that his own approach to relationships is similarly earnest. He described how emotional depth plays a significant role in how he connects with others.

Read more: Park Seo Joon Wins Image Rights Lawsuit: Restaurant Fined for Using His Face Without Consent

Elaborating further on his dating style and emotional tendencies, Park shared a more detailed reflection on love and commitment. He explained, "I also have a lot of affection for people. And like Kyeong Do, I'm emotional and sensitive. I tend not to miss things people say in passing. And when I'm in a relationship, I give it my all." His comments underscored a consistent theme of sincerity in both his professional and personal life.

Continuing his explanation, Park connected his philosophy on dating to his work ethic as an actor. He stated, "I hate having regrets in anything I do, and I believe acting is something you have to see through to the end. My approach to dating is the same." The comparison highlighted how commitment serves as a guiding principle across different aspects of his life.

Park also acknowledged that experiences of love and heartbreak are universal. Reflecting on the relatability of his character, he added, "I've had experiences similar to Kyeong Do's when it comes to love. Honestly, I don't think there's anyone who hasn't. That's probably why so many people could relate." News1 noted that this honesty resonated strongly with viewers of the drama.

As reactions continued to circulate online, Koreaboo reported that fans praised Park Seo Jun for his thoughtful and grounded perspective. His comments offered a glimpse into the actor's personal values, reinforcing why his performances and public persona continue to connect with audiences.

Read more: Park Seo Joon Maintains Cool Vibe as Accusations Fly Over Kim Soo Hyun Tension
BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Javier Milei said Saturday that the trade agreement between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the EU "is a starting point within a broader plan of economic engagement with various international partners" for his country.

Milei attended the signing ceremony earlier in the day in Paraguay's capital of Asuncion, along with leaders and officials from both sides. The agreement was reached after more than 25 years of negotiations.

The deal is intended to reduce tariffs and expand trade between the two blocs and now awaits approval by the European Parliament, as well as ratification by the legislatures of Mercosur member states Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The deal covers a combined population of more than 700 million people.

"Isolation and protectionism, shielded by rhetoric instead of results, are the main causes of economic stagnation and the growth of poverty," Milei said, stressing that "Argentina has chosen openness, competition and integration into the world."

The agreement marks a step toward "building a more prosperous Argentina and a Mercosur that plays a leading role on the global stage," he said in a statement released by the Argentine presidency.

Milei said Argentina "will move decisively" to ratify the deal.

He also warned against introducing mechanisms "such as quotas, safeguards or equivalent measures" that could "significantly reduce the agreement's economic impact and undermine its essential objective."

Argentina's foreign ministry described the agreement as "a historic milestone for Argentine economic policy," adding that "exports to the EU are expected to grow by around 76 percent within the first five years of the agreement's entry into force and by up to 122 percent over a 10-year period."

In value terms, exports to the EU would more than double their 2025 level, estimated at nearly 8.64 billion U.S. dollars, over a decade, the ministry added. 
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A boy is in critical condition at a hospital in New South Wales, Australia, after he was attacked by a shark at a beach.

The attack occurred around 4.20 pm on Sunday in the waters near Shark Beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, a suburb in Sydneys eastern region.

Emergency services soon arrived at the scene to respond to reports of a boy being bitten by a shark.

The boy suffered injuries to both legs and was transported to the Sydney Childrens Hospital at Randwick, NSW Ambulance Service said.

The NSW police said the teenage boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being bitten by a shark.

The injuries are consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark, it added.

The police added that the boy was rescued by the officers from Marine Area Command and Eastern Suburbs Police within minutes of the call being made.

The boy was immediately given first aid on board the police vessel for serious leg injuries before being transported to Rose Bay wharf, where NSW Ambulance Paramedics continued first aid.

The boy had been jumping off rocks and was swimming in the water, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Signs reading Beach Closed and Shark Sighted are put on at Long Reef Beach as authorities close the beach down on 7 September 2025 in Sydney, Australia ( Getty Images )

Video from the scene showed the boy being treated by paramedics in a blue police rescue tent.

Police said Shark Beach was closed and advised swimmers to avoid going into the water. It is believed that the boy was swimming outside the net enclosure of the beach when he was attacked by the shark.

Shark Beach in Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, on Sydney Harbour has a shark net that was damaged during the massive flooding in April last year and the repairs were finished in early December.

Australia typically records around 15 to 20 shark attacks each year, most of them occurring in New South Wales and Western Australia.

In September last year, a 57-year-old surfer, Mercury Psillakis, was killed at Long Reef beach near Dee Why in Sydney following a shark attack.

A few months later, a Swiss couple was attacked by a shark at Kylies Beach in the Crowdy Bay National Park. The woman died, and the man suffered serious injuries.
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European countries targeted by Donald Trumps tariffs have warned of a dangerous downward spiral after the US president ramped up efforts to annex Greenland.

Mr Trump threatened several European countries and the UK with 10 per cent tariffs on all goods exported to the US until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland.

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Britain issued a joint statement on Sunday, in which they declared: Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

The European Union is now preparing to land the US with hefty retaliatory tariffs worth 93bn ($107.71bn), according to the Financial Times. The bloc is also considering restricting US companies from its market.

In the joint statement, the eight countries made clear their full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has threatened several European countries with tariffs ( PA )

Announcing the measures on Truth Social on Saturday, Mr Trump said the tariffs would increase to 25 per cent on June 1, and warned world peace is at stake if the US is not permitted to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Brussels hopes the retaliatory measures, which were discussed during a meeting of EU ambassadors on Sunday, will provide European leaders leverage in pivotal meetings with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

The decision came following a meeting of the EU ambassadors of 27 countries in Brussels on Sunday afternoon, in which they agreed to continue efforts to dissuade Trump from imposing the tariffs - but also to prepare retaliatory measures if the measures were implemented.

The 93 billion euro tariff package of US imports was suspended for six months in early August, as Europe looked to avoid an all-out trade war amid trade talks between Washington and Brussels.

"We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests," EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X. "We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with steadiness and resolve."

open image in gallery EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen vowed to face the tariffs with steadiness and resolve ( AFP via Getty Images )

British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer held a phone call with Trump on Sunday, in which he told the US president that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong, Downing Street said.

The prime minister on Saturday branded Trumps decision as completely wrong and said he would pursue discussions directly with the US administration.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who has a warm relationship with the US president, said he had spoken with Mr Trump about the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic.

"We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week," Mr Rutte wrote on the social media platform X.

Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, said the country is working to get Trump to abandon the idea that he needs to own Greenland, adding that Denmark is pursuing a diplomatic end to the dispute.

An agreement had been made with the vice president, JD Vance, about a diplomatic track to resolve the dispute, he added.

open image in gallery A protest in Nuuk, Greenlands capital ( Arctic Creative/HO/AFP via Getty )

On the Sunday media round, culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK needs to have an "adult debate" with the US. She told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "Often, with this particular US administration, the president will express a very strong view. He will then encourage a dialogue.

"He welcomes difference of opinion, and we will never shy away from standing up for what we believe is right, or asserting British interests. And what often happens is a negotiation."

But she rejected the possibility that Mr Trump would "chicken out" and back away from the threat, adding: I think this is actually a really serious issue, and I think it deserves a far more adult debate than us threatening the United States and the United States threatening us."

The French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday said he would not bow to "intimidation", and Sweden's prime minister Ulf Kristersson said "we will not let ourselves be blackmailed".

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also warned that any trade war would be "very damaging to everybody in the world".

open image in gallery Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post on Saturday ( Getty )

Italy's right-wing premier, Giorgia Meloni  considered one of Mr Trump's closest European allies  said she had spoken to him about the tariffs, which she described as "a mistake".

The deployment to Greenland of small numbers of troops by some European countries was misunderstood by Washington, Ms Meloni said. She added that it was not a move against the US but was rather intended to provide security against "other actors" that she didn't identify.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said China and Russia would benefit from the divisions between the US and Europe.

Ms Kallas said in a post on social media: "If Greenland's security is at risk, we can address this inside Nato.

Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity."

Industry chiefs have also reacted with anger to the announcement, including in Germany, where they warned Europe not to cave in to Mr Trumps demands.

The country is particularly vulnerable to tariffs due to its export-focused economy, which is currently emerging from two years of decline, as global trade tensions weigh on demand for its goods such as cars, machinery and chemicals.

The tariff threats have derailed a period of relative calm for businesses after a trade deal was agreed between the EU and US last summer.
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Protesters in Greenland have embraced a new kind of red MAGA hat  one that reads Make America Go Away.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered across Denmark and Greenland Saturday to protest President Donald Trumps controversial demand to seize the Arctic island. The protests came as Trump announced new tariffs on several European countries until a deal is reached for his administration to control the island.

An estimated 10,000 Danes gathered at Copenhagens City Hall Square to push back against Trumps threats, with many people in the crowd donning parody hats mimicking Trumps signature, bright-red MAGA cap that instead reads Make America Go Away.

The caps also read Nu det NUUK, a play on Greenlands capital, Nuuk, and means Now its enough. On the side of the cap is the Greenland flag and the countrys own spin on the MAGA slogan.ay.

The caps have become so popular theyre reportedly sold out in Denmark.

open image in gallery Protesters in Greenland have embraced MAGA with their own version of Trumps signature hat that reads Make America Go Away ( Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima )

Large crowds of protesters wore the hats Saturday while chanting Greenland is not for sale while others held banners reading Hands off Greenland along with Greenlands flag.

We have to support Greenland. We are Danes, Greenland are Danes, even though theyre Greenlanders, and we just have to stick together, protester Susanne Kristensen told NBC News. Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark.

open image in gallery Greenlanders wore parody MAGA-style hats that read Now is Nuuk and Enough is Enough as they demonstrate against Trumps attempts to control the island ( Getty Images )

Some of the demonstrators expressed fears over speaking out against Trump, worrying they may be barred from visiting the United States as a result. But others said they have no interest in visiting until Trump leaves office.

I wont go there until hes out, Kristensen added, according to NBC News.

Another demonstrator, Almond, 57, told NBC that he had never protested before but felt he had to do something.

Ive actually never done this before, demonstrating, but this is very important to me, he said.

open image in gallery The spoof MAGA hats have reportedly sold out online in Denmark ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Eight European countries against Trumps demands to seize Greenland will be charged a 10 percent import tax starting in February ( Getty Images )

Thousands of Greenlanders trekked through snow in Nuuk Saturday to show support for their own self-governance, but just as they finished, Trump announced plans to charge a 10 percent import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries that oppose his plans to take control of Greenland.

The bloc is also considering restricting US companies from its market in response to the threats, according to the Financial Times.

I thought this day couldnt get any worse but it just did, Malik Dollerup-Scheibel told the Associated Press during what many described as the islands biggest protest, drawing in nearly a quarter of Nuuks population. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.

Rallies were also held across the Danish realm, as well as in the capital of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canadas far north.

Trump says Greenland would be key to U.S. security due to its strategic location  and he has not ruled out using U.S. military using force to take it.

As a result, European nations last week sent military personnel to the island at Denmarks request.

open image in gallery Trump has long said that Greenland would be essential to U.S. security due to its strategic location and rich mineral supply ( AP )

open image in gallery Only 17 percent of Americans back Trumps mission to acquire Greenland, according to recent polls, and even fewer Greenlanders want to be part of the United States ( Getty Images )

Greenland, which is home to some 57,000 people, has been governed from Copenhagen for centuries. While it has gained significant autonomy, it remains part of Denmark, which oversees its defense and largely funds its administration.

Approximately 17,000 Greenlanders live in Denmark, according to Danish authorities.

All parties in Greenlands parliament favor its independence and prefer remaining a part of Denmark rather than the U.S., according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, only 17 percent of Americans approve of Trumps efforts to acquire Greenland, with large majorities of Democrats and Republicans opposing using military force to take the island, according to Reuters.
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The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has accused Vladimir Putin of heresy after the Russian President claimed his invasion of Ukraine was a holy mission.

During a speech to mark Orthodox Christmas earlier this month, Putin called his soldiers warriors who were acting as if at the Lords behest and defending the fatherland.

Mr Williams, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012, condemned the use of religion to justify the invasion as disturbing and said that Putins revanchism directly contradicts the message preached by Jesus Christ.

Id certainly say were talking about heresy, he told The Independent. Were talking about something which undermines a really fundamental aspect of religious belief, of Christian belief, which assumes that we have to defend God by violence.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 1,600 theologians and clerics from the Eastern Orthodox Church issued the Volos Declaration, which condemned the Russian World ideology as a heretical belief and practice. The belief system grants Russia a special place in the cosmic order and claims the country has a divine right to build the Holy Rus: a land chosen by God for the Russian people.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin lights a candle as he attends a Christmas service at a church in Moscow ( AFP via Getty )

The idea that death in battle for your country equates to Christian martyrdom seems to be the most bizarre and unjustifiable interpretation you could take, Mr Williams said.

There is something really, really disturbing about the systematic, comprehensive rebranding of Christianity as Russian national ideology.

He referred to statements made by Christ that his kingdom is not of this world and if it were of this world, my servants would fight.

Mr Williams pointed to the fact that Putin often resists calls to scale back fighting and violence over Christian religious periods, including Christmas and Easter.

open image in gallery The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams ( PA )

He also pointed to the arrest and detention of two young Orthodox seminary members, Denis Popovich and Nikita Ivankovich. They are facing up to 20 years in prison on what critics say are trumped-up charges, according to Public Orthodoxy, a publication that is part of the Orthodox Christian Studies Centre.

Mr Popovich was arrested as he was walking to Sretensky Monastery in Moscow for petty hooliganism and allegedly shouting and using obscene language. Public Orthodoxy wrote in a newsletter on the anniversary of his arrest: Anyone who knew this devout young man understood immediately that such behaviour was inconceivable for him. Six weeks later, the allegations had transformed into terrorism charges.

Asked what he would say to Putin, the theologian said: The word Christianity contains the name Christ. Which Christ do you think youre serving? The one of the Gospels or some nationalist goblin?

In 2024, the Ukrainian parliament outlawed the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church because of its strong support for Russia's invasion.

The Russian Orthodox Church has been a powerful ally of Putin, giving its blessing to the war and supporting his campaign to uphold what he calls traditional values in Russian society, in contrast to perceived Western decadence.

open image in gallery Russias leader has referred to his invasion of Ukraine as a holy mission ( Ukrainian Armed Forces )

Mr Williams said that Russias use of faith as a justification for war should be an alarm bell for the West. Governments are in denial about the extent to which religion is being weaponised to drive human conflict across the world, and religious leaders should step up their condemnation of violence, he suggested.

In the West, we might think that religion is draining away but it certainly isnt in other parts of the world, he said. To imagine that faith can only be defended by violence is a bit of an insult to faith really. If you're saying faith can only be strong if I beat the living daylights out of unbelievers, you're not saying much about the strength of faith, are you?

Orthodox priests told The Independent last week that Putin is more akin to the Antichrist than a messiah, and that he holds demonic beliefs antithetical to the faith.

Seen from a Christian perspective, you dont use unholy means to pursue a holy mission, the former Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, told The Independent. When that unholy means involves slaughtering people, invading their country, and telling lies.
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Donald Trump claims to have hashed out the framework of a future deal on Greenland following weeks of threats to annex the Danish territory.

The US president emerged from talks with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte on Wednesday confident that a deal was in sight and that all parties were happy with it.

Denmark said it was open to dialogue so long as its borders are respected  but have notably not endorsed any aspects of the agreement briefed to the media or discussed publicly by Mr Rutte.

The shape of the arrangement was a little bit complex, Mr Trump said, and would have to be explained down the line. However, he waived his previous threat of tariffs against European allies in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions.

Mr Rutte said that Denmark would retain its sovereignty and stressed that Nato allies would have to step up on Arctic security within months under the framework deal currently being discussed.

Officials close to the negotiations briefed media outlets that a deal could see greater US freedom to build on the island, modelled on Britains overseas arrangements. But concrete details of what could form part of the deal remain scarce and there is no guarantee that Mr Trumps demands will be accepted by Europe.

The Independent looks at how the US may look to strike an agreement with Denmark and Nato.

open image in gallery Mark Rutte said he had held a very good discussion with Donald Trump on how to ensure Arctic security ( AP )

US sovereignty over military bases

In the hours before Mr Trumps announcement, Nato officials were discussing the possibility of the US obtaining sovereignty over land for military bases, according to three senior officials familiar with the talks.

Such a deal could resemble the agreement Britain has with Cyprus to run its own bases on land regarded as UK territory. Akrotiri, Episkopi, Dhekelia and Ayios Nikolaos are termed British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs), which stayed under British control when the independent Republic of Cyprus emerged in 1960.

They function as British overseas territories, with a civilian administration responsible for many civil government duties, like law and justice and immigration. They also have a police force and a mixed demographic with military and UK-based personnel and their dependents working alongside Cypriots.

open image in gallery Britain has a longstanding agreement with Cyprus to treat its bases on the island as British territory ( Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA )

An official briefed on the Nato-US discussions told The New York Times that the plan for Greenland would be modelled after the British arrangement in Cyprus  although the exact dimensions were unclear.

Sources also told The Telegraph the proposals resembled Britains agreement with Cyprus. They said the deal under discussion did not involve selling Greenland.

Rare earth mining

The US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik airbase in northwest Greenland under a 1951 agreement that also allows it to build bases provided it notifies Denmark and Greenland. A new arrangement could allow it to build without planning permission and expand into mineral-rich areas, according to The Telegraph.

Its a long-term deal, Mr Trump told reporters. Its the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals.

A 2023 survey showed that 25 of 34 minerals deemed critical raw materials by the European Commission were found in Greenland. The extraction of oil and gas is banned in Greenland for environmental regions, and investment in the mining sector currently faces challenges.

Graphite, copper, nickel, zinc, gold, diamonds, iron ore, titanium-vanadium, tungsten and uranium are all found in Greenland.

open image in gallery Greenland's Pituffik Space Base, where the US have a permanent military presence ( Ritzau Scanpix )

How Greenland has reacted

Denmark has said it is open to discussions that do not compromise territorial integrity. But the issue will also need approval within Greenland. The island is organised as a semi-autonomous territory with its own prime minister, who has strongly opposed American threats in recent weeks.

Prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has, notably, not yet commented on Mr Ruttes talks with Mr Trump.

Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said she feared that Nato was bartering over Greenlands future without the islands involvement.

What we are witnessing these days in statements from Trump is completely insane. Nato has absolutely no mandate to negotiate anything whatsoever without us in Greenland, she wrote on social media.

And the fact that Nato should have anything to say about our country and minerals is completely in the hemp.

open image in gallery The people of Greenland remain strongly opposed to the US controlling the island, protesting in large numbers last week ( AP )

Mr Rutte said on Thursday that specific negotiations would involve the US, Denmark and Greenland. It would be up to Nato commanders to work through the details of extra security requirements, which could see Nato allies doing more in the region.

"I have no doubt we can do this quite fast. Certainly I would hope for 2026, I hope even early in 2026," he said.

What is the deal missing?

The framework remains informal and lacks specifics. If the main challenges are, as Nato says, combatting Russian and Chinese investment and interference, the US already has the right to build bases and Denmark has countered Chinese investment in the past.

With Nato allies already moving to the region to boost security, it is not clear what a new deal would add.

The development of the islands mining sector is also wrapped up in red tape and opposition from indigenous people, and it is unclear how Greenland would be compensated if the US tries to extract rare minerals. The extraction of oil and gas is banned for environmental reasons.

A deal modelled on the British bases in Cyprus will need further clarity, as the arrangement has evolved greatly since 1960. Even if land becomes de facto American, negotiators will have to agree on remits for development and independence.

Crucially, the Nato alliance has been shaken by the repeated threats from the US, and allies will have to rebuild relationships to work together on security.
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The Dutch have called it blackmail and Britain says its wrong, but Spain is the country that has best spelt out the treachery of Donald Trumps threats of tariffs against his allies to force Greenland into his kingdom.

Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that if Trump invaded Greenland it would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man on earth.

The EU and the UK are in emergency talks on how to face Trumps latest threat of a 10 per cent tariff on goods from eight countries unless Greenland is sold to the US. The tariffs are to rise to 25 per cent on June 1.

Trump is a business buffoon. His companies have gone bankrupt six times and he failed to launch an airline and a university, and lost his shirt in casinos. He is also ignorant of basic economics.

He has repeatedly described tariffs, which are paid by US consumers and businesses in dollars in the US at the point of importation of foreign goods, as a subsidy.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer with Donald Trump ( PA )

The reality is that if he forces up the prices of goods from eight countries through duties, some of the rise will be carried by the producers, some by the middleman, and in most cases the majority of it by the consumer  Americans.

Trump is impervious to this reality.

Just as he is impervious to advice from longstanding allies that if he smashes Nato, the US will be vulnerable to the very threats from China and Russia that he claims he wants to protect against by bringing Greenland into the US.

Britain has stood by its Nato commitment and sent one officer as a token presence on a token European military mission to Greenland. As the UK has negotiated 10 per cent tariffs with Trump vs the EUs 15 per cent, it has a little more to lose in a decline in UK-US trade.

open image in gallery People in Greenland protest against Trumps attempt to make the island part of the US ( AP )

But it has a huge amount to gain economically, culturally, and now in terms of its security, if the crisis caused by Trump is seized as an opportunity for Britain to rejoin the EU on terms that bind the UK to the mainland. This would make both parties safer  and stop Putin from dancing a happy jig around the Kremlin.

Last year the UK and the EU failed to agree terms for Britain to join the Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme. This is a 150bn loan mechanism to boost the EUs defence industrial capacity in the face of Russias threat against Europe and invasion of Ukraine.

Britain was asked to stump up 4-6bn as the price of membership. Canada only had to pay $20m, but the UK would have been a full partner, not a third-party country with limited access to the funds.

Britain would have been able to benefit enormously from cherry-picking this EU facility without having to go for political integration  which is why the EU set the fee so high.

open image in gallery US vice president JD Vance in Greenland ( AFP via Getty )

But that was years ago in Trump time. Last December on our calendars.

The EU needs Britains arms industry. And Britain needs the EU economic and security blanket.

The UKs armed forces are small and impoverished, with their chiefs saying they face a 28bn funding shortfall.

According to a recent report by the Centre for Economic Policy: By 2025, we estimate that UK GDP per capita was 68 per cent lower than it would have been without Brexit. Investment was 1218 per cent lower, employment 34 per cent lower, and productivity 34 per cent lower.

Other estimates put Britains losses at lower levels, but there can be no doubt that Brexit has been a strategic economic failure.

open image in gallery Trumps threats on Greenland are a gift to Putin, who is trying to undermine Nato ( AFP/Getty )

The Europeans are not having an easy run either. Per capita GDP growth for the UK from 2016 has been 4.5 per cent, Germany has almost flatlined at 3.6 per cent. Frances is only 7.5 per cent.

The EUs top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said US tariffs would hit both sides of the Greenland debate but were a distraction from the "core task" of ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

"China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies," Kallas said on X.

"Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside Nato," she added.

The EU needs help from the UK to do that. Britain has much to give the EU: its armed forces and military industries would accelerate and improve the blocs security.

Trumps attacks on the very existence of Nato, his contempt for Europe in general, and his continuing support for Putins land grabs mean that the UK could negotiate better terms for re-entering the EU now than it would have done before the US president tore up international law and turned on the USs oldest friends.

The Greenland crisis is Britains best opportunity.
Close 'Evil must stop: Zelenskyy mourns latest Russian attack on miners as he confirms next diplomatic talks in UAE

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Foreign troops in Ukraine will be regarded as legitimate targets by Russia, the Kremlins foreign minister has said in the latest threat against Kyivs allies.

Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would regard the deployment of any foreign military forces or infrastructure in Ukraine as foreign intervention and treat them as legitimate targets.

"The deployment of military units, facilities, warehouses, and other infrastructure of Western countries in Ukraine is unacceptable to us and will be regarded as foreign intervention posing a direct threat to Russia's security," the ministry said on its website.

Britain and France have both pledged to put troops in Ukraine in the event of a peace deal - a key security guarantee for Kyiv.

Lavrov also heaped praise on Donald Trump for his "purposeful efforts to end the conflict following the first trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine.

Both the Kremlin and Volodymyr Zelensky have confirmed the second round of talks will begin on Wednesday.
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Donald Trump has threatened the UK, Denmark and other European countries with 10 per cent tariffs over their opposition to a takeover of Greenland by the US.

Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put the mineral-rich island at the heart of the debate over trade and security.

Trump has made it known he wants his country to control the territory that guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a longtime US ally and Nato member that has rejected Mr Trumps threats. Greenlands own government also opposes US designs on the island, saying the people will decide their own future.

open image in gallery JD Vance, the US vice-president, on a visit to Greenland last year ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Trump has said he can take the territory the easy way or the hard way. On Saturday, Trump said 10 per cent tariffs would come into effect on February 1 on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 per cent on June 1 and would continue until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland. "World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing Denmark can do about it," Trump said.

Heres why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:

Greenlands Arctic location is key

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defence of North America since the Second World War, when the US occupied Greenland to ensure it didnt fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect crucial North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation. But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the regions mineral resources.

The Trump administration charges Denmark with not doing enough to shore up security in the region  something European allies are desperately looking to improve as the US weighs taking the territory by force.

Rare earth minerals

Greenland is a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of mobile phones, computers, batteries and other hi-tech gadgets that are expected to power the worlds economy in the coming decades.

That has attracted the interest of the US and other Western powers as they try to ease Chinas dominance of the market for these critical minerals.

open image in gallery Greenlands strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors ( AP )

Development of Greenlands mineral resources is challenging because of the islands harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.

US military presence in Greenland

The US Department of Defence operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was operated by the US after they and Denmark signed the Greenland Defence Agreement in 1951.

It supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance operations for the US and Nato.

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where Nato monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

Danish armed forces in Greenland

Denmark is moving to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic.

Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner (1.7bn) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region.

The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity.

Denmark also announced fresh investments into the territorys defence worth some 27.4 billion-kroner in October last year. Upgrades would benefit maritime patrol aircraft capabilities and naval vessels, Denmarks defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

open image in gallery Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European Nato members in the Arctic Ocean in Nuuk, Greenland ( AP )

Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Greenlands capital, Nuuk, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island.

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.

Security threats to the Arctic

In 2018, China declared itself a near-Arctic state in an effort to gain more influence in the region. China has also announced plans to build a Polar Silk Road as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around the world.

At the time, the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo rejected Chinas move, saying: Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims?

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is worried about Natos activities in the Arctic and will respond by strengthening its military capability in the polar region. European leaders concerns were heightened following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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At least 5,000 people have been killed during recent protests across Iran, an official in the region has claimed, including approximately 500 security personnel. The official, citing verified figures, accused "terrorists and armed rioters" of killing "innocent Iranians", though human rights groups offer significantly different tolls.

The nationwide demonstrations, which erupted on 28 December over economic hardship, quickly escalated into widespread calls for an end to clerical rule. The unrest marks the deadliest period of dissent since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, branded Donald Trump a "criminal" for the casualties he claimed Trump inflicted on Iran by supporting protesters. Khamenei acknowledged "several thousand deaths" but attributed them to "terrorists and rioters" linked to the US and Israel. "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished," he stated.

Donald Trump had repeatedly threatened intervention if protesters continued to be killed or executed. In a social media post, he thanked Tehran's leaders, claiming they had called off scheduled executions of 800 people. He later told Politico that "it's time to look for new leadership in Iran".

Meanwhile, Iran's judiciary indicated that executions may still proceed. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir confirmed that "a series of actions have been identified as Mohareb, which is among the most severe Islamic punishments." Mohareb, an Islamic legal term meaning to wage war against God, carries the death penalty under Iranian law.

How Irans internet blackout is reshaping everyones algorithm ( AP )

In contrast to official figures, the US-based rights group HRANA reported a death toll of 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review, and confirmed more than 24,000 arrests. The Iranian official, who declined to be named, maintained the verified death toll was unlikely to "increase sharply", adding that "Israel and armed groups abroad" had supported and equipped those taking to the streets. The clerical establishment frequently blames unrest on foreign adversaries, including the US and Israel.

The violent crackdown appears to have largely quelled the protests, according to residents and state media. One Tehran resident described witnessing riot police directly shooting at a group of mostly young male and female protesters. Videos circulating on social media, some verified by Reuters, have depicted security forces violently suppressing demonstrations across the country.

The Iranian official also noted that some of the heaviest clashes and highest number of deaths occurred in the Iranian Kurdish areas in the country's northwest, where Kurdish separatists have been active. Three sources told Reuters on 14 January that armed Kurdish separatist groups attempted to cross into Iran from Iraq. An Iranian in a northwestern town, speaking anonymously, claimed to have witnessed "armed individuals disguised as protesters shooting at civilians. They were not ordinary protesters, they carried guns and knives." The Norway-based Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw corroborated that some of the most intense clashes were in these Kurdish regions.

Information flow from Iran has been severely hampered by internet blackouts, which were briefly lifted before being reimposed. Faizan Ali, a 40-year-old medical doctor from Lahore, recounted cutting short a trip to visit his Iranian wife due to the lack of internet and communication. Upon his return to Lahore, he told Reuters: "I saw a violent mob burning buildings, banks and cars. I also witnessed an individual stab a passer-by."
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Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has acknowledged for the first time the deaths of thousands of people following a crackdown on widespread protests this month.

The protests erupted on 28 December over economic hardship and spiralled into large demonstrations against Irans clerical rulers.

In a speech on Saturday, Khamenei blamed Donald Trump for the weeks of demonstrations that human rights group say have led to more than 3,000 deaths.

We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation, Khamenei said on his official X account. BBC Persian reported that he described the deaths as savage during the speech.

open image in gallery Khamenei said they were killed in an inhuman manner ( Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader )

Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily, including a threat to carry out "very strong action" if Iran executed protesters.

But on Friday, he claimed the Iranian regime had called off hundreds of mass hangings, and thanked its leaders on a post on Truth Social. Tehran has said there was no plan to execute people.

Appearing to respond to Trump, Khamenei said: "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished.

He said several thousand deaths had taken place, accusing Israel and the US of organising the violence.

"Those linked to Israel and the U.S. caused massive damage and killed several thousand," he wrote.

open image in gallery Protests erupted around the world in support of the protesters ( Reuters )

The supreme leader claimed - without evidence - that protesters had started fires, destroyed public property and incited chaos. They "committed crimes and a grave slander," he said.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, or HRANA, said it had verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, and over 22,000 arrests.

It has been difficult to verify the death toll and reports coming out of Iran due to a nationwide internet blackout, which was lift in part on Saturday. A total communications blackout was partially lifted earlier this week.

Although Tehran has denied planning executions, Iran's prosecutor general said last week that detainees would face severe punishment.

open image in gallery Crown prince Reza Pahlavi wants to lead Iran during a transition period ( AFP/Getty )

Those in custody include people who "aided rioters and terrorists attacking security forces and public property" and "mercenaries who took up arms and spread fear among citizens," he said.

Arrests also included several people described by Iranian state media as "ringleaders", including a woman named as Nazanin Baradaran, who was taken into custody following complex intelligence operations".

Baradaran is accused of operating under the pseudonym Raha Parham on behalf of crown prince Reza Pahlavi, state media reported, and had played a leading role in organising the unrest.

Opposition figurehead Pahlavi has positioned himself as a potential leader in the event of regime collapse, stating that he would seek to re-establish diplomatic ties between Iran and Israel if he were to assume a leadership role in the country.
OSLO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- In a rebuke to the latest tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the eight European countries targeted by the tariffs issued a joint statement on Sunday, affirming their "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland and warning that the U.S. actions risk triggering a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic relations.

The statement was issued by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Britain.

The eight countries, all targeted by Trump's tariff threats on Saturday, stated that they are "committed to upholding our sovereignty" and stand ready for dialogue based on the principles of "sovereignty and territorial integrity." They condemned the U.S. tariffs, saying that they "undermine transatlantic relations," and vowed a "united and coordinated" response.

Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.

The tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has recently ramped up his threat. 
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United States forces have completed their withdrawal from the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, Iraqi officials confirmed on Saturday, marking a significant step in the agreed wind-down of the U.S.-led coalition in the country.

The move follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to conclude the U.S.-led mission fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq by September 2025, which included the departure of US forces from various bases.

While the original plan called for a full pullout from Ain al-Asad by September, "developments in Syria" led to a temporary retention of a small unit of 250 to 350 advisers and security personnel, as stated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in October.

All U.S. personnel have now departed.

Following the withdrawal, Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah oversaw the full assumption of control by the Iraqi Army.

While the original plan called for a full pullout from Ain al-Asad by September, "developments in Syria" led to a temporary retention of a small unit of 250 to 350 ( AFP/Getty )

A military statement detailed Yarallah's assignment of tasks to various units and his instruction to "intensify efforts, enhance joint work, and coordinate between all units stationed at the base, while making full use of its capabilities and strategic location."

A Ministry of Defence official, speaking anonymously, corroborated the departure of all US forces and equipment.

The US military has not issued a statement regarding the withdrawal.

While US forces maintain a presence in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region and neighbouring Syria, the departure from Ain al-Asad could bolster the Iraqi government's efforts to disarm non-state armed groups. Some of these groups have historically cited the presence of US troops as justification for retaining their own weapons. Prime Minister al-Sudani previously stated in a July interview that once the coalition withdrawal is complete, "there will be no need or no justification for any group to carry weapons outside the scope of the state."
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Countries on Donald Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza will be asked to contribute $1bn to keep their membership for more than three years, according to reports.

Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charters entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman, a draft document first reported by Bloomberg shows.

It adds that the three-year term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter.

According to the draft, Mr Trump would serve as the boards chair and decide on who is invited to be a member. While decisions would be taken by a majority, with each member state present getting one vote, all decisions would be subject to the chairs approval.

open image in gallery The note indicates that all decisions taken by the committee would be subject Donald Trumps approval ( PA )

The draft also reportedly suggests that Mr Trump would control the money himself, and that it would allegedly go towards rebuilding Gaza.

The board is described as an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.

The board would become official once three member states agree to the charter. They would meet at least once a year, and at such additional times and locations as the Chairman deems appropriate.

The chair would also approve the agenda for meetings.

open image in gallery The Israeli government said on Saturday that the executive committee was not coordinated with Israel ( PA )

The Chairman shall at all times designate a successor for the role of Chairman, the charter reportedly says.

Earlier this week, Sir Tony Blair announced he had been asked to be on the Board of Peace, which also includes US secretary of state Marco Rubio and the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

In a statement, Sir Tony said Mr Trumps 20-point plan for Gaza was an extraordinary achievement and that implementing it will take enormous commitment and hard work.

The former Labour leader, Mr Rubio and Mr Kushner are joined on the board by World Bank president Ajay Banga, Marc Rowan, Robert Gabriel and the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

At this point, no Palestinians have been invited to sit on the board, though additional Executive Board and Gaza Executive Board members will be announced over the coming weeks.

open image in gallery Trump named Tony Blair as a member of the committee on Gaza ( PA )

Several world leaders have also reportedly been invited to become members, including Argentinas president Javier Milei and Canadas prime minister Mark Carney.

The former UK prime ministers inclusion on the list of board members may be controversial as he remains a divisive figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He later became a representative of the Quartet, a group seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians made up of the US, EU, Russia and the United Nations, but stepped down after he was criticised for being too close to Israel.

Despite Mr Trumps claim of progress in securing a lasting peace agreement in Gaza, Israel on Saturday threw the future of the deal into doubt after expressing opposition to the membership of the board.

The Israeli government said that the boards executive committee was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy, and that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given instructions to the foreign ministry to contact Mr Rubio over the matter.
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Donald Trump tied up his first year back in the White House with a flurry of dramatic foreign policy moves; forcing regime change in Venezuela, threatening Iran with airstrikes and fracturing vital relationships with Nato allies over a plan to annex Greenland.

But despite the aggressive manoeuvring, the US president insists he is a peacemaker. Mr Trump began his second term last January with a promise to end Russias war on Ukraine within a day. That conflict is still very much in progress a year later despite repeated US-brokered peace talks.

Nevertheless, in recent months, Mr Trump has taken to claiming he has ended eight wars since returning to office, and stated he cant think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me.

open image in gallery Seven of the conflicts are illustrated here  the eighth is between Israel and Hamas ( The Independent )

The eight wars that my administration has ended in eight months  there's never been anything like that, Mr Trump bragged in late October, during a signing ceremony to end a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

We're averaging one a month... It's like, I shouldn't say it's a hobby, because it's so much more serious, but its something I'm good at and something I love to do.

Below, The Independent looks at whether Mr Trumps self-professed list of achievements stands up to scrutiny.

Israel and Hamas: Hundreds dead since US ceasefire deal

In October 2025, the Trump administration managed to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of deadly conflict, sparked by the militant groups attack on October 7, 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed in the attack and around 250 more were taken hostage.

Gazan authorities say more than 71,000 Palestinians were killed in the two-year Israeli assault on the strip that followed.

As part of the US-brokered ceasefire, Mr Trump secured the release of the last living hostages and all but one of the bodies of the deceased have been returned.

Everybody's happy, he said in October as he took a victory lap in the Israeli parliament to rapturous applause. This took 3,000 years to get to this point, can you believe it? And it's going to hold up too.

open image in gallery There is a long way to go to rebuild Gaza  and fundamental points in Trumps peace plan remain unresolved ( AP )

However, with hundreds dead since the deal came into effect, many have claimed it is a ceasefire in name only.

Fighting on the ground has reduced, but Palestinians continue to be killed over ceasefire violations alleged by Israel. More than 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed since the ceasefire took effect. The UN said in January 2026 that more than 100 children are among the dead, including victims of drone and quadcopter attacks.

The US announced in January it was pressing on with the second phase of its plan to end the conflict for good, with a new government for Gaza and the demilitarisation of Hamas. Hamas has not yet agreed to those terms and has regrouped since the ceasefire.

Days after the phase two announcement, Bloomberg reported that Mr Trump wants countries to pay $1bn to join the peace board.

The president has also made it clear that he sees Gaza as a potential investment opportunity, with claims it could be turned into a riviera despite decades of deadly conflict.

Cambodia and Thailand: Fighting resumes weeks after ceasefire

open image in gallery The Thai military fires artillery towards Cambodia on 26 December ( AP )

Border disputes have long caused tensions between Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia. The competing claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn up by French colonial rulers to separate the two countries.

Conflict erupted in May 2025 when the two countries armed forces fired at each other in a relatively small no mans land claimed by both countries. Weeks of clashes followed, with dozens killed and nearly a million people reportedly displaced.

Officials from both countries credited Mr Trump with pushing them to a ceasefire in July. Mr Trump said he warned Thai and Cambodian leaders that the US would not move forward with trade agreements if hostilities continued.

A more detailed October agreement followed, also under Mr Trumps pressure. Heavy fighting again broke out in early December before a new ceasefire was signed on 27 December.

Up to 4,000 Cambodian families are still unable to return to their homes along the disputed border because of Thai incursions, the Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn said in January.

India and Pakistan: Not a full-blown war

open image in gallery A woman holds her child in their house Gingal, Kashmir, which was damaged in shelling by Pakistan ( AP )

Conflict erupted between India and Pakistan in May, with both sides exchanging gunfire across the Line of Control following a terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Mr Trump said the US brokered a ceasefire to end the hostilities within a matter of days. He said that came about in part because he offered trade concessions.

Pakistan thanked Mr Trump, but India denied his claims, saying they never had a conversation about trade in the context of the ceasefire.

Evelyn Farkas, executive director of Arizona State Universitys McCain Institute, said the US might deserve some credit for ending the conflict, but told the Associated Press: Im not sure whether you would define that as a full-blown war.

Rwanda and the DRC: Fighting continues despite ceasefire

open image in gallery M23 rebels, pictured in February, continue to clash with Congolese forces into 2026 ( AP )

Mr Trump did play a role in mediating a ceasefire between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year  but the conflict is far from over.

Both countries signed a US-brokered ceasefire agreement in late June, but it was never properly implemented. Mr Trump then invited the leaders to Washington in December to sign more documents assuring they were committed to peace.

Fighting has continued, and by the end of last year the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 held more territory in the eastern DRC than ever before. Rwanda has long denied supporting the group.

Mr Trump is also not the only party with a claim to mediating peace. Qatar brokered talks between Congo and M23, but both sides have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire.

In January, the DRC blamed the rebels for 1,500 deaths as clashes reignited. Regional defence ministers gathered for an emergency conference to address the spiralling conflict, with diplomatic pressure waning.

Armenia and Azerbaijan: Progress but more to be done

open image in gallery Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev, left, and the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, shake hands in Washington in August ( AP )

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought over territory since the early 1990s, when ethnic Armenian forces took control of the Karabakh province, known internationally as Nagorno-Karabakh, and nearby territories.

Mr Trump invited the leaders of the two countries to the White House in August to sign a deal aimed at ending hostilities. There were agreements on reopening key trade routes and a commitment to a peace treaty, but they still need to be ratified.

In January, Radio France Internationale reported a framework had been published after Armenian officials met the US secretary of state Marco Rubio. The deal gives Washington a 74 per cent stake in a company that will build roads, rail, energy and digital infrastructure, RFI added.

William Dunbar, a Rand Europe associate, said that a genuine peace agreement has the potential to transform one of the most intractable conflicts on the territory of the former Soviet Union. To see it through, the West will need to sustain its engagement through 2026, he said.

Egypt and Ethiopia: Tensions, but not a war

open image in gallery Ethiopia opened the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September despite resistance from Egypt ( AFP/Getty )

The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has included Egypt and Ethiopia in a list of conflicts that "the president has now ended last year.

The two have a long dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt sees as a national security problem, fearing it will threaten its water supply.

The dam was opened in September despite objections from Egypt and Sudan. During his first term, Mr Trump tried to broker a deal between the two countries but could not get them to agree.

Rising tensions have not yet boiled over into a physical confrontation. It is also unclear what Mr Trumps role in mediating the spat has been.

He said in July, before Ms Leavitts remarks: Were working on that one, but its going to get solved.

Serbia and Kosovo: Lack of progress on first-term deal

open image in gallery Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo since it declared independence, but the two are not at war

Kosovo is a former province of Serbia that declared independence in 2008.

The White House lists the conflict as one that Mr Trump has resolved. But despite continuing tensions there has been no threat of a war between the neighbours during Mr Trumps second term, or any significant contribution from him this year to improve relations.

During his first term, Mr Trump negotiated a wide-ranging deal between the countries, but much of what was agreed on was never enacted.

Progress on agreed projects, such as the envisaged Peace Highway linking Belgrade and Pristina to facilitate trade and travel between the countries, has been very slow.

Crucially, the agreements never tackled the main element of the dispute: Serbias refusal to formally recognise Kosovo.

In December it was reported that Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, had withdrawn his private equity firm from a $500 million luxury hotel project in Serbia hours after four senior government officials were charged with bribery by prosecutors.

Israel and Iran: Renewed threats as protests grow

open image in gallery Israels Iron Dome intercepts missiles during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025 ( AP )

The White House credits Mr Trump with ending a 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June. He negotiated that ceasefire after bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, [while also] decimating  choose your word  obliterating, destroying, Iran's nuclear capabilities, his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said at the time.

The White House rubbished reports by the USs own Defence Intelligence Agency that the action had only set back Irans nuclear programme by a matter of months.

By December, Mr Trump was considering renewed strikes after the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed him that Iran was reconstituting its programme.

Mr Trump considered further military action against Iran in January this year over its brutal crackdown on nationwide protests against the government, but appears to have stood down, at least for now.

Israel has also warned it could strike Iran again if it feels threatened, continuing the decades-long tensions between the two countries.
Oisin Fannings San Leon energy firm could be insolvent, says High Court judge

Firm is seeking an injunction to restrain a Nigerian-based oil industry construction company from presenting a winding-up petition against it

Oisin Fanning of San Leon. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Fearghal O'Connor Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 11:05

A High Court judge has said that there is prima facie evidence to suggest that Oisin Fannings San Leon Energy PLC may be insolvent and trading unlawfully.
Partner content

Showcase at the RDS this year marks its 51st year as Irelands premier platform for craft, design and creativity

Showcase, billed as Irelands Creative Expo, is one of the countrys largest annual trade fairs and will return to the RDS from January 18-20, 2026.

Celebrated worldwide for its exceptional craftsmanship and design excellence, Showcase marks its 51st year as Irelands premier platform for craft, design and creativity. Over the decades, this tradeonly event has become a landmark in the global buying calendar, drawing thousands of industry professionals.

Beyond the benefits of viewing such tactile products in person, buyers at Showcase enjoy the opportunity to meet the exhibitors who are often the craftspeople, creators and designers behind the work. This direct connection adds depth, insight and authenticity to the buying experience, making Showcase stand out internationally.

Magee 1866. Photo: Discover Ireland

This years theme, Making Irish Stories, highlights the narratives behind Irelands craft and design. Each piece reflects heritage, community, and innovation, shaped by landscapes and traditions that inspire makers nationwide.

Established in 1975 by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), Showcase began as the National Crafts Fair and has grown significantly in size and importance.

Today, it is delivered by DCCI with support from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Enterprise Offices.

With almost 400 exhibitors, including 105 new brands, Showcase 2026 celebrates Irish creativity and supports Irish-owned businesses as they grow and embrace new trends.

Enterprise Ireland will once again host the International Buyers Hub at the RDS, inviting 114 overseas buyers from the US, Canada, UK, France, Poland, the Benelux countries, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Middle East.

Orders generated by buyers since 2015 have grown at an average rate of 18pc year-on-year

These buyers represent retail chains, department stores, online channels, and marketplaces.

Attendees with Enterprise Ireland can explore all Irish exhibitors and meet many Enterprise Ireland-supported businesses. Forty client companies will exhibit across fashion and apparel, health and beauty, and home, gift and jewellery, including Magee 1866, Aran Woollen Mills, Hanna Hats, The Handmade Soap Company and Nicholas Mosse.

According to DCCIs independent research, orders generated by buyers since 2015 have grown at an average rate of 18pc year-on-year. Analysis of Showcase 2025 estimated that purchasing plans exceeded 32m, highlighting the events significant commercial impact.

Mary Blanchfield, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said: Showcase is vital to support Irish designers and craftspeople to help in amplifying their craft both nationally and internationally.

There will also be a conference exploring the new EU CIGI for the protection of craft and industrial products

"With Showcase, we aim to deliver a meaningful commercial impact that will help set them up for success throughout the year.

In addition to the main Showcase event, there will also be an important conference to highlight and educate around the ongoing developments of the new EU Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications scheme, (CIGI) for the protection of craft and industrial products.

Enterprise Ireland remains committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start, grow, and scale, and to achieve their global ambitions. Events like Showcase play an important role in this.

Showcase offers an invaluable opportunity for businesses to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with global buyers.

For more information or to register, visit www.showcaseireland.com. Karen Conroy is the Senior Client Adviser for Consumer  Fashion & Textiles at Enterprise Ireland
Dear Vicki: Should the boss have their own office or sit out in the open with the rest of the staff?
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
Bertram Allen has entered not guilty plea over Florida incident

A leading Irish showjumper was arrested last week and charged with drink-driving and property damage in Florida.

Bertram Allen, who is ranked 58 in the FEI showjumping world rankings, was arrested last Tuesday, according to court records seen by the Sunday Independent. He is a son of Bert Allen, the multimillionaire whose family formerly owned Slaney Foods.
An Irish citizen has allegedly been detained by Russian authorities due to messages on his phone which expressed anti-Russian sentiment.

Dmitry Simbaev (49) who has dual Russian and Irish citizenship - has been living in Ireland for more than 20 years and would be celebrating his third anniversary with his wife Daria Petrenko, whom he met in Co Galway after she fled the war in Ukraine.
BRUSSELS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose new tariffs on eight European countries unless Denmark accept a deal over Greenland has drawn swift rebukes from Nordic capitals and major European leaders, fueled calls for an EU-level response, and cast fresh doubt over the implementation of last year's EU-U.S. tariff "truce."

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the United States would levy a 10-percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned the rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

Nordic leaders were among the first to push back, stressing that disputes between allies should be handled through dialogue rather than pressure.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was surprised by the tariff threat and noted Denmark was in close contact with the European Commission, according to Ritzau.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the threats "unacceptable" in comments to national news agency NTB, saying threats have no place among allies and reiterating Norway's support for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said issues among allies are best resolved through discussion, not pressure, warning that tariffs could harm transatlantic relations and trigger a dangerous downward spiral.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson rejected the tariff as "blackmail," saying Sweden "will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed" and arguing the matter should be handled at EU level.

Other European leaders also signaled a tougher posture should Washington move ahead with the measures.

Calling the tariff threat "unacceptable," French President Emmanuel Macron said Europeans would respond in a united and coordinated manner should the measures be confirmed.

He said France's participation in a Denmark-organized exercise in Greenland reflects France's commitment to national sovereignty and independence, stressing that "no intimidation or threat will influence us."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was "completely wrong" to apply tariffs on allies for pursuing collective security within NATO, adding that Britain would raise the issue directly with the U.S. administration and reiterating that Greenland's future should be decided by Greenlanders and Danes.

The German government said it was coordinating closely with European partners and that an appropriate response would be decided jointly in due course.

At the EU level, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned in a joint statement that tariffs linked to Greenland would undermine transatlantic ties and risk a "dangerous downward spiral."

They underlined that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, and said Europe would remain "united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."

The episode has also reignited debate over whether the EU should activate stronger defensive trade tools, including the bloc's so-called "bazooka," the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), and has further complicated the politics surrounding EU-U.S. trade arrangements in the European Parliament.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, urged the European Commission to launch the ACI immediately, calling Trump's tariff threat "unbelievable" and "a new dimension" in the use of tariffs as a political weapon.

Lange said the U.S. step would amount to another breach of the political EU-U.S. tariff and trade deal agreed in Scotland in July 2025, adding that the European Parliament would revisit the issue with political groups next week.

He said he could not imagine "business as usual" continuing and expected parliamentary work on the file to be suspended.

Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, said that, given Trump's threats over Greenland, approval of the EU-U.S. trade deal was "not possible" at this stage and that any move toward zero tariffs on U.S. products should be put on hold.

Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said late Saturday it had called an emergency meeting for Sunday, with ambassadors from the EU's 27 member states set to convene to coordinate next steps. 
Jessie Buckley and Kerry Condon revealed their dreams in yearbook at same Tipperary school

Principal of pairs alma mater in Thurles says their talent was evident early

Jessie Buckley receiving music student of the year

Sarah Slater Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Fame for Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Kerry Condon was written in the stars from an early age, a school principal has revealed.
Life is now a perpetual funeral for us, says father of US nurse allegedly killed by Irishman in Budapest

Parents of Mackenzie Michalski will mark her 33rd birthday today as accused awaits trial

Mackenzie Michalski's body was found in a suitcase in a forest, 140km from Hungarian capital

Ali Bracken Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The father of an American woman allegedly killed by an Irishman in Budapest said life is now like a perpetual funeral for his family.
From immersive projections on citys streets to tactile instruments that invite touch, Jane Cassidy is using her Arts Council residency to explore how creativity can bring people together across disciplines and generations

Long Since The Sun Has Set at Tulane University, New Orleans. Photo: Jonathan Traviesa

Trick of the Light in collaboration with Jennifer Cunningham at St Nicholass Church, Galway. Photo: Jane Cassidy

It is the second day of Jane Cassidys artist residency, and she chooses to spend it with me on the top floor of a Galway cafe. The walls are lined with locally made pottery and handmade greeting cards from artists around Ireland  a fitting backdrop for a conversation about work that invites the public not just to look, but to participate.

Cassidy, a Galway native who specialises in immersive audio-visual environments, is the recent recipient of an 18,000 artist residency at the Centre for Creative Technologies at the University of Galway. The award forms part of more than 500,000 distributed nationally by the Arts Council this year to artists working across Irish-language literature, digital and traditional arts, English-language writing, and film, in a bid to further Irelands vibrant creative scene. The residencies are delivered in partnership with universities across the country.

Her most recent public-facing work appeared over the Christmas period, projected onto the street-facing wall of St Nicholas Church just after sundown. Titled Trick of the Light, the piece invited Galwegians to pause, gather, and engage with the city through light, sound, and story.

Cassidy collaborated with her childhood friend and fellow Galway artist Jennifer Cunningham to create the multimedia installation, which drew on themes of Irish heritage, mysticism, and collective memory. The project was completed in just three weeks, a rapid turnaround that began with a single piece of music.

Urchin Chandelier at Customs House Gallery, Westport. Photo: Jane Cassidy

City Council asked us if we would make work in response to a song written by the Merlin Park Training Centre, Cassidy said. The project was called Trick of the Light, and theyd written a song about stars needing darkness to shine.

What was inspired by a blank canvas and a song evolved into a visual narrative designed to resonate across generations, balancing the poetic with the accessible, the artistic with the logical.

It ultimately led to Cassidy arranging a unique song piece using a pipe organ for the show to be displayed in front of.

We did feel very aligned on it because we worked very fast together. Its a spectacle show, but we didnt want to be really loud, that it's almost a little bit meditative.

Nothing is jarring, she added. Everything kind of creates this smooth flow. So I just wanted it to be something that you could sit and watch on loop. We wanted to include bits of Galway in it, but not too navel gazing.

Trick of the Light in collaboration with Jennifer Cunningham at St Nicholass Church, Galway. Photo: Jane Cassidy

The projection unfolded in 15-second visual fragments synced to the accompanying music, weaving together images of Galway hooker boats, the bay, Neolithic engravings, Newgrange, and even the lone surviving angel inside St Nicholas Church, famously spared from defacement by Cromwells forces in the 1600s and known locally as The Smug Angel.

For Cassidy, the aim was to capture the quieter magic, mysticism, and meditation of the city. Not too in your face, but still a spectacle.

A commitment to accessibility runs through Cassidys practice. Her work consistently aims to engage people regardless of age or artistic background.

Im always interested in getting a very broad audience, from very young to old, irrespective of art experience, she said. Im not just saying, I want to make it for everyone. I really mean that kids can go in, grandparents can go in, and everyone can find something in it.

How you meet all those audiences isnt always straightforward, she added.

Jane Cassidy at Tactile Tunes, GIAF. Photo: Emilija Jefremova

Synesthetic media, work that blends sound, colour, light, and touch, has become Cassidys signature. But during her residency, she is exploring multidisciplinary collaboration in a broader sense. Through the Centre for Creative Technologies, she now has access to academics whose expertise draws her into worlds far beyond her own.

She is interested in what collaboration might look like between artists and climate biologists, engineers, or solicitors, an approach shaped by her experience teaching both at university level and in community settings.

When youre working on community projects, you work on a project together, it's way more fun, she said. Theres no grading, no pressure, no homework, and you can still make phenomenal work.

Cassidy said she drew inspiration from the experimental, cross-disciplinary ethos of institutions like Black Mountain College when proposing her residency.

Long Since The Sun Has Set at Tulane University, New Orleans. Photo: Jonathan Traviesa

Where it's kind of collaborative, multidisciplinary, she said. One passion project I applied with was the idea of creativity practice drop-in sessions.

These sessions are designed as creative resets, blending physical movement, breathwork, and meditation to prepare participants for creative output, particularly those working in fields where results are expected on demand.

How often do you get human rights lawyers in with the artists? Cassidy asked. What can come from that? They can be so siloed. I think other departments might not see how much artists are interested, really broadly, in many ideas, across ecology, or environmentally, climate biology, we have big interests.

That emphasis on collaboration has shaped Cassidys teaching since she moved from the classroom into community-based work. She now teaches practical skills such as projection mapping for theatre and creates projects like Tactile Tunes, aimed at widening access to creative technologies.

Last summer, Tactile Tunes was her contribution to the International Festival in Galway. She described one project as among the most meaningful of her career. Working with Arts Alive Galway, an arts programme for adults with intellectual disabilities, Cassidy and a team of ten participants created a series of accessible, interactive instruments.

We were all really tired after it, she said. It was so much work. And having it at the Arts Festival was terrifying because youre getting such a big audience. Then because we were making work that we invited everyone to touch, that was terrifying.

Tactile Tunes in collaboration with Arts Alive at GIAF. Photo: Emilija Jefremova

You don't go to museums and you don't go to galleries where you allowed to touch the work. Genuinely we didn't feel that there was that much of a precedent that we could learn from.

Despite the nerves, the installation drew an estimated 7,000 visitors over two weeks. Set inside the Aula Maxima at the University of Galway, the exhibition used sensory-friendly materials and surfaces to create an interactive musical experience for all ages.

Cassidy showed me a video of her parents engaging with one of the pieces, holding heart-shaped cushions connected to a neon, psychedelic structure. When they placed their free hands together, a sound was triggered by the electrical resistance of the body. A different sound emerged when they leaned in for a kiss, all driven by touch, light, sound, and energy.

What was most magical about that was seeing people interact with the pieces, Cassidy said. How you would have strangers making eye contact with each other as they were improvising on different instruments and trying to play together.

Each morning, the exhibition space was reserved exclusively for audiences with additional needs, allowing groups to attend with support workers in a quieter environment.

They had the space to themselves, she said. They had an hour to play all the instruments. That was magical.

Normally, audiences at art shows could be quite homogenous, she added. This brought everyone into the same room, playing together, laughing together.

For all the success, Cassidy is candid about the difficulties that accompany ambitious creative work. The romantic image of the tortured artist, she agrees, exists for a reason.

Every project I work on, I always have to resign myself to two weeks or two months of everything I make I'm like, This is absolute shit. she said. Its torture. Im like, Ive no skills. Im not an artist. This is so terrible.

She laughs, but insists the discomfort is necessary.

Now I also know that I have to go through that two weeks of working through the mire, that something good will come out of it, and that you have to commit to making crap. she said. I think it's absolutely necessary but it's horrible.

You have to have faith that the good stuff will come out. But the torture is absolutely part of it.

Urchin Chandelier at Customs House Gallery, Westport. Photo: Jane Cassidy

Wishing she has a quippy saying to share with fellow artists she encourages one thing - just persistence.

You just have to keep making. Because creativity is a practise and if you step away from it, it definitely gets rusty, so you have to stay on it.

Now, just two days into a seven-month residency, Cassidy says she is less focused on producing a single major work than on staying open and having diligence in this time.

Im going to go in with purpose and work very hard every day, she said. But I also want to leave myself open to what can happen.

With access to new collaborators, disciplines, and ways of thinking, she hopes to widen the circle even further. If music, light, colour, storytelling, and design can be woven together as seamlessly as her work suggests, the question becomes not what art is  but who it can invite in.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.
A man who turned away from a checkpoint in Sligo had no NCT, driving licence or insurance.

Jahirul Islam Mahim (28) of Chapel Hill, Sligo was charged with driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence and having no NCT certificate at Pearse Road, Carroroe, on May 31st, 2025.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that on the date in question at 6:35pm, Gardai at a checkpoint noticed a vehicle turning around the other way to avoid the checkpoint.

Gardai stopped the vehicle and noticed that there was no NCT and no insurance on display. Mahim admitted that he had no insurance and driving licence at the time to Gardai.

The court heard that Mahim has no previous convictions.

Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending), told Judge Eiteain Cunningham that her client does understand the importance of having insurance and the seriousness of the charge. She added that Mahim is currently applying to have a provisional driving licence.

Ms Spellman reiterated that Mahim has no previous convictions and informed Judge Cunningham that her client works locally.

For driving without insurance, Judge Cunningham convicted and fined Mahim 250. She did not disqualify him from driving due to him having no previous convictions and the special circumstances outlined by his solicitor.

For driving without a licence, Judge Cunningham convicted and fined the defendant 100. She also convicted and fined Mahim 120 for having no NCT.
The New Ross Drama Workshop members are preparing for their upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and auditions for their latest production, Juno and the Paycock.

With the aim of looking back on a very successful year, Edward Hayden, a spokesperson for New Ross Drama Group, said the doors are open to all members of the public and they are welcome to attend the AGM in St. Michaels Theatre on Monday, January 26 at 7.30pm, which is an opportunity to plan for the year ahead.

Edward continued: Were also very excited to say that our spring production for 2025 has been selected, and were already working on bringing Juno and the Paycock to the stage, with auditions will taking place in the CBS Secondary School on Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29 at 7.30pm.

Margaret Rossiter will direct a production of Sean OCaseys much-loved and highly regarded, Juno and the Paycock, which is set in the working class tenements of Dublin during the Irish Civil War, and is part of the OCasey trilogy which also includes, The Shadow of a Gunman and The Plough and the Stars.

The play has a large cast and has a number of both leading and supporting roles, including the title roles, Juno and Captain Boyle (The Paycock), along with well known characters from the Irish canon of theatre like Joxer Daly, Maisie Madigan, Mrs. Tancred and Needle Nugent, all other residents in this busy tenement, as well as a host of visitors, making up a total cast of almost 20 characters, said Edward.

In this tragicomedy, through sharp dialogue and realism, OCasey explores the impact of political conflict, illusion, and resilience among Irelands working class, he added.

Also commenting on the selected production, New Ross Drama Group Chairperson, Kate OKeeffe, said: Juno and the Paycock will be a great production for the group and with such a sizeable cast it affords us the opportunity to get a large number of people on the stage, which, alongside our eager and diligent back stage team, will ensure a busy and productive season ahead for the group, and I look forward to seeing new and returning faces at the upcoming auditions.

The groups Director, Margaret Rossiter, added that at the heart of the play is the great Dublin wit and turn of phrase, and I want to bring levity to the character interactions in the earlier part of the play, alongside the sadness and despair to reflect the reality of tenement life in the early years of the free state.

All those interested in auditioning for a role should contact New Ross Drama Groups Secretary, Liz Furness, on newrossdramaworkshop@gmail.com to request a script and more details.
Pianist Barry Douglas is performing in Con Brio's next concert in The Model, Sligo on Friday, November 28.

The New Ross Piano Festival is marking its 20th anniversary with a special two piano gala concert at the National Opera House in Wexford on April 19. To celebrate two decades of remarkable piano music, the festival brings together two of Ireland's finest pianists for an afternoon filled with energy as two pianos share the stage.

Festival Artistic Director Finghin Collins has invited his long-time friend and internationally recognised pianist Barry Douglas to join him for this milestone concert. Collins, one of Ireland's most respected performers, first gained international attention after winning the Clara Haskil Competition in 1999. Barry Douglas shot to global fame when he won the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1986, launching a dynamic career as both pianist and conductor.

Established in 2006, the New Ross Piano Festival began as a partnership between the local voluntary music organisation, 'Music for New Ross' and pianist Finghin Collins. The festival presents a diverse range of solo and chamber concerts featuring international and Irish artists. Many of the world's finest pianists and chamber groups have graced the stage of St Mary's Church and today the festival is respected as one of Europe's top classical music festivals.

Commenting on the Wexford concert, Finghin Collins said: "It's hard to believe we're celebrating 20 years of the New Ross Piano Festival. We've had so many incredible musicians and unforgettable moments over the years. To mark the occasion by playing alongside Barry--someone I admire so much both personally and musically--feels very special. I think the audience is in for a real treat."

The concert programme offers a beautiful mix of solo and duo piano works. Collins performs Schubert, Douglas performs Prokofiev, and after the interval, the two join forces for much-loved masterpieces by Mozart and Rachmaninov - an exciting blend guaranteed to make this anniversary concert one to remember.

The programme will include: Schubert - Drei Klavierstucke (Three Piano Pieces) D. 946 by Finghin

Collins and Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet, Op. 75 (arr. Prokofiev: Nos. 3-8) by Barry Douglas

Following the interval guests will hear Mozart - Sonata for Two Pianos in D major, K. 44 and Rachmaninov - Suite for Two Pianos in C minor, Op. 17

The concern is being generously hosted by the National Opera House which in partnership with Wexford County Council offered a series of community dates in the National Opera House to community groups across the county.

The New Ross Piano Festival extends a huge thanks to Wexford County Council and all the team at

the Opera House for this exciting opportunity.
Councillor urges Irish Rail and NTA to introduce 30-minute frequency to meet growing demand in north Wicklow

Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are facing renewed calls to improve Dart services from Greystones on weekends and bank holidays.

The railway operator currently operates an hourly service south of Bray station. However, Cllr Stephen Stokes believes that trains should be every 30 minutes to match the weekday service. He welcomed the successful passing of a motion at a recent district meeting about the issue.

The motion was tabled by Cllr Stephen Stokes, which received unanimous support from his district colleagues. The motion requests that at the next timetable update, Irish Rail and the NTA seek to introduce trains to and from Greystones every 30 minutes on weekends and bank holidays.

Cllr Stokes chairs the Transport and Emergency Services Special Policy Committee of Wicklow County Council, which allows him to advocate for improving public transport in the area.

He believes the increase in services in warranted, given the recent surge in population across the north Wicklow region.

Our public transport services need to keep pace with that growth. While weekday commuting is important, weekends and bank holidays are increasingly busy times for families, workers, tourists and those who rely on public transport to access amenities, employment and social activities.

Irish Rail has already announced a target of providing Dart services every 20 minutes to and from Greystones on weekdays. However, these improvements are dependent on major infrastructure upgrades between Bray and Greystones under the planned Dart+ Coastal South programme.

Cllr Stephen Stokes noted that while these long-term investments are welcome, there is a clear and immediate need to improve weekend services.

The planned works are vital, but they will take time. In the meantime, there is a strong case for more frequent weekend and bank holiday services. A 30-minute frequency would significantly improve connectivity, reduce car dependency and encourage greater use of public transport, particularly for leisure and local travel.

Residents in Greystones have been subject to widespread line closures on weekends and bank holidays in recent years. However now that Woodbrook station has been completed it is hoped that the number of weekend line closures may be reduced.

Cllr Stokes believes improved weekend services would also support local businesses and tourism along the Wicklow coast, while helping to meet climate and sustainability goals by offering a more attractive alternative to private car use.

The independent deputy is looking forward to future engagements with Irish Rail and the NTA to progress the request and ensure that public transport provision reflects the needs of the growing north Wicklow community.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Coastal erosion, parking, and lack of consultation among key concerns as public invited to have their say on proposed route

Councillors in Wicklow have strongly criticised emerging plans for a proposed greenway that will link Greystones to Wicklow town.

Consultants working on the project have identified potential route corridor options and the public are now being asked to have their say.

Chris Fay of AtkinsRealis Ireland provided the elected members with a presentation on the greenway at Januarys monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council.

A potential route corridor has been identified by the project team through a review of the identified study area. A route corridor was taken to be an area approximately 600 metres wide.

The primary consideration when identifying this corridor was the definition of a major linear feature or theme that could be consistently followed by the greenway through all or most of its length. In total, three different route corridors were identified for evaluation.

They included a coastal route corridor, a field boundary route corridor and a regional road route corridor.

The study area was also divided into three sections and the Stage 1 Assessment was completed on a segment-by-segment basis with each segment being evaluated independently of the others.

Read more First look at preferred route for new Wicklow greenway project

The extents of the scheme corridors, divided into three distinct sections is broadly Greystones to Kilcoole, Kilcoole to Five Mile Point, and Five Mile Point to Wicklow.

Following the Stage 2 assessment, the Emerging Preferred Route was identified. The route is approximately 24.8 kilometres in length, with around 83pc delivered as an off-road shared path, providing a high-quality and largely traffic-free experience for users.

It combines coastal and inland sections to balance scenic value with environmental sensitivity, avoiding designated habitats where feasible. The Emerging Preferred Route also integrates with key transport nodes, connecting directly to Greystones, Kilcoole, and Wicklow rail stations, and links with existing and planned active travel infrastructure, ensuring strong connectivity for both recreational and commuting purposes.

In conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Wicklow County Council have been progressing the development of the project, which is currently at Options Selection Stage (Phase 2).

In a lengthy and impassioned speech Cllr Shane Langrell said he will strongly oppose the greenway in its current form, as local landowners will be affected.

I am not against a greenway. I am for a greenway but not this one. I'm a farmer, worked with my dad on the farm and I get what these landowners are thinking. There's anxiety. They're up the walls. What's going to happen with our land? There's a percentage of people out there who do not understand farming life. They do not understand the dangers of farming.

Cllr Shane Langrell.

If this greenway was to go ahead, the public will let their dogs off their leads, and it happens, I have seen it first-hand, out of the car, off the dog goes, not a care in the world. And me for one, I know what damage dogs can do on livestock. I understand the anxiety the landowners are going through over that. I would ask the consultants to go back and revisit this. Because the landowners are totally against it.

Echoing those sentiments his district colleague Cllr Paul O Brien said the proposals need to be revised.

I guarantee you if you were to go around the town here and ask them which way the greenway is going, they'd say the coast route because that's what we were told. And the reality is I get that the area of special conservation must be preserved.

If we don't do something on the Murrough there's not going to be an area of special conservation to save. This greenway will end up going to Rathdrum and down to Greystones by the time we're finished. Because we're not going to have a Murrough. That's the reality of it."

The stakeholders now are being misled because we've been told it's going up the coast, along the coast. That's the reality of it. And here we are now being told something different again. Something that should be positive for the area is being turned into a negative.

Cllr Graham Richmond questioned the ultimate benefits of the project.

If there's going to be a coastal section of the route, how does the coast look in 2027? I think this needs to be revisited. Yes, I see the potential benefits, tourism wise with the area with a working greenway. From my point of view, I see too many variables. I really think it needs to be revisited.

Cllr Gail Dunne called for better communication between the various stakeholders.

I am very concerned this is a secondary route because we basically ran out of space and I think that's so unfair that people who are impacted by this have not been contacted, and according to Councillor Langrell the people are saying they haven't been. Surely consultation is where you start.

Meanwhile Cllr Danny Alvey welcomed the next phase of public consultation.

I am interested to see what comes out of the next public consultation. There's a wide variety of issues that need to be addressed in any such greenway running from Wicklow to Greystones, but I think it is fair to say that we know without any doubt that greenway that proposals through an Special Area of Conservation that will not absolutely get through An Bord Pleanala. So, there is our greatest challenge.

Meanwhile members of the Greystones District raised concerns about access to the greenway and what parking will be available.

Cllr Orla Finn believes more space will need to be found to accommodate those looking to use the amenity.

I feel that more and more parking spaces are being taken away in Greystones and I think a figure of thousands of people are expected to use the greenway, and they will need somewhere to park if they are starting in Greystones, and no mention is made of that or where all of these people are going to go. They're potentially going to need parking for a huge number of hours every day. And where's that going to be facilitated?

Cllr Lourda Scott outlined how she has difficulties with this project on several levels.

I struggle to see the benefits. Yes, there may be more tourism benefits probably just to Greystones and to Wicklow, but I am worried that our villages, particularly my area Kilcoole and Newcastle will be forgotten and that people won't be able to access them and bring much needed economy in those villages from the greenway."

We've also got a breeding colony on Kilcoole beach. I would be very mindful of any construction works happening in there inland that they do not disturb this critically important colony. There's a lot of challenges.

The irony of discussing the long-closed Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk while we're now discussing a greenway, I'm not sure how many people want certainly on our side of the greenway is not lost on me. she added.

Concluding the discussion, Cllr Tom Fortune encouraged the consultants to rework their proposals.

Theres lots of issues with this project. Some people would like it. Obviously, the farming problem that's been articulated is a serious one. So, farmers are going to be affected if this is to go ahead. Because you can't run the greenway as Councillor O'Brien was saying along the coast because of the erosion.

All stakeholders and interested parties are invited to attend and view information on the scheme at upcoming public display events, before the project team look to move to the next phase of planning.

Read more First look at preferred route for new Wicklow greenway project

Two public display events will be held as follows:

Tuesday January 20, 2026, from 4pm to 8pm in Greystones Library, Mill Road, Greystones.

Thursday January 22, 2026, from 4pm to 8pm in Wicklow Library, The Mall, Main Street, Wicklow town.

Members of the Project Team will be available to provide guidance and to answer questions.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Theres just too much month left to match the amount of my money right now. If, like me, youre still struggling to get to your next pay cheque at the end of the month, yet your skin is still in recovery mode after last months festivities, I have some suggestions for skincare products that wont break the bank.

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Cream, 10.49, mccabespharmacy.com

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Grab a big tub of Aveeno Daily Moisturising Cream (10.49, mccabespharmacy.com) as its perfect for those moments when your skin needs a little extra care. Specially formulated with prebiotic oat, shea butter and glycerine, it protects and strengthens the skin moisture barrier and leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished for 48 hours. Its designed for normal to dry, sensitive skin and is fast-absorbing and fragrance free. And because its so well priced, you can really lash it on guilt-free!

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, 30, boots.ie

Retinol magic

Theres no two ways about it, retinol is what will make the biggest difference to your skin. Go and do a deposit-return trip with your bottles and with the cash, pop to your nearest pharmacy and bag some CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum (30, boots.ie). Its as good as any of the ridiculously overpriced brands but is gentle yet effective if youre looking for a daily retinol serum that provides your skin with anti-ageing benefits. This serum is formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid for extra hydration and niacinamide to soothe, and it has three essential ceramides that work together to lock in moisture and help restore your skins protective barrier.

Weleda Skin Food, 12.35, hollandandbarrett.ie

Hydration station

We need to talk about Weleda Skin Food (12.35, hollandandbarrett.ie) moisturiser a real crowd-pleaser  as well as a celeb favourite, from Margot Robbie to Kate Middleton. I dont know anyone who doesnt love this product!

I always see the iconic green tube popping out of many a MUA kit, which says a lot about its reputation. I picked mine up at Holland and Barrett, and its clear why its a favourite among professionals as its one of the richest face creams available, providing deep hydration and nourishment, making it perfect for dry skin. The luxurious texture glides on smoothly, almost like a comforting balm, and offers a radiant, dewy finish. Perfect as a make-up base. Plus, the incredible scent is a treat for the senses.

PS Skin Brighten Vitamin C Facial Serum, 6, primark.com

Bright skin

Mini, my 11-year-old daughter, is obsessed with going to Penneys, or Primark as she calls it. Anyhoo, Ive noticed their PS Skin range has evolved to focus on targeted collections designed to brighten, support skin barrier, hydrate, recharge and revitalise your skin. If you would like brighter skin, try the PS Skin Brighten Vitamin C Facial Serum (6, primark.com). Remember, Vitamin C is a powerhouse for skin, brightening your complexion and fighting free radicals for a youthful glow!

ProVen Probiotics for Women, 21.50, mccabespharmacy.com

Treat

Probiotic power

Im always on the lookout for something to ease my menopausal madness and ProVen Probiotics for Women (21.50, mccabespharmacy.com) has been a game-changer! Packed with 17.5 billion live bacteria, these little capsules support gut health, immunity, vaginal balance and cranberry extract for urinary wellness!

Treatment

Follow protocol

If you noticed a wave of fabulously well-heeled women looking particularly radiant around Dublin in 2025, its probably thanks to Dr Sach Mohan and his Revere Clinics, now at The Merrion Hotel. Dr Mohan introduced the revolutionary P Protocol, which enhances skin quality, restores elasticity, and minimises downtime by using your own cells for rejuvenation. For a consultation (250), see revereclinics.com.

Trick

Memory boost

You are what you eat  so Im clearly nuts because Im wolfing down walnuts at the mo as they are considered a brain-healthy superfood and may help improve focus and mood due to containing omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients. Walnuts provide essential minerals like magnesium, which helps support overall brain health and nervous system function, so if you eat a handful daily, it can help your memory. Sorry, who said that?!
For 45 days, Russian troops on the front line in eastern Ukraine were pinned down by machine gun fire. Even under the cover of fog, they could not break through.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Labor unions, community organizations, faith leaders and small businesses in the U.S. state of Minnesota are mobilizing for a statewide day of "no work (except for emergency services), no school, and no shopping" on Jan. 23.

The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, which has decided to take part in the action, said in a statement released Friday that the Minnesota labor movement is united against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to "the violent ICE occupation" of cities across the state.

"Our labor federations are encouraging everyone to participate on January 23rd. It's time for every single Minnesotan who loves this state and the notion of truth and freedom to raise their voices and deepen their solidarity for our neighbors and coworkers living under this federal occupation," said Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president of the federation, which is an umbrella organization of Minneapolis-area local unions.

Regional labor unions across the state have listed several demands, including that ICE leave Minnesota immediately and that the agent who killed Renee Good on Jan. 7 be held legally accountable.

They also demanded that no additional federal funding be allocated to ICE in the upcoming congressional budget, and that ICE be investigated for alleged human and constitutional rights violations against Americans.

In addition to labor unions, numerous community groups are also gearing up for the action. They gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday and announced a day of "no work, no school, no shopping" on Jan. 23 to oppose what they described as a "ferocious assault" on the state by federal immigration authorities.

JaNae Bates Imari, a representative of Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, told the crowd: "We are asking every single person, every family member, every teacher, every bus driver, every childcare worker, to come together, to be in community, to stand with one another."

"We have witnessed violence, over and over again. Families being ripped apart, loved ones being torn from their hospital beds, from their workplaces, homes. Violence is no longer a threat but a reality that surrounds us," she added.

On Jan. 7, an ICE agent fatally shot Good, a 37-year-old mother, triggering nationwide protests. The Trump administration said Good was allegedly attempting to run over law enforcement officers with her vehicle, while local officials said video footage suggests she did not pose a threat and that the agent involved acted recklessly.

The 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 Good. 
A group of civilians smash a statue of a Syrian Democratic Forces fighter in the city of Tabqa after the Syrian army took control of it, in Tabqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

The Syrian government has announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces, taking almost full control of the country and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that controlled the north east for more than a decade.
$1m raised through fundraisers for ICE agent who killed mother-of-three Renee Good

Renee Good sustained wounds to her chest, arm and head when fatally shot

ICE agent Jonathan Ross who shot Renee Good

David Millward Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Good has received more than $1m (860,000) in donations from fundraisers.
GiveSendGo fundraiser launched after activist Jake Lang's Minneapolis protest confrontation goes viral

Image credit : X | @MarioNawfal | Florida Senate Candidate Becomes Target of Furious Counter-Protesters in Minneapolis

Who created a GiveSendGo fundraiser for Jake Lang ?

Image credit : Website | GiveSendGo | Jake Lang Says He Was Nearly Lynched at Minneapolis Protest

Image credit : X | @MarioNawfal | GiveSendGo Fundraiser for Jake Lang Goes Viral

Netizens react to Jake Lang's GiveSendGo fundraiser campaign

Image credit : X | @JakeLang | The Controversial GiveSendGo Fundraiser for Jake Lang

Tensions have flared in Minneapolis as shocking videos have surfaced on social media from January 17. In the now-viral clips, influencer Jake Lang, a pardoned January 6 participant, was caught in a chaotic confrontation outside the federal courthouse during an anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protest. The incident immediately sparked widespread attention and fears among netizens. Amid all of this, a GiveSendGo fundraiser has been launched on his behalf. Let's find out more about it and who created the fundraiser.According to reports, influencer and controversial figure Jake Lang has reportedly been the focus of a GiveSendGo fundraiser after alleging he was attacked during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis.Lang, who organised a rally in support of federal immigration officers, says he was caught up in a violent clash with counter-protesters outside the courthouse, with videos appearing to show demonstrators surrounding him and trying to pull him away amid the heightened tensions.The fundraising campaign seems to have been created by Jake Lang himself. He took to his X (formerly called Twitter) and claimed that he ended up in the hospital after what he described as a near 'lynching' by the crowd during the Minneapolis protest. He himself shared a link to a GiveSendGo fundraiser set up to help cover his medical bills.On the fundraiser page, Lang wrote, Hey guys, Im at the hospital now getting staples in my skull. The events of today are jarring, and the modern-day lynching of Trump supporters has officially arrived. The left is violent and deranged and will stop at nothing to destroy our way of life. He further added, We will not be replaced by Somalians!!!!While in another X post, Lang described the attack as being literally LYNCHED by an anti-white mob of liberals & illegal immigrants, claiming he was nearly ripped limb from limb in Minneapolis.He accused city officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, of standing down police officers, allowing the incident to unfold publicly. Lang also called on former President Trump to deploy the National Guard, insisting, They are lynching White Christians on the streets!!!!!At the time the fundraiser was noted, it had raised $7,481, and the goal is to raise $20,000.As soon as the post surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and sparked reactions. One X user said, "Nazis shouldnt be around."While another said, "These people are insane. Jake is lucky to be alive.""They WANT this happening. They were trying to make an example out of you to send a message that they care more about political power than they do human life. We wont stand for this," another added."The left are proving every single day that they are not the good guys. Glad you are safe, but if the cops were there, it would not have happened. The leadership of that city and state wants the violence."It was absolutely disgusting what they did to you, @JakeLang! Youre lucky youre alive!While one added, Stop your victim mentality LOL.




Clashes erupt between protestors and counter-protesters in Minneapolis According to NewsX , Lang had organised a rally called the "March Against Minnesota Fraud", which set out from near Minneapolis City Hall. As the demonstration began, a counter-protest organised by the People's Action Coalition Against Trump formed nearby, and tensions between the two sides quickly escalated.



Image credit : X | @MarioNawfal | Florida Senate Candidate Becomes Target of Furious Counter-Protesters in Minneapolis



While videos shared online appear to show Lang on the ground, bleeding from his head, other members of the opposing crowd dragged him away. On the other hand, some clips posted on X (formerly called Twitter) show him being kicked and pulled as he tried to exit the area amid the clashes.



According to a post shared on X, "Pardoned J6 conservative Jake Lang is BLEEDING from the head after being MOBBED and assaulted by a violent crowd in Minneapolis. Agitators scream "F*CK YOU NAZI!" as chaos erupts. Someone is going to get seriously hurt  where are the police? Total anarchy right now."



BREAKING: Pardoned J6 conservative Jake Lang is BLEEDING from the head after being MOBBED and assaulted by a violent crowd in Minneapolis.







Agitators screaming "F*CK YOU NAZI!" as chaos erupts. Someone is going to get seriously hurt  where are the police? Total anarchy right pic.twitter.com/XUxOT1CwCv





 Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) January 17, 2026 Some shocking videos have surfaced on social media, where Jake Lang, a controversial Florida Senate candidate and pardoned participant in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, is seen surrounded by a huge crowd on Sunday. Following this, he is seen climbing onto a vehicle and being driven away. The incident unfolded amid intense protests over the recent killing of 37-year-old mother Renee Nicole Good by a federal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent identified as Jonathan Ross. Amid the widely circulating videos, let's find out who Jake Lang is.According to, Lang had organised a rally called the "March Against Minnesota Fraud", which set out from near Minneapolis City Hall. As the demonstration began, a counter-protest organised by the People's Action Coalition Against Trump formed nearby, and tensions between the two sides quickly escalated.While videos shared online appear to show Lang on the ground, bleeding from his head, other members of the opposing crowd dragged him away. On the other hand, some clips posted on X (formerly called Twitter) show him being kicked and pulled as he tried to exit the area amid the clashes.According to a post shared on X, "Pardoned J6 conservative Jake Lang is BLEEDING from the head after being MOBBED and assaulted by a violent crowd in Minneapolis. Agitators scream "F*CK YOU NAZI!" as chaos erupts. Someone is going to get seriously hurt  where are the police? Total anarchy right now."

Netizens react to the shocking clips and chaos.

Image credit : X | @MarioNawfal | Social Media Political Figure Survives Brutal Mob Attack During Minneapolis Rally

Who is Jake Lang?

 BREAKING: JAKE LANG FLEES BLOODY AFTER MOB ATTACK IN MINNEAPOLIS







After getting chased and hit during an anti-Islam protest, Jake Lang had to escape by car, bleeding from the head.







The mob attacked his vehicle and tried to force their way in.







Not a single cop showed up. https://t.co/M4FQQpKFT8 pic.twitter.com/ITufRqnfmc





 Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 17, 2026 Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio voices support for Jake Lang Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, has since voiced support for Lang. In a detailed post on X, Tarrio acknowledged that he has had disagreements with Lang in the past but said the incident in Minneapolis was unjustifiable.



Image credit : X | @AnnYonan1 | Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Voices Support for Lang



Im tired of hearing the I hate Jake Lang, so I wont defend what happened to him crowdYou can hate everything about Jake Lang. You can call him an agitator a fedwhatever you want, he continued. Tarrio then heaped praise on Lang, saying he had more balls than most," he said. Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, has since voiced support for Lang. In a detailed post on X, Tarrio acknowledged that he has had disagreements with Lang in the past but said the incident in Minneapolis was unjustifiable.Im tired of hearing the I hate Jake Lang, so I wont defend what happened to him crowdYou can hate everything about Jake Lang. You can call him an agitator a fedwhatever you want, he continued. Tarrio then heaped praise on Lang, saying he had more balls than most," he said.

While another post read, "After getting chased and hit during an anti-Islam protest, Jake Lang had to escape by car, bleeding from the head.The mob attacked his vehicle and tried to force their way in. Not a single cop showed up. Not one."As soon as the posts surfaced on social media, they quickly went viral and sparked debate. One X user asked, "Where are the police?"To which one replied, saying, "They police are knowingly, deliberately allowing all of this to happen. They consider it a feature, not a bug, because they want to blame it on ICE.""These people are no better than street gangs, and they remind me of a feral pack of dogs," one said."Because he intended to. This is a military psyop against Americans.""Enough is enough"Jake Lang is a Florida-based influencer, political activist and candidate for the Florida State Senate. He is best known for his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, an offence for which he was later pardoned by President Donald Trump.Lang was one of more than 1,500 people granted pardons related to the Capitol riot. Following his release, he has continued to play a visible role in far-right political circles and has regularly organised and participated in protests and demonstrations nationwide.Jake was later seen with blood visible on the back of his head before entering the hotel, though the cause of his injury was not immediately clear.
Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has ignited controversy after stating that the period of imperial dominance linked to the old Oyo Empire has ended and that no traditional ruler in Yorubaland holds supremacy over others.

Ajayi made the assertion in a post on X on Saturday, accompanied by a photograph of the current Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, as he argued against perceived hierarchical superiority among Yoruba monarchs.

We are no longer in the era of the Oyo Empire, Ajayi wrote. Rome and the United Kingdom, that once ruled more than half of the world as empires, can no longer claim sovereignty over former colonies. Times have changed. We are now in a new world.

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The presidential aide insisted that the historical Oyo Empire should not be confused with present-day cultural or political authority, emphasising that Yorubaland was never completely governed by the Alaafin.

Oyo Empire now belongs to history and the whole of what we now know as Yorubaland was never under the rule of the Alaafin, he said.

Ajayi called on traditional rulers across the South-West to adopt collaborative leadership consistent with contemporary realities, suggesting that mutual respect among monarchs would benefit their communities.

The society will function well if the current natural rulers in Yorubaland understand their roles in modern society, he stated. Our kings should now work collaboratively to preserve peace, unity and development in their communities whilst preserving our cultural values.

The statement has generated divided opinions on social media, amid ongoing debates about hierarchy, influence and authority within traditional institutions in Yorubaland.

While some cultural historians and observers continue to recognize the Alaafins stool as historically paramount within Yoruba civilization, others dispute any claim of overarching authority over the various kingdoms constituting the Yoruba race, pointing instead to the primacy of Ile-Ife and the spiritual leadership of the Ooni of Ife.
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after spending 20 days abroad as part of his annual leave.

During the leave, the President attended the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he witnessed the signing of a major trade agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

Tinubus Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the Presidents return in a statement titled President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi trip, issued on Saturday.

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The President departed Nigeria for Paris on December 28, 2025, before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for the annual sustainability summit, which was held from January 11 to 15.

In 2025, Tinubu also attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, underscoring Nigerias sustained engagement with global discussions on climate action, energy transition and sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the 2026 summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties.

The agreement grants duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE market and is designed to deepen economic cooperation, boost bilateral trade and investment,

enhance technology transfer, and expand collaboration across key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, while the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed for the Emirates.

Both President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing ceremony.
Christopher Fiorentino, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, said the system has been preparing for how to adjust to less revenue. We knew it was going to be difficult given the revenue situation in the Commonwealth, he said. We werent blindsided by this. Fiorentino is pictured here at West Chester University where he previously served as president. Read more

The universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education were flat-funded this year for the first time since 2021-22.

That funding, approved in the state budget deal lawmakers reached in November after a monthslong standoff, follows three years of state funding increases. In 2022-23, the system got a historic 15.7% increase.

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PASSHE includes the 10 state-owned public universities. (State-related universities, including Pennsylvania State and Temple, are funded separately.)

Cheyney University, which is part of the system, got a special $5 million earmark to develop and implement an enhanced transfer and workforce development initiative in partnership with a community college. Cheyney, a historically Black college in Delaware and Chester Counties, and Community College of Philadelphia recently announced a partnership that will allow students to transfer seamlessly from CCP to Cheyney and earn bachelors degrees while remaining on CCPs Philadelphia campus.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias state university system sees first enrollment increase since 2010

The state system had asked the state for a 6.5% increase in its general appropriation, which currently stands at $625 million. That would have brought in an additional $40 million for the 10-university system, said Christopher Fiorentino, chancellor of the system.

But he said the system has been preparing for the possibility of a funding freeze and had increased tuition this year for the first time in seven years, raising an additional $25 million.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias state university system sees first enrollment increase since 2010

We knew it was going to be difficult, given the revenue situation in the commonwealth, he said. We werent blindsided by this.

He said he was grateful for the systems appropriation.

Thats a huge amount of money, he said.  It is a significant commitment to public higher education, and we really appreciate that support.

The system has requested a 5% state funding increase for 2026-27, which would allow universities to freeze tuition again, Fiorentino said.

But Kenneth M. Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, the faculty union, said that would not be enough if tuition is to be frozen. And he has concerns about the freeze in state funding this year.

Too often, we go in there and act as if this is what we need to maintain the status quo, but the status quo is not good, he said, citing technology and program needs. We dont have the support for students that we should have. We need to start paying attention to the quality of education and make sure it doesnt suffer.

The system has been in a state of readjustment as it has lost about a third of its enrollment since 2010, including merging six of its universities into two entities. The systems universities are: Cheyney, Commonwealth, East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, Penn West, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester.

Planning for a drop in enrollment

Another enrollment cliff is expected to begin this year as the population of high school graduates begins to drop.

The demographics right now going forward are unfavorable, so we have to continue to be prepared for the fact that even if we maintain our market share, were going to see declines in enrollment, Fiorentino said.

The system is attempting to recruit in new markets and bring back to college those who have some credits but no degree, he said. Older students may want more weekend, night, and online courses, and that is something the system is reviewing, too, he said.

The system also is contemplating partnering with area doctoral institutions, such as Temple, to bring in doctoral students to teach at the systems universities. That would save money on faculty hiring, while cultivating new potential talent for the system, he said.

And the system is reevaluating its programs, he said. Ninety-five percent of students are graduating from half the programs the system offers, he said. Some of the larger enrollments are in business, education, health, and engineering, he said.

But only 5% of students are enrolled in the other half of the systems programs.

We have to take a look at that, he said. How do we redeploy the money that we currently are receiving to make sure that were supporting the programs that are critical to the success of the commonwealth?

Mash, the union president, said that bringing in doctoral students would create a viable stream of quality candidates, and that, under the contract, the system is permitted to employ a certain number of adjuncts. But he is concerned about eliminating programs with lower enrollments.

We should be providing as broad of a spectrum of opportunity for students as we can, he said.

Fiorentino said he was pleased to see Cheyney get the additional funding. The school, which has struggled with enrollment, saw an increase of 234 students  nearly 38%  this year, the highest percentage increase of any school in the system. Cheyney enrolls 851 students this year, its highest enrollment since 2014.

The new effort will allow Philadelphia students to get a Cheyney degree without having to travel to the rural campus, he said.

A lot of their market is Philadelphia, Fiorentino said of Cheyney, and for a lot of the Philadelphia students, transportation has become more and more difficult.

Temple and Penn State were flat-funded again this year. Temple said in a statement that it was grateful to see the budget pass.

We also continue to be deeply grateful for the ongoing financial support that the university receives to reduce tuition costs for Pennsylvania residents, the school said.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Minnesota National Guard has been mobilized as tensions remain high in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state, authorities said on Saturday.

In a post on X, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said that the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies under the direction of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

"They are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including the protection of life, preservation of property and the rights of all who assemble peacefully," it said.

The Minnesota National Guard also confirmed on X that its members are "on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies."

"If our members are activated, they will be wearing reflective vests, as pictured here, to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms," it added.

Last week, Walz authorized the Guard to be staged and ready to support local and state law enforcement in protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining public safety following a shooting incident involving federal immigration enforcement agents in south Minneapolis.

On Jan. 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, triggering nationwide protests. President Donald Trump's administration said Good was allegedly attempting to run over law enforcement officers with her vehicle, while local officials said video footage suggests she did not pose a threat and that the agent involved acted recklessly.

Protests intensified following the second ICE-related shooting in about a week.

A clash broke out in downtown Minneapolis after conservative influencer Jake Lang held a pro-ICE rally near the city hall. Lang, who was among the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters in 2021 and later pardoned by Trump, and a small group of supporters were quickly overwhelmed by counter-demonstrators.

Lang was chased away from the city hall by a large crowd of counter-demonstrators, reported local KARE television station. 
A wheelchair and other debris are scattered amid structural damage after a massive explosion and fire at a nursing home in Bristol on Dec. 24. Two people were killed, and several others were injured. Read more

Safety violations at Philadelphia-area nursing homes have led to nearly $5.3 million in fines since 2023, an Inquirer review of federal data shows, with almost half of the regions 182 facilities facing financial penalties.

The Bristol Township nursing home, where an explosion last month killed three people, topped a list of nursing homes fined in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks County, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data.

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The facility was fined a total of $418,000 for two sets of violations in 2024 when it was known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center. The nursing home was renamed Bristol Health & Rehab Center last month, following an ownership change shortly before the explosion.

Six-figure penalties are not uncommon in the region. More than 22% of the 85 facilities fined had penalties greater than $100,000. The violations cited concerns ranging from noncompliant fire extinguishers to life-threatening hazards, such as allowing a resident to overdose on illegal narcotics.

Accela Rehab And Care Center at Springfield in Montgomery County had the most citations for health deficiencies in the Philly-area  122 total.

Edenbrook of Yeadon in Delaware County had the most fire safety violations with 60.

 READ MORE: Fewer Pennsylvania nursing homes closed last year

Pennsylvania regulators inspect nursing homes annually to ensure compliance with state requirements and once every 15 months for compliance with federal regulations, said Neil Ruhland, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The amount of a fine depends on the severity of a violation, with bigger fines when people are harmed; the number of residents impacted by the violation; and how long the facility was out of compliance.

Nursing homes cited for deficiencies are required to develop a plan of correction, which is reviewed and monitored by the state. If the facility continues to be out of compliance, it may face penalties, including fines and ultimately could be terminated from Medicare and Medicaid, though thats rare.

Heres a look at federal fines and citations at nursing homes across Southeastern Pennsylvania since 2023, according to CMS.
Chris Summers was born in South Philly and raised by her grandmother and her mother. She knew she was supposed to get married, but she never felt exactly like the people around her.

The main sticking point was sex: She didnt want to have it, yet she still longed for romantic companionship.

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I really crave connection and spending time with somebody. I would be happy to spend a romantic weekend where we didnt have to sleep together, said Summers, 73. We would stay up talking and drinking tea and drawing and reading to each other.

Summers married Fred, whom The Inquirer is referring to by his first name to protect his privacy, in 1975. The two had sex throughout their marriage, because Summers figured that was what a wife was supposed to do, but she never cared about it. They divorced in 1980 after Fred had a series of affairs, she said.

She continued to date men, all the while wondering if she might be a lesbian. Above all, she was attracted to peoples minds; she wanted a connection that had nothing to do with the groping, kissing, fumbling, and activity that led to orgasms, as she described it.

At that time, there was no vocabulary for that. There was no saying: Sex does not interest me at all. Sex is not part of my reality, she said. It wasnt until the 2010s that she began reading about asexuality  the term for people who do not experience sexual attraction.

About 1.7% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults identify as asexual, according to the Williams Institute, a research center focused on sexual orientation and gender identity at UCLA. The vast majority are young, under 27; a Williams Institute scholar noted that asexuality is an emerging identity, and probably likely to become more widespread in the future.

Summers, who describes herself as neuroatypical, now lives with her two cats in Wissahickon. She has posted personal ads on Craigslist and forums for asexual people, but at this point has mostly resigned herself to being alone.

The following, as told to Zoe Greenberg, has been edited for length and clarity.

On meeting her husband

I put an ad in the personals in 1972. I was definitely hoping for romance, but also I was just looking for somebody to hang out and smoke dope with. Fred answered the ad, and he showed up at my house on his Honda 350 motorcycle. He was kind of like my knight in shining armor. We dated for a few months, and then I moved in with him.

On a less-than-romantic proposal

There was no real romance involved in getting married. We were living in West Philly, and I was setting the table for dinner. He came into the kitchen and said, What do you think about getting married? I hadnt really thought about it at the time, and I just said, Yeah, OK, thats a cool idea. I didnt realize that was a proposal. He said, Ill call my parents and let them know were going to get married. I thought, This is what its like?

Freds a Libra, and he likes to be doing what other people are doing. Friends and people in our age group were getting married. I guess he thought, Everybody else is doing this. So this should be something that were doing.

On her mother offering her husband-to-be cash to marry her

Fred and I had been married for several months, and we were having dinner one night. I was complaining about my mother; I always had a troubled relationship with her.

He said, Did you know that your mother offered me money to marry you? I thought he was kidding. I said, What did she offer? He said, $1,000. I said, Did you take it? And he said, Of course not.

I was horrified. I was raised by my mother to think I better get married, because that way I would have somebody to take care of me. She didnt believe I could navigate life on my own. I think that on some level, my mother meant well. She thought, Im going to offer a guy money to marry my daughter, and that way Ill feel that Ive done my part.

On her husbands (pedestrian) fantasies and her evolving sexuality

Fred was into fantasizing. One of his favorites was: you work in a massage parlor, and youre really a hooker. I like playing, and I like fantasy and dressing up, and I just thought that was so pedestrian. I mean, if he had said, Lets dress up like aliens, I would have thought, This could be fun.

I still thought that it was quite possible that I was a lesbian. I liked looking at women, I found women attractive. When I was in 8th grade, I had a serious crush on my best friend. But in a working-class, blue-collar family, it was not something that you talked about.

On her husbands infidelities

I thought we were happy. But Fred was a philanderer. He always had a little something on the side, and one of his big things that he really enjoyed doing was confessing his sins later.

For our first wedding anniversary, we saved money so we could take our honeymoon, and we went all the way up through the Eastern Seaboard.

We were at a lovely restaurant having a nice meal. Fred leaned over and said, Um, theres something I have to tell you. I thought, Oh, God, no.

I knew he was going to confess something, and he told me that he had been having an affair with the woman who was our matron of honor. I said, Why did you have to tell me this on our wedding anniversary?

On life after divorce and discovering asexuality

I initiated the divorce in 1980 because I was tired of Fred not being faithful. I made sure that he was served at work with the divorce papers, to embarrass him.

After that, I was in California and I was looking for a partner. But I was not looking for somebody to sleep with. Sex to me is like having anchovies  yeah, I suppose I could, but Id really rather not.

I was always attracted to people who were very intelligent and on the quirky side. For me, it was never about: I want to get in their pants. It was more like, I want to get in their brain.

In the last 10 years, I was trying to figure out, what is different about me? I started seeing things about asexuality. It made me feel like less of a freak, realizing: OK, this me. This is where I fit.

On searching for love but not sex

Id always been homesick for Philadelphia, and returned in 2015.

At one point I was part of a now-defunct Meetup group for alternative sexualities. I was an old lady in the midst of these 20- and 30-year-olds. They were very dear, they were very accepting. But I was not really considered dating material due to my age.

Since Ive been back, I have not really had much of a romantic life. I dated a few guys, a few women. But when you say I really dont want to have sex with you  theres no nice way to say that.

This story is part of a series about life partners across the Philadelphia area. See other stories in the series here and here.

If you want to share your story about who youre navigating life with romantically or otherwise, write to lifepartners@inquirer.com. We wont publish anything without speaking to you first.
Ice in Greenland and throughout the Arctic is melting at an accelerating pace. Read more

The Arctic is warming around four times faster than the rest of the globe, exposing natural resources, opening up potential shipping routes and prompting an increase in activity among military powers. The changing landscape has created a region ripe for opportunity  and potential conflict  factors that may play a role in President Donald Trumps sudden quest to obtain Greenland.

Though he has called climate change a hoax, part of the value Trump has described in the Danish autonomous territorys location is a result of the environmental shifts.

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Its partly the melting of sea ice making it more attractive for the economic development that hed pursue in Greenland, said Sherri Goodman, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and the former deputy undersecretary of defense for environmental security.

Trump has said he wants the territory because of its strategic location and untapped natural resources, including diamonds, lithium, and copper.

The president announced tariffs Saturday on countries that have sent troops to Greenland in recent days. Talks this week between the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark and U.S. officials ended in fundamental disagreement, according to Denmarks top diplomat, Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

The prospect of the United States using military force against the NATO ally, as Trump has floated, could end the decades-old defense pact. His bid for the territory is one of the most concrete examples of how climate change is influencing geopolitics. As the northernmost parts of our planet continue to warm, the effects could change the ways the international community operates.

The freeing of the Arctic from sea ice, at least seasonally, will create an entirely new theater for economic and security competition, said Joseph Majkut, the director of the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And while weve known that is going to be the case for some time, it seems were at an inflection point.

Arctic sea ice typically peaks in March, as ice forms and spreads through the depth of winter, before beginning to melt to its lowest extent, usually in September. Over approximately the past five decades, changes in Arctic ice cover have revealed pathways for shipping and commerce, as parts of the region stay ice-free for longer. Theres the northern sea route along Russias coast, and the northwest passage along northern Canada. Analysts note icebreakers, or vessels with the capability to chomp through thinning ice, have begun passing through a central route, over the top of the Arctic.

In October, a Chinese container ship used the northern sea route to shave about 20 days off its typical journey through the Suez Canal to Europe.

If the region becomes ice-free in future summers, it could reshape global trade. That reality is mere decades away, though exact predictions depend on whom you ask and how quickly the planet warms.

A 2021 study in Nature modeled future open-water periods based on different warming thresholds. It found that if the planet warms 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1850-1900 average, that period lengthens by 63 days, while if the planet warms 3.5 degrees (6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average, nearly the entire Arctic would have at least three months of open water each year.

But its hard to predict the exact timeline of the rate of melting, and either way, continued escalations or jockeying wont really depend on the pace of warming, Majkut said.

They also may be underestimating the hazards of a melting Arctic, scientists warn. Regardless of when an ice-free summer comes, it will remain an extreme environment.

Its going to be a long time before were arguing over beachfront property or protecting people from crocodiles up there, Majkut said.

Without sea ice, communities could lose crucial protection, said Zack Labe, a climate scientist who studies regional climate risks.

Typically, the ice would act as a buffer for high wind and waves, he said, especially in the fall when the region experiences typhoons in the Pacific that bring huge swells. That ice protects people against erosion and flooding.

The melting Arctic could produce unpredictable ocean conditions, like changes in the wind and the waves. And if there is an emergency, there are few accessible ports.

It could become more hazardous for ships to go into these areas rather than less, said Labe.

While Trump is pursuing Greenland, he hasnt publicly acknowledged climate changes role in what he perceives to be its value. A staunch climate change denier, the president has moved to cut funding to many climate initiatives including Arctic research.

But to some, that could be bad geopolitical strategy.

Climate change is a significant national security risk, said Goodman. The openings of sea lanes, the changing ice conditions, are contributing to the intense geopolitical situations were experiencing.
The casket and funeral poster of Felistus Muthoni Nduthu-Ndegwa is pictured at St. Ephrem Church in Bensalem, Pa. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. Read more

A chorus of nurses called Muthoni Nduthu to service one last time Saturday at her funeral.

Nurse Muthoni, please report to duty, the nurses repeatedly cried out, each time punctuated by a chime from a triangle. You faithfully served your profession with dignity, compassion, and integrity.  Your fellow nurses will take over from here.

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Nduthu  who was killed when an explosion just before Christmas razed the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Lower Bucks County  was laid to rest Saturday, memorialized by family, friends from the tight-knit Kenyan community in the area, and a 50-person nurse honor guard as an exemplary healthcare professional, a doting and spirited mother, and a pillar of her community.

She was our anchor, our prayer warrior, and our safe place, the oldest of her three sons, Clinton Ndegwa, wrote in a tribute read by a relative. Though her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, her love remains rooted in us. We carry her faith, her strength and her lessons forward.

 READ MORE: Two brothers and their nephew nearly died in the Bristol nursing home blast. From the hospital on Christmas, they share how they survived.

During the funeral service at St. Ephrem Catholic Church in Bensalem, where Nduthu, 52, was a longtime member, she was remembered for her warmth and natural humor; her perseverance as an immigrant who went back to school for nursing while working full-time; her quiet, but constant, sacrifices for her family; and her cooking.

The night before her Dec. 23 shift at the Bristol facility, formerly known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center, Nduthu prepared spiced chicken for her husband and sons to share on Christmas. The next day, she was working when a blast flattened a section of the nursing home just after 2 p.m., trapping dozens, hurling debris, and rocking nearby homes. Resident Ann Reddy was also killed, and about 20 others were injured. Earlier this month, another resident, identified as Patricia Mero, succumbed to injuries.

Peco crews had responded to reports of gas odor hours before the explosion, and residents of the 174-bed nursing home told The Inquirer they had smelled gas in the days leading up to the disaster.

The nursing home; its operator, Saber Healthcare Group; Peco; and others are facing lawsuits from survivors and their loved ones who say the explosion was the result of negligence. NBC10 reported that Nduthus husband, David Ndegwa, has also filed a lawsuit.

 READ MORE: Survivors recount persistent gas smell, lack of concern by staff and a smoke break before explosion rocked Bristol nursing home

The National Transportation Safety Board and a spokesperson for Saber said Friday that the investigation into what caused the explosion is ongoing.

Nduthu and her family emigrated from Kenya to the Philadelphia area more than two decades ago, David Ndegwa wrote in a tribute. Once stateside, Nduthu pursued a nursing degree, guided by her compassion and desire to serve others, her eulogy read. She believed deeply in the power of education and hard work, her sons said.

She touched many lives through her kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others, David Ndegwa wrote. Her legacy lives on in our sons, in the friendships she nurtured, and in the strong foundation of family she built.
It wasnt the most clever joke ever told on U.S. prime-time television  not even close  when comedian Nikki Glaser took a swing at CBS News while hosting Hollywoods Golden Globe Awards, which were seen live by an estimated 8.7 million viewers and clipped on social media by millions more. But the blow still landed hard, especially since the awards aired on CBS.

The award for most editing goes to CBS News, Glaser quipped, in a seeming reference to the recent flap over a critical report on the Donald Trump regimes use of a Salvadoran torture prison that was spiked by 60 Minutes. Yes. CBS News: Americas newest place to see B.S. news.

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Just three days later, Glasers joke about CBS News and its new, right-leaning management became a painful reality for a nation still reeling from the shock of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally gunning down a 37-year-old mom behind the wheel of her family SUV on a Minneapolis street.

Last Wednesday, the network rushed out a report  sourced only to two unnamed U.S. officials  that the ICE agent who fired the shot, Jonathan Ross, suffered internal bleeding to the torso in his Jan. 7 deadly encounter with the driver who was pulling away from the scene, Renee Nicole Good.

What that report from what was once the most trusted TV newsroom in America seemed to imply  even though it did not explicitly state  was that Goods Honda Pilot must have struck Ross in the encounter that touched off days of protests in Minneapolis and around the nation. If that did happen, it would radically alter the debate about the shooting and the violent nature of ICEs deportation raids  creating an argument that the use of deadly force was justified.

I want to be careful here, because the CBS story was so vague that its as hard to disprove as it is to prove. Medical experts immediately noted the report could have been misleading  at best  since internal bleeding could mean a bruise, which might have been caused in the chaotic situation by something besides Goods vehicle. But two reports just hours after the CBS bulletin suggested something far worse  a whiff of the utter baloney that Glaser had just joked about.

First, the New York Times released an in-depth frame-by-frame analysis of the multiple videos of the shooting captured both by citizen observers and by Ross himself as he fired his gun. The Times concluded from the analysis that the currently available visual evidence still shows no indication agent Jonathan Ross got run over, and published a photo showing significant daylight between the SUV and the agent as he fired.

Second, a Minneapolis Police Department report on the shooting was released, stating that Ross  who was shown on video walking around in the aftermath without any overt sign of an injury  was not taken to a hospital, as Trump had told the nation in a Truth Social post on the day of the killing. The police said Ross was driven to a government building.

Or, a different way of looking at the CBS internal bleeding report is in the context of Sherlock Holmes famous crime-solving line about the dog that did not bark. An entire pack of hounds stayed silent on this one. The facts most editors would demand before airing such an explosive claim about the biggest story in America  a medical report, or a quote from Ross doctor, or even a family member or an ICE colleague  werent published. Just the unsupported words of two officials from an authoritarian U.S. regime with a growing record for lying.

Indeed, it didnt take long for the dismay from actual professional journalists  the ones who still work at CBS after its late 2025 takeover by a media conglomerate owned by pro-Trump billionaires  to pour out in leaks.

Most of the journalists consternation centered on the actions of Bari Weiss, the conservative public intellectual who has been installed as the editor-in-chief of CBS News, despite possessing almost no previous breaking news experience.

There was big internal dissension about the internal bleeding report here last night, a CBS News staffer who was granted anonymity told the Guardian. It was viewed as a thinly veiled, anonymous leak by [the Trump administration] to someone whod carry it online.

A second insider told the news organization that it felt to many here like we were carrying water for [the administrations] justifying of the shooting to keep our access to our sources. The Guardians sources said Weiss had personally pushed to get the piece published quickly online.

So far, all the factual, on-the-ground journalism from Minneapolis suggests that CBS News, which has stood atop the pyramid of mainstream American media for decades, has just committed one of the worst acts of bad journalism in U.S. history.

The worst? Thats a high bar, considering other historic missteps like Judith Millers later debunked New York Times reporting on alleged Iraqi chemical weapons that bolstered the dishonest case for war, and which was also rooted in boosting government fictions.

But with approval for ICE, Trumps immigration policies, and the president himself reeling after Goods killing, and a flood of viral videos showing violent actions by government agents in Minnesota, any aid for a White House campaign to rewrite history is appalling. It could be used by the Trump regime to bolster a case for invoking the Insurrection Act and sending troops to Minnesota, which would cause the simmering crisis of American democracy to boil over.

A CBS News spokesperson told the Independent that the network went through its rigorous editorial process and decided it was reportable based on the reporting, the reporters, and the sourcing. It should be noted that ABC News ran a nearly identical story shortly after the CBS report. The parent companies of both CBS and ABC reached multimillion-dollar settlements of questionable lawsuits by Trump at the start of his presidency rather than fight them in court.

The CBS report did not happen in a vacuum. There was a reason, after all, that Hollywoods elites guffawed when Glaser told her see B.S. joke. And it went even deeper than the recent brouhaha over Weiss last-minute postponement of the 60 Minutes report on the mistreatment of U.S. deportees in the Salvadoran prison, supposedly because she believed it needed more reporting and more input from the Trump regime.

Critics noted the slow-motion impeding of that story that was so damaging to the White House was the polar opposite of the rushed Minneapolis internal bleeding story that was desired by the regime. Its also come out that a second in-the-works 60 Minutes piece that could make Trumps government look bad  about its preference for white South African refugees  has also been delayed by intense edits.

This is exactly what many feared last year when the Trump regime green-lighted the sale of CBSs then-parent Paramount to Skydance Media, owned by David Ellison, son of Trump-supporting Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, and when the new owner brought in Weiss, a former New York Times opinion journalist whose right-leaning site Free Press  also bought by Ellison  is popular with the superwealthy.

It became almost a cliche to point out how the new team has threatened the storied legacy of CBS News and the iconic moments its star journalists had questioned authority, including Edward R. Murrows 1954 takedown of red-baiting Sen. Joseph McCarthy, or Walter Cronkites 1968 call for a Vietnam withdrawal that infuriated Lyndon B. Johnsons White House.

But already the new reality of CBS News as a kind of state media for the Trump era has been worse than anyone could have feared, now creating fake news in the terms original clear-eyed meaning and not its bastardization by Trumps MAGA movement.

Weiss handpicked anchor, Tony Dokoupil, set the tone when he declared the new CBS News wanted to listen to everyday Americans and not put so much stock in experts  presumably like the doctors who could have told them the internal bleeding story didnt make sense. In the immediate aftermath of Goods killing, Dokoupil delivered a mush-mouthed both sides monologue that surely set Cronkite and Murrow spinning in their graves.

 READ MORE: 50 years ago, Walter Cronkite told America the bitter truth. We need more Cronkites today | Will Bunch

That was almost as embarrassing as Dokoupils 13-minute interview with Trump in which the president said the quiet part about the new slant at CBS News out loud, telling the anchor that if Kamala Harris had won in 2024 instead of Trump, You wouldnt have this job, certainly whatever the hell theyre paying you.

That was not edited out of the interview when it aired on CBS Evening News  perhaps because, it later came out, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Dokoupil and his crew that the president demanded all 13 minutes must be broadcast without changes or well sue your asses off.

CBS clearly complied. Of course it did. In a matter of weeks, the storied CBS eye logo has become a knowing wink to an autocratic U.S. government. The changes at CBS, and their implications for American democracy, have somewhat been lost in the recent tsunami of unthinkable headlines like the unrest in Minnesota, the bombing and regime change in Venezuela, and Trumps once-unthinkable threats against Greenland.

But we cant ignore this. The four million or so Americans who watch Dokoupil and the CBS Evening News every weeknight might be a huge drop from Cronkites era when three TV networks dominated the landscape, but many of those folks  older, less politically obsessed, often swing voters  are vital to the future of democracy.

The success of Trumps strongman project  just like the prior century of dictatorships that have paved the way for this  depends on creating alternative realities for the true believers and a cloud of uncertainty for the rest of us. The goal is to convince the masses of people that truth is fungible  except for what is dictated by the leader.

The only internal bleeding we can confirm with any certainty is the battered and visibly bruised reputation of a newsroom that was once a bulwark of press freedom, as well as Americas run-over democracy. OK, thats kind of an obvious observation, but maybe Glaser can use it if CBS lets her host the Golden Globes again next year.
A child sits in the snow as demonstrators hold signs during a news conference at Lake Hiawatha Park in Minneapolis, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, demanding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement be kept out of schools and Minnesota following the killing of 37-year-old mother Renee Good by federal agents earlier on Wednesday. Read more

The first time the police arrested me, in 2011, I expected it. We were Occupy Philadelphia, we were doing a sit-in at the Comcast lobby. Of course, they led us out in cuffs.

The second time, I didnt see it coming. Cops stormed the Occupy encampment, driving us into the street. They trapped us with barricades, making their subsequent dispersal orders a physical impossibility.

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Then, they arrested us illegally for our supposed failure to comply, hauling us all to jail. The experience was shocking. Naively, I had thought that attempted compliance would spare us arrest that day.

My shock at the time seems quaint now. In the decade that followed, Philadelphia police at mass protests showed an increasing disregard for their supposed rules, the law, and our bodies.

During the 2018 Abolish ICE protests, they bruised us and destroyed our belongings. In 2020  as we protested George Floyds murder  they tear-gassed nonviolent crowds, often also shooting at us with potentially lethal baton rounds.

Those 2020 marches were the last mass protest I felt able to take part in, not out of a sense of self-preservation, but because we had begun to try and start a family. There is no proving that the sudden, heavy bleeding I experienced immediately after the gassings was a miscarriage. No proving that my inability to conceive in the following seven months had any relation to the gas. Ill never know. What I do know: There is ample evidence demonstrating these chemical weapons to be abortifacients and hormonal disruptors.

When we did finally manage conception, I feared too much for my pregnancy to attend mass protests and risk that gas again. Id spent my entire adult life organizing and attending political demonstrations; it felt like a major part of my vocational identity had been stolen from me.

 READ MORE: Then they fight you: How the No Kings protests are winning America | Will Bunch

After giving birth in 2021, I knew from my Occupy years that even perfect compliance could not protect me from arrest and detention. I was breastfeeding, and my underweight infant routinely rejected offers of formula. I couldnt risk the possibility of separation or a tainted milk supply.

Then another pregnancy, another birth, another child dependent on breast milk. Mass protest faded even farther into the rearview mirror.

As the second Trump administration implemented textbook fascist practices and dissenting protests became increasingly vital, I agonized about my political responsibilities, but once again stayed home. My children are so young, the youngest still nutritionally breastfeeding. I still dont feel comfortable risking even a few days disappearance in jail, or tear gas-tainted milk supply.

As the previous weeks events made clear, birthing parents and primary caretakers  a population consisting mostly of women  are increasingly in a position in which we must make impossible decisions about exercising our right to protest.

Last Wednesday, in Minnesota, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot Renee Good in the face. Eyewitnesses report that Good  a mother who had just dropped her 6-year-old off at school  received conflicting orders from ICE agents. Get out of here, one agent reportedly told Good. When she attempted to comply, another agent fired three shots into her car, ending her life.

Lets be clear: Even if Good had violated officer orders, there would be no excuse for this summary execution. Video clearly shows she posed no physical threat to any of the agents; there can be no justification for this apparent murder by agents of the state.

I highlight her compliance not to suggest that her life should have depended on it, but to emphasize the reality that neither whiteness nor obedience protects against violent state repression. This has always been true, but we have entered an era where agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE act with a brazen disregard for human life, most especially the lives of not only targeted immigrant minorities but also protesters decrying this Trumpian ethnic cleansing campaign.

 READ MORE: Other Black people criticized me, but heres why I was proud to march in the No Kings protest | Opinion

These rogue agencies now treat constitutionally protected, nonviolent political speech as immediately punishable by violence, by chemical weapon, and even by death.

The risks of protest for birthing parents and primary caretakers of young children are disproportionately high. We must fear not just for our bodies, but for our pregnancies, and the continued physical and emotional safety of our kids.

Many of us who are politically active are increasingly forced to make impossible choices between the civic action this moment demands and our sense of responsibility to the vulnerable children who depend on us.

The image of Goods blood on an airbag next to a glove compartment bursting with childrens stuffed animals is a stark reminder of the reverberating familial impact of a caretaking mothers death, and the horrors this rogue presidential regime is only too happy to inflict on dissenters  especially dissenting women.

Fucking bitch, mutters one of the agents  very possibly the shooter  as he surveys the deadly wreckage. In their eyes, it seems, unruly women earn themselves an instant death sentence.

Whatever the Trump regimes excuses, however, Renee Good acted legally and on principle. She chose to stand up to the fascists, to stand up for her neighbors. Her civic virtue cost her her life, and cost her child a mother.

Illegal, violent repression of political opposition chills all political opposition speech, of course. When we are responsible for the care of the very young or other extremely vulnerable people, however, the effect compounds. Caretakers fear not just for our lives and freedom, but for how deeply and immediately our children might suffer in our absence. We stay home from the protests we might otherwise attend (and are blamed for our irresponsibility when we dont).

As a result, more and more childbearing-age women find ourselves having to weigh especially horrific possibilities when considering participation in the critically important speech that is a public political demonstration. And as the tragic killing of Good shows, these fears are not unfounded.

 READ MORE: As in the case of George Floyd, the role of race hangs ominously over the shooting of Renee Good | Solomon Jones

The Trump regime, meanwhile, has repeatedly affirmed this killing as justified. Their message to politically active mothers like me is clear: Stay home, or your children will suffer the consequences. It is a gendered threat, and they know it.

At the same time, Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem overplayed their hand. Their draconian approach has backfired, emboldening a wide swath of vulnerable people to take to the streets and militantly resist ICE occupation.

Fox News now complains of wine moms using antifa tactics. A Native American mother at home with her baby shelters an immigrant DoorDasher from kidnappers. Somali aunties take to the streets of Minneapolis to hand out sambusas to protesters. DHS weakly complains about parents taking their children along to marches. Moms in Minnesota are guarding their kids schools from ICE and organizing mutual aid efforts, like grocery delivery to immigrant families.

Where the Trump regime sought to frighten a populace into cowering submission, they have succeeded in radicalizing whole communities  even and especially the vulnerable  into militant action. They sought to instill fear; they have instead inspired righteous fury.

The women they tried to banish to the kitchen have taken to the streets and to other acts of resistance, joining a host of vulnerable people with every reasonable excuse to avoid the fray.

Hope has two daughters, wrote St. Augustine of Hippo. Their names are Anger and Courage.

Hope is a mother, it seems. And she is introducing DHS to her kids.

Gwen Snyder is a professional organizer and longtime Philadelphia activist.
Galya Morrell and her late husband, the renowned Greenlandic explorer Ole Jrgen Hammeken, are photographed near Kullorsuaq, in Northern Greenland. The settlement's name means the "devil's thumb" in English. Read more

Heres the glaring sign of how drunk President Donald Trump has become on his own power: his ongoing threat to seize Greenland for security reasons, whether they like it or not. Anything else is unacceptable, Trump ranted last week.

Never mind that this icebound island is an autonomous territory of Denmark, one of our longest-standing and closest NATO allies. POTUS is trying to bludgeon Copenhagen, along with seven other European allies who back the Danes, by imposing new 10 per cent tariffs on them all unless they bow to his outrageous demands.

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Never mind that seizing Greenland via economic coercion or force would destroy the NATO alliance, handing Russia and China a major victory at zero cost. Never mind that polls show that only one in four Americans want Trump to take control of Greenland, and only 6% of Greenlanders want to become part of the United States.

The most absurd part of Trumps crusade is that there is no need to seize or buy Greenland for U.S. security or rare earths as we already have full access to both.

Yet, Trump is not only treating Denmark like an enemy but openly rebuffing the rights of Greenlands government and people, who, according to Danish law have the final say about their future.

To learn more about what Greenlanders want and why Trumps approach draws outrage, I turned to Galya Morrell, a Greenlander of Komi ethnic origins, who was raised in the Soviet Arctic. She has led an amazing life in journalism, the arts, and Arctic adventures, alongside her late husband, the renowned Greenlandic explorer Ole Jrgen Hammeken.

Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What was the first reaction of most Greenlanders to Trumps proposal to take control of Greenland?

When we heard about Trumps proposal during his first term, everyone took it as a joke. Back then, we still lived in a world where logic mattered. How can you buy a country? What about people living there? Many people saw The Apprentice, thats how they knew Trump, so they thought that maybe he was going to make a new season about Greenland after he retires from his presidency, and some young aspiring actors were asking if they can join the show.

Do they take Trump seriously now, especially after Venezuela?

Now its different. I dont think that Venezuela played a big role in their perception, because already, people knew that Trump became obsessed with Greenland. At first, people thought that maybe it was even good for Greenland, because finally  finally  Denmark started taking Greenland seriously. Before, many Danes saw Greenlanders as a bunch of drunks and useless folks, which they arent, and a burden for Denmark. After Trump said he wanted it, many Danes changed their mind.

Trump also accidentally woke up Greenlandic nationalism because the Greenlandic independence movement was sleepy and divided. Now there was a foreign bully. Nothing unites people faster than someone who treats them like furniture in the new condo purchase. Suddenly even Denmark looked like a shield [against Trump] instead of a cage.

A 1951 pact with Denmark offers the U.S. almost unlimited military access on land, air, and sea. As for mining hard-to-access critical minerals, Greenlands government would eagerly welcome U.S. investment. So what is your take on what Trump really wants?

About 20,000 U.S. soldiers and technicians were based in Greenland [after World War II] and then suddenly they were all gone. Today only Pituffik Space Base [the former Thule Air Base] is still around with some 150 personnel. So why did the US not bring them back when it was clear that Russia rebuilt and upgraded all the former Soviet bases in the Arctic and became a threat in the region?

The United States already had Greenland, quietly, through contracts, bases, and the gravitational pull of English. But none of that had Trumps name on it. And if your name is not on something, do you even own it?

It appears that [Trumps need for ownership] is not logical but psychological. I think that his understanding of success or power is only when there is a deal, and when someone loses face  very important! And when he gets credit  even more important. Soft power, which America had in Greenland until recently, looks like nothing to him. Because none of what existed had Trumps name on it.

Are there Trump influencers (or suspected intelligence agents) roaming around, trying to find or buy supporters?

As a family, we have not seen or met the agents, but we certainly saw some people in Nuuk, following Donald Trump Jr.s visit a year ago, giving money and red MAGA hats to the youngsters, schoolkids, and making them say things on camera. Parents were outraged when they saw their own kids on TV, but it was too late.

What really happened when Trump Jr. visited? Why was he so eager to talk about Greenland?

My late husband, an Inuit elder and explorer, was asked to meet Trump Jr. back in 2015. He wanted to hunt musk ox in Greenland, but not where average tourists hunt. So my husband said that there are a lot of musk oxen around Hammeken Point [a mountain named after him], and he could take him there and be his guide.

They were planning the expedition for a while, until one day Junior said that he cant go because his dad decided to run for the presidency. Later, my husband thought that maybe it was all his fault for telling Junior exciting stories about Greenland and about what was hidden there under all this ice, and maybe that somehow affected Trumps fathers interest.

Some Trumpers think Greenlanders can be bought. Are some interested?

We hear rumors that he is thinking of paying $100,000 to each Greenlander. Well, its not a lot of money, a boat costs around that, and who will sell the country for the price of a boat? But seriously speaking, today, everyone whom I know says firmly no. There is no price tag, no matter how much. The country is not for sale.

But we live in a strange world, so I dont know what will happen for sure. [Opposition leader] Pele Broberg is saying out loud what many politicians think quietly: that Greenland is already being pulled into the American orbit, and that it might as well try to get paid for it.

Do some Greenlanders feel that way?

Yes. Especially younger people, miners, business owners, and those who feel Denmark never gave Greenland a real economy, only a welfare system. For them, a deal with America sounds like a shortcut to dignity, jobs, and finally being taken seriously.

But there is no such thing as a deal between a superpower and a small Arctic society. There is only dependence, dressed up as partnership.

The United States already has what it needs in Greenland: military access, strategic geography, and preferential access to resources [such as rare earths]. What it doesnt have is legal ownership or political control. A so-called deal would simply move Greenlands dependency from Copenhagen to Washington. The question is whether Greenland would still be free after it is made.

Can you imagine a U.S. military takeover attempt? What would be the consequences? Denmark and many other NATO allies are already moving small numbers of troops to Greenland as a tripwire.

My husband and I had hoped to live the rest of our years in a small village, Siorapaluk. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place. Ironically, it is 92 miles from Pituffik Space Base. We honestly thought it was the most peaceful place on Earth.

At this moment, we all  I can only talk about our family and friends  hope for a peaceful solution. Any negotiations are better than the war in the Arctic. Real war in the Arctic will be the end to everything.

If the U.S. really wanted to secure its interests in Greenland what could Trump do legitimately?

Trump still can return to U.S. bases, build new ones, invest in the population, in their education and knowledge. I see how scientists, glaciologists, marine biologists  15 different specialties  from Japans Hokkaido University work together side by side with the local Inuit hunters, elders, and children in Qaanaaq, very close to Pituffik Space Base. It is an ideal collaboration; they love each other and benefit from each other. But they have a very smart leader, Shin Sugiyama. I think that President Trump could learn from him.

Trump claims that if the U.S. doesnt take Greenland, China or Russia will. What is he talking about?

Russia is expanding its military presence in the greater Arctic region. This is their priority. I was once arrested by Chechen commandoes [on a floating Russian ice base, not part of Greenland but above the disputed underwater location of the North Pole]. So, yes, activity in Arctic waters is very real, and it is increasing. China has a major interest in Greenland. [But Greenlanders and Arctic experts see no signs of the Chinese and Russian ships Trump says are lurking around Greenland.]

Greenlanders have said no to Russia and China because we dont want them. A year ago, the Chinese bought some mining rights, but said they would bring their own workers, like what they have done in Yakutia [a northern region of Russia]. Chinese men married Russian women in Yakutia. There is a growing Chinese presence in Siberia. Soon, a majority will be Chinese, but no one sees it. [Fearing a similar outcome, the Greenland government ultimately rejected the Chinese investment.]

[Russias invasion of Ukraine has also increased Greenlanders hostility to Moscow. They are painfully aware of how poorly Russians treat their Arctic minorities and how Putin took the poorest people from Arctic villages to fight and die in Ukraine].

Should NATO troops be stationed in Greenland alongside more U.S. troops?

Today the Arctic is becoming a place where three things overlap: military early warning systems, resource competition, and new shipping routes [due to melting ice]. That combination creates the possibility of accidents and miscalculations long before it creates a planned Russian or Chinese invasion.

The biggest risk is not that someone like Russia or China suddenly wakes up and takes Greenland. The risk is escalation. I think that Greenlands best protection is not a sudden flood of troops. It is a predictable security architecture that everyone understands.

Greenland needs protection. But we are old enough to remember how conflicts were avoided during the Cold War: There were rules and restraint. There was clarity. Not theater.

What do you hope for (or dread) after the failure of last weeks meeting at the White House between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland?

What I hope for is very simple: that adults will run the room. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is not a performer. So I really hope meetings will not be about headlines or symbolic victories. They should be a security conversation and not a dominance ritual.

As I said before, the U.S. already has what it needs in Greenland in terms of security. My husband said not long before he departed: Greenland does not need to be rescued. It needs to be respected.
Trucking capacity has been steadily exiting the market over the past couple of years. These exits, however, came on the heels of the massive COVID-era oversupply, cushioning their impact on the market. With capacity continuing to tighten going into 2026, the industry will start to feel the effects of this long-term constriction.

Underneath the day-to-day, capacity is being trimmed in ways that have not always shown up in weekly rate charts due to the markets highly saturated starting point. Fleets continue to quietly close up shop, while others cut their numbers. At the same time, new equipment investments are being delayed and financing remains tight. The result is a market that still feels loose but is not built for shocks.

This year, carriers will once again find themselves in a position of relative power. This not only allows companies to secure higher rates, it also gives them the opportunity to make decisions designed to protect their networks and future cash flow. During this time, carriers will be able to prioritize working with shippers who have proven their relational value during the downturn.

Shippers should understand how carriers decide who gets trucks when the market turns, as well as how they can make sure they are on the short list when it does.

Capacity trends to watch

While the most high-profile  or poorly handled  carrier closures often make headlines, not every exit attracts attention. Many carriers simply stop renewing their authority, sell their equipment and wind down after one more season of thin margins. Each time that happens, the market loses more trucks.

Over the past couple of years, carrier exits have looked more like a slow erosion of capacity than a dramatic tightening. As this trend continues, however, disruptions will start to expose how little slack is left.

Why this is a real risk for shippers

Less slack: Fewer extra trucks are sitting around waiting for a load.

Faster flip to tight: A weather week, a compliance change, or a seasonal pop hits harder.

Carrier selection gets stricter: Freight still moves, but some shippers are prioritized over others.

If a shipper relies on spot coverage as their plan, that is essentially betting that extra capacity will always be available at the exact moment they need it. That is the bet that fails first in a tightening market.

It is also important to note that the market does not need mass bankruptcies to tighten. It also tightens when healthy fleets stop expanding. Many operators are shifting from growth to discipline and running lean to protect margins. When that mindset spreads, capacity can become more fragile.
I was in New York recently, with many people now wondering what the heck I was doing there.

"You hardly go to Kilmurry for the paper," one old fellow said to me after mass on Sunday.

"It's a long ways from Manhattan to Macroom," another quipped

And sure enough, they were both right.

Then another vicious rumour started. A claim that I had gone to New York for a hair transplant.

It has been noted you see that my hair has gotten quite long.

"You were bald in the summer and you are not now," remarked one elderly lady, who seemed to know more about my head than I did.

Anyhow today in order the quell the rumours and stop all the misguided talk about my head, I intend to reveal all.

The truth is, I went to the US to try and forget about farming.

Sick to the hind teeth of the whole business, I wanted to move as far away from the farm as I possibly could.

I wanted to find a new career.

Yerra over the winter, with all the rain, the bills and the talk about Mercosur, I became disillusioned with the whole thing.

And with youth still on my side, remember I'm only 55, I figured New York would be the best place for me to begin again.

Having grown up watching American TV cop shows, naturally, my first port of call was to throw my name in with the NYPD. The cops.

And didn't I get the land of my life when they offered me a role almost immediately?

"Your time spent farming and wrestling with bullocks in west Cork makes you an ideal candidate," I was informed by the police captain of a very rundown precinct.

"It would be an honour to have you onboard," he said, before offering me a gun and a badge.

And damn it all, I would have accepted it too, if only I hadn't become very homesick.

Unbelievable as it sounds, all the things that irritated me so much about the land before leaving Ireland had become very appealing now as I strolled down 5th Avenue.

They say an Irishman is the only species who can feel homesick while still at home.

Well, that was me.

I missed home terribly, even though I had only been in the US for 24 hours. The call of the bullocks with the long horns, the call of the old tractor with the wobbly wheel, were too much to ignore.

"I'm sorry captain," says I, saluting the man out of respect, "but I can hear Ireland's call. I must return to Kilmichael.

"I won't be able to become a police officer after all."

"Well darn it," says he "and you would have been so good."

Then he assured me that my place on the police force was guaranteed.

"If ever you change your mind," says he, "there will always be a cop job waiting for you here in New York City. A cop job with loads of exciting car chases and shoot outs."

I thanked him for the chance to become TJ Hooker, and then went on touring the great nation for a further spell, before it was time for me to return home.

By that stage, I was so anxious to get back that I approached the pilot soon after take-off, to see if we could get home faster.

"Yerra," says he, "tis slow enough all right. Flying across the Atlantic can wear a fellow out.

"Would you know of any lad who could fly this old bird for a spell?" he then asked, in all sincerity.

Well I had to laugh

"Look no further," says I, as I took the wheel.

"Wake me up when we are over Clare or someplace," he then requested, before pulling his cap over his good eye and falling asleep for a solid three hours.

The pilot was shattered, but he could sleep soundly. His plane was in good hands. The hands of a farmer.

Anyhow, once we were over Ballsbridge or someplace, I gave him the elbow and with the runway closing in fast, he took her down as sweetly as be damned.

We were home, safe and sound.

My adventures in New York were at an end, my farming adventures for 2026 only just beginning.
Reaction to the Dublin riots saw an increased spend on public order equipment by gardai of 152%.

Figures contained in a parliamentary question response to Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman show that An Garda Siochana spent over 6.3 million on equipment in 2024, compared to 2.3m on the same kinds of equipment the year before.

The spend was driven largely by a 2.7m outlay on new body armour and 2m on vehicles, including 1m on two water cannons.

The water cannon vehicles were paid for in 2024 and delivered in 2025, while the body armour was ordered in 2024 and, according to An Garda Siochana, "to secure the shortest possible lead time" was also paid for in 2024, as agreed with the supplier.

A further order for 500 more units of body armour has not yet been finalised so has not yet been recorded.

Hundreds rioted on OConnell St in the wake of the stabbing of a five-year-old schoolgirl in the area on November 23, 2023. A total of 85 people have now been arrested and/or interviewed in relation to alleged offending on the day. Of those, 66 have been charged with offences.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana said each of the water cannon vehicles has cannons mounted on the roof of the cab, and contains a public-address system, a ram/barricade removal system and six video cameras for "accurate targeting/situational awareness".

"Following the serious public disorder in Dublin city centre on November 23, 2023, a number of measures were put in place by An Garda Siochana to strengthen public order policing," a spokesperson said, adding that the benefit of the additional spend had already been seen in last October's unrest at City West.

As such, there was a significant focus on spending on public order equipment in 2024 to provide public order units with additional equipment as quickly as possible. The benefit of this front-loading of spending in 2024 was seen during the City West public disorder in 2025.

"This includes the purchase of general frontline equipment including Garda safety helmets, higher-strength incapacitant spray and mobility devices giving all frontline gardai access to a wide range of information while on duty.

"Additionally, public order units were provided with Mk 9 incapacitant spray canisters, round shields, replacement shields, new body armour, additional protective pads [foot, groin].

"Nine bespoke public order vans were purchased and engineered in 2024 to increase and enhance the public order fleet, with a total of 35 public order vans now in the Garda fleet."

The spokesperson added that 200 tasers had been purchased and that PCM (Peaceful Crowd Management) training is ongoing.
A Galway man who was arrested at 3.30am in a Cork town was so inebriated he couldnt speak, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Skibbereen District Court gardai were called to an incident at Pairc Goodman, Gortnaclohy in Skibbereen at 3.30am on the morning of December 28, 2025.

When they arrived at the address, they found 23-year-old Kyle Fahy with an address at Pairc Goodman, Pound Hill, Skibbereen in a highly intoxicated state outside his house. The court heard Mr Fahy had had an argument with his partner and couldnt stand and couldnt speak really either.

Fahy was arrested for being intoxicated in a public place contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. The court heard Fahy had 21 previous convictions, including three for public intoxication.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said Fahy was originally from Galway and had come to Cork with his partner, with whom he had two children. He said the family had been in various homeless accommodations before securing the property at Pairc Goodman.

Mr Murphy said after the incident Fahy had gone to live with his parents, who were now living in Charleville. Fahy said he was in the process of gaining employment in the Charleville area and had completed a counselling course.

Judge Joanne Carroll admitted Fahy to a probation bond for 12 months on condition he cooperates with the Probation Service, attends all appointments and attends counselling services.

This article is funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A fisherman who was charged with public intoxication following an incident in West Cork in December pleaded guilty to the offence at a recent sitting of Skibbereen District Court.

Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said Callum Fahy, aged 26, of Mizen View, Ballinard, Baltimore, Co. Cork, was arrested on Main Street in Skibbereen, Co. Cork at 8.50pm on the evening of Monday, December 8, 2025.

The court was told that Fahy was seen walking in the middle of the road with no shirt on causing disruption to traffic. He was approached by gardai and was found to be highly intoxicated, slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.

Gardai formed the opinion that Fahy was a danger to himself and to others and he was arrested. The court heard that Fahy had 16 previous convictions including four for public intoxication as well as convictions for assault causing harm, assault and possession of drugs.

Defence solicitor, Flor Murphy, said Fahy was a fisherman based in Castletownbere and when he was fishing there was no problem. He said Fahy tended to get into trouble when he was not working and at the time of the incident he had been off work for six weeks because he had broken his leg in a fishing accident.

Mr Fahy said he was back working now helping to prepare the boat he worked on for a new fishing season and he was much better. He told Judge Joanne Carroll that he sometimes used drugs but only when he was drinking and that he did not drink when he was working.

Judge Carroll asked Fahy: Does it ever occur to you that you shouldnt drink at all? She said that when Fahy drinks he seems to create problems and that he should consider the fact that he has a suspended sentence hanging over him if he decided to drink.

The judge added: Walking down the street on the 8th of December with no shirt on when there are a lot of people out socialising and families meeting up is not a way to behave. The judge said Fahy appeared to be a decent man but if you continue this way you are going to end up in prison.

Fahy was admitted to a probation bond for 12 months on condition he makes a 150 donation to the court poor box, co-operates fully with the Probation Service, attends all appointments and attends addiction treatment. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on January 27. The judge said that if he did not make the 150 contribution by then he would be fined 300.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee has slammed a tariff threat by US president Donald Trump amid talks over the future of Greenland as completely unacceptable.

The US president said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Ms McEntee said the decision is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law, she said.

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable. It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland of course have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.
The EU will obviously retaliate if Donald Trump proceeds with threatened tariffs on the bloc in his pursuit of control of Greenland, the Taoiseach has said.

Over the weekend, the US president said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral, the threatened countries said in a statement on Sunday. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.

A protest rally marching to the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday to protest against US president Donald Trump's threat to take over the island. Picture: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Reports suggest that French president Emmanuel Macron now wants the EU to implement its anti-coercion instrument that can restrict access to the single market for US companies

Micheal Martin said Mr Trumps threat is extraordinary and unacceptable.

The situation in Greenland is very clear, from our perspective," he said.

The territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated.

Asked on RTE radio if the EU would be in a position to hit back at the Trump administration, Mr Martin said it would, but called for dialogue.

Be in no doubt that Europe will obviously retaliate if these tariffs are imposed, and that will lead to a very serious situation globally.

Mr Martin said a deal struck between the EU and US in Scotland last year in the face of threats of tariffs was entered into in good faith and should be respected.

McEntee: Tilt at Greenland 'unacceptable'

The US position led to strong condemnation from foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee who said the decision is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable. She said:

"Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law, she said.

This is a position that will not change.

Tanaiste Simon Harris described Mr Trumps tariff threat as most concerning and very unwelcome and said he will travel to Brussels for a meeting with European counterparts.

Mr Trump has long proclaimed his interest in controlling Greenland and has claimed the Arctic territorys current status poses a national security threat to the US, though he has never explained how.
Eight skiers have been killed in three avalanches across Austria, authorities said.

A female skier was buried by an avalanche in the Bad Hofgastein area in western Austria, at an altitude of about 7,200 feet, at about 12.30pm on Saturday, according to the Pongau mountain rescue service.
This analysis draws on extensive discussions with Chinese security, military, and political experts based in Beijing and reflects analytical assessments rather than the official position of the Chinese government on Irans recent protests.

Florence, Italy (Special to Informed Comment, Feature)  When President Trump announced in January that the United States would impose a sweeping 25 percent tariff on any country trading with Iran, the move was framed in Washington as economic pressure on Tehran. In Beijing, it was read very differently: not as an Iran policy, but as another chapter in Americas expanding use of economic coercion, and another test of Chinas strategic patience.

The timing was not lost on Chinese analysts. Iran is facing internal unrest, external military threats, and unresolved questions over its nuclear program. To Beijings security circles, the protests that erupted across Iranian cities earlier this year were already understood as the domestic continuation of the 12-day war, a pressure campaign that merely shifted arenas. The tariff announcement, in this view, added a financial front to the same conflict architecture.

Chinas response has been characteristically calm, almost austere. There has been no dramatic counter-threat, no theatrical denunciation. Instead, Chinese officials reiterated familiar principles: opposition to unilateral sanctions, rejection of extraterritorial enforcement, and support for sovereignty and stability. These phrases may sound formulaic, but they are rooted in a consistent strategic worldview. Beijing does not see Iran as a revolutionary cause or an ideological ally. It sees Iran as a state under pressure, and pressure, in Chinese strategic thinking, rarely produces order.

Within Chinese policy and security circles, the tariff threat is interpreted less as a genuine attempt to alter Irans behavior than as a signal to third parties. The logic is familiar: punish intermediaries, force isolation, and hope internal strain does the rest. But Chinese experts remain skeptical of this approach. Their assessment of Irans protests, widespread but thin, noisy but not overwhelming, leads them to conclude that economic strangulation will not produce regime collapse. It will produce endurance, adaptation, and escalation.

From Beijings perspective, abandoning Iran under U.S. pressure would validate precisely the model of coercion China seeks to resist. The concern is not Iranian oil alone, though China remains Irans largest customer, but precedent. If Washington can impose punitive tariffs on any country trading with a sanctioned state, then the architecture of global trade becomes contingent on U.S. political approval. That is a structure China fundamentally rejects.

Beijing views recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, where Washington ousted President Nicolas Maduro and assumed control of Venezuelan oil resources, not as a liberation of the Venezuelan people but as a strategic blow against Chinas access to cheap crude. Chinese officials and analysts have publicly condemned the U.S. strike as a violation of international law and a hegemonic act, signaling they see such interventions less as regional policy and more as attempts to choke Chinas energy supply chain and contain Beijings influence.

Chinese analysts also frame the tariff move as inseparable from the broader U.S.China economic rivalry. After years of trade wars, technology restrictions, and supply-chain decoupling, Beijing no longer interprets such measures as isolated policy tools. The tariff threat fits a familiar pattern: weaponizing access to the American market to discipline rivals. In this sense, Iran is not the target so much as the terrain.

This is why Chinese officials privately dismiss the idea that the tariffs will fundamentally alter Sino-Iranian relations. Trade may become more opaque, routes more indirect, mechanisms more creative, but the relationship will persist. China has already spent years learning how to operate under sanction-heavy environments, diversifying markets, expanding yuan-based trade, and deepening SouthSouth economic corridors. The assumption in Beijing is not that tariffs can be avoided entirely, but that they can be absorbed, redistributed, and eventually diluted.

There is also a strategic symmetry at work. Just as Chinese security experts view Irans domestic unrest as inseparable from military pressure, they see economic warfare as another destabilizing force that increases the likelihood of conflict rather than preventing it. In their assessment, a weakened but cornered Iran is more dangerous than a stable, constrained one. Tariffs, like bombs, do not exist in isolation.



On July 16, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tianjin. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peoples Republic of China. Government Work. Public Domain.

Yet Chinas stance has clear limits. Beijing has no intention of militarily backing Iran or confronting the United States head-on. Its support remains political, diplomatic, and economic, calibrated to avoid escalation while resisting compliance. This reflects the same logic Chinese experts apply to the prospect of another war: China opposes it, expects it may happen, but will not intervene to stop it at great cost to itself.

What emerges is a distinct Chinese posture, one that neither aligns with Tehrans rhetoric nor Washingtons tactics. Beijing will continue to call for stability, oppose regime change, and criticize foreign interference, while quietly adjusting trade patterns and financial mechanisms to blunt U.S. pressure. It is not defiance for its own sake, nor solidarity out of sentiment. It is strategic continuity.

Trumps tariff gambit may yet reshape parts of the global economy. But in Beijing, there is little sense of panic. The belief remains that pressure campaigns exhaust their authors faster than their targets. Chinas answer is not to blink, but to endure, confident that in a fragmented world, patience is a form of power.
Business Insider is thinking a lot about the future of capitalism.

So, it seems, is California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom said he'd fly to Davos this week to rebut Trump's version of capitalism.

We here at Business Insider thought it was time to talk about the future of capitalism.

Seems we weren't the only ones.

More from Yahoo Scout How does California's economic model differ from Trump's? Why is the capitalism debate heating up now? What federal investments concern Newsom's administration most? What is Newsom's criticism of Trump's capitalism approach?

When California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced late last week that he would show up at Davos essentially to rebut whatever President Donald Trump plans to say, he specifically zoned in on, what else? Capitalism.

At Davos, the Democratic governor plans to "draw a clear line between democratic capitalism and crony capitalism," according to his office. Newsom will "contrast California's rules-based, competitive economic model with Trump's politics of intimidation, favoritism, and self-dealing."

In short, Newsom wants to articulate his own version of capitalism on the global stage.

That, coupled with Trump's Wednesday speech, which is expected to touch on affordability, shows just how hot the topic is.

You might recall that last month we put out a survey seeking your thoughts on the future of capitalism. And in the new year, we started a series on the subject. The first piece detailed the federal government's investments in private-sector companies under this White House. Newsom's office called those investments "an unprecedented assault on free markets" and took issue with other Trump moves.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Newsom's statements. A White House official earlier told Business Insider they viewed these equity stakes "as a very powerful tool that we're using very judiciously in very specific sectors for very specific reasons," for purposes of US economic and national security.

We will stay all over this subject at Davos this week. (Subscribe to our special Davos newsletter here.) Meanwhile, our capitalism series has chronicled how America's high schools are teaching capitalism. See for yourself how you'd score on this 12th-grade capitalism quiz!

The next piece, slated for Monday, is on the capitalist spirit thriving in companies. Stay with us!

Read the original article on Business Insider
( Yale Climate Connections )  In 2025, the planet had its third-hottest year on record, NOAA, NASA, the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, Berkeley Earth, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the UKMET Office reported. The year 2024 remains the hottest year on record, with 2023 in second place, but only slightly ahead of 2025. (In fact, Carbon Brief concluded that 2023 and 2025 were essentially tied for second place.)

While 2025s warmth did not set a new record, it was extraordinary because human-caused global warming pushed global temperatures to near-record levels despite the cooling influence of the La Nina phenomenon, which typically suppresses global temperatures. The record-warm years of 2023 and 2024 both lacked this cooling influence, and both were affected by the strong 2023-24 El Nino event. El Nino typically warms the global atmosphere.

According to Berkeley Earth, 9.1% of the Earths surface had a record-warm year, including 10.6% of land areas and 8.3% of ocean areas. They estimated that 770 million people  8.5% of Earths population  experienced a locally record warm annual average in 2025. The largest population centers affected by record warmth in 2025 were mostly in Asia, including about 450 million people in China.

Figure 1. Departure of temperature from average for 2025. Record-high annual temperatures were widespread, covering parts of the Arctic, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, and the western and central Pacific Ocean. Smaller pockets of record heat were also observed across North and South America, Africa, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In contrast, while some areas experienced near- to cooler-than-average conditions, no land or ocean areas experienced record-cold annual temperatures. (Image credit: NOAA)

https://bsky.app/profile/hausfath.bsky.social/post/3mcfd4zsruv26

Europe and Oceana had their second-warmest year on record; Asia, its third-warmest; North America, its fourth-warmest; South America, its sixth-warmest; and Africa, its seventh-warmest. The Arctic had its second-warmest year on record, and the Antarctic, its fourth-warmest. As reported by Bob Henson yesterday, the contiguous U.S. experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025.

Global satellite-measured temperatures in 2025 for the lowest eight kilometers of the atmosphere were second-warmest in the 47-year satellite record, behind only 2024, according to the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

NOAA is giving a less than 1% chance that 2026 will surpass 2024 as the hottest year on record, with a 75% chance of being a top-five hottest year. If an El Nino event were to arrive in 2026-27, it would boost the odds of 2027 setting a new global record.

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A mix of unusually wet and unusually dry conditions for the globe

Asia had its third-wettest year on record during 2025, while Australia and Africa had their 12th- and 15th-wettest, respectively. In contrast, conditions were dry across much of Europe and the Americas, with 2025 ranking as the fifth-driest year on record for Europe and South America, while North America ranked sixth-driest on record.

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No clear signs of a peak in global CO2 emissions yet

Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and cement production rose by around 1.1% in 2025, reaching a record 38.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide, according to the 2025 Global Carbon Budget report by the Global Carbon Project, released November 13. The 1.1% annual increase is roughly on par with the 0.9% average annual increase during the 2010s and higher than the 0.8% growth in 2024. Some highlights from the report:

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2025 was near 426 ppm  about 53% above pre-industrial levels.

About 8% of the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration since 1960 is due to climate change weakening the amount of CO2 that the land and ocean surfaces can remove (their sinks).

The projected rise in fossil CO 2 emissions in 2025 was driven by all fuel types: coal +0.8%, oil +1%, natural gas +1.3%.

emissions in 2025 was driven by all fuel types: coal +0.8%, oil +1%, natural gas +1.3%. The projected emissions for 2025 increased by 6.8% for international aviation (exceeding pre-COVID levels) but remained flat for international shipping.

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations increased by about 2.3 ppm in 2025, down from the record-high increase of 3.7 ppm observed in 2024. The increase that year was so high mainly because the 2023/2024 El Nino weakened the amount absorbed by land. The decadal average increase of CO2 has been 2.6 ppm per year, suggesting the land absorption largely returned to its pre-El Nino level during 2025.

With CO 2 emissions still increasing, keeping global warming below 1.5C is no longer plausible, said Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, of Exeters Global Systems Institute, who led the study. The remaining carbon budget for 1.5C, 170 billion tons of carbon dioxide, will be gone before 2030 at current emission rate. We estimate that climate change is now reducing the combined land and ocean sinks  a clear signal from Planet Earth that we need to dramatically reduce emissions.

The other two primary human-emitted heat-trapping gases  methane and nitrous oxide  also reached all-time highs in 2025.

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Hottest year on record for total ocean heat content

For the ninth consecutive year, the total heat content in the topmost 2,000 meters of the worlds oceans in 2025 was the hottest in data going back to 1955, according to a study published Friday involving more than 50 scientists from 31 international institutions  Ocean Heat Content Sets Another Record in 2025. The extra ocean heat in 2025 compared to 2024 amounted to 23 zettajoules  more than 200 times the electrical energy usage of the entire planet, the researchers said. About 33% of the global ocean area ranked among its historical (19582025) top three warmest conditions, while about 57% fell within the top five.

More than 90% of the increasing heat from human-caused global warming accumulates in the ocean as a result of its large heat capacity. The remaining heating manifests through atmospheric warming, the overall drying and warming of global landmasses, and the melting of land and sea ice. Increases in ocean heat content cause sea level rise through thermal expansion of the water and melting of glaciers in contact with the ocean, resulting in increased coastal erosion and more damaging storm surges. Increased ocean heat content also produces stronger and more rapidly intensifying hurricanes, causes more intense precipitation events that can lead to destructive flooding, contributes to marine heat waves that damage or destroy coral reefs, and disrupts atmospheric circulation patterns. A number of extreme weather events in 2025 can all be linked back to long-term ocean heat accumulation, according to the paper:

Intense rains that killed more than 1,350 people in South and Southeast Asia

Catastrophic flash floods along Texas Guadalupe River that caused 138 fatalities

Over 1,200 wildfires that burned more than 5 million hectares in Canada.

Global number of named tropical cyclones: 3rd-highest since 1980

A total of 102 named tropical cyclones occurred across the globe in 2025, which is the third-highest number since 1980, according to the Colorado State Real-Time Tropical Cyclone Activity page. Of those, 52 reached the equivalent of hurricane strength (winds of 74 mph or higher) during 2025  the ninth-highest number since 1980; 24 reached the equivalent of major hurricane strength (winds of 111 mph or higher), which was near average. The global accumulated cyclone energy, or ACE  an integrated metric of the strength, frequency, and duration of tropical storms  was also near average. There were five Cat 5s globally, which is near the 1990-2025 average of 5.3 per year. NOAA reported that there were 101 named tropical cyclones in 2025, compared to the 1991-2020 average of 87.7.

A La Nina event continues but is expected to end by March

A weak La Nina event continues in the Eastern Pacific, NOAA reported in its January monthly discussion of the state of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. La Nina conditions are expected to end in the January-March 2026 period (75% chance), becoming ENSO-neutral. An increasing chance of El Nino conditions is predicted as 2026 progresses, according to the NOAA/Columbia University International Research Institute for Climate and Society forecast. The forecast for the August-September-October peak of hurricane season, issued in mid-December, called for a 38% chance of El Nino, a 44% chance of ENSO-neutral, and an 18% chance of La Nina. El Nino conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity through an increase in wind shear, but La Nina conditions tend to have the opposite effect.

https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3mbholm3yjs2w

Arctic sea ice: lowest December extent on record

Arctic sea ice extent during December 2025 was the lowest in the 47-year satellite record, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. December 2025 sea ice extent in the Antarctic was the seventh-lowest on record.

For the year, the average sea ice extent and sea ice volume in the Arctic hit a record low, according to Zack Labe (see Bluesky post below). However, the annual minimum (reached on September 10) was not impressively low by recent standards, ranking as the joint-10th lowest in the satellite record.

https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3mbznyyzgls2b

The annual Arctic Report Card was issued in December and reported these highlights from October 2024 to September 2025:

Surface air temperatures across the Arctic from October 2024 through September 2025 were the warmest recorded since records began in 1900, including the warmest autumn, second-warmest winter, and third-warmest summer.

The last 10 years are the 10 warmest on record in the Arctic.

Since 2006, Arctic annual temperature has increased at more than double the global rate of temperature change.

Precipitation from October 2024 to September 2025 set a new record high.

In March 2025, Arctic winter sea ice reached the lowest annual maximum extent in the 47-year satellite record.

The oldest, thickest Arctic sea ice (> 4 years) has declined by more than 95% since the 1980s. Multiyear sea ice is now largely confined to the area north of Greenland and the Canadian archipelago.

The Greenland ice sheet lost an estimated 129 billion tons of ice in 2025, less than the annual average of 219 billion tons between 2003 and 2024, but continuing the long-term trend of net loss.

In 2025, maximum Arctic tundra greenness was the third-highest in the 26-year satellite record, continuing a sequence of record or near-record high values since 2020.

Figure 2. Change in total ice in Greenland, 1981-2025. (Image credit: Carbon Brief)

Greenland Ice Sheet loses mass for the 29th consecutive year

The Greenland Ice Sheet lost 105 billion tons of ice in 2024-25, marking the 29th consecutive year it has lost ice, according to a December 2025 post on Carbon Brief by Greenland ice experts Martin Stendel and Ruth Mottram of the Danish Meteorological Institute. However, the amount of ice lost has not been increasing in recent years (Fig. 2).



Image by ken lecoq from Pixabay

The 2025 ice melt season saw an unusually early start  May 14, about 12 days earlier than the 1981-2025 average. There is evidence that the length of the melt season in Greenland is lengthening. A remarkably large percentage of the ice sheet was melting at once  from mid-June to the end of September, the area undergoing melting was larger than the 1981-2010 average. In mid-July, melting occurred over a record area. For three days in a row, melting was present over 80% of the ice sheet, peaking at 81.2%, the highest observed since records began in 1981.

Notable global heat and cold marks for December 2025

Weather records expert Maximiliano Herrera documents world temperature extremes in remarkable detail and has provided us with the following info for December. Follow him on Bluesky: @extremetemps.bsky.social

Hottest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: 40.6C (105.1F) at Garoua, Cameroon, Dec. 29

Coldest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: -59.0C (-74.2F) at Delyankir, Russia, Dec. 25

Hottest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: 47.5C (117.5F) at Eyre, Australia, Dec. 17

Coldest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: -44.3C (-47.7F) at Concordia, Antarctica, Dec. 3

Major weather stations in December 2025: three all-time heat records, one all-time cold record

Among global stations with a record of at least 40 years, three set, not just tied, an all-time heat record in December, one set an all-time cold record:

Kanton Island (Kiribati) max. 35.9C, December: New national record high for Kiribati

Braeburn (Canada) min. -55.7C, December 23

Mirnjyi (Antarctica) max. 10.8C, December 24

Kaimana (Indonesia) max. 37.7C, December 29

National and territorial heat records of 2025

International weather records researcher Maximiliano Herrera (who posts on Bluesky and X) monitors the pulse of the planet in remarkable detail, and he logged 10 nations or territories that set or tied their all-time reliably measured heat records in 2025 and no nations that set or tied an all-time cold record. Three nations or territories beat or tied their old all-time heat record multiple times in 2025. In 2024, 25 such records were set, the most Herrera has logged in any singe year.

Among global weather stations having at least 40 years of record-keeping, Herrera documented 388 that exceeded (not just tied) their all-time heat record in 2025 and eight that set an all-time cold record. For comparison, 502 stations set their all-time heat record in 2024.

Ten all-time national/territorial heat records set in 2025

Maldives: 35.8C (96.4F) at Hanimadhoo, Feb. 27 (previous record: 35.1C (95.2F) at Hanimadhoo, Mar. 24, 2024)

35.8C (96.4F) at Hanimadhoo, Feb. 27 (previous record: 35.1C (95.2F) at Hanimadhoo, Mar. 24, 2024) Togo: 44.0C (111.2F) at Mango, Mar. 16 and Apr. 5 (tie)

44.0C (111.2F) at Mango, Mar. 16 and Apr. 5 (tie) Turkey: 50.5C (122.9F) at Silopi, Jul. 25

50.5C (122.9F) at Silopi, Jul. 25 Kosovo: 42.5C (108.5F) at Kline, Jul. 25

42.5C (108.5F) at Kline, Jul. 25 Brunei: 39.2C (102.6F) at Sukang, Jul. 29; tied again on Aug. 1 at the same location

39.2C (102.6F) at Sukang, Jul. 29; tied again on Aug. 1 at the same location Japan: 41.2C (106.2F) at Kaibara, Jul. 30; broken again on Aug. 5 with 41.8C (107.2F) at Isesaki

41.2C (106.2F) at Kaibara, Jul. 30; broken again on Aug. 5 with 41.8C (107.2F) at Isesaki United Arab Emirates: 51.8C (125.2F) at Swiehan, Aug. 1 (tie)

51.8C (125.2F) at Swiehan, Aug. 1 (tie) Martinique (territory of France): 37.0C (98.6F) at Le Lamentin, Aug. 22

37.0C (98.6F) at Le Lamentin, Aug. 22 St. Eustatius (territory of the Netherlands): 34.4C (93.9F) at Roosevelt Airport, Sep. 13

34.4C (93.9F) at Roosevelt Airport, Sep. 13 Kiribati: 35.9C (96.6F) at Kanton Island. Dec. 8

No nations or territories set or tied an all-time national/territorial cold record in 2025.

An additional 76 monthly national/territorial heat records beaten or tied in 2025

In addition to the 10 all-time national/territorial records listed above (plus three nations that beat or tied their record in two separate months), 76 nations or territories set monthly all-time heat records in 2025, for a total of 89 monthly all-time records. Here are the additional 76 monthly heat records set in 2025:

January (6): Cocos Islands, French Southern Territories, Faroe Islands, Maldives, Northern Marianas, Martinique

February (3): Northern Marianas, Argentina, Togo

March (8): French Southern Territories, Algeria, Saba, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Mauritius, Cocos Islands

April (11): French Southern Territories, British Indian Ocean Territory, Latvia, Estonia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ireland

May (5): French Southern Territories, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, China, Qatar

June (7): Cocos Islands, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Jersey, Gabon

July (7): Maldives, Ukraine, Honduras, French Southern Territories, U.S. Virgin Islands, Malaysia, Japan

August (10): Honduras, Cocos Islands, Lebanon, Albania, French Southern Territories, Israel, Iceland, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique

September (4): Canada, Namibia, Chile, Central African Republic

October (5): Taiwan, French Southern Territories, New Caledonia, Cocos Islands, Martinique

November (4): Singapore, Israel, Cape Verde, U.S. Virgin Islands

December (6): Kuwait, Dominica, Iceland, Cameroon, Congo, French Guiana

Two nations or territories set an all-time monthly cold record in 2025: Qatar in January, and Puerto Rico in December.

Notable global heat and cold records for 2025

Hottest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: 52.8C (127.0F) at Shabankareh, Iran, Jul. 19

Coldest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: -61.0C (-77.8F) at Summit, Greenland, Jan. 16

Hottest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: 49.3C (120.7F) at Geraldton Airport, Australia, Jan. 20

Coldest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: -82.0C (-115.6F) at Dome Fuji, Antarctica, Jul. 24

Highest average temperature in the Northern Hemisphere in 2025: 32.1C (89.8F) at Makkah (Saudi Arabia)

Highest average temperature in the Southern Hemisphere in 2025: 29.7C (85.5F) at Teresina (Brazil)

Three notable hemispherical and continental temperature records set in 2025

Highest temperature ever recorded in South America in February: 46.5C (115.7F) at Rivadavia, Argentina, February 4

Highest minimum temperature ever recorded in South America in February: 30.8C (87.4F) at Catamarca, Argentina, February 10.

Highest minimum temperature ever recorded in Africa in November: 31.9C (89.4F) at Vioolsdrif, South Africa, November 14.

Bob Henson contributed to this post.

Via Yale Climate Connections

This article first appeared on Yale Climate Connections and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
( OpenDemocracy.net )  Donald Trumps plan to raise US military spending to $1.5trn at best signals a plan to put military force at the centre of his presidency, and at worst, an administration planning for all-out war.

The president this week unveiled his proposal to increase the defence budget by almost 60% by the 2027 fiscal year, after three weeks of lethal US operations in Nigeria, Syria, Venezuela and the Caribbean and Pacific littorals.

An increase of this kind, up from $901bn this year, suggests a White House making preparations for major war  a scenario that Trump has said the world must be prepared for.

Announcing the plan on his Truth Social platform after the US militarys kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump said we are in very troubled and dangerous times.

Trump added that the spending increase will allow us to build the Dream Military that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe.

What the US president intends needs to be put in the context of what the Pentagon has been doing over the past three weeks.

The seizure of Maduro, as well as the assault on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and three other Venezuelan states, was a huge operation involving 150 US military aircraft and a large Special Forces contingent.

Damage on the ground was considerable, with 32 Cubans and 24 Venezuelans reported to have been killed, according to officials in both countries, although Venezuelan interior minister Diosdado Cabello put the losses much higher, at more than 100 people.

The attacks also did substantial damage to the countrys communications and power supplies. Since then, Trump has made clear that Venezuelas role now is to supply the United States with oil and to buy US goods in return. Either it becomes a client state of the US, or it will be subject to further attack.

Trumps attempted regime termination in Venezuela may have taken the US to a new level of militarism, but it also tells us how the ten months to the mid-term elections will likely pan out.

Media attention has focused on Venezuela over the past three weeks, but it has been far from the USs only target. The US military has used lethal air power in at least four other conflicts across three continents, including a series of airstrikes against Islamist paramilitaries in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day.

Trump has said the attack was in response to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, even telling The New York Times this week that more attacks will follow if they continue to kill Christians.

While there is little evidence to support this claim, it is a message likely to play well among US evangelicals, especially Christian Zionists, on whom Trump depends for votes. In practice, the security impact was minimal, and a week later, paramilitaries attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Niger Province, killing at least 30 people and abducting many more.

Meanwhile, US Southern Command forces continued a four-month campaign of attacks on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific littorals, claimed to be transporting drugs from Venezuela to the United States. Attacks on 31 December killed five people, bringing the total since early September to 114 deaths across 35 attacks.

Still within the same three-week window, US Central Command carried out what it described as a massive strike against ISIS in Syria, attacking over 70 targets using strike aircraft, attack helicopters and artillery.

US forces were also involved in attacks against al-Shabaab Islamist paramilitaries near Jilib in central Somalia, the latest in a series of US operations across the country.

Furthermore, the Pentagon is expanding its operations to track and board oil tankers, particularly those transporting oil from Iran and Venezuela to Russia.

Beyond all this, Trump is allowing Netanyahu in Israel to act with impunity in Gaza, while pushing ahead with a huge new settlement construction programme in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

This renewed emphasis on foreign interventions gives the lie to claims of a presidency seeking to avoid foreign wars. The reverse is true, and Trump appears utterly convinced that he can act with impunity in his efforts to make the US the worlds most powerful state.

Moreover, the scale of the Venezuela attack sends a clear message to Latin American countries about what Trump is willing to do. It also fits into a wider strategy of signalling power to China, a particular target of the Venezuela operation.

China is currently involved in some 600 joint projects with the Caracas government and has around $70bn invested in the country.

Within the depths of the Trump administration, there will be recognition that the US is in economic decline relative to the rise of China, particularly in its relations with the Global South. Where it is not in decline, however, is military power, with a burgeoning defence budget and a worldwide network of more than 750 military bases across eighty countries.

Partly because of this, Trumps success in Venezuela gives him the confidence to go further, making him more willing to threaten regime change in Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and, of course, Greenland.



File Photo: President of the United States, Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Soldiers stationed at the Joint Security Area, Panmunjon, June 30, 2019 as part of his two-day state visit to South Korea (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Salgado, Eighth Army Public Affairs). Public Domain. Via Picryl

There is a further factor over the next ten months. For Trumps MAGA movement to stay on track, Republicans must retain control of both Houses of Congress. Yet they already face serious problems in the Lower House, where all 435 seats are up for election in November, and polling suggests a potential loss of control.

Trump also faces deep domestic tensions in an increasingly polarised country, with the angry reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis being only the latest example.

More generally, for most Americans, the state of the economy is making life worse, not better, unless they are among the minority benefiting from recent tax changes. At the same time, cuts to federally funded programmes in social security, health and other areas are becoming increasingly visible.

In such circumstances, selected foreign wars over the coming months would serve as powerful demonstrations of the supposed greatness of Trumps America and could help MAGA in its moment of need. That is an added reason for political leaders in Cuba, Mexico, Greenland, Denmark and elsewhere to view the months ahead with trepidation.

Via OpenDemocracy.net

This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.
Iranian authorities on Saturday said they had arrested members of the Bahai minority they accused of having been active in what they call "riots", the Tasnim news agency reported, after the wave of protests that gripped the country.

The Bahais, Iran's biggest non-Muslim religious minority, regularly experience persecution and the Islamic republic has accused its members of being spies linked to Israel.

"A 32-member network of the Bahai espionage cult who were active in the riots and acts of vandalism were identified and 12 main agents were arrested and 13 were summoned," the intelligence ministry said, quoted by Tasnim.

It said the network was active across Iran, including in the capital Tehran, adding that "their main hideout was located in Mashhad" in the east.

Iran was rocked by weeks of demonstrations sparked by anger over economic hardship that exploded into the biggest protests against the Islamic republic in more than three years.

But demonstrations have subsided after the crackdown that rights groups say left thousands of people dead.

Human Rights Watch said in 2024 that the "Iranian authorities' decades-long systematic repression of Bahais... amounts to the crime against humanity of persecution".

It is unclear how many members of the minority remain in Iran, but their supporters believe there could still be several hundred thousand.
Nearly three years of war have put the Sudanese people through "hell", the UN's rights chief said Sunday, blasting the vast sums spent on advanced weaponry at the expense of humanitarian aid and the recruitment of child soldiers.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has left tens of thousands of people dead and around 11 million displaced.

Speaking in Port Sudan during his first wartime visit, UN Human Rights commissioner Volker Turk said the population had endured "horror and hell", calling it "despicable" that funds that "should be used to alleviate the suffering of the population" are instead spent on advanced weapons, particularly drones.

More than 21 million people are facing acute food insecurity, and two-thirds of Sudan's population is in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

In addition to the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis, Sudan is also facing "the increasing militarisation of society by all parties to the conflict, including through the arming of civilians and recruitment and use of children", Turk added.

He said he had heard testimony of "unbearable" atrocities from survivors of attacks in Darfur, and warned of similar crimes unfolding in the Kordofan region -- the current epicentre of the fighting.

Testimony of these atrocities must be heard by "the commanders of this conflict and those who are arming, funding and profiting from this war", he said.

The UN has repeatedly warned of rampant interference from foreign actors.

The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of supplying the RSF with weapons, mercenaries and political backing, which Abu Dhabi consistently denies.

The army's biggest backers are Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and it has reportedly also received arms including drones from Iran and Turkey.

Mediation efforts have failed to produce a ceasefire, even after international outrage intensified last year with reports of mass killings, rape and abductions during the RSF's takeover of El-Fasher in Darfur.

"We must ensure that the perpetrators of these horrific violations face justice regardless of the affiliation," Turk said on Sunday, adding that repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute "war crimes".

He called on both sides to "cease intolerable attacks against civilian objects that are indispensable to the civilian population, including markets, health facilities, schools and shelters".

Turk again warned on Sunday that crimes similar to those seen in El-Fasher could recur in volatile Kordofan, where the RSF has advanced, besieging and attacking several key cities.

Hundreds of thousands face starvation across the region, where more than 65,000 people have been displaced since October, according to the latest UN figures.






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Prominent lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, claims that powerful figures within the Office of the President intervened to prevent the arrest of Kileleshwa MCA, Robert Alai, after he pulled a gun on Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino.

In a strongly worded statement shared on X, Ahmednasir condemned what he termed as selective and discriminatory application of the law in Kenya, warning that the situation has become too horrid and ugly to ignore.

The Senior Counsel noted that the incident occurred about two weeks ago at Cedars Restaurant along Lenana Road in Nairobi, where Alai was involved in a heated confrontation with MP Babu Owino.

During the altercation, Alai drew a firearm and threatened to shoot the legislator.

Ahmednasir claims the situation was only defused after a police officer intervened and disarmed Alai, an incident that would ordinarily warrant immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution.

However, no arrest has been made and no official statement has been issued by the police or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Ahmednasir insists this silence is deliberate.

I hear the police were told by someone in the Office of the President not to touch Alai because his tweets on X and his blogs are useful to the broad-based Government, the lawyer alleged.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
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What Dream Finders Homes Recent Performance Tells You

Dream Finders Homes (DFH) has seen mixed share performance recently, with about a 3.5% decline over 1 day, a flat performance over the past week, a gain over the past month, and a 13% decline over the past 3 months.

See our latest analysis for Dream Finders Homes.

At a share price of $19.58, Dream Finders Homes shows mixed momentum, with a 30 day share price return of 9.39%, a 13.36% decline over 90 days, and a 1 year total shareholder return loss of 18.86%. The 3 year total shareholder return gain of 82.14% highlights how sentiment around its growth prospects and risks has shifted over different timeframes.

If recent moves in homebuilders have you rethinking your watchlist, this could be a good time to broaden your search and check out fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With the share price at $19.58, trading below the average analyst target of $22.00 and with recent revenue and net income declines, you have to ask: is Dream Finders Homes undervalued, or is the market already pricing in its future growth?

Price-to-Earnings of 6.6x: Is it justified?

Dream Finders Homes trades on a P/E of 6.6x, which sits below both the broader US market and the Consumer Durables sector, while the last close sits at $19.58.

The P/E ratio compares the current share price to earnings per share and is a quick way to see how much investors are paying for each dollar of profit. For a homebuilder with US$274.23m of net income and a record of both recent earnings pressure and longer term profit growth, this gap in P/E can reflect how the market is weighing its near term outlook against its history.

Against the US market average P/E of 19.4x, Dream Finders Homes trades at a steeply lower earnings multiple, suggesting investors are paying much less for each unit of earnings. Compared with both the US Consumer Durables industry average of 11.5x and a peer average of 11.3x, the discount is still clear, and the estimated fair P/E of 8.6x points to a level the market could potentially move towards if sentiment and fundamentals align.

Explore the SWS fair ratio for Dream Finders Homes

Result: Price-to-Earnings of 6.6x (UNDERVALUED)

However, the recent 6.8% revenue decline and 16.8% net income decline show the market could focus more on earnings pressure than on any current P/E discount.

Find out about the key risks to this Dream Finders Homes narrative.

Another View: DCF Sends a Very Different Signal

While the P/E of 6.6x suggests Dream Finders Homes looks inexpensive versus the US market and Consumer Durables peers, our DCF model points in the opposite direction. On that view, the current US$19.58 share price sits well above an estimated fair value of US$1.33, which frames the stock as heavily overvalued instead of cheap.






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Kenyan digital content creator and socialite, Diana Marua, could not hold back her emotions as her son, Morgan Bahati, officially reported to Lenana School after excelling in his KJSEA exams.

In a video shared online on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, Diana is seen making meticulous preparations from shopping for essentials to ensuring everything was ready for the big day.

Morgan, visibly excited, boarded Dianas signature pink Brabus with his parents by his side, ready to begin life at the prestigious national school.

Upon arrival, Diana reflected on the milestone with heartfelt words: So we are here finally at Lenana School, and you would think that I am the one who is coming to school.

She congratulated Morgan for his achievement, noting that his hard work at ACK Wote Boarding School had paid off.

But, haha, he was in ACK Wote for his primary, and his performance is what has brought him to this prestigious school, and I am so, so proud, and you look sharp, my boy, she said

This moment comes just days after Diana celebrated Morgans stellar performance in the KJSEA exams, where he scored 68 out of 72 points.

In a TikTok video shared on December 23rd, 2025, she presented him with his results at home, capturing his disbelief and joy as he exclaimed:

Wait, wait, wait I have exceeded expectations! His siblings cheered before embracing him in a warm group hug.

To mark the achievement, Diana gifted Morgan a brandnew iPhone 17 Pro Max, both a reward for his academic success and an early birthday present as he turned 16.

Sharing the moment online, she wrote: HELP ME CONGRATULATE MY SON, MORGAN . He wanted a phone, and he deserves the best!

MORGAN BAHATI joins the prestigious Lenana School pic.twitter.com/ixjaYCyy8M  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) January 18, 2026






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - There was drama along Mirema Drive after a group of heavily intoxicated ladies were captured on camera causing disturbance following a night of excessive drinking.

In the video, the middle-aged ladies are seen staggering along the road, repeatedly falling onto nearby stalls and interfering with normal business operations.

Their behavior attracted the attention of small-scale traders in the area, with one visibly frustrated vendor warning them that they will be held liable for any damage caused to his property.

The incident sparked reactions online, with many Kenyans expressing concern over rising alcohol abuse among young women in urban areas.

Watch the video>>> below

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Kenyan actress, Jackie Matubia, has opened up on one of the most difficult chapters of her life, sharing raw truths about heartbreak, rejection, and the challenges of coparenting.

In a candid interview on Lessons at 30 with Dr. Ofweneke, the mother of two revealed how her highly publicized 2023 breakup forced her to confront pain, rediscover herself, and set firm boundaries.

Matubia, celebrated for her roles in popular Kenyan TV series and her openness on social media, admitted that the end of her relationship with actor Blessing Lungaho, father of her younger daughter, was a turning point.

You cannot force a man to be there when he doesnt want to be there, she said.

She explained that after the breakup, she fought hard to ensure Lungaho remained present in their childs life.

I fought. God knows I fought, she confessed, acknowledging the emotional toll of trying to hold together a fractured family dynamic.

Yet despite her efforts, she realized that commitment cannot be manufactured when one party is unwilling.

The actress also reflected on how the heartbreak stirred deeper wounds from her childhood, including experiences of rejection and abandonment.

Watch the video>>> below

@lessons_30withdrofweneke Jackie Matubia - You cannot force a man to love or be there for his children.  original sound - lessons_30withdrofweneke

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Law enforcement officers have arrested two drug trafficking suspects and recovered 23 stones of cannabis sativa after intercepting a vehicle along the Awasi-Kisumu highway.

The suspects, Hussein Sharif Abdala (52) and Fania Hamisi (23), a Ugandan national, were travelling in a vehicle registered as KDP 802C, officially assigned for sugar transport.

Authorities flagged the vehicle at a routine roadblock, but the occupants failed to stop, prompting a high-speed chase.

The vehicle was eventually intercepted in the Ngere area along the Kisumu-Kericho Highway, where officers conducted a search and recovered the suspected narcotics.

Both suspects are currently in custody as the exhibits undergo weighing and sampling ahead of their court arraignment.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks, emphasizing zero tolerance for traffickers, regardless of status, through sustained operations and multi-agency collaboration.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga found himself under pressure to declare his political allegiance during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders meeting held on Saturday, January 17th, at Sagana State Lodge.

The event, attended by President William Ruto, saw Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, the UDA national chairperson, challenge Kahiga to state his position on the 2027 presidential election.

Governor, you are my brother. All these Nyeri people belong to the twoterm team; can you tell them where you belong? Mbarire asked.

Kahiga, however, avoided a direct response, instead turning the question to the audience.

Locals shouted in support of Ruto, which the Governor acknowledged as his stance.

Kahigas cautious approach reflects his delicate balancing act.

While appearing to warm up to Ruto, he has previously expressed support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

His reluctance to denounce Gachagua has fueled speculation about his political positioning.

Earlier this month, Kahiga set tongues wagging after engaging separately with both leaders.

On January 9th, he hosted Gachagua at a rally in Nyeri, and two days later joined Ruto at a church service in Othaya.

Local leaders, including Woman Representative Rahab Mukami and Senator Wahome Wamatinga, urged him to stop straddling both sides, warning that it risked confusing residents.

Responding to criticism, Kahiga insisted that he maintains a strong relationship with the President.

I have accompanied the President at every function in Nyeri. I voted for him, he is my President, and I am the Governor. Where is the confusion? he said.

Kahiga clarified that he remains a UDA member with no plans to defect, stressing his priority is serving Nyeri residents while leaving future political decisions for the right time.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - President William Ruto has dismissed claims that he is pushing the Affordable Housing Programme for personal benefit as a supplier of building materials.

The allegations have been fronted by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has repeatedly accused Ruto and his allies of profiting from the initiative.

Speaking in Nyeri on Saturday, January 17th, during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders meeting, Ruto defended the programme, insisting that it is designed for the common good.

He highlighted its role in creating jobs for the youth and distributing benefits across labour and supply chains.

They say I push this programme because I supply cement and steel. Is it easy to supply those materials? Ruto asked, dismissing the accusations.

He further clarified that procurement for the housing projects is spread nationwide, making it impossible for one individual to dominate supply.

The President reiterated his commitment to implementing the housing agenda as outlined in his manifesto, noting that projects are ongoing across the country.

However, the programme has faced legal challenges.

The High Court in Nairobi recently suspended construction of the Southlands Affordable Housing Project in Langata.

Justice Charles Mbogo issued conservatory orders halting the works pending determination of a petition questioning the projects legality and compliance.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Kenya Kwanza MPs from Ukambani, led by Hon. Vincent Kawaya, are under fire following allegations that they fled a hotel without settling their bill during President William Rutos visit to Machakos County.

According to an X user, the MPs held a briefing at Lysak Hotel ahead of the Presidents arrival.

The hotel, which provided the venue, served refreshments including tea to the visiting delegation.

However, as President Rutos helicopter landed, the MPs reportedly left the hotel in a rush, without paying for the services they had received.

That bill will most likely be deducted from the waiters who served you. Low-paid staff will pay for the comfort of elected leaders, the X user lamented.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
He once paid $6.2 million for a banana taped to a wall and $4.6 million to dine with Warren Buffett.

He also spent more than $40 million on $TRUMP coins and was the wealthiest guest at a private dinner gala hosted by President Donald Trump.

Now, crypto billionaire Justin Sun says hed spend $30 million for just one hour of Elon Musks time.

Sun, the founder of the TRON blockchain said that he would be willing to pay Elon Musk $30 million for a private conversation.

If I could spend an hour alone chatting with Elon Musk, I would be willing to pay him $30 million, Sun wrote.

Related: Elon Musks X cracks down on AI bot rewards, triggering token crash

Who is Justin Sun?

Justin Sun is the founder of TRON, a high-throughput blockchain network that has become a major settlement layer for stablecoins, decentralized finance, and on-chain payments.

He later acquired BitTorrent, integrating it into the TRON ecosystem and expanding its global footprint.

TRON consistently ranks among the most active blockchains by transaction volume. Sun himself has become one of cryptos most visible, and controversial figures.

Justin Sun, founder of Tron, during the Token2049 conference in Singapore, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.

According to Forbes estimates, his net worth is $8.5 billion, 409th richest person of all time.

Sun is also known for lavishly spending money for symbolic purposes.

In 2024, he paid $6.2 million for Maurizio Cattelans Comedian, the viral banana duct-taped to a wall, later describing it as a symbol of value, absurdity, and attention in modern markets.

More News:

The $4.6M dinner with Warren Buffett

Suns most famous purchase came in 2019, when he paid $4,567,888 to win a charity auction for lunch with Warren Buffett, one of Bitcoins most outspoken critics. After months of delays and speculation, the dinner finally took place in January 2020 in Omaha, Nebraska.

In a detailed Medium post reflecting on the meeting, Sun called it one of the best moments of my life.

During the dinner, Sun presented Buffett with several gifts, including a smartphone preloaded with cryptocurrencies.

And of course, a Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 with TRON blockchain embedded, loaded with 1 Bitcoin, 1,930,830 TRX, 100 BTT, 100 WIN, and 100 TRC20-USDT, Sun wrote, noting that the number of TRX matched Buffetts birthday.

Sun also demonstrated a live blockchain transaction at the table.

45.67888 TRX was instantly transferred, he wrote. Upon witnessing the completion of the transfer, Mr. Buffett was delighted and said blockchain has its value.
Kilkenny businesses are being urged to join more than 75 organisations committed to creating inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities.

The More Than a Job campaign, led by Rehab Group, has over 75 businesses, including key organisations like the Health Service Executive (HSE), SIPTU, Cook Medical, Chadwicks, SMEs and several voluntary organisations now backing the initiative.

The organisations are committed to creating more inclusive, supportive workplaces for people with disabilities, where employment goes beyond a salary.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

The More Than a Job initiative is designed so that access to employment is fair, flexible and genuinely open to everyone. By signing up, businesses are not only pledging to offer competitive salaries but also a commitment to providing flexible, inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities. Developed in response to the growing number of disabled people locked out of the labour market, the campaign asks employers to rethink how they hire, train and support staff. The goal is simple: to make work possible for people who have the ability and desire to contribute, but who rarely get the chance.

Finbarr Murray, Interim CEO of Rehab Group said: "Ireland has one of the lowest employment rates for people with disabilities in Europe, we want to change that. We are delighted to see so many organisations, including one of the countrys biggest employers, the HSE, supporting this important cause. The campaign, which began on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, demonstrates the power of collaboration and a shared commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities."

With the campaign continuing to grow, businesses and organisations of all sizes are being invited to get involved. Whether you're a major corporate, a local retailer or a community-based organisation, theres an open invitation for you to sign up and be part of a movement thats about making work more meaningful for everyone.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

"We believe businesses have a significant role in shaping the lives of their employees," Murray added. "By joining More Than a Job, companies not only help create an inclusive work environment but also make a lasting positive impact on their communities."

Businesses in Kilkenny are encouraged to join the growing network of employers committed to improving the quality of work life for their teams. To find out more about the More Than a Job campaign and how your business can get involved, visit: rehab.ie/join-the-more-than-a-job-movement/
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) is included in our list of the best stocks to buy right now.

Boston Scientific (BSX) Expands Urology Portfolio with Valencia Deal, Analysts Emphasize Organic Growth

A dose bottle of the medication is in the medical tech's hand

On January 12, 2026, Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) shared an expansion update, announcing a definitive agreement to acquire Valencia Technologies. With this move, the company expands its Urology franchise into implantable tibial nerve stimulation (ITNS) with the FDA-approved eCoin System. The deal focuses on overactive bladder, a large and underpenetrated market, consisting of nearly 30 million U.S. adults over 40 experiencing bothersome symptoms. However, only 19% of those adults receive treatment beyond lifestyle adjustments.

eCoin features a coin-sized, minimally invasive implant, which broadens the companys pelvic health continuum and complements existing neuromodulation and urology offerings. At the same time, it addresses patients who are refractory to or intolerant of conservative therapies. Meanwhile, clinical validation strengthens the case for Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX), with 68% of patients in the pivotal trial recording at least a 50% reduction in urge urinary incontinence episodes. Management remains confident due to the high-growth adjacency feature of ITNS, which reinforces the companys organic growth potential rather than a short-term earnings boost.

Separately, on January 9, 2026, Goldman Sachs shared an update, lowering its price target on Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) from $124 to $112, while reiterating a Buy rating. The firm expects investor attention to refocus on organic growth in 2026, as valuations and fundamentals normalize, according to TheFly.

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) is focused on developing and marketing interventional medical devices across the MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments.

While we acknowledge the potential of BSX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 7 Best Rising Tech Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy Heading into 2026.

Disclosure: None.
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Khartoum, Sudan (PANA)  Sudans Prime Minister Kamel Idris on Saturday called on all diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, and international organisations to return to the capital within one week, as the government moves to reopen key hospitality infrastructure
Key Insights

The projected fair value for FFI Holdings is AU$5.14 based on Dividend Discount Model

With AU$4.55 share price, FFI Holdings appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

FFI Holdings' peers are currently trading at a premium of 31% on average

Does the January share price for FFI Holdings Limited (ASX:FFI) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

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.

The Calculation

As FFI Holdings operates in the food sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.3%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.7%. Compared to the current share price of AU$4.6, the company appears about fair value at a 12% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= AU$0.2 / (6.7%  3.3%)

= AU$5.1

ASX:FFI Discounted Cash Flow January 17th 2026

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at FFI Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The Foreign Affairs Minister has slammed a tariffs threat by US President Donald Trump amid talks over the future of Greenland as completely unacceptable.

The US president said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1st, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and that they had journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

File photo dated 18/9/2025 of US President Donald Trump.

Helen McEntee said the decision is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law, she said.

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable.

It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland of course have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.
IN the nearly six years since the covid-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to every industry around the world, it seems the film industry in particular has struggled to truly bounce back from the injury suffered by the closure of cinemas in 2020. However, 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for cinema, as some of the most promising and eagerly anticipated films in years are due for release throughout the next 12 months. Here is a breakdown of the top ten films releasing in 2026 that should see a boom in cinema attendance.

1. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Four years after the climactic finale of Peaky Blinders sixth and supposed final season, Cillian Murphy returns once again to his most iconic role as the Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby. Set during World War 2, this film adaptation of the hit BBC series is sure to garner considerable attention and hype when it releases in select cinemas on 6 March before landing on Netflix on 20 March.

2. Michael Since the blockbusting success of 2018s Bohemian Rhapsody, the musical biopic genre has seen an explosion in popularity. This April, one of the most inevitable, and potentially most anticipated musical biopics of all, arrives in the form of Michael. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this film tells the story of the king of pop Michael Jackson and stars Jacksons own nephew Jafaar Jackson in the lead role.

3. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie With The Super Mario Bros Movie becoming one of the most successful animated movies of all time in 2023, a sequel was an absolute guarantee. This April, audiences can return to Nintendos colourful world of Italian plumbers and mushroom kingdoms in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Fans, young and old, will certainly flock to the cinemas to see their favourite moments and characters from the beloved games brought to the big screen once more.

4. The Mandalorian & Grogu Though Disneys Star Wars films proved to be somewhat problematic, to say the least, The Mandalorian surprised audiences around the world when it launched on Disney+ in late 2019. This unexpected triumph of a television series was a welcome return to what made classic Star Wars so special and this May, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the adventures of the iconic duo on the big screen.

5. The Adventures of Cliff Booth Following his Oscar winning performance as the effortlessly cool stuntman Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt dons the Hawaiian shirt once more this July in The Adventures of Cliff Booth. Written by Tarantino and directed by the acclaimed David Fincher, this is sure to be an ultimate summer film and one that is dripping with style and cool vibes.

6. The Odyssey Easily one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, Christopher Nolans The Odyssey is set to be an epic unlike anything ever put to screen before. Adapting the ancient Greek story attributed to Homer, this is the first film in history to be filmed entirely on IMAX cameras. Telling the story of Odysseus perilous journey home from the Trojan War, The Odyssey will be the biggest film of the summer and, possibly, the entire year.

7. Spider-Man: Brand New Day Before Marvel finish off the year with a fifth Avengers film, Tom Hollands friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man swings back onto screens this July for another adventure. Over four years since the previous instalment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will see Peter Parker face deadlier foes than ever before and form new alliances with some unexpected faces. Always a box-office hit, Spider-Man will be a definite crowd pleaser.

8. Dune: Part Three While Denis Villeneuves first Dune film may have slipped under the radar of some, 2024s Dune: Part Two grabbed the attention of the world when it was released. Quickly regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi epics of all time, audiences were captivated by the desert world of Akaris and the ambitious rise of Paul Atreides. Next December, audiences are expected to return to cinemas in droves to witness the next chapter in the epic saga.

9. Werwulf Master of the macabre, Robert Eggers returns with his latest horrifying film Werwulf, releasing next December. Following the undeniable success of last years Nosferatu, this 13th century tale will see traditional werewolf folklore reimagined in a new, horrifying vision that is sure to terrify audiences in the best way possible. While many details regarding the film remain under wraps, director Robert Eggers promises Werwulf is the darkest material he has ever written.

10. Avengers: Doomsday Since the phenomenal success of 2019s Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled to achieve the same level of quality or appeal in their films. That is set to change next December, however, when Marvel pull out every card and trick from every sleeve they can find in Avengers: Doomsday. With Robert Downey Jr returning to the franchise that made him one of the highest earning actors in Hollywood, this time as the villain, this movie could be the most important film ever released by Marvel Studios. If it fails to perform, the Marvel Cinematic Universe could well and truly be nearing its death but, if audiences are impressed and the film lives up to the impossible hype, Avengers: Doomsday could become one of the biggest films of all time.

With a major film releasing nearly every month in the coming year, 2026 is looking one of the biggest years for cinema in recent history. See you at the movies.
ONE of the fundamental tasks of the Christian faith is to communicate well. The early disciples were invited to go and tell The Good News. I'm inspired by the life of Bishop Fulton Sheen. A life where he wholeheartedly communicated with passion and creativity a simple message, that God loves us as we are. Sheen had a warmth and empathy that made him an attractive communicator and one of the most celebrated Catholic bishops of all time. The Holy See is expected to announce in the coming weeks a date for the beatification of Ven Fulton Sheen, the Emmy-winning archbishop, whose television and radio ministry made him one of the most prominent Catholic voices in mid-20th-century America. Venerable Fulton J Sheen, born Peter John Sheen, 8 May 1895-9 December 1979, was one of the most influential American Catholic figures of the 20th century. A brilliant theologian, prolific author, gifted orator and pioneer of religious broadcasting on radio and television. Often called America's bishop, he reached tens of millions with his clear, engaging explanations of the Catholic faith, earning him comparisons to the first televangelists.

Fulton Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, the eldest of four sons to Newton and Delia Sheen, an Irish-American farming family. As an infant, he contracted tuberculosis but recovered. The family soon moved to nearby Peoria, Illinois, where he served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception. His mother dedicated him to the Blessed Virgin Mary at baptism, a devotion he renewed at his First Communion and maintained life-long. Sheen was an excellent student with little interest in farm work or sports, preferring intellectual pursuits. He graduated valedictorian from Spalding Institute in Peoria in 1913 and attended St Viator College, where he honed his debating and speaking skills. He began priestly studies at St Paul Seminary in Minnesota.

Ordained a priest for the diocese of Peoria on 20 September 1919, Sheen celebrated his first Christmas Mass at St Mark parish in Peoria. Despite his youthful appearance, he pursued advanced studies: a doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic University of America, followed by further doctorates at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) in 1923, where he became the first American to win the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy and the Pontificum Collegium Internationale Angelicum in Rome (Doctor of Sacred Theology, 1924). Returning to the US, he served briefly as a curate in a poor parish before joining the faculty of the Catholic University of America in 1928, teaching philosophy and theology until 1950. He also assisted in parishes in England and met influential figures like Ronald Knox.

In 1930, Sheen launched The Catholic Hour on NBC radio, a weekly programme that ran for 20 years and drew up to four million listeners.

He addressed major issues, framing World War II as a theological struggle and denouncing Hitler as an Anti-Christ. His greatest fame came with television. In 1952, he debuted Life Is Worth Living on the DuMont Network, speaking extemporaneously (no script or cue cards) in a studio set resembling a study, often using a chalkboard. Airing Tuesday nights against stars like Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra, it attracted up to 30 million viewers weekly, mostly non-Catholics, and won Sheen an Emmy award for most outstanding television personality in 1952 (he jokingly thanked the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The show ran until 1957. He returned with the similar syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961-1968).

From 1950 to 1966, as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, he raised millions (including donating his TV earnings) for global Catholic missions. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of New York in 1951 by pope Pius XII; Sheen was consecrated in Rome. In 1966, pope Paul VI named him bishop of Rochester, where he focused on social issues, ecumenism and even attempted to donate a parish building for housing (though it failed). He resigned in 1969 (approaching age 75) and was made titular archbishop of Newport, Wales, allowing him to continue preaching and writing.

Sheen attended all sessions of the Second Vatican Council (19621965) and worked with future Ppope Benedict XVI. A strong anti-Communist, he influenced many conversions (including Clare Boothe Luce, Henry Ford II and others) through personal instruction. On 2 October 1979, pope John Paul II embraced Sheen at St Patrick's Cathedral in New York, saying: "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church." Two months later, on 9 December 1979, Sheen died in his private chapel in New York City during his daily holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament a a practice he kept faithfully since ordination. Sheen authored over 70 books (including Treasure in Clay, his autobiography) and touched countless lives. His shows continue to air on networks like EWTN.

The cause for his canonisation opened in 2002 in the diocese of Peoria. In 2012, pope Benedict XVI declared him venerable for his heroic virtues. A miracle attributed to his intercession (the 2010 recovery of stillborn baby James Fulton Engstrom) was approved by pope Francis in 2019, clearing the path for beatification. The Holy See will soon announce a date for his beatification, possibly in September. Fulton Sheen's life exemplified using modern media to proclaim timeless truths, always pointing people to Christ with clarity, charity and wit. His famous daily holy hour remained the foundation of his extraordinary ministry.

Patience is power.

Patience is not an absence of action,

rather it is timing

it waits on the right time to act,

for the right principles and in the right way.

a Fulton J Sheen
THE identity of a workman who risked his life to save a Laois convent cross from destruction has been revealed.

Paddy Langton from Rathnamanagh, Portlaoise, bravely climbed onto the roof of the Brigidine Convent in Abbeyleix, moments before the building was demolished in 1992.

Determined to save the historic rooftop monument, he tied a rope around both his waist and the base of the cross while heavy machinery ripped through the building.

Despite falling through collapsing timbers while still tied to the cross, he somehow escaped without serious injury. Then he calmly lifted the heavy four-foot cross into his van and brought it home, where it lay undisturbed in a shed ever since.

As reported in the Laois Nationalist last Wednesday, the incredible story came to light when local historian Noel Burke received a phone call two days earlier. He was told that the family wanted the cross to return to Abbeyleix but wished to remain anonymous. However, they subsequently agreed that the courage of the man who rescued it should be acknowledged.

Paddy Langton passed away last November, at the age of 91. Last Friday, it was a poignant but proud moment when Paddys son, Patrick, invited Noel into his home to collect the cross, ensuring that a unique piece of local heritage would be preserved for future generations. Patrick also shared the extraordinary story of how his father rescued it in the first place.

The identity of the mystery workman was finally revealed by Noel the following day, when he described the late Paddys actions as the stuff of legend.

In a social media update on Saturday, Noel explained that Paddy was an employee of the construction company hired to demolish the disused convent. When Paddy realised the cross on the rooftop was about to be lost forever, he made a split second decision that would change everything.

Noel wrote: Paddy climbed up onto the roof, tied a short rope around his own waist and then around the base of the cross. His plan was simple but brave: as soon as the Hymac machine began tearing at the roof beneath it, he would pull the cross inward, so that it wouldnt fall out over the edge and shatter on the ground below.

When the machine pulled at the foundation, the heavy cross began to sway. Paddy hauled on the rope with all his strength to guide it inward - and it worked. The cross fell safely into the building, but its weight was so great that it crashed straight through the roof and down into the floor below, dragging Paddy with it.

He fell through the collapsing timbers alongside the cross, landing hard beside it. Despite the shock, the fall and the chaos around him, Paddy somehow escaped without any broken bones - a miracle in itself.

Shaken but determined, he got himself patched up, gathered help, lifted the massive cross into his Renault 4 van and brought it home for safekeeping. And there it remained, protected quietly for more than three decades.

Noel added: Thanks to Paddys courage, quick thinking and sheer instinct to preserve a piece of Abbeyleix history, the ornate Brigidine Convent Cross has survived and is now on its way back to the community it once watched over.

The cross once stood proudly above the clock on the roof of the landmark convent, which was erected in 1842. For almost 150 years, generations of students were educated at primary and secondary schools in the convent complex.

There was immense shock and sadness in Abbeyleix when the convent building was demolished. The secondary school had closed in 1990, when Heywood Community School was formed. The only part of the original convent complex that still stands is the nuns chapel.

Noel summed up: A cross that survived demolition. A cross carried away in secret to save it. A cross now coming home. A sad chapter  with a beautiful ending.

It is planned that the 184-year-old cross will be placed in the museum at Heritage House, Abbeyleix, a lasting testament not only to the towns finest educational institution but to the courage of one man who was determined to save it.
AN action-packed year will be reviewed this Thursday, when Laois Heritage Society holds its AGM in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

Anyone interested in the countys rich heritage, from the earliest times to the present day, is welcome to attend the meeting at 8pm on 22 January.

The society aims to raise awareness of the unique heritage of Laois through regular talks, walks, trips, site visits and its local history journal, as well as to protect the countys heritage by supporting research and conservation projects.

In 2025, Laois Heritage Society (LHS) organised lectures and trips for members to explore and enjoy all aspects of the countys rich past. Talks covered a wide variety of topics, from a costumed talk on the Regency era with Dr Melissa Shiels to a lecture on the importance of the native Irish bee by Colm ONeill.

The society enjoyed trips to Aylward Rural Museum in Durrow, Donaghmore Workhouse Museum and the Swallows Quarter, headquarters and museum of IVETA (Irish Vintage Engine and Tractors Association).

Members were also treated to a tour of Emo Court, including the newly opened servants area and a trip to Dublin for a tour of Kilmainham Gaol. The society participated in the Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise in June, organising free outdoor heritage events and activities for all ages.

The society celebrated Heritage Week 2025 with its popular walking tour of Portlaoise town, led by Michael Parsons and Teddy Fennelly, while new society members Olive Lacey and Mary Byrne organised a guided tour of Clopook Church and graveyard and the rarely accessible cave, the Dun of Clopook.

The LHS spring series of talks will begin with A Taste of Laois Folklore by Tony Delaney, on Thursday 12 February at 8pm in the Midlands Park Hotel. Tony has written on Laois subjects, including historian Canon OHanlon and poet John Keegan and his YouTube channel @LaoisHistoryAndFolklore has a worldwide following.

Other speakers in the spring series include Dr James G. Ryan, lecturer and publisher in Irish family history and regular contributor to the Laois Heritage Society Journal, speaking on the history of the Grand Jury in Laois. Society member Paul Delany will give a talk on the history of his familys Electric Cinema in Portlaoise.

If you would like to join the society or just find out more, go along to the AGM. Annual membership for individuals is 20 or 30 for family membership. All welcome.
A planned U.S. return by crypto lender Nexo has run into fresh resistance in California, the countrys largest state economy and a critical market for consumer finance.

The latest enforcement action revives questions about whether past compliance failures remain an obstacle to re-entering the U.S., even as crypto firms test a more permissive regulatory climate.

For Nexo, the timing is especially awkward. The penalty concerns historical conduct, but it lands just as the firm has been signaling interest in rebuilding a U.S. footprint.

Related: Bank of America warns major threat could push trillions out of U.S. banks

California fines Nexo $500K over unlicensed crypto loans

Californias financial regulator has fined Nexo $500,000 for issuing unlicensed crypto-backed loans to thousands of residents, citing failures to follow basic consumer lending rules.

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) said Nexo issued crypto-backed consumer and commercial loans to at least 5,456 Californians without holding the required state license.

Regulators also found the firm failed to assess borrowers ability to repay, existing debt obligations, or credit history.

Lenders must follow the law and avoid making risky loans that endanger consumers - and crypto-backed loans are no exception, DFPI Commissioner KC Mohseni said in the enforcement release.

In addition to the civil penalty, Nexo has been ordered to transfer all California customer funds to a licensed U.S. affiliate within 150 days.

The DFPI action matters because California is the largest U.S. state by population and gross domestic product, making it a gatekeeper market for consumer financial services and a bellwether for broader regulatory acceptance.

More News:

The $45M settlement that pushed Nexo out of the U.S.

The California penalty adds to a long trail of U.S. regulatory actions that culminated in Nexos exit from the country in 2022.

Paul Atkins, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), prior to speaking during a joint SEC-CFTC roundtable at SEC headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Sept. 29Getty Images  Getty Images

In January 2023, Nexo agreed to pay $45 million to settle charges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and multiple U.S. states over its Earn Interest Product, which regulators said was offered without proper registration.

As part of that settlement, Nexo neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but agreed to shut down its U.S. interest-bearing lending products.

The resolution effectively ended the firms U.S. crypto lending business at the time.
A New Jersey man was sentenced to state prison for stealing more than $500,000 in gold and around $91,000 in cash from a 74-year-old man in Lehigh County.

Hirtik Hemchand Katri, 25, of Lawrence Township, pleaded guilty to felony theft charges and was sentenced to 12 to 36 months in prison and two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $688,372 in restitution.

The charges were based on a Feb. 3, 2025, report to Whitehall Township police.

A 74-year-old man told police he was the victim of a lengthy scam that started with an email about a fraudulent PayPal charge.

The man was told he was responsible for the error and had to go to a Bitcoin kiosk to repay PayPal. After the first scam, numerous other calls with the same theme came in, telling the man that if he didnt make the payments, he would be put in jail.

The victim withdrew funds from his IRA and purchased more than 200 gold bars, which Khatri picked up at the victims home.

Police were able to identify Khatri by using a license plate reader to find the car he was driving when he picked up the gold.

The Lehigh County Elder Abuse Task Force said it has seen a growing number of fraudulent scams. Older residents are more susceptible to fraud because they have more savings and are easier to defraud when using new technologies like PayPal and Bitcoin.

Police said people should be suspicious of anyone who contacts them by phone and asks for a large sum of money in any form.

Anyone who asks for large amounts of funds, especially in methods like cryptocurrency, precious metals, gift cards, and cash is almost certainly part of a scam, police said.
New Jersey lawmakers are moving forward with a pilot program that would allow hallucinogenic magic mushrooms to be used for behavioral health treatment options.

The bill, known as the Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act, or S2283, would authorize licensed facilities in the state to administer medical sessions for adults 21 and older. The measure would also appropriate $6 million for the program.

Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound found in some mushrooms. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, called magic mushrooms or shrooms, are most commonly known as recreational drugs. But they can be used for medical reasons.

The mushroom bill was approved by the state Assembly in a 48-23 vote and by the Senate in a 35-4 vote earlier this week before it went to Gov. Phil Murphy for his signature. Murphy has not said if he plans to sign it into law before leaving office next week.

The bill comes in the wake of the state legalizing cannabis back in 2021. During that time, legislators also lessened penalties for possession of magic mushrooms.

Under the new legislation, the state Department of Health would oversee a regulated market of psilocybin manufacturers, testing laboratories and service centers.

Trained and certified facilitators would guide participants through each session, which would include screening, informed consent and supervised administration of the drug.

The measure also creates an advisory board to recommend policies, review emerging research and monitor the rollout of the program.

The legislation received bipartisan approval and was sponsored by state Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union, who also sponsored the legislation that legalized cannabis.

Scientific research is showing that psilocybin can be a safe and effective treatment for severe depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, Scutari said in 2024, when the bill first passed a committee.

The legislation would also sanction state research using magic mushrooms.

The bill really restricts it to clinical setting, said state Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cumberland. To me that seems like a smart way to handle it.

Some critics, including state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, R-Sussex, claimed the bills true intentions had little to do with medical treatment.

Once you create a state research program, you create advisory boards, university contracts, nonprofit grants, consultants and recurring appropriations, she said. The $6 million isnt really about mushrooms. Its seed money for a whole new government ecosystem that will keep getting funded year after year.

Fantasia said she could not support the bill in its current form.

If this were really about helping veterans with PTSD or people with treatment-resistant depression, we could move straight to tightly regulated clinical access using existing science, Fantasia added. We would not need to light millions of taxpayer dollars on fire to rediscover what we already know.
Two Laois hotels have been recognised by the Irish Hotels Federation for outstanding work in their field.

Over seventy hotels from across the country gathered at the Irish Hotels Federations inaugural Quality Employer Awards, which took place this week at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone.

The Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise and The Heritage Killenard were among the recipients recognised for their achievements in HR best practices and people management.

Pictured: George Leahy from Midlands Park Hotel pictured with Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Director of People Services, Deirdre Fitzsimons at the awards ceremony.

The businesses received Best in Class awards in the expert category, the highest of the three categories.

They received this award alongside Ballykealey House in Carlow, Muckross Park Hotel and Spa in Kerry, and Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan.

IHF President Michael Magner congratulated the hotels on their wins.

"It is an honour to be among so many inspiring HR leaders to celebrate the very best of people development across our hotels and guesthouse sector," he said.

"Each and every property that participates in our Quality Employer Programme is striving for the same goal - to make their hotel a wonderful place to work and build a career. The importance of this cannot be overstated; our people are the beating heart of our industry," Mr Magner finished.

Pictured: Jennifer Crimmons and Jason Jordan from The Heritage pictured with Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Director of People Services, Deirdre Fitzsimons at the awards ceremony.

Chair of the judging panel, Dr Donagh Davern of Munster Technological University (MTU), also acknowledged the hard work undertaken by the hotels.

The judging panel were delighted to see evidence of a people-centric approach and the progress made in elevating the employer brand of the hotel profession," Dr Davern said.

"All of the finalists showed an outstanding commitment to employee onboarding, engagement, performance management, learning, career development, community involvement, flexibility, diversity, inclusion and the cultivation of a positive people culture in their organisations.

"The increase in supports for both the physical and mental health and wellbeing of employees was particularly noteworthy, as was the array of benefits now on offer to Irish hotel employees," Dr Davern finished.
A barrister said it was ridiculous that the State dilly-dallies around while a man remains in custody on an explosive charge.

Garrett Pollock (35) of 12 Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down is accused of possessing an explosive substance, to wit four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide at OMoore Place, Portlaoise on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

He is further charged with possessing three externally threaded metal pipes, hexagonal metal end caps and lengths of green firework fuse (which) are the components of three pipe bomb type improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and four incendiary type improvised explosive devices (IEDS) with white dish cloth wicks contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1883 on November 5, 2025 at his address.

He appeared before Portlaoise District Court via video link. David Nugent BL said his client, who wishes to be tried in Northern Ireland, had been refused bail in the High Court.

Mr Pollock indicated that he was going to exercise his right to be tried in the North of Ireland, said Mr Nugent.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby asked that the defendant be remanded in custody for another month.

This man has been in custody, eight, nine weeks, said Mr Nugent. He said he still has the presumption of innocence and he asked for some progress in the case.

Sgt Kirby said the file is being compiled. It is an extensive investigation.

This is a ridiculous situation. This man has been in custody while the State dilly-dallies around, said Mr Nugent.

Sgt Kirby said he would get in touch with his colleagues in the Special Detective Unit (SDU) who he said would expedite the matter because the accused remains in custody.

Judge Susan Fay said she would remand the defendant in custody for two weeks and mark the case time passing in respect of DPP directions. She adjourned the matter back January 26.

Co accused, Karolis Peckauskas (38) of An Tobar, 37 Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth also appeared before Portlaoise District Court today via video link.

He faces one charge of possession an explosive substance, to wit four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide" at OMoore Place, Portlaoise on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the situation was similar to Mr Nugents client as High Court bail had been refused. I wonder could you make the same order, he said.

Judge Fay remanded the defendant in custody to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on January 26 for DPP directions.
A gardas finger was fractured while arresting a man who was intoxicated in Portlaoise on Christmas eve.

Kevin Conroy (21) of Glenfield, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise admitted being intoxicated, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and resisting arrest at Market Square, Portlaoise on December 24, 2025.

Sergeant Kevin OSullivan said the man who was highly intoxicated and attempting to start fights and when Gardai arrived he began telling them to f**k off on numerous occasions. He said the man resisted arrest and an arresting Garda suffered a fractured finger during the arrest. He said the man had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick described her client as an unwelcome addition to the square on Christmas eve.

She said he was a sub contractor on the railway line and had drunk far too much on the night in question.

He is extremely apologetic for the nuisance he caused on the night, said Ms Fitzpatrick, who told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that her client had little recollection of the events.

She said the man had brought 1,000 to court and will not be a regular visitor to the court. She said he plans to travel to Australia and he was pleading guilty at the very first opportunity.

He is hoping the court can see their way to leaving him without a conviction, said Ms Fitzpatrick, who noted the man had not been charged with assault despite the injury to the Garda.

Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report, restorative justice, referred the man to the Athy Alternative Project and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 16 for finalisation. The 1,000 compensation was handed over to Sgt OSullivan.
Portlaoise Colleges fifth and sixth year students had the wonderful opportunity to attend the launch of the travelling panel exhibition, Casimir Markievicz: A Polish Artist in Bohemian Dublin (19031913) at the Royal Irish Academy. Through a series of inspiring lectures and speeches, students learned more about the fascinating life and legacy of the Polish Irishman.

Picture above: Portlaoise College students with Patrick Quigley, Chairman of the Irish Polish Society and author of several books on Irish-Polish relations and history

In Ireland, the name Markievicz immediately brings to mind Constance Markievicz, the iconic Irish revolutionary. This travelling exhibition, however, shines a light on her husband, Casimir Markievicz (18741932)  a Polish painter, playwright, and larger-than-life creative figure. It explores his artistic career and his role within Dublins bohemian circles in the years leading up to the Revolution.

Although a lesser-known figure today, Casimir was at the heart of Dublins artistic world in the early 20th century. His circle included influential contemporaries such as W.B. Yeats, George Russell (AE), William Orpen, Hugh Lane, and Beatrice Elvery. Together with Constance, he played a key role in establishing several of the citys most important cultural institutions, including the United Arts Club and the Municipal Gallery.

Pictured above: Portlaoise College students with Artur Michalski Charge daffaires of Poland to Ireland

The exhibition also highlights the connections between Ireland, Poland, and Ukraine, where Casimirs family lived, and examines how Polish nationalism influenced Constance Markieviczs own political outlook.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Polish Embassy, the Royal Irish Academy, and all the individuals and institutions involved in making this event possible. We are very grateful for the invitation and for the wonderful opportunity it provided our students to engage with such an inspiring exhibition, stated Portlaoise College Deputy Principal, Patrick Travers.

READ ALSO: Heroes welcome for Laois Young Scientist winner

The panel exhibition features compelling examples of Casimir Markieviczs artwork, alongside artefacts and photographs from major public and private collections in Ireland and Poland. Together, these bring Casimirs creative legacy back into focus, highlighting his important role in Dublins cultural scene on the eve of the Revolution.
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Key Points

Chipotle's same-store sales weakness has led to a more attractive valuation.

The company with better brand recognition and scale also has tremendous growth potential.

10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill 

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is no longer the only player in the fast-casual dining wars. Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) was founded 14 years after the Tex-Mex chain, but it focuses on salads and bowls for health-conscious consumers.

Between these two restaurant stocks, what's the better long-term play?

Image source: Getty Images.

The winner is clear

I think the king of the fast-casual space, Chipotle, is the better stock to own over the next five years. For starters, the valuation has gotten a lot more attractive, with shares trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.7. And from a fundamental perspective, this business has the brand recognition and scale to support its competitive position.

Look past the recent struggles

This is despite recent weakness, as same-store sales are expected to fall to low single digits in 2025, according to the management team. That's not as bad as the 8.1% (at the midpoint) drop Sweetgreen is forecasting for its fiscal 2025.

It's troubling to see Sweetgreen struggle to drive meaningful growth. It doesn't help that the company isn't profitable.

Chipotle, on the other hand, is the more proven restaurant concept, with an operating margin of 15.9% in the third quarter (ended Sept. 30, 2025). And it's still opening new locations at a notable pace, which will lead to higher revenue and earnings well into the future.

Should you buy stock in Chipotle Mexican Grill right now?

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The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Chipotle Mexican Grill wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $474,578!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,141,628!*

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Corn futures closed the Friday session with contracts 4 to 5 cents higher in the front months, taking back some early week losses. March was still down 21 cents on the week, a 4.71% loss. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price is up 6 cents at $3.89 1/2.

The markets will be off on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. They will open back up on Monday evening.

More News from Barchart

CFTC data showed managed money in corn futures and options adding 65,348 contracts to their net short position in corn futures and options as of January 13. That took their net short to 81,774 contracts. Much of that was vis new short interest, at the largest since October, with longs going to their smallest since November.

USDA reported a couple private export sales this morning of 298,000 MT of corn during to unknown destinations, with 120,000 MT for Japan. The total flash sales for the week are now 1.83 MMT.

USDA Export Sales data as of January 8 has 52.035 MMT of corn commitments (shipped and unshipped sales), which is 29% above the same week las year. That is 64% of USDAs forecast and ahead of the 62% average sales pace. Meanwhile, FAS actual shipment data is 28.97 MMT, of 36% of USDAs projection vs. a 26% average shipping pace.

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.24 3/4, up 4 1/2 cents,

Nearby Cash was $3.87 0/1, up 4 3/4 cents,

May 26 Corn closed at $4.32, up 4 1/4 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.38, up 4 cents,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder 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
The man was given a reprieve from his cell and brought before Limerick District Court to explain to Judge Patricia Harney why a Volkswagen car registered in his name was parked illegally on a footpath in the Oaks, Newcastle, Limerick

A CRIMINAL was formally charged with parking a car in an illegal fashion while he was serving time in prison.

Gary Quinlivan, 35, is currently residing in Limerick Prison following a conviction for city burglaries in Limerick Circuit Court.

The man was given a reprieve from his cell and brought before Limerick District Court to explain to Judge Patricia Harney why a Volkswagen car registered in his name was parked illegally on a footpath in the Oaks, Newcastle, Limerick.

Mr Quinlivan, giving evidence, said he was probably in prison at the time of the offence on June 15, 2025, and that it was therefore impossible for him to have committed the crime.

READ MORE: Limerick man in 'on-and-off again' relationship deemed to be a danger to future women

The judge, seeking clarification, asked the man whether he was in prison or not on June 15.

Following some prompting from his solicitor, John Herbert, Mr Quinlivan remembered that he was indeed in prison on the date of the crime.

Judge Patricia Harney replied I imagine its hard to keep up with dates with your history.

The man also declared that he had never owned a Volkswagen, and detailed that he had no idea who would register a car in his name.

Mr Quinlivian has over 112 previous convictions. When he was last brought before the circuit court in December, Judge Colin Daly called the man a recidivist.

Judge Harney dismissed the case and said therell have to be an investigation by gardai into who was driving the car.

Mr Quinlivan thanked the judge and went back into custody.



-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A Limerick family living in Longford are "humbly" asking for help and support following the sudden loss of a one-year-old baby.

Ravi Lucca Oliveira Santos, who was one year and four months old, passed away on January 3.

Ravi suffered from sudden seizures and heart failure on December 21 and had been on life support over Christmas before passing away at the beginning of the year.

His family, who are originally from Brazil, are now asking for support in covering the expenses from his funeral, which took place on January 8th.

READ NEXT: Limerick music legends join the line-up for historic 3 Arena gig

Ravi's mother, Danielle Lorryane Oliveira Moraes, moved from Brazil to Ireland in August of last year.

Ravi's grandmother, Cristiane, has lived in Longford for a number of years with her four sons.

They are all said to be part of the community.

Cristiane previously worked as a cleaner for the Kilbeggan Organic Farm in Co Westmeath.

She has asked for prayers from anyone who cannot contribute financially.

According to Rip.ie, Ravi will be "deeply regretted" by his mother Danielle and father Ronaldo DaSilva Santos Junior, while also being "sadly missed" by his grandparents, uncles, aunts, family, and friends.

READ NEXT: We are suffering - Limerick councillors file motion on roads budget allocations

A number of condolences from people have been posted on Rip.ie, with the majority coming from people in Limerick.

"Deepest sympathies and condolences on the recent passing of Ravi. May he Rest in Peace," Niall Collins TD wrote.

"Deepest condolences to you all on the passing of Ravi. May his gentle soul rest in peace," a "grieving" Limerick mam said.

"So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy...may he fly with the angels for eternity..So very sorry," a dad from Limerick wrote.

To donate to Ravi's family's fundraiser, you can click here.
A WOMAN who tragically died in a house fire in Limerick city this weekend has been named locally as Marguerite (Marge) Neville, aged in her 60s.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at a residence in Chesterfield Downs, Singland at approximately 5.30pm on Saturday evening. Four appliances from Limerick Fire and Rescue rushed to the house but it's understood the blaze was well established upon arrival.

A female was pronounced deceased at the scene. She has been named locally as Ms Neville, mum-of-two adult children.

Priomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Catherine Slattery said she was very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Ms Neville.

She was well-known and well-liked. She worked in Dunnes Stores in the Parkway Shopping Centre. She has only just recently retired. It's extremely sad to hear of this tragic news, said Cllr Slattery, who expressed her condolences to Ms Nevilles family, friends, and neighbours.

It's just devastating for the community and so, so very sad. May she rest in peace, said Cllr Slattery.

READ NEXT: Almost 40,000 raised for heroic Limerick grandparents who saved baby from burning house

A number of people, who knew Ms Neville, took to Facebook to pay tribute.

She was described as the nicest you could ever meet; an absolute lady, may she rest in heavenly peace and a lovely person who will be missed.

No other injuries were reported. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination

The outcome of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of the garda investigation.

It is understood that foul play is not suspected at this time.
Elon Musk wants OpenAI Inc. and Microsoft to pay him damages in the range of $79 billion to $134 billion over his claims that the generative AI company defrauded him by abandoning its nonprofit roots and partnering with the software giant.

Musks lawyer detailed the damages request in a court filing Friday, a day after a federal judge rejected a final bid by OpenAI and Microsoft to avoid a jury trial set for late April in Oakland, California.

Citing calculations by a financial economist expert witness, C. Paul Wazzan, the filing says Musk is entitled to a chunk of OpenAIs current $500 billion valuation after he was defrauded of the $38 million in seed money he donated to OpenAI when he helped found the startup in 2015. OpenAI and Microsoft later disputed the calculations.

Just as an early investor in a startup company may realize gains many orders of magnitude greater than the investors initial investment, the wrongful gains that OpenAI and Microsoft have earned  and which Mr. Musk is now entitled to disgorge  are much larger than Mr. Musks initial contributions, Musk lawyer Steven Molo wrote.

Musk left OpenAIs board in 2018, launched his own artificial intelligence company in 2023 and began a court battle in 2024 with Sam Altman over the OpenAI co-founder and chief executive officers plans to operate the company as a for-profit business. OpenAI and Microsoft have denied his allegations.

Mr Musks lawsuit continues to be baseless and a part of his ongoing pattern of harassment, and we look forward to demonstrating this at trial, OpenAI said in a statement. This latest unserious demand is aimed solely at furthering this harassment campaign.

Altman has denounced Musks lawsuit challenging OpenAIs restructuring as a weaponization of the legal system to slow down a competitor. OpenAI has warned investors to expect Musk to make attention-grabbing claims as the legal fight heads to trial.

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, announced its restructuring in October. It said at the time that it had given a 27% ownership stake to its longtime backer Microsoft in a transition that will keep the startups nonprofit arm in control of its for-profit operations.

Wazzan, the expert witness, calculated the damages request by combining Musks financial and non-monetary contributions, including technical and business advice, to OpenAI, according to the filing. He figured that the wrongful gains total $65.50 billion to $109.43 billion for OpenAI and $13.30 billion to $25.06 billion for Microsoft.

Musks filing says he also plans to seek punitive damages and possibly an injunction that the filing didnt describe.

In a response filed in court early Saturday, OpenAI and Microsoft attacked Wazzans conclusions and asked that he not be allowed to repeat them at trial. Lawyers for the companies said Musk is seeking as much as 2,900 times what he invested in the startup.

Wazzans methodology is made up; his results unverifiable; his approach admittedly unprecedented; and his proposed outcome  the transfer of billions of dollars from a nonprofit corporation to a donor-turned competitor  implausible on its face, lawyers for the companies wrote.

With assistance from Shirin Ghaffary and Brody Ford.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
The Indian start-up ecosystem is currently witnessing a transformative phase where the definition of success is shifting from capital raised to sustainable growth. To explore this evolution, Mint, in association with Fairfox EON, recently hosted the second edition of The Unstoppables, a Founders Meetup and Learning Series on Friday.

Named after the unstoppable founders driving Indias innovation economy, the series aims to consolidate the extensive knowledge within the ecosystem. The goal is simple  to make high-level insights available to those currently building and scaling their start-ups in a ever evolving environment.

Making a choice between bootstrapped or funded The event kicked off with a high-impact panel discussion titled Bootstrapped or Funded: Choosing the right growth path for your start-up. The session sought to decode the critical moments when a founder must decide if, when, and why to raise capital.

Moderated by Aayesha Varma from Hindustan Times, the panel featured diverse perspectives from industry veterans: Anisha Singh, Founder and Managing Partner at She Capital, Amit Kumar, Founder and CEO at Dropty, and Amal Sivaji, Founder at Draavi.

Through real-world perspectives, the discussion covered the delicate trade-offs between maintaining absolute control through bootstrapping and accelerating growth through external funding.

The hybrid approach and persistence Anisha Singh, who has seen the ecosystem from both the founders and the investors lens, noted that the lines between bootstrapping and funding are becoming increasingly blurred. She suggested that sequencing, which means proving the model before seeking capital, is becoming a popular strategy in the current funding environment.

Sharing advice for a bootstrapped founder who is trying to scale, Anisha Singh said: Its not about fundraising or bootstrapping. Given the environment, which is a bit hard, I am seeing that bootstrapped founders sequence it out and then go out and raise money. If you really believe in what you are doing, a no is not a definite no.

The reality of Indian venture capital The conversation then shifted to the specific challenges of the Indian market. Amit Kumar highlighted the differences between the investment cultures of the West and India, noting that Indian investors often have extremely high expectations for immediate and big returns.

Amit Kumar felt that it is simpler to raise funds in a market like the US, unlike in India. In the Indian scenario, every investor looks for a 10X return. It will not be possible in the future, he said, suggesting that both founders and investors may need to realign their expectations toward long-term sustainability.

The one way ticket of external capital The discussion also took the focus on when founders should avoid raising money. The panel warned against the FOMO (fear of missing out) culture, where founders raise funds simply because their peers are doing so.

Amal Sivaji emphasised that entering the venture capital cycle is a commitment that fundamentally changes the DNA of a company. You need a clear reason to raise as against just that everybody else is raising.. there are compelling market reasons, product stage reasons. Once you start fundraising, you cant go back. It is a one-way ticket, Sivaji cautioned. He also spoke about how early stage founders can build a strong fundraising runway and approach pre-seed and seed fundraising with confidence.

View full Image Amal Sivaji, Founder at Draavi. at Mint Unstoppables Edition 2

Looking at strategic assets beyond the balance sheet While the panel focused on financial capital, the event also touched upon the importance of physical infrastructure in a start-ups journey. Bhupesh Nagarkoti, Senior VP - Sales & Strategy, Fairfox IT Infra shared insights into the residential and commercial landscape of the Delhi NCR area.

Nagarkoti highlighted a significant mindset shift among modern entrepreneurs. She spoke about Fairfoxs projects and how founders are now viewing office spaces not merely as a monthly expense, but as a strategic asset. In the race for quality human resources, a well-designed workspace serves as a critical tool to attract and retain the right talent.

Founder's Roadmap The Unstoppables session served as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all roadmap for a start-up. Whether a founder chooses the grit of bootstrapping or the high-octane fuel of venture capital, the decision must be driven by product readiness and market demand rather than external pressure. As the Indian start-up story matures, these learning sessions continue to provide the blueprint for the next generation of resilient builders.
New Delhi: Neiox Eco Cycle isnt the sort of startup you read about every day. It isnt solving for fashion, food or grocery delivery. Rather, it is in the business of ship hullsspecifically, it is developing carbon-negative, non-toxic marine coatings for the undersides of marine vessels.

There is nothing sexy about the business, which has to solve for plankton, barnacles, mussels and other such delights. Its also not the sort of business that attracts much interest from venture capitalists (VCs), who generally prefer to focus on consumer-facing or software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses.

Despite this, Neiox Eco Cycle, founded by Akhil Raj Pottekkat, was able to obtain a tiny amount of funding in November 2024. The money didnt come from a VC, but from Cochin Shipyard, which invested 30 lakh in the Kerala-based climate-tech startup. Last October, the shipbuilder followed that up with an additional 75 lakh investment under its maritime innovation programme.

Neiox isnt the only startup to receive backing from an unlikely investor. In November, Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) invested 120 crore in Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) startup 3ev, which builds electric cargo vehicles and battery infrastructure, for a 30.97% stake. That same month, Varaha, a climate-tech startup, received an infusion of $30.5 million from Mirova, the sustainable investing arm of French financial group Natixis.

Other examples include Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) backing early-stage climate technologies through its Udgam innovation platform, including a 35-crore investment in Maraal Aerospace, which builds long-range solar-powered drones, and Oil India Ltd backing carbon and materials innovation through investments in startups such as Caliche and Carbonation India in 2025.

These investments may appear disparate and unrelated on the surface. But together, they epitomize a gradual shift in how climate innovation is being funded, driven less by rapid exits and more by patient capital. Indias climate-tech story is increasingly being written by these unlikely financierslegacy institutions, public sector firms and global capital are stepping in where venture capital has feared to tread.

To be sure, these are mostly very small investments. But, like a mustard seed, the investors hope, these infusions, made with an eye on the future, will germinate into something huge. Rather than near-term returns, they are hedging against regulatory risk, future demand shifts and operational disruptions.

The traditional VC model is built for high-risk, hyper-growth businesses, while most climate technologies require patient capital and long gestation periods. That mismatch is why legacy firms, public sector undertakings (PSUs) and global investors are stepping intheyre investing to hedge transition risk and build relevance, not to chase fast exits," said Rajan Mehta, founder, Climate Ventures Partner.

This quiet realignment is unfolding against a paradoxical backdrop. India has seen 642 climate-tech startups founded in the last three years, and 492 have raised funding over that period. Yet only 61 have reached Series B or later, while 678 have shut shop since January 2023, according to data from Tracxn.

What lies beneath

In shipping, what keeps a vessel afloat and profitable is often what lies unseen beneath the waterline. The hullthe lower portion of a vessel, which remains submergedis its most critical and vulnerable component. Constant exposure to seawater and microscopic marine organisms make it prone to corrosion.

Unlike engines or other mechanical systems that are routinely overhauled, hull quality largely determines a ships long-term value. Vessels are typically taken out of service every five years for dry docking, where hulls are inspected, repaired and repainted.

View Full Image Globally, the shipping sector has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by around 2050.

Current systems require the application of multiple layersoften as many as sevenwith separate coatings used to prevent corrosion and to reduce biofouling (accumulation of biowaste such as barnacles on the hull). The accumulation of marine organisms on a ships hull increases drag, forcing vessels to burn more fuel to maintain speed, increasing emissionsmost vessels still run on highly polluting fuels derived from crude oil.

Existing anti-fouling paints by and large rely on biocides that kill marine organismsan approach increasingly being frowned on by European environmental rules.

For shipbuilders and repair yards, coatings are thus an unglamorous but decisive variable, shaping operating economics and emissions over decades. For ship owners, every day that a vessel sits in dock translates into idle time and lost revenue.

Globally, marine hull coatings are dominated by a small club of companies such as Jotun, Hempel and Nippon Paint. These multinationals control licensing, class approvals and defence-grade specifications. While some manufacture in India, there is no Indian-origin company with an internationally approved marine coating.

That gap is what drew Cochin Shipyard, Indias largest state-run shipbuilder, to back Neiox Eco Cycle. The startup upcycles industrial air pollutants into an advanced additive that can be integrated into marine paint and applied directly to ship hulls. It thus turns waste into a functional input for one of shippings most consequential, if least visible, layers, said Neioxs Pottekkat.

View Full Image Akhil Raj Pottekkat, founder, Neiox Eco Cycle.

Neiox is positioning itself not just as a domestic alternative, but as a regulation-compliant challenger offering non-toxic, carbon-negative coatings. The company claims its technology collapses the seven-layer coating stack into a single, non-toxic application that tackles both corrosion and biofoulingcutting downtime, fuel loss and environmental risk in one stroke. For Cochin Shipyard, it checks several boxes at once.

Risk-adjusted technology exposure is often the priority (for investors such as Cochin Shipyard): small grants help create an early pipeline of tested solutions that could become relevant to future operations without committing large balance-sheet capital upfront," said Sumanta Biswas, assistant director at CUTS International, a policy research and advocacy group.

Compliance with green norms is another imperative for Cochin Shipyard. Globally, the shipping sector has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by around 2050 under a revised strategy adopted by the International Maritime Organization, with interim emissions reduction targets set for 2030 and 2040.

Beyond gas

In Mumbai, MGL, a stodgy, listed city gas utility. was led by the same rationale to invest in 3ev. The startup offers aftermarket services such as battery-as-a-service (BaaS), where it plans to deploy a bulk of the 120 crore funding from MGL, given that batteries are the most critical and fastest-degrading component in commercial EVs, making uptime, replacement and life-cycle management central to fleet economics.

During its earnings call for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, MGLs management struck a careful tone: EVs, it said, are unlikely to dent compressed natural gas (CNG) demand in the near term. Yet, in the same breath, the company acknowledged investments such as 3ev as part of exploring adjacent energy transition opportunities, describing it as a long-term equity bet with limited near-term financial impact.

Mahanagar Gass management was actively analysing the transition to electric mobilitywhat it would mean for gas distribution, transportation demand It wasnt just an internal discussion; investors and analysts were asking the same questions," said Peter Voelkner, managing director of 3ev.

View Full Image Peter Voelkner, managing director, 3ev.

The move marks MGLs first meaningful step into EV operations, though the company had earlier dipped its toe into e-mobility, including EV charging infrastructure, in collaboration with Tata Power in 2019. More recently, MGL acquired a 44% equity stake in International Battery Company India last February.

MGLs earlier engagement with Tata Power in 2019 on EV charging infrastructure was part of nascent sector exploration. Its lead investment in 3ev represents a meaningful escalation, transitioning from collaborative pilots to capital commitments in core EV value-chain companies," said Biswas.

3ev is currently piggybacking on MGLs footprint in Mumbai, with pilot projects placing fast-charging infrastructure at the utilitys CNG filling stations. Beyond Mumbai, the company operates independently in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Coimbatore.

The green imperative

If utilities and shipyards are making cautious, balance-sheet-light bets, global climate capital is moving with a different calculus. International investors and corporates, less constrained by domestic exit timelines, are increasingly backing Indian climate startups tackling longer-cycle problems such as carbon sequestration and regenerative agricultureareas where traditional venture capital has been slow to commit.

While Varaha is one example, other Indian climate-tech startups have also benefited. Arya.ag, which builds farm-gate infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, recently raised 725 crore in a Series D round led by GEF Capital Partners, a global private equity firm.

Global investors are greening their portfolios. Supporting climate projects in India helps them meet sustainability targets while accessing long-term growth," said Pradeep Singhvi, executive director, energy and climate practice, Grant Thornton Bharat, a management consultancy.

Varahas model is simple: balance long-cycle carbon bets with faster climate and commercial returns. Flush with more than $42 million in funding, the startup last year struck a deal with Google, which agreed to purchase 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide removal credits from the Indian startup. A carbon removal agreement, or carbon purchase agreement (CPA), is a contract by which a company such as Google commits to buying future carbon dioxide removal credits from a supplier such as Varaha.

It marked Googles first carbon-removal agreement tied to a project in India and the largest involving biomass-based biocharoften dubbed black gold" for soils.

Varaha has since followed this up with another agreement with Microsoft last week, making it the tech companys first carbon removal purchase in Asia. With biochar credits typically priced between $150 and $160 per tonne, a back-of-the-envelope calculation values these deals at roughly $16 million.

So far, the New Delhi-based startup is the only Indian company to be listed on carbon removal standard and registry Puro.Earth. Prior to the recent infusion by Mirova, it had received funding from RTP Global, Japans Norinchukin Bank, Omnivore and Orios Venture Partners.

Yet, interest from venture capital remains thin. Most climate-tech startups that have raised funding in India fall into adaptation-focused productsareas with clearer customers, shorter payback cycles and easier monetisation.

Scale remains elusive across much of climate tech. There are around 800 viable climate-tech startups in India, but less than 3% have raised Series B or beyond.

Until carbon markets mature and pricing becomes predictable, many venture investors will remain cautious," said Singhvi.

In India, venture capital funding has largely concentrated on EVs and mobility, where risks and timelines are better understood. Since 2022, roughly $6 billion has flowed into startups spanning electric vehicles, battery technology and related transition sectors, producing two mobility unicorns, Ola Electric and Ather Energy.

Even so, scale remains elusive across much of climate tech. There are around 800 viable climate-tech startups in India, but less than 3% have raised Series B or beyondits a serious scaling gap," said Biswas.

Large upfront capital needs, long regulatory lead times and dependence on government adoption keep many VCs wary," he added. Mitigation demands patient capital; adaptation offers short payback cycles and clearer business models."

Total climate-tech funding fell to $657 million in 2025, down from $1.17 billion in 2024 and $1.5 billion in 2023, according to data from Tracxn. The decline has been driven largely by a sharp slowdown in EV mobility funding, which has more than halved since 2023.

The contrast is sharper when set against the behaviour of large global financial institutions. In 2021, Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, predicted the emergence of a new generation of climate unicornscompanies built around green hydrogen, agriculture, steel and cement rather than consumer internet.

Four years on, that thesis has hardened into investment strategy. Large asset managers increasingly view climate risk as a material financial risk, not an environmental externality. BlackRock, alongside Temasek, has backed companies such as Antora Energy, which develops thermal batteries for industrial decarbonisation, and ConnectDERsignalling how private capital is gravitating toward climate infrastructure and industrial transition plays that sit beyond the comfort zone of traditional venture capital.

For shipyards, utilities and global asset managers alike, climate technology is no longer an abstract ESG theme but a hedge against operational, regulatory and market risk. Whether venture capital eventually follows, or is permanently leapfrogged by patient capital with longer horizons, will shape not just how India decarbonises, but who gets to build and own that transition.
Bollywood actor, MP Kangana Ranaut, recalled being told not to wear fashion designer Masaba Gupta's saree for a particular event. It happened so before the release of her film, Tejas, when the actor went to visit Ram Janmabhoomi. Talking about the incident, Ranaut shared on social media that it was too much for her process when it had happened.

Kangana Ranaut on Masaba refusing her saree Kangana Ranaut said that the incident still makes her feel sick. She shared how her stylist came to the rescue.

Responding to a post about herself, Ranaut added, Designers get very excited whenever their brands get seen on celebrities, have you seen Masaba or her brand handles use these images ? These images were all over the Internet. Can you explain why wont she use these images or why wont the stylist tag her? Those days Tejas was about to release so I wanted to go for Ramjanm Bhumi darshan, I requested the same stylist who was styling me for Tejas events (they are hired by the production houses ) to help me with the darshan trip as well (sic).

Did Masaba refuse to lend a saree? She claimed that Masaba, who sent her clothes to her stylist, later refused her brand's saree after knowing about the event Ranaut was set to attend.

The Queen actor added, I dont care many stylists and designers have banned me from their handles as well but this particular incidence hurt me the most, because Masaba sent the clothes to the stylist for my promotions but when she was told its for Ram Janmbhoomi she told the stylist not to use her clothes, stylist is a very kind and genuine woman she was so embarrassed that she discreetly told me not to tag Masaba or her brand and mentioned that she has already paid for the sari from her own pocket so not to feel bad about it but by the time I got to know about all this it was too late, I was ready and was on my way to Ram Janmbhoomi but it was too much to process. The hate the bitterness the prejudice, ewwww how ugly!! Still makes me sick to my stomach!! (sic)

Kangana Ranaut: I felt so humiliated Her detailed side of the story arrived after Ranaut's Instagram Stories. She had previously claimed to cry after Masaba's refusal.

Kangana Ranaut had shared, One instance I will never forget is when I was wearing Masaba Gupta saree for Ram Janmbhoomi, and she told the stylist that I can't go to Ram Janmbhoomi in her saree. I had already left from Lucknow for Ayodhya and it was not possible to change. I felt so humiliated and degraded that I quietly cried in my car. Later like other designers she told the stylist not to mention her or her brand's name. Today AR Rahman ji shedding crocodile tears what about their own hate and prejudices? (sic)
India's power distribution companies (discoms) returned to profits in FY25, having reported a cumulative 2,701-crore profit after tax for the fiscal year, as against a loss of 25,553 crore in the year before, the power ministry said on Sunday.

Union power minister Manohar Lal attributed the turnaround to the Centre's initiatives, including the revamped distribution sector scheme and late payment surcharge rules, said an official statement.

The development is significant as distribution is a crucial segment of India's power system that caters to consumers, with a key role in the country's energy transition goals. Discoms have been reeling under financial stress for a number of years and government data shows that they have a cumulative debt of 7 trillion.

Also Read | Discom economics behind the dismal summer ahead

Describing their financial performance as a significant turning point for the sector, the ministry said distribution utilities had been reporting losses for the past several years since the unbundling and corporatization of state electricity boards.

The minister said that the momentum is expected to be sustained on the back of the ongoing deliberations in the group of ministers to improve the financial viability of discoms.

As reported by Mint earlier, the group of ministers on financial viability of discoms has suggested a new scheme, under which discoms would be asked to monetize their assets and come up with public listing of shares. Of the total debt, the panel pegged the total unsustainable debt of discoms at 2,74,120 crore.

As reported by Mint earlier, amid high debt and financial stress, several discomsincluding those in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and West Bengalhave come up with tenders for coal-based power and a few of them have signed power purchase agreements (PPA) at an average tariff of 6 per unit, higher than those for renewable and hybrid power.

Also Read | Electricity Amendment Bill 2025: The power stocks investors are watching

Amid higher supply of renewable energylargely solardiscoms are selling renewable energy on electricity exchanges at a price lower than what they had purchased it for.

The ministry said that the aggregate technical & commercial (AT&C) losses have reduced over the years and at the end of the last fiscal, they were at 15.04%. In FY24, the AT&C losses were at 17.6%. AT&C losses refer to the total gap between electricity supplied by a utility and the revenue collected, combining physical power loss (technical) and commercial losses, which include non-payment and billing issues.

Further, the average cost of supply-average revenue realized (ACS-ARR) gap has narrowed to about 0.06 per kWh (kilowatt hour or unit) in FY25, compared to 0.48 in FY24.

Ratings agency Icra, in a September 2025 report, had said that an average tariff hike of 4.5%, along with reduction in AT&C losses to less than 15% is needed to eliminate the gap between ACS and ARR for profitability.

Reforms such as the Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge) Rules have led to a 96% reduction in outstanding dues to generating companiesfrom 1,39,947 crore in 2022 to just 4,927 crore by January 2026while bringing down distribution utility payment cycles from 178 days in FY2020-21 to 113 days in FY2024-25, the ministry said.

India has about 67 discoms, including 16 run by the private sector in Delhi, Mumbai, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The government of Uttar Pradesh is currently in the process to privatize two of its discoms. Mint had earlier reported that at least eight firms, including Adani Group, Tata Power Ltd and Greenko Group, are eyeing a majority stake in Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PUVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL).

In 2020, the Centre had decided to privatize all electricity discoms in the Union Territories administered directly by it. CESC Ltd won control of the Chandigarh discom, while Torrent Power got the Dadra and Nagar Haveli one. The sales were linked to incentives from the Centre, encouraging discoms to seek new investors.

That year, the government had also announced a reform-linked 90,000 crore liquidity-injection into fund-starved discoms as part of a 20 trillion stimulus package to revive the economy.

Odisha was the first state to privatize its power distribution sector into four discoms in 1999. This was followed by Delhi, which privatized three of its discoms in July 2002: BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.

Discoms are seen as major players in India's energy transition journey. In the past few years, they have diversified sourcing of power towards cleaner sources too and are coming up with bids for battery energy storage systems to store solar and wind power for peak demand period and also maintain grid stability and lower loss of power.

With India's growing power demand, the role of discoms would become more critical to the country's power infrastructure. Recently, the union power secretary Pankaj Agarwal had said the country's power sector would require a cumulative investment of nearly $500 billion by 2032.

Also Read | Discoms selling green power at lower than cost price on exchanges

Some sector experts remain guarded over the discoms' financial performance. Profitability should be structural inflection point, driven by better billing efficiency, lower AT&C losses, subsidy discipline, and selective tariff rationalization; and should not be limited to an accounting exercise, said Sambitosh Mohapatra, partner and leader for climate and energy at PwC India. "Improvement remains uneven across states and must be sustained through continued reforms including privatization."
Earlier this month Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk launched its oral Wegovy weight-loss pill in the US, for "needle-averse patients". The starting dose is priced at $149 a month for patients paying in cash, compared to the injectable version's list price of more than $1,300.

Novo executives project that oral pills could capture more than a third of the total obesity drug market by 2030. Its rival Eli Lilly is expected to receive approval from the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for its own oral weight-loss drug, Orforglipron, by March 2026.

These moves reflect intense competition in the weight-loss drugs market. This year, competition is set to intensify in the US and increase radically in other markets around the world.

Also Read | Bangladesh gets a head start over India in export of weight-loss drugs

Balance of power

The US weight-loss drugs market is currently dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, though the balance of power has shifted. Novo Nordisk was the pioneer, launching Ozempic for diabetes in 2018 and Wegovy for obesity in 2021, thereby enjoying a significant first-mover advantage.

These drugs belong to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, leading to significant weight loss.

Eli Lilly entered later with Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, and has rapidly gained ground, capturing about 60-70% of US obesity prescriptions by 2025, compared to Novo's 30-40%. Head-to-head trials show Eli's injection delivers roughly 47% more weight loss than Wegovy, and the company has maintained stronger production capacity. Its revenues grew 54% year-on-year in the September quarter of 2025, driven by weight-loss drugs, compared to Novo's 12% growth.

Investors have responded accordingly. Novo's market capitalization stands at $261 billion, down from a peak of $570 billion in 2024, while Eli Lilly's has surpassed $1 trillion, making it the first pharma company to hit this milestone. As its dominance faded, Novo cut 9,000 jobs and replaced its CEO to sharpen its commercial execution.

Supply race

Demand for GLP-1 drugs has been growing ever since they were first introduced. The US market alone is expected surge from $22.8 billion in 2025 to a peak of $68.5 billion by 2033, according to a Goldman Sachs report in May 2025.

Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have struggled to keep up. Novo Nordisk had to restrict the supply of Wegovy starter doses in the US to ensure existing patients could continue treatment, while compounding pharmacies captured an estimated 30% of the US market by selling unapproved copycat versions.

Both companies are pouring billions into expanding production to close this gap. Novo Nordisk invested more than $28 billion in capital expenditure over the past four years, and its parent company acquired contract manufacturer Catalent for $16.5 billion to secure three additional factories and boost US capacity. Eli Lilly spent $21 billion on capital expenditure over four years, including a $3.7 billion commitment to two new factories in Boone County, Indiana.

Also Read | Obesity drugs may spur licensing, distribution deals for Indian drugmakers

The shift to oral pills is expected to intensify this pressure. Novo's oral Wegovy requires significantly more of the active ingredient (semaglutide) than injections, raising concerns about scaling up production.

Patent cliff

The year marks a turning point for these drugs. Key patents for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, are set to expire in major markets as China, India, Brazil, and Canada starting this year. This will allow other manufacturers to legally produce generic or biosimilar versions. Competition from generics is expected to reduce prices, making treatment more accessible.

What is certain is that there will be demand. Obesity has become a health emergency, with over a billion people now living with the condition globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, particularly in emerging economies.

India has the world's second-largest number of people with type 2 diabetes and faces rising obesity rates, while China also has strong demand for weight-loss treatment. Last year, WHO included diabetes and weight-loss drugs in its essential medicines list, urging pharmaceutical companies to lower prices and expand production.

In the US, the Trump administration has negotiated deals with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to slash prices for Medicare and Medicaid by up to 71% in exchange for broader coverage and tariff exemptions.

A bigger market

In emerging markets such as India, where patients pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, prices must fall. Generic players operating on a high-volume, low-cost model are expected to reduce prices. Analysts estimate competition could push monthly treatment costs to $15-50 in some places, expanding the size of the market.

Pharmaceutical companies in India and China are gearing up to tap the oppotunity. In India, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is preparing to launch its version of the drug in 87 countries, while Cipla and Sun Pharma are developing their own versions. Biocon already sells a generic version of an older weight-loss drug (Liraglutide) in the UK and has signed a deal to distribute generic semaglutide in Brazil. Exports account for half of Indias pharmaceutical industry. Meanwhile In China, generics makers such as Huadong Medicine and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group have sought approval for their semaglutide versions.

In response, Novo Nordisk slashed Wegovy's price in India by up to 37% in November to 10,850-16,400 a month and reduced prices in China to make its branded products more competitive against incoming generics. Both companies are also partnering with local firms to to deepen their market penetration. Novo has teamed up with Emcure in India, while Lilly has partnered with Cipla to expand distribution beyond major cities.

Defensive strategy

Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are also filing hundreds of secondary patents to extend their exclusivity in primary markets. Novo Nordisk has filed more than 320 applications and secured 49 patents covering product modifications, aiming to delay the entry of generics in the US and Europe until 2042. Eli Lilly already holds patent protection for tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound's) extending into the mid-2030s.

They are also contending with startups. The sector is attracting investments, with companies such as Kailera Therapeutics raising $600 million and Verdiva Bio securing $411 million for obesity pipelines. Structure Therapeutics and Viking Therapeutics are developing oral candidates to compete in the pill market.

Both companies are also developing next-generation treatments. Eli Lilly is working on retatrutide, a triple G agonist that has delivered up to 24% weight loss in trials, while Novo is advancing CagriSema, a combination therapy offering weight loss beyond Wegovy, and Amycretin, an oral candidate.

This innovation matters because patients who stop using these drugs regain the weight they lost, with most returning to their pre-treatment weight within one-and-a-half years, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.

www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data
HDFC Bank vs ICICI Bank vs Yes Bank vs RBL Bank: Amid speculations of a consumer-oriented Union Budget 2026, banking majors reported strong Q3 results 2026 last Saturday. The Nifty 50 heavyweight HDFC Bank's Q3 results were strong, whereas ICICI Bank's earnings were steady in Q3FY26 . Other private lenders, Yes Bank and RBL Bank, also reported impressive Q3 numbers. It may become difficult for some stock market investors to decide which of these stocks to buy after the Q3 results in 2026.

According to stock market experts, HDFC Bank has reported strong Q3 results 2026, driven by robust revenue and YoY PAT growth, while ICICI Bank reported steady growth, driven by a rise in deposits and PAT during the October to December 2025 quarter. Yes Bank reported impressive Q3 results 2026, with a 50% YoY jump in PAT, while RBL Bank reported stable Q3 earnings amid a rise in operating profit.

Q3 results 2026 preview Decoding the HDFC Bank Q3 results 2026, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "HDFC Bank's Q3 results show strong performance, with net revenue growing 8.9% YoY to 45,870 crore and profit after tax increasing 11.5% YoY. The bank's capital adequacy ratio remains robust at 19.9%, with a Tier 1 CAR of 17.8%. Asset quality is healthy, with gross NPA at 1.24% and net NPA at 0.42%."

On what kind of Q3 earnings ICICI Bank reported on Saturday, Seema Srivastava said, "ICICI Bank's Q3 results reflect steady growth, with profit after tax at 11,318 crore and deposits growing 9.2% YoY to 16.59 lakh crore. The bank's capital adequacy ratio is strong at 17.34%, with a CET-1 ratio of 16.46%. ICICI Bank is best suited for growth-focused investors seeking consistent retail credit expansion and stable asset quality."

"Yes Bank's Q3 results are impressive, with a 55.4% YoY jump in PAT to 952 crore and RoA improving to 0.9%. The bank's focus on secured retail and commercial banking is driving growth, with a robust operating engine and improving asset quality," Seema said, adding, "RBL Bank's Q3 results show stable performance, with net profit at 214 crore and operating profit growing 7% YoY to 912 crore. The bank's focus on secured retail and commercial banking is driving growth, with a robust operating engine and improving asset quality."

HDFC Bank vs ICICI Bank vs Yes Bank vs RBL Bank: Which stock to buy? "Considering these results, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are strong contenders for long-term investment, given their robust capital adequacy ratios, healthy asset quality, and consistent growth. Yes Bank's impressive Q3 results and improving asset quality make it an attractive option. At the same time, RBL Bank's stable performance and focus on secured retail and commercial banking are notable," said Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities.

What technical chart suggests? In which stock is looking suitable to buy on the technical chart pattern, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said, Among ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, and RBL Bank, ICICI Bank clearly stands out on relative strength metrics. While Nifty and Bank Nifty corrected sharply, ICICI Bank continued to hold higher levels and attract buying interest, signalling institutional leadership. Structurally, the stock is shaping a clean cup and handle on the daily chart, with the handle forming in a tight range rather than a deep retracementan indication of strong demand absorption. Volume behaviour remains constructive, reinforcing the bullish bias. A decisive move above 1430 would confirm the breakout and is likely to trigger fresh momentum toward the 15201550 zone. Riskreward remains favourable as long as the handle low holds, keeping ICICI Bank the best-placed name among private banks at this stage.
Corn price action is trading with 5 to 6 cent gains at midday on Friday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price is up 6 cents at $3.89 1/2.

The markets will be off on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. They will open back up on Monday evening.

More News from Barchart

USDA reported a couple private export sales this morning of 298,000 MT of corn during to unknown destinations, with 120,000 MT for Japan.

USDA Export Sales data as of January 8 has 52.035 MMT of corn commitments (shipped and unshipped sales), which is 29% above the same week las year. That is 64% of USDAs forecast and ahead of the 62% average sales pace. Meanwhile, FAS actual shipment data is 28.97 MMT, of 36% of USDAs projection vs. a 26% average shipping pace.

A couple South Korean importers purchased 130,000 MT of corn in private purchase overnight.

Mar 26 Corn is at $4.26 1/4, up 6 cents,

Nearby Cash is at $3.89 1/2, up 6 cents,

May 26 Corn is at $4.33 1/4, up 5 1/2 cents,

Jul 26 Corn is at $4.39, up 5 cents,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder 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
Q3 results 2026: Amid the ongoing Q3 earnings season, more than 200 companies will declare their financial results for the quarter ending on December 31, 2025, in the coming week.

BHEL, Indigo, Kotak Bank, BPCL, Adani Green, Eternal, Hindustan Zinc, and Hindustan Petroleum are among the marquee companies to release their Q3 results for FY26 this week.

Last week, heavyweight IT companies Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL Technologies kickstarted the earnings season on January 12.

Participants will initially react to the earnings of key heavyweights such as Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. Thereafter, focus will shift to the broader set of Q3 earnings from several large and mid-cap companies across sectors, said Ajit Mishra - SVP, Research, Religare Broking.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Q3 results preview Brokerage firm Elara Capital expects stronger traction on loan growth and steady deposit growth. The firm further anticipates that NIMs are likely to rise with the bank benefiting from reduced liability rates and shorter liability maturity.

The bank will likely see better print on asset quality with variance at play on MFI and unsecured portfolio. Monitor related commentary. Monitor management commentary on tech spends, sustained growth, unsecured portfolio and evaluation of inorganic opportunities, the firm said.

BPCL Q3 results 2026 preview According to Dayanand Mittal, Oil & Gas Analyst at JM Financial Institutional Securities, oil PSU BPCL is expected to report double-digit quarter-on-quarter growth in EBITDA. The expert said that a double-digit BPCL EBITDA growth can be attributed to the stronger refining margins that the oil PSUs enjoyed during the October to December 2025 quarter.

Here's a list of companies that will declare Q3 results FY26 from January 19 to January 24 - January 19

No. Company Name Stock Symbol 1 Aarti Surfactants Limited AARTISURF 2 Automobile Corp Of Goa Ltd ACGL 3 Admach Systems Ltd. ADMACH 4 Aplab Limited APLAB 5 Apollo Techno Industries ATIL 6 Atishay Limited ATISHAY 7 Atlanta Electricals Limited ATLANTAELE 8 Aurum PropTech Limited AURUM 9 Bansal Wire Industries Limited BANSALWIRE 10 Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited BHEL 11 Burnpur Cement Limited BURNPUR 12 CEAT Limited CEATLTD 13 Gujarat Lease Financing Limited GLFL 14 Hatsun Agro Product Limited HATSUN 15 Havells India Limited HAVELLS 16 Hindustan Zinc Limited HINDZINC 17 IB Infotech Enterprises Limited IBINFO 18 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited IRFC 19 Intrasoft Technologies Limited ISFL 20 Jupiter Infomedia Limited JUPITERIN 21 Sai Silks (Kalamandir) Limited KALAMANDIR 22 Kapil Raj Finance Limited KAPILRAJ 23 Laddu Gopal Online Services Limited LADDU 24 Lakhotia Polyesters (India) Limited LAKHOTIA 25 LTIMindtree Limited LTIM 26 National Standard (India) Limited NATIONSTD 27 NDL Ventures Limited NDLVENTURE 28 Oberoi Realty Limited OBEROIRLTY 29 Punjab National Bank PNB 30 Rudra Ecovation Limited RUDRA 31 SEL Manufacturing Company Limited SEL 32 Surfline International Limited SURFI 33 Tata Capital Limited TATACAP 34 Tips Industries Limited TIPSMUSIC 35 Trishakti Industries Limited TRISHAKT

January 20

No. Company Name Stock Symbol 1 Aarcon Facilities Limited AARCON 2 Asian Warehousing Limited ASIAN 3 AU Small Finance Bank Limited AUBANK 4 Bigbloc Construction Limited BIGBLOC 5 CRAMC Technologies Limited CRAMC 6 CreditAccess Grameen Limited CREDITACC 7 Cyient DLM Limited CYIENTDLM 8 DCM Shriram Limited DCMSHRIRAM 9 EPACK Durable Limited EPACK 10 Family Care Hospitals Limited FAMILYCARE 11 Gujarat Gas Limited GUJGASLTD 12 IndiaMART InterMESH Limited INDIAMART 13 ITC Hotels Limited ITCHOTELS 14 The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited J&KBANK 15 Ksolves India Limited KSOLVES 16 Machhar Industries MACIND 17 Mallcom (India) Limited MALLCOM 18 Martin Burn Limited MARBU 19 Mastek Limited MASTEK 20 Man Industries (India) Limited MNIL 21 Newgen Software Technologies Limited NEWGEN 22 Nalin Lease Finance Limited NLFL 23 Noida Gold Mines & Infrastructure Limited NOGMIND 24 Persistent Systems Limited PERSISTENT 25 PTC India Financial Services Limited PFS 26 Piccadilly Agro Industries Limited PICCASUG 27 Pil Italica Lifestyle Limited PILITA 28 Prime Securities Limited PRIMESECU 29 Rajoo Engineers Limited RAJOOENG 30 Rallis India Limited RALLIS 31 Roselabs Finance Limited ROSELABS 32 Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited SENORES 33 Shoppers Stop Limited SHOPERSTOP 34 Supreme Petrochem Limited SPLPETRO 35 SRF Limited SRF 36 Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Limited TBZ 37 Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited TTML 38 Ujaas Energy Limited UEL 39 Umiya Tubes & Pipes Limited UMIYA-MRO 40 United Spirits Limited UNITDSPR 41 Vikram Solar Limited VIKRAMSOLR 42 Vinyl Chemicals (India) Limited VINYLINDIA 43 VR Films & Studios Limited VRFILMS 44 Vardhman Special Steels Limited VSSL

January 21

No. Company Name Stock Symbol 1 Aanchal Ispat Ltd AANCHALISP 2 Achyut Healthcare Ltd ACHYUT 3 Andhra Plastics Ltd ACL 4 Anant Raj Ltd ANANTRAJ 5 Atharv Enterprises Ltd ATHARVENT 6 Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd BAJAJCON 7 Bank of India BANKINDIA 8 Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Ltd CANHLIFE 9 Chembond Chemicals Ltd CHEMBONDCH 10 Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd CORNE 11 Dalmia Bharat Ltd DALBHARAT 12 Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd DHANBANK 13 Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd DRREDDY 14 EPACK Prefab Technologies Ltd EPACKPEB 15 Eternal Ltd ETERNAL 16 Gallantt Ispat Ltd GALLANTT 17 Gian Life Care Ltd GIANLIFE 18 Goa Carbon Ltd GOACARBON 19 Gravita India Ltd GRAVITA 20 Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd HINDPETRO 21 Indo US Bio-Tech Ltd INDOUS 22 Jagsonpal Pharmaceuticals Ltd JAGSNPHARM 23 Jindal Stainless Ltd JSL 24 KEI Industries Ltd KEI 25 Khaitan Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd KHAICHEM 26 KP Energy Ltd KPEL 27 KPI Green Energy Ltd KPIGREEN 28 Morarka Finance Ltd MORARKFI 29 Muthoot Capital Services Ltd MUTHOOTCAP 30 Netweb Technologies India Ltd NETRIPPLES 31 Novis Technologies Ltd NOVIS 32 Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd OFSS 33 Onix Solar Energy Ltd ONIXSOLAR 34 Piccadilly Agro Industries Ltd PICCADIL 35 PNB Housing Finance Ltd PNBHOUSING 36 PNTC (Kyoritsu) Ltd PNTKYOR 37 Poona Dal & Oil Industries Ltd POONADAL 38 Prerna Infrabuild Ltd PRERINFRA 39 Purple Finance Ltd PURPLEFIN 40 Rajratan Global Wire Ltd RAJRATAN 41 Rama Petrochemicals Ltd RAMGOPOLY 42 Rathi Bars Ltd RATHIBAR 43 Refex Industries Ltd REFEX 44 Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd RRETAIL 45 R.S. Software (India) Ltd RSSOFTWARE 46 Sagar Cements Ltd SAGCEM 47 Sangam (India) Ltd SANGAMIND 48 Sashwat Technocrats Ltd SASHWAT 49 Sera Investments & Finance India Ltd SERA 50 Shekhawati Poly-Yarn Ltd SHEKHAWATI 51 Shilp Gravures Ltd SHILGRAVQ 52 Supreme Industries Ltd SUPREMEIND 53 Systematix Corporate Services Ltd SYSTMTXC 54 Tanfac Industries Ltd TANFACIND 55 Tata Communications Ltd TATACOMM 56 Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem Ltd TATVA 57 Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd THANGAMAYL 58 UTI Asset Management Company Ltd UTIAMC 59 Wendt (India) Ltd WENDT

January 22

No. Company Name Stock Symbol 1 Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd ABSLAMC 2 Adani Energy Solutions Ltd ADANIENSOL 3 Alivus Life Sciences Ltd ALIVUS 4 Antelopus Energy Pvt Ltd ANTELOPUS 5 APL Apollo Tubes Ltd APLAPOLLO 6 Adani Total Gas Ltd ATGL 7 Bandhan Bank Ltd BANDHANBNK 8 Banswara Syntex Ltd BANSTEA 9 BlueStone Jewellery and Lifestyle Ltd BLUESTONE 10 Borana Weaves Ltd BORANA 11 Computer Age Management Services Ltd CAMS 12 Cigniti Technologies Ltd CIGNITITEC 13 Coforge Ltd COFORGE 14 Cyient Ltd CYIENT 15 DLF Ltd DLF 16 Duncan Engineering Ltd DUNCANENG 17 Gamco Ltd GAMCO 18 Go Digit General Insurance Ltd GODIGIT 19 Gujarat State Petronet Ltd GSPL 20 Home First Finance Company India Ltd HOMEFIRST 21 ideaForge Technology Ltd IDEAFORGE 22 IIFL Finance Ltd IIFL 23 Indian Bank INDIANB 24 InterGlobe Aviation Ltd INDIGO 25 Kopran Ltd KOPRAN 26 Krystal Integrated Services Ltd KRYSTAL 27 Monarch Networth Capital Ltd MONARCH 28 Mphasis Ltd MPHASIS 29 Nexome Ltd NEXOME 30 Orient Electric Ltd ORIENTELEC 31 Premier Energies Ltd PREMIERENE 32 Radico Khaitan Ltd RADICO 33 Saptak Chem and Business Ltd. SCBL 34 Shanti Gears Ltd SHANTIGEAR 35 S H Kelkar and Company Ltd SHVFL 36 Spectrum Electrical Industries Ltd SPECTRUM 37 Spentex Industries Ltd SPENTEX 38 Steel Strips Wheels Ltd SSWL 39 Suryoday Small Finance Bank Ltd SURYODAY 40 Swastika Investmart Ltd SWASTIKA 41 Syngene International Ltd SYNGENE 42 Tanla Platforms Ltd TANLA 43 Totem Infrastructure Ltd TOTEM 44 TTK Healthcare Ltd TTKHLTCARE 45 Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Ltd UJJIVANSFB 46 V-Mart Retail Ltd VMART 47 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd ZEEL 48 Zensar Technologies Ltd ZENSARTECH

January 23

No. Company Name Stock Symbol 1 Adani Green Energy Ltd ADANIGREEN 2 Anka India Ltd. ANKIN 3 Ashish Polyplast Ltd ASHISHPO 4 Atul Ltd ATUL 5 BFL Asset Finvest Ltd BFLAFL 6 BEML Land Assets BLAL 7 Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd BPCL 8 Capital India Finance Ltd CAPFIN 9 Cella Space Ltd CELLA 10 Cipla Ltd CIPLA 11 DBS Stock Brokers Ltd DBSTOCKBRO 12 DCB Bank Ltd DCBBANK 13 Deccan Polypacks Ltd DECPO 14 Gandhar Oil Refinery (India) Ltd GANDHAR 15 Godrej Consumer Products Ltd GODREJCP 16 Gold Coin Health Foods Ltd GOLDCOINHF 17 Golden Crest Education & Services Ltd GOLDENCREST 18 Granules India Ltd GRANULES 19 The India Cements Ltd INDIACEM 20 IndusInd Bank Ltd INDUSINDBK 21 Innova Captab Ltd INNOVACAP 22 JSW Steel Ltd JSWSTEEL 23 Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Ltd KIRLPNU 24 Laurus Labs Ltd LAURUSLABS 25 Libord Finance Ltd LIBORDFIN 26 Likhamni Textiles Ltd LIKHAMI 27 Lykis Ltd LYKISLTD 28 Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd MCX 29 Next Mediaworks Ltd NEXTMEDIA 30 Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd NUVAMA 31 Piramal Finance Ltd PIRAMALFIN 32 Sampann Utpadan India Ltd SAMPANN 33 SG Finserve Ltd SGFIN 34 SG Mart Ltd SGMART 35 Shree Global Resources Ltd SGRL 36 Shriram Finance Ltd SHRIRAMFIN 37 Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd SONACOMS 38 Sterlite Technologies Ltd STLTECH 39 Stylam Industries Ltd STYLAMIND 40 Sumeru Industries Ltd SUMERUIND 41 Urbanco Ltd URBANCO 42 Yash Management & Satellite Ltd YASHMGM 43 Zenotech Laboratories Ltd ZENOTECH

January 24
TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro vs HCL Technologies: After the announcement of Wipro Q3 results 2026 on Friday last week, Indian IT majors  TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Wipro- have now made their Q3 results public. The Q3 results for the 2026 season have sparked buzz that India's large-cap IT sector is gradually emerging from a prolonged consolidation phase. So, investors might be looking at the four large-cap Indian IT stocks  TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Wipro as a value pick. However, they might get confused about which of these four stocks will ultimately become a wealth creator.

According to stock market experts, Infosys delivered a resilient Q3 FY26 performance, while TCS reported a modest Q-o-Q revenue growth. They said that HCL Tech emerged as one of the stronger performers this quarter, but Wipro reported 7% YoY decline in profit.

Why an IT stock to buy after Q3 results? On why you should look at large-cap IT stocks to buy after Q3 results 2026, Sugandha Sachdeva, Founder of SS WealthStreet, said, "The Q3 FY26 earnings season has reinforced the view that Indias large-cap IT sector is gradually moving out of a prolonged consolidation phase. While near-term profitability has been impacted by one-time costs related to implementing new labour codes, underlying revenue momentum, deal wins, AI-led opportunities, and improving technical structures point to a more constructive medium-term outlook. With the IT index having underperformed sharply in 2025, down nearly 11%, valuations remain attractive, setting the stage for a potential turnaround in 2026 amid easing global monetary conditions and currency tailwinds."

TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro vs HCL Technologies Comparing the fundamentals of Indian IT majors after the Q3 results 2026, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "After Q3 FY26 results, the Indian IT sector clearly shows a split between margin-led recovery stories and growth-led compounding stories, making stock selection critical for long-term investors. TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Technologies are all well-placed structurally, but their current trajectories differ meaningfully."

Seema Srivastava, an ICAI-certified CA (Chartered Accountant), said that TCS remains the sectors benchmark for stability, scale, and execution consistency. Even though near-term growth is muted due to cautious enterprise spending, TCS continues to outperform peers on margin resilience, deal conversion quality and cash generation. Its diversified client base, superior offshore leverage, strong leadership in BFSI and steady AI monetisation through platform-led services make it the lowest-risk long-term compounder. However, upside may be capped by its sheer size, making it ideal for conservative investors seeking predictable returns rather than aggressive alpha.

"Infosys sits in a strong middle ground. Q3 FY26 showed healthy revenue growth and stellar large-deal wins, with AI-led demand via Topaz clearly resonating with global clients. However, the margin compression versus peers indicates continued reinvestment and pricing pressure. For long-term investors, Infosys offers a compelling mix of growth visibility, strong capital returns (buybacks/dividends), and improving market share, though margin expansion will be key to rerating. It suits investors comfortable with moderate volatility for better growth optionality than TCS," said Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities.

On suggestion to a long-term investor regarding these four Indian IT majors, Seema Srivastava said, "Wipro is the most interesting turnaround candidate. Q3 margins expanded sharply to 17.6%  the best in several years, driven by execution discipline, cost optimisation and improving delivery metrics. AI platforms like Wipro Intelligence, WINGS, and WEGA are beginning to contribute meaningfully, but the softness in bookings and lagging revenue growth remain concerns. For long-term investors, Wipro represents a margin-led recovery story, with high valuation comfort but patience required as growth traction may take time. Risk-reward is favourable, but execution consistency must be sustained."

TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro vs HCL Technologies: Which is better? On which stock to buy among these four large-cap Indian IT stocks, Seema Srivastava said, "HCL Technologies clearly stands out as the best balance of growth, margin and cash flow post Q3 FY26. Strong constant-currency growth, record deal wins, accelerating AI revenue, robust software portfolio and stable margins within guidance underscore its differentiated positioning. The companys ability to scale AI services, engineering, cloud and software simultaneously, combined with high ROIC and strong dividend discipline, makes HCL Tech the most attractive long-term bet among peers for investors seeking both growth and profitability."

The SMC Global Securities expert said that investment differs as per the individual investors perspective and time horizon:

* Best long-term compounder with growth + margin visibility: HCL Technologies

* Low-risk core holding: TCS

* Growth-at-reasonable-valuation play: Infosys

* Turnaround/value opportunity: Wipro.

What technical chart suggests On what technical chart suggests regarding these Indian IT majors, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said, Among large-cap IT names like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro Limited, Infosys Limited, and HCL Technologies, the technical leadership clearly rests with HCL Tech and Infosys. HCL Tech has completed a 29-week cup-and-handle breakout at 1695, confirming trend strength and opening upside toward 1825 and beyond to 1938 as momentum builds. However, Infosys appears structurally stronger. The stock has gapped decisively above the 1625 resistance, signalling aggressive institutional demand and momentum expansion. The gap breakout projects an immediate upside toward the 1759 to 1768 zone, with a higher probability of follow-through. Compared to peers, Infosys shows superior price acceptance, cleaner volume confirmation, and stronger riskreward, making it the preferred bet among the IT majors at this stage.
Trump's Greenland tariffs: US President Donald Trump escalated his ambition to acquire Greenland on Saturday, threatening multiple European Union nations, traditional US allies in NATO, with tariffs of up to 25% until he achieves his goal of controlling the Danish territory.

These EU members, who came under Donald Trump's ire on Saturday, include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The US President said that, from 1st February 2026, a 10% tariff will be levied on the above-mentioned EU members, which will increase to 25% from 1 June.

According to market experts, Trump's Greenland tariffs on Denmark and other NATO countries will escalate geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, potentially fueling a further surge in gold and silver prices. They said it is also suitable for the Indian stock market, as India and the EU are in the final stage of talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). After Trump's tariff threats against EU countries, the EU and India are expected to accelerate FTA discussions to finalize a deal.

The experts said that the Indian stock market may experience some volatility if the tariff escalates into a broader trade war. However, they maintained that, in the long term, this will have a positive impact on the Indian stock market, as the India-EU FTA would boost the Indian economy, especially in pharmaceuticals, textiles, gems and jewellery, steel and metals, automobiles, solar equipment, and leather.

Decoding Trump's Greenland tariffs on Denmark and other NATO countries, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "The recent tariff announcement by President Trump is likely to boost gold and silver prices as investors seek safe-haven assets amidst escalating trade tensions. The tariffs imposed on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland may weaken the US dollar, making gold and silver more attractive. This could lead to increased demand and higher prices for precious metals. As for the Indian stock market, the tariffs may have a mixed impact. A weaker US dollar could make Indian exports more competitive, potentially benefiting sectors like IT and textiles. However, increased global trade tensions may also lead to market volatility, negatively impacting investor sentiment."

Trump's Greenland tariffs' impact on gold and silver prices On how Trump's Greenland tariffs on Denmark and other NATO countries would impact gold and silver prices on Monday, Anuj Gupta, a SEBI-registered commodity expert, said, "Trump's move to intimidate Denmark and other NATO countries may widen the trust deficit gap between the US and EU members. It may also fuel geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, as EU members such as the US, France, and Germany have shown solidarity with Denmark. So, I am expecting a gap-up opening for gold and silver prices in the international and domestic markets when they resume trade on Monday."

Gupta said that gold rates today are facing a hurdle at $4,650 per ounce, whereas silver rates today are facing a hurdle at $93 per ounce. He said that initially, these precious metals may try to overcome these hurdles and climb to a new peak if the tariff escalates into a serious trade war between the US and EU.

Negotiators are rushing to finalize a deal on the FTA by the time EU President Ursula von der Leyen comes to India later in January, with talks stuck on a few key issues like steel and automobiles, Mint reported quoting Bloomberg during German chancellor Friedrich Merz visit to India last week.

Trump's Greenland tariffs impact on Dalal Street On the impact the Indian stock market, SMC Global's Srivastava said, "The Indian market may experience fluctuations, especially if the tariffs escalate into a broader trade war. Key sectors that could be affected include pharmaceuticals, textiles, gems and jewellery, steel and metals, automobiles, solar equipment, and leather."

However, some market experts view this as a positive long-term development.

Sandeep Pandey, Co-founder of Basav Capital, said, "The tariffs are expected to fuel the FTA negotiations between India and the EU. As the FTA deal between India and the EU is in the final stage, we can expect this to become a reality after Trump's intimidation of the EU countries. So, if any volatility emerges in the Indian stock market on Monday, it would be short-lived as the market is expected to respond to the strong Q3 results for the Indian banking majors like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, etc."

Donald Trump tariffs news US President Donald Trump on Saturday escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25% until he achieves his goal of controlling the Danish territory.

Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in Greenland's capital against his plan to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic.

Thousands more protested in Copenhagen and other Danish cities.

The US president aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several other European countries that have deployed troops in recent days to the vast autonomous territory with a population of 57,000.

If realised, Trump's threats against Washington's NATO partners would create unprecedented tension within the alliance.

From February 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

"On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," he wrote.

"These Countries, who are playing this perilous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump said.

"Therefore, it is imperative that, to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly, and without question."

Trump added that he was "immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries."

(With inputs from AFP)
No new hangers. The thought first occurred to me soon after I moved house late last year. While unpacking, I noticed that nearly a dozen of my hangers had rusted. Mumbai humidity has a way of quietly claiming everything. My first instinct was to order new hangers, but then, I glanced at the clothes already hanging in the closet. I gave away a dozen clothes instead.

Since then, no new hangers has become a principle Im trying to apply to other areas of material ownership. No buying more things if there isnt space for them, and more importantly, no creating new storage space just to accommodate more stuff. In a city like Mumbai, where homes are crunched and storage space is a luxury, this rule reinforces a truth we already know but often forget: we dont need so much stuff in life.

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In December 2024, I fad-bought an air fryer. It was used four-five times over the next year. When I realised I needed space for crockery, I briefly considered building another cabinet. Last week, I gave the air fryer away instead.

Books have been the toughest category to apply this principle to because parting with them is never just about the book. Its also about letting go of the tangible memory of who you were when you first read them. I dont give them away mindlessly. I pass each one on to someone who will appreciate it. I justify giving a dog-eared copy, too: if all art is about seeing the world through someone elses gaze, then this becomes a matryoshka of gazes layered into one reading experience.

Theres enough research to support this behaviour. A 2018 peer-reviewed piece in Psychology Today, an international publication on mental health and behavioural science, found that decluttering reduces anxiety, creates a sense of confidence and self-efficacy, allows mind wandering, and often (helps one) find lost treasures. Theres ample data linking decluttering to a smaller carbon footprint and more sustainable living. But the neurological or ecological benefits are not why Im doing this.

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For me, its about being intentional with what you let into your home, and therefore your life. About recognising the difference between what one needs and what is merely nice to have, and how much spacephysical and mentalone must allow the latter to occupy. When I was discussing this new life mantra with the Lounge team, a colleague mentioned that her friend had stopped accepting birthday gifts altogether to avoid clutter.

Incidentally, this rule stands in contrast to another popular catchphrase of our time: No new friends. The phrase entered the mainstream nearly a decade ago after DJ Khaled and rapper Drake used it as a refrain in their 2013 song by the same title. It is used to convey emotional self-preservation; choosing to tend to existing relationships in recognition of limited bandwidth to cultivate new ones. While Im careful about what I accumulate materially, Ive realised that Im far more open to letting new people into my life. Perhaps no new hangers isnt just about resisting excess, its about making room so that the heart can feel full.

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New Delhi: Indias National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on 13 January lowered the qualifying cut-off marks for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025 in a bid to fill vacant postgraduate medical seats. The decision, taken after a request from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), has sparked a fierce debate, with the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), which represents junior doctors, calling it arbitrary" and warning that it undermines the credibility of the medical profession.

To ensure the optimal utilisation" of seats, the General/Economically Weaker Section (EWS) cut-off was slashed from 276 marks (50th percentile) to 103 marks (7th percentile), while the SC/ST/OBC threshold was lowered from 235 marks (40th percentile) to the zero percentilemaking candidates with scores as low as minus 40 out of 800 eligible for counselling. Mint explains the controversy as nearly 18,000 postgraduate medical seats across government and private colleges remain vacant even after the second round of counselling in 2025.

What are the new revised scores for NEET-PG 2025 compared to the original thresholds?

The General/EWS cut-off has been dropped from 276 marks (50th percentile) to 103 marks (7th percentile). More drastically, the qualifying cut-off for SC/ST/OBC candidates was lowered from 235 marks (40th percentile) to the 0th percentile, making candidates with scores as low as minus 40 out of 800 eligible for counselling for postgraduate medical programmes. To be sure, eligibility for counselling does not guarantee admission, which depends on seat availability, preferences, and the allotment process.

Why was this drastic reduction implemented after round-2 of counselling?

The revision was triggered because over 18,000 PG seats remained unfilled across government and private medical colleges after the second round of counselling in December. The government wants to ensure optimal utilisation" of these seats to expand Indias pool of trained specialists and prevent the loss of valuable educational resources.

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Why does the IMA support this decision as a "victory" for doctors?

The IMA, a national body of allopathic doctors, stated that vacant seats cause undue stress" and excessive workload for existing resident doctors. They maintain that because all candidates are already MBBS-qualified doctors, expanding eligibility does not result in a dilution of academic standards" but simply allows more doctors to enter specialized training. Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, president, IMA, said that the move to lower eligibility criteria is welcome, and this will ensure that no seats go vacant, increasing the manpower in the medical sector.

Why is FORDA strongly opposing the revision?

FORDA claims the move is "unprecedented" and undermines the sanctity of merit-based selection. They specifically allege that this "slash" favours private medical colleges by allowing them to fill seats with lower-scoring candidates at exorbitant fees, prioritizing institutional profits over student welfare. Critics such as Dr. Neeraj Bedi, former medical superintendent at a private medical college in Bhopal, said that allowing candidates with negative marks to qualify for specialist medical courses undermines the vision of a healthy nation. Dr. Bedi further said, Imagine a surgeon who couldnt even score zero on an exam now becoming a specialist with a score of minus 40. Vacant seats do not justify compromising medical education. To become a 'Viksit Bharat,' we first need a healthy nation, and a healthy nation is built on the foundation of high-quality doctors and rigorous medical training," he said.

Why do these two organizations have such different opinions on the same issue?

The two organizations prioritize different aspects of the healthcare system. The IMA focuses on systemic capacity, viewing empty seats as a failure of public health infrastructure that strains current resources. In contrast, FORDA focuses on professional integrity, fearing that lowering eligibility bars devalues the rigorous preparation of doctors and erodes public trust by allowing subpar candidates" to manage critical patient care.

Does the revised cut-off allow lower-scoring candidates to sidestep merit?

No. According to the government, admissions remain strictly merit-based, determined by the original NEET-PG rank and candidate preferences. Allotments are only made through authorized counselling mechanisms, ensuring a higher-ranked doctor always receives preference over a lower-ranked one.
Doon Medical College is making headlines after a ragging case surfaced. Senior MBBS students of Dehradun's prominent medical college have been accused of ragging and assaulting their juniors. The incident occurred at Government Doon Medical College, Patel Nagar, which came to light after a student from the 2025 batch filed a written complaint, ANI reported.

The student, who was allegedly assaulted, complained of living in mental distress and constant fear of retribution since the incident. In the written complaint submitted to the hostel warden on 13 January 2026, the student accused senior students of physically assaulting him with a belt just a day before outside the campus.

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"I am scared of retribution, and this left me shaken," Times of India quoted the student as saying in his formal complaint.

The complainant accused two seniors from the 2023 and 2024 batches of brutally assaulting him outside the college premises. As per the complaint, the student felt "shaken and terrified" and alleged that the seniors later attempted to intimidate him by accosting inside the hostel.

This prompted college's Anti-Ragging Committee to pursue an investigation the matter. The probe revealed involvement of 24 students. As a part of its disciplinary move, the administration imposed fines on those students who were found guilty of indiscipline.

According to Medical College Principal Geeta Jain, the Anti-Ragging Committee is conducting a detailed inquiry into the incident and the complaint is being treated with zero tolerance. Decreeing that strict action against the guilty students, she said that the Discipline Committee has recorded statements of the students and that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the college.

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As per the statement of the college administration, if the allegations against the students are found to be true, accused students will be suspended from the college, in addition to strict action.

Journalist Pankaj Mishra's tragic death This incident comes at a time a sensational case from the state capital is making headlines in connection with the death of journalist Pankaj Mishra. It is alleged that Pankaj Mishra brutally assaulted was on the night of 15 December at around 10 pm. According to the FIR filed by the deceased journalist's brother, a group of miscreants broke into the journalist's residence in Doon Vihar, Jakhan, and violently assaulted him with the intent to kill.

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In view of dense fog and extreme cold, the Office of the District Education Officer, Gautam Buddh Nagar, has issued an official order altering school timings.

According to Office Order, all schools in the districtincluding government, unaided, and council schools, as well as institutions affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, IB, UP Board, and other boardswill operate from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting January 19, 2026, until further notice.

The order emphasizes that strict compliance with the revised timings is mandatory.

In compliance with the instructions given by the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and in view of the dense fog and extreme cold, all classeswill be conducted from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, effective January 19, 2026, until further orders. These orders must be strictly followed, the official order read.

Precautionary measures amid cold wave The move comes amid a persistent cold wave and reduced visibility caused by dense fog, prompting district authorities to take precautionary steps, especially for young children.

Visibility across the National Capital Region remained low as cold wave conditions continued, with dense fog reported in several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that minimum temperatures on Sunday ranged between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.6 to 3 degrees below normal.

Air quality concerns In addition to cold weather, air pollution in the region has worsened. On Saturday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reinstated Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the NCR.

Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAPwith immediate effect, the CAQM order stated.

Authorities added that NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies have been asked to escalate preventive measures to curb pollution levels.
Three security forces personnel sustained injuries during a gunbattle with militants in a secluded woodland region in the higher altitudes of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI.

Additional troops have been mobilized to eliminate the insurgents. The mission, designated 'Operation Trashi-I' by the Indian Army's Jammu-situated White Knight Corps, commenced around midday.

In a statement on social media platform X, the White Knight Corps said that defense personnel encountered the militants in the Sonnar vicinity, northeast of Chatroo, during a planned search mission executed as part of continuous joint anti-terror exercises alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies, the Indian Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

Jaish-e-Mohamma terrorists attack security forces According to authorities, a search unit stumbled upon a group of two or three foreign terrorists suspected of belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who opened fire randomly and threw several grenades to rupture the security perimeter.

The soldiers returned fire, and backup from the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police was dispatched to reinforce the blockade.

Periodic exchanges of gunfire occurred between both parties for a duration, officials stated. Three soldiers suffered shrapnel wounds and were later moved to a medical facility. An extensive manhunt is currently underway to locate and neutralize the militants, they added. High-tech monitoring tools, such as drones and canine units, have been utilized to accelerate the mission.

This represents the third clash between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu territory this year. Previous conflicts erupted in the Kahog and Najote woodlands within the Billawar sector of Kathua district on January 7 and 13.

On December 15 of the prior year, a police official lost his life during a battle with militants at Soan village in Udhampur's Majalta region. Those militants successfully retreated, utilizing the dense vegetation and nightfall for cover.
In a tragic development, a 20-year-old Kuki woman, who was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped in 2023 amid ethnic conflict in Manipur state, passed away on January 10 from lingering wounds. Two years back, she was abducted and gang-raped by a crowd in Imphal. Reportedly, the victim filed her assault case in July 2023, yet no suspects were detained.

According to regional accounts, the victims relatives stated that she never truly healed from the psychological impact of the savage violence. She remained in profound shock that damaged her emotional and bodily well being. She took her final breath while receiving medical care at a Guwahati hospital.

As per a report by India Today, the survivor detailed the terrifying event and explained that she was kidnapped by a quartet of males who questioned her background and delivered her to a faction of armed men.

The incident took place on May 15, 2023. The deceased, a dweller of New Checkon Colony in Imphal, had gone out to access funds from an ATM when she was abducted. Based on her testimony, she was moved to various spots in Imphal, such as Wangkhei Ayangpali and Langol, where she endured sexual and extreme bodily assault.

The assailants abandoned her in Bishnupur, believing she had perished. The survivor was saved by an autorickshaw operator who took her to a clinic. Following preliminary care in Manipur, the patient was moved to Guwahati because of the severity of her trauma.

Based on the victim's account, an FIR was filed under Sections 354, 307, 364, 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), alongside clauses of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Yet, even after two years, no perpetrators have been caught.

The Churachandpur-linked Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) declared a candlelight memorial in the victim's honor.

16-year-old girl raped, murdered in Malappuram A 16-year-old girl, whose remains were found at Thodiyapalam adjacent to a railway line in Malappuram district, was the victim of sexual assault and murder, said the police.

Malappuram District Police Chief Viswanadh R informed the press that the minor, who disappeared from the Karuvarakundu locality on Thursday, was sexually assaulted and killed. Her body was discovered on Friday, as reported by news agency PTI.

He noted that the victims boyfriend, who was taken into custody regarding the matter and is categorized as a minor in conflict with the law, appeared before a magistrate overseeing Juvenile Justice Board proceedings and was transferred to a reformatory on Saturday. The district police head stated that early inquiries suggest the killing was carried out due to complications surrounding their romantic involvement.

We have to dig deep into the motive. As he is a child in conflict with the law, there are certain limitations, but a detailed probe into the motive will be conducted, he said.
Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday that following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is scheduled for an official state visit to India on 19 January 2026.

This trip marks the UAE presidents third formal visit to India since his inauguration and his fifth journey to the nation within the last ten years, according to the MEA's statement.

The upcoming visit follows the significant momentum established by recent high-level diplomatic interactions, such as the September 2024 arrival of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the April 2025 visit of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Crown Prince of Dubai.

Also Read | India simplifies export documentation for West Asia, North Africa markets

India and the UAE maintain cordial, intimate, and diverse relations supported by deep political, cultural, and financial connections.

The two nations rank among each other's primary trade and investment associates, a status strengthened by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) framework, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

Energy Alliance Furthermore, India and the UAE benefit from a solid energy alliance, which includes enduring energy procurement agreements.

This diplomatic mission will offer both leaders a chance to define new directions for the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also facilitate a dialogue on regional and international matters of shared concern, where both countries possess a significant level of policy alignment, the statement noted.

Diplomatic ties between India and the United Arab Emirates were initiated in 1972. While the UAE established its Embassy in India that same year, the Indian Embassy in the UAE commenced operations in 1973. Both nations maintain robust collaboration within the United Nations and participate in various multilateral groups including BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), and the UAE-France-India (UFI) Trilateral. Notably, the UAE served as a Guest Country during the G20 Summit hosted under India's leadership.

India-UAE Joint Military Exercise Recently, the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Drill took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Conducted between December 18 and 30, the bilateral military engagement reinforced the growing defense alliance between the two countries and highlighted their mutual dedication to regional tranquility, safety, and balance, according to an official statement.

Exercise Desert Cyclone-II ended with a concluding event at Al-Hamra Training City, representing the effective completion of rigorous combined training involving the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces. The drill featured a systematic blend of theoretical and practical instruction intended to improve interoperability, collective confidence, and tactical harmony in a metropolitan setting, prioritizing sub-conventional maneuvers under a United Nations directive.

Collaborative tasks spanned urban warfare basics, building identification and neutralization, IED recognition, medical extraction, emergency care, and comprehensive mission strategy. Personnel performed advancing physical exercises in constructed zones, involving indoor intervention and structural sweeps, helicopter-based missions, aerial strikes, and platoon-scale combined assault drills.
Brian Lindsay said he liked the staff at his credit union branch [BBC]

Supporters of credit unions have welcomed government plans to support their expansion, saying they offered a safe alternative to loan sharks.

Ministers have promised 30m to support member-owned credit unions, which offer savings accounts and loans, and are planning legal changes to make it easier for them to expand.

Brian Lindsay, from Redcar, who uses the Moneywise Credit Union branch in Stockton, praised its staff and said they treated him "like a person".

"In the bank you're just a number," he said.

Lee Williams, chief executive of Moneywise Credit Union, which has branches in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Byker in Newcastle, said its aim was to provide affordable products and a flexible approach.

But he acknowledged credit unions suffered from low levels of public awareness.

"We're not here to make loads of money," he said.

"We're here to try and help the community and help those people that can't get help elsewhere."

Williams said the work of credit unions was particularly important at a time when cost-of-living pressures were forcing vulnerable people into financial difficulties.

He said: "We have got a huge problem with loan sharks in the local area and we do a lot of work with the illegal money lending team.

"And some of the stories you hear from them are quite, quite horrendous."

He said credit unions were by contrast "very highly regulated" and offered "safety".

Christine Shearer said she had been a credit union member for decades [BBC]

Christine Shearer, 74, also a regular at the Stockton branch, said she had been a credit union member for decades, using it for savings and loans "for the larger things, like washing machines".

She said members were treated with "care and respect".

Recent Bank of England data suggests around two million people in the UK are members of a credit union.

Association of British Credit Unions head, Matt Bland, said Britain needed to catch up with higher rates of membership in other countries.

He said that the government's 30m investment would make it easier to increase the reach of the sector.

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Yuvraj Mehta, a 27-year-old software engineer, drowned after his car plunged into a water-filled ditch in Noida. Eyewitnesses accused rescue workers of inaction. The man's car fell into a ditch that was being prepared as a basement for an under-construction building in Noidas Sector 150 late Saturday night, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Family members and eyewitnesses claimed that rescue efforts were slow, despite several agencies being present on the spot. The victim, a software engineer working in Gurugram, was trapped inside his submerged car after it broke through a roadside drain's boundary wall around midnight, likely due to fog causing low visibility. The body was recovered two days later.

Water is too cold Moninder, an eyewitness and reportedly a delivery agent who entered the drain to assist the techie, criticised what he described as negligence on the authorities behalf".

Talking to News18, the delivery agent said, The police came here. They called the fire department, which got here within 15-20 minutes. The SDRF teams reached the site a bit late. However, despite having the required equipment and necessary safety materials, the mans car was floating on top of the water for about two hours. He kept pleading for help, which fell on deaf ears. There were over 100 men around, but no one stepped up to help him."

I noticed that the fire department was fully equipped with fire safety jackets and a crane. The man was alive when the fire department was here. They could have saved him 100% They were well-equipped", he said.

Also Read | Hindu man crushed to death in Bangladesh

He claimed that emergency responders at the scene refused to go into the water due to cold temperatures and possible hazards below the surface. The police were present at the spot, along with the SDRF (UP's State Disaster Response Force). Fire brigade personnel were also there. But no one helped him. They were saying, The water is too cold. We wont go inside. There are iron rods inside. We wont go', the HT report quoted Moninder.

By the time he arrived, Moninder said that Mehta might have already died. The boy had drowned about 10 minutes before I reached. I told them (rescuers) to come out and said I would go inside. They came out. I took off my clothes, tied a rope around my waist, and went at least 50 metres inside the water," he said.

Moninder further informed that he searched the flooded basement for about 30 minutes but was unable to locate either the car or the victim.

Even by 5:30 in the morning, neither the boy had been recovered nor the vehicle brought out. After that, I went back home, and I dont know anything further about what happened, he added.

Also Read | SC seeks Noida hospital report on passive euthanasia plea for 31-year-old

Papa, I am stuck, victim's call to father Raj Kumar Mehta, the victim's father, said his son was able to call him shortly after the accident.My son himself called me while he was trapped. He said, Papa, I am stuck, the car has fallen into the drain, he told HT.

The father arrived at the location but mentioned he couldn't help because the water was too deep. The police did reach there, but they were unable to do much because they did not have a swimmer with them. If there had been a swimmer, someone could have reached him, as the water was very deep, he was quoted as saying.

What did the police say? Police informed that Mehta resided in a high-rise in Sector 150 with his father and was driving a Grand Vitara when he lost control at a turn, the report said.

According to police, the car crashed into the boundary wall of a drain and plunged into the waterlogged basement of an under-construction site building.

The rescue operation took some time. We were at the spot till around 5am, Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar Chaubey told the news portal.
A routine text message about a traffic violation nearly turned into a costly mistake for a Mumbai-based comedian  until a last-minute Google search exposed a convincing online scam.

Shridhar V, a stand-up comic from Mumbai, took to X to warn users about a fraudulent e-challan link that closely mimicked the official portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. In screenshots shared online, Shridhar showed how a message claiming he had a pending speeding challan led him to a website that looked strikingly legitimate.

According to Shridhar, the SMS arrived from a regular 10-digit mobile number and included a link directing him to what appeared to be the governments Parivahan portal. However, a closer look revealed subtle red flags. The URL read echallan.pasvahan.icu instead of the authentic Parivahan domain, echallan.parivahan.gov.in. Even the spelling of Parivahan was altered  a small difference that could easily be missed by unsuspecting users.

Check out the post here:

The fake site prompted him to enter personal and card details to clear the alleged challan. I almost entered my card details before Googling the domain, Shridhar wrote, calling the scam shockingly sophisticated. He added that the scale of such frauds is likely massive, given how realistic the portals appear and how late enforcement action often follows.

His post struck a chord online, with many users admitting they had received similar messages. Some shared stories of narrowly avoiding financial loss, while others pointed out that government agencies typically use official sender IDs rather than ordinary phone numbers. A few users acknowledged that while the scam may seem obvious in hindsight, the design is convincing enough to fool even cautious internet users.

A user wrote, Indians are not innovators ,they are just good at fraud and scams.

Another user wrote, I get this every month, I simply write curse words and start a ddos on their api through claude.

Not sure why you would click that link which obviously is explicit that it is a scam. I receive this regularly and I ignore this. But I understand how some people might fall prey. Good to put this out, the third user wrote.

Cybercrime experts and authorities have repeatedly warned about a surge in e-challan-related scams across India. Fraudsters increasingly rely on cloned government websites and urgent-sounding messages to pressure recipients into making quick payments or sharing sensitive information.

Officials advise citizens to independently verify challan details only through official government portals ending in .gov.in, avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages, and never share banking or card details on unverified websites.
European Union member states are weighing a range of retaliatory options in response to US President Donald Trumps latest tariff threat, including imposing levies on up to 93 billion ($108 billion) worth of US goods, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

EU ambassadors met in Brussels on Sunday evening to coordinate a joint response after Trump announced plans to impose 10% tariffs on imports from eight European countries starting February 1, linking the move to their opposition to US control of Greenland.

According to the report, one option under consideration is activating the blocs anti-coercion instrument, a trade defense mechanism designed to counter economic pressure from foreign governments. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested on Sunday that the EU should consider using the tool.

Retaliatory tariffs back on the table The EU had approved retaliatory tariffs on 93 billion of US products last year, but suspended their implementation after Washington and Brussels reached a trade pact. European lawmakers said they may now delay ratifying that agreement in light of Trumps latest tariff threat, Bloomberg reported.

European allies push back The eight European countries targeted by the proposed US tariffs issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning the move, warning that it could undermine transatlantic relations and trigger a broader escalation.

The countries said Trumps threat risks a dangerous downward spiral - a potential turning point in tensions between Washington and some of its closest allies over issues of sovereignty, security, and trade.

Standing in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland The European and Nordic nations reaffirmed their support for Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, the statement said. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Trumps announcement on Saturday appeared aimed at using tariffs as leverage to force discussions over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he considers strategically critical to U.S. national security.

EU and NATO leaders warn against divisions EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that China and Russia could benefit from divisions between the U.S. and Europe. If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity, she said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed he had spoken with Trump and emphasized ongoing diplomacy. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week, Rutte said.

Also Read | Trump tariffs: Germany calls for united response from European nations to US

UK, Denmark, and EU leaders push back UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke with Trump, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating that Starmer told the president, Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong. The call followed consultations with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Thousands of angry Greenlanders gathered in protest against US President Donald Trump on Saturday, waving their national flag and chanting Greenland is not for sale in support of their own self-governance in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover.

View full Image A woman pulls her children on a sled during a protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( AP )

Just as over one-third of the country's population finished their march from the small downtown area of Greenland's capital city, Nuuk, to the US Consulate, Trump announced a 10% import tax on goods from eight European countries due to their opposition to US control of Greenland, starting in February.

View full Image A crowd walks to the US consulate to protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( AP )

Police officer Tom Olsen told Associated Press that Saturday's protest was the biggest he's ever seen there.I hope it can show him that we stand together in Europe, he said.

We are not going down without a fight.

View full Image This aerial view taken by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen and handed out by Arctic Creative shows people as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. US President Donald Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. (Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT: ARCTIC CREATIVE / Mads Schmidt Rasmussen - DISTRIBUTED TO CLIENTS AS A SERVICE ( AFP )

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was among what has been described as the island's biggest protest, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuk's population.

View full Image Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen waves a flag during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica ( REUTERS )

View full Image This aerial view taken by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen and handed out by Arctic Creative shows people as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. US President Donald Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. (Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT: ARCTIC CREATIVE / Mads Schmidt Rasmussen - DISTRIBUTED TO CLIENTS AS A SERVICE ( AFP )

Greenlanders of all ages were on the streets in Nuuk, listening to traditional songs as they walked to the consulate. A 47-year-old Greenlander, who was accompanied by her children, said it was important "to show them that theyre allowed to speak up.

We want to keep our own country and our own culture, and our family safe," she said.

View full Image A boy holds a crossed out map of Greenland topped by a hairpiece symbolizing U.S. President Donald Trump, during a protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( AP )

A 9-year-old daughter with Greenland is not for sale sign told AP that their teachers have addressed the controversy and taught them about NATO at school.

They tell us how to stand up if youre being bullied by another country or something, the child said.

Also Read | US Senator Bernie Sanders slams Trumps Greenland tariffs on NATO allies

View full Image People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. US President Donald Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. (Photo by Alessandro RAMPAZZO / AFP) ( AFP )

Trump has long said he thinks the US should own the strategically located and mineral-rich island, which is a self-governing territory of Greenland. Trump intensified his calls a day after the military operation to oust former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

View full Image Young people with placards reading 'Greenland is not for sale' take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, ( AFP )

Rallies and solidarity marches were held across the Danish realm, including in Copenhagen, as well as in the capital of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canada's far north

This is important for the whole world, Danish protester said. There are many small countries. None of them are for sale.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has doubled down on President Donald Trumps push to take control of Greenland, arguing that Europe lacks the strength to guarantee its own security and must rely on the United States.

Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Bessent dismissed European resistance to Trumps stance, saying Washington is prepared to use strategic leverage to achieve its goals.

Europeans project weakness, US projects strength Bessent made it clear that Trumps approach is not a negotiating bluff, suggesting the President remains firm on Greenlands strategic importance.

Europeans project weakness, US projects strength, Bessent told the news outlet. The president believes enhanced security is not possible without Greenland being part of the US.

He added that European leaders would ultimately accept Washingtons position.

The European leaders will come around and they will understand that they need to be under the US security umbrella, he said.

Tariff threat dismissed as leverage Bessent also brushed aside threats from the European Union to suspend a trade deal reached with the Trump administration last year, arguing that the agreement has not been finalised.

First of all, the trade deal hasnt been finalized, and an emergency action can be very different from another trade deal, Bessent said. Trump, he added, leverages his emergency powers to do this.

Trump on Saturday announced a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries starting February 1, rising to 25% in June, unless a deal is reached involving the purchase of Greenland.

Also Read | Trump tariffs on Greenland serves as ice-cold reminder to European nations
Major US cities, from Washington DC in the north right up into Maine in the west, are bracing for a heavy snowfall of up to 4 inches over this weekend.

The northeastern cities, which have been experiencing a serious snow deficit for years, are also likely to get light snow this weekend as the weather system moves towards the southeast.

According to the New York Post (NYP), citing FOX Forecast Center, these areas are likely to receive 2-4 inches of snow, with a possibility of higher amounts locally.

Major US cities, from Washington DC in the north right up into Maine in the west, are bracing for a heavy snowfall of up to 4 inches over this weekend.

The northeastern cities, which have been experiencing a serious snow deficit for years, are also likely to get light snow this weekend as the weather system moves towards the southeast.

According to the New York Post (NYP), citing FOX Forecast Center, these areas are likely to receive 2-4 inches of snow, with a possibility of higher amounts locally.

Most of the snowfall is expected in areas located west of Interstate 95 (I-95), a major American highway, which runs along the US East Coast through cities like Washington, New York and Boston.

As the day goes on, temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-to-upper 30s on the Fahrenheit scale  roughly 2C to 4C. At these temperatures, snow does not last long and often turns into rain.

Therefore, in coastal and eastern regions, snow is likely to change into rain, and if any snow falls, it is unlikely to settle or remain for long, especially later in the day.

Also Read | Snow in Hawaii! Maunakea and Mauna Loa covered in white due to Kona Low

By Sunday, the NYP report said, the low-pressure area, forecast to drop snow across Georgia and the Southeast into Sunday, will likely shift into the Northeast, bringing snow chances from the Mid-Atlantic into New England.

Major Northeast cities like Philadelphia, Boston and New York could receive a few inches of snow by Sunday afternoon.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the area of low pressure is moving closer to the East Coast than originally forecast, which could mean heavier snow in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania up through Maine.

However, the weather agency said, it is too soon to tell exactly how much snow is expected for these areas.

It also predicted that the system will move a bit slower than the forecast, resulting in snow to begin during the morning hours from Virginia up through the Tri-State area. From there, the snow will spread into Rhode Island and Massachusetts by the afternoon.

By Monday morning, the snow is expected to wrap up as the system moves off into the Canadian Maritimes, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Also Read | UK under amber warning as Storm Goretti brings strong winds and heavy snow

5-year-long snow deficit The snow offers a chance for some of the major cities of the region to climb more out of their 5-year-long snow deficit, the NYP report said.
US President Donald Trump days after citing a security threat as a reason to buy Greenland, has now raised concerns with aides about Canadas susceptibility to America's so-called rivals in the Arctic, such as Russia and China, NBC News reported, citing current and former US officials.

He further said that Canada needs to spend more on its defence. Trumps efforts have accelerated internal talks about a possible agreement with Canada this year to strengthen its northern border, the news portal noted.

Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this, one of the officials told the news portal.

They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities. This is not acceptable given todays threats, said one senior administration official.

While Canada has been increasing its defense spending, it still falls short of NATO targets, the officials said. Trumps advisers are exploring measures to strengthen US-Canada military cooperation, including joint patrols, exercises, and upgraded early warning systems in the Arctic.

At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic. Canada stands to benefit from the U.S. having Greenland, the official said.

Does Trump plan to buy Canada? The current US officials said there is not discussion of stationing American troops on the ground along Canadas northern border. And unlike with Greenland, Trump is not seeking to purchase Canada or saying he might take it by US military force, the senior administration official and current and former US officials said.

Broader Western Hemisphere strategy Trumps growing focus on Canada aligns with his broader push to expand US influence across the Western Hemisphere. Earlier this year, he deployed military forces to Venezuela, threatened Cuba, and warned Colombia and Mexico of possible intervention to curb drug trafficking.

Also Read | Trump tariffs on Greenland serves as ice-cold reminder to European nations

Diplomatic dynamics Canadas public stance remains firm: Greenlands fate is up to Greenland and Denmark. Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed support for Denmark as a NATO ally during a recent visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen economic ties.

Thats a good thing. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that, Trump told NBC, commenting on Carneys trade talks.

Despite past tensionsincluding trade disputes and Trumps prior threats to make Canada the 51st statethe current US-Canada talks remain focused on cooperation rather than confrontation, officials said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, 18 January, that any attack on the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would mean a declaration of war.

In a post on the social media platform X, Pezeshkian said, If the people of Iran face hardship and difficulties in their lives, one of the main reasons for it is the longstanding enmity and inhumane sanctions imposed by the United States government and its allies. Any aggression against the Supreme Leader of our country is tantamount to all-out war against the Iranian nation.

Iranian President's warning comes a day after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei held US President Trump responsible for causing casualties, damage, and slander on Iranians during the protests, and described him as a criminal as the death toll in the nation crossed 3000, Reuters reported, citing records as per a rights group.

Khamenei also warned that although his government does not intend to lead the nation toward war, it will not allow domestic or international criminals to go unpunished. He alleged that those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damage and killed several thousand during the protests.

Chaos in Iran Iran is witnessing significant anti-government protests calling for the removal of Ayatollah Khamenei's government, resulting in over 3,000 deaths. Some reports also noted a "very slight rise" in internet activity after an eight-day blackout.

"The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US President personally became involved," Iranian media quoted Khamenei as saying, reported Reuters.

US threatens action US warned to initiate military action if Iran used force against protesters. Trump announced that he cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials in response to the ongoing crackdown on protests in the country, claiming that help is on the way.

Previously, Khamenei sharply criticized Trump, telling him to manage his own country' as the President repeatedly threatened to hit very, very hard.'
A third voting bloc in the European Parliament reportedly said it will halt the ratification of the EU-US trade deal next week. The statement came as US President Donald Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff on eight European nations over the Greenland takeover.

According to The Guardian, the centre-right and largest group, the European Peoples Party (EPP), and the second-biggest bloc of MEPs in the Socialists & Democrats group said they will pull the plug on the parliamentary legal process on Wednesday.

Now, the liberal Renew group has said it will join them.

In a statement, Valerie Heyer, the French MEP and head of the group, said: The threats by President Donald Trump to impose increased customs duties on states refusing to agree with his plan to annex Greenland are unacceptable."

"These announcements follow many other aggressive actions towards the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal," Heyer was quoted as saying.

Heyer added, "...the EU should be prepared to deploy targeted and proportionate countermeasures. The activation of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument should be explicitly considered, as it was designed precisely for situations of economic intimidation of this nature."

Meanwhile, Manfred Weber, the head of the European Peoples Party (EPP), the largest voting bloc in the institute, said approval is not possible in light of the latest events.

The EPP is in favour of the EUUS trade deal, but given Donald Trumps threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on US products must be put on hold, Weber reportedly said.

The second biggest voting bloc, the Socialists and Democrats (S&Ds), supported the remarks. Together they represent 324 of the 720 seats in the parliament and are expected to be backed by the Greens and other groups.

Kathleen Van Brempt, vice president for trade for the S&Ds, was quoted by The Guardian as saying that there could be no trade deal under given circumstances.

Besides, German MEP Bernd Lange, who chairs the EUs influential trade parliamentary committee, said: In view of the threat of imposing an additional 10% tariff from 1 February, I cannot imagine that we will continue business as usual and I assume that we will suspend our continued work.

He continued: For me, there is no question that this is another new step with which the US side does not comply with the Scotland deal.

We have already discussed intensively in a parliament about our obligation under the deal and were skeptical as to whether we can make US products duty-free if there is no reliability at all on the other side of the Atlantic that the deal will be adhered to. We will discuss this question again with the political groups on Wednesday," he was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

EU-US trade deal The deal entered into force last year in the US with tariffs of 15% being imposed on imports from the EU. But much to the annoyance of Trump, it has yet to be ratified by the European Parliament, which was already seeking amendments.

According to Reuters, many lawmakers had earlier complained that the US trade deal is lopsided, with the EU required to cut most import duties while the US sticks to a broad rate of 15 percent.
The Nobel Foundation on Friday issued a statement reiterating that Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred or passed on, even symbolically, as it moved to safeguard the dignity and integrity of the awards and their administration.

Citing Alfred Nobels will In its statement, the Foundation said one of its core missions is to uphold Alfred Nobels will and the principles laid out in it.

The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobels will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind, and it specifies who has the right to award each respective prize, the statement said.

Prize remains with the laureate The Foundation stressed that while physical symbols such as medals exist, the prize itself cannot be transferred under any circumstances.

A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed, it said.

The clarification underscores that the honour and recognition of a Nobel Prize remain permanently attached to the original laureate, regardless of what happens to the medal or other associated items.

Nobel Committee clarifies stance The Nobel Peace Prize remains inseparably linked to the individual or organisation that wins it, even if the physical medal is given away, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Friday.

The clarification came a day after Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House.

I presented the President of the United States the medalthe Nobel Peace Prize, as a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom, Machado said.

Drawing a historical parallel, she added: Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal.

Trump calls it a wonderful gesture Trump acknowledged the gesture in a post on Truth Social, thanking Machado for what he described as mutual respect.

Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect, Trump wrote.

The White House also confirmed the exchange, sharing photographs of Trump holding a gold-coloured frame displaying the medal.

The committee does not comment on a laureates actions or statements after the prize has been announced.

Machados Nobel award also includes a diploma and 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1.19 million) in prize money.

Also Read | Trump tariffs: Germany calls for united response from European nations to US
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This weeks financial headlines were dominated by a relatively strong showing by the wirehouses and big investment banks, including in their wealth management divisions.

And while Bank of Americas Merrill Lynch acknowledged on its earnings call the large registered investment advisor breakaway from last year, OpenArc Corporate Advisory, executives emphasized that advisor attrition remained at historic lows.

In the meantime, UBSwhich will report earnings Feb. 4saw a $1.3 billion team called Harbor View Private Wealth opt for the RIA channel with the help of minority investor Elevation Point. Creative Planning announced its first international acquisition via a Swiss-based wealth manager, Beacon Pointe acquired a $2.7 billion firm from a Paris-based asset manager, and Angeles Wealth Management used an acquisition play to seed a family office division.

The independent broker/dealersincluding much-watched LPL Financial and its Commonwealth Financial Networkwill report earnings in the coming weeks. But for now, you can catch up on other relevant deals from the week below.

Wells Fargos FiNet Lands $1.3B Team from LPLs Commonwealth

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, the wirehouses independent broker/dealer arm, has lured a team from Commonwealth Financial Network overseeing $1.3 billion in assets.

KBK Wealth Management, which was part of LPL Financials Commonwealth, will be moving six financial advisors and an eight-person support team to FiNet, according to a Wells Fargo spokesperson.

KBK Wealth was founded by Alan Brachfeld and Richard Kass, who have been in the industry since the late 1980s, but joined Commonwealth about 19 years ago, according to BrokerCheck.

This affiliation enables us to preserve our independence while enhancing our platform, capabilities, and long-term stabilitypositioning our practice for the next phase of growth, Kass said in a statement.

The advisor team also includes Michael Kessler, Jeffrey Feinstein, Nancy Curtin and Jordan Cohen.

LPL Financial has been working to keep Commonwealth advisors on board after finalizing an acquisition for the broker/dealer in August.

According to recent analysis from Muriel Consulting, a St. Louis-based firm, and data provider AdvizorPro, Commonwealth advisor attrition from LPL peaked in September, with the number of defectors declining through December.

Credent Wealth Acquires RIA and Cambridge Breakaway

Credent Wealth Management, a fee-only $4.3 billion RIA headquartered in Auburn, Ind., has made its first acquisition since receiving external capital, bringing on an RIA and broker/dealer breakaway with combined assets of $250 million.
Two high-speed trains derailed on Sunday (January 18) near Adamuz, in southern Spain, leaving at least five people dead, Spanish state-run television RTVE reported, citing police sources. An unknown number of passengers were injured.

According to Adif, the state-run rail network operator, the accident occurred around 6:40 p.m. (1740 GMT), about ten minutes after the Iryo 6189 train departed Malaga en route to Madrid. The train derailed from its track and collided with an oncoming Madrid-to-Huelva train, which also left the tracks.

The Iryo 6189 Malaga - Madrid train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. The Madrid-to-Huelva train travelling on the adjacent track has also derailed, Adif reportedly said in a social media post.

Emergency response All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended. Andalusian emergency services reported that ambulances and emergency support vehicles were dispatched to the site. A spokesperson confirmed receiving multiple reports of injured and trapped passengers.

Iryo, the Italian-run private rail operator, has not yet commented on the incident.

Authorities continue rescue operations and are investigating the cause of the derailments.
Syrian forces on Sunday captured the al-Omar oil field, the country's largest, as fighting intensified between the military and the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Defence Forces (SDF).

With its latest push, Syria's military has seized large swaths of land in the country's north, dislodging the SDF from territories over which the Kurdish-led forces had autonomy for over a decade.

Here are the latest updates from Syria - The retreat of Kurdish forces from the al-Omar oil field was reported by Reuters on Sunday, while Al Jazeera reported that the SDF had also withdrawn from the al-Tanak oilfield in the eastern Deir Az Zor countryside.

- The Conoco gasfield, too, has been taken over by government forces in the Deir Az Zor area.

- Fighting, meanwhile, continues to rage across the country, with Syrian news agency SANA reporting the destruction of two bridges on the Euphrates River leading to the city of Raqqa, which is under siege by the military.

- Tabqah, a stronghold city some 55 kilometres west of Raqqa has also fallen to the Syrian military, with Information Minister Hamza Almustafa saying, "The Syrian army controls the strategic city of Tabqa in the Raqqa countryside, including the Euphrates Dam, which is the largest dam in Syria."

- With Raqqa under siege, Al Jazeera reported that the Syrian military's rapid advance has also resulted in the SDF losing key areas of the Raqqa governorate.

- The Syrian military is reportedly using a pincer strategy, moving east and south of SDF lines and trying to push the Kurdish-led forces further and further north towards the border with Turkey.

- With the Kurdish-led forces losing ground fast, the president of Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region has held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who, in turn, has called for de-escalation in Syria and a "permanent ceasefire".

What is going on in Syria? Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria's new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced his wish to integrate Kurdish bodies, both military and civilian, into Syrian institutions, and in March 2025, the SDF signed a deal with the government to that end.

However, despite the deal, the agreement has still not been enacted and both sides have been accusing each other of failing to meet promises.

Deadly clashes erupted in Syria last week between the SDF militia and government forces, with the US urging both sides to avoid a confrontation.

Subsequently, on Friday, al-Sharaa, issued a decree, marking the first formal recognition of Kurdish rights in Syria since the country's independence in 1946.

The decree made Kurdish a national language and granted nationality to all Kurds within Syria's borders, who constituted around 10% of the country's population as of 2011.

The decree, which was acknowledged by Kurdish authorities as a "first step" towards the integration of Kurds into Syrian institutions, prompted the SDF to announce withdrawal from certain parts in the country's north.
US President Donald Trump recently shot back at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the later labelled him criminal and blamed him for the murder of thousands of protestors in Tehran. Responding to Ayatollah Ali Khameneis recent remarks, he called the 86-year-old a "sick man" and a failed ruler.

Trump alleged that Iran's leadership relies on repression as he raised calls for new leadership in the Middle Eastern nation. Marking a sharp escalation in the war of words between the two nations, Trump in an interview with Politico said, Its time to look for new leadership in Iran, as he called for an end to Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 37-year reign.

Also Read | Why Trump threatened lawsuit against Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan over debanking

Asserting that leadership is about respect, not fear and death, Trump said, What he is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before, the news outlet report. He added, In order to keep the country functioning  even though that function is a very low level  the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control.

This follows Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's statement on Saturday where he blamed Trump for weeks of demonstrations that reportedly led to more than 3,000 deaths.

According to Iranian state media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, We consider the US president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.

Asserting that leadership is about respect, not fear and death, Trump said, What he is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before, the news outlet report. He added, In order to keep the country functioning  even though that function is a very low level  the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control.

This follows Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's statement on Saturday where he blamed Trump for weeks of demonstrations that reportedly led to more than 3,000 deaths.

According to Iranian state media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, We consider the US president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.

Iran's domestic situation destabilised after the agitators took to the streets on December 28 to protest over the economic hardship. As Khamenei blamed the US President of inciting deadly protests, he said, "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished," state media reported. Khamenei said that internal criminals are worse than the international criminals as he warned of strict action.

Trump repeatedly threatened military intervention and warned against "very strong action" if Iran executed protesters. On 13 January, Trump said that help is on its way" as he called on Iranians to keep protesting and take over institutions."

However, his statement abruptly changed course on Friday as Iran's unrest stabilised. Trump expressed gratitude to Iran's leaders for calling off mass hangings, but Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led government dismissed such claims and said that there was "no plan to hang people," Reuters reported.

Over size of a possible US military operation in Iran, Trump on Saturday said, The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago." The nationwide protests that rocked Iran over the last three weeks were the nation's worst unrest in years.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held Iran's longtime enemies the US and Israel responsible of organising the fatal violence and said, Those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damage and killed several thousand. He emphasised that agents of the US and Israel operating inside Iran, who started fires, destroyed public property and incited chaos, committed crimes and a grave slander.
On the recent additional tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration on several European nations over the issue of Greenland, German finance minister Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday European partners must give a clear and united response to the United States.

Germany will always extend a hand to the US to find common solutions but can not be blackmailed, Klingbeil said in a statement.

This is a point we can't go along with, we won't be blackmailed, said Klingbeil. We will always extend our hand to US, want common solutions.

EUs Anti-Coercion Instrument The European Union (EU) encountered demands on Sunday to deploy an unprecedented set of economic defenses called the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" as part of the coalition's reaction to President Trumps tariff warnings against European allies.

On Saturday, Trump pledged to execute a series of escalating duties on EU members Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland, alongside Britain and Norway, until the United States is permitted to purchase Greenland, intensifying a conflict over the destiny of Denmark's massive Arctic territory.

Every nation involved, already facing tariffs of 10% and 15%, has deployed limited military contingents to Greenland. Cyprus, currently holding the rotating six-month EU leadership, called ambassadors to an urgent assembly in Brussels on Sunday, which was expected to begin at 5 p.m. (1600 GMT).

Trumps declaration occurred Saturday while thousands of Greenlandic citizens were finishing a demonstration outside the US Consulate in the capital city, Nuuk.

The Republican leader seemed to suggest that he was utilizing the tariffs as pressure to mandate negotiations with Denmark and other European states concerning the status of Greenland, a self-governing region of NATO partner Denmark that he considers vital to US strategic security.

European Union foreign policy head Kaja Kallas remarked that China and Russia would gain from the fractures emerging between the U.S. and Europe.

She added in a post on social media: If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity."

US Sen. Mark Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot and Democrat who represents Arizona, posted that Trumps threatened tariffs on US allies would make Americans pay more to try to get territory we dont need.
Donald Trump's decision to suddenly announce a wave of increasing tariffs on America's European allies over the Greenland issue sparked widespread condemnation from leaders of the bloc, with most calling the action unacceptable and vowing to stand behind the Arctic island amid the US President's ambitions to annex it.

Trump on Saturday announced 10% additional tariffs on eight European powers  Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain  which are already facing tariffs from the US.

Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America (sic), the US President's announcement, made on Truth Social, said.

Trump also threatened to increase tariffs if Greenland did not come under US control: On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland (sic), the US President warned.

We will not let ourselves be blackmailed Shortly after Trump's announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron labelled the US President's move as an unacceptable one, saying, Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also decried the move and vowed solidarity with Greenland amid mounting pressure from Trump.The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US, she said.

"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty, von der Leyen added.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, meanwhile, issued a strongly worded statement warning the US against blackmailing its allies.

We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out. Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response, Kristersson wrote in a post on X.

While Danish Prime Minister had not given a statement at the time of writing this, the country's foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said he was "surprised" by the Trump administration's move and suggested that the purpose of the recent European mission to Greenland was to "enhance security in the Arctic" as suggested by the White House.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also jumped to the defence of European allies, saying that London would raise the issue directly with Washington.

We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic, Starmer said on X.

Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration, he added.

Trump faces pushback at home As Trump's announcement grabbed headlines around the world, the US President expectedly faced harsh criticism from his political opponents in the US.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time critic of Trump, called on Congress to limit the US President's powers.

Trump is raising tariffs on 8 NATO allies because they rightly support Denmark's sovereignty in Greenland. Destroying our closest alliances to take Greenland  which Denmark lets us use freely already  is insane. Congress must say NO, Sanders said.

Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in. And now Trump is setting tariffs on our allies, making you pay more to try to get territory we dont need. The damage this President is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesnt change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction. Republicans in Congress need to stand up to Trump, added Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.

But it wasn't just Democrats who spoke out against the US President, and some Republican lawmakers also called on GOP members to stand up against Trump.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis, one of just two Republicans, along with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who participated in a recent congressional delegation to Denmark called Trump's decision detrimental for America.

This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America's allies. It's great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see NATO divided, Tillis wrote.

"The fact that a small handful of "advisors" are actively pushing for coercive action to seize territory of an ally is beyond stupid. It hurts the legacy of President Trump and undercuts all the work he has done to strengthen the NATO alliance over the years," the Senator added.

Murkowski echoed Tillis' view, calling Trump's latest tariffs unnecessary, punitive, and a profound mistake.

We are already seeing the consequences of these measures in real time: our NATO allies are being forced to divert attention and resources to Greenland, a dynamic that plays directly into Putins hands by threatening the stability of the strongest coalition of democracies the world has ever seen, Murkowski wrote.
US military forces on Friday killed an al Qaeda affiliate leader, identified as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, linked to an Islamic State attack on Americans in Syria last month, the US Central Command said in a statement on Saturday.

The Central Command said Bilal Hasan al-Jasim had "direct ties" to an ISIS gunman who killed and injured UD and Syrian personnel on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria.

The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces, said Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, in a statement.

There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you," he added.

Since the December 13 attack, US forces have been conducting strikes in Syria, with the US military saying it has hit more than 100 ISIS targets.

CENTCOM said it had launched large-scale strikes in Syria in response to the December 13 attack. The operation, dubbed Hawkeye Strike, had resulted in US and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

"Additionally, US and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 across Syria during the past year, removing terrorists who posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security," CENTCOM said.

"We will never forget, and never relent," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an X post that included Centcom's statement.
Mumbai: Faridabad-based Medsource Ozone Biomedicals, an in-vitro diagnostics instruments and reagents manufacturer, has hired the Big 4 audit firm Ernst & Young as an advisor to explore capital-raising options to fund its expansion, said two people familiar with the matter.

The company may look to raise about 300-400 crore, and the promoters may liquidate some stake for the incoming investor," one of the people cited above said. The company plans to reach the 500 crore revenue mark over the next 3-4 years, this person said.

While the exact deal structures are yet to be decided, this is part of the companys larger plans to operate as a professionally run institution," the second person said. Both people spoke on the condition of anonymity as details are private.

Medsource did not respond to Mints emailed queries, while Ernst & Young (EY) declined to comment.

Second external funding round

If successful, this will be the companys second external funding round in more than four years. Medsource last raised about 35 crore from private equity firm Xponentia Capital Partners in 2021 to launch products and expand its distribution in India and overseas. The company also outlined plans to consider acquisitions and partnerships in adjacent product segments at the time.

Medsources expansion plan reflects the potential of Indias growing med-tech market, which EY estimates to more than double from $12 billion in FY24 to $50 billion by 2030, with Indias share in the global market projected to surge from 1.65% to 10%-12% within 25 years.

The Indian medical device industry comprises five key segments: electronic equipment (56% share), disposables & consumables (26.5%), in-vitro diagnostics (8.1%), implants (7.1%), and surgical instruments (2.3%), according to EYs 2024 report.

Also Read | How and why is the government promoting homestays in India?

Much of the growth is expected to be driven by rising income levels, expanding healthcare coverage and growing medical tourism, creating new pockets of demand for affordable and innovative medical devices. Infrastructure development in tier 2 and 3 cities, coupled with differential pricing models, is also expected to unlock future growth for this sector, EY said.

Founded in 2003, Medsource Ozone Biomedicals claims to be one of the largest Indian manufacturers of IVD products, supplying to labs across India and more than 35 countries. Its key products include testing instruments, rapid test kits, and reagents. The firm was also one of the few suppliers of Covid RT-PCR test kits to Indian laboratories.

Its competitors are Tulip Diagnostics, Agappe Diagnostics, and Avecon Healthcare, while peers in Indias overall diagnostic kits supplier include Transasia Bio-Medicals, Trivitron Healthcare and Accurex Biomedical. Other multinationals present in India include Abbott Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers India and Meril Diagnostics.

Also Read | Fashion tech firms struggle for a funding fit despite AI makeover

The company, which reported a revenue of 173 crore in FY24, added a new manufacturing unit in Faridabad to further enhance its research, development, and production capabilities.
At issue are Californias unusual primary election rules. In June, all gubernatorial candidates will appear on the same ballot, regardless of party, and the two candidates who get the highest percentages of the vote will advance to a runoff election in November.

Right now, there are so many Democrats runningmost of them with names voters dont recognizethat theyre splitting the states electorate. And that has given an unexpected boost to the two Republicans in the race.

A poll conducted by Emerson College in early December found that more than 30% of voters remain undecided. Among Democrats, US Representative Eric Swalwell, who recently entered the race, had support from 12% of voters, followed by former US Representative Katie Porter at 11%.

Also runningand polling in lower single digitsare California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former state Controller Betty Yee and former state legislative leader Ian Calderon. More Democrats are considering entering the race too, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

Among Republicans, Steve Hilton, a Fox News contributor and former adviser to British conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, was polling at 12% last month, according to Emerson. Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County in Southern California, was in the lead at 13%.

Also Read | Powell versus Trumpand why central bank autonomy must not be trifled with

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Also Read | Trump administration enacts security rules for Nvidias China chip sales

Trump is so unpopular in California that his approval rating is just 29% among likely voters, according to the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California. Nevertheless Bianco, in particular, has been unabashed about his support for MAGA and the American president, seemingly not worried about turning off the majority of voters in the state who dont agree. Hilton is more reserved, but still backs policies that are well to the right of most voters in California.

If the Democratic Party doesnt do more to consolidate the race for governorif not by recruiting more high-profile candidates, then by getting lower-profile candidates to drop outit may face an unthinkable fate in November. Bloomberg

The author is a politics and policy columnist for Bloomberg Opinion.
India is in the midst of a heated debate over quick commerce. Substantively, this is about what the quick-delivery model supposedly represents: the exploitation of gig workers, unsafe streets and a reckless disregard for human dignity in the pursuit of convenience.

Recently, Indias labour ministry stepped in, urging quick-commerce firms to tone down their 10-minute delivery pitch. Opposition parties and unions, sensing fertile political ground, have denounced the model itself.

What was once a niche discussion among venture capitalists and urban consumers has entered mainstream political discourse. This, in itself, is welcome. But the debate, as it stands, suffers from a fundamental confusion. It collapses the distinction between what markets are responsible for and what the state is obliged to do.

The great conflation: One part of the criticism relates to road safety. The argument goes something like this: faster deliveries mean more rushed riders, which means more accidents, which means quick commerce is unsafe and should be restrained.

This logic is fragile. India has had one of the worst road-safety records in the world for decades. India accounted for 1% of the worlds vehicles in 2021, but 11% of its road accidents. This is not because groceries arrive quickly in Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi. It is because of a lethal combination of poorly designed roads, corruption in transport departments, weak driver education, abysmal signage, potholes that appear overnight and traffic enforcement that is either absent or selectively present.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also acknowledged the role of a combination of these factors as the main reason for road accidents in India.

If the mere association with a hurried pace is enough to indict a business model, India should be rethinking fast retail payments enabled by the much revered Unified Payments Interfacebecause of the transaction scams that such speed enables. Movement from point A to point B, efficiently and at scale, whether on physical or digital roads, is not a market failure. It is the definition of economic activity. Speed is not the enemy, lack of commensurate safeguards are.

Even under a minimal Hobbesian conception of the state, focused on preventing physical harm and disorder, ensuring safety in shared public spaces such as roads plausibly falls within its core functions. Outsourcing this function to private platforms because they are visible, successful and politically convenient is intellectual laziness.

Conversely, if this line of reasoning holds, why stop at road safety? Consider environmental regulation. India has an extended producer responsibility regime that makes manufacturers accountable for plastic waste. Fair enough.

But waste segregation and collectionthe boring, unglamorous basicsare still absent in most urban neighbourhoods, the national capital included. Should FMCG companies be blamed for the states inability to provide municipal services? This pattern repeats endlessly. When enforcement fails, its tempting to preach to markets rather than fix institutions.

Businesses cannot be the state: This confusion extends to the proliferation of gig-worker cesses being introduced by various states, ostensibly for funding worker welfare. The idea sounds noble. But its instructive to look at how District Mineral Funds or Construction Workers Welfare Funds have been used.

Most well-intentioned funds are plagued by weak accountability and opaque deployment. Adding new levies while increasing friction for businesses is not reform. India already asks businesses to navigate bureaucratic inertia, slow dispute resolution and regulatory uncertainty.

Similarly, consider the case of lack of enforcement of minimum wages in traditional areas. Sectors like agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, which employ far more Indians than gig platforms ever will, are rife with violations. Yet, there is no minimum wage movement in these spaces because compliance can be gamed. Gig platforms, which are legally not equivalent to employers, are easier to beat with the proverbial stick.

Evidence counts: Political interventions must at least pass a basic evidentiary smell test. Recent union calls for gig workers to boycott deliveries on New Years eve had negligible impact. Delivery records were broken that very day across platforms.

This should prompt an uncomfortable question: Are these unions truly representative of young Indians trying to make ends meet in a country where 800 million rely on food subsidies yet aspire upward mobility in a brutally competitive smartphone-driven economy? Symbolic gestures may generate headlines, but they are no substitute for understanding how people survive.

Also Read | Manu Joseph: Why South Bombay is the only Indian city where life has improved

At the end of the day, markets must be legally compliant. Businesses cannot be allowed to take consumers, vendors, employees or partners for granted, and if this means stricter standards for grievance redressal, so be it. But the state must do its job: enforce traffic laws, design safe roads, uphold labour standards and administer welfare funds transparently.

What we cannot do is take the easiest route: grabbing the fastest-growing and most visible businesses by the collar and asking them to fill in for institutional failure. If we continue down this path, we will eventually hollow out both the state and the market. And then, we really will have no one left to blame.

Disclosure: The authors advise ecommerce, payments and other digital businesses.

The authors are public policy experts at Koan Advisory, New Delhi.
The dispute between the United States and Europe over the future of Greenland isnt the first time the allies have been at loggerheads.

Deep disagreements have flared up from time to time since World War II, bringing trans-Atlantic diplomatic crises.

Heres a look at some of them.

When France, the United Kingdom and Israel invaded Egypt in 1956, aiming to topple Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and take back control of the Suez Canal, the U.S. employed heavy diplomatic and economic pressure to stop it.

The U.S. intervention severely strained Washingtons relations with London and Paris, which were key allies during the Cold War, and was a milestone in Europes waning postwar influence.

While European countries except France gave diplomatic backing to the U.S., they refused to provide troops.

Street protests in Europe against the war had a significant political cost for the continents governments, which had to reconcile their support for the U.S. with an erosion of their domestic popularity, and were a burden on trans-Atlantic relations.

Russias deployment of its new SS-20 missiles that could quickly hit targets in Western Europe compelled NATO to install U.S. Pershing nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in Europe in order to maintain the balance of the nuclear arms threat.

The move ignited an uproar on the continent, where fears of a new arms race deepened. Huge anti-nuclear peace demonstrations, with protesters often aiming their ire at Washington, filled the streets of European capitals in the 1980s.

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked a major crisis in relations with Europe, especially France and Germany after they refused to support the attack on President Saddam Husseins government.

Washington officials rebuked Paris and Berlin, with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld referring to them as Old Europe and praising Eastern European countries as New Europe.

As part of its war on terror, the United States captured and sometimes kidnapped suspects, and then transferred them to locations in countries where they were interrogated and often tortured outside the reach of U.S. law.

While some European governments were complicit in the program, a public outcry forced political leaders to denounce the practice.

When U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, he upended three years of American policy toward Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump spoke warmly of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was cold toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then significantly reduced U.S. military aid for Kyiv.

Alarmed European leaders, who see their own security at stake in Ukraine, have pressed Trump to be on Ukraines side.

The Trump administration set out a new national security strategy last December that portrayed European allies as weak.

It was scathing of their migration and free speech policies, suggested they face the prospect of civilizational erasure and cast doubt on their long-term reliability as American partners.

With relations between the U.S. and Europe deteriorating, Trump threatened the continent last July with heavy trade tariffs in what was seen as a deeply hostile move.

Trump initially announced tariffs of 30% on the 27-nation European Union, which is the biggest trading partner of the United States. Both sides later agreed to a trade framework setting a 15% tariff on most goods.
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The Justice Department is hoping to claw back funds raised through an alleged cryptocurrency investment fraud in which the schemer impersonated a financial advisor and lured his victim through a dating app.

The Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office filed the civil forfeiture action this week to recover 200,000.039646 USDT (Tether), valued at about $200,000.

According to the DOJ and court documents, the fraud was a pig butchering scheme, defined as scammers building trust with victims through online communications before luring them to invest in a nefarious cryptocurrency scheme. Often, victims will make multiple investments before realizing theyre being scammed.

According to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Hannah Wong supporting the forfeiture request, in January 2025, the unnamed victim met a man on the dating app Tinder going by the name Nino Martin.

After matching on Tinder, Martin asked to move the conversation to WhatsApp and told the victim he was a financial advisor who could help them make money via crypto investments.

Martin instructed the victim to transfer funds to their Coinbase account and then to a separate platform called onechainnm.com, but the victim accidentally revealed to Martin that their bank account had a balance of about $500,000.

According to the affidavit, the victim transferred about $384,413 over several weeks to unhosted wallets they believed were on the platform Martin specified. They never met in person, with Martin giving numerous excuses, including that he had to fly to Florida to give a presentation.

In early March 2025, the investment platform changed its name to onechainiy.com, and around this time, the victim was restricted from their Coinbase accounts due to sending suspicious transfers.

Unknown individuals who claimed to be customer service from the investment platform allegedly then gave the victim a way to work around Coinbase and keep investing by wiring money from their bank account to account numbers they provided.

According to customer service, the victim could then keep investing, and they sent about $112,253 in additional funds over several days near the end of March. In April, the purported customer service agents claimed the victim owed an IRS tax of about $200,000, and the victim became suspicious and stopped sending money.

In total, the victim estimated theyd transferred about $504,353 to the so-called platforms, representing most of their savings. Wong speculated that the fraudsters spoofed the name of the crypto buzzword Onchain, which describes verified transactions on a blockchain. The crypto account allegedly connected to the scheme was seized last June.

Through the civil forfeiture action, the DOJ can attempt to seize the property or earnings if its suspected of being connected to criminal activity, even if the owner is never charged with a crime. The propertys owner can assert claims to it, which must be resolved before the U.S. can reclaim it and potentially return the funds to victims.
Will the new Mumbai mayor be from the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party in the recently concluded Maharashtra civic polls? or Shinde's Shiv Sena, which fell behind its rival Shiv Sena-UBT in the elections, get a chance to appoint a mayor from its party?

Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that the new mayor of Mumbai will be from the Mahayuti. "God above has decided that there will be a Mahayuti Mayor," the CM was quoted by PTI as saying.

BMC: How numbers stack up in 227 civic body? A political party or an alliance needs to win 114 of the total 227 wards in the BMC. This is the halfway mark; the entity needs to win to appoint a mayor in the city.

So, after winning the high-stakes BMC polls, a question arises: Can the BJP choose its mayor without the Shiv Sena's support, or what happens if Shiv Sena or the BJP join hands with other parties? The answer lies in the numbers. Here's how numbers stack up for each party in the BMC  India's richest civic body.

Mahayuti BJP: 89

Shinde's Shiv Sena: 29

They together have 118 corporators in the BMC  comfortably crossing the halfway mark.

The BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party in the VMC elections, needs the support of 25 more corporators to appoint a Mumbai mayor. So, the BJP may be put in a tough spot in case Shinde party corporators rebel and refuse to support the BJP.

Thackerays Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT): 65

Raj Thackeray's MNS: 6 seats

If Uddhav Thackeray joins hands with the BJP (they together have 154 seats, way above half-way mark), then also a mayor could be appointed.

Pawars, Congress and others Ajit Pawar's NCP: 3

Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP): 1

Congress: 24 seats

AIMIM: 8 seats

Samajwadi Party (SP): 2

What if all the Opposition parties join hands? This means  what if the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, NCP (SP), Congress, AIMIM and SP join hands to appoint a mayor? (Ajit Pawar's NCP, a part of Mahayuti, had decided to contest Maharashtra civic polls separately.)

In this case, the total corporators will add up to 109, and the alliance would still need the support of five more corporators to have a new Mumbai mayor. This means, even the Opposition could not do without the BJP or Shinde's Shiv Sena.

So will Shiv Sena and BJP consensually appoint a new mayor? Or will the Opposition act up, or will the Sena revolt?
With polls approaching in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for multiple infrastructure projects worth 830 crore in Singur.

Modi's visit to Singur comes after the Prime Minister on Saturday visited Malda, where he lashed out at the TMC government for its politics of hatred and pitched Bengal as being central to India's plans of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

Announcing his schedule for the visit to Bengal's Singur, PM Modi wrote on X, Our Government is committed to adding momentum to West Bengal's growth journey. In Singur today, important development works will be launched or their foundation stones laid.

"The works include: Laying the Foundation Stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal and Road Overbridge. Launching of the Electric Catamaran at Kolkata. Inauguration of the new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur. Flagging off of trains, including Amrit Bharat trains," the Prime Minister said.

Modi will kick off the inauguration spree at around 3 pm on Sunday, as per the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The significance of Singur in Bengal's politics The Prime Minister's visit to TMC-ruled Bengal comes not just ahead of the polls, but targets sore points in the state's political history, with the launching of infrastructure projects in Singur carrying significant political weight.

Shortly after coming to power with a thumping majority in 2006, the incumbent CPI(M) government in Bengal had announced a Tata Motors plant for the production of the Nano model, backing up its poll promise of industrializing the state and creating employment.

Although the project, which would require around 1,000 acres of land, sparked protests from locals in Singur, the government went ahead with land acquisition for the plant, and construction began on Tata factory.

However, in 2007, Mamata Banerjee reignited protests in Singur, becoming the face of the anti-land acquisition movement against the Left government.

Prevented from entering the area by government forces, Mamata began a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata, drawing support from various sections of society, including activists and intellectuals.

Despite the hunger strike, in 2008, the Calcutta High Court upheld the land acquisition for the Tata plant in Singur as legal.

In response, Mamata intensified her anti-land acquisition agitation, and expanded it to Nandigram over a proposed chemicals industry plant.

With Mamata's agitation gaining steam, then Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi attempted to mediate between the Left government and the protesting Mamata, but failed, eventually leading to the withdrawal of Tata from Singur.

The Nano plant, incidentally, was then set up in Sanand Gujarat, where the Narendra Modi-led government was in power.

Since then, the Singur case has reared its head time and again as a poll issue in Bengalwhile it continues to remain a symbol of Mamata's rise to political power, it has also been used by her opponents to highlight the TMC government's failure to industrialize Bengal.

With polls coming up, the BJP has already attacked the Mamata government, describing her economic policies as the root cause of Bengal being an "industrial graveyard".

In fact, just ahead of Modi's visit to Bengal, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya highlighted the sorry state of affairs in the eastern state, citing data from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry to emphasize how Bengal had fallen behind the likes of highly industrialized states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat.

"What is the more dangerous truth is the implementation of investment proposals. In Gujarat, 921 proposals were implemented worth 3.24 lakh crore. Maharashtra implemented 850 proposals worth 1.99 lakh crore. And West Bengal? Only 116 proposals were implemented worth only 15,184 crore," Bhattacharya wrote in a post in Bengali on X.
With an increase in the number of people being mindful of the direct effect on their health as a result of the quality of food they eat, coupled with the enormous push back against ingredients like palm oil, as well as talk of the Mercosur Deal inviting hormone-laden beef into the Irish market, its no surprise to learn that farmer's markets are now growing in popularity.

This popularity is expected to surge in the near future. In the latest issue of the Longford Leader, we chat with the stall holders of the farmers market in Longford Town, which runs every Friday morning in Market Square.

Fishmonger Michael Menton of Atlantis Fresh Fish:

Here, Ill tell you a good one! laughs fishmonger Michael Menton of Atlantis Fresh Fish. When Bertie Ahern was going around canvassing there years back, some reporter had this bright idea of getting him to hold up a salmon."

Next thing he asked me if Bertie could stand in the (fishmonger) trailer. I said yes, so Bertie stood in the trailer, his sharp suit on him, held up the salmon for the camera, and next thing all this ice fell out of the belly of the salmon and down his suit. It was all over the daily papers. Id say Bertie very nearly killed the poor reporter afterwards.

Michael is such a fan of fresh produce from farmers markets, he makes a point of buying food from them even when on holiday.

When youre used to eating the fish off the boats and it's fresh, you can't go back to eating the other stuff, he explains. Oh, I couldn't look at a burger! he adds with a laugh.

Read More: Talented Longford chef praises family for instilling love of authentic Italian cooking

When I went to Portugal for a holiday, I got to know the fishermen over there so I can go down to the boats myself, buy the fish whole and fillet it. I love fish. I won't eat it in a restaurant though because it's not fresh."

You could be sitting in a restaurant in a seaside village, looking out at the boats coming in, and thinking the fish came in from one of them."

I guarantee you the fish in that restaurant has come from some other parts of the world. Very few places would have it (fresh local fish)."

A lot of places have central billing, so they deal with one big company and all the restaurants are supplied by that. There isnt a lad coming in every day of the week with fresh fish.

Michael adds, At the moment, farmers markets in Ireland are not as popular as they are in other countries. If you go out to France or Portugal, the markets there are packed."

There's a farmers market in the Algarve, Portugal, and all the vegetables there are fresh and grown on local farms. There could be 40 vegetable trailers there and they have every kind of vegetable as well as things like nuts."

I love almond nuts for instance, and the last time I was over there, I brought home a big bag of them. The taste is completely different when you buy the real deal and not the commercially produced version."

The vegetables, everything they have in that farmers market is straight out of the farms over there. The market only happens once a week, but the stuff is gorgeous.

If you taste food like scallions, potatoes, and lettuce fresh from the farm, they taste gorgeous compared to what you buy in the shops."

"I had a bit of fresh fish and colcannon recently. It was just mashed potatoes, pepper, salt, butter and then your scallions but it was so beautiful!

The farmer's market is located in Longford Town's Market Square and runs every Friday from 9am until 2pm.

For anyone who wants to get involved in trading at the Longford Farmer's Market:

New traders are always welcome to apply for a stall, so if youre considering joining the farmer's market, here Shirley O'Halleran explains whats involved:

Were getting busier so we would absolutely welcome new traders. We have an application form process."

"It's also a stipulation with our licence that it's food traders only and as we want to keep each stall different, new stalls would have to have something different to whats already here."

"If anyone wants to speak with us, we're here at the market every Friday morning, from 9am until 2pm, and are happy to help in whatever way we can.

Read Next: Talented Longford chef praises family for instilling love of authentic Italian cooking

Read Next: Stepping back in time: Inside Longford's Connolly Barracks ahead of it's 7m facelift
A young man has died and three others have been injured following an early-morning road crash in Galway.

Gardai are now appealing for witnesses to this fatal road traffic collision, which occurred on the N65 at Loughrea in Co Galway.

The incident took place on Sunday, January 18 at approximately 2:20am.

Gardai and emergency services responded to this single vehicle collision on the N65 at Moyleen.

READ MORE: Nobody wearing seat belts in 'death trap' van, Tullamore Circuit Court hears

From there, an adult male passenger, who was in his late teens, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has now been removed to the mortuary at Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe.

The Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

The driver and two other passengers were brought by ambulance to University Hospital Galway with non-life-threatening injuries. The road is currently closed for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

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 N65 Loughrea to Ballinasloe road at Moyleen between 2:00am and 2:30am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Loughrea Garda Station on 091 842870, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The Kataib Hezbollah logo.

On January 16, against the backdrop of a possible American military operation against Iran, Kataib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) threatened that the group was ready to strike US bases in Iraq and the region if Washington launched a war against the Islamic Republic. The Shiite militia is part of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a group of militias, many backed by Iran, that comprise an official Iraqi security institution.

At a rally outside the Iranian embassy in Baghdad attended by various Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias, Kataib Hezbollah official Abu Talib al Saidi declared his groups readiness to carry out attacks on US military bases. Saidi warned that Kataib Hezbollah, which the US has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity, has its hands on its weapons, and American bases in the region would not be immune from our missiles and drones.

Unlike the groups posture during the June 2025 Israeli and American strikes on Irans military and nuclear infrastructure, Saidi said that Kataib Hezbollah would not stay neutral.

During the 12-day war launched by the United States against Iran, there were instructions and orders from the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, that we should not intervene in this war. But the situation now is completely different, Saidi stated.

Kataib Hezbollah, among other Iran-backed proxy groups, has reportedly traveled to Iran to assist the Islamic Republic in suppressing protests against the government that broke out on December 28, 2025. Since the Tehran regime began to crack down on demonstrations, the US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated that over 3,000 people have been killed. Other reports have claimed the number exceeds 12,000 deaths or more.

US President Donald Trump first threatened to intervene militarily against Iran on January 2, warning that if the regime continued killing peaceful protesters, the United States would step in to defend them. Since that initial warning, rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran has steadily escalated, fueling fears of a broader confrontation. Speculation over an imminent US strike peaked on January 14, when Iran temporarily closed its airspace for several hours, a move widely interpreted as a precaution against possible military action.

To avert a potential Iranian retaliation in response to US strikes, Israel and Arab countries asked the Trump administration to hold off on carrying out strikes, according to The New York Times.

Despite the reported Israeli request to the US administration, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on January 16 that it was monitoring the situation in the region and was prepared for a wide range of scenarios across all fronts. Separately, the Pentagon ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group to move from the South China Sea toward the Middle East, signaling that a potential conflict with Iran is still possible.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But in any portfolio, there will be mixed results between individual stocks. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in DP Poland Plc (LON:DPP), since the last five years saw the share price fall 28%. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 24% in the last year.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early.

Given that DP Poland only made minimal earnings in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue to gauge its business development. Generally speaking, we'd consider a stock like this alongside loss-making companies, simply because the quantum of the profit is so low. For shareholders to have confidence a company will grow profits significantly, it must grow revenue.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

AIM:DPP Earnings and Revenue Growth January 18th 2026

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. You can see what analysts are predicting for DP Poland in this interactive graph of future profit estimates.

A Different Perspective

Investors in DP Poland had a tough year, with a total loss of 24%, against a market gain of about 26%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 5% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Even so, be aware that DP Poland is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , you should know about...
Billy Sweezeys call-up didnt last long.

The Bruins activated veteran defenseman Hampus Lindholm on Saturday evening before their 8 p.m. game with the Blackhawks in Chicago.

Lindholm, 31, has been out since Jan. 3, but hes begun skating recently so a return seemed imminent.

The Swedish defenseman had three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 34 games this season.

Sweezey was called up on an emergency basis on Saturday, but never saw any game action with the varsity. The Hansen native will head back to Providence.
Despite federal pressures making it more challenging for international students to come to the United States, the effects on incoming classes at Massachusetts colleges and universities arent as substantial.

In some cases, such as at Harvard University, the international student population increased. The institution had a record number of international students across both its undergraduate and graduate programs in 2025.

Selective institutions have strategies and resources to attract students, and their brand recognition remains a draw, said Chris Glass, a professor of higher education at Boston College who studies international enrollment. Public institutions may not be so resilient, he said.

These selective institutions are in a significantly stronger position to be able to manage these policy shocks and remain resilient in part because the number of potential applicants is practically ... infinite, Glass said.

They can continue to absorb applicants who might have applied elsewhere, but the demand for these institutions will be consistently high even with these policy shocks. So they have a lot more agility, he said.

Many feared that the federal crackdown on immigrants and foreign students would discourage scholars from coming to the U.S., weakening the countrys research output and international prestige.

In response to federal actions, institutions developed strategies that allow foreign students to study online or in Canada or defer admission.

Even so, a sampling of selective institutions shows that most have experienced some decline in incoming undergraduate international students.

That could impact many institutions in the long term, depending on how much the Trump administration continues to focus on limiting the number of foreign students, Glass said.

While there was only a 1% decline in the total number of international students in fall 2025, the number of newly enrolled international students saw a 17% decline at U.S. colleges and universities, according to the Institute of International Educations Open Doors 2025 report.

In August, the U.S. saw the most significant decline in international students entering the country since the pandemic, according to data from the International Trade Administration. However, that data doesnt include foreign students who remained in the country over the summer.

What do the incoming foreign student numbers look like?

MassLive examined differences between the incoming classes of 2024 and 2025 at several selective institutions to understand how admissions may have been affected by a crackdown on international students.

The only institution that reported growth was Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, which saw its incoming undergraduate class jump from 19% to 25% international students.

However, the total number of international undergraduate students across the student body was around 22% in 2023. The numbers increased from 2020 to 2022, but have declined by a couple of percentage points since then.

Boston College, Wellesley College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology didnt experience any change, stabilizing at around 8%, 13% and 11%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Amherst College saw the largest drop, from 16% to 10%, in the proportion of international students in incoming undergraduate classes.

Even Harvard experienced a 2.6% year-over-year decline in its undergraduate population. Overall, the number of international students increased by 50, bringing them to nearly 28% of Harvards total student population  the highest share in more than two decades.

Read more: Harvard enrolls record number of international students despite Trump admin threats

The growth came from graduate student enrollment, which is often where international students factor into a universitys numbers. The data MassLive collected includes only incoming undergraduate classes.

What has happened under the Trump admin?

The Trump administration wants to limit the number of international students at U.S. higher-education institutions by offering schools a funding edge in exchange for establishing a 15% cap for international undergraduate enrollment.

The cap is one of several requirements in a compact that the administration wants colleges and universities to sign on to.

I think the intent of that compact was probably less to have people sign it, more to send a clear signal that the federal government under the Trump administration has a view of what, quote, too many, unquote international students will look like, Glass said.

The Trump administration also recently touted a new record of 100,000 U.S. visa revocations over the past year. Of those, 8,000 were student visas.

The federal government began terminating the legal status or visas of students en masse across the U.S. at the beginning of April. Federal officials then walked that back.

Later that month, the Department of Homeland Security required Harvard University to submit detailed records of foreign student visa holders illegal and violent activities or face the immediate loss of a key certification necessary to enroll foreign students.

The Trump administration then revoked Harvards certification, which spurred the university to file a lawsuit against the federal government. A federal judge later ruled in favor of 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, Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, previously told MassLive.

President Donald Trump 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.

These actions have been part of a larger effort by the Trump administration and some politically conservative state-level officials to move U.S. higher education toward more politically conservative values. The transformation of New College of Florida is seen as a blueprint for that transformation, using federal funds as leverage.

At the state level, a new study by PEN America found that more than half of students at U.S. colleges and universities now study in a state with at least one law or policy restricting what can be taught or how campuses can operate.
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe has walked back claims he made in a memo and press release earlier this week that immigration enforcement arrested four tribal members and that the federal government tried to extract an immigration agreement out of the tribe in return for information about their members whereabouts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it cant verify claims that any of their officers arrested or even encountered members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe or found anyone in their detention centers claiming to be a tribal member. They denied asking the tribe for any kind of agreement.

Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out has not responded to repeated requests for comment, including after his updated memo was released on Thursday.

The accusations of arrests came at a time when many Native Americans are already concerned over the Trump administrations immigration enforcement agenda and racial profiling by federal agents ensnaring them as well, and as some tribes have grappled with whether to engage in agreements with DHS tied to the crackdown.

Star Comes Out said Tuesday in a message on Facebook that the men were arrested in Minneapolis, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched its biggest operation ever and is increasingly clashing with protesters and residents angry at the agencys tactics.

Star Comes Out also said that when the tribe reached out about the arrests, federal officials told us that the Tribe could access that information if we entered an immigration agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

But in the memo Thursday, Star Comes Out said his earlier statement had been misinterpreted and that there was no such demand from federal officials. He said the tribe had been in cooperative communications with federal officials about the issue and that federal officials had said that one option for the Tribe to have easier access to information is to enter into an immigration agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and DHS. He did not specify what type of agreement.

He also said the tribe was working with Tribal, State, and Federal officials to verify reports that tribal members living in Minneapolis were arrested by ICE. Earlier in the week he said he had been made aware that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained four Oglala Sioux tribal members in Minneapolis and that the tribe had their first names. He called the arrests a treaty violation.

A series of ICE arrests of tribal citizens

The Department of Homeland Security pushed back, saying that they have not uncovered any claims by individuals in our detention centers that they are members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and havent been able to verify that their officers arrested anyone from the tribe. They also denied asking for any type of agreement from the tribe in return for giving out information.

ICE did NOT ask the tribe for any kind of agreement, we have simply asked for basic information on the individuals, such as names and date of birth so that we can run a proper check to provide them with the facts, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

Last year, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said that several tribal citizens reported being stopped and detained by ICE officers in Arizona and New Mexico. He and other tribal leaders have advised their members to carry tribal IDs with them at all times.

Last November, Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon and an actress known for her roles in Northern Exposure and The Last of Us, said she was stopped by ICE officers in Washington state who told her that her tribal ID looked fake.

A member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona was arrested in Iowa in November and was mistakenly slated to be turned over the ICE before the error was caught and she was released, according to local media reports.

Recent clashes between Kristi Noem and Native American reservations

There is a history of tension between the Oglala Sioux and DHS that dates back to when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was governor of South Dakota. In 2024, Star Comes Out banned Noem from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota after Noem said  without evidence  that cartels were infiltrating reservations in the state.

During her time as governor, Noem was banned from most of the nine reservations in the state.

Noem told federal lawmakers that a gang calling itself the Ghost Dancers was affiliated with drug cartels and was committing murder on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Star Comes Out said at the time that he took deep offense at her reference, saying the Ghost Dance is one of the Oglala Siouxs most sacred ceremonies, and was used by Noem with blatant disrespect and is insulting to our Oyate, using the Lakota word for people or nation.

At the time Noem said Star Comes Outs decision was unfortunate and that her focus was on working together.

Controversial collaborations with immigration agencies

The controversy between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and ICE comes as some Native American tribes with contracts with Homeland Security are rethinking those agreements.

A tribal business entity associated with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation ended a nearly $30 million federal contract signed in October to come up with an early design for immigrant detention centers across the U.S, after the deal was derided online as disgusting and cruel by tribe members. Many questioned how a tribe whose own ancestors were uprooted two centuries ago from the Great Lakes region and corralled on a reservation south of Topeka could participate in the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts.

In Alaska, Indigenous shareholders penned an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News advocating that the Bering Straits Native Corporation  owned by thousands of Native American shareholders in Alaska  divest from all immigration detention centers across the country.

A spokesperson for the company didnt respond to an e-mailed request for comment.
Stefon Diggs delivered a message to the Patriots before they took the field for the AFC Division game against the Houston Texans.

Today about being aggressive and sticking together. And we gonna take what we want, man, the wide receiver said. Hey, I came to fight. I dont know about yall, but I came to fight. From play one to play none. Gang on three.

The Texans go into Gillette Stadium down two key players in wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) and offensive tackle Trent Brown (ankle). The Patriots, meanwhile, got healthier as the week went on and will have Khyiris Tonga back on defense after the tackle missed the last three games with a foot injury.

Christian Gonzalez, who suffered a concussion in New Englands AFC Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, will also play.
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Entrepreneur Richard Branson has spent nearly five decades turning the British Virgin Islands into a high-yield, eco-conscious real estate powerhouse, according to Robb Report.

With an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion, the Virgin Group founder has transitioned from a disruptor in music and aviation to a force in the ultra-luxury lifestyle property sector.

Branson's real estate journey began with a speculative play in the 1970s. Seeking to impress future wife Joan Templeman, Branson purchased the 74-acre Necker Island for $180,000. Today, the island is the anchor of his property portfolio, according to Branson's blog.

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Necker is no longer just a private residence. It's a revenue-generating asset under the Virgin Limited Edition hospitality banner. The island features a Balinese-style great house and 10 private estates. Private buyouts start at about $100,000 per night, frequently exceeding $1 million per week, according to Robb Report.

Despite suffering from significant damage from a 2011 fire and Hurricane Irma in 2017, Branson has used the setbacks to modernize the asset. The island now operates as a sustainable ecosystem powered largely by wind and solar energy, increasing its long-term valuation in an ESG-focused market.

In 2007, Branson expanded his BVI footprint by purchasing the 125-acre Moskito Island for $13.2 million, Travel Weekly reported in 2007. Moskito is a more complex real estate development play than Necker.

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Branson developed the island's infrastructure to support a small circle of ultra-wealthy owners who build bespoke estates while sharing communal costs. Developments on the island include Branson's personal multivilla compound and a pool of high-ticket rentals. In 2024, the final home built on the island  The Aerie  hit the market at $58 million, according to Robb Report.

Branson's real estate strategy is tied to the Virgin brand. Branson uses his properties as hospitality flagships, an approach that extends to assets like Son Bunyola in Mallorca, Spain.

After the sale of Virgin Money to Nationwide in 2024, Branson has continued to lean into travel and hospitality, as evidenced by the growth of Virgin Voyages.
As part of our series to celebrate the launch of Civilization V, Matt Symonds explains why he believes Augustus Caesar was the greatest leader of all time

Why? This man forged an Empire.

Despite springing from relatively modest origins, Augustus Caesars legacy was the foundation of an imperial system that dominated Europe for over four centuries. Born as Gaius Octavius in 63 BC, his was not so much a life lived in extraordinary times as one that made them extraordinary. The year he was born saw the Roman Republic in rude health, with its staunch supporter Cicero elected Consul, yet by Augustusdeath in AD 14 a return to this form of government was almost inconceivable.

This astonishing political revolution was achieved through strength of personality and a faultless use of the single trump card fortune had dealt him: being Julius Caesars great nephew.

When Caesar was assassinated, the 19-year-old future Augustus was in Macedonia, near a legionary force that Caesar had earmarked for a campaign against the Parthians. Urged to take command of these troops, Augustus first major decision displayed a trademark caution. Rather than marching on Rome before he knew the contents of Caesars will, Augustus landed on the Italian coast at a discrete distance from a major port, with only a group of friends for protection. It was only when he learned Caesar had adopted him as heir that Augustus raised the stakes. Opportunistically seizing the entire annual tribute from Asia, he set about raising troops, and bribing the plebs in Rome. The 19 year old had suddenly come of age.

Double-crossing

In the chaotic years that followed Augustus had no scruples about making and breaking alliances. Here was a man who could be pragmatic to the point of betrayal, but while undesirable in a friend or ally, Augustus ruthless duplicity allowed Rome to emerge from a bitter and incredibly destructive period of civil war stronger than ever. Following Mark Antonys suicide in 30 BC, Augustus ruled alone, bending the Roman Senate to his will. Its members must have regarded the shield installed in their chambers bearing his virtues  valour, clemency, justice and piety with raised eyebrows. Suetonius records that one senate magistrate wrongly suspected of concealing a sword beneath his robes had his eyes gouged out by Augustus personally.

The first Roman emperor understood the power of an image. Despite living into his 70s there are no portraits of Augustus as an old man; instead his statues display an eternal youthful vigour. He cursed when Cleopatras death by asp robbed him of the star exhibit in a planned triumph. But while Augustus boast to have found Rome a city of bricks and left it marble may have owed more to self-promotion than reality, many of his other achievements were very tangible. He reformed the public finances, founded the praetorian guard, and incorporated lucrative new provinces within the Empire. Following his death Augustus capped this illustrious career by being declared a god. Such was the power of his example that every following Emperor claimed the title Augustus, and we still honour him with the month of August.

Matt Symonds, Editor, Current World Archaeology

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Head over to our Voting page to let us know who you think deserves to be crowned the greatest leader of all time.

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One hundred seventy-seven B-24 Liberators took off from Libya on August 1, 1943, bound for the Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti. The low-altitude bombing raid aimed to cripple German fuel production in a single blow. Instead, Operation Tidal Wave became the costliest air raid mission in U.S. military history.

Fifty-three aircraft were destroyed. Over 300 airmen died. Five Medals of Honor were awarded that afternoon, more than any other single air action in the war. The refineries were back to full production within weeks.

German and Romanian defenders were waiting. By the time the first formations reached Ploesti, antiaircraft batteries unleashed hell on the American force as dozens of Axis planes intercepted them.

A formation of B-24s in Libya on 20 July 1943. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Flawed Plan

President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed on the mission during the Casablanca Conference in January 1943. Ploesti produced approximately 60 percent of crude oil for the Axis powers in Europe. The Romanian refinery complex north of Bucharest represented Hitler's petroleum lifeline.

General Henry Arnold assigned planning to Colonel Jacob Smart. Smart conceived an audacious low-altitude attack plan. Flying at 200 to 800 feet would allow 177 B-24 Liberators to avoid radar and strike with the element of surprise. The bombers would cross the Mediterranean and Adriatic, navigate through Albania and Yugoslavia, then hit Romania from the south.

The concept violated Army Air Forces doctrine that preferred high-altitude precision bombing to protect the bombers and their crews. When Colonel John "Killer" Kane first heard the plan, he reportedly called it the work of "some idiotic armchair warrior in Washington."

Five bombardment groups would participate. The 376th and 98th from Ninth Air Force would lead. Three groups from Eighth Air Force, the 44th, 93rd, and 389th, would join them. Each B-24 carried modified bomb-bay fuel tanks holding 3,100 gallons. Crews trained over mock-up refineries in the Libyan desert.

They practiced with 500-pound and 1,000-pound bombs plus incendiaries. Delayed-action fuses ranged from 45 seconds to six hours. The 1,751 airmen assigned to the mission represented the largest American heavy bomber force to date.

What the planners failed to grasp was that Germany had fortified Ploesti after a minor Allied raid in June of 1942. Luftwaffe General Alfred Gerstenberg had built one of Europe's most formidable air defense networks. Nearly 300 heavy antiaircraft guns ringed the refineries. Thousands of lighter weapons were placed in haystacks, railroad cars, and buildings near the targets.

American intelligence missed these details. Major Robert Sternfels, who piloted The Sandman, recalled the briefings.

"So our briefings never mentioned the fighters, heavy flak, or barrage balloons around the refineries," Sternfels said. "We were told the few flak guns were manned by Romanians who would run to the shelters when we flew over."

German radio intercept stations in Athens had detected American communications. Gerstenberg knew they were coming and readied his forces.

88 mm anti-aircraft gun battery near Ploiesti. (Wikimedia Commons)

A Chaotic Start

The armada launched shortly after dawn on August 1, 1943. One overloaded Liberator crashed on takeoff immediately.

Wongo Wongo plunged into the sea over the Adriatic. Some sources claim the plane carried the missions lead navigator, which may have contributed to subsequent issues. Another B-24 dropped from formation to search for survivors and never rejoined the rest. Ten additional aircraft aborted with malfunctions.

Navigation problems worsened. Colonel Keith Compton led the 376th in Teggie Ann, carrying mission commander Brigadier General Uzal Ent. Compton pushed his engines hard. The 376th and 93rd surged ahead while Kane's 98th lagged behind, its commander concerned about overtaxing the sand-worn engines during the 2,400-mile round trip.

The formation became spread out. Thick clouds over the Pindus Mountains forced the bombers higher, disrupting mission timing. By the time they descended toward Romania, the groups were separated by vast distances.

At Targoviste, Compton followed the wrong railway line toward Bucharest instead of Ploesti. His navigator, Captain Harold Wicklund, a veteran of the earlier 1942 raid on Ploesti, tried warning him. Compton ignored the advice. The 93rd under Lieutenant Colonel Addison Baker followed the error.

Pilots broke radio silence to alert the lead aircraft of the mistake. The element of surprise was now gone. Romanian and German defenders scrambled to their battle stations.

Baker realized the mistake first. He wheeled his group north toward the actual target, leading 32 B-24s into a maelstrom of fire. Colonel Compton turned the 376th away to search for targets of opportunity rather than press the attack.

Approximate route of flight to Ploiesti on August 1, 1943. (Wikimedia Commons)

Into the Inferno

Baker's aircraft Hell's Wench took hits almost immediately. Antiaircraft fire raked the bomber. Flames erupted inside the cockpit. Major John Jerstad, riding as copilot, and Baker stayed at the controls. They led their formation over the refineries even as their aircraft disintegrated.

Survivors from nearby bombers reported seeing fire through Hell's Wench's cockpit windows. Baker and Jerstad maintained course long enough for their group to strike its target. Only after the bombs dropped did Baker attempt gaining altitude for the crew to bail out, but it was too late. The burning Liberator rolled and plunged into Romanian soil. All aboard died.

Both pilots received posthumous Medals of Honor.

German Bf 109s and 110s from Luftflotte 4 and Romanian IAR 80s from Flotila 2 and Flotila 3 launched to intercept. The Axis planes downed several of the American bombers.

The 93rd ultimately lost 11 aircraft over Ploesti. One bomber, Jose Carioca, fell to a Romanian pilot, Lieutenant Carol Anastasescu, flying his IAR 80B No. 222. The Romanian pilot rolled inverted beneath the B-24 and raked its belly with machine-gun fire.

The flaming aircraft crashed into a women's prison in the city. Roughly half of the 101 civilian casualties that day died in that explosion. No one from Jose Carioca's crew survived.

Anastasescu's fighter caught fire during a subsequent attack but he shot down a second B-24 before his cockpit became engulfed in flames. He survived, but suffered serious injuries in the fight.

Two Romanian IAR-80 fighter planes during WWII. Operation Tidal Wave was one of the only times American forces faced enemy combatants from one of the minor Axis powers. (Wikimedia Commons)

Kane's 98th and Colonel Leon Johnson's 44th arrived to find enemy defenses fully alerted. Smoke from the 93rd's attack obscured their targets. Delayed-fuse bombs from earlier waves exploded beneath incoming aircraft. A disguised German flak train called Die Raupe, "the caterpillar," opened fire from its railway sidings. The two groups flew parallel to the tracks at 50 feet.

B-24 gunners poured fire into the flak train, disabling its locomotive and killing several crew members. However, mass antiaircraft shells shredded American planes left and right as wings ripped off and fuel tanks caught fire.

Second Lieutenant Lloyd "Pete" Hughes piloted Ole Kickapoo toward the Steaua Romana refinery. His aircraft took multiple hits before reaching the target. Fuel streamed from ruptured tanks in the bomb bay and left wing. The refineries ahead were already blazing.

Hughes pressed forward. His bombardier needed those final seconds to release ordnance. The B-24's left wing ignited as they cleared the target. Hughes attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft cartwheeled across a riverbed and exploded. Hughes and six crew members died instantly. Three others became prisoners.

Hughes received a posthumous Medal of Honor for completing his bomb run against the odds.

Japanese-American gunner Ben Kuroki, flying his 24th mission, watched the storage tanks explode below. Flames shot "50 feet higher than our plane," he recalled years later. Kuroki felt certain they were doomed. He was one of the lucky ones to survive the mission.

Top turret gunner Mack Fitzgerald also remembered, "there was smoke all around us." He watched helplessly as a burning Liberator struck a building below. "That's 10 men gone," he thought. Fitzgerald mentally said goodbye to his parents, convinced he was next. His bomber somehow survived.

The attack on the Astra Romana refinery. (Wikimedia Commons)

Heroism Under Impossible Odds

Kane led the 98th directly through the chaos to strike the Astra Romana refinery. When he discovered his assigned target already hit, Kane circled back through the defenses to find fresh objectives. His aircraft absorbed more than 20 direct hits and lost an engine. Kane completed his mission before turning for Libya.

Johnson's 44th split during the approach. Johnson led 16 Liberators directly over Ploesti while Lieutenant Colonel James Posey took 21 aircraft to attack the Creditul Minier refinery south of the city. Seven of Johnson's bombers were destroyed. The group's gunners fought continuously as delayed bombs from previous attacks detonated around them.

The 389th Bombardment Group under Colonel Jack Wood achieved the mission's only clear success. Striking the Campina complex separately, they virtually destroyed their target and suffered the lowest losses of any group that attacked an assigned objective.

Both Kane and Johnson survived to receive Medals of Honor for leadership under fire.

Sternfels brought The Sandman through the attack despite intense turbulence from other aircraft and explosions.

"The prop wash was fierce," he remembered. "Both my copilot Barney Jackson and I had our hands full just trying to stay on the bomb run."

His iconic B-24 emerged from a wall of smoke and flame, narrowly dodging refinery smokestacks. The Sandman received a scar from a barrage balloon cable but made it home. Only 26 aircraft from Kane's original force returned to Benghazi.

Air Raid Ploesti! A B-24 flying over a burning oil refinery at Ploesti, Romania, 1 August 1943. (Wikimedia Commons)

One bomber called Old Baldy found itself being fired upon by Romanian gunners of the 86th Battery of the 7th Anti-Aircraft regiment near the town of Corlatesti.

The bombers gunners attempted to fire at the Axis troops on the ground, but one of the shells hit the bomber, causing it to crash into the gun position, killing all 10 Americans on the plane and the six-man gun crew.

German and Romanian fighters pursued the retreating formations, claiming several more planes. Staff Sergeant Zerrill Steen's bomber was shot down. The rest of his crew died in the crash. Steen remained at his turret position, firing his .50-caliber machine guns until his ammunition was exhausted. Then he climbed from the wreckage.

Captured by Romanian forces, he received a Distinguished Service Cross while held as a prisoner.

A monument located in Corlatesti, marking the location where Old Baldy crashed into the Romanian gun position. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Aftermath

Ninety aircraft limped back to Libya. Most were damaged beyond repair. Three hundred ten airmen died. One hundred thirty were wounded. One hundred eight became prisoners. Seventy-eight more landed in neutral Turkey and were interned.

The raid earned the nickname "Black Sunday." Five Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to men from the mission. All five bomb groups received Presidential Unit Citations.

German commanders assessed the damage within days. Oil production fell temporarily. Within weeks, output exceeded pre-raid levels as repairs dispersed operations and improved efficiency.

General Gerstenberg reported to Berlin that while damage was substantial, it would not appreciably diminish fuel supplies. The Americans had suffered crippling losses for marginal gain.

The Axis only lost seven fighter aircraft, two Romanian and five German, in the battle. Several others were damaged while just over 100 troops were wounded or killed overall. Over 100 civilians were killed and over 200 wounded.

Columbia Aquila refinery after the bombing, with bomb craters, largely intact. (Wikimedia Commons)

Sternfels later interviewed several Tidal Wave veterans, including Compton himself. The pilot remained convinced that planning failures and leadership errors doomed the mission from the start.

He discovered that Smart had completed his first B-24 checkout flight just one week before the mission over Ploesti.

"I always wanted to ask him about his actions in my plane," Sternfels said. "But I didn't want to just come out with it. So I asked him in a roundabout way, 'By the way, how many hours did you have in B-24s before that mission with me?'"

Smart's answer was shocking. "I just completed my first check-out ride the week before."

The man who conceived and planned the raid had virtually no experience in the aircraft that would execute it.

American forces did not attempt another major low-altitude strike on Ploesti. When Allied bombers returned in April 1944, they struck from a high altitude with fighter escorts. Those sustained campaigns eventually reduced Romanian oil production. By August 1944, Soviet forces captured the refineries.

The mission stands as both proof to the courage of the participants and a cautionary example of flawed planning. The 1999 Air War College study called it "one of the bloodiest and most heroic missions of all time." Airmen flew into certain death because orders demanded it.

Operation Tidal Wave remains the costliest air raid ever conducted by the U.S. military in terms of lives and planes lost in a single mission. It was also one of the few times in WWII that American forces engaged a European Axis nation other than German or Italy in direct combat.
The White Sox announced that left-hander Ryan Borucki has been signed to a minor league deal that contains an invitation to Chicagos big league Spring Training camp. Its something of a homecoming for Borucki, who grew up just north of Chicago in Mundelein, Illinois.

With eight MLB seasons under his belt, Borucki brings a lot of veteran know-how to an overall inexperienced White Sox relief corps. Though Chicagos priority during a rebuild is still giving innings to these younger pitchers, having a seasoned reliever like Borucki around might be helpful if Borucki pitches well enough in camp to earn a roster spot. Brandon Eisert and Tyler Gilbert (likely the two top left-handed options in the Sox pen) are coming off so-so performances in 2025, so Borucki also provides some added southpaw depth.

Borucki has plenty to prove himself, however, as his struggles against right-handed batters and his inability to keep the ball in the park have led to middling results. Over 256 1/3 career innings in the Show, Borucki has a 4.28 ERA, 19.7K%, and 8.9BB%. While Borucki has been prone to allowing home runs, he has done a good job of avoiding fly balls in general, with a 51.8% grounder rate over 135 1/3 innings from 2021-25.

In 2025, Borucki posted a 4.63 ERA, 22% strikeout rate, and 11% walk rate over 35 innings with the Pirates and Blue Jays, while missing about six weeks due to a back injury. He signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh last winter, and caught on with Toronto (his original team) on another minors contract after being released by the Bucs in August, but the Jays also designated Borucki for assignment and then outrighted him in September after four MLB outings.
This is Part 4 of a four-part MLive investigation into the killing of an unidentified man whose 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. Nearly 40 years later, the victim has been identified, and police have renewed their efforts to find the killer.

Part 1: A 9-year-old boy and the skeleton in the grass

Part 2: He left to pick up his paycheck and never came home

Part 3: A mother waited years for her missing son to call

Part 4: I wake up and feel like hes floating above me

By 2019, police had a match  dental records showed the body on the hill was 25-year-old Robert Stuewe, a line cook from Ann Arbor who had been reported missing a few months before the body was found in 1986.

What happened to Stuewe? Who killed him?

In a case complicated by jurisdictional confusion, a mix-up with dental records, potentially missing reports, dead witnesses and the passage of time, the first matter to sort out was who should investigate the homicide.

Should it be the agency that took the missing-person report or the one that found the strangled body?

Ann Arbor police determined that the crime appeared to have occurred in their location, Jackson County Detective Sgt. Bryan Huttenlocker said. So, they asked if they could take over the investigation.

Theres no explanation as to what evidence led police to believe Stuewe was killed in Ann Arbor, but the case was assigned to veteran Ann Arbor Police Detective Bill Stanford in April 2019. He has since retired and now works for the Saline Police Department.

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

Stanford met with Jackson County detectives on April 10, 2019, and began scouring past reports. He requested new analysis of long-stored evidence, including the University of Michigan T-shirt police believe was used to strangle Stuewe, and hairs found at the scene.

The knot to the ligature had been untied at some point but the shirt was intact, Stanford noted in a report dated April 17, 2019. The shirt ligature and hairs are being sent to the crime lab for possible identification of a suspect in this case.

Stanford conducted initial phone interviews with Lori-Ann Stuewe, whom he recalled being cooperative, and Kurt Stuewe Sr., who was just like done. He didnt want anything to do with it, Stanford said.

Stuewes father and current wife never responded to MLives requests for comment and Stuewes only living brother, Kurt Stuewe Jr., sent a text message referring comment to his sister.

Its too hard for them, Lori-Ann said, so they just kinda shut down.

An undated picture of Robert Stuewe, who enlisted in the U.S. Army before graduating from high school. Courtesy of Lori-Ann Stuewe

ITS NOT HIM

On May 24, 2019, police reports indicate an Ann Arbor police detective notified Stuewes father that his son died of a homicide.

During a September call with MLive, Lori-Ann said no one ever told her that her brothers death had been ruled that way.

Maybe my dad just didnt want to tell me, she said. I dont understand. I mean, he was nice guy, he would do anything for anybody.

Lori-Ann still does not totally believe the remains are her brother. Her first doubts originated with the description of the clothing.

Reports said he was wearing corduroy pants and Velcro shoes.

My brother did not own that, Lori-Ann said. As a fact, he would not wear anything like that.

Robert Bob Stuewe during in his junior yearbook at Dexter High School in 1978. Photo courtesy of Dexter Community Schools. Courtesy of Dexter Community Schools

Police collected DNA from Lori-Ann and her father, but police reports dont confirm it was ever analyzed, since Stuewe was identified with dental records. The absence of DNA comparison has contributed to her skepticism.

Jackson County Sheriffs Office Detective Sgt. Bryan Huttenlocker said state police are reviewing available evidence for further forensic testing, but neither he nor representatives from the Ann Arbor Police Department responded to questions about the DNA collected from family members.

If they could do the DNA correctly, and I saw a picture of the tattoo  whether its distorted or not  then maybe that might bring closure, Lori-Ann said.

Her brother had a Garfield tattoo. The original medical examiner noted an area of discoloration with black pigment on the left upper arm that was thought to be a tattoo.

Following the identification in 2019, detectives gave Stuewes father and Lori-Ann information about recovering Stuewes remains.

They never collected them.

Ive already told them when they wanted me to claim the body: Its not him, Lori-Ann said. You do what youve got to do with it.

Dr. Joe Hefner, the MSU anthropology professor who confirmed the ID, recalls speaking to Lori-Ann in an effort to convince her the finding was accurate.

She did not think it was him, Hefner said.

Stuewes bones remain in possession of the Michigan State University Department of Anthropology.

Matt Merriman, 48, who discovered a dead body on a hill while riding an ATV when he was 9 years old, revisits the location in Jackson County's Norvell Township on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Abra Richardson | Mlive.com

IT DONT GET ANY EASIER

Stanford said he was preparing to move forward with interviews when COVID hit.

Plans stalled. Stanford retired in 2020. Focus was lost.

I dont know if Ann Arbor has done anything with it, to be honest with you, Stanford told MLive in September. I handed it off to another detective.

Stanford admits its a difficult case. The initial investigation was conducted by the defunct Norvell Township Police Department, two other agencies were involved, Ann Arbor and Jackson County, and the remaining evidence has been in storage for decades.

Stuff gets lost over time, stuff gets damaged, mold grows, he said. New policies and procedures come into place and eventually new eyes look at these cases. Sometimes theres work that can be done, and sometimes everythings been done.

People die, move out of state. It doesnt get any easier, lets put it that way.

Stanford has theories about the case  but is reluctant talk about them.

I dont know if I really want to share that because its an open case, Stanford said, but he thinks there are leads to follow up on.

After Stanfords final notes from 2019, the case file again went dormant.

Members of our department have remained in regular communication with the family of Robert Stuewe since he was first reported missing in 1986, Ann Arbor spokesman Chris Page told MLive in November. Since that time, our department has taken many steps to learn the exact circumstances that led to Mr. Stuewes disappearance.

Stuewes sister disputes that statement.

She also said that, as of October, she hadnt spoken to police in more than five years.

Ann Arbor police have declined to answer further questions related to the case.

A map of the scene created by police in Norvell Township after Matt Merriman discovered a body there on Aug. 25, 1986. Courtesy of Jackson County Sheriff's Office

REOPENED

MLive first learned of the case in September 2019. At that time, police confirmed a homicide investigation was underway but said no further details could be provided.

On June 10 of last year, Jackson County Detective Sgt. Bryan Huttenlocker was asked if the case was ever resolved.

Ann Arbor police have not really given us (many) updates, he said. They did assign it to one of their detectives. I know he was close to retirement at the time, so I dont know what happened with it after that.

I believe they had a person of interest that they were focusing in on.

The same day MLive spoke with Huttenlocker, a new Ann Arbor detective was assigned to the case, reports show.

The new detective followed up with Stanfords earlier requests for DNA analysis.

A partial DNA profile was obtained from swabs of interior piece of shirt, insufficient for comparison purposes, he wrote. A known buccal swab of possible suspects is needed for further analysis and comparisons.

Notes dont address the hairs.

Although Jackson County had previously released the investigative file, a follow-up request for additional records elicited a different response by September.

Upon review, this case is currently open and under investigation, the denial said.

Huttenlocker told MLive the investigation is now being led by the Jackson County Sheriffs Office with assistance from Ann Arbor police.

On Dec. 20, 2025, five and a half years after Stuewe was identified, Jackson County issued its first statement notifying the public that the nearly 40-year-old John Doe case had been identified and was now an active homicide investigation.

At that time, Huttenlocker confirmed police revived the investigation as a result of MLives inquiry.

How it got initiated  is you reached out to our department and Ann Arbor, Huttenlocker told an MLive reporter. It was like, Oh, I thought you guys were working on it, they thought we were working on it and its like, all right, lets work on it together.

Since taking over the homicide investigation, Jackson County officials have declined to release many details about the case.

Our detective has contacted the parties involved and has been re-interviewing them, Huttenlocker said. He is also seeking out additional witnesses to interview.

ITS JUST A SHAME

Nearly everyone MLive interviewed expressed surprise at hearing Stuewes name after so many years, although the memories have always lingered.

Ive suspected for a long time that he died  how, I didnt know  but Im glad to get the information, childhood friend Stevem Spehar said, after learning Stuewe was strangled. Its kind of refreshing to have an idea of what happened to him, because Bob and I were really good friends.

Its just a shame that it happened the way it did. I always thought Id run into him again one day.

Lori-Ann is frustrated the case has dragged on, especially after learning police linked her brother to the Norvell Township John Doe in 1986.

There were ways to find out if it was him or not, she said. I dont understand why they didnt follow up on it.

Shes still uncertain if the body they found is her brother. But if it is Stuewe, and if he was killed, she is ready to forgive.

I dont know what the circumstances were, but before I can actually really pray for them, Id like to know if thats the body, if thats him, she said. Otherwise, I feel like it might be a moot point.

Matt Merriman, 48, who discovered a dead body on a hill while riding an ATV when he was 9 years old, revisits the location in Jackson County's Norvell Township on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Abra Richardson | Mlive.com

EVERYTHINGS GOOD

Nearly 40 years later, Merriman, now a divorced dad and auto worker, returned to the field where he found Stuewe, then an anonymous man in the grass, as a 9-year-old boy.

He was transported back in time.

What he found on Dead Mans Hill has always been a core childhood memory, one thats confused him and never been resolved.

The corn fields and ATV paths are gone, the land reclaimed by tall weeds, prickly bushes and sparse trees. Some deer trails cut the tall grass. The surrounding area remains rural.

Merriman feels a sense of uneasiness. His hands snap tree branches and push away chest-high grass as he wades through the overwhelming vegetation towards the spot.

Matt Merriman, 48, who discovered a dead body on a hill while riding an ATV when he was 9 years old, revisits the location in Jackson County's Norvell Township on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Abra Richardson | Mlive.com

I always thought it was just a dead body, he says. I just thought it was never going to get solved  and then I heard his name.

It just enlightened me. Its like, an actual name. This is an actual person.

As Merriman wedges further through the overgrowth, he hesitates for a moment.

Im going to tell you something strange, he says. It was years later. Im lying in bed, Im sleeping and I feel his presence.

I wake up and I feel like hes floating above me, saying, Thank you, just letting me know that everythings good.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Its been over two years since Ann Arbor Public Schools had a chief financial officer, and so far, district officials say they dont have a concrete timeline to fill the long-open vacancy.

Previously structured as the assistant superintendent for finance and operations, the position was last filled in late 2023 when Jill Minnick left Ann Arbor. Since then, AAPS has supplemented budgeting needs with consultants in its business office in addition to other district staff.

Now, as the district continues to insulate from the $25 million shortfall in 2024, AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks said its still challenging to find applicants properly qualified to handle school finances even after restructuring the job posting last year.

Earlier this month, Ann Arbor School Board President Torchio Feaster wove filling that vacancy  and soon  into his biggest priorities for 2026.

But does the district need a CFO? The short answer is yes. Heres why.

AAPS looking to keep its fund balance up

Although Ann Arbor school officials have said the districts finances are no longer in a state of crisis, the district is still recovering from the $25 million shortfall at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Shortly after laying off staff and making other cuts, the district started 2024-25 with a fund balance, or rough savings, at 2.2% of its spending  far below the average levels among districts across Michigan.

By the end of 2025, school leaders said the district had been taken off a watchlist with the states department of treasury that tracks those grappling with a low balance.

AAPS audited balance by the end of 2024-25 was at $21.6 million or just over 7% of school spending. But it is projected to be $15.8 million or over 5%, which is the state minimum, later this year. Feaster said he doesnt want to end up back on that state list, admitting theyll be cutting it close.

I think in order to do that, we need to hire a CFO, he said in a Jan. 6 interview. And I think hiring a CFO is a huge priority for this board.

Ive expressed that to other trustees and to Superintendent Parks, and Im looking forward to that happening early in this year. So, Im hoping that she can get that across hopefully before the end of the school year.

Few applicants qualified to address AAPS unique complexities

The assistant superintendent job is still blank on the districts administrative staff page.

Originally posted by early 2024, its listed salary range was $152,250 to $173,250.

Parks said the job was more formally structured as a straightforward CFO in 2025 and posted a couple of times.

The salary range now remains the same, commensurate with experience, according to the districts job site, with necessary qualifications including a masters degree in business or school administration or other finance-related graduate program, as well as a background of at least five years as a school business official or financial official in another setting.

AAPS officials hoped relabeling the job as a chief financial officer would help cast a wider net and get more applicants, Parks said.

However, the district said each candidate pool is small, she said, with just a handful of applicants.

We have very few applicants who have a school finance background and who are experienced  (and) have the knowledge base to be able to come in and hit the ground running, Parks said Wednesday, Jan. 14. Especially with some of our unique complexities.

It wasnt clear how many rounds of interviews the district has gone through since 2023, though AAPS spokesperson Andrew Cluley said he recalled two in 2025 and Parks said they were amid their third cycle currently for this school year.

Each time they get an applicant, Parks said theyre screened for qualifications and brought in for first- and second-round interviews conducted by separate interview teams. If they make it through, theres a potential third round.

And unfortunately, just kind of through that process, we havent had anyone whos made it all (the way) through to becoming a recommended candidate, Parks said.

For now, the position remains open.

Again, in large part due to just the wide scope of knowledge thats required for a CFO of a school district. Some folks have bits and pieces, but not the whole comprehensive picture.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  As communities across Michigan grapple with an influx of proposals for massive hyperscale data centers, other communities are reacting with moratoria  temporary pauses on applications and consideration of proposals  while they review local rules.

In Washtenaw County, several communities have enacted moratoria as more consider doing the same. And one community, Ypsilanti Township, has already amended the townships zoning ordinance to establish local regulations.

Freedom Township, a rural community southwest of Ann Arbor, enacted a yearlong moratorium on data center proposals on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Its for a year because there is so much information (regarding data centers) that is new, Freedom Township Supervisor Larry Lindemann said.

While no would-be data center developers have approached the township, approving the moratorium is a more of a preemptive move, Lindemann said. Hes also unaware of any farmers or property owners being approached by developers.

An ITC powerline corridor runs through Freedom Township, which could attract data centers, he said.

Its the same line going into Saline Township, he said. We were thinking if they can do it in Saline Township, because DTE wanted it to be close, (data center developers) could do it here.

Rural land in Saline Township is the site of a 2.2-million-square-foot data center project backed by ChatGPT creator OpenAI and tech giant Oracle.

That project has drawn national attention and continued local resistance after that township board initially rejected rezoning about 575 acres. Data center developer Related Digital sued the township over the denial, with township officials quickly reaching a settlement.

Most recently, DTE accepted special contract conditions imposed by the Michigan Public Service Commission on the utilitys plan to provide 1.4 gigawatts of power to the data center despite pushback and protests.

Some residents in Saline Township are calling for township officials to enact a moratorium there to put a pause on any additional proposals.

In nearby Saline, city officials enacted a yearlong moratorium on Monday, Jan. 12.

With the influx of data centers that have been popping up throughout the state, we felt its best to do a moratorium of this since we dont have anything in the zoning ordinance directly related to these types of uses, Chris Atkin, the citys community development director, said.

Atkin also said the intention is for the city to consider ordinance language to set local rules for data centers within that yearlong period.

We dont have ample available space currently in the city for a large data center, unless of course there was a developer who was able to cobble together several parcels, which I think would be unlikely at best, Saline Mayor Brian Marl said.

However, he said the city did receive calls last year from Fortune 100 companies who were interested in developing large parcels adjacent to city limits and seeking annexation to the city and use of utilities.

So, I think this approach is pragmatic and prudent to evaluate what kind of additional regulatory framework we need to put in place to protect our existing residents and business owners, he said. Im not against data centers in their totality, but I do think putting this moratorium in place makes sense for the next year.

York Township officials announced Jan. 13 that they will pursue an ordinance amendment regarding data centers, and some residents are calling for them to enact a moratorium at some point. Township leaders said they plan to wait on any formal action.

A real estate brokerage is eyeing more than 400 acres in the township to potentially develop a hyperscale data center, although no formal proposal has been submitted.

Toyota has put about 412 acres up for sale across from its Toyota Motor North American R&D Headquarters at 8777 S. Platt Road in York Township, east of Saline and north of Milan. St. Louis-based firm Sansone Group is considering purchasing the land for a potential data center project.

Sylvan Township on Tuesday, Jan. 13 enacted a six-month moratorium. Officials will also pursue establishing local rules.

Theres been no rumblings or murmurs that a data center proposal would come to the township, Clerk Douglas Jackson said.

But we dont want to be put into the same situation as Saline Township, which was a lose-lose, Jackson said. The moratorium will give the township time to think this through and put together an ordinance so were not caught off guard.

While the township has not taken a stance for or against large data center projects, the biggest concerns are the environmental impact and the energy cost impact, Jackson said.

Lima Township officials are working on local regulations after enacting a six-month moratorium in December. Lodi Township is also considering doing the same, with a six-month moratorium under consideration there.

Some Augusta Township residents are also asking for township officials to enact a moratorium in that community.

Hundreds of residents there signed a local citizen groups ballot petition to allow township voters to decide whether to rezone about 522 acres of land just outside Milan for a computer data center proposed by New York City-based Thor Equities. The ballot petition came after the township board voted to approve the rezoning.

Ypsilanti Township recently adopted new local rules limiting where data centers can be built and setting other regulations.

Township officials there have decided to allow large hyperscale data centers only on land zoned for industrial and commercial revitalization uses. Would-be developers could propose a data center as a special land use in those zoning districts.

Those rules will not apply to the University of Michigans plan in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory on a high-performance computing facility in Ypsilanti Township, announced in late 2024.

That project promises to be much smaller and use fewer resources, particularly power and water, than the large commercial projects communities are seeing. But Ypsilanti Township continues to pushback, opposing siting it on Textile Road.

In that case, the townships newly approved limitations of where data centers can go do not apply. Thats due to laws that exempt the University of Michigan and Los Alamos from local building and zoning laws. No commercial data centers are currently proposed in the township.

In Pittsfield Township, officials opted to enact a six-month moratorium on data center proposals. The township had been gearing up for a public hearing on draft ordinance language to set local rules when they decided instead to put a pause on it.

Supervisor Trish Reilly previously said the township hasnt been approached by any developers looking for a site for a data center, admitting Pittsfield is more limited in greenspace compared to neighbors like Saline Township.

But she said they want to be proactive and protect our residents, taking their time to write local rules after a push to prepare for data centers from state leaders.

North of Ann Arbor in Livingston County, Howell Township officials enacted a six-month moratorium on data centers to review its local ordinance. The move came after a data center project, which is reportedly backed by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, came to the township.

Project developers there withdrew an application to rezone more than 1,000 acres on both sides of Grand River Avenue in the township, but many locals expect the project could come back to the board table at a later date.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Were you affected by investment losses in BBWI securities between June 4, 2024, and November 19, 2025?

Affected Investor Losses Summary

Bath & Body Works, Inc. securities fraud class action filed

class action filed Purchasers or acquirers of Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) securities

Seeking recovery of investment losses for material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged ) from June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025

) from June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025 Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) can assist at no cost to investor

RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works") (NYSE: BBWI) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Bath & Body Works securities between June 4, 2024, and November 19, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lead plaintiff deadline is March 13, 2026.

Action: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed

Securities class action lawsuit filed Company: Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI)

Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) Affected investors: Purchasers or acquirers of Bath & Body Works, Inc. securities

Purchasers or acquirers of Bath & Body Works, Inc. securities Class Period: June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025

June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025 Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged )

Material misstatements and/or omissions (as ) Relief sought: Recovery of investment losses under the federal securities laws

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Bath & Body Works' strategy of pursuing "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" was not growing the customer base and/or delivering the level of growth in net sales touted; (2) as Bath & Body Works' strategy of "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" faltered, Bath & Body Works relied on brand collaborations "to carry quarters" and obfuscate otherwise weak underlying financial results; (3) as a result, Bath & Body Works was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):

If you suffered Bath & Body Works losses, contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) at:

https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/bath-body-works-inc?utm_source=PR_Newswire&mktm=PR

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected].

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS:

Bath & Body Works investors may, no later than March 13, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Bath & Body Works investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

(484) 270-1453

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

[email protected]

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
As the Australian market navigates a mixed landscape with a steady Aussie dollar and cautious optimism around potential cash rate changes, investors are keenly observing opportunities beyond the usual mining giants. In this environment, identifying stocks with strong fundamentals and promising metrics becomes crucial, as these factors can help uncover hidden gems like EQT Holdings and others that may thrive despite broader market uncertainties.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Australia

Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Fiducian Group NA 10.00% 9.57%  Rand Mining NA 10.19% 2.74%  Joyce NA 9.93% 17.54%  Hearts and Minds Investments NA 56.27% 59.19%  Euroz Hartleys Group NA 1.82% -25.32%  Argosy Minerals NA -12.81% -19.89%  Focus Minerals NA 75.35% 51.34%  Energy World NA -47.50% -44.86%  Zimplats Holdings 5.44% -9.79% -42.03%  Australian United Investment 1.90% 5.23% 4.56% 

Click here to see the full list of 64 stocks from our ASX Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: EQT Holdings Limited, with a market cap of A$684.40 million, operates in Australia offering philanthropic, trustee, and investment services through its subsidiaries.

Operations: EQT Holdings generates revenue primarily from its Trustee & Wealth Services and Corporate & Superannuation Trustee Services segments, with A$102.18 million and A$79.99 million respectively. The business focuses on these core areas to drive its financial performance in the Australian market.

EQT Holdings stands out with its robust financial health, having more cash than total debt and a debt-to-equity ratio that has risen from 10.8% to 20.5% over five years. The company's earnings growth of 19.7% in the past year surpasses the industry average of 14.4%, highlighting its competitive edge in capital markets. With a price-to-earnings ratio of 20x, EQT is attractively valued compared to the Australian market at 22x, offering potential value for investors. Its interest payments are well covered by EBIT at a multiple of 10.8x, indicating strong profitability and financial stability moving forward.

ASX:EQT Debt to Equity as at Jan 2026

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: SHAPE Australia Corporation Limited operates in the construction, fitout, and refurbishment of commercial properties across Australia and has a market capitalization of A$525.36 million.
BURTON, MI  Dozens of people stood in a brightly lit room on Friday afternoon.

But it was not long ago the space thats now been turned into a fresh space for Bentley preschoolers was filled with medical exam rooms and a few raccoons.

It was anything but a school, Bentley Community Schools Superintendent Kristy Spann told those assembled.

A grand opening was held Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, for the districts new preschool -- Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center -- in one of three buildings donated by McLaren Health and renovated with a $2.9 million bond passed by voters in 2024.

This journey started two years ago this month when an idea began to form. We looked at the unoccupied building adjacent to our campus and asked a simple but bold question: What if? Spann said. What if one of these spaces could become a home for our youngest learners? To get from what if to where we stand today, right now required a massive leap of faith and a tremendous amount of collaboration.

A grand opening was held Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 for Bentley Community Schools' new preschool, Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center, in a building donated by McLaren Health and renovations paid for with a $2.9 million bond passed by voters. Roberto Acosta

Among the crowd gathered included Jim Proctor, director of off campus real estate for McLaren Healthcare Corporation, Burton Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club members, Bentley Board of Education members, as well as preschool teachers, parents, students, and Burton Mayor Duane Haskins.

Wow, right? And I say wow because we have so many people in our community and we have so many leaders and we have so many people that are invested in our community, that are turning our community around, he said. Think about this building right here. If anybodys seen this building before, it is the way it is right now. We were looking at a blighted, dilapidated building that was probably going to have to get demolished.

Haskins thanked Spann and everyone involved for their great vision and working together to reach what he described as a historical moment for the community.

Bentley Board of Education President Amanda Mobley called the preschool, which will allow the district to run its own program, a promise to our youngest learners, to their families and to the entire community that we are dedicated to giving every child the strongest possible start in life.

Spann said there are now 41 children enrolled ahead of the districts second semester beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

We have the capacity to grow to 48 (students) and beyond, ensuring our little bulldogs no longer have to leave our community to find a seat in a classroom, she said.

Spann said theres a fourth classroom to further extend the amount to 72 students for additional early childhood programming.

A grand opening was held Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 for Bentley Community Schools' new preschool, Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center, in a building donated by McLaren Health and renovations paid for with a $2.9 million bond passed by voters. Roberto Acosta

The new preschool allows the district to operate its own program and expand the number of students. The preschool had been housed at Barhitte Elementary and limited to 18 students in a program operated by the Genesee Intermediate School District.

There was much thought also put into the buildings impact on children, from a softer color palette to lighting and other details.

We have a brand-new roof and an intentional design that lets the light just shine in from the clerestory windows up above the unit, Spann said. The nature themed interior perfectly complements our partnership with For-Mar Nature Preserve and operate them where our students will learn to love the outdoors.

Chelsea Horton, the districts director of early childhood programming, said the biggest thing isthe intentionality behind the design, the classroom spaces, our gross motor space, is all with what is most developmentally appropriate and best for kids from age really 3 to 5.

The addition of those dimmers allows our children, who may have some sensory issues, to have a much calmer space that allows them to just learn and grow and thrive in that classroom environment, she said. So, were really, really happy with the way that Progressive (Companies) just kind of saw that and heard and every detail in the building was with them in mind.

A grand opening was held Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 for Bentley Community Schools' new preschool, Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center, in a building donated by McLaren Health and renovations paid for with a $2.9 million bond passed by voters. Roberto Acosta

Anna and Francisco Alvarez watched as their 4-year-old son Matthias played trains with assistant teacher Amber Crawford.

Anna Alvarez said its important to have a safe environment where (children) can actually learn and grow.

Were pretty grateful to everything that they have done, especially with this building, she added.

For Crawford, the new building hits a little differently as she is a teacher and parent of a student, her 4-year-old daughter Tesla.

They did everything thinking of the children, she said, from the lights, colors to the little toilets and openness of learning space. That is absolutely amazing to me.

Kayla Williams, a lead teacher with the preschool program, said the new space will have a big impact for the little ones.

I think itll make a lot of difference having not only like a bigger space but also having the other teachers with us as well to be able to make like a close-knit community, she said, while also pointing out the dimmers and colors will help for children with autism and those without special needs to let them calm and reset.

A grand opening was held Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 for Bentley Community Schools' new preschool, Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center, in a building donated by McLaren Health and renovations paid for with a $2.9 million bond passed by voters. Roberto Acosta

Having previously worked as a kindergarten assistant and SEL teacher in the district, Williams said these ages are vitally important for their educational development.

Preschool is a nice way for them to get used to the routine of school, she said. Having to be somewhere for eight hours a day and being able to start learning and start receiving information and seeing the teachers as trusted adults.

Students go through Creative Curriculum and learn through different studies, William said.

We take seven weeks and work into a study and we learn about that thing and discover it and investigate and do a bunch of different studies with that, she added.

The preschool program is free of charge for district students and operates from 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Monday through Friday, Spann said, with some home visits throughout the school year.

Speaking with the crowd before students held separate ribbon cuttings for the classrooms, Horton told them, Without your hearts and passion for children, this project would not have been possible.

In this field, passion is what drives us. And the amazing early childhood educators gathered around you work tirelessly each day to bring that passion to life, she said. They spark joy and wonder in each student and develop a deep love of learning that will stay with our youngest learners throughout their lives.

So, thank you to each and every one of you for everything that you do to ensure that our students have the highest quality learning experiences in these early years.
ADA, MI  Amways push for $3 billion in damages  after the Mexican government in 2022 seized its 692-acre organic farm and gave it to communal landowners  suffered a blow when an international tribunal dismissed the companys case.

A three-member panel from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ruled in November 2025 that it didnt have jurisdiction on the matter, citing a provision of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, or USMCA.

The Mexican government cited a 1939 presidential resolution, aimed at redistributing land to poor farmers, when it granted Amways El Petacal farm to the Ejido San Isidro, a communal landowning group.

Following the ICSID ruling, the Ada-based multi-level marketing company says it will continue to challenge through appropriate forums.

Here are five takeaways about the land dispute:

A pristine farm key to Amways operations

Located in Southwestern Mexico, El Petacal is a key pillar for Nutrilite, Amways line of vitamins and supplements sold worldwide.

Amway describes the farm as a remote, pristine valley thats perfect for growing an array of organic crops, including alfalfa, citrus fruits and leafy greens. It also produces herbs such as sage, parsley and rosemary, as well as chia and cacti.

Amway acquired El Petacal through acquisitions in 1992 and 1994.

Once hand-plucked from the soil, the fruits, vegetables and plants grown at the farm are washed, shredded, dehydrated and thermally processed. After workers pack and store the ingredients, theyre shipped to Amway manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

Theyre then used as ingredients for Nutrilite, whose products include protein powders, meal shakes, sleep gummies, and an assortment of vitamins and supplements.

The 2022 land seizure

Amways ownership of El Petacal was revoked in 2022.

That July, Mexicos Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development notified the company that it was requisitioning the farm, citing a 1939 presidential resolution that the Ejido San Isidro says was never fully executed, according to legal filings.

Amway said the move was unlawful.

The company said its land was taken without compensation, in violation of international treaties and Mexican law. It also pointed to a 1994 agreement, which Amway says has been upheld in Mexican courts, that provided 692-acres of alternate land to the Ejido San Isidro, satisfying the 1939 presidential resolution.

In 1994, the San Isidro farmers were granted and accepted 280 hectares of land from the Mexican government in satisfaction of a 1939 presidential land grant, the company said in a statement. The Ejido San Isidro agreed this satisfied all governmental obligations to them. This agreement has been tested and upheld repeatedly in Mexican courts.

The new digital bulletin seen in the foyer of Amways renovated administrative building on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Ada Township, Mich. Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com

A separate legal challenge

Through a separate legal challenge, Amway says a Mexican national court temporarily blocked the transfer of 395 acres of its 692-acre farm to the Ejido San Isidro. Amway still operates on those 395 acres, but it says the farms organic certification is in jeopardy.

Amway depends on the pristine nature of the farmland to maintain organic certification for the ingredients grown at El Petacal, Amway said. The Ejido San Isidro do not consistently use or care for the seized land, which compromises Amways ability to maintain the organic certification on the remaining land in its possession.

That suspension will remain in effect until the case is fully resolved, Amway said. The company, founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos, said it didnt have an estimate of when that would be.

International tribunal dismisses Amways $3 billion claim

In April 2023, Amway filed a request for arbitration with the ICSID, an international arbitration center that handles disputes between governments and investors thats affiliated with the World Bank.

Amways arbitration request said Mexicos actions flout protections guaranteed under the North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, the USMCA. Those protections include taking land without compensation and due process, and a requirement that foreign investors receive treatment equal to domestic investors.

Ultimately, the ICSID case was decided on a trade agreement technicality.

The tribunals decision didnt address the legality of Mexicos land seizure based on the 1939 presidential resolution. Instead, the case hinged on a provision of the USMCA, Annex 14-C, that was designed to protect investments made before NAFTA ended in 2020.

Amway argued that a provision in the USMCA extended investment protections from the previous NAFTA agreement for three years, covering the 2022 seizure.

The tribunal sided with Mexicos argument that the provision allowed for arbitration but did not extend the substantive protections of NAFTA itself.

One of the three tribunal members issued a strong dissenting opinion, stating the majoritys reading turned the treatys transition protections into a legal mirage.

An international tribunal dismissed the multi-level marketing company's case over its 692-acre El Petacal farm that was seized by the Mexican government and given to communal farmers based on a 1939 resolution. (Photo provided by Amway) Courtesy

The seizure fulfills an 83-year-old land promise for a local community

The Mexican government seized the farm to fulfill a 1939 presidential resolution aimed at redistributing land to poor farmers.

The property was granted to the Ejido San Isidro, a communal landowning group whose ancestors were promised the land decades ago. The group celebrated the transfer as a historic day and the culmination of an 83-year struggle against landowners and the government, according to local media reports.

Representatives for the Ejido stated that being denied access to their land prevented them from cultivating it and led to economic hardship, while the wealth generated by the farm was taken abroad.
UPDATE: Police reopened all lanes of I-196 shortly before noon on Sunday.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A 34-year-old man suffered minor injuries in a crash Sunday, Jan. 18, after slippery road conditions caused him to lose control of his vehicle, police said.

The crash happened along eastbound I-196 at Mile Marker 66, forcing police to close the right lane, with intermittent full closures expected throughout Sunday.

Ottawa County sheriffs deputies were called shortly after 9 a.m. regarding a vehicle deep down in a ditch in Georgetown Township.

Police said a 34-year-old Indianapolis man was driving a Jeep Cherokee eastbound on I-196 when he lost control on the slippery freeway.

The Jeep slid off the road and went behind the guardrail. It went down into a deep ravine where it came to rest on top of a culvert and small creek, police said.

The man suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

Police and fire crews are working to retrieve the Jeep from the ditch.

The crash remains under investigation.
JACKSON, MI -- The Jackson County Animal Shelter, 3770 Spring Arbor Road, has many pets available for adoption.

Here are two of them.

Onyx is a solid black, 4-year-old domestic shorthair male cat that was surrendered by his owner who had too many animals.

He is a friendly guy that is about 10 pounds. Onyx gets along well with the other cats where he is housed. He is usually calm and quiet, but inquisitive.

He sat up to be petted and did some head bumping for more. Black cats are believed to bring good luck, so stop by and meet this lucky charm today.

Coconut is a 1-year-old mixed breed pup that weighs about 40 pounds.

He has beautiful black and tan markings with a little bit of brindle. Coconut is a happy guy as he is young and still very puppy like.

He loves his human and likes to play outside. Coconut is house trained and did well meeting cats in the cat room. A fenced yard or someone who like to take walks with a pup would be ideal for Coconut.

Dog adoptions require an application, online. A meet-and-greet with a dog also is mandatory. A cat room walk-through is available to test reaction. The dog adoption fee is $150 for medium and large dogs and $250 for puppies and small dogs, which includes vaccinations, microchip and sterilization.

Cat adoption fees are $60 for one cat, $80 for two, which includes applicable tests, vaccinations and spay/neutering.

Visiting the shelter is always best, but other adoption resources include online applications at https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/2302/Our-Adoptable-Animals, faxing 517-780-4750 or emailing animalshelter@mijackson.org.
SUMMIT TWP., MI  The second of three men accused of killing the son of Wanda Beavers, better known in Jackson as Mama Tu-Tu, has been returned to Jackson to face criminal charges.

Tyrek Tra-Quan Jabrie Rice was arraigned Friday, Jan. 16, before Jackson County District Judge Allison Bates on multiple felony charges including murder for the death of Anthony Owens Jr.

Rice, 28, is one of three men accused of opening fire outside a Summit Township home killing Owens Jr. and wounding three others in May 2025.

He is charged with one count of open murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count each of illegal possession of a firearm and using a firearm to commit a felony.

Rice is scheduled for a probable cause conference hearing Jan. 23. Bond was denied.

He was a parole absconder at the time of the shooting. He has been returned to the prison where he will remain while the murder case is ongoing.

Rice has a lengthy criminal history involving guns and assault going back to 2014, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records.

In 2014, when he was 16, Rice was charged with attempted murder for a shooting that occurred on the Fourth of July.

The then teen had shot a 19-year-old man in the chest after an argument broke out. Rice later pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon in that case.

In the shooting death of Owens Jr., Rice and fellow codefendant Montez Martees White, 27, were arrested in Ohio in early January.

White was arraigned Wednesday, Jan. 14, appearing in court from the Jackson County Jail via Zoom.

One of the more tragic things about this case is not the fact that one person died and three other people were injured, but the fact that the people on that porch did nothing to provoke this attack, Jackson County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Hull said during Whites hearing.

They had nothing to do with the defendants in this case. They were enjoying an evening in the city of Jackson on their porch when they were gunned down by the defendant and his two codefendants, he said.

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.

Murder charges were issued after the suspects were identified. The third suspect remains at large.

Per MLive policy, the third suspect is not being named by MLive until they have been arraigned in court.

Anyone with additional information is welcome to contact Jackson County Detective Kelley Ebersole at 517-768-7932.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
BAY CITY, MI  Three brothers are charged in connection with their fathers death.

That story and more are included below in this weeks roundup of headlines you may have missed.

Bay City shooting: 3 brothers arrested on charges of trying to kill father

Police have arrested three people in connection with a recent shooting on Bay Citys Center Avenue.

All three suspects are children of the wounded man.

Bay City police on the morning of Friday, Jan. 9, announced they had arrested three males, ages 21, 19, and 15, on charges related to the shooting of 39-year-old Shane M. Gontko on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The eldest two were lodged in the Bay County Jail on Thursday evening on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, while the youngest was taken to the Bay County Juvenile Home.

Read the full story here.

Bay City brothers charged in fathers East Side shooting death

Two Bay City brothers who spent the weekend in jail have been arraigned on charges stemming from their fathers fatal shooting outside their East Side apartment. Their younger brother, meanwhile, is charged as a juvenile with aiding his older siblings.

Nathen M. Gontko, 21, and Kyle A. Gontko, 19, on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 12, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly via closed-circuit TV from the Bay County Jail. As such, they did not see the three dozen people seated in the courtrooms packed gallery.

The siblings 39-year-old father, Shane M. Gontko, died Saturday, Jan. 10. He was shot in his head the evening of Jan. 7 in front of his sons apartment building on Center Avenue/M-25.

Read the full story here.

Bay City manager Dana Muscott to retire in March

Bay City Manager Dana Muscott has submitted a letter of resignation to city commissioners and the mayor.

The letter, sent on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 12, gives a retirement date of March 12. Her contract was set to expire on June 30.

At this stage in my career, I believe it is the right time for me to move forward into the next chapter, Muscott wrote in the letter, which was obtained by MLive/The Bay City Times. This decision was not made lightly. Serving as City Manager for the past eight years, and as a City employee for nearly 26 years, has been both an honor and a privilege. I am deeply grateful for the trust, collaboration, and support extended to me throughout my tenure.

Read the full story here.

Michigan mans GoFundMe for ICE officer closes in on $800K after fatal shooting

A Bay County man has started a GoFundMe campaign for the ICE officer who killed Renee Nicole Good last week in Minnesota.

Clyde Emmons of Mount Forest Township, started the donation campaign for ICE officer Jonathan Ross on Jan. 9 with a goal of $800,000. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, the campaign has raised more than $703,500 for the officer through nearly 15,000 donations.

The largest donations include two $10,000 gifts and two $5,000 contributions.

Read the full story here.
SAGINAW, MI  Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest.

Saginaw teen charged with killing pregnant woman, unborn baby in New Years Eve shooting

A Saginaw teenager is accused of turning a gas station into a warzone on New Years Eve, killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in the process.

After surrendering to police the day before, Korvareon R. Smith, 17, on Wednesday, Jan. 14, appeared in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment on charges of open murder, assault with intent to murder, homicide-willful killing of an unborn quick child, discharging a firearm in or at a building and four counts of felony firearm.

Smith is charged as an adult in connection with the death of 19-year-old Kendall L. Berrington on Dec. 31.

Read more here.

Saginaw Township schools apply for new bond after voters reject $162M proposal

Saginaw Township Community Schools has begun the process of applying for a bond proposal that could appear on future election ballots.

The districts board of education approved an application for the preliminary qualification of bonds during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 12.

The application includes preliminary bond proposal information and has been submitted to the Michigan State Treasurer for review. However, these details are not final and could change.

Read more here.

Saginaw Township schools seeking board member after resignation

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.

Read more here.

Saginaw man gets 35-60 years in prison for executing brother-in-law in library parking lot

A Saginaw man is to spend at least 35 years in prison for executing his brother-in-law in broad daylight in a librarys parking lot.

Its a term more than double what his advisory guidelines recommended, but the presiding judge found a steeper sentence was needed to adequately capture the brutality of this crime and the indifference shown to the victims life.

Derrick J. Grant, 38, on Thursday, Jan. 15, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson to learn how much time behind bars hed receive for killing Henry J. Ford in September 2024. A jury in October found Grant guilty of second-degree murder and felony firearm.

Read more here.

Trial begins for Indiana man accused of killing fiancees ex while he babysat

Nearly three years since a father was shot to death while babysitting in his Buena Vista Township home, the trial is starting for the Indiana man accused of firing the fatal shots.

Attorneys in the trial of 26-year-old Zakeem F. Jones delivered their opening arguments to the 14-person jury.

Jones is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and seven firearm charges. His codefendant, Markeisha R. Burns-Cross, faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit that crime, and three firearm offenses.

The charges stem from the March 2023 killing of Devon L. Chip Williams, 33. As Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa J. Hoover phrased it, a jealous Jones killed Williams to obliterate the competition, as Williams previously had a romantic relationship with Burns-Cross.

Read more here.

Recall petitions targeting Bridgeport-Spaulding school board members advance after appeals

A resident is beginning to gather signatures supporting recall petitions targeting members of the Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District Board of Education.

Securing the support of fellow district voters is the next step for district parent Robert Shavrnoch, who filed the petitions on Nov. 5, just days before the board placed Superintendent Mark Whelton on administrative leave.

The board of education members targeted by the recall efforts are Brentoya Bray-Breamsy, Carmen Castillo and Lucy Anne Erby, each of whom voted against the renewal of Wheltons contract with the district.

Read more here.

Saginaw County juvenile deaths decline sharply in 2025

Saginaw County officials in 2023 and 2024 sounded the clarion call regarding babies dying from unsafe sleep practices. Their warnings bore fruit, as in 2025, the county recorded its fewest number of such deaths.

Additionally, the countys number of juvenile deaths overall sharply declined in the last year.

Saginaw County in 2025 recorded the deaths of three infants from unsafe sleep practices. Two more deaths remain pending and may end up being attributed to unsafe sleep, according to Randy Pfau, operations manager for the Saginaw County Medical Examiners Office.

Read more here.

A Saginaw park could bear the name of a beloved educator who cared for it

The wife of a prominent Saginaw real estate developer is spearheading an effort to rename a Saginaw park in honor of a local education leader who died this month.

Betsy de Parry, wife of Alex de Parry, said she planned on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to submit a petition at the office of the Saginaw City Clerk to rename the city-owned Weadock Park as Kevin Mark Rooker Park.

De Parry said her petition will include signatures from 400 supporters of the measure.

Read more here.

Saginaw data center moratorium: 6-month freeze approved

The Saginaw City Council voted to temporarily freeze any developments of data centers in the community.

During a Monday, Jan. 12, meeting, the council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center developments while also directing Saginaw City Hall staff to explore and develop appropriate regulations tied to such data centers.

I look forward to working with staff and the public over the next six months, said Councilwoman Carly Rose Hammond, who spearheaded the moratorium effort beginning last month.

Read more here.

A love letter to Saginaw as I return to my hometown

Jessica Shepherd, a special contributor to MLive, wrote a column detailing her years-long journey across the nation after she departed Saginaw, along with the experience that followed her decision to return to her hometown in recent months.

Read more here.

Medical diamond and 3 more Saginaw developments to watch this year

Saginaw City Hall officials recently added a page to its website that provides updates on both public and private developments underway across the community.

Read more here about some of the developments outlined on that webpage.

Predator sting in Frankenmuth: Dearborn man faces trial after YouTube crew investigation

In July, a Dearborn man visited a Frankenmuth waterpark-hotel to allegedly meet up with what he thought was a minor for sex. He ended up encountering members of a popular YouTube crew whose goal is to expose child abusers.

The man, Shah Hussain, is now charged with child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a 20-year maximum crime, using a computer to commit a four-year maximum crime, and accosting children for immoral purposes. The first two charges are the most serious, both being 20-year felonies.

Hussain, 36, on Tuesday, Jan. 14, appeared for a preliminary examination in which two members of the YouTube organization detailed how they posed as an underage girl to lure in predators. Hussains attorney, though, criticized the witnesses enterprise, saying their actions amount to vigilantism and that they play a dangerous game.

Read more here.

Michigan prison guard charged with having videos of child being sexually assaulted

A Michigan Department of Corrections officer is charged with having child pornography.

Officials on Jan. 5 issued a warrant for 26-year-old Luke P. Young. Four days later, Young appeared before Saginaw County District Judge Terry L. Clark for arraignment on two counts each of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and using a computer to commit a crime.

The charges are 10-year felonies.

Read more here.

False bomb threat reported at Saginaw Career Complex

A false bomb threat was received by the Saginaw Career Complex the morning of Monday, Jan. 12.

Police immediately responded to the threat at 2102 Weiss St. as the school was placed on lockdown. Police completed their protocols and found no evidence to support the presence of an actual bomb, according to Saginaw Public Schools officials.

As a result, police gave the all-clear and allowed classes to resume. The lockdown had been lifted as 10:15 a.m., with normal operations having resumed.

Read more here.

SVSU opens on-campus sexual assault response center for students, staff

Saginaw Valley State University is providing a new on-campus resource for sexual assault victims.

SVSU has partnered with Michigan Forensic Examiners and the Sexual Assault Center of Child & Family Services to offer free, confidential medical forensic exams and crisis intervention advocacy.

Read more here.
LAKE LEELANAU, MI  Pristine lake frontage? Check.

Comfort and privacy surrounded by nature? You bet.

A one-of-a-kind treetop veranda to have one of the most unique spots on the water? Absolutely.

One of Michigans finest inland lakes has a home with 200 feet of pristine lake frontage, and you will want to check this out.

Exterior photographs of 407 N. Twin Pines Drive in Lake Leelanau, which is listed at $2,690,000 through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate  Traverse City and The Crane Group with associate broker Johnny Crane and his brother, co-listing agent Matt Crane. (Photo provided by Johnny Crane, Skyview Experts)

Located at 407 N. Twin Pines Drive in Lake Leelanau, this gem is listed at $2,690,000 through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate  Traverse City and The Crane Group with associate broker Johnny Crane and his brother, co-listing agent Matt Crane.

This one-of-a-kind property is MLives House of the Week. Homes across the state of various architectural styles and prices are showcased every Wednesday.

Experience lakeside living at its finest with this exceptional custom home featuring 200 feet of pristine frontage on the Narrows of North Lake Leelanau.

The house actually sits back off the water a little but still has water views while kind of tucked into the trees of the large lot.

Cultured stone and cedar shiplap siding create timeless curb appeal, while extensive decking, walkways, and two quality permanent docks provide effortless access to the water.

The treetop veranda at 407 N. Twin Pines Drive in Lake Leelanau, which is listed at $2,690,000 through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate  Traverse City and The Crane Group with associate broker Johnny Crane and his brother, co-listing agent Matt Crane. (Photo provided by Johnny Crane, Skyview Experts)

A treetop veranda offers a unique perch to relax and take in the sweeping views.

One of the most unique features that I think may be the coolest feature is the treetop veranda. Its not a tree house. It has a room with a wraparound deck at the top. Its a very versatile space, Johnny Crane said. They have it set up as a sitting room right now. It would be a great place to go and have a cocktail and just watch the boats in the evening from the birds eye view overlooking the narrows, watching the boats and kayaks and things come in and out. You know, just sit out there and read a book during the day. You could make it a guests house if you wanted to.

Its fairly well insulated and has windows all the way around it. I love selling unique houses and I think this definitely is one of those, and I have sold lots of lake houses, but never seen anything like this. And I think its very tastefully done too.

72 1 / 72 With 200 feet of pristine lakeside living, this $2.69M northern Michigan home can be your own oasis

Inside this residence, built in 1999, has four bedrooms, 2.5-bathrooms and spans 3,390 sq. ft. of thoughtfully-designed living space.

Soaring vaulted ceilings, above-average ceiling heights, and expansive windows fill the house with natural light and frame breathtaking views from nearly every room.

The great room is anchored by a true stone fireplace, complemented by forced-air heating, central air, and premium EPS insulation for year-round comfort and efficiency.

The lakeside owners suite includes a spacious private bath and walk-in closet, both with serene water views.

Upstairs, two bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a large cedar-paneled fourth bedroom/bonus room offer versatile space for guests.

The house itself is an all-season (residence). This could be a primary residence for somebody. This wasnt built as an up north cottage. This was built as someones primary residence. It was actually a builders house, Johnny Crane said. I always love that every time a builder builds a house for himself, you know that hes not going to cut corners and probably going to do things a little bit better than your traditional or typical quality that you would see. I think that shows throughout with a lot of natural wood, wood finishes in the house, tongue and grooves, cedar ceilings and more.

Theres a bonus room upstairs that is all cedar  the walls, the ceiling, everything. A really versatile space. It could be a kids bunk room or it could be a game room or simply an extra bedroom for somebody. Its a huge space."

The kitchen showcases cherry cabinetry, granite countertops, hardwood floors, and a walk-in pantry, perfect for preparing meals with the lake as your backdrop.

Additional features include a first-floor laundry room, a two-car attached garage, updated Wolf decking, and a high-performance Pirana septic system.

Bordering protected conservation land, the property blends unmatched privacy, natural beauty, and quality craftsmanship, all in a secluded setting just a short drive from downtown Leland, downtown Suttons Bay, and some of Northern Michigans finest wineries.

Exterior photographs of 407 N. Twin Pines Drive in Lake Leelanau, which is listed at $2,690,000 through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate  Traverse City and The Crane Group with associate broker Johnny Crane and his brother, co-listing agent Matt Crane. (Photo provided by Johnny Crane, Skyview Experts)

This residence is an ideal choice for year-round living or as a weekend retreat, Johnny Crane said.

Downtown Lake Leelanau is only about a two-minute drive.

Another 15 minutes up the road is Suttons Bay or Leland, and Traverse City is only a 30-minute drive as well.

Its just a very, very solid house on one of the most desirable lakes in northern Michigan, Johnny Crane said. You know, this is a top five lake for me in all of northern Michigan.
On Saturday at 9:53 p.m. EST the National Weather Service released an updated winter storm watch valid from Sunday 4 p.m. EST until Monday 7 p.m. EST for Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties.

"Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph," explains the weather service. "Slippery road conditions are expected tonight as temperatures around 20 degrees combine with snow showers. There will be a bit of a lull in the snow shower activity on Sunday, but snow showers will once again ramp up in the afternoon and evening. The combination of heavy lake effect snow and strong winds gusting over 30 mph will create whiteout conditions at times, especially Monday morning. If traveling in Western Lower Michigan the next few days you are urged to monitor the latest forecasts."

"Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes," adds the weather service. "During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation."

Winter driving guide: Tips from the weather service for safe and sound travels

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it's safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter weather driving tips:

Share your travel plans:

When venturing out of town in hazardous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, your intended route, and your estimated arrival time.

Prepare your vehicle:

Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies, including a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you become stranded, remain composed. Inform someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Indicate that you need assistance by attaching a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror, and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers

Be aware of snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snow plows and provide them with ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before embarking on your journey, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the weather service are your key to a safer journey on snow-covered roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during challenging winter weather.
Its a story thats all too common these days: an elderly person gets roped into a sales contract they dont fully understand and ends up paying far more than they thought they would.

Now, a Florida senator has proposed a bill designed to protect the states most vulnerable residents from the same thing happening to them.

Must Read

Sen. Ileana Garcias Elderly and Disabled Adult Contract Protection Act was introduced on Jan. 13. It would require contracting parties to record a video that depicts them conducting a comprehensive review of contract terms with the elderly or disabled adult, as well as the signing of the contract  and store that recording for at least five years. The bill defines elderly as someone aged 60 and older.

The goal is to ensure older Americans fully understand what theyre agreeing to when purchasing a product or service, thereby reducing cases of financial exploitation, misleading sales tactics and pressured consent.

How helpful would it be?

The proposed legislation could fundamentally change how contracts are enforced and challenged when older residents claim to be misled.

Out of the blue, I thought, what a great idea, so many agreements are signed under cover of dark, attorney Charles Gallagher III told Tampa Bay 28 in a story that aired Jan. 8 (1). The law in Florida doesnt really help folks in that context. The law in Florida presumes if you signed the contract, you understand it.

But even Gallagher, despite his initial excitement, has practical concerns. For example, the bill defines a contract as any agreement that affects an individuals legal rights or property, including documents conferring power of attorney or a deed instrument, which may be interpreted broadly.

Read More: The average net worth of Americans is a surprising $620,654. But it almost means nothing. Heres the number that counts (and how to make it skyrocket)

In theory, every interaction between folks and contract parlance could be required to be recorded, he said. Lawn guy, pest control, you're buying a washer at the store, these are all written contracts. Do these all require a video?

He also worried about operational impact, noting law firms, insurance companies, real estate agencies and many other Florida businesses could slow down their practices.
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Walmart has one massive advantage over Amazon: its huge store fleet.

Observations suggest Amazons online recommendation engine is less effective at driving unplanned purchases, compared with the experience of browsing a physical Walmart store.

Currently, Amazon has been showing me guitars for sale. That made sense a few weeks ago, before I bought an entry-level guitar, but now the odds of me buying a second one are small.

Walking around a Walmart, however, I might see a music stand, a comfortable chair, or something unrelated to my recent purchase. And Walmart makes it really easy to access its stores.

"Approximately 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart or Sams Club," Walmart shared on its website.

That's something that would be a massive challenge for Amazon to copy, but it's going to make its first major step toward doing that by opening its first-ever Supercenter.

Amazon quietly shares its mega-store plans

Usually, when Amazon makes a big move, it posts a press release, adds it to its blog, and otherwise tries to get as much attention as possible. In this case, the company has operated below the radar with its plans being discovered by local media.

Its the best that Amazon has to offer under Whole Foods, Fresh and their online offerings, said Katie Jahnke Dale, an attorney representing Amazon at a community meeting, according to patch.com.

We like to explain it as: So what does that look like? Its a grocery store. But its purpose-built for what were seeing: retail customers demand today to provide a very safer experience for customers. As well as a more pleasant customer experience.

The online giant plans to open a one-story, 229,000-square-foot store in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, RetailWire reported.

More Retail:

We regularly test new experiences designed to make customers lives better and easier every day, including physical stores, an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. The site in question is our planned location for a new concept that we think customers will be excited about.

The typical Walmart Supercenter is about 170,000 square feet, so the proposed Amazon store would be larger.

Amazon has experimented in retail

I was a huge fan of Amazon's 4-Star stores, which sold a selection of merchandise that the company's customers rated highly. I also saw real potential for Amazon's highly curated bookstores, as they were launched at a time when Borders Books had closed, and Barnes & Noble was struggling.
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Davos 2026: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission positions India as healthcare pathfinder for Global South, says WEFs Shyam Bishen
Davos 2026: There is a massive potential for deploying AI to make governments more efficient, says Stephan Mergenthaler, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer at the World Economic Forum
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In December 2025, Mirae Asset had announced that Jajoo would step down from his role as CIOFixed Income and key personnel, effective close of business on December 26, 2025.
Over the past decade, the Ministry of Power has also held regular engagements with states and Union Territories to push reforms.
The Chief Minister said Assam had undergone a transformation in recent years, both culturally and developmentally.
By Marianna Parraga

HOUSTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Oil executives and lawyers for international oil companies are lobbying the U.S. and Venezuelan governments for changes in the OPEC member's hydrocarbon law that would give them the right to freely export the oil they produce in Venezuela, sources involved in the talks said.

 Yahoo Scout  Why are current Venezuelan oil contracts legally unclear? What is Trump's $100 billion Venezuela reconstruction plan? What changes are oil companies seeking in Venezuela's law? How do U.S. sanctions affect Venezuelan oil operations?

As the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump works to convince energy companies to start work quickly on his $100 billion reconstruction plan for Venezuela's dilapidated oil industry, many potential investors are trying to figure out how to make that happen without spending years waiting for legal and contractual reforms that would protect their investments.

To get things moving, representatives of international oil companies are seeking a few modifications to the existing legal framework for the industry that would leave state-run oil giant PDVSA as the majority stakeholder of all oil joint ventures, but would grant foreign partners control of their share of production and give them access to the company's oil terminals and export infrastructure to facilitate shipments.

That would be a change from the existing law, which states oil produced must be controlled by PDVSA.

The state company is entitled to sell the oil and deposit the proceeds into joint venture accounts with foreign oil companies to secure cash flow for expenses and investment in the fields, as well as dividends.

But that system became impossible to execute under U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela's oil industry since 2019, leading to the build up of billions of dollars in debt owed by PDVSA to its partners, including U.S. oil major Chevron, Italy's ENI and Spain's Repsol.

International oil companies are also seeking to remove extra taxes introduced by the government after the law was approved in 2021, only preserving royalties and income tax, the people said.

The tax reform would lead to a smaller government take of the value of the oil produced. Under current laws, the government take is among the highest in Latin America, guaranteeing Venezuela at least 50% of the oil's value.

PDVSA and the oil ministry did not reply to requests for comment.

Venezuela's interim president and oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, said on Thursday she was submitting a government proposal to Congress to reform the country's hydrocarbon law to allow "investment flows to be incorporated into new fields, fields where no investment has ever been made and into fields where there is no infrastructure."
Over the years, Purohit emerged as a familiar and influential face in the citys BJP organisation, especially in south Mumbai, where he was known for his strong grassroots presence.
According to data from the CPCB, the overall AQI in the national capital stood at 439 at 7 am.
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Donald Trump invites India to be part of Gaza Peace Board: Report
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According to Kuki organisations operating in Churachandpur and the national capital, the woman was abducted in Imphal in May 2023 and subjected to gang rape amid the early days of the violence. (File image)
Courts have recently closed several long-forgotten cases, including a 30-year-old matter under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act where the accused disappeared after the chargesheet was filed. (Representative image)

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
In the BMC elections, the BJP won 89 seats in the 227-member House, followed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with 65 seats, making it the key opposition.
Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
PM Modi will also launch a state-of-the-art electric catamaran in Kolkata to support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.
Key Points

IonQ is one of several companies trying to perfect quantum computing technology and make the systems widespread.

IonQ has achieved a world record in terms of accuracy and speed with its latest system.

The company has also grown revenue quickly this year and begun selling and distributing its systems.

10 stocks we like better than IonQ 

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is one of a handful of companies looking to commercialize quantum computers, the next iteration of the traditional computer. While computers are built on the foundation of bits, the smallest unit of digital information, quantum computers are built on qubits, which are in a state of superposition and can therefore process data and search for solutions simultaneously, rather than sequentially.

Quantum computing is an industry still in the early stages, but investors have seen enough progress that they want to bet on it early. If companies like IonQ commercialize quantum computers, they could be first movers in a massive new industry with unlimited potential.

Image source: Getty Images.

IonQ has certainly made progress this year. The company has generated more than $68 million in revenue through the first three quarters of 2025 and is guiding for as much as $110 million on the year. That's solid growth, and not every quantum company can say that.

IonQ also set a world record for 2-qubit gate performance, a measure of accuracy and speed for quantum systems. The company achieved a 99.99% 2-qubit gate fidelity rate on one of its systems. That means the system can reach solutions faster, has fewer errors per operation, and requires less energy than its competitors.

Here's where IonQ is likely to be in a year.

Improving quantum systems and increasing revenue

According to an investor presentation, IonQ is focused on rolling out a 256-qubit system in 2026. The Tempo quantum computing system, which the company introduced last year, had 100 qubits. While the number of qubits isn't everything, the more that run effectively in a gate-based model, the more powerful the system becomes. IonQ's goal between 2027 and 2030 is to build systems with anywhere from 10,000 to 2 million qubits.

IonQ is also looking to sell more of its current systems and ramp up efforts for commercialization. At the end of December, the company announced a strategic partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology that will ultimately see the company deliver its Tempo 100-qubit system to the organization.

Wall Street analysts, on average, also believe IonQ will be able to significantly increase revenue to $189 million in 2026, according to data from Visible Alpha. Ultimately, I think the company will continue to make progress on its quantum systems and continue to increase revenue, although I still think we are far from commercialization.
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India continues to engage with the US to work out the arrangement, but the message from New Delhi is clear - Chabahar is not a short-term project, and exiting it is not an option.
The firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shettys residence in Mumbai was carefully planned at least four months in advance, Mumbai Police said after arresting five people in connection with the case.



Investigators revealed that the scooter used during the firing was bought months ago in Pune using money allegedly sent by Shubham Lonkar, who has now been named as a key accused.



According to the police, the scooter was purchased around four months ago from a man named Aman Marote, who lives in Karve Nagar on the outskirts of Pune. Officers said it is still unclear whether Marote knew that the vehicle would later be used for a crime. The police are currently examining his role in the case.



Crime Branch teams are continuing their search for the main shooter, who is still unidentified. CCTV footage from the area shows the shooter fleeing the scene after the firing and later abandoning the scooter in Mumbais Vile Parle area. Police said the footage is helping them trace the shooters movements after the incident.



Investigators said two of the arrested accused were in regular contact with Shubham Lonkar, who is suspected to be operating from outside India. An officer said Lonkar communicated with them frequently through the Signal messaging app.



Lonkar asked them to arrange a bike and sent money directly to their bank accounts. Two of the accused then brought the scooter to Mumbai and handed it over to the shooter, whose identity is still unknown, the officer was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.



Police believe the case follows the typical style of the Bishnoi gang, where different people work in separate groups and do not know each other fully. Those involved in arranging the scooter have told investigators that they were not aware of who the shooter was or what exact role he would play.



Police officials said CCTV footage shows the shooter riding the scooter to Vile Parle and parking it near the railway station. He is then seen walking towards the station, but by then, the last train had already left. That is the last time he appears on camera. We are now trying to find out where he went from there, an officer said.



The arrested accused were produced before a court late on Sunday night and were remanded to police custody until February 5. Shubham Lonkar has also been named as a wanted accused in the case.



An officer said that with both Bishnoi brothers currently in jail, Lonkar appears to be handling the gangs operations from abroad, with help from aides Aarzoo Bishnoi, Hari Boxer, and Goldy Dhillon. Police have been searching for Lonkar since the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, in which he was also named as a wanted accused.
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Bengaluru techie quits IT job to build food forests, plants over 1 lakh trees across India
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Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shared his thoughts on. Cramer highlighted the situation of the banks Russian operations while discussing its recent quarter, as he commented:

Last but not least, theres Citigroup, which delivered another good, solid quarter, the latest in a long line of no drama results under CEO Jane Fraser. Excluding a one-time charge related to the sale of its Russian operations, Citi saw 8% revenue growth while earnings per share were up 35%. Citi had the best in interest income of all banks, up 14%, also ahead of expectations. But as with Bank of America, they benefit from a smaller-than-expected provision for credit losses, which signals confidence in the economy. But its not an operational number. Below the top lines, its where it hurts. It was a mixed bag. Citis services business and its banking business both beat, so did the markets business, but that was driven by fixed income as equity trading fell a bit short. The companys personal banking in the United States had a shortfall I liked that business. It needs to really climb. As did the wealth unit, though, the wealth shortfall was very small.

A laptop and a computer monitor display a detailed stock market technical analysis chart. Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) provides financial products and services across banking, markets, and wealth management.
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Animal welfare professionals assessed the dogs condition and suggested that he may be experiencing emotional distress linked to his owners death. (Image credit: X, film poster)
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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
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Can Republican and Democratic lawmakers stop Trumps push to seize Greenland?
The share price of Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) surged by 38.04% between January 7 and January 14, 2026, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week.

Kosmos Energy (KOS) Shot Up This Week. Here is Why

Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) is a leading deepwater exploration and production company focused on meeting the worlds growing demand for energy.

Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE: KOS) continued its rally after reporting significant progress in its West African assets on January 5. Kosmos revealed that it had successfully drilled and completed its second producer well (J-74) in the 2025-2026 Jubilee field development campaign in Ghana. When it comes online shortly, the well is expected to produce over 10,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), taking Jubilees total output to nearly 70,000 bopd.

Moreover, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) announced that it had received the Ghanaian governments approval for license extensions for its West Cape Three Points and Deep Water Tano Petroleum Agreements. The agreements will now be extended till 2040, once they are formally ratified by the countrys parliament.

Lastly, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) reported that its GTA LNG project in Mauritania and Senegal operated at a nameplate capacity of 2.7 mtpa in December 2025, achieving a peak production rate of about 3 mtpa. While the project completed 18.5 gross LNG cargos and one condensate cargo last year, it expects cargo lifting to nearly double in 2026.

However, despite the recent rally, the share price of Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) has fallen by more than 66% over the last year.

While we acknowledge the potential of KOS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If 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 High Yield Crude Oil Stocks to Buy After Trumps Blitz in Venezuela and 11 Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025.

Disclosure: None.
Trump on Saturday announced a 10% tariff as of February 1 on goods from European countries that have rallied to support Greenland in the face of US threats
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From bystander to boardroom: Pakistan invited to Trumps Gaza peace panel
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He fooled us: Iranian protesters say Trump betrayed them after raising expectations
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Khamenei admits several thousand killed in Iran protests, blames US and Israel
Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Does the January share price for AirAsia X Berhad ( KLSE:AAX ) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Story Continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.7%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM504m (1 + 3.7%)  (11% 3.7%) = RM7.6b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM7.6b ( 1 + 11%)10= RM2.8b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM5.5b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

KLSE:AAX Discounted Cash Flow January 18th 2026

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at AirAsia X Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.150. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

See our latest analysis for AirAsia X Berhad

SWOT Analysis for AirAsia X Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for AAX.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For AirAsia X Berhad, we've put together three relevant elements you should look at:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for AirAsia X Berhad (1 is significant!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does AAX's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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Musk seeks up to $134 billion in damages in lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft
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Netanyahu says Trumps Gaza board announcement not coordinated, objects to its composition
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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir to meet Donald Trump at World Economic Forum in Davos
Pentagon readies 1,500 troops to possibly deploy to Minnesota, US media say
The countries targeted by US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland will "stand united" in their response, they said in a joint statement
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Shelf registration puts new financing options on the table

Titan Mining (TSX:TI) has filed a $150 million omnibus shelf registration that covers common shares, debt securities, warrants, and units. This structure gives the company broad flexibility to raise capital when market conditions suit.

See our latest analysis for Titan Mining.

That new shelf registration lands at a time when Titans share price has been very strong, with a 64.71% 1 month share price return and 60.23% 3 month share price return feeding into a very large 1 year total shareholder return. This suggests momentum has been building as investors reassess both growth potential and risk around future financing.

If Titans recent move has caught your eye, it could be a good moment to see what else is moving by scanning fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With Titan delivering a 64.71% 1 month return and putting a CA$150 million shelf in place, the big question now is whether the recent strength leaves hidden value on the table or whether markets are already fully reflecting expectations for future growth.

Price-to-Earnings of 30.8x: Is it justified?

Titan is trading on a P/E of 30.8x, and that sits against the last close of CA$5.60 and some mixed messages on relative value.

The P/E tells you how much investors are currently paying for each dollar of earnings, which matters a lot for a producer like Titan that has only recently turned profitable. With the company described as having high quality earnings and having become profitable over the past 5 years, a richer multiple can reflect the market placing a premium on that earnings profile.

Against its immediate peer group, Titan screens as good value, with its 30.8x P/E below the peer average of 56.8x. At the same time, it looks expensive against the wider Canadian Metals and Mining industry, where the average P/E sits at 24.6x. This suggests that investors are pricing Titan above the industry norm while still below its closer peer set.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.

Result: Price-to-Earnings of 30.8x (ABOUT RIGHT)

However, you still need to watch for potential equity dilution from the CA$150 million shelf, as well as any shift in zinc or graphite market conditions that pressures earnings.

Find out about the key risks to this Titan Mining narrative.

Build Your Own Titan Mining Narrative

If this view does not quite fit how you see Titan, you can dig into the numbers yourself and shape a custom storyline in just a few minutes with Do it your way.
'We will not be blackmailed': EU and UK hit back at Trumps 10% tariffs over Greenland
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Emma Perez UOG photo

MANGILAO (UOG)  The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has announced the arrival of Emma Perez as its new fiscal officer, bringing decades of financial leadership and nonprofit experience to the many environmental, research, capacity building and workforce development programs it hosts.

Perez is the founder of 500 Sails, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to reviving traditional seafaring knowledge in the Mariana Islands while promoting environmental stewardship and cultural sustainability. Her work with 500 Sails has been widely recognized for strengthening community connections to the ocean and advancing education rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

In her new role at UOG CIS & Sea Grant, Perez will oversee fiscal operations and financial management, supporting grants that address island sustainability, coastal resilience, climate adaptation, and marine resource stewardship across Guam and Micronesia.

Perez brings more than 40 years of finance experience, much of it serving nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Throughout her career, she has been known for combining rigorous financial oversight with a deep understanding of organizational values, ensuring that limited resources are managed responsibly and strategically to maximize community impact.

Emmas background uniquely positions her for this role, said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG CIS & Sea Grant. She understands both the technical demands of fiscal management and the cultural and environmental context in which our work takes place. We are grateful she navigated to Guam and our center as the next destination in her life journey.

Her appointment comes at a time when UOG CIS & Sea Grant continues to expand its research, education, and community outreach efforts in response to environmental challenges facing island communities.

Perez said she looks forward to supporting the centers mission. The work of CIS & Sea Grant is critical for the future of our islands, she said. Im honored to contribute my experience in service of sustainability, community, and our ocean. My family has been a part of UOG for generations and I am excited to begin my new voyage here.
By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

A CONTRACTING population will continue to shrink the local economy, CNMI Labor Secretary Leila Staffler said, underscoring the need for both returning residents and a stable foreign-worker pipeline as federal officials weigh the future of the CW program.

In an interview with reporters last week, Staffler said the CNMIs labor needs remain acute and that population loss is already driving economic contraction.

What I do understand and know clearly is that a contracting population equals a contracting economy, she said. The more people leave the islands, the fewer we have to do the work thats needed, and the more our economy will contract.

Staffler said bringing home CNMI students and residents who have gained skills abroad is a priority, but foreign labor will still be needed to fill gaps.

I definitely think that there is a need for labor regardless of where it comes from, she said. Finding ways to bring people homebut also making sure that they have access to jobs when they do come home  those are the things that Im interested in.

Staffler said she remains in communication with U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds office, though there are no new updates on CW program negotiations.

As soon as she went into office, she reached out to try and find out what kinds of needs there are, Staffler said. I gave her as much information as I could that would help inform any decisions or negotiations she would be making on behalf of the Marianas.

Any extension or modification of the CW program, Staffler noted, is ultimately a congressional decision. She said the program has areas that could be improved, including employer requirements that may unnecessarily exclude local workers.

The CNMI-Only Transitional Worker program, known as CW-1, allows employers in the Commonwealth to hire foreign workers who do not qualify for other U.S. nonimmigrant categories. It was created to help the CNMI transition from its former local labor permit system to the federal immigration system.

If youre a business looking for a dishwasher and requiring three months of experience, I really have a hard time with that, Staffler said. How is anybody ever going to have experience if they dont even have a chance to get the opening position?

Staffler also criticized the federal requirement for a $100,000 bond under a Trump-era executive order, calling it a major obstacle for businesses trying to transition workers to other visa categories.

Thats definitely a big barrier, she said. The H1B visa is critical for construction needs, but if it costs that much, I dont know how many businesses can afford it for the number of construction workers we need here. Construction has been our top job vacancy for 20 consecutive years.

She said the CNMIs geographic isolation and economic vulnerability should be considered in federal workforce decisions.

We are unique. We cannot fit into the same box as the states, Staffler said. Enticing U.S. citizens to come out here is hard because of our distance. $100,000 for visas is a major burden for a struggling economy.

On the CW1 touchback rule, Staffler said she has not received recent concerns from employers. Some workers must depart the CNMI for a period before renewing, depending on their status and time spent in the program.

To be honest, I have not heard much from businesses on that topic, she said. Immigration is handled by USCIS, and the CNMI Department of Labor has no jurisdiction, so Im not really aware.

In related news, Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds she wrote to the Department of Homeland Security last October about the impact of Presidential Proclamation 10973, which increased H1B visa application fees to $100,000 for new applicants.

King-Hinds said she raised concerns about how the change affects critical service areas in the CNMI that rely on skilled nonimmigrant workers.

This week, we received a response outlining DHSs position and the limited process available for exemptions, she said. DHS confirmed exemptions are extremely rare, but a formal pathway exists for employers to request one. Requests must include supporting documentation sent to [email protected]/. DHS also provided guidance on how Proclamation 10973 is being implemented.

She said her office will continue monitoring the impact of the changes on employers and workers in the Marianas and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Along with several other ICE detainees, Lijie Cui, former majority shareholder of Imperial Pacific International, arrives at the MH II building in Garapan, escorted by ICE-ERO agents for immigration court removal proceedings on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Photo by Bryan Manabat

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

LIJIE Cui, the former majority shareholder of Imperial Pacific International, asked the Saipan Immigration Court to set a monetary bond for her temporary release while removal proceedings continue.

Cui, represented by attorney Charles McDonald, requested the bond hearing on Friday, Jan. 16. To support the request, McDonald submitted 173 pages of documents, including a green card application, marriage certificate, proof of residency, utility payments, and a financial affidavit.

Presiding via teleconference, Honolulu Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner raised concerns about Cuis previous failure to comply with a District Court for the NMI order in a labor dispute. Seven workers had alleged workplace injuries, and Cui, a third-party witness, was found in contempt for violating a preservation order and was ordered to pay more than $40,000 in sanctions  an amount she later satisfied. Cui told the court she had followed her attorneys advice at the time.

The contempt matter was brought to the courts attention by U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney John Robert Odle, who is also prosecuting Cuis current immigration case.

After hearing from both parties, Judge Wagner continued the bond proceedings to Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. to review what he described as the voluminous supporting documents. Throughout the hearing, Cui answered questions from her attorney and DHSICE counsel regarding her immigration status. She testified through a court-appointed interpreter, citing limited English proficiency.

Cui told the court she first arrived in the CNMI in 2016 and left in 2019. She returned in February 2020 and has remained in the Commonwealth since. She said she married a U.S. citizen on Oct. 18, 2024, has no U.S.-citizen children, and applied for a green card following her marriage.

She also said she previously submitted a letter to DHS explaining why she did not depart the CNMI in 2023, citing a pending lawsuit involving IPI. Cui added that she retired from her executive position with IPI in 2023.

ICE agents arrested Cui on Jan. 13 for allegedly overstaying her E-2C long-term investor visa. Cui said she voluntarily visited the Saipan ICE office one week before her arrest to request additional time. I was there on my own, she said. She testified that she visited the ICE office three times before she was detained, though she was not taken into custody until Jan. 13.

Cui confirmed she previously served as IPIs chairwoman of the board. Her husband also worked for IPI but is no longer involved with the company. Odle questioned her about her son, Xiaobo Ji, and whether he was involved in a crime syndicate in China. I have nothing to do with him, Cui said. She said she has no communication with him, does not know his current whereabouts, and did not ask.

Cui, a Chinese national and longtime Hong Kong resident, was a central figure in IPI, which operated Saipans casino for four years before shutting down in March 2020 at the onset of the Covid19 pandemic. She and her son oversaw the development of the casino and hotel project in Garapan. As a foreign investor in a U.S. jurisdiction, Cui is required to maintain a valid E2C visa to remain in the CNMI.

IPI filed for bankruptcy in April 2024, reporting more than $165 million in liabilities. Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC completed its $12.95 million purchase of IPIs casino assets last year following a court-approved auction.

In federal bankruptcy filings, CNMI government representatives noted close ties between IPI and Team King principals, suggesting the relationship facilitated Team Kings acquisition of the casino assets.

In a federal court declaration, Governors Office legal counsel Brendan Layde stated that IPI helped arrange Team Kings participation in the auction. Layde also disclosed that IPI manager and director Howyo Chi, 40, married Cui last year, roughly six months after IPI filed for bankruptcy.

After the hearing, Cui was transported back to ICE custody at the Department of Corrections in Susupe.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
In New York City, Jan. 7, 2026, people protest against ICE, after a U.S. immigration agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in her car in Minneapolis. REUTERS

(Reuters)  The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, the site of large protests against the governments deportation drive, U.S. media reported on Sunday.

The army placed the units on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in the northern state escalates, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed defense officials, adding that it is not clear whether any of them will be sent.

The White House told the Post in a statement that it is typical for the Pentagon to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.

President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces if officials in the state do not stop protesters from targeting immigration officials after a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota dont obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The soldiers subject to deployment specialize in cold-weather operations and are assigned to two U.S. Army infantry battalions under the 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska, the Post and ABC News reported.

Confrontations between residents and federal officers have become increasingly tense in Minneapolis, Minnesotas most-populous city, after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, on January 7 as she was driving away after being ordered to exit her car.

Trump, a Republican, has sent nearly 3,000 federal agents from ICE and Border Patrol to Minneapolis and neighboring St. Paul since early last week, as part of a wave of interventions, mostly to cities run by Democratic politicians.

He has said troop deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Portland, Oregon, are necessary to fight crime and protect federal property and personnel from protesters. But this month he said he was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, which have faced legal setbacks and challenges.

Local leaders have accused the president of federal overreach and of exaggerating isolated episodes of violence to justify sending in troops.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, against whom the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation, has mobilized the states National Guard to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, the state Department of Public Safety posted on X on Saturday.

Trump has repeatedly invoked a scandal around the theft of federal funds intended for social-welfare programs in Minnesota as a rationale for sending immigration agents in. The president and administration officials have repeatedly singled out the states community of Somali immigrants.

The Insurrection Act is a federal law that gives the president the power to deploy the military or federalize National Guard troops inside the U.S. to quell domestic uprisings.

The law can be invoked when there are unlawful obstructions, combinations or assemblages or rebellion against federal authority. If the president deems those conditions have been met, he may use the armed forces to take actions to enforce those laws or suppress the rebellion.
Photo Credit: iStock

With clean energy efforts booming, a new discovery in Norway could fuel the future of the movement. A mining company has found an estimated 77 billion-ton phosphate deposit, enough to satisfy the global demand for the next 50 years, according to its discoverers.

The deposit was discovered by Norge Mining back in 2018, but it wasn't until this May that the company announced just how much phosphate it had discovered.

"Down to 400 meters, we established two world-class resources, which together allow a supply of raw materials for at least 50 years," Michael Wurmser, Norge Mining's founder and deputy CEO, told Euractiv.

Phosphate, when processed into phosphoric acid, is a key ingredient in lithium iron phosphate batteries. These batteries are what keep many solar energy systems and electric vehicles running.

In fact, lithium iron phosphate batteries are soon expected to boom in usage. According to the International Energy Agency, by 2040, the market share of lithium iron phosphate batteries in commercial vehicles is expected to increase to 90%.

As demand for clean energy systems soars, this discovery isn't just important for its size  but also for its location. Before the discovery of this deposit, key producers of phosphate were Morocco, China, the U.S., and Russia. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the market has been massively disrupted.

The discovery of this deposit is expected to help alleviate some of that strain, which means EVs and solar panels could see a decrease in their costs.

"When you find something of that magnitude in Europe, which is larger than all the other sources we know  it is significant," Wurmser said. "We believe the phosphorous that we can produce will be important to the West  it provides autonomy."

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Solidarity gathering at Boney Courthouse before argument. Photo by Jeff Chen

Tupe Smith, right, with her husband Michael Pese, are facing felony charges in Alaska. Photo by Jeff Chen

Charles Ala'ilima

Tafi Toleafoa

Neil Weare

(Press Release)  American Samoans are labeled as U.S. nationals, but not U.S. citizens, by the federal government. This has caused significant confusion at the federal, state, and local level.

In Alaska, it could mean up to 5-10 years in jail for Tupe Smith, an American Samoan woman being prosecuted for voter misconduct after she was encouraged by local officials to run for her local school board and vote in local elections. She was even advised by officials to check she was a U.S. citizen on voter registration forms, since there was no box for U.S. nationals.

The Alaska Court of Appeals heard argument on whether Alaskas voter misconduct law requires an intent to mislead or deceive.

We are pleased the Alaska Court of Appeals is considering this important question  someone should not be facing 5-10 years in jail for checking the wrong box if they had no intent to mislead or deceive a public official, said Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy, a nonprofit organization that represents Smith and works to defend the rights of people from U.S. territories.

State and local officials do not understand how someone can be a U.S. national but not a U.S. citizen, and many state forms do not account for American Samoans status as non-citizen nationals. So without any intent to mislead or deceive, many have ended up registered to vote in Alaska, said American Samoan Attorney Charles Alailima, who also represents Smith. Today the Alaska Court of Appeals questioned the state how someone could be charged with a serious felony without any intent to do something wrong.

Tupe Smith is one of 11 American Samoans in the small town of Whittier, Alaska, who Alaska is targeting for criminal prosecution based on their legal status as non-citizen U.S. nationals. American Samoan Governor Pulaalii Nikoloa Pula and U.S Congresswoman Uifaatali Aumua Amata Radewagen of American Samoa have called on Alaska to pursue administrative solutions as other states, like Oregon have. Governor Pula shared he faced a similar issue when he applied for a federal security clearance, which was eventually granted, notwithstanding the fact he indicated he was a U.S. citizen on the federal forms.

Despite these calls to dismiss the charges, Alaska continues to argue Smith should face jail time, whether or not she had any intent to mislead or deceive when she filled out her voter registration forms.

Alaska should be working to resolve these issues by educating public officials, not by criminally targeting hard-working, tax-paying members of our Pacific Islander community, said Tafi Toleafoa, Executive Director of the Pacific Community of Alaska, which hosted a community solidarity gathering in advance of the court hearing. We were pleased to hear several judges on the Alaska Court of Appeals express skepticism that someone might be sent to jail for up to 5 years even if they didnt know they were doing anything wrong.

Whitney Brown, a partner at Stoel Rives, argued on behalf of Tupe Smith before the Alaska Court of Appeals. The State of Alaska was represented by Kayla Doyle, assistant attorney general in the Office of Criminal Appeals.

Recently, High Country News published an in-depth look at the human toll this prosecution has taken on Tupe Smiths family and the broader American Samoan community in Alaska.

More information on her case is available at https://www.righttodemocracy.us/alaska_v_smith

Right to Democracy held a virtual press conference following the argument, joined by Tupe Smith, her husband Michael Pese, who has also been charged by the state, and attorneys Alailima, Weare, and Brown.
By Ambrose M. Bennett  Activist

THE Truth is, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. only wanted OUR nation to live up to its CREED of All Men being Created Equal, which is the basic expectation of mankind in a state of nature. Dr. King KNEW that America is supposed to be a nation of laws and not a nation of permissive injustices. The founders of America even WARNED & WROTE in the Federalist Papers how WE the People are HEAVILY dependent upon informed and active public criticism & protest to maintain a HEALTHY Democracy, which is WHY there continues to be protest across America. Trump is fighting back against Criticism & Protest with ICE & National Guard and even using the DOJ for HIS enforcement to prosecute & kill protesters like Ms. Renee Good and ALL of Trumps political oppositionist to create an atmosphere of FEAR. Heck, the CNMI is facing economic shambles under Republicans & fake Independent Republicans rule and yet there isnt so much as a whisper of criticism & protest, as CEDA, MVA & the Chamber and even the sponsor(s) of the MLK Day Protest are AFRAID of Republicans. WE practice the simple accountability of What WE Have Done & Failed to Do with ourselves on Sunday but how soon soooo many forget this accountability also applies to Leaders on Monday! If WE dont Say & Do Something (protest) then they will continue to sit using silence for a platform to keep sitting  too many leaders have been playing this poli-tricking game for entirely too long! Dr. King was adamant about holding leaders accountable and I pray this reminder HELPS us ALL in the CNMI to do a BETTER job of holding OUR leaders ACCOUNTABLE. Thanks Dr. King for your service & sacrifice, as you will forever be a beacon of LIGHT FOR the People and OUR Already Great Nation, as up PROVED to be Right that Injustice ANYWHERE, including the CNMI, is a threat to JUSTICE EVERYWHERE!

Im sure Dr. King would agree that what empowers OUR Leaders to be Silent and Do TAYA is OUR own Silence which Gives Permission to their Injustices. OUR Silence even implies the PEOPLE are Complicit (happy with the economic failures). FYI example readers, Ambrodamus has more Economic knowledge in my pinky finger than Clyde Noritas body, yet hes some kind of Senior Economic Advisor  political favoritism like the raise for a relative! Heck, the last two previous Governors even fictitiously hired me, Ambrodamus, to help them with the Cannabis & Hemp Industries. However, I wised-up to their plan to only keep me from writing in the paper. Truth-be-Told, it was a waste of the Peoples money to try & buy my silence while never intending to apply my advice-now Cannabis in the Red & No Hemp Industry!

The CNMI Republicans have used their smear & bigotry campaigns, just like Trump is doing on the mainland, to make it so that No One is brave enough to say Ambrose M. Bennett is or was RIGHT about anything creating a stumbling-block to Progress. Citizens & the business sector, as I can truly HELP the Hotels, Cannabis & Hemp, but they are simply AFRAID! Ambrodamus, Zaldy & Mr. Jang collectively offered a PLETHORA of things that would HELP the CNMI and no one could say they were ALL wrong, bad or worthless. However, I know the many voters who are open minded & objective can see and know BETTER, but they are AFRAID too! In fact, the only things accomplished in trying to neutralize me was the Failure to Do any Progress FOR the People and a Silent Citizenry allowed them to continue to Sit for Doing TAYA. WE the People have been our own WORSE enemy to a large degree falling for the Same-O Republican Poli-tricks! FYI Voters, if you truly CARE about the CNMI, then please take 15 minutes to go down the list of people in the Legislature and ask yourself What has this official done for me lately, as your own answer should tell you if its time for them to Go or to Sit AGAIN! I KNOW most of the answers will be TAYA, and Im sure Dr. King would say something to the effect of letting your own conscious be your guide, not Party, friends & extended family  B.S. Heck they push their family connections BEFORE offering ANY solutions  poli-tricking! In fact, WE have a pending Republican Primary and yet there isnt a whisper on their detailed plans to fix the economy, just running & using silence to SIT, when or if theres a Debate!

Greatness cant be made as it only happens when the conditions are set for greatness as Greatness is right around the corner waiting for that once every 100-years GREAT Leader! The CNMI has experienced some very good leaders like Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio who served 3 terms. However, given the destitute conditions in the CNMI, greatness is demanded & waiting for a GREAT Leader made of the Right Stuff to Reform the CNMI for the BETTER! As Albert Einstein once said, you cant fix a problem with the same mind-set & attitude that caused the problem  Republican Conservatism when WE need Liberal Minds & Actions. Im sure those on the mainland and most of the CNMI agree that Republicans have RUINED-It, which is WHY its VITAL to our very existence for CNMI Dems to Come-Alive or at least an Independent Democrat for Governor. In fact, the reason WE now have so many Independents in the CNMI is because the Republicans have Messed-Up so badly and Democrats are a No Show after shooting themselves in the head trying to hit Ambrodamus with a blackball  it is so pathetic! So, will WE get a Great Governor, or the Same-O is the biggest question for 2026!

Today is MLK Day, which is a Day-On and not a Day-Off and Ambrodamus is honoring Dr. King & John Lewis with this Op ed Fighting the Good Fight and Making Good Trouble FOR the People OF the CNMI! I dont care about those bigots who dont like nor want my help, as this is MY Island TOO as long as Im standing on American Soil! A Happy MLK Day to ALL and please help me & the CNMI to Keep the Dream Alive in 2026!

One People, One Direction.

Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays-Lifetime Humanities & Religious Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Canadian Premier League Final in Ottawa was played as temperatures dropped to 8C. Snow kept delaying the match, with field lines being cleared every 15 minutes. Insane.pic.twitter.com/Y2iDcsYzIf  Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 17, 2026



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A 73-year-old bottle of French Burgundy became the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction in 2018, going for $558,000 (approx 439,300). The bottle of 1945 Romanee-Conti sold at Sotheby for more than 17 times its original estimate of $32,000.#France pic.twitter.com/4bbgHquegm  Mythic Saga (@Mythicsagaa) February 8, 2024 The 5 most expensive whiskies in the world #top5 #expensive #whisky pic.twitter.com/ecgg43l1VX  Top5expensive (@top5expensive) January 7, 2026

Antidote du jour (via)

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here
Conor here: While the following piece highlights a major growing problem, Im not sure expanding the Refugee Convention to cover those displaced by environment factors is the panacea the author hopes it is. Laura Robson, professor of history at Penn State University, wrote a whole book (Human Capital: A History of Putting Refugees to Work, 2023) about how the Convention and other statuses for displaced people have always been designed to serve the interests of capital rather than the refugees.

The Refugee Convention has been degraded ever since its conception with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees excluding Palestinians from the universal Convention and allowing the US-led international community to create different categories of refugees based on place of origin and method of dislocation. Since the 1980s there have been a wave of new labels around the concept of temporary protection, which make refugees into guest workers with very few claims to guaranteed rights.

Any displaced person still recognized as a refugee under the convention must typically pay for that designation and attached aid with physical confinement (sometimes in Special Economic Zones), as well as submit to Biometric Identity Management Systems and data mining.

So while many like to say we are unprepared for whats coming; it is perhaps more unfortunate than that. Certain institutions are ready; its just that they are geared toward exploitation rather than assistance.

By Rachael Mellor, a writer for the nonprofit platform Better World Info, which focuses on global issues such as peace, human rights, environment, and social justice. Cross posted from Common Dreams.

The consequences of our planets changing climate extend far beyond warming temperatures, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. Human displacement as a result of the climate crisis is now one of the worlds most pressing issues, as estimates predict that there could be more than 1 billion climate refugees by 2050.

The plight of these people is neglected and forgotten as they remain unprotected by the law and are excluded from international aid programs.

Climate refugees are forced to flee their homes as the environment degrades and climate-related disasters take hold. Climate change is now one of the leading causes of mass forced displacement.

Climate change is also increasing rates of poverty, instability, and violencefurther drivers of migration.

Those on the front lines of climate change are often in countries that contributed the least to it. The vast majority of climate migration is internal, which puts an unsustainable strain on the already limited resources of these nations.

When people are driven out because their local environment has become uninhabitable, it might look like a process of nature, something inevitable Yet the deteriorating climate is very often the result of poor choices and destructive activity, of selfishness and neglect, said Pope Francis.

A Humanitarian Crisis

In 2022, climate-related disasters accounted for more than half of new reported displacements.

Almost 60% of existing refugees and IDPs live in countries that are among the most vulnerable to climate change.

The demand for humanitarian assistance due to climate-related disasters is predicted to double by 2050.

In 2023, the countries with the highest numbers of new internal displacements (IDPs) due to environmental disasters were China, Turkiye, the Philippines, Somalia, and Bangladesh.

Three out of four refugees and displaced people are in countries experiencing both conflict and high risk of climate hazards.

By 2030, water scarcity could displace 700 million people.

Up to 75% of Bangladesh sits below sea level. Rising water levels have already affected 25.9 million people.

Unpredictable rainfall patterns, desertification, and declining agricultural productivity undermine rural livelihoods and force migration to urban areas.

Climate change perpetuates poverty. The World Bank estimates that without urgent action, an additional 32 -132 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by 2030.

Climate migration is not just an issue in developing countries. In 2022, 3.2 million people were either displaced or evacuated due to wildfires, floods, and hurricanes in the US.

Within Europe, rising sea levels are expected to displace 1.6-5.3 million people by the end of the century.

Expansion of Legal Protections

Climate migrants remain in a murky legal space that neither recognizes nor protects them. In fact, the term is not recognized at all in international law.

The Refugee Convention, which entered into force in 1954, was established to protect those who had fled persecution from the atrocities of World War II. Its protections extend only to those who must leave their home countries due to war, violence, conflict, or any other kind of maltreatment. It also does not protect those who have been displaced in their own countries.

As the vast majority of climate refugees are not crossing borders nor fleeing violence, their status is outside of the conventions reach. These facts do not mean that these people are less in need of assistance or that their lives are not equally in danger, yet the law overlooks their plight.

Refugee advocates are pushing for an expansion to the convention to include the rights of those forced to move due to environmental factors, but have met with significant political pushback. Critics argue it would lead to the weakening of protection for those experiencing serious persecution. The difficulty in proving the causal factors of climate migration is a further barrier.

The 1998 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement help bridge the gap in protecting climate refugees; however, its nonbinding nature limits its practical effect and gives it no legal force. It also does not protect those who must cross borders.

The Global Compact for Migration was adopted in 2018. It was the first United Nations framework on international migration. For the first time, climate change was officially recognized as a driver of migration, but it still does not grant legal protection for climate refugees. Instead, the compact promotes safe, orderly pathways for migrants, including planned relocation, visa options, and humanitarian shelter.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is both the process and the treaty that help countries mitigate the causes and consequences of the climate crisis. It was signed by 154 countries in 1992. Climate migrants arent explicitly protected by the UNFCCC.

As it stands, although some countries have enacted domestic laws that provide temporary protection for climate refugees, the lack of recognition under the Refugee Convention means there is still no international, legally binding mechanism for them.

Countries are reluctant to sign up to yet another agreement, especially as it may make them responsible for climate migrants who arrive at their borders and promote larger migrant influxes to favored countries. There are many political obstacles which ultimately exacerbate the humanitarian needs of millions.

We must begin to address internal climate displacement in the most vulnerable countries. Tackling the issue at its root is imperative, and the nations historically responsible for the damage must be made to pay.

Climate migration is a form of adaptation. We can build new pathways for safe and regular migration.

The Loss and Damage Fund was established in 2022 at COP27 to address the financial needs of communities severely impacted by climate change. The money would support rehabilitation, recovery, and human mobility. While a brilliant initiative, as of late 2025, rich nations have delivered less than half of what they initially committed to the fund.

Climate Justice is Migrant Justice

The climate justice movement recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable communities. It demands that the Global North, which has massive historical accountability, should bear the burden of the solutions. The movement brings social justice, racial justice, human rights, and economic equality into the climate debate.

In July 2025, years of activism by a bold group of law students from the University of the South Pacific paid off. The Vanuatu ICJ Initiative spearheaded legal action that led to a historic advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The following was adopted unanimously by all 15 judges: Nations have a legal duty to combat the planetary crisis.

The ICJ has, for the first time, officially categorized the climate crisis as an urgent and existential threat and emphasized that cooperation is not a matter of choice for states but a pressing need and a legal obligation. The ICJ opinion can now be used to demand more ambitious climate protection measures, to ensure compliance with the Paris Agreement, to implement national and international climate laws, and potentially to help protect climate migrants.

The initiative also highlighted the vulnerability of small island nations and demonstrated that collective action and legal accountability are essential tools on the journey to justice and sustainable development.

Any justice for climate-induced migration must be human-rights focused. Humanitarian visas, temporary protection, authorization to stay, and bilateral free movement agreements would all help to ease the suffering of those forced to leave their homes.

Invisible No Longer

When we refugees are excluded, our voices are silenced, our experiences go unheard, and the reality of the climate situation in the Global South is blurred says Ugandan climate justice activist Ayebare Denise.

Climate migrants have remained invisible in climate and migration debates for years. The International Organisation for Migration have been working hard to bring climatic and environmental factors into the spotlight. They are establishing a body of evidence that will definitively prove that climate change, both directly and indirectly, affects human mobility.

The UN Refugee Agency advocates for states responsibilities and obligations to address the migration crisis caused by climate change. They view climate change as a threat multiplier and are working toward protection frameworks.

The debate over establishing a climate refugee status is ongoing, and while a legal definition would be helpful, it would be only a partial solution. The vast majority of climate migrants do not want to leave their homes, their livelihoods, or their communities. Admittedly, this is no easy feat, but we must fix the root of the problemclimate change itself.

Without urgent action, we are all at risk of becoming climate refugees.

While working to address immediate needs, climate discussions should continue to focus on preventive measures. Climate mitigation, adaptation, and a just energy transition are essential.

Countries must begin cooperating on this global issue and ensure the fair treatment of all refugees. We must demand a new comprehensive legal framework for climate refugees to safeguard vulnerable populations and protect those who may be at risk in the future.

Supporting climate refugees is our moral obligation.
Australia blocks 5 million underage social media accounts in landmark crackdown

Australia is the first country to enforce a sweeping ban on social media access for children under 16, shutting down nearly five million accounts in the first weeks. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must implement strict age verification, including facial recognition or government ID uploads, or face fines up to A$50 million.

Similar policies are being pushed in the EU and the U.K., justified under "child protection" but criticized as a gateway to mass surveillance. Privacy advocates warn that facial estimation and ID checks are prone to errors and could lead to data breaches in a country already struggling with cybersecurity.

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) blocked 550,000 accounts, while other platforms removed millions more. Some companies cooperate (e.g., BlueSky, Lemon8), while others face scrutiny for loopholesraising concerns about teens migrating to unregulated platforms.

Supporters argue the ban protects kids from cyberbullying and harmful content. Critics say blanket bans don't solve root issueseducation and parental guidance are needed instead.

The eSafety Commissioner pledges a longitudinal study on mental health impacts. Critics warn this could normalize invasive surveillance, setting a dangerous precedent for global digital control.

Australia has become the first country to enforce a sweeping ban on social media access for children under 16, resulting in the shutdown of nearly five million accounts in the first weeks of implementation.

The controversial Online Safety Amendment Bill 2024, passed by the Senate in November, mandates that platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok verify users' agesa move hailed by regulators as a victory for child safety but criticized by privacy advocates as a dangerous expansion of government surveillance.

Meta Platforms Inc., which owns Facebook and Instagram, confirmed it had blocked nearly 550,000 accounts in compliance with the new law, while other major platforms collectively removed millions more. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, called the early results "encouraging" but cautioned that full compliance would take timeand that some children may still find ways to circumvent the restrictions.

A global precedent for digital control

Australia's policy follows similar efforts in the European Union and the United Kingdom, where governments have invoked child protection concerns to justify increased online monitoring. Critics argue that age-verification technologiessuch as facial estimation and identity checksare prone to errors and could expose users to data breaches in a country already plagued by cybersecurity failures.

"The law sets a dangerous precedent," said one privacy advocate who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Once governments gain this level of control over digital identity, it's only a matter of time before surveillance expands beyond child safety."

The eSafety Commissioner has defended the policy, comparing it to speed limitsacknowledging that some will bypass the rules, but arguing that overall harm reduction justifies the measure.

Meanwhile, BrightU.AI's Enoch describes the eSafety Commissioner as a government-appointed authority, often criticized as a "Ministry of Truth" figure, that enforces online censorship under the guise of "safety." It allegedly works with globalist-aligned entities like the White House to advance progressive agendas, including social credit-style surveillance and the erosion of free speech.

Mixed reactions from tech companies and families

Social media platforms have scrambled to comply with the law, though exact figures on blocked accounts per service remain undisclosed. Some companies, including BlueSky and Lemon8, have cooperated with regulators, while others face scrutiny over potential loopholes.

Parents and educators remain divided on the ban's effectiveness. While some applaud efforts to shield children from cyberbullying and harmful content, others worry that blanket restrictions could push young users toward less-regulated platforms or underground forums.

"We can't pretend that banning access solves everything," said a Sydney-based child psychologist. "Teens will always find ways to connect onlinethe focus should be on education and parental guidance, not just blocking access."

A long-term experiment in digital regulation

The true impact of Australia's social media ban may take years to assess. The eSafety Commissioner has pledged an independent, longitudinal study to measure mental health outcomes, while critics warn that the policy could normalize invasive digital surveillance.

For now, the immediate effect is clear: Millions of young Australians have lost access to mainstream social media platforms overnight. Whether this leads to improved well-beingor unintended consequencesremains to be seen.

As governments worldwide grapple with balancing online safety and privacy, Australia's bold experiment will likely serve as a case studyfor better or worse.

Watch the video below that talks about Australia's social media ban.

This video is from the GANG STALKING AUSTRALIA channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

eSafety.gov.au

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
EU moves to seize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine loans, escalating economic warfare

The EU is advancing plans to repurpose 200 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets170 billion of which has matured into cashto fund loans for Ukraine, escalating economic warfare against Moscow.

Russia warns of retaliation, calling the move illegal and destabilizing to global finance. Some EU members (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic) oppose the plan, fearing legal repercussions and loss of trust in the euro.

Two proposals include issuing zero-interest bonds backed by Russian reserves or creating a special-purpose financial vehicle. The U.S. is pressuring G7 nations to seize both interest and principal of Russian assets.

Originally planning a "reparations loan" backed by Russian assets, the EU pivoted to taxpayer-funded debt due to resistance. A 90 billion package will mostly finance weapons, with Ukraine's budget receiving the rest.

The move sets a dangerous precedent for state asset seizures, threatening trust in Western banking systems. Russia is suing Euroclear and plans further litigation, while analysts warn of accelerating the collapse of Western monetary dominance.

The European Union is advancing plans to repurpose 200 billion (more than $232 billion) in frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund loans for Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in economic measures against Moscow.

The proposal, which includes issuing zero-interest bonds backed by Russian reserves or creating a special-purpose financial vehicle, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and warnings from the Kremlin about the destabilizing effects on global finance.

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU has immobilized Russian central bank funds held in European financial institutions, primarily through Belgium-based Euroclear. Now, Brussels is pushing to leverage these assets170 billion ($198 billion) of which have already matured into cashto finance Ukraine's military and budgetary needs.

Legal gray areas and international backlash

The EU insists its actions comply with international law, but Russia and some European member states argue that outright seizure lacks legal precedent. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the move as "an obsession with funding war," while Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that confiscation would inflict lasting damage on the global financial system.

Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have already secured exemptions from guaranteeing the loans, citing skepticism over Ukraine's ability to repay. Meanwhile, Washington is pressuring G7 allies to seize not just interest but the principal of Russian assetsa move that signals deepening economic warfare amid stalled U.S. aid due to domestic political divisions.

Initially, the EU explored issuing a "reparations loan" backed by Russian assets, but resistance from Belgiumwhere most funds are heldforced a pivot to taxpayer-funded debt. Under the new 90 billion ($105 billion) loan package, two-thirds will finance weapons purchases, while the remainder supports Ukraine's budget.

European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized urgency, stating: "We are aware of Ukraine's sizable and urgent financing needs. That's why we are aiming to start disbursing in April." However, interest paymentsestimated at 3 billion to $4 billion ($3.5 to $4.6) annuallywill fall on EU taxpayers unless Russia is compelled to pay reparations, a scenario Moscow dismisses as unrealistic.

Broader implications for global finance

The EU's move sets a contentious precedent for state asset seizures in wartime, raising concerns among financial institutions about future trust in Western banking systems. Russia has already filed lawsuits against Euroclear and plans to expand litigation to European banks holding frozen reserves, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes.

As Brussels seeks approval from EU lawmakers by early 2026, the debate underscores the fine line between punitive economic measures and the risks of undermining international financial stability. Whether the plan proceedsor faces further legal and diplomatic hurdlesremains a critical test of Europe's strategy in supporting Ukraine while navigating uncharted legal territory.

The EU's push to repurpose Russian assets reflects both the desperation to sustain Ukraine's war effort and the escalating financial confrontation between Moscow and the West. Yet with legal ambiguities, geopolitical fallout and taxpayer burdens at stake, the long-term consequences of this unprecedented economic maneuver remain uncertain.

Watch the video below, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban talks about Russian frozen assets.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

EC.Europa.eu

EuroNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Medical groups seek court order to BLOCK changes to childhood vaccine schedule

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and five other medical organizations plan to ask a court to overturn recent revisions to the childhood immunization schedule announced in January by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The revisions reduced the number of routine childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, moving six vaccines, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus and influenza, to a "consultation with provider" category rather than routine administration.

The medical groups argue that the changes lack scientific evidence and could threaten public health. They are seeking a preliminary injunction to restore the April 15, 2025, schedule and to block the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting scheduled for Feb. 2526.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the medical groups are attempting to block the administration's work and preserve the "broken status quo." Children's Health Defense CEO Mary Holland criticized the groups for financial ties to pharmaceutical companies and questioned the scientific basis of the existing vaccine schedule.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has scheduled an initial hearing on Feb. 13. The plaintiffs include AAP, the American Public Health Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American College of Physicians, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and five other medical organizations plan to overturn recent revisions to the childhood immunization schedule announced earlier this January by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other federal officials.

Under the revised schedule, the number of diseases covered by routine childhood vaccination recommendations was reduced from 17 to 11. Vaccines for six diseases, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus and influenza, were shifted out of routine recommendations and are now advised for most children only after consultation with a health care provider.

The medical groups argue that the changes are not supported by scientific evidence and pose risks to public health. In turn, the group said that they will seek a preliminary injunction to overturn revisions and to restore the version of the schedule in effect as of April 15, 2025. They are also asking the court to prevent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is scheduled on Feb. 25 and 26.

Aside from the American Public Health Association, the plaintiffs also include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American College of Physicians, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance.

Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has scheduled Feb. 13 for an initial hearing on the lawsuit.

HHS and CHD criticize plaintiffs while defending vaccine schedule changes

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the childhood immunization schedule is a set of recommended vaccinations that children are supposed to receive from birth to adolescence. While health authorities claim the schedule is designed to protect children from various infectious diseases, it has been criticized for its potential risks and the lack of transparency in the data supporting its safety and efficacy.

In line with this, Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon argued that the AAP and the other medical groups are attempting to block the administration's work through lawsuits rather than engage with policy changes initiated by Kennedy. "AAP continues with their attempts to hinder this administration's work through procedural and legal challenges while trying to preserve a broken status quo," Nixon said.

Meanwhile, Children's Health Defense (CHS) CEO Mary Holland said it was "no surprise" that the medical organizations are opposing the changes.

"For decades, these groups financially benefited while U.S. healthcare spending soared and U.S. Americans' health plummeted," Holland said, accusing the organizations of maintaining close financial ties to pharmaceutical companies. She said the groups "feed at Big Pharma's trough" and are resisting reforms that could disrupt the existing system.

Holland also questioned the scientific basis of the current childhood vaccine schedule, asserting that it is not supported by adequate clinical evidence. She said there have been no inert placebo-controlled clinical trials for vaccines on the recommended childhood schedule and no comprehensive studies comparing long-term health outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Those claims are disputed by public health authorities and many medical researchers.

"The vaccine enterprise is on the cusp of dramatic failure. These organizations know it, and are trying to forestall the inevitable," Holland said. She further alleged that financial motivations are driving opposition from medical groups, citing the AAP's reported revenue of more than $140 million in 2024 and its listing of major pharmaceutical companies among its donors.

Watch former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield claiming RFK Jr. will be "the most consequential health secretary ever" in this clip.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheDefender.org

NYTimes.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Venezuelan opposition leader presents her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a private White House meeting, fulfilling a pledge to share the honor with him.

She credited Trump's policies for weakening the Maduro regime, with the medal's inscription thanking him for "promoting peace through strength" and his actions to secure "a free Venezuela."

The act was framed as a historic diplomatic gesture, with Machado drawing a parallel to a medal exchanged between Lafayette and Simon Bolivar 200 years ago.

The presentation is a direct snub to the Nobel Committee, which had rejected Trump's own candidacy for the prize and the Committee preemptively stated that the laureateship remains solely Machado's even if the physical medal is gifted.

The event occurs amid shifting U.S. policy, as Trump has recently expressed doubts about Machado's leadership and voiced support for interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a former Maduro ally.

In an extraordinary act of political symbolism, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a private White House meeting on Thursday, fulfilling a pledge to share the honor with the man she credits for weakening the regime of Nicolas Maduro. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations deemed to have made the most significant contributions to promoting peace and fraternity between nations, as defined by Alfred Nobel's will.

A photograph obtained by The Post shows Trump and Machado standing side-by-side in the Oval Office, holding a framed display containing the prestigious gold medal.

The accompanying certificate bore a detailed inscription: "To President Donald J. Trump, in gratitude for your extraordinary leadership in promoting peace through strength, advancing diplomacy and defending liberty and prosperity. Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump's principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela. The courage of America, and its President Donald J. Trump, will never be forgotten by the Venezuelan people."

Machado confirmed the presentation to reporters on Capitol Hill after the two-and-a-half hour visit, which included a private lunch. "I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," she stated. The gesture marks a dramatic physical transfer of an award that itself was steeped in controversy when announced last October. At that time, Machado's dedication of the prize to Trump was seen as a pointed snub of the Norwegian Nobel Committee's implicit rejection of Trump's own candidacy, which had been promoted by the White House throughout 2025.

An international honor turns into a diplomatic artifact

On his Truth Social platform, Trump thanked Machado for the "wonderful gesture." He wrote, "She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect."

Machado framed the presentation within a grand historical narrative, drawing a parallel to the 19th-century bonds between revolutionary leaders in the Americas. "I told him this: 200 years ago, Gen. [Marquis de] Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington's face on it. Bolivar kept that medal the rest of his life," Machado recounted.

"It was given by Gen. Lafayette as a sign of the brotherhood between the people of the U.S. and the people of Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. 200 years on in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of George Washington a medal, in this case a medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," she continued.

The meeting and transfer come amid shifting U.S. policy on Venezuela. While Machado is the recognized opposition leader who won the Nobel for her fight against Maduro, Trump has recently expressed doubts about her ability to lead and has instead voiced support for interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president, whom he called a "terrific person" after a phone call on Wednesday.

The Nobel Committee, anticipating the symbolic transfer, issued a preemptive statement ahead of the meeting: "A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot." The statement underscores that while Machado may gift the physical medal, the laureateship remains solely hers in the official record.

Machado had signaled her intent earlier in the week, stating, "I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe  the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people  certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him." She added, "What he has done is historic. It's a huge step toward a democratic transition."

The event transforms the Nobel medal from an international honor into a diplomatic artifact, representing a deeply personal thank-you from a liberation movement to a U.S. president whose "maximum pressure" policy they view as foundational to their ongoing struggle.

Watch this video about Maria Machado receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

BrightU.ai

NYPost.com 1

NYPost.com 2
U.S. military signals imminent intervention in Iran as European officials sound alarm and nations urge evacuations

European and Israeli officials warn that U.S. military intervention in Iran could happen within days, as the U.S. withdraws personnel from key bases in the region, like Al Udeid in Qatar.

If the U.S. strikes, Iran has promised to retaliate by attacking U.S. bases in neighboring countries, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which could quickly escalate into a full-scale regional war involving nearly 50,000 troops stationed there.

The trigger is intense anti-government protests in Iran, which the regime is violently suppressing. President Trump has repeatedly threatened "very strong action" against Iran if it executes protesters, tying the internal crisis to potential external war.

The severity is highlighted by the U.S., Poland and Italy urgently telling their citizens to leave Iran immediately, a rare step that signals governments believe open warfare may be imminent.

Direct talks between the U.S. and Iran are suspended, and the strategy relies on military threats. This is happening despite long-disputed intelligence about an immediate Iranian nuclear threat, pushing the region toward a conflict with no clear exit plan and potentially global consequences.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated to a critical breaking point, with European officials now warning that U.S. military intervention in Iran could be imminent.

This alarming assessment comes as the United States withdraws personnel from key bases in the region and multiple nations urgently tell their citizens to leave Iran immediately, painting a picture of a crisis rapidly spiraling toward open conflict.

According to two European officials, American military action could unfold within the next few days.

An Israeli official echoed this grim outlook, stating it appears President Donald Trump has decided to intervene, though the exact scope and timing remain shrouded in uncertainty. These warnings follow a series of aggressive diplomatic and military moves by Washington, including new sanctions and the precautionary drawdown of U.S. personnel from strategic locations.

The United States is actively pulling some staff from pivotal bases across the Middle East, a direct response to soaring regional tensions. Qatar confirmed that withdrawals from Al Udeid air base, the largest U.S. military installation in the region, are underway.

While large-scale troop movements have not yet been observed, diplomats report personnel have been ordered to leave. Britain is also withdrawing some of its personnel from a base in Qatar ahead of possible U.S. strikes.

These actions underscore a palpable fear that American installations, which house nearly 50,000 U.S. troops across the region, are now in the crosshairs.

A senior Iranian official explicitly confirmed this threat, stating Tehran has warned neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey, that U.S. bases on their soil will be attacked if Washington strikes Iran. This stark warning highlights the extreme risk of rapid regional escalation, where a single American action could trigger a counterattack endangering thousands of U.S. troops and critical infrastructure, from oil facilities to naval headquarters.

The Iranian protests have triggered tension in the Middle East

The immediate catalyst for this showdown is the severe domestic unrest inside Iran, described by French officials as "the most violent repression in Iran's contemporary history." As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, anti-government protests, which began over economic grievances, have metastasized into the most significant challenge to the clerical regime since the 1979 revolution.

Rights groups report thousands of protesters have been killed in the crackdown. Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene on behalf of the protesters, vowing "very strong action" if Iran carries out executions, a threat he reiterated just days ago while urging Iranians to continue their demonstrations.

Despite Trumps public suggestion that the violence is subsiding, based on what he called "very important sources," the administration's military preparations tell a different story.

A Western military official noted that while an attack seems imminent, unpredictability is a core part of the U.S. strategy, keeping adversaries and allies alike off-balance.

The situation has grown so perilous that nations are now urging their citizens to flee. The United States issued a stark advisory, telling Americans in Iran to "leave now" and consider departing by land to Turkey or Armenia.

This was swiftly followed by Poland and Italy issuing similar urgent appeals for their citizens to depart immediately.

Italy noted there are approximately 600 of its nationals in the country, primarily around Tehran. Such coordinated evacuation warnings are a rare and grave indicator that governments believe the security situation is deteriorating toward open warfare.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to meet on the crisis, but diplomatic channels appear increasingly futile. Direct contacts between Iranian and U.S. diplomats have reportedly been suspended. This breakdown mirrors a long-standing U.S. strategy that has prioritized coercion and military threats over diplomacy, despite intelligence assessments consistently showing Iran is not actively building a nuclear weapon.

The current trajectory risks plunging the region into an unwinnable conflict based on a narrative of imminent threat that has been disputed for decades.

The world now watches a hair-trigger scenario unfold.

With U.S. forces repositioning, allies evacuating citizens and Iran promising devastating retaliation, the Middle East stands on the precipice of a war that could trigger a global energy crisis, draw in major powers like Russia and China, and exact a staggering humanitarian toll.

The warnings from European capitals suggest the fuse is already lit. Unless a diplomatic off-ramp is found immediately, a prospect that is growing dimmer by the hour, the region and the world will face the devastating consequences of a conflict built on escalation, with no clear exit and no true winners.

Watch the video below as the Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about Russia drawing a line in the sand over Trump's threats against Iran.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

JPost.com

Reuters.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. to suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries under new policy

The U.S. State Department will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries starting Jan. 21 as it reassesses immigration screening procedures.

The suspension applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residency and does not affect non-immigrant visas such as tourist, business, student or temporary work visas.

Under expanded "public charge" rules, consular officers must conduct more detailed assessments of applicants finances, health, education, skills, family status and English proficiency.

The Trump administration says the pause is intended to prevent fraud and stop the entry of immigrants likely to rely on public assistance.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions with Iran following a deadly crackdown on protests, with Iran included among the affected countries alongside dozens across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

The U.S. Department of State has announced that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries beginning on Jan. 21.

Immigrant visa applications, as BrightU.AI's Enoch explains, are a critical component of the U.S. immigration system, designed to facilitate the entry of individuals from around the world who wish to become permanent residents or citizens. However, the process is fraught with issues, including the use of subjective and broad questions that can lead to arbitrary denials and the prevalence of fraud.

As a response, the State Department instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries on Wednesday, Jan. 14, while officials reassess screening procedures. The suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are used by people seeking permanent residency. It does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as tourist, business, student or temporary work visas, which account for the majority of visa applications.

Under existing federal law, immigrants seeking permanent residency must demonstrate they are unlikely to become a public charge. During President Donald Trump's first term, the administration broadened the definition of what benefits could count against applicants. The November guidance cited by the State Department goes further, requiring more extensive and detailed assessments.

Immigrant visa applicants already undergo medical examinations conducted by embassy-approved physicians, including screenings for communicable diseases and reviews of mental health, substance use and vaccination history. The new directive instructs consular officers to weigh additional factors such as applicants' age, health, family status, finances, education, job skills and any prior use of public assistance, regardless of country of origin. Officers are also directed to assess English proficiency, including by conducting interviews in English if necessary.

The expanded criteria could significantly narrow who qualifies to enter the United States. The countries affected by the suspension include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Haiti, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and dozens of others across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

"The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America's immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people," the State Department said. "Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits."

Escalating Iran crackdown drives visa suspension decision

The visa freeze comes as tensions escalate between Washington and Tehran. Earlier in January, protests in the streets of Tehran escalated into a nationwide crisis, with more than 2,400 protesters estimated to have been killed in a sweeping government crackdown.

The demonstrations, which began on Dec. 28, were initially sparked by a sharp fall in the value of Iran's currency. They later broadened into wider anti-government protests, with demonstrators calling for an end to the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While protests appear to be slowing in recent days, security forces have established a heavy presence in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj. Authorities have also shut down internet access across much of the country since Jan. 8, effectively cutting Iranians off from communicating with one another and with the outside world.

In line with this, Trump has voiced strong support for the protesters, urging them to continue demonstrating and warning Tehran that the U.S.would take "very strong action" if Iranian authorities proceed with executions of detained protesters. Hence, the suspension of immigrant visas to 75 countries, including Iran.

Watch Fox News anchor Rachel Campos-Duffy discussing how the H-1B visa program is rife with abuse in this clip.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

CBC.ca

BBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
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Behind every great passively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) is an index. Sometimes, those indexes were contrived to sell a product. And in the case of the new Morningstar PitchBook GenAI 20 Index, which launched on Jan. 15, 2026, Id be shocked if one or more ETFs doesnt emerge quickly.

Regardless of whether youre starving for the next AI stock ETF or not, theres something worth cheering here.

More News from Barchart

Morningstar research is a longtime Wall Street staple. Im old enough to remember the company distributing mutual fund research via floppy disk. That was before it added stock research and when ETFs were only a twinkle in the eye of asset allocators.

Whats different this time is that Morningstar, creator of many indexes that back prominent ETFs in the equity growth, dividend, and non-U.S. stock space, has standardized what the company calls a perpetual benchmark that bridges the gap between private tech giants and the public stock market.

A New Index Focused on OpenAI and Anthropic, Not Nvidia

The index is heavily weighted toward the "Big Four as it refers to them. Thats not a subset of the Magnificent 7, but a foursome of private companies. Those include Anthropic (19% of index assets), better known for its Claude LLM. That firm is in talks to raise $10 billion at a whopping $350 billion valuation. It is aiming for a late 2026 IPO.

Another top holding (21% of assets) is Databricks, which raised $4 billion at a $134 billion valuation last time out. The companys revenue grew at about 55% the past year, as it shifts toward agentic AI. That helps businesses create autonomous agents that reason on their own. Which is amazing and scary at the same time. Databricks also appears bound for an IPO this year.

And what fund of this nature would be complete without a hefty allocation to OpenAI (19%). ChatGPT is still the biggest private name in AI, recently valued at more than half a trillion dollars.

Morningstar is a perpetual tracking index, in that these private companies will remain in the index after they go public. Thats unique. And, the index excludes hardware businesses, so no Nvidia (NVDA), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), or other chip stocks here. The focus is on models and software. The fund will be valued using PitchBooks mark-to-market data for private companies. That updates values every day, based on their latest private funding rounds and secondary market trades.
Ohio appeals court restores portions of pro-life law

The Ohio First District Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court went too far in striking down parts of the 2019 heartbeat law not directly challenged under the states 2023 Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

The ruling restores requirements for abortion providers to check for a fetal heartbeat, follow certain documentation and notification rules, and adhere to civil and criminal enforcement mechanisms, as well as a 24-hour waiting period.

The law's core provision banning abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected cannot be enforced due to the constitutional amendment guaranteeing reproductive freedom.

Carrie Snyder, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, highlighted that the ruling could allow secondary measures, such as offering women the option to view an ultrasound before an abortion, to take effect.

The decision illustrates the continuing struggle between the state's 2019 abortion law and the 2023 amendment protecting personal reproductive decisions, balancing procedural legality with voters' intent.

The Ohio First District Court of Appeals has reinstated several secondary provisions of a 2019 Ohio abortion law, ruling that a lower court judge went too far in striking down parts of the statute that were not directly challenged under the state's recently adopted constitutional amendment on reproductive rights.

Ohio voters approved the "Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment" in November 2023 by a 56% to 44% margin. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to make personal reproductive decisions, including abortion, and prohibits the state from directly or indirectly burdening or interfering with those decisions.

After the amendment passed, Republican Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost acknowledged that the central enforcement mechanism of Ohio's 2019 heartbeat law, which bans abortion once fetal cardiac activity is detected, could no longer be enforced. However, the state argued that multiple other provisions of the law should remain in effect.

Those provisions include requirements that abortion providers check for a fetal heartbeat, certain notification and documentation rules and enforcement mechanisms, as well as a 24-hour waiting period.

In October 2024, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins ruled that the heartbeat law was invalid in its entirety, concluding that all of its provisions violated the new constitutional amendment because they indirectly burden abortion access.

The state appealed, and on Jan. 7, the appellate court ruled that Jenkins had exceeded his authority by invalidating statutory provisions that were not challenged by the plaintiffs.

"Statutory provisions whose constitutionality have not been challenged, like the disputed provisions here, are presumptively constitutional," Judge Candace Crouse wrote for the appellate court. "A court's power of constitutional review comes into play only as an incident of the need to resolve a dispute between parties."

According to Courthouse News, the appellate ruling restores provisions related to documentation requirements for physicians performing abortions, as well as civil and criminal enforcement mechanisms, while leaving legal abortion access unchanged.

This ruling by the Ohio First District Court of Appeals, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, underscores the ongoing struggle between personal liberty and state intervention in reproductive rights. Despite the clear will of the people as expressed through the constitutional amendment, the court's decision to reinstate certain provisions of the 2019 abortion law.

Pro-life group lauds court decision

In response to the ruling, pro-life advocates said it could allow certain secondary provisions of the law to take effect, even though the central abortion ban remains unenforceable. Carrie Snyder, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, said she was encouraged by the court's decision.

"We are thankful that AG Yost and his team saw that Jenkins had erred in his ruling and put the effort into successfully challenging that decision," Snyder said. "While it's sad that our law protecting babies as soon as a heartbeat is detected cannot be enforced, we are hopeful that other sections of SB 23 can now take effect, including the provision allowing the pregnant woman to have the option to view the ultrasound of her baby before an abortion takes place."

Snyder pointed in particular to a provision that would allow women seeking abortions the option to view an ultrasound beforehand, noting that fetal cardiac activity typically begins about 21 days after fertilization.

"Statistics show that a simple ultrasound showing a moving, growing baby  not just some clump of cells  can often change the mind of mothers who initially seek an abortion," she said.

Watch this MSNBC report about the criminalization of so-called "emergency abortions" in Idaho.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

LiveAction.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Democratic senators push tech firms to crack down on non-nude sexualized AI content

Democratic senators are seeking to expand online content restrictions to cover "non-nude sexualized" AI-generated images, moving beyond earlier efforts focused on explicit deepfake pornography.

In a letter to major tech platforms, lawmakers asked for details on how companies identify and remove content involving practices such as virtual undressing, altered clothing and edited body shapes.

The senators said AI tools are increasingly being used to create non-consensual, sexualized images, particularly of women, raising concerns about harassment, privacy violations and online safety.

Separately, Democrats have pressured Apple and Google to remove X (formerly Twitter) from their app stores, citing Grok's alleged role in generating images of women and minors in bikinis.

The push highlights growing political scrutiny of AI-generated imagery and intensifies pressure on tech companies to police synthetic content under expanding and more subjective standards.

A group of Democratic senators is pressing major technology companies to broaden restrictions on online sexual content, shifting the focus from explicit deepfake pornography to a "non-nude sexualized" material created or altered using artificial intelligence (AI).

In a letter sent to Alphabet, Meta, Reddit, Snap, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), the senators asked the companies to detail how they identify, classify and remove images that are not explicitly pornographic but are edited or generated in ways they consider sexually suggestive. The request seeks internal policies, moderator guidance and records related to practices such as "virtual undressing," altered clothing, edited body shapes and other AI-driven visual effects.

The letter was led by Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Adam Schiff of California.

"We are particularly alarmed by reports of users exploiting generative AI tools to produce sexualized 'bikini' or 'non-nude' images of individuals without their consent and distributing them on platforms including X and others," the senators wrote. "These fake yet hyper-realistic images are often generated without the knowledge or consent of the individuals depicted, raising serious concerns about harassment, privacy violations and user safety."

The lawmakers cited reports of AI tools capable of transforming photos of clothed individuals, particularly women, into revealing or suggestive images, arguing that such practices represent a growing form of image-based abuse that erodes trust and safety online.

Democrats urge Apple and Google to remove X over Grok AI images

AI-generated images, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, are visual creations produced by AI algorithms, which learn and improve their ability to generate compelling and realistic images over time, often without a clear understanding of the content they are creating. However, these images are often used to generate sexualized content.

As a response, Democrats have targeted tech companies that generate these kinds of images. Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Lujan urged Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores, arguing that the platform has violated their distribution policies by allowing the creation of images depicting women and allegedly minors in bikinis.

The lawmakers wrote that "X's generation of these harmful and likely illegal depictions of women and children has shown complete disregard for your stores' distribution terms." They cited Google's developer rules, which prohibit apps that facilitate the exploitation or abuse of children, and Apple's guidelines barring apps that are "offensive" or "just plain creepy."

The letter calls on Apple and Google to take action against X until policy violations are addressed, despite the fact that X has an estimated 557 million users worldwide and remains one of the largest social media platforms available through both app stores.

Your mind is being data mined. Watch this video.

This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org 1

ReclaimtheNet.org 2

Docs.ReclaimtheNet.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump holds off on critical minerals tariffs, orders talks with trading partners

President Donald Trump has decided against imposing immediate tariffs on rare earths, lithium and other critical minerals, instead directing U.S. officials to negotiate with international partners to secure supply.

The executive order cites U.S. dependence on imported processed critical minerals as a threat to national security, especially given their essential role in defense, energy, telecommunications and transportation.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are tasked with negotiating agreements, with federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorized to implement and monitor the policy.

The negotiations may include price floors for critical minerals to reduce volatility and encourage investment and alternative measures such as minimum import prices could be implemented if talks fail.

Lutnick's Section 232 investigation found the U.S. is 100% net-import reliant for 12 critical minerals and over 50% reliant for 29 more, with domestic processing capacity insufficient to meet defense and commercial needs, leaving the country vulnerable to supply disruptions.

President Donald Trump has decided, for now, against imposing tariffs on rare earths, lithium and other critical minerals, instead directing his administration to negotiate with international trading partners to secure supplies the U.S. needs for economic and national security.

In an executive order released on Jan. 14, Trump declared that U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products poses a threat to national security.

As a response, Trump instructed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to "enter into negotiations with trading partners to adjust the imports of critical minerals so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States."

Additionally, the order authorizes federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to take steps to implement the policy and monitor imports going forward. It also supersedes any prior proclamations or executive orders that conflict with the new directive.

Trump said the talks should promote the use of price floors for critical minerals, a policy long advocated by Western mining companies and some policymakers to stabilize markets and encourage investment. Finance ministers from the Group of Seven and other major economies, including Australia, discussed such mechanisms earlier this week during meetings in Washington.

Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative must provide the president with an update on negotiations within 180 days. If agreements are not reached or prove ineffective, Trump said he may consider alternative remedies, including minimum import prices or other measures authorized under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

"Mining a mineral domestically does not safeguard the national security of the United States if the United States remains dependent on a foreign country for the processing of that mineral," Trump said in the proclamation.

Lutnick reveals the U.S. is heavily reliant on imported critical minerals

Processed critical minerals are essential to nearly every sector of the U.S. economy, including defense manufacturing, energy infrastructure, telecommunications and transportation. Rare earth permanent magnets, for example, are critical components in electronics, vehicles and advanced weapons systems.

The U.S. economy, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, is heavily reliant on critical minerals, with approximately half of its consumption coming from imports, primarily from China, which controls a significant portion of the global processing capacity for these minerals. This dependency poses significant risks, including potential supply disruptions and price volatility, which can have far-reaching economic and strategic implications.

In a Section 232 investigation conducted in April, Lutnick revealed that the U.S. is 100% net-import reliant for 12 critical minerals and at least 50% reliant for another 29. Even where domestic mining exists, the U.S. lacks sufficient processing capacity, forcing raw materials to be exported for refining and then re-imported. As a result, the country remains heavily dependent on foreign suppliers for key inputs such as rare earth magnets, meeting only a fraction of defense needs through domestic production.

The Commerce Department also cited volatile prices, declining domestic production and offshoring of manufacturing as factors undermining U.S. supply chains. The report warned that these weaknesses could be exploited by foreign actors, disrupt critical industries and jeopardize the nation's ability to meet growing demand driven by defense needs and expanding technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data centers, nuclear power and advanced energy systems.

This revelation prompts Trump's proclamation on critical minerals.

Watch the video below where Trump touts massive tariff revenue, calling it "a miracle."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Mining.com

WhiteHouse.gov

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
New Zealand secured a historic first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil with a 41-run win in the decider at Indore. Centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) powered the visitors to 337/8. Despite a magnificent 124 from Virat Kohli and supporting fifties from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, India were bowled out for 296. The result gave New Zealand a 2-1 series comeback after being 1-0 down.

New Zealand defeats India by 41 runs in the 3rd ODI despite Virat Kohli's 124, securing a historic 2-1 series victory on Indian soil.

Indore, Jan 18 New Zealand overcame a valiant 124 off 108 balls from the talismanic Virat Kohli to clinch a 41-run victory and seal a historic 2-1 win in the ODI series decider at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.

Knocks of 137 and 106 from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips took New Zealand to a commanding 337/8 on a two-paced black soil pitch, before the visitors held their nerve to overcome Kohli's valiant 54th ODI century, and bowl out India for 296 in 46 overs. Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes picked three wickets each as the result gave New Zealand their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil, after being 1-0 behind last week.

India's chase faltered early as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul departed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 71/4. Kohli (124 off 108 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) revived the hosts' hopes with a fighting 88-run partnership, while Harshit Rana added late fireworks via a 43-ball 52. But the target eventually proved to be out of India's reach, as the result marked India's fifth home ODI series defeat since 2010.

India's chase began brightly, as they raced to 28 runs in the first three overs. But Rohit's knock ended in the fourth over when he tamely lobbed a flick to mid-on off Foulkes. Jamieson then produced a sharp nip-backer from outside off, which beat Gill's defence and deflected off the pad to crash into the stumps.

Kohli, after being troubled by Jamieson's bounce and movement, pulled and walloped his way to hit four quick boundaries off Foulkes, Jamieson, and Kristian Clarke. But wickets continued to fall from the other end as Iyer miscued a short delivery straight to mid-on off Clarke, while Rahul was deceived by grip and turn from Jayden Lennox and was forced to give a catch off a check drive to extra cover.

Taking charge in the chase, Kohli reached his fifty in 51 balls, and his impeccable timing was on display when his trademark flick sped past deep square-leg despite being played as a strike-rotation shot. From the other end, an assured Reddy complemented Kohli by striking four boundaries while his swivelling pull off Foulkes and a slog-sweep off Glenn Phillips, fetching him sixes, were the standout shots, with the second one getting him a maiden ODI fifty.

The duo's run-a-ball 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket ended when Clarke dismissed him with a short ball that cramped him for room, and Reddy couldn't keep the pull down, giving mid-wicket a simple catch. Ravindra Jadeja's attempt to counter Lennox backfired as his lofted shot failed to clear deep midwicket.

But Kohli responded with a burst of boundaries, striking three fours and a wristy six over backward square leg in the space of 11 balls. From the other end, Rana provided valuable support with assured strokeplay, with his inside-out drive through the covers off Foulkes being the standout.

Much to the delight of the crowd, Kohli reached his century in 91 deliveries and kept India's hopes alive. Jamieson endured a rare hammering when Kohli struck him for two sixes - one straight down the ground off a full toss and another over midwicket. Rana added to the fireworks with a towering hit over long-on off Foulkes to reach his maiden ODI fifty in just 41 balls.

But Rana's innings ended soon when he holed out to long-on off a high full toss from Foulkes, who removed Mohammed Siraj on the very next ball, leaving India needing 61 runs from 37 deliveries. The crowd's hopes rested on Kohli, who responded with back-to-back boundaries in the 46th over to keep the chase alive.

But two balls later, he miscued a lofted stroke to long-off for 124. Though he got a standing ovation from the crowd, it was destined to be an effort in vain. India's resistance ended swiftly as Kuldeep Yadav was run out while taking a risky single, handing New Zealand a historic series triumph and adding another feather in their cap after achieving a remarkable 3-0 Test sweep just over a year earlier.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 337/8 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 137, Glenn Phillips 106; Arshdeep Singh 3-63, Harshit Rana 3-84) beat India 296 in 46 overs (Virat Kohli 124, Nitish Kumar Reddy 53, Harshit Rana 52; Kristian Clarke 3-54, Zakary Foulkes 3-77) by 41 runs

- IANS
The Tamil Nadu government has successfully delivered Pongal gifts to approximately 97% of eligible ration cardholders, amounting to 2.15 crore families. A sum of Rs 6453.54 crore has been disbursed from the total Rs 6687.51 crore earmarked for cash distribution under the scheme. While most districts have high coverage, about 7.6 lakh cardholders, particularly in districts like South Chennai and Madurai, are yet to collect their benefits, largely due to travel during the festival. The government plans to resume distribution for these remaining beneficiaries once they return to their hometowns.

Tamil Nadu government delivers Pongal cash and food gifts to 2.15 crore families, with Rs 6453 crore disbursed. Distribution to resume for remaining beneficiaries.

Chennai, Jan 18 The Tamil Nadu government has successfully delivered the Pongal gift to a vast majority of eligible households this year, with official data showing that 2.15 crore rice ration cardholders -- about 97 per cent of the total 2.22 crore eligible families -- have already received the benefit.

Around 7.6 lakh cardholders across the state are yet to collect the Pongal package, largely due to beneficiaries travelling out of their home locations during the festival period.

In a statement, Minister for Cooperation K.R. Periyakaruppan said that Rs 6453.54 crore has been disbursed so far from the Rs 6687.51 crore earmarked specifically for cash distribution under the scheme.

Praising the execution, the Minister said the rapid movement of such a large volume of cash was possible due to meticulous planning by officials and the dedicated efforts of employees of the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The Pongal gift scheme, launched on January 8, provides Rs 3000 in cash, along with one kg of raw rice, sugar, and a sugarcane.

The benefit is extended to all rice ration cardholders, including families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps.

Overall, the state government has sanctioned Rs 6936.18 crore for implementing the scheme this year, with distribution carried out in cash through fair price shops by the Cooperation Department.

District-wise data reveal variations in coverage. South Chennai recorded the highest number of pending beneficiaries, with nearly 59000 of the 10.59 lakh eligible cardholders yet to receive the gift, translating to about 94 per cent coverage.

Other districts with significant pending numbers include Madurai (44000), Tirunelveli (32000), and Theni (22000).

In contrast, districts such as Dharmapuri, Tirupattur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukkottai have achieved close to 98 per cent distribution, with fewer than 10000 cardholders in each district still to collect the benefit.

A senior Cooperation Department official said that over Rs 6500 crore in cash was handled at ration shops within a single week. Funds were transferred from central cooperative banks to local societies under the supervision of district Collectors and Joint Registrars, and transported to fair price shops with armed police protection.

Each ration shop typically caters to 900-1100 cardholders, handling Rs 27-32 lakh per shop, at a daily rate of Rs 6-7 lakh.

The government has now decided to resume distribution once beneficiaries return to their hometowns, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.

- IANS
Andhra Pradesh MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna paid homage to his father, the late Chief Minister NT Rama Rao, at NTR Ghat on his 30th death anniversary. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also offered profound tributes, recalling NTR as an epochal figure who reshaped cinema and politics. Naidu highlighted NTR's welfare reforms, including subsidized rice, social pensions, and rights for women, which altered the state's course. NTR, a legendary actor in over 300 films and a three-time National Award winner, passed away from a heart attack in 1996 at age 72.

Andhra Pradesh MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna and CM Chandrababu Naidu honor legendary actor-politician NT Rama Rao on his 30th death anniversary.

Hyderabad, January 18 Andhra Pradesh MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna on Sunday paid tribute to his father, former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao, at NTR Ghat on the 30th death anniversary of the legendary leader.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, fondly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, editor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years.

He received three National Film Awards for co-producing 'Thodu Dongalu' (1954) and 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1960) and directing 'Varakatnam' (1970). NTR also received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in films like 'Raju Peda' (1954) and 'Lava Kusa' (1963). He acted in over 300 films and was known for doing the role of mythological characters.

At the age of 72, NTR passed away from a heart attack on January 18, 1996, at his home in Hyderabad.

Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also paid tributes to Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), remembering him as a towering figure who transformed both cinema and politics in the state.

In a post shared on X, Naidu described NTR as an "epochal figure" and a champion of Telugu self-respect.

"On the occasion of the 30th death anniversary of the cause of creation, the epochal figure, the treasure of the poor, 'Annam' Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao garu, I offer my profound tribute to that great soul. Shining as a pole star in the cinematic firmament and emerging as an invincible warrior in the political Kurukshetra, 'Annam' NTR is a heroic and noble soul who rewrote the history of generations. He who fought to elevate the self-respect of the Telugu people to the heights of the sky is one worthy of our morning remembrance," Naidu wrote.

CM Naidu also recalled the welfare reforms introduced by NTR and how they transformed the state.

In his post, he said, "Initiatives like rice at two rupees per kilo, social security pensions, construction of solid homes, electricity for farmers, the mandal system for local self-governance, inheritance rights for women and children, and irrigation and drinking water projects for Rayalaseema, through such unprecedented welfare and development programmes, that great one altered the course of history, serving as an inspiration to us all. The path he laid is one to be followed. Once again, offering him a handful of water in tribute," the post further read.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Assam's Nagaon district, launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of handing over the state's land to infiltrators for political gains. He cited the party's recent electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Bihar, predicting a similar "resounding response" from the people of Assam. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at protecting wildlife. He emphasized his government's dual focus on development and ecological conservation, highlighting successes in curbing rhino poaching and boosting tourism.

PM Narendra Modi accuses Congress of compromising Assam's land for votes, predicts electoral defeat for party in state, and inaugurates Kaziranga corridor.

Nagaon, January 18 In the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party's record mandate in Maharashtra and Bihar and major electoral setbacks suffered by the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Congress would receive a "resounding response" from the people of Assam as well.

Addressing a public gathering in Nagaon district, the Prime Minister launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of compromising Assam's land, security and interests for political gains, particularly on the issue of infiltration.

PM Modi spoke after laying the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project and flagging off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains.

Targeting the Congress, the Prime Minister accused the party of compromising Assam's land and interests for political gains.

"The Congress party handed over Assam's soil to infiltrators just to form governments and garner a few votes. The Congress party formed governments in Assam for decades, and during this time, infiltration kept increasing," PM Modi said.

Further intensifying his attack, the Prime Minister added that Congress follows only one policy across the country. "The Congress has only one policy: save the infiltrators, gain power with the help of infiltrators. Across the entire country, the Congress and its allies are doing just that," he said.

Referring to Bihar, PM Modi said the people had already rejected such politics. "In Bihar, too, they organised marches and rallies to protect the infiltrators, but the people of Bihar wiped the Congress clean off the slate. Now it's the turn of the people of Assam. I am confident that the Congress will receive a resounding response from the soil of Assam as well," he added.

The Prime Minister said the BJP-led government in Assam is taking firm measures to protect land from illegal encroachment.

"Today in Assam, the BJP government is effectively addressing the issue of infiltration and safeguarding your land from illegal encroachment. These efforts are made in your best interest. In contrast, during Congress rule, Assam's land was handed over to infiltrators for the sake of forming governments and securing a few votes," he said.

Referring to recent election results, PM Modi said the mandate of the people across the country is clear.

"In the recent election results that have come in, the mandate of the people is very clear. Today, the voter of the country wants good governance, want development," he said.

He added, "The victory is happening in Mumbai, but the celebrations are taking place in Kaziranga," drawing applause from the crowd.

Calling Kaziranga the pride of the state, the Prime Minister said, "Kaziranga is not just a National Park, it is the soul of Assam. It is a priceless gem of India's biodiversity. UNESCO has given it the status of World Heritage Site."

The Prime Minister further said that protecting nature also creates economic opportunities.

"When nature is protected, it also creates opportunities. In the past few years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of tourists in Kaziranga. Local youth have gained new sources of income through homestays, guide services, transportation, handicrafts, and small businesses," PM Modi said.

Rejecting the idea that development and conservation cannot go together, he said, "For a long time, a notion persisted that nature and progress are opposites. But today, India is showing the world that both can move forward together. Economy too, ecology too."

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project.

"To protect wildlife during floods, a 90-kilometre-long corridor is being constructed from Kaliabor to Numaligarh, with an investment of approximately Rs 7,000 crore. This project includes a 35-kilometre elevated section specifically designed for wildlife, allowing vehicles to travel overhead without disrupting animal movement below," he said.

Moreover, PM Modi also spoke about conservation successes in Kaziranga.

"There was a time when rhino poaching in Kaziranga was a major concern for Assam. In 2013-14, dozens of one-horned rhinos were killed. The BJP government resolved to put an end to this and strengthened security measures, providing additional resources to the forest department. Women's participation was increased through the Van Durga initiative. As a result, by 2025, there have been no recorded incidents of rhino poaching," he said.

He added that both the government and people of Assam deserve praise for protecting wildlife.

Earlier today, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs 6,950 Crore, in Kaliabor, Nagaon district.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two New Amrit Bharat Express trains, Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express.

The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

- ANI
PepsiCo (PEP) has paid dividends without interruption for over 50 years, making it a reliable income generator for investors seeking steady cash flow.

The beverage and snack giant currently trades (as of January 16) at $146.60 per share with an annual dividend of $5.69, according to data from Yahoo Finance.

That works out to a yield of roughly 3.9%, which beats the S&P 500's 1.13% yield by a comfortable margin.

Here's the math: To pocket $1,000 in annual dividends from Pepsi, you'd need to own about 176 shares. At the current price, that's an investment of approximately $25,800.

But before you write that check, there's a bigger story unfolding at PepsiCo that every investor needs to understand.

Frito-Lay is grappling with slowing growth Around the World Photos- Shutterstock  Around the World Photos- Shutterstock

PepsiCo admits it has a serious growth problem

CEO Ramon Laguarta didn't sugarcoat the situation during recent earnings calls.

The company's North America food business, which includes the massive Frito-Lay operation, has been struggling with volume declines and margin pressure.

During the December investor call Laguarta said:

He added, "This business remains a critical driver of shareholder value for PepsiCo and it must deliver much better performance in 2026 versus 2025."

That's remarkably blunt language from a Fortune 500 CEO, especially when speaking to Wall Street analysts.

The numbers back up his concerns. Frito-Lay North America saw volume declines in recent quarters as the company shifted away from deep promotional strategies. The business also faced service-level issues early in the year following system transitions.

Management shakes up the C-suite with urgent hiring

The sense of urgency became even more apparent when PepsiCo announced Steve Schmitt as its new CFO in November 2025.

Related: Walmart's stock dividend may surge due to India, China

Schmitt comes from Target, where he served as chief operating officer. That's a notable departure from PepsiCo's usual pattern of promoting from within.

"Steve has a strong and complementary background, having served in finance roles in the retail, restaurant, logistics, and transportation industries, and brings us a fresh perspective," Laguarta explained.

The timing matters. PepsiCo didn't wait for its traditional February guidance period to lay out 2026 expectations. Instead, the company issued preliminary targets in early December.

"The message you should take from this is it's not business as usual here," Schmitt said during his first earnings call. "Going public with our goals now gives us a head start on the year and makes us accountable."

That accountability starts with some ambitious targets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam to launch major infrastructure projects. He will perform the Bhoomi Pujan for the 86 km Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, which includes a 35 km elevated section to protect wildlife. The Prime Minister will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains to improve rail connectivity between the Northeast and North India. These initiatives aim to boost regional connectivity, safeguard biodiversity, and support economic growth.

PM Narendra Modi lays foundation for Kaziranga's 35km elevated wildlife corridor and flags off new Amrit Bharat Express trains to boost Northeast connectivity.

New Delhi, January 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam, during which he will launch key development initiatives on Sunday.

The visit includes the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project and the flagging off of new Amrit Bharat Express trains, aimed at boosting regional connectivity in the Northeast.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Looking forward to being in Kaliabor, Assam today for the Bhoomi Poojan of key development works, including the 35 km elevated corridor across Kaziranga. This will go a long way in safeguarding animals, particularly in the monsoon season. During the programme, Amrit Bharat trains will be flagged off, which will improve connectivity for the people of Assam."

Today, at around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will perform Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs 6,950 crore and will flag off 2 new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor, Nagaon district.

The 86 km long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature a 35 km Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, a 21 km Bypass section, and a 30 km widening of the existing NH-715 highway section from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park's rich biodiversity.

The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure the uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict.

It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic. As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

During the programme, the Prime Minister will also flag off 2 New Amrit Bharat Express trains - Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express. These new train services will strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and Northern India, enabling safer, more convenient travel for people.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, a major infrastructure initiative valued at over Rs 6,950 crore. The project includes a 35 km elevated wildlife corridor through Kaziranga National Park to protect biodiversity and reduce animal-vehicle collisions. He also flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Assam to Rohtak and Lucknow. The project is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, road safety, and decongest local towns in Assam.

PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the Rs 6,950 crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains in Assam.

Nagaon, January 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, covering the 4-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of National Highway 715, in Kaliabor, Nagaon district. The project is valued at over Rs 6,950 crore.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two New Amrit Bharat Express trains, Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express.

The 86 km long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature a 35 km Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, a 21 km Bypass section, and a 30 km widening of the existing NH-715 highway section from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park's rich biodiversity.

The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure the uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict.

It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic.

As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

PM Modi also reviewed the model of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project.

Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that people were turning up in large numbers, reflecting the immense public enthusiasm for the Prime Minister.

In a post on X, CM Sarma wrote, "A few minutes to go for the arrival of Adarniya @narendramodiji in Kaliabor and people are still pouring in huge numbers. The love for Pradhan Mantri ji is unparalleled."

BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Assam for a foundation stone laying ceremony would send a strong message globally, asserting that the visit was driven by development priorities and not linked to elections.

"The Prime Minister perhaps had some past life connection with Assam, because why else would someone born in Gujarat visit Assam so many times?... The foundation stone laying ceremony he is coming for will send a big message to the entire world, because this road has many benefits... This visit has no relation to elections as he has visited Assam many times before, too," Tasa told ANI.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress party, stating the country has consistently rejected its "negative politics" and lack of development agenda. He pointed to the party's poor performance in recent Maharashtra local body elections, including Mumbai, as evidence. Modi highlighted the BJP's growing trust and electoral successes in states like Kerala, Bihar, and Maharashtra. He also praised Assam's cultural vibrancy, referencing a recent dance record, and spoke about development projects in the state.

PM Narendra Modi says country rejects Congress' negative politics, highlights BJP's electoral gains in Kerala, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

Nagaon, January 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Indian National Congress, saying the country has consistently rejected the "negative politics" of the party, which failed to give an agenda for development.

Addressing a public gathering in Nagaon, PM Modi said the party has lost the people's trust.

Referring to the recent local body polls in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, the Prime Minister said election results show that voters want good governance and development along with respect for heritage.

"These elections carry another message. The country is consistently rejecting the Congress party's negative politics. In the very city of Mumbai, where the Congress was born, it has now become a fourth or fifth-ranked party. In Maharashtra, which the Congress ruled for years, the party has completely shrunk. The Congress has lost the trust of the country because it has no agenda for development," the Prime Minister said.

He further said that BJP was emerging as the first choice of people across the country and cited electoral gains in Bihar and Kerala.

"Today, the BJP has become the first choice of people across the country. For the past one to one-and-a-half years, the trust of the country in the BJP has been steadily increasing," PM Modi said.

"The people of Kerala have given tremendous support to the BJP, and for the first time, a BJP mayor has been elected there. The BJP is serving in Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram," he said.

He also mentioned a record mandate for Bihar and Maharashtra. "Recently, elections were held in Bihar, and even after 20 years, the people there have given record votes to the BJP and won record seats. Just two days ago, the results of the mayor and councillor elections in the major cities of Maharashtra were announced. The people there have given a record mandate to the BJP for the first time," he added.

Talking about Assam's cultural vibrancy, PM Modi was all praise for the Bagurumba Dwhou dance programme held in Guwahati yesterday.

"Just yesterday, I attended the Bagurumba dance program in Guwahati. There, the daughters of our Bodo community created a new record by presenting Bagurumba. Such a wonderful performance of Bagurumba, with the energy of more than 10,000 artists, the rhythm of the drums, the tunes of the Sifung, those enchanting moments captivated everyone," he said.

He further praised the artists for their dedication. "The experience of Bagurumba flowed from the eyes to the heart. Our artists from Assam have truly done a wonderful job. Their hard work, their preparation, their coordination, everything was amazing," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also congratulated social media influencers for spreading Assam's culture globally. "Since yesterday, I have been seeing that this excellent dance of the Bodo tradition is trending on social media. I am confident that people from across the country and the world will recognise India's perspective on art and culture and its strength, and all the social media influencers who are promoting this work are also worthy of congratulations," he said.

Recalling his visit to Kaziranga, PM Modi added he always feels a special connection with Assam.

"Today, once again, I have had the good fortune to visit Kaziranga. In such moments, it feels very natural to recall my previous visit. The moments spent in Kaziranga two years ago are among the most special experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to stay overnight in Kaziranga National Park, and the next day, during an elephant safari, I experienced the beauty of this region very closely. I always feel a unique joy upon coming to Assam," he said.

He also spoke about development projects in the state. "A month ago, I visited this region to review various development projects. In Guwahati, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport has been expanded, and I had the privilege of inaugurating its new terminal building. Additionally, I laid the foundation stone for the ammonia-urea complex in Namrup," PM Modi said.

According to him, these initiatives strengthen the BJP's philosophy. "All of these initiatives reinforce the BJP's guiding principle: 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (Development as well as Heritage)," he added.

During the public gathering, PM Modi noticed several people holding up some sketches and photographs of himself and asked his team to collect them and promised to send them each a letter if they had written their addresses on the back of the sketches.

Earlier today, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs 6,950 Crore, in Kaliabor, Nagaon district.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two New Amrit Bharat Express trains, Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express.

The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

- ANI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp political attack against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, labeling him a "Pakistani agent" and declaring a transformed Assam that will not surrender to unknown forces. He made these remarks while inaugurating the massive Rs 7,000 crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, aimed at reducing travel time and protecting wildlife. Sarma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the project and other new train services, highlighting a cultural resurgence with a large Bagurumba dance performance. Expressing strong confidence, the CM asserted that the BJP would return to power in the 2026 state assembly elections as a gift to the Prime Minister.

Assam CM Himanta Sarma attacks Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, inaugurates Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, and credits PM Modi for state's transformation.

Guwahati, Jan 18 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched a strong political offensive against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, declaring that the people of Assam would no longer submit to what he termed "Pakistani agents", while addressing reporters here following the inauguration of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project in Nagaon district.

The Chief Minister said Assam has undergone a decisive transformation and asserted that the state's residents would not bow before "unknown forces".

His remarks followed reports that Gogoi had opposed the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project a day earlier.

"Assam has changed. No Assamese will surrender before any Pakistani agent or unknown people. This is a new Assam," Sarma said.

He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flagging off three new train services to the state over the last two days.

Highlighting a renewed sense of cultural pride, the Chief Minister said nearly 10,000 artistes performed the traditional Bagurumba dance in the Prime Minister's presence, describing the event as a reflection of Assam's growing self-confidence and cultural resurgence.

He further claimed that rhino poaching incidents in Kaziranga National Park have ceased, attributing the achievement to strengthened conservation and enforcement efforts.

Sarma said the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, being built at an estimated cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, would reduce travel time by nearly an hour upon completion while ensuring safe wildlife movement across the landscape.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the Chief Minister said several large infrastructure projects once considered improbable -- including multiple Brahmaputra bridges, an underwater tunnel, and the Kaziranga corridor -- have now materialised.

He asserted that the BJP would return to power in Assam in 2026, calling it a gift to the Prime Minister.

Earlier, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, involving the four-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh stretch of NH-715 in Nagaon district at a cost of over Rs 6,950 crore.

The 86-km corridor includes a 35-km elevated wildlife stretch through Kaziranga, a 21-km bypass, and the widening of 30 km of NH-715, improving connectivity across Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains -- Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar).

- IANS
The Sydney Sixers defeated the Brisbane Heat by five wickets in the BBL, chasing down a target of 172. Steve Smith scored a crucial 54, while Sam Curran sealed the win with an unbeaten 53, earning Player of the Match honors. Mitchell Starc was instrumental with the ball, taking four wickets to restrict the Heat. The victory secures the Sixers second place and a qualifier match against the Perth Scorchers.

Steve Smith scores 54, Sam Curran hits 53* as Sydney Sixers chase 172 to beat Brisbane Heat by 5 wickets. Mitchell Starc takes 4 wickets.

Brisbane, January 18 A brilliant half-century from Steve Smith and Sam Curran and a fantastic four-wicket haul by ace speedster Mitchell Starc helped the Sydney Sixers secure a five-wicket win against the Brisbane Heat in the 40th match of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 season on Sunday.

With this victory, the Sixers will face the Perth Scorchers in the first qualifier at Perth Stadium on January 20. The winner of the high-voltage match will qualify for the tournament finals.

Batting first, Brisbane Heat posted a competitive score of 171/9 in 20 overs. Nathan McSweeney plated a fantastic unbeaten knock of 69 runs off 54 balls, along with eight fours.

With the ball, left-arm seamer Starc picked up a four-wicket haul (4/35) in his four-over spell. Speedster Sam Curran (2/37) also had decent figures.

While chasing 172, Steve Smith played a brilliant knock of 54 runs off 40 deliveries, including five fours.

All-rounder Sam Curran played a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 53 off 27 balls, with the help of five fours and two sixes as Sixers chased down the target in 18.4 overs. Curran was named Player of the Match for his superb innings.

During the post-match presentation ceremony, Curran said the team is very pleased to finish second in the standings. However, Curran confirmed that he will leave the Sixers to join England in Sri Lanka.

"It got a lot closer than I thought. Really pleased we got the second spot, so they get two cracks at it. Unfortunately, I'm leaving in the morning to join up with England. So I'll be watching the boys from there. I was thinking, imagine if I get on that flight and I lose this game for the team," Curran said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

- ANI
Arvind Kejriwal stated that the BJP's failure to cross the majority mark in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections is a clear sign of public opposition. He accused the BJP of pushing Gujarat into a "ditch" over 30 years through corruption and fear. The AAP leader expressed optimism about his party's growing support in Gujarat, despite limited resources. Meanwhile, the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) alliance emerged as the single largest bloc in the BMC, with the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance also performing strongly.

Arvind Kejriwal claims BJP's failure to secure a BMC majority shows public discontent, while alleging 30 years of misrule in Gujarat during his visit.

Ahmedabad, January 18 Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP could not cross the majority mark in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, which clearly showed that the people are against them.

Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad, Arvind Kejriwal said, "Despite facilitating such discrepancies, they (BJP) could not touch the majority mark. So, this clearly shows that the public is against them, but they misuse machinery."

The AAP national convener is on a three-day visit to Gujarat. He alleged that the "BJP pushed Gujarat into a ditch in the last 30 years"

Kejriwal alleged, "For the last 30 years, the BJP has been ruling Gujarat. In these 30 years, the BJP pushed Gujarat into a ditch. There is fear and corruption everywhere. They scare and threaten people who raise their voices against them, against injustice; they are jailed. They do corruption openly. Nobody can raise a voice against their corruption."

"People are looking at AAP with great hope. In the last 6-7 months, AAP has been conducting rallies across the entire state of Gujarat. People are turning up in large numbers. We don't even have money; ours is a poor party. But people are coming to AAP rallies at their own expense...I am here on a 3-day visit. I will speak with volunteers and form a strategy," he added.

Meanwhile, the BMC elections saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) alliance emerge as the single largest bloc, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance also secured a significant share of seats and votes across Mumbai.

According to official figures released by the State Election Commission and the BMC, the BJP won 89 seats, polling 11,79,273 votes, which accounts for 21.58 per cent of the total votes cast. Among all winning candidates, the BJP's vote share stands at 45.22 per cent, making it the single largest party in the civic body. Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), secured 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, translating into 5.00 per cent of the total vote share.

Together, the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance emerged as the largest bloc in the BMC.

On the other side, the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the MNS, won 65 seats. The UBT-led Sena polled 7,17,736 votes, accounting for 13.13 per cent of the total votes cast. The MNS added 6 seats to the alliance tally, with 74,946 votes and a 1.37 per cent vote share.

The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 24 seats, polling 2,42,646 votes, which represents 4.44 per cent of the total vote share.

Among other parties, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 8 seats with 68,072 votes, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 3 seats, the Samajwadi Party won 2 seats, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) won 1 seat.

Overall, winning candidates from recognised political parties polled 26,07,612 votes, amounting to 47.72 per cent of the total votes cast. The total number of votes polled in the election stood at 54,64,412, while 11,677 voters opted for NOTA.

While Uddhav and Raj Thackeray tried to consolidate votes over the Marathi language and the revival of the Marathi manoos identity plank, the saffron Yuti's development work, including the Metro Aqua Line and Coastal Road, helped them gain a lead in the BMC polls.

- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the BJP, having achieved success in the BMC elections, holds a significant responsibility to fulfil the hopes of Mumbai's residents. He reflected on changes in Mumbai's infrastructure, like the Coastal Road, and emphasized the need for more such development. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while its alliance with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) forms the largest bloc. The election results showcase a competitive and fragmented mandate, with alliances proving decisive in the final outcome.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah comments on BMC results, says BJP as largest party must meet Mumbai residents' expectations on infrastructure and development.

Mumbai, January 18 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the BJP has a big responsibility to fulfil the hopes of the residents of Mumbai city after achieving success in the BMC elections.

"Elections have been held after a long time, and in every election, someone wins, and someone loses. Those who have achieved success and got the maximum number of seats are from the BJP. It is their responsibility to ensure they fulfil the hopes of the residents of Mumbai... People like us haven't been in Mumbai for a long time. We have seen many differences. I was in Mumbai. I stayed there for three years...At that time, we could not have imagined that any infrastructure like the Coastal Road would be built. But it was built, and if more things like this were built for Mumbai, it would benefit the residents," Abdullah said.

According to official figures released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BMC, the BJP won 89 seats, polling 11,79,273 votes, which accounts for 21.58 per cent of the total votes cast. Among all winning candidates, the BJP's vote share stands at 45.22 per cent, making it the single largest party in the civic body.

Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), secured 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, translating into 5.00 per cent of the total vote share. Together, the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance emerged as the largest bloc in the BMC.

On the other side, the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the MNS, won 65 seats. The UBT-led Sena polled 7,17,736 votes, accounting for 13.13 per cent of the total votes cast. The MNS added 6 seats to the alliance tally, with 74,946 votes and a 1.37 per cent vote share. The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 24 seats, polling 2,42,646 votes, which represents 4.44 per cent of the total vote share.

Among other parties, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 8 seats with 68,072 votes. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 3 seats, the Samajwadi Party won 2 seats, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) won 1 seat.

Overall, winning candidates from recognised political parties polled 26,07,612 votes, amounting to 47.72 per cent of the total votes cast. The total number of votes polled in the election stood at 54,64,412, while 11,677 voters opted for NOTA. The results reflect a fragmented but competitive civic mandate, with alliances playing a decisive role in shaping the final outcome of the BMC elections.

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has arrived in Switzerland to participate in the World Economic Forum's Davos Summit 2026. His mission is to promote the state's ambitious development roadmap, targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through infrastructure and foreign investment. The summit occurs as the WEF's latest report notes global cooperation is stable but shifting towards smaller, interest-based partnerships. Upon arrival, Fadnavis was welcomed by Union Ministers and the Indian Ambassador, who congratulated him on recent electoral victories in Maharashtra.

CM Devendra Fadnavis promotes Maharashtra's $1 trillion economy roadmap at WEF Davos 2026, seeking global investment and partnerships.

Zurich, January 18 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has embarked on a mission to further the state's development roadmap on the global stage with his participation at the World Economic Forum's 'Davos Summit 2026'.

The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 is running from January 19-23 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," and world leaders, policymakers and corporate figures will convene to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and transformational technologies as global cooperation adapts to new pressures.

Reports ahead of the summit emphasize that while collaboration between countries "has held steady", its shape is evolving amid geopolitical strains and fragmented multilateral frameworks.

The Chief Minister's participation aims to spotlight Maharashtra's trajectory toward economic and social transformation, anchored in global partnerships and investment collaboration. Maharashtra has set sights on becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, leveraging infrastructure expansion, industry diversification and foreign direct investment to fuel growth across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and services.

Against the backdrop of the WEF's Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, highlighting a dynamic world where cooperation persists even as geopolitical fault lines grow Maharashtra's delegation is positioning the state not only as an investment destination, but as a proactive voice in global dialogues on economic resilience, technology adoption, climate and social development.

Global cooperation has broadly remained stable despite mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, according to the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with McKinsey & Company.

The report highlighted that while the overall level of cooperation has not significantly declined, the report found that its form is changing, with traditional multilateral frameworks weakening and smaller, interest-based partnerships gaining ground.

Meanwhile, on his arrival at Zurich Airport earlier today, Fadnavis was met by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who extended congratulations on the Maharashtra government's recent victory in the state's Municipal Corporation Elections.

Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) posted on X, "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu met CM Devendra Fadnavis on his arrival at Zurich Airport in Switzerland. They congratulated CM Fadnavis on recent victory in the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections."

Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar also extended a warm welcome as the delegation touched down.

In another post on X, the Maharashtra CMO wrote, "Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar extended a warm welcome to CM Devendra Fadnavis as he landed at Zurich, Switzerland."

- ANI
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met with Bangladesh's National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka, with discussions held in a cordial atmosphere. Key topics included the Teesta River Comprehensive Management project and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital. The Chinese envoy reaffirmed China's commitment to completing technical assessments and offered support for Bangladesh's ongoing democratic transition and forthcoming elections. The meeting highlighted sustained positive momentum in bilateral relations, building on significant financial agreements signed during a 2025 visit by Bangladesh's Chief Adviser.

Chinese envoy meets Bangladesh NSA, discusses Teesta River project, bilateral cooperation, and reaffirms support for Bangladesh's democratic transition.

Dhaka, January 18 Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman at the Chief Adviser's Office on Sunday, according to a statement from the office of Bangladesh Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

The statement said the meeting was held in a "cordial and constructive atmosphere," during which both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

Discussions included the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital, the statement noted.

In this context, the Chinese Ambassador informed that he would visit the Teesta project area and reiterated China's commitment to expeditiously completing the ongoing technical assessment.

The statement further said the Ambassador reaffirmed his government's continued support for Bangladesh's ongoing democratic transition and conveyed best wishes for the successful conduct of the forthcoming national elections.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reiterated their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit, the statement added.

In 2025, Bangladesh substantially expanded its strategic and economic engagement with China, highlighted by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's visit to Beijing, during which agreements worth over USD 2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants were signed for infrastructure, energy and digital development.

The moves signalled a stronger phase of alignment following the change in government, increasing China's footprint.

Key developments included a trilateral dialogue with Pakistan, greater Chinese backing for the Teesta project, and an emphasis on economic integration and digital infrastructure, with Beijing offering major financial support for priority initiatives.

- ANI
A severe cold wave has gripped North India, with temperatures plummeting to sub-zero levels in Kashmir and Mount Abu. Delhi continues to battle a severe air pollution crisis, with an AQI of 439, while dense fog causes flight delays at IGI Airport. The India Meteorological Department reports freezing conditions in Srinagar and chilly weather persisting in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Residents and tourists are experiencing extreme conditions, with bonfires lit for warmth and visibility severely reduced.

Severe cold wave hits Delhi, Kashmir, and Rajasthan with sub-zero temps, while Delhi's AQI remains in the 'severe' category above 400, disrupting travel.

Moradabad, January 18 A toxic layer of smog has engulfed Delhi, prompting the invocation of GRAP 4 in the national capital. The Air Quality Index around AIIMS Hospital stands at 443-447, falling into the 'Severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The situation worsened further as a cold wave brought temperatures plummeting. In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, residents lit bonfires to warm themselves as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted minimum temperatures to drop to 8C. The cold wave has also affected Agra, where a thin layer of fog engulfed the Taj Mahal.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the cold wave persists in villages and hilly areas of Anantnag, with temperatures dropping to sub-zero levels. Despite the chill, tourists are enjoying the scenic beauty of Dal Lake in Srinagar. "The weather is quite chilly here, as the morning was extremely cold. We went out around Dal Lake at night, and it was quite a pleasant experience," said Sandeep, a tourist from Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Mount Abu in Rajasthan has experienced temperatures as low as -5C. A local told ANI, "Look at the cold of Mount Abu, with so much ice formed. The temperature here is -5 C... Our hands are trembling from the cold. This weather has persisted for the last three days... Previously, such cold used to occur in November or December, but due to climate changes, it's happening in January..."

Meanwhile, the national capital, Delhi, continued to grapple with a severe air pollution crisis, with air quality remaining in the 'severe' category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 439 at 7 am on Sunday, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

"The situation worsened overnight, with the AQI recorded at 432 at 10 pm on Saturday, placing it in the 'severe' category, before deteriorating further by early Sunday morning," the report said.

As cold wave conditions continued to prevail in the national capital, dense fog enveloped large parts of Delhi on Saturday morning, leading to reduced visibility and delays in several flights at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Passengers have been advised to check flight statuses with their respective airlines before heading to the airport, as foggy conditions are likely to impact operations intermittently.

The India Meteorological Department reported a slight improvement in the minimum temperature, which stood at 7 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, compared to 4 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday. Despite the marginal rise, visibility remained low during the early hours, affecting road, rail, and air traffic movement across the city.

A cold wave also continued to grip Kashmir on Sunday, with temperatures plunging below freezing in several parts of the Valley. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department.

As per the IMD forecast, Srinagar city is expected to record a maximum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 5 degrees Celsius on Sunday. In Jammu city, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 20 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to settle at 5 degrees Celsius. The forecast said, "mainly clear sky becoming partly cloudy towards evening or night" for Srinagar city.

As per AQI classification, readings between 0 and 50 are considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.

- ANI
A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Nedap N.V. ( AMS:NEDAP ) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Story continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.8%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 50m (1 + 1.8%)  (6.6% 1.8%) = 1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 1.1b ( 1 + 6.6%)10= 570m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 871m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 90.9, the company appears quite undervalued at a 31% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

ENXTAM:NEDAP Discounted Cash Flow January 18th 2026

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Nedap as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.131. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Check out our latest analysis for Nedap

SWOT Analysis for Nedap

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electronic market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Nedap, we've compiled three further factors you should assess:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Nedap we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does NEDAP's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Dutch stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned former US President Donald Trump's threats to impose escalating tariffs on eight European nations unless they agree to sell Greenland. Starmer stated the UK's clear position that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is for Greenlanders and Danes to decide. Trump's threat, posted on social media, warned of 10% tariffs starting in 2026, rising to 25%, to force a deal for the "Complete and Total purchase" of Greenland. The situation has raised significant concerns about the impact on NATO unity and Arctic security, with European allies reinforcing their presence in the region.

UK PM Keir Starmer calls Trump's tariff threats over Greenland "completely wrong," defending Denmark's sovereignty and warning of NATO risks.

London, January 18 United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations over Greenland, calling the move "completely wrong."

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the UK PM reiterated Britain's stance on Greenland, noting that the Arctic island is "part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes."

He added that Arctic security is a concern for the entire NATO alliance and that all member states should work together to address threats posed by Russia across the region.

Starmer further criticised the idea of imposing tariffs on allies pursuing collective security measures.

"Our position on Greenland is very clear - it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic," the UK PM said.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration," Starmer added.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.

In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats.

"Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted.

Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns.

Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination.

Meanwhile, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland, with Denmark increasing its own military presence amid Trump's call for acquiring the Arctic island.

The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise.

- ANI
Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski advocates for a comprehensive India-Canada Free Trade Agreement based on the principle of "trade without tariffs." He cautions that the current diplomatic rapprochement is an "illusion," with core disputes, including allegations over a killing, remaining unresolved. Milewski suggests that a potential visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney should be conditional on India building a memorial to the victims of the 1985 Air India bombing. He emphasizes the need to move beyond the current "dynamic of crime" and foster deeper, more fruitful people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski calls for a comprehensive India-Canada free trade agreement and stronger people-to-people ties amid diplomatic strains.

New Delhi, January 18 Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski has underlined the need for a comprehensive India-Canada Free Trade Agreement and a stronger push for people-to-people ties, as he spoke about the future direction of bilateral relations amid evolving global geopolitics.

In an interview with ANI, Milewski said the key outcome of a possible visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India should be "a comprehensive free trade agreement where India and Canada set an example of what it should be," adding, "It should be trade without tariffs."

Emphasising that the FTA must go beyond limited trade openings, Milewski said, "We need a comprehensive free trade agreement where India and Canada set an example of what it should be. It should be trade without tariffs. Why should there be any tariffs at all?"

Linking trade policy to broader political and economic realities, he said, "It's not about what's right and wrong. It's what they will go ahead and do," adding that the global environment is being reshaped by expanding strategic competition and uncertainty.

Milewski also cautioned against viewing the current improvement in ties as a full resolution of disputes. "The vaunted rapprochement between India and Canada, in my submission, doesn't really exist. It's an illusion that both governments find convenient," he said.

He added that the dispute that triggered the downturn in ties remains unresolved, saying, "They have not decided to settle dispute which began the precipitous decline in relations which happened when Trudeau accused the Modi government of murder."

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 alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara the same year.

Commenting on how both sides are managing the relationship, Milewski said, "Both governments have decided to let it be," adding, "They're just going to have to go with the undecided, unsettled, dispute in the background."

Referring to possible diplomatic engagement, Milewski said, "It's reported pretty widely that in the next couple of months, Carney may come to India," and added that if such a visit takes place, he would like to see India build a memorial to the Air India Flight 182 victims.

On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 (Boeing 747-237B), also known as Kanishka, en route from Montreal to New Delhi, was destroyed in a mid-air explosion off Ireland's coast after a bomb was planted by Khalistani terrorists. All 329 people aboard were killed, including 268 Canadians, 27 Britons and 22 Indians.

"For one thing, I think that it shouldn't happen at all unless and until the Indian government itself raises the money and builds a memorial to the victims of Air India 182," he said, adding, "We have four memorials in Canada."

Highlighting the importance of deeper engagement at the societal level, Milewski said, "People-to-people exchanges between India and Canada are enormously fruitful. It's wonderful for Canada," but added that ties have become "mired in a completely wrong dynamic of crime."

"I'd like to see a vast improvement in the quality and style of people-to-people exchanges, an intermingling of two wonderful people, the Canadians and the Indians," he said.

Milewski also spoke about the shifting international environment and Canada's evolving foreign policy outlook, saying, "We've had our heads snapped two or three times already in this interview by the things that have happened since Trump arrived on the scene."

On the emerging global scenario, he said, "The overturning of the old world order and its by the new world order," adding, "I don't think it's going to get better soon. It's going to get worse."

The remarks come as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Ottawa, to diversify its global trade landscape, will be doubling non-US exports by the next decade.

Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik has said that Carney is set to visit India in the coming weeks to expand bilateral trade with New Delhi, after over two years of strained diplomatic relations.

Speaking to CBC's "Power & Politics", Patnaik on January 13 said Carney's visit is aimed at diversifying Canada's trading partners amid high tariffs imposed by the United States on its largest trade partner.

Both India and Canada are facing high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on their exports, including 50 per cent tariffs on India and 35 per cent tariffs on Canada, the report said.

"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 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.

Patnaik reiterated 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 said 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, 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa.

The planned CEPA talks aim to raise bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Davos for the World Economic Forum, where he accepted the badge representing 'Magnetic Maharashtra'. He praised the Marathi diaspora for a cultural welcome featuring Lezim and a presentation of the historic Wari pilgrimage tradition. Fadnavis launched the 'MahaNRI Connect' platform to unite and showcase the achievements of the global Marathi community. His participation aims to attract investment and position Maharashtra as a key player in global dialogues on its path to becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrives at WEF Davos, accepts 'Magnetic Maharashtra' badge, launches MahaNRI Connect platform, and praises diaspora's cultural showcase.

Davos, January 18 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum and praised the diaspora for their cultural connect through Lezim performance and the representation of Wari tradition. He also accepted the WEF Badge representing 'Magnetic Maharashtra'.

He thanked the diaspora for the traditional Marathi welcome. In his speech, CM Fadnavis said, "It made me wonder for a moment whether I am in Maharashtra or in Zurich. I would especially like to congratulate and thank our sisters who performed the Lezim here. It felt as if they practice it every day; they performed it so gracefully and skillfully. The presentations performed here were also very beautiful."

Speaking about the Wari tradition's presentation, he said, "The prosperity of Maharashtra lies in its 'Wari' (pilgrimage) tradition. This Wari tradition has kept Maharashtra prosperous; it is a tradition that did not allow us to lose hope even during times of invasions. This is a tradition that even Aurangzeb could not stop. The representation of the Wari tradition that you presented here today was truly beautiful. It felt as if Lord Vitthal and Rukmini had personally appeared here."

CM Fadnavis mentioned the proposal of the idea of 'MahaNRI Connect' platform which would bring together the diaspora. "We are all very excited about one thing: 'MahaNRI Connect.' Through the 'MahaNRI Connect' platform we are building, we see that our diaspora--Marathi people across the world--are doing so many diverse things. Many of these things are very meaningful, eye-catching, and transformative. All these things should be shared with each other."

On his arrival at Zurich Airport earlier today, Fadnavis was met by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who extended congratulations on the Maharashtra government's recent victory in the state's Municipal Corporation Elections.

The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 runs from January 19-23 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," and world leaders, policymakers and corporate figures will convene to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and transformational technologies as global cooperation adapts to new pressures.

Reports ahead of the summit emphasize that while collaboration between countries "has held steady," its shape is evolving amid geopolitical strains and fragmented multilateral frameworks.

The Chief Minister's participation aims to spotlight Maharashtra's trajectory toward economic and social transformation, anchored in global partnerships and investment collaboration. Maharashtra has set sights on becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, leveraging infrastructure expansion, industry diversification and foreign direct investment to fuel growth across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and services.

Against the backdrop of the WEF's Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, highlighting a dynamic world where cooperation persists even as geopolitical fault lines grow, Maharashtra's delegation is positioning the state not only as an investment destination, but as a proactive voice in global dialogues on economic resilience, technology adoption, climate and social development.

- ANI
The World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos is set to begin with record participation from global leaders and CEOs. Madhya Pradesh is leveraging this platform to present its compelling growth story and investment ecosystem to the world. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will lead the state's delegation, aiming to secure new investments and advance proposals in priority sectors. The state plans to showcase opportunities across automotive, renewable energy, food processing, and tourism.

Madhya Pradesh presents its growth story at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aiming to attract global investment across key sectors.

By Ayushi Agarwal, Davos, January 18 The Alpine town of Davos is once again at the centre of global attention as it prepares to host the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum from January 19 to 23, 2026. With streets decked up and security tightened, Davos-Klosters is set to welcome nearly 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including a record number of world leaders, CEOs, innovators and policymakers.

Held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue", the WEF Annual Meeting 2026 comes at a critical juncture for global cooperation, bringing together top political leaders, including heads of state and government, alongside global CEOs and leading unicorns and technology pioneers.

Amid this high-level global gathering, Madhya Pradesh is stepping onto the world stage to showcase its emergence as one of India's most dynamic and future-ready investment destinations.

As Davos readies itself for five days of intense dialogue and deal-making, Madhya Pradesh's presence underscores India's growing role in global economic conversations--and the state's ambition to be at the forefront of that journey.

Beginning on Monday, Madhya Pradesh will present its compelling growth story, progressive policy framework, and robust investment ecosystem on this global platform, positioning itself as a strategic investment hub.

Senior state officials are arriving on Sunday to spearhead discussions and pitch opportunities across various sectors, with Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) expected to be exchanged during the visit.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is expected to arrive on Wednesday for engagements at the WEF, with the objective of positioning the state as a preferred global investment destination, strengthening direct engagement with multinational corporations, and advancing new investment proposals in priority sectors.

From Automotive and new mobility to renewable energy, food processing, tourism, culture, and many others, Madhya Pradesh will showcase its strengths across multiple high-growth sectors.

According to the World Economic Forum, this year's meeting marks one of the highest levels of participation in its history, with leaders from the G7, major emerging economies, international organisations and civil society. Over 200 sessions will be livestreamed, ensuring global public access to discussions shaping the future of economies, technology and sustainability.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the Guided Pinaka rocket system from a Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) facility in Nagpur for export to Armenia. He inaugurated a Medium Calibre Ammunition Facility at the same plant, highlighting a significant step in defence manufacturing. Singh praised the private sector's crucial role in achieving self-reliance, noting growing international interest in the Pinaka system. He expressed confidence that after testing, the armed forces would also induct these indigenously developed missiles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flags off Guided Pinaka missile system for export to Armenia from Nagpur facility, highlighting India's growing defence prowess.

Nagpur, January 18 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off Guided Pinaka from Solar Defence and Aerospace Plant in Nagpur on Sunday. He was there for the inauguration of the Medium Calibre Ammunition Facility in SDAL's Plant.

After the inauguration, the Defence Minister visited the Rocket Assembly area in the SDAL plant, where he witnessed the Guided Pinaka. From this facility, Guided Pinaka is set to be exported to Armenia.

In his inaugural address, the Defence Minister said, "This facility has begun the export of Pinaka missiles developed here. Several other countries have also shown interest in purchasing them. This achievement is not only the capability of our defence industry but also further strengthens India's export potential. I am confident that in the next few months, once all the testing is completed, our armed forces will be able to use them as a strong and reliable shield for the defence of the nation."

Lauding the capability of the SDAL facility, the Defence Minister said, "When I see a private sector unit working at this level, I don't just see a unit or a facility, I see a new resolve, a new enthusiasm, new energy, and innovation. I see how dedicatedly you are contributing to the development of the country. The way you are contributing to making the defence sector self-reliant is, in itself, exemplary."

"There was a time when defence production was almost limited to the public sector. The capabilities and potential existed, but the level of participation from the private sector was not what it should have been. There were various challenges, hesitations, and doubts about whether this model would succeed in moving towards self-reliance. Questions were raised about capacities, but gradually, we made efforts to change this mindset, said the Defence Minister.

Mentioning his last visit to the facility, Defence Minister said that, "I clearly remember that in 2021, the first full lot of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades, entirely manufactured in India by the private sector, was handed over by me to the Army Chief for the use of the armed forces. At that time, it was a significant step towards self-reliance in the defence sector."

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, to participate in the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. He aims to promote Maharashtra's growth story and strengthen its position as a key economic engine for India. The WEF meeting, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue," will convene thousands of global leaders to address geopolitical tensions and economic challenges. Fadnavis was welcomed by Indian officials and arrives following his alliance's recent electoral victory in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrives in Zurich for WEF Davos 2026, aiming to position the state as India's growth engine on the global stage.

Zurich, January 18 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to represent his state at the annual World Economic Forum 2026 at Davos.

Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar extended a warm welcome to Maharashtra Chief Minister as he landed at Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday evening.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu met Fadnavis upon his arrival at Zurich Airport and congratulated him on the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's recent victory in the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections.

In a post on X just before his departure from Mumbai, Fadnavis wrote that with Maharashtra's blessings, he was travelling to Davos, Switzerland for the WEF 2026.

"Determined to strengthen Magnetic Maharashtra as India's growth engine on the world stage. Look forward to newer MahaGrowth stories!," he added in the X post.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) will convene its 56th Annual Meeting in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty and rapid technological transformation.

Held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," Davos 2026 seeks to provide an impartial platform for global leaders from government, business and civil society to reconnect, rebuild trust and explore collaborative solutions to challenges that increasingly transcend borders.

This year's programme is shaped by ongoing geopolitical realignments, slowing global growth, trade frictions and accelerating technological change. Across sessions on geopolitics, growth and global governance, participants will explore how cooperation can be renewed amid contested norms, strained alliances and eroding trust.

The Annual Meeting is expected to see record levels of government participation, with around 400 top political leaders, including nearly 65 heads of state and government and six leaders from the G7, taking part.

- ANI
Millions of devotees converged on the ghats of Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj to take a sacred dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, braving intense cold and fog. The day marked the third and largest bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, with pilgrims arriving from midnight. Authorities managed the massive crowds with tight security, surveillance, and traffic arrangements, ensuring a smooth and orderly process. Devotees performed rituals, observed fasts, and offered prayers for the peace and well-being of their ancestors, with the ghats resonating with devotional chants.

Millions of devotees braved cold & fog for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya in Haridwar, Varanasi & Prayagraj. See the massive spiritual gathering.

Haridwar, Jan 18 A massive confluence of faith unfolded on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya as the religious cities of Haridwar, Varanasi and Prayagraj witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees.

Braving biting cold and dense fog, millions of pilgrims reached the ghats early in the morning to take the sacred dip, which is considered highly auspicious.

Amid tight security arrangements, devotees were later seen offering prayers and performing rituals at temples following the holy bath.

In Haridwar, thousands of devotees gathered at the iconic Har Ki Pauri on Sunday to take a dip in the Ganges, perform traditional rituals and offer prayers.

The local administration ensured smooth conduct of the bathing rituals with elaborate security, crowd control measures and surveillance systems in place.

Speaking to IANS, a devotee said, "Today is Mauni Amavasya, and we are celebrating it in the traditional way. I personally come here every Mauni Amavasya. It has special importance for our family members and ancestors."

Authorities remained alert throughout the day to manage the continuous flow of pilgrims at the ghat.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Varanasi, where thousands of devotees thronged the Ganges ghats to observe Mauni Amavasya.

A devotee, speaking to IANS, said, "It is the ninth day of the Krishna Paksha, Mauni Amavasya. On this day, people observe fasts, donate as per their capacity, perform puja and offer prayers."

The ghats of the ancient city resonated with devotional chants as devotees immersed themselves in rituals despite the cold weather.

Vedic priest Vivekananda at Dashashwamedh Ghat said that devotees observing the Mauni fast during the Krishna Paksha of the Magh month come specially to perform rituals in the Ganges.

He told IANS that after bathing in the holy river, devotees pay homage to their ancestors and pray for their peace and well-being.

"Children are also participating in the rituals with deep devotion, reflecting the spiritual significance of the occasion across generations," he added.

Mauni Amavasya also marked the third and largest bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj.

From early Sunday morning, a huge number of devotees arrived at the Sangam Ghat despite dense fog and cold conditions to take the holy dip.

Astrologer Ashutosh Varshney told IANS, "The significance of the Mauni Amavasya bath is immense. According to beliefs, 330 million deities visit Prayagraj and observe a vow of silence while taking the holy dip, which highlights the spiritual importance of this ritual."

Several devotees said that they had started their journey around midnight to reach the Sangam on time for the auspicious bath.

"It is Mauni Amavasya, and we came here to take a holy dip. We are now returning home after completing the ritual," a devotee said.

Many pilgrims also appreciated the arrangements made by the authorities during the Magh Mela, calling them efficient and well-managed.

To ensure safety and smooth movement of pilgrims, strict security and traffic arrangements were put in place at the Sangam Ghat.

NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed, while CCTV cameras and drones were used for constant monitoring.

Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal said that around fifty lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at various ghats since 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Speaking to IANS, she said, "Although the crowd was larger than expected, adequate facilities had been arranged, and the bathing process was proceeding smoothly and in an orderly manner."

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that the main bathing ritual of Mauni Amavasya was taking place on Sunday, and a large number of devotees had been bathing continuously since midnight.

He said the process had been going on for over six hours without any disruption, and devotees were present at every ghat, taking the holy dip peacefully.

- IANS
India's power distribution companies have collectively posted a net profit of Rs 2,701 crore in FY2024-25, marking a historic reversal from years of consistent losses. This turnaround follows significant government-led reforms, including the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and stricter financial norms. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal credited the achievement to sustained efforts and the leadership's vision for the energy sector. Key operational metrics have also improved, with Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses declining sharply from over 22% a decade ago to 15.04% in FY25.

India's power distribution sector turns profitable for the first time, posting a net profit of Rs 2,701 crore in FY25 after years of heavy losses.

New Delhi, Jan 18 India's power distribution sector has posted a rare and significant turnaround, with electricity distribution companies and power departments together reporting a net profit for the first time in years, the Ministry of Power said on Sunday.

In FY2024-25, distribution utilities recorded a collective profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 2,701 crore -- marking a sharp reversal from years of heavy losses.

This positive performance comes after a loss of Rs 25,553 crore in FY 2023-24 and a much deeper loss of Rs 67,962 crore in FY 2013-14, the ministry data showed.

Since the unbundling and corporatisation of State Electricity Boards, distribution utilities had consistently remained in the red, making the latest figures a major milestone for the sector.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal described the development as the beginning of a new chapter for India's power distribution system.

He said the turnaround is the result of sustained efforts by the government to address long-standing financial and operational challenges faced by DISCOMs.

"This achievement was possible due to the leadership and vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi captured in his words that, India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role in this," Lal stated.

"The government is committed to the required reforms in the sector so that the power sector can support our growing economy and play its part in the journey towards Viksit Bharat," he added.

Over the past few years, the government has introduced several reforms aimed at improving the financial health and efficiency of distribution utilities.

These include the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which focuses on modernising infrastructure and rolling out smart meters, and stricter financial norms that link access to funding with performance benchmarks.

Changes in electricity rules have also helped ensure timely tariff revisions, better cost recovery and transparent accounting of subsidies.

The impact of these reforms is visible not only in profitability but also in key performance indicators.

Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses, which reflect inefficiencies such as power theft and billing gaps, have steadily declined from 22.62 per cent in FY 2013-14 to 15.04 per cent in FY 2024-25. This indicates improved operational efficiency across states.

- IANS
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with visiting US Senator Steve Daines in New Delhi for discussions on the strategic bilateral relationship. The meeting follows the Indian envoy to the US hosting Daines to discuss trade, technology, and the global landscape. This diplomatic engagement occurs as India and the US prepare for a meeting between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio next month, resuming talks on a trade agreement. The context includes recent friction over trade negotiations and US tariffs related to India's Russian oil purchases.

EAM S Jaishankar meets US Senator Steve Daines in Delhi, discussing strategic ties and trade, amid preparations for talks with US Secretary Marco Rubio.

New Delhi, January 18 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met with US Senator Steve Daines, who is currently on a visit to India.

"A pleasure meeting Senator @SteveDaines this morning in Delhi. A wide ranging and open discussion on our bilateral relationship and its strategic significance," Jaishankar said

Previously, on Thursday, indian envoy to the US Kwatra met with Senator Daines and discussed the bilateral relationship.

In a post on X, he said, "Honored to welcome and host Senator Steve Daines at India House. We discussed various facets of our bilateral partnership, including developments in trade, technology and innovation, and the evolving global landscape. Deeply appreciate and value his useful insights and strong support for the bilateral relationship."

Daines' India visit comes as Sergio Gor, took charge as US Ambassador to India.

It also comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington discuss a meeting between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio next month as both sides have resumed talks on a trade agreement.

Earlier, the MEA provided details of the first conversation between the external affairs minister and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation and energy, and also exchanged perspectives on regional developments.

Addressing a weekly media briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "This conversation happened on the 13th of January. This was the first conversation between the two leaders. They discussed a range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and energy. They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments."

The conversation was also referenced by Jaishankar, who on Tuesday spoke with Rubio and later shared details in a post on X, stating, "Just concluded a good conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy," adding that the two leaders agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues.

The call took place amid friction between New Delhi and Washington over trade negotiations and tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump over India's Russian oil purchases. India is currently being subjected to US tariffs of 50 per cent, even as it has been in talks with Washington since February last year, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to the US capital.

- ANI
The employment rate for South Koreans in their 20s fell to 60.2% in 2025, marking the first annual decline in five years. The number of employed young people dropped by 170,000, continuing a three-year accelerating decline. President Lee Jae Myung warned that the country's K-shaped economic recovery disproportionately threatens the youth and the nation's future growth engines. Experts note a trend of young people delaying job searches until their 30s in hopes of better opportunities.

South Korea's youth employment rate declines for first time in 5 years amid population drop and weak job market, President Lee warns of crisis.

Seoul, Jan 18 The employment rate for people in their 20s fell in 2025 for the first time in five years as a shrinking population and a weak job market weighed on hiring, data showed on Sunday.

The employment rate for people in their 20s stood at 60.2 percent last year, down 0.8 percentage point from a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It was the first on-year decline since 2020, when hiring slumped amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Yonhap news agency.

The number of employed people in their 20s totalled 3.44 million last year, down 170,000 from a year earlier. The decline has continued for three straight years and has been accelerating, widening from a drop of 82,000 in 2023 to 124,000 in 2024.

The population decline has been cited as a key factor as the number of people in this age group has fallen for five consecutive years since 2021.

But employment in the age bracket declined at a steeper pace than the population decrease, suggesting broader weakness in the labor market.

"In the past, many people found jobs in their 20s, but there is now a growing tendency for people to wait until their 30s in search of better opportunities," said Yang Jun-seok, a professor of economics at the Catholic University of Korea.

Separate data by the ministry showed that jobs at large conglomerates totaled 4.43 million in 2024, up 17,000 from a year earlier.

But the share of jobs being held by the same workers rose 0.8 percentage point to 84.4 per cent, pointing to limited job mobility.

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung said that increasing polarisation in the country's economic growth is disproportionately affecting the youth, threatening the future of the nation.

Lee made the remark during an economic growth strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, saying the country's K-shaped economy -- an uneven recovery where parts of the economy grow fast while others decline -- is presenting a "grave challenge."

"Judging from the surface and indices, our economy will definitely improve from last year, but the majority of the people will most likely not feel the change," he said.

"Above all the shadow of our K-shaped growth is concentrated on our young generations who carry our future," he continued. "This goes beyond a youth issue and threatens the future growth engines of South Korea's economy."

Lee said more than 400,000 young people have been pushed out of the labor market with no one taking responsibility for the lack of entry-level jobs.

- IANS
Investing.com -- Quantum computing could achieve "quantum advantage, where quantum systems significantly outperform classical computers, around 2033, according to UBS Global Research in a recent note. However, the technology "has consistently been 5 years away for the last 20 years," the report cautions.

UBS extrapolated quantum volume, a performance metric encompassing error correction and other factors, finding it follows a trajectory similar to Moores Law in classical computing.

This analysis suggests quantum advantage, typically associated with 100 logical qubits, could arrive slightly later than some company projections.

IBM targets 2,000 logical qubits by 2026, while IonQ projects 1,600 that year, scaling beyond 40,000 after 2030, according to company milestones cited in the report. Googles Willow processor demonstrated in December 2024 that adding more qubits reduces rather than increases errors, a critical threshold for scalability.

China leads global public quantum investment with just under $18 billion, double U.S. public funding, according to European Centre for International Political Economy data cited in the report.

However, the United States accounts for approximately $7 billion in private quantum investment compared to Chinas minimal private funding.

UBS models potential market disruption showing 12% of global server capacity could become underutilized by 2035 under high quantum adoption, rising from zero in 2026.

The analysis estimates 27% of current server spending comes from biosciences, chemical engineering, and financial services, sectors where quantum applications may arrive earliest, according to Intersect360 Research data.

Under the bullish scenario, 50% of pharmaceutical server capacity, 45% of chemical industry capacity, and 35% of financial services capacity could shift to quantum processors by 2035. A conservative scenario projects only 2% server underutilization by 2035.

Near-term economic impact stems from encryption vulnerabilities. The brokerage estimates cumulative 2026-2030 market increases of 30% for IoT devices, 6% for smartphones, and 4% for PCs, driven by quantum-safe encryption requirements.

New encryption standards require key sizes up to 100 times larger and computation times potentially 10 times slower than current methods.

IonQ reported $43.1 million in 2024 revenue with 2025 guidance of $106-110 million. D-Wave reported $9 million in 2024 revenue, while Rigetti reported $10.8 million.

Private companies including PsiQuantum have raised over $2 billion, targeting commercial systems by 2027.
The chair of the European Parliament's trade committee is urging the European Commission to immediately trigger the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument. This comes after former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 10% tariffs on goods from several European countries, citing issues related to Greenland. Bernd Lange labeled the threat an "incredible" escalation in using tariffs as a political weapon and a breach of a 2025 trade deal. The European Parliament is set to discuss the crisis, with Lange suggesting a suspension of further cooperation with the US.

EU trade chair calls for anti-coercion response as Trump threatens tariffs on European nations over Greenland, escalating a long-standing dispute.

Brussels, Jan 18 Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, urged the European Commission to trigger the EU's anti-coercion instrument after US President Donald Trump threatened additional tariffs on a group of European countries over Greenland.

"It is also now high time to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) ... and formulate a clear EU response," Lange said in a LinkedIn post, urging the Commission to start the ACI procedure immediately, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump said on Saturday that the country will impose 10-per cent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on February 1.

Lange called the threat "incredible" and "a new dimension" in the use of tariffs as a political weapon, adding that the EU could not "carry on with business as usual" under the circumstances.

Lange also said the US step amounted to another breach of a political EU-US tariff and trade deal agreed in Scotland in July 2025, and said the European Parliament would discuss the issue again with political groups next week.

"I cannot imagine that we can continue with business as usual, and I assume that we will suspend our further work," he said.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.

Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his interest in Greenland, from "buying" the island during his first presidential term, to the current employment of "a range of options" including "utilizing the US military" to seize the autonomous island. The Greenland crisis escalated after Trump recently intensified his bid to acquire the island.

- IANS
Former Maharashtra Minister and senior BJP leader Raj K Purohit has died at the age of 71 following a prolonged illness. He passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai, with his last rites to be performed at Muktidham after public homage. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow, calling Purohit's demise a great loss for the party. Purohit had a long political career, serving as an MLA for over 25 years and holding key organizational roles.

Senior BJP leader and former Mumbai BJP President Raj K Purohit passes away after prolonged illness. CM Fadnavis pays tribute.

Mumbai, Jan 18 Former Maharashtra Minister and former Mumbai BJP President Raj K. Purohit passed away in Mumbai on Saturday following a prolonged illness. He was 71.

Purohit breathed his last at a private hospital in the city on Saturday.

According to party sources, his last rites will be performed at Muktidham, Chandanwadi, after his mortal remains are kept for public homage at Rajhans Building on Marine Drive, allowing party workers, well-wishers and citizens to pay their final respects.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the senior BJP leader.

Taking to X, the Chief Minister wrote, "The news of the demise of senior BJP leader and close friend of all of us, Raj Purohitji, is very sad. With his demise, the BJP and the entire party have lost a hearty personality."

Raj K. Purohit had a long and distinguished political career. He was elected four times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Mumbadevi Assembly constituency and once from the Colaba constituency in Mumbai.

Over the years, he served as an MLA in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for more than twenty-five years, during which he held several key organisational and legislative responsibilities.

Recalling his contribution, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that as an MLA, Pratod and Mumbai President of the BJP, Purohit played a significant role in strengthening and expanding the party.

"As an MLA, Pratod and Mumbai President of the BJP, he contributed greatly to the expansion of the party in various roles. He always stood as a strong support in the organisational process. Firmness and aggression were his constant qualities. He was always enthusiastic, full of confidence and positivity," the Chief Minister said.

Fadnavis further noted that Purohit was widely respected within the business community and that under his leadership, several long-pending issues were addressed.

"He was also popular among the business community, and under his leadership, he solved many issues. He had also devoted himself to campaigning in the recently held municipal elections," he said.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister added, "His demise leaves a big void in the BJP family. I pay my heartfelt tributes to him. We share in the grief of his family."

- IANS
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was warmly welcomed by the state's diaspora upon his arrival at Zurich Airport to attend the World Economic Forum 2026. His participation aims to spotlight Maharashtra's development roadmap and its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The WEF summit, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue," will convene global leaders to address geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. Upon arrival, Fadnavis was also met and congratulated by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu for recent electoral victories in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis receives a warm diaspora welcome in Zurich as he attends the World Economic Forum to promote the state's development.

Zurich, January 18 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was on Sunday greeted in "true Maharashtrian style" by the state's diaspora as he arrived at Zurich Airport to attend the World Economic Forum 2026.

In a post on X, the CM posted, "Grateful beyond words! I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome given in true Maharashtrian style in Zurich, Switzerland. Heartfelt thanks to everyone for this affection and love!"

Fadnavis has embarked on a mission to further the state's development roadmap on the global stage with his participation at the World Economic Forum's 'Davos Summit 2026'.

The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 runs from January 19-23 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," and world leaders, policymakers and corporate figures will convene to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and transformational technologies as global cooperation adapts to new pressures.

Reports ahead of the summit emphasize that while collaboration between countries "has held steady," its shape is evolving amid geopolitical strains and fragmented multilateral frameworks.

The Chief Minister's participation aims to spotlight Maharashtra's trajectory toward economic and social transformation, anchored in global partnerships and investment collaboration. Maharashtra has set sights on becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, leveraging infrastructure expansion, industry diversification and foreign direct investment to fuel growth across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and services.

Against the backdrop of the WEF's Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, highlighting a dynamic world where cooperation persists even as geopolitical fault lines grow Maharashtra's delegation is positioning the state not only as an investment destination, but as a proactive voice in global dialogues on economic resilience, technology adoption, climate and social development.

Global cooperation has broadly remained stable despite mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, according to the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with McKinsey & Company.

The report highlighted that while the overall level of cooperation has not significantly declined, the report found that its form is changing, with traditional multilateral frameworks weakening and smaller, interest-based partnerships gaining ground.

Meanwhile, on his arrival at Zurich Airport earlier today, Fadnavis was met by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who extended congratulations on the Maharashtra government's recent victory in the state's Municipal Corporation Elections.

Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) posted on X, "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu met CM Devendra Fadnavis on his arrival at Zurich Airport in Switzerland.

They congratulated CM Fadnavis on recent victory in the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections."

- ANI
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the Magh Mela. The spiritual atmosphere was enhanced as flower petals were showered on the pilgrims from a helicopter. Despite severe cold weather, faith remained undeterred, with pilgrims observing the traditional practice of silence during the ritual bath for spiritual purification. Spiritual leader Shankaracharya Narendranand Saraswati also took part, emphasizing the deep significance of the day.

Thousands braved severe cold for a holy dip at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya, with flower petals showered from a helicopter.

New Delhi, Jan 18 On the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, thousands of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take a holy dip during the ongoing Magh Mela. Adding to the spiritual fervour, flower petals were showered on devotees from a helicopter as they performed ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

Despite severe cold weather conditions, faith and devotion remained undeterred as pilgrims from across the country arrived in large numbers from the early hours of the morning. Authorities made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth movement, security, and crowd management at the Sangam.

Explaining the spiritual significance of the day, a devotee said, "Today, a remarkable confluence of events has occurred. The Shravana Nakshatra rarely falls on Amavasya, and having it coincide with Amavasya today is considered extremely auspicious. This is the day of Mauni Amavasya, and there is a special practice associated with it: while taking a holy dip, one must observe silence."

Mauni Amavasya holds immense importance in Hindu tradition. It is believed that observing silence (maun vrat) and taking a holy bath on this day helps in spiritual purification and attainment of inner peace. The day is also regarded as one of the most sacred bathing dates during the Magh Mela.

Renowned spiritual leader Shankaracharya Narendranand Saraswati also took a holy dip at the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the holy baths on Mauni Amavasya, Magh Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh are considered especially sacred and hold deep spiritual significance for devotees.

Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements despite the biting cold. One devotee said, "Taking a holy dip on Amavasya felt very good. For us, it is a mahaparv. Even though the cold is severe, all arrangements were smooth and we were able to do darshan without any difficulty."

Another devotee echoed similar sentiments, saying, "Even severe cold cannot alter people's faith. Despite the cold, people are arriving here in large numbers to take a holy dip on Amavasya."

The showering of flower petals from the helicopter created a visually striking and spiritually uplifting atmosphere, drawing praise from devotees.

- IANS
The District Magistrate of Varanasi announced the direct transfer of funds to 3,294 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0. Each beneficiary received a first instalment of one lakh rupees, with permanent house construction slated to begin shortly. Separately, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the state's progress in the health sector, noting a major increase in medical colleges. He also detailed the widespread issuance of Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards, providing health coverage to millions.

Varanasi DM announces direct bank transfers to 3,294 housing scheme beneficiaries. CM Yogi highlights Uttar Pradesh's health sector growth.

Varanasi, January 18 Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Sunday said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0, funds have been directly transferred to the bank accounts of 3,294 beneficiaries in Varanasi district.

The DM said that, as the first instalment, Rs one lakh has been credited to each beneficiary's account. He added that the construction of permanent houses for all beneficiaries will begin soon under the scheme.

"Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0, today in Varanasi district, funds have been directly transferred to the accounts of 3294 beneficiaries. As the first instalment, 1 lakh rupees have been sent to the accounts of all beneficiaries. Work for the construction of permanent houses for all of them will begin soon," District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said to ANI.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stated that the state has grown significantly in the health sector with a notable rise in medical colleges over the last decade.

Addressing the Health Tech Conclave 1.0 in Lucknow today, the Chief Minister said that improvements in this sector have made health facilities more easily accessible to people.

CM Yogi affirmed that there are currently 100 district-level government hospitals and 81 operational medical colleges, with two AIIMS in the state, compared to 40 medical colleges in 2017.

"Inspired by the Prime Minister and under his guidance, the Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Government of India, has succeeded in bringing about comprehensive changes in the health sector over the past 8-9 years... Before 2017, there were a total of 40 medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh, combining government and private sectors, and currently, 81 medical colleges are operational in Uttar Pradesh, with two AIIMS, over 100 district-level government hospitals, health and wellness sectors, which ensures medical facility reaches the far-fetched regions..." he stated.

The Chief Minister said that there are 5.5 crore Golden Cards that have been issued in Uttar Pradesh, allocating Rs. 5 lakh per year in the health sector under the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

"Due to the comprehensive changes in this sector over the past 11 years, providing health facilities to the people has become easier. The state has issued 5.5 crore Golden Cards under the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which allocates Rs. 5 lakh per annum to ensure health benefits," he said.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a fully automated Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility in Nagpur, reinforcing the government's commitment to self-reliance in defence production. He highlighted the nation's progress from facing ammunition shortages to manufacturing and exporting quality products like Pinaka rockets. Singh commended the private sector's crucial role in developing advanced indigenous systems, including drones and counter-drone technology. He emphasized that modern, multi-dimensional conflicts necessitate a strong domestic defence industrial base with increased private sector involvement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates automated ammunition facility in Nagpur, highlighting India's shift from importer to exporter in defence.

Nagpur, Jan 18 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's commitment to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' in ammunition manufacturing and make the country a global production hub in the field.

Inaugurating the Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, he recalled the time when ammunition shortages hampered the country's defence preparedness with the government realising the need to become self-reliant in the field.

The facility, inaugurated by the Defence Ministry, is a fully automated plant manufacturing 30mm ammunition which is extensively used by the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

He had also visited the Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility and flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia.

Commending the contribution of the private sector in making the defence sector 'Aatmanirbhar', Rajnath Singh said that the nation is steadily marching forward in ammunition production as it is manufacturing quality and reliable products.

He made special mention of the handing over of the Multi-Mode Hand Grenade, a fully Indian-made ammunition manufactured by the private sector, to the Indian Army in 2021.

He added that Nagastra drones were successfully used during Operation Sindoor as these accurately struck terrorist targets, thereby proving their strategic capability.

He appreciated the development of more advanced versions of Nagastra, exuding confidence that the weapons will prove extremely lethal in the future.

Rajnath Singh said that the successful test launch of 'Bhargavastra' Counter Drone System being developed showcases the technological capabilities of the private sector.

He added that the exports of Pinaka missiles developed at the facility have begun, demonstrating the capabilities of the defence industry in further strengthening the export potential of the country.

India is no longer just an importer but is rapidly moving towards becoming an exporter, he said.

The Defence Minister termed Operation Sindoor as an example of how important self-reliance is for the nation.

He emphasised that wars are becoming increasingly complex, which demands a nation to prepare itself.

"New methods of warfare are emerging. Wars are no longer confined to borders."

"Areas such as energy, trade, tariffs, supply chains, technology, and information have also become new dimensions of conflict," Defence Minister Singh said.

"The importance of border vigilance and latest weapons and technologies has increased. Irrespective of the nature of war, the need of a robust defence industrial base will always remain. In such a situation, increased private sector's involvement in manufacturing, and research and development is the need of the hour," he added.

- IANS
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty must be respected, directly responding to former US President Donald Trump's threats. Trump announced escalating tariffs on several European allies, starting at 10% in February 2026, to pressure them into agreeing to sell Greenland for US national security. In reaction, the European Union has paused the ratification process of a major EU-US trade deal announced in 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the tariff threats as unacceptable, vowing a united European response.

EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola declares Greenland's sovereignty must be respected, responding to Trump's tariff threats over a proposed purchase.

Brussels, January 18 Following US President Donald Trump threats to impose fresh tariffs on European allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola has said that "Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected."

Replying to Trump's public statements and imposition on 10% tariff, Metsola in a post on X wrote, "The European Union supports Denmark and the people of Greenland. We do so united in resolve. The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic. They risk the opposite, emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life. Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected. No threat of tariffs can or will change that fact."

Trump had announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland over the sale of Greenland would come into force February 1, but could later rise to 25% and would last until a deal was reached.

The European Union has called for a pause to the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal announced back in July 2025.

Vice-President of the European People's Party, Siegfried Muresan, in a post on X, confirmed the pause in the ratification process, stating, "We were supposed to ratify the EU-US trade deal from last July very soon, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%. However, in light of recent developments, this ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context."

The deal announced in July 2025, between the US and the EU, comprising 27 member states, unveiled a bilateral framework agreement aimed at resolving various tariff and trade issues.

However, Trump's recent post on Truth Social has cast doubt on the future of the agreement. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026 if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.

"Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted.

Before this, French President Emmanuel Macron strongly opposed US President Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland, calling them "unacceptable" and vowed to respond in a united and coordinated manner.

In a post on X, Macron maintained France's commitment to ensure the sovereignty of Greenland and Ukraine and said that the country will not be deterred from any "intimidation or threats."

- ANI
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead a high-level state delegation to the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. The delegation aims to attract global investment in sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Sanghavi will conduct numerous one-on-one meetings with top global industrialists and deliver keynote speeches on India's geo-economic role and sustainability. The mission is to position Gujarat as a key partner in the global value chain and promote its 'Developed Gujarat @2047' vision.

Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi will lead a state delegation to WEF Davos 2026 to attract investment and present the 'Developed Gujarat @2047' vision.

Gandhinagar, January 18 Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead a high-level delegation of the Gujarat government to the World Economic Forum 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Davos, Switzerland.

According to the Gujarat Government Information Department, the delegation's participation aims to position Gujarat prominently on the global development map and to present the vision of "Developed Gujarat @2047" on an international platform. The visit underlines the state government's commitment to international collaboration and accelerated economic growth.

The annual WEF meeting will take place from January 19 to 23, during which Gujarat's active engagement will reflect its openness to global partnerships and sustainable development.

During the visit, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will hold extensive deliberations to boost employment generation and industrial growth in Gujarat.

According to the Gujarat Government, he will conduct around 58 high-level one-to-one meetings with top global industrialists and business leaders to attract investments in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, textiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, chemicals, shipping and logistics, and aerospace.

As the state's Industry Minister, Sanghavi's primary objective is to further strengthen Gujarat's industrial ecosystem and create large-scale employment opportunities for the youth.

The Gujarat delegation will also hold direct discussions with heads of leading global companies, including AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, and Tillman Global.

These interactions will focus on bringing new technologies to Gujarat, promoting innovation, and building long-term international partnerships. The state government aims to position Gujarat as a key partner in the global value chain.

Beyond investment promotion, Gujarat will also play an active role in global policy discussions at WEF. Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will participate as a keynote speaker in several prestigious sessions, presenting Gujarat's development vision.

He will speak on themes such as "India in the New Geo-economic Order," "The Power of Sports: From Spectacle to Legacy," energy transition under the "Call to Clean Initiative," water security through "Mission Water," and sustainability, highlighting Gujarat's successful development model on the global stage.

With the clear message "Gujarat - Ready for the World, Where Vision Meets Action," the state government is moving forward with a focused approach to build a strong, future-ready economy through innovation and investment.

According to the Gujarat Government, the World Economic Forum is a crucial platform that shapes the direction of the global economy. Prime Minister PM Modi has also effectively used this platform to establish India as a strong and influential global power.

- ANI
BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari paid emotional tribute to her father, the legendary actor and former Chief Minister NTR, on his 30th death anniversary. She stated that while he is not physically present, he lives on in the hearts of the Telugu people for his contributions both on screen and in public service. Purandeswari highlighted his transformative political schemes, such as subsidized rice and housing, which set a precedent for national welfare policies. NTR, who served as CM for seven years and starred in over 300 films, remains an enduring icon in Andhra Pradesh's cultural and political history.

BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari honors her father NTR's legacy in film and politics on his 30th death anniversary, recalling his iconic schemes.

Hyderabad, January 18 BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari on Sunday paid tribute to her late father, actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh NTR, on his 30th death anniversary, recalling his legacy in the Telugu film industry and in politics.

"He might not be physically amongst us, but he is definitely ever living in the hearts of the Telugu people. He not only ruled the Telugu film industry but also won the people's hearts, not only as a hero figure but also in a negative role..." she said.

Speaking about his role as a politician, the BJP MP said that NTR brought several development schemes to the state, which continue to help people to this day.

"After he entered politics, he brought in a sea of change in the political arena. He has proven that politics is not simply about grasping power, but can be used to serve the people. The various programs he brought in when he was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, be it the Rs. 2 per kg of rice or the Pakka Grah construction, or the support that he gave to the women in the state of Andhra Pradesh, they might have changed a little bit but they continue as welfare measures implemented across the country..." she stated.

"This only proves that his commitment to the people and the state is very strong. He may not be present physically with us, but he is definitely forever living in the hearts of the Telugu people," she added.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, fondly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, editor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years.

He received three National Film Awards for co-producing 'Thodu Dongalu' (1954) and 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1960) and directing 'Varakatnam' (1970). NTR also received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in films like 'Raju Peda' (1954) and 'Lava Kusa' (1963). He acted in over 300 films and was known for doing the role of mythological characters.

At the age of 72, NTR passed away from a heart attack on January 18, 1996, at his home in Hyderabad.

- ANI
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried a curated 'Dharohar Deck' of Indian textile cards on his space mission. The tactile cards represent millennia of textile craftsmanship, featuring techniques like block printing and jamdani. Shukla described the act as a symbolic gesture to assert that cultural heritage is essential for future progress. He was part of NASA's Axiom-4 mission, becoming the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried the 'Dharohar Deck' to orbit, blending ancient Indian craftsmanship with modern space exploration.

New Delhi, January 18 Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared on Sunday how he carried with him a curated collection of Indian textile cards into space, thus celebrating the age-old craftsmanship during his journey into space.

Shukla shared that in a poetic paradox, the box weighing just 20 grams carried to space the collective weight of India's textile heritage, "thousands of years of wisdom, resilience, and human ingenuity, orbiting the Earth as a quiet but powerful testament to who we have been, and who we choose to become."

In a post on X, he highlighted that he carried the 'Dharohar Deck', a thoughtfully curated collection of tactile cards that brought India's living cultural heritage to life through touch.

"Each card carries a fragment of India's legendary textile tradition--an invitation to feel history, memory, and mastery woven into fabric. Designed to bridge generations, the deck celebrates age-old craftsmanship while honoring India's extraordinary journey into space, where artistry and science converge", he wrote on X.

GC Shukla further noted that the Dharohar Deck is a tribute to the ingenuity of Indian artisans--custodians of a textile heritage that once clothed the world.

"Long before the Industrial Revolution, India was the global epicenter of textile innovation, producing cottons so fine they were described as "woven air," silks that traveled the Silk Route, and natural dyes so advanced they continue to outlast modern chemical processes. Techniques like block printing, ikat, jamdani, and kalamkari are not merely crafts; they are repositories of mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, and ecology--encoded in thread," he said.

Noting how, from the pre-independence era to the present day, and into the future, handicrafts have remained central to India's economic resilience, cultural identity, and sustainable practices, he said that by carrying the Dharohar Deck to space, "we extend these stories beyond Earth--asserting that heritage, too, belongs in the future."

"This journey is both symbolic and urgent. As India reaches for the stars, the deck reminds the world that progress is richest when it carries its roots along. Supporting and innovating within traditional crafts is not nostalgia--it is foresight. The preservation of this legacy is an economic necessity, a cultural duty, and an ethical commitment," Shukla said.

GC Shubahnshu Shukla shared that he carried artefacts that embodied the spirit of India into space, which were crafted by the students of the National Institute of Design, and reflected the rich craft traditions of different regions of India.

Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.

- ANI
Crypto markets are bracing for an unusually turbulent week, with record retail options activity colliding with escalating geopolitical risks.

While the Bitcoin price steadied near $95,100 on Sunday, suggesting a market devoid of volatility as the pioneer crypto consolidates at thin levels, eyes remain peeled to the US-EU trade tensions, a looming Supreme Court ruling, and surging retail speculation converge.

High-Risk Week Ahead: Crypto, Stocks, and Metals in the Crosshairs

Retail traders are exerting unprecedented influence over market forces, with reports showing that retail participation in options markets now accounts for 21.7% of total volume, up from 10.7% in 2022.

Daily retail call volume has surged to 8.2 million contracts, with puts hitting 5.4 million, the second-highest on record.

Retail Options Trading Share. Source: Kobeissi Letter on X

Bitcoin pioneer Max Keiser describes this frenzy as a market casino gulag, referencing a market dominated by speculation, leverage, and short-term bets, with participants trapped in a high-risk gambling environment.

Individual investors are increasingly shaping pricing trends and amplifying leverage across BTC, SPY, and other liquid assets.

Retail investors have never speculated this much, noted a global markets observer. Call volume alone is exceeding 8 million contracts per day, while puts are up to 5 million. Overall retail options volume has more than doubled since last year. Risk appetite remains extremely high.

Adding to market pressure, US-EU trade tensions are intensifying. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries, a move designed to pressure support for the US purchase of Greenland.

These tariffs could escalate to 25% by June if no deal is reached, threatening $1.5 trillion in trade flows. French President Emmanuel Macron responded by calling for the EU to deploy its anti-coercion instrument, a measure that could block US banks from EU procurement and target American tech giants.

This unprecedented countermeasure could reshape global trade leverage.
The Himachal Pradesh government has initiated a systemic transformation focused on women and children over the past three years. Key achievements include a significant rise in the child sex ratio and the launch of the Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojna for financial security of girls from BPL families. The state is also building new hostels for working women and converting all Anganwadi centres into play-based preschools. These measures, part of the 'Vyavastha Parivartan', aim to foster inclusive growth and self-reliance.

CM Sukhu launches Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojna, new hostels for women, and transforms Anganwadi centres to empower girls and children.

Shimla, January 18 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday that the State Government has taken bold strides in the past three years to bring about 'Vyavastha Parivartan', a systemic transformation aimed at ensuring women's empowerment, self-reliance and inclusive development.

According to an official release, stating that the State has shown remarkable improvement in its child sex ratio, which has risen from 947 to 964 in the last around three years, CM Sukhu said that this reflects the focused and sustained efforts of the government to protect and value the girl child. This positive change, he said, has laid the foundation for a new series of transformative initiatives.

The Chief Minister highlighted the launch of the Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojna, which provides financial security to girls born in Below Poverty Line families by depositing Rs 25,000 at the time of birth.

The scheme also includes life insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh each for both parents, with the insured amount maturing when the girl turns 18 or at her choice, up to the age of 27. He said this initiative greatly strengthens the ongoing 'Beti Hai Anmol Yojana', further encouraging the welfare and protection of the girl child, as stated in the release.

He further added that to support working women, the government has decided to construct 13 new hostels across the district, including Solan, Palampur, Baddi, Gagret, and Nagrota Bagwan, at a cost of Rs 132 crore. These hostels will provide safe and affordable accommodation, enabling women to participate confidently in the workforce.

In the education sector, the Chief Minister announced that all 18,925 Anganwadi Centres across the state are being transformed into 'Anganwadi Sah' Preschools, offering play-based early childhood education to children aged 3 to 6 years. Anganwadi workers will be trained to deliver foundational learning, ensuring that every child builds a strong educational base.

Speaking on the government's flagship Sukh Aashray Yojna, the Chief Minister said that the scheme has been a landmark step in providing comprehensive care and support to orphaned children and destitute women. He emphasised that under this initiative, the State has taken full responsibility for their upbringing, education, and livelihood, ensuring that no child or woman is left behind in the journey toward self-reliance.

"These forward-thinking measures reflect our unwavering commitment to inclusive growth and social welfare. By focusing on girls, women, and children, we are paving the way for a stronger, self-reliant, and equitable future for Himachal Pradesh. This is not just governance, it is vyavastha parivartan, a transformation of systems to empower every citizen, especially our women, to stand tall with dignity and independence," said the Chief Minister.

- ANI
Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli expressed optimism that a soon-to-be-concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement will make Italian wine more accessible in India. He highlighted tourism, sustainable energy, and healthcare as further areas for Italy-Goa collaboration. The FTA, expected during a high-level EU visit in late January, aims to significantly boost the already substantial $136 billion bilateral trade relationship. The agreement will cover goods, services, and investment while including safeguards for Indian farmers and MSMEs.

Italian Ambassador hopes India-EU free trade deal closes soon, promising cheaper wine and collaboration in tourism, energy, and healthcare.

Panaji, January 19 Ambassador of Italy to India, Antonio Bartoli, remained optimistic about the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and said that Italian wine could become more accessible to the Indian public.

Antonio Bartoli spoke to ANI at the second edition of the Vinitaly India Roadshow in Goa, an international tour to promote Italian wine in global markets.

"Wine is a great channel of communication. We would like to promote Italian wine. We hope that these products can be more accessible to the Indian public thanks to the free trade agreement that we hope can be closed soon," he said.

Bartoli also suggested that tourism, sustainable energy, waste segregation and hospitality are some other sectors in which Italy and Goa can collaborate.

"I'm sure that you could and should increase the percentage of foreign tourism in Goa. We are one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. We are closing 2025 with an expected 479 million visitors. I want to mention that there are other sectors in which we can work. One is renewable, sustainable energy. You have a very good record in waste segregation. You are one of the most virtuous territories in all India.

"We need 65,000 nurses only in the public structures in hospitals, and I think we should discuss how to do also with Goa," he added.

Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the Vinitaly India Roadshow is the start of a journey and expressed intentions to promote the state's tourism beyond its beaches to the culinary.

"I think it has just been a start, a journey which we need to take ahead. And when we talk about tourism and how we promote it, we are not only talking about sun, sand, and sea, but also about Goa beyond beaches. Culinary, as a place, we need to talk. And that's how the wish list starts. So there is something that we need to connect, other than the connectivity between Goa and Rome or Italy. And we need to see how best we can exploit the two airports to ensure more tourism grows in these sectors between Goa and Italy. I convey my best wishes to all the exhibitors," he said.

India-EU FTA is expected to be completed during the visit of the European Council President, Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will visit India to represent the EU at the 16th EU-India Summit, scheduled for January 27.

The FTA aims to boost bilateral trade between India and the EU, which is already India's largest trading partner, with goods trade totalling $136.53 billion in 2024-25. The agreement is expected to cover areas such as market access for goods, rules of origin, services, investment, and intellectual property rights.

India is seeking zero-duty access for labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and handicrafts. The agreement will include safeguards for farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The FTA will promote regulatory cooperation and transparency, making it easier for businesses to operate in both markets.

- ANI
Hyundai Motor and Kia achieved a record combined market share of 11.3% in the United States in 2025. Their sales growth of 7.5% significantly outpaced the overall US auto market's 2.4% increase. This success is attributed to expanded local production, including a new plant in Georgia, and a strategic decision to absorb tariff costs. Strong hybrid vehicle sales, which jumped 48.8%, were also a major contributing factor.

Hyundai and Kia achieve a record 11.3% US market share in 2025, driven by local production and hybrid sales, despite tariffs.

Seoul, Jan 18 Hyundai Motor and its sister firm Kia posted a record combined market share in the United States in 2025, buoyed by expanded local production and strong hybrid vehicle sales, despite Washington's aggressive tariff measures, officials said on Sunday.

The two South Korean automakers sold a combined 1.84 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, accounting for a record market share of 11.3 per cent, according to data from market watcher Wards Intelligence and industry sources, reports Yonhap news agency.

Hyundai accounted for 6.1 per cent of the U.S. market with sales of 984,017 units, while Kia held a 5.2 per cent share with 852,155 vehicles sold.

The motor group ranked fourth in the U.S. market last year, trailing General Motors at 17.5 per cent, Toyota Motor Corp. at 15.5 per cent and Ford Motor Co. at 13.1 per cent.

The market share growth was attributable to its marked sales expansion.

Total U.S. auto sales rose 2.4 per cent to 16.23 million vehicles in 2025, while Hyundai and Kia sales climbed 7.5 per cent.

Analysts also pointed out that the group benefited from a flexible production strategy and a decision to absorb tariff-related costs, rather than passing them on to consumers.

Last year, Hyundai completed its third U.S. plant in Georgia, strengthening its ability to respond to local demand and offset tariff pressures. Vehicle shipments from South Korea to the U.S. fell 4.2 percent on-year in 2025.

Strong sales of hybrid vehicles also boosted the market share, with the automakers' U.S. hybrid sales surging 48.8 percent to 331,023 units last year, the data showed.

The group has said it plans to expand U.S. production capacity to more than 1.2 million vehicles, up from about 700,000 as of 2024, said the report.

- IANS
India is set for a strong showing at the World Economic Forum in Davos with a high-powered delegation including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers. The delegation aims to attract global investments by highlighting India's position as the fastest-growing major economy. The meeting occurs against a backdrop of significant global risks, with geoeconomic confrontation now ranked as the top near-term concern. World leaders and top AI executives will also convene at the summit, which features the largest-ever US delegation led by former President Donald Trump.

India sends ministers, CMs, and CEOs to Davos to pitch for investments as the world's fastest-growing major economy amid global risks.

New Delhi, Jan 18 India is poised to make a strong presence at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos with Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various states and over 100 CEOs of leading corporates winging their way to the Swiss Alpine resort for the global gathering from January 19-23.

India has convincingly retained its tag as the fastest growing major economy in the world and the political and business leadership will be making a strong pitch to attract global investments.

The Union ministers who will be present at the economic brainstorming sessions in Davos, include Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT; Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development; Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Renewable Energy and K Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation.

The chief ministers who will be at the WEF meet to woo investments for their states include Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra, N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana's A Revanth Reddy, Madhya Pradesh's Mohan Yadav and Jharkhand's Hemant Soren and Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This year's Forum kicks off with the theme 'Spirit of Dialogue' amid global economic uncertainties triggered by the US tariff turmoil and mounting geopolitical uncertainties.

All eyes will be on US President Donald Trump who will make his presence felt with the largest US delegation ever seen at the WEF, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump has already taken European leaders by surprise by threatening to slap punitive tariffs on NATO allies, if they fail to support his plan to annex Greenland. EU ambassadors were holding emergency talks on Sunday, just as the WEF kicks off.

According to the WEF's 'Global Risks Report 2026', geoeconomic confrontation is now the top near-term risk, overtaking armed conflict and environmental threats. Around 50 per cent of respondents expect a turbulent global environment during 2026-28.

The 56th edition of WEF in Davos-Klosters will bring together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 400 top political leaders and 850 CEOs. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of Germany; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; He Lifeng, Vice-Premier of the People's Republic of China; Javier Milei, President of Argentina; Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia; and Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, are among the heads of state who will participate at the WEF.

Top AI leaders such as Jensen Huang, Satya Nadella, Demis Hassabis, and Dario Amodei, among others, will also be present.

- IANS
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared that India is undergoing a cultural reinvention, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the nation reconnecting with its heritage. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Dhwaj Vandan Ceremony in Haridwar, part of centenary celebrations for spiritual figures. The event saw the participation of thousands of devotees and Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat. Dhami also highlighted how cultural festivals like Uttarayani Kauthig strengthen local economies and embody the "Vocal for Local" vision.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says India is reconnecting with its roots and heritage, crediting PM Modi's leadership for this cultural renaissance.

Haridwar, January 18 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday stated that "India is culturally reinventing itself" and attributed it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

CM Dhami inaugurated the Dhwaj Vandan Ceremony organised by Dev Sanskriti University at Shantikunj, Haridwar, on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations 2026 of Param Vandaniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma Ji and the Akhand Deep Centenary Year (1926-2026).

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Dhami said that "India is now in its Amrit Kaal of its cultural reinvention."

"Today, under Prime Minister Modi's strong leadership, India is reinventing itself culturally... Once trapped in a slave mindset, India is now proud of its cultural values and heritage. India is reconnecting with its roots and is headed on the path to being the Vishwa Guru once again..." Uttarakhand CM Dhami said.

Speaking to the media after the event, Dhami highlighted the cultural significance of the ceremony and lauded the organisers.

"Today is the birth centenary of the revered Mata Ji, and it is also the day marking the completion of 100 years of Gurudev's penance and spiritual practice. More than 40,000 devotees and members of the Gayatri Family are arriving here from the country and around the world. I welcome everyone to the Devbhoomi. I appreciate the organisers of this grand event. The knowledge to be imparted in this event will surely prove beneficial for the Sanatan Dharma and Bharat," he said.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpalji Maharaj and Chinmay Pandya, Pro Vice Chancellor, DVVS, were also present at the ceremony.

Earlier on Wednesday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Uttarayani Kauthig organised by the Parvatiya Mahaparishad in Lucknow.

Addressing the gathering on the inaugural occasion of the event, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings on Uttarayani, Makar Sankranti, and the Ghughutiya festival. Welcoming mothers, sisters, elders, and youth from different regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he said that Uttarayani is not merely a folk festival but a powerful symbol of Uttarakhand's cultural identity and deep-rooted traditions, a release said.

He said that the Kauthig, organised in Lucknow, is a wonderful platform for preserving the shared cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The display of folk songs, dances, traditional attire, handicrafts, and cottage industries not only keeps traditions alive but also strengthens local artisans and the rural economy.

He described the event as a strong example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Vocal for Local" vision being implemented on the ground.

- ANI
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched India's inaugural open-sea marine fish farming project from the Andaman Sea. The pilot initiative focuses on cultivating marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions using NIOT-developed cages. The project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Andaman administration, aims to unlock the economic potential of India's ocean resources. It marks a significant step toward realizing the Blue Economy and generating livelihoods for local fishing communities.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches India's first open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea to boost Blue Economy and livelihoods.

New Delhi, Jan 18 Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, launched India's first-ever open-sea marine fish farming project from the Andaman Sea on Sunday.

The minister described the initiative as one of the first major steps in the direction of realising the Blue Economy through India's vast ocean resources, as envisaged and repeatedly emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The project was launched on-site at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, during the minister's field visit to the open waters of the Andaman Sea.

The project is being implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, its technical arm the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the UT Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The pilot initiative focuses on open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions, integrating scientific innovation with livelihood generation.

In his address on the occasion, Dr Singh said that this initiative represents one of the earliest and most significant steps taken to unlock the economic potential of India's oceans.

He noted that India's oceans, much like its Himalayan and mainland resources, possess immense and diverse economic potential that had not received due attention for decades.

During the field visit, two major livelihood-oriented interventions were initiated. Under the marine flora component, seaweed seeds were handed over by the minister to local fishing communities to promote deep-water seaweed cultivation in the open sea.

Under the marine fauna component, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based cultivation, supported by NIOT-developed open-sea cages designed to function in natural oceanic environments.

Dr Singh said that while the current projects are being undertaken through government-led collaboration, the experience gained and feasibility assessments could enable scaling up of such initiatives through public-private participation models in the future. This approach, he noted, would help accelerate deployment, expand livelihoods, and strengthen India's Blue Economy ecosystem.

The minister stated that for nearly 70 years after Independence, India's ocean resources remained largely underexplored.

He underlined that since 2014, there has been a fundamental shift in national thinking, recognising that India's maritime domain holds equal wealth and opportunity for economic growth.

He further highlighted the exclusive and heterogeneous nature of India's oceans, noting that the western, southern, and eastern seaboards each have distinct characteristics and unique contributions to make to the country's development.

Later, as part of his visit to the Andaman Islands, Dr Singh also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP) near Wandoor, one of the first marine parks of its kind in the country, established in 1983.

Spread across 15 islands and accessed via the Wandoor Jetty, the park is renowned for its protected islands such as Jolly Buoy and Red Skin. The Minister observed the park's rich and self-sustaining marine ecosystem, including vibrant coral reefs, mangroves, and diverse marine life such as turtles and a wide variety of fish species.

- IANS
Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed it has received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the newly formed Gaza "Board of Peace." The White House has announced the board's composition, which includes high-profile international figures tasked with overseeing Gaza's stabilisation and reconstruction. The initiative is a key component of Phase Two of Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan for the region, focusing on governance, security, and long-term development. Administrative structures, including a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and an International Stabilisation Force, have been established to implement the plan on the ground.

Pakistan confirms US invitation to join the Gaza Board of Peace, part of Trump's 20-point peace plan. Key members and structure announced.

Islamabad, January 18 Pakistan has been invited to join the Gaza "Board of Peace" being formed by United States President Donald Trump, the Pakistan Foreign Office stated. Responding to media queries, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, "The prime minister of Pakistan has received the invitation from the president of the United States to join the Board of Peace on Gaza."

Andrabi said Pakistan will continue to engage with international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in Gaza, while working towards a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions.

"Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions," he added.

The invitation comes as the US administration moves forward with formalising the "Board of Peace" structure linked to Trump's broader Gaza roadmap. On Friday, the White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.

The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement.

The list also includes Apollo Global Management's CEO, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.

Explaining the roles and responsibilities under the initiative, the White House said, "Executive Board members will oversee defined portfolios critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation."

With Trump serving as the Chairman of the Board of Peace, he has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors, tasked with leading day-to-day strategy and operations, and translating the Board's mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution.

As part of the administrative mechanism under the plan, Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

Describing the NCAG as a key component of phase two, the White House said it is a vital step forward in implementing Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict -- a 20-point roadmap for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.

The White House statement said the NCAG will be led by Ali Sha'ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilisation of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance.

Alongside governance and reconstruction planning, the statement also outlined security arrangements to establish stability. Additionally, to establish security, preserve peace, and create a durable terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarisation, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, the White House said.

The announcement also named members of the Gaza Executive Board, with Blair, Kushner and Witkoff also listed, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others.

- ANI
The Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally objected to the White House's selection of candidates for the Gaza 'Board of Peace', stating the appointments were made without coordination and contradict Israeli policy. Netanyahu has instructed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to raise these concerns directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The contested Gaza Executive Board includes prominent figures like former British PM Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and several international diplomats. This board is tasked with overseeing critical portfolios for Gaza's stabilisation and reconstruction as part of a broader US peace plan.

Israel PM Netanyahu objects to Trump's Gaza Board of Peace picks, says they contradict Israeli policy and were not coordinated.

Tel Aviv, January 18 Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led government has objected to US President Donald Trump's selection of candidates for Gaza 'Board of Peace', stating that the appointments were not made in coordination with Israel and "run contrary to its policy."

PM Netanyahu has directed Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar to express Israel's concerns to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy. The Prime Minister has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister to contact the US Secretary of State on this matter," The Israel PM office said in a post on X.

The White House had earlier named both an "Executive Board" and a separate "Gaza Executive Board" as part of its Gaza ceasefire and governance plan.

Israel has specifically objected to the Gaza Executive Board, which is a subordinate and features British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others.

On Friday, White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.

The executive committee include US State Secretary Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement.

CEO of Apollo Global Management, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser, Robert Gabriel, are also on the list.

"Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation," The White House said.

The announcement comes just days after Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of the US-brokered plan to end Israel's war on Gaza.

- ANI
The Bhaderwa Winter Carnival in Jammu and Kashmir is attracting large crowds of tourists, providing a significant boost to the local economy and small businesses. MLA Daleep Singh Parihar highlighted the administration's efforts in organizing the event and ensuring robust security arrangements for all visitors. He emphasized the government's goal to achieve complete travel connectivity across all tourist spots in the region by 2030 to further enhance tourism. Tourists praised the local hospitality and management, while local women, particularly from Self Help Groups, found a platform to showcase their talents and earn income through the carnival.

J&K's Bhaderwa Winter Carnival draws crowds, boosts small businesses & tourism. MLA highlights development & security for visitors.

Doda, January 18 Bhaderwa MLA Daleep Singh Parihar on Sunday said that the ongoing Bhaderwa Winter Carnival is contributing to Jammu and Kashmir's economy by attracting tourists from across the country, expressing gratitude to visitors who travelled from distant places to attend the festival.

Inaugurated on Saturday, the Bhaderwa Winter Carnival has drawn large crowds and showcased the valley's winter charm.

Speaking to ANI, the MLA highlighted the administration's efforts in organising the festival and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.

"... I thank all who have come from far distant places to attend this winter carnival. People seems quiet enchanted by the valley's winter charm... Local administration has been very supportive in organising the fair. This will boost tourism across the valley...," he said.

The MLA added that adequate security arrangements have been put in place, with nearby police stations ensuring the safety of all tourists during the festival.

"There are several police stations nearby ensuring proper security arrangements for all tourists," he said.

Looking ahead, Parihar emphasised that the government aims to provide complete travel connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir by 2030, which would further enhance tourism in the region. "Major development has taken place after 2014. Road connectivity has been ensured only for major tourist spots after that. Efforts are now being made to ensure that by 2030, no tourist spot is left out. We pray that this tourist footfall keeps increasing," he added.

Delineating Bhaderwa's key attractions, the MLA urged people to visit the district, describing it as one of the most beautiful places in India.

"It is the most beautiful place, not just in Jammu and Kashmir, but in all of India. There are waterfalls, meadows, forests, mountains, medicinal herbs, and many other attractions here. You can see Kailash Parvat, Asha Pati, and Sunsuni Bai, Bhalbadri and more such tourist attractions here....I would urge all people to visit Bhaderwa. It is much better than many other popular tourist destinations," he stated.

Tourists at the festival praised the hospitality of locals and the smooth management by the authorities. A first-time visitor from Delhi, Sushil Kumar, said, "We came to Katra originally and then came here in the hopes of witnessing snow, but there is very little snow here. However, people are very cooperative. We faced no inconvenience in that way."

Several other tourists also highlighted the proper management by the authorities and cooperation by the locals during the festival.

The carnival has also provided opportunities for local women to showcase their talent and earn income. A stall owner told ANI, "This carnival has provided us with a great platform. Just like me, several other women have also set up their stalls. They are selling knitted articles and other materials for sale. With the administration's support and tourists' footfall, we have a way to earn income and boost our small business. A lot of women, especially the ones from Self Help Groups (SHG), have found a platform to showcase their talent through this carnival."

- ANI
Jamie-Lynn Sigler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 25 years ago while starring in 'The Sopranos'. She kept her condition a secret, fearing it would destroy her acting career. Sigler finally revealed her diagnosis publicly in 2017. She recently played a doctor with MS on 'Grey's Anatomy', a deeply personal role that marked a full-circle moment.

Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler kept her multiple sclerosis diagnosis secret for 25 years, fearing it would end her acting career.

Washington DC, January 18 Jamie-Lynn Sigler revealed that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 25 years ago and decided to keep it a secret to not lose work, reported Variety.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler got emotional during a recent interview with ABC, as quoted by Variety, in which she discussed her recent guest spot on 'Grey's Anatomy' as a doctor with multiple sclerosis.

She said the role was extremely personal, given that she was diagnosed with the condition 25 years ago and felt she needed to "keep it a secret" out of fear of losing work.

"To think back 25 years ago when I was diagnosed and having to keep it a secret, thinking that if anybody knew that I had MS, that meant that I would never work again and to now be in a position where my having MS inspired a role in a storyline on a show like 'Grey's Anatomy,' I never would have believed you," said Jamie Lyn Singler in an interview with ABC as quoted by Variety.

According to Variety, Sigler, who was working on the legendary HBO drama 'The Sopranos' at the time, was 20 years old when she was diagnosed with MS. She didn't go public with the news until 2017, when she sat down with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On January 15, Sigler appeared on 'Grey's Anatomy' as Dr. Laura Kaplan, a urologist with MS. In one of the recent episodes, she gives Dr. Richard Webber, played by James Pickens Jr., advice on how to best treat his prostate cancer, according to Variety.

"My very first take, where I do say the words that 'I have MS,' was very emotional for me," she said as quoted by Variety.

Sigler said her goal with the part was to "show someone in their power" and give an authentic depiction of someone living and thriving with MS.

- ANI
While retirement savers may be eager to invest in private assets in their employer-provided retirement plans, plan sponsors are wading in more cautiously.

According to a new report from consulting firm Cerulli Associates, a small number of plans are rolling out offerings this year. But it will be roughly a decade before even 20% of defined-contribution plans have a target-date product or managed account that allocates to private market assets.

 Yahoo Scout  How do participant and sponsor interests differ here? Why are plan sponsors cautious about private investments? What types of private investments are being considered? When will private assets become mainstream in retirement plans?

The selling points of private investments are potentially higher returns over time and diversification. The fervor, however, is out of proportion to the reality of when and how these kinds of investments  including private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate  are going to become mainstream.

Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  and  

I wouldnt say they are deliberately slow-walking it, but interest does not equal immediate adoption, Chris Bailey, a Cerulli director, told Yahoo Finance. Sponsors tell us they have concerns about fees and potentially being sued over adding these options to their plan menus. It makes for a slow adoption process.

More than 8 in 10 plan sponsors reported that cost was a significant concern when it comes to incorporating private market assets into their employee plans. Liquidity and valuations were mentioned as other major concerns, according to the report.

'A really slow process'

The zeal to open the doors for millions of retirement savers in employer plans to tap private assets grabbed headlines last summer with President Trumps executive order instructing the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission to draft guidance for defined-contribution plans to incorporate these types of investments, which are already permitted in retirement plans.

Read more: Retirement planning: A step-by-step guide

Goldman Sachs (GS) scooped up a $1 billion stake in global asset manager T. Rowe Price (TROW) with the goal of opening the doors to offer private assets to US retirees by mid-2026 via co-branded target-date funds that blend private assets alongside public bonds and stocks.

BlackRock (BLK) previously had announced a target-date fund consisting of private credit, private equity, and other investments. Empower, the second-largest retirement services provider in the US, also jumped in with plans to offer private equity, credit, and real estate in some of its retirement portfolios, as did Voya Financial and alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital.

Real estate and private equity giant Blackstone (BX) announced a similar partnership with Vanguard and Wellington Management to jointly develop multi-asset investment solutions that offer individual investors exposure to both private and public markets.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi concluded a three-day visit to India, where he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and received books on Gandhi. He took a ride on the Delhi Metro, a key project symbolizing the strong bilateral partnership. During the visit, he held the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides agreed to elevate their special strategic partnership, focusing on areas like economic security, AI, and defense cooperation.

Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi visits Delhi, pays tribute to Gandhi, rides the metro, and holds strategic talks with PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar.

New Delhi, January 18 Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who was on a three-day visit to India on Saturday, visited Raj Ghat and offered tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi

He also wrote in the visitor's guest book and was felicitated with books on Mahatma Gandhi and a model of a Charkha

Motegi accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi also took a ride on the Delhi Metro from the Central Secretariat metro station to Patel Chowk and back.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, DMRC, in a social media post, said that during his visit, the Japanese Foreign Minister showed keen interest about various aspects of the construction and operation of the Delhi Metro, which is a proud symbol of Indo-Japanese friendship and collaboration.

During his visit to India, Motegi also paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held discussions on various areas such as economic security, economy, investment and innovation, including AI, and people-to-people exchanges.

In a post on X, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "FM MOTEGI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, during his visit to Delhi, India. Bearing in mind the "Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade" launched during PM Modi's visit to Japan last August, they had a candid exchange of views over a wide range of areas, such as security, including economic security, economy, investment and innovation, including AI, and people-to-people exchanges, and concurred to elevate Japan-India relations to new heights."

Speaking during his opening remarks at the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with Toshimitsu, Jaishankar said India places a very high priority on its partnership with Japan, which has evolved over the past two decades into a broad, comprehensive and strategic relationship.

"India attaches very great priority to its friendship with Japan. And over the last two decades, we have been successful in transforming the relationship from what was primarily an economic relationship into one that is broad, comprehensive, and strategic in its focus," Jaishankar said, referring to cooperation in platforms such as the Quad, the United Nations, the G4 grouping and the G20.

Jaishankar also noted that India and Japan will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year, and expressed confidence that the special, strategic and global partnership will continue to strengthen.

Japan on Friday said it sees India as a "natural partner" and attaches strong importance to ties with "like-minded countries like India" during Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's visit to the country.

Highlighting the significance of the India visit, Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said Motegi's trip marks his first foreign visit this year and reflects Japan's priority on strengthening partnerships with countries like India.

"This is the first foreign trip this year. We strongly believe that a relationship with like-minded countries like India is important. We believe in a strong partnership with the global south. He has chosen India as a natural partner," Kitamura said.

Explaining what Tokyo aims to achieve through the visit, Kitamura said Japan and India share "common and strategic interests" and that the trip is focused on ensuring progress on the concrete agreements taken forward after PM Modi's visit to Japan last year.

India and Japan reaffirmed their Special Strategic and Global Partnership during the visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi from January 15-17, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in AI, critical minerals, defence and regional security.

Motegi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also held the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that during the Strategic Dialogue, the Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of the multi-faceted relations, including supply chain resilience in critical sectors, investment, trade, technology and innovation, defence, people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.

"They underlined the importance of further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in keeping with the outcomes of the 15th Annual Summit of August 2025 and the recent discussions between the Prime Ministers in Johannesburg," the MEA said.

"Taking forward the Japan-India AI Initiative (JAI) announced by the two Prime Ministers, the Ministers launched the AI Dialogue giving a coherent push to bilateral cooperation in this sector. Both sides also decided to convene the Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals under the Economic Security Initiative to advance collaboration in rare earth elements and critical minerals," it added.

It further mentioned that the Ministers also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of interest. "They stressed the crucial role played by the strong and enduring partnership between India and Japan in ensuring a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region," the MEA statement stated.

"The two Ministers looked forward to celebrating the year 2027 as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, the statement said," it added.

The meeting follows PM Modi and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's meeting in Johannesburg earlier this year on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa.

- ANI
Veteran Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi celebrated his 80th birthday alongside his 10th wedding anniversary with wife Parveen Dusanj. The couple marked the occasion with a romantic beach getaway, sharing photos of their sunset strolls and happy moments. Their marriage in 2016 drew attention due to their 29-year age difference and initial family disapproval from Bedi's daughter. Bedi, known for films like 'Khoon Bhari Maang' and the 'Sandokan' series, found lasting love with Parveen after previous marriages.

Veteran actor Kabir Bedi celebrates his 80th birthday and 10th wedding anniversary with wife Parveen Dusanj, sharing romantic beach getaway photos.

Mumbai Ja, n 18 Veteran Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi on Sunday shared umpteen number of pictures from his beach holiday with his wife Parveen Dusanj, marking their 10th wedding anniversary, 20 years of togetherness, and Bedi's birthday, all on the same day.

Kabir and Parveen in a joint post on their social media account, wrote, "CELEBRATED our 10th wedding anniversary, and 20 years of being together, as well as my birthday by escaping to a sun-kissed beach with green palms and welcoming waves. Time to remember, to reflect, to renew. Together time. Alone time. Idyllic. We're back now! #anniversary #birthday #getaway #love."

The pictures show Kabir and Parveen Dusanj standing hand in hand on a beach at sunset exuding love and warm vibes.In another picture, Parveen can be seen clicking a selfie featuring Kabir all smiles for the camera.

Parveen and Kabir were also seen having a ball of a time at their getaway and their pictures and videos speak volumes of the same.

For the uninitiated, Kabir Bedi, who turned 78 this year, married a 29 year-old younger Parveen Dusanj in 2016.

Their wedding, back in 2016 had stirred headlines due to the age difference between the two. Kabir Bedi's daughter Pooja Bedi had also expressed her disappointment with her father's marriage.

She had taken to social media to express her disapproval of the relationship and had made strong remarks against Parveen Dusanj, including calling her a "witch."

But over the years, the situation has reportedly improved, and relations between the family have become more cordial.

Talking about Kabir, in the past he had been married multiple times. He was first married to dancer Protima Bedi, with whom he had two children, Pooja Bedi and Siddharth Bedi.

Bedi was later married to British fashion designer Susan Humphreys, followed by television presenter Nikki Bedi.

He finally found love in his current wife Parveen Dusanj at the age of 70.

On the professional front, Kabir Bedi is known for his work across Indian and international projects.

He was a part of hit movies like 'Khoon Bhari Maang' and 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story'.He had gained international recognition for his role as Sandokan in the European television series of the same name.

The veteran actor has also appeared in Hollywood films, including 'Octopussy', that was a part of the James Bond franchise.

- IANS
The Karnataka Congress government will mark its 1,000th day in office with a major celebratory program in Haveri on February 13, featuring the distribution of nearly one lakh land pattas. Congress MLC Saleem Ahmad credited the government's delivery on promises to the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Shivakumar is in Delhi for meetings with the Congress top brass, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, though he declined to publicly disclose the agenda. He also mentioned plans to meet Union Ministers regarding legal issues connected to irrigation projects.

Congress government to hold grand event in Haveri, distributing pattas. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar meets party leadership in Delhi amid speculation.

Haveri, January 18 Congress MLC Saleem Ahmad on Sunday announced that a celebratory programme will be held in Haveri on February 13 as the Congress government completes 1,000 days in office in Karnataka

"On 13 February, the government will complete 1,000 days in office. To mark the occasion, a massive programme is being organised at Haveri, where nearly one lakh pattas will be distributed to the people... The government has delivered on its promises, as we remain committed to serving the people of Karnataka...Whatever we had said, we have implemented under the leadership of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and under the guidance of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi. Karnataka government is doing wonderful work..." the Congress MLC said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived in Delhi on Friday ahead of his meeting with the Congress top brass, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Oppositon Rahul Gandhi.

When questioned about the intent of his visit, the Karnataka Deputy CM told the media that he is not in a position to disclose any plans, as his meeting with the AICC is not an issue to be discussed in public. He said it is upon the "General Secretary to disclose any plan".

In response to a question about whether any chief ministerial position talks occurred during the latest meeting between him and Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday at the Mysuru (Mandakalli) airport. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "I can't disclose all these things. It is not an issue to be discussed in public. It is between me, the party High Command, and my Chief Minister."

He further said that he has come here only to meet his party leaders. Responding to a question on whether he has any plans to meet any Union Minister Shivakumar said," Yes, I have some meetings, I have an important legal issue connected to irrigation projects, and some big cases are there. I will also be meeting some Union Ministers."

- ANI
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly rejected US tariff threats linked to Greenland, calling them "unacceptable" and promising a united European response. The threats from former US President Donald Trump involve imposing tariffs on several European nations unless a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland. Nordic leaders, including those from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, have uniformly condemned the move, labeling it as intimidation and blackmail. They stress that disputes among allies should be resolved through dialogue, not economic pressure.

French President Macron calls US tariff threats over Greenland "unacceptable," vowing a united European response. Nordic leaders join in condemnation.

Paris, Jan 18 French President Emmanuel Macron slammed US tariff threats over Greenland as "unacceptable," stressing that Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed.

Macron also said on his X account that France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, adding that it was on this basis that France has decided to take part in the exercise organized by Denmark in Greenland.

"No intimidation or threat will influence us," he underscored.

Macron's remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10 per cent tariff from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, and raise the levy to 25 per cent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory, Xinhua news agency reported.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defence and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland.

Meanwhile, Nordic leaders were among the first to push back, stressing that disputes between allies should be handled through dialogue rather than pressure.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was surprised by the tariff threat and noted Denmark was in close contact with the European Commission, according to Ritzau.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the threats "unacceptable" in comments to national news agency NTB, saying threats have no place among allies and reiterating Norway's support for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said issues among allies are best resolved through discussion, not pressure, warning that tariffs could harm transatlantic relations and trigger a dangerous downward spiral.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson rejected the tariff as "blackmail," saying Sweden "will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed" and arguing the matter should be handled at EU level.

- IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a medium-calibre ammunition manufacturing facility built by Solar Industries in Nagpur. During his visit, he is also scheduled to tour Economic Explosives Limited. The minister recently commended the Indian armed forces for their technological adaptation and success in Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror strike against Pakistan. He emphasized that modern warfare extends beyond traditional combat to include cyber, space, and information domains.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates a medium-calibre ammunition plant in Nagpur and praises the Indian armed forces' technological upgrade during Operation Sindoor.

New Delhi, January 18 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Sunday to inaugurate a medium-calibre ammunition facility constructed by Solar Industries.

In a post on X, Singh wrote, "Today, 18th January, I shall be in Nagpur (Maharashtra). Looking forward to inaugurate a Medium Caliber Ammunition Facility constructed by Solar Industries."

The Defence Minister will also visit Economic Explosives Limited in Nagpur.

On January 16, the Defence Minister stressed the involvement of modern technology in the current warfare scenario and commended the Indian armed forces on upgrading themselves accordingly during Operation Sindoor, India's responsive strike to Pakistan after the horrific Pahalgam attack.

While attending the 'Shaurya Sandhya' at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on the 78th Army Day, the Defence Minister congratulated the Indian Armed Forces on the success of Operation Sindoor, and reiterated that the mission will continue till terrorism is eradicated.

"I congratulate the Army on the success of Operation Sindoor. But let me also remind you that Operation Sindoor is not yet over. Until terrorism as an ideology is wiped out, we will continue this operation for peace," he said.

Furthermore, the Defence Minister emphasised that in today's scenario, war is not limited to gunfire. Technology has intervened, and cyberspace, mobile phones, drones, and even the televison has become a part of it.

"I do not need to explain the current global circumstances? War is no longer limited to face-to-face gunfire. Modern warfare has become multifaceted. Cyber, space, drones, even TV, newspapers, and mobile phones - all of these have now become part of the battlefield... Just a few months ago, Operation Sindoor took place. The way you (armed forces) upgraded yourselves in response to the changing battlefield circumstances is unique in itself.... It was not just a military operation. It was proof of the country's trust in its armed forces." he said.

The Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Indian armed forces in the early hours of May 7, 2025, against terror camps in Pakistan, eliminating at least 100 terrorists in response to the brutal April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists in the name of religion.

- ANI
The Netherlands' Foreign Minister stated military exercises in Greenland aim to bolster Arctic security, responding to US tariff threats. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned the proposed tariffs, calling them "completely wrong" and a misguided action against allies. He clarified that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for its people and the Danish government. Both leaders emphasized that Arctic security is a collective NATO issue, requiring unity against threats like those from Russia.

Netherlands and UK criticize Trump's tariffs over Greenland, stressing Arctic security is a NATO concern and the island's status is for Denmark to decide.

Amsterdam, January 18 David van Weel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said that the military efforts in Greenland are intended to improve security in the Arctic region.

Weel, in a post on X, said that they have taken note of US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

He said, "We have taken note of President Trump's announcement on tariffs. Military efforts related to exercises in Greenland are intended to contribute to security in the Arctic region. The Netherlands is in close contact with the EU Commission and partners on our response."

Earlier in the day, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations over Greenland, calling the move "completely wrong."

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the UK PM reiterated Britain's stance on Greenland, noting that the Arctic island is "part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes."

He added that Arctic security is a concern for the entire NATO alliance and that all member states should work together to address threats posed by Russia across the region.

Starmer further criticised the idea of imposing tariffs on allies pursuing collective security measures.

"Our position on Greenland is very clear - it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic," the UK PM said.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration," Starmer added.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.

In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

- ANI
New Delhi District Police has implemented extensive multi-layered security measures for the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. The arrangements include a security cordon, 24/7 CCTV surveillance with facial recognition, and anti-drone units. Facilitation measures involve renamed enclosures, detailed route plans, coordinated metro announcements, and help desks for guests. The public is advised on prohibited items and urged to report any suspicious activity.

Delhi Police outlines robust security, CCTV surveillance, metro guidance, and prohibited items for safe Republic Day 2026 celebrations at Kartavya Path.

New Delhi, January 18 New Delhi District Police has rolled out elaborate security and facilitation arrangements for the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on January 26.

According to the Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, Devesh Mahla, a robust multi-layered security cordon comprising Delhi Police and paramilitary forces has been deployed across the district to ensure a safe and incident-free event.

The entire Kartavya Path area is under round-the-clock surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras integrated with an advanced Facial Recognition System technology. Specialised anti-drone units and sniper teams have also been positioned on high-rise buildings to closely monitor the airspace and surrounding areas.

As part of preventive measures, New Delhi District Police is carrying out extensive verification drives of hotels, guest houses, tenants and domestic help across the district to neutralise any potential security threats.

To facilitate the movement of guests, the nomenclature of enclosures has been renamed after Indian rivers, and detailed route plans have been put in place. Invitees and ticket holders have been advised to carefully follow the instructions mentioned on their passes and refer to the official websites of the Ministry of Defence and Delhi Police for route maps, parking layouts and enclosure directions.

In coordination with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, regular announcements are being made at metro stations to guide invitees regarding entry and exit gates, routes to enclosures and prohibited items. Invitees for select enclosures have been advised to deboard at Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro stations. Special invitees can also avail of free metro travel as per the instructions mentioned on their digital passes.

Delhi Police help desks have been set up at major locations around Kartavya Path, while public service announcements are being made at channeliser entry points to ensure smooth movement and hassle-free entry for all guests.

Police have strictly prohibited the carrying of bags, electronic items other than mobile phones, sharp objects, inflammable materials and any other potentially dangerous items inside the enclosures.

Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel or by dialling the emergency number 112.

- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir recorded an alarming 96 percent rainfall deficit in the first half of January, according to the Meteorological Department. This deficit risks causing an early bloom in fruit trees that will not survive subsequent cold, spelling disaster for the region's crucial horticulture sector. With the harsh Chillai Kalan period ending January 30, a lack of snow threatens severe summer water shortages for drinking and irrigation. Hopes are now pinned on a forecasted Western Disturbation expected to bring snow between January 22 and 24.

J&K faces a 96% rainfall deficit in January, threatening early fruit tree blooms and a severe summer water crisis. Temperatures drop below zero.

Srinagar, Jan 18 Minimum temperature again slipped several notches below zero in the Valley on Sunday as Jammu and Kashmir faced a 96 per cent rain deficit in the first fortnight of January, the Meteorological Department said.

Meteorological Department officials said that during the first fortnight of this month, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a 96 per cent rain deficit, which is alarming because there is a probability of early bloom in trees that will not mature into fruit due to the low temperatures in February and March.

Early bloom in fruit trees spells disaster for fruit growers in the Valley, and if there is no imminent rain or snow, the agriculture and horticulture sectors will be the worst affected in recent years.

Contrary to common belief, horticulture, and not tourism, is the mainstay of Kashmir's economy.

The 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold called the 'Chillai Kalan' will end on January 30, and unless a major snowfall occurs in Jammu and Kashmir, summer is going to be difficult because of water scarcity for drinking purposes, agricultural and horticultural irrigation.

The Meteorological Department has forecast snowfall in the higher reaches and also the plains of the Valley between January 22 and 24.

"A Western Disturbance will be active over J&K between January 22 and January 24. This is expected to bring rain/snow in Jammu and Kashmir, and the plains of the Valley are likely to get their first snowfall of this season," the Meteorological Department officials said.

So far, there has been no major snowfall in the Valley as Srinagar city and other plains are yet to receive this season's first snowfall.

All hopes of locals are now pinned on this forecast.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Jammu city registered a minimum temperature of 5.5 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 3.7 degrees Celsius, Banihal minus 2.4 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah minus one degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature was 20.1 degrees Celsius in Jammu and 11.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar on Saturday.

- IANS
Actress Niharika Chouksey is thrilled to be filming in Kashmir for the show Tumm Se Tumm Tak. The schedule will feature the highly anticipated proposal scene between her character Anu and Arya. She describes Kashmir as a magical, heavenly location that adds immense charm to the shoot. Chouksey assures fans the romantic and emotional sequence will be a beautiful turning point in the story.

Actress Niharika Chouksey shares her excitement filming the awaited proposal scene for Tumm Se Tumm Tak in the beautiful landscapes of Kashmir.

Mumbai Ja, n 18 The unit of show Tumm Se Tumm Tak that stars actress Niharika Chouksey was recently shooting in Kashmir.

Sharing sheer thrill and excitement, the actress Niharika Chouksey who plays the lovable Anu in the show said, "Our Kashmir trip is going amazingly well. We are here for another three days, and this schedule is going to be very special because it will showcase one of the most awaited moments of the show - the proposal of Anu and Arya."

She added, "In the upcoming episodes, viewers will see Anu rescuing Arya sir, and after all the emotional twists and turns, Arya sir will finally express his feelings and propose to her. It is a very important and beautiful turning point in their journey, and the entire team is putting in a lot of effort to make it memorable."

She added, "It's my fifth or sixth trip to Kashmir. Every time I come here, it feels just as magical. It is truly one of my favourite places in the world and honestly feels like heaven on earth."

Elaborating on it, she said, "The snow-capped mountains, the chilly breeze, and the peaceful surroundings add so much charm to the scenes we are shooting."

"Also this is the second time I am shooting in Kashmir, and working in such a breathtaking location makes the experience even more special."

Talking about food, she said, "We have been enjoying the local food as well, and of course, I have been having a lot of Maggi because in this cold weather, a hot bowl of Maggi tastes absolutely amazing and comforting."

She added, "Between shots, sipping something warm and enjoying the view has been pure bliss."

The show led to a large fan base of Anu & Arya (Sharad Kelkar). Niharika talking about it said, "I would like to tell all my fans that your wait is finally over. Anu and Arya are coming together, and the proposal sequence is going to be extremely romantic and emotional. It is one of the most beautiful moments you will get to witness on the show, so don't miss it and stay tuned for the upcoming

- IANS
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan addressed the Raibaar-7 programme in New Delhi, focusing on Uttarakhand's development. Doval cautioned against losing local Garhwali traditions and the emotional essence of communication like 'Raibaar' in the pursuit of modern tourism and progress. He stressed that development must inclusively benefit Uttarakhandis, not just investors. Meanwhile, General Chauhan challenged the state to be a leader and contributor to India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, rather than merely a beneficiary.

NSA Ajit Doval and CDS Anil Chauhan emphasize preserving Garhwali culture and providing leadership in India's 2047 development vision.

New Delhi, January 18 National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan underlined the importance of preserving cultural identity while pursuing development

The comments were made on Saturday as the duo addressed the Raibaar-7 programme in New Delhi.

Raibaar, a Garhwali word meaning "message", symbolises a traditional system of communication rooted in trust and emotional connection. Addressing the gathering, NSA Ajit Doval reflected on the deeper cultural significance of the term and cautioned against losing local traditions in the race for modern development.

"The word 'Raibaar' is an important feeling for Garhwalis. It is an unknown communication system which is totally reliable and dependable," Doval said. Drawing a contrast with modern technology-driven communication, he added, "Nowadays, there are many communication systems... But there are no feelings in it."

Highlighting the need for inclusive and culturally sensitive growth, the NSA said development should benefit not just investors but local communities as well. "The development of Uttarakhand means the development of Uttarakhandis or of those investing money there," he said. While welcoming progress in tourism, Doval also warned of its possible impact on local identity. "If Uttarakhand becomes a five-star tourist attraction, then it is a good thing. But somewhere in between, our culture will get lost," he cautioned.

Sharing a personal note, Doval recalled the values imparted by his parents. "My parents also taught me to always keep our traditions and customs in mind because no matter how much we change, it does not make any difference, and this is 'Raibaar'," he said.

Speaking at the same programme, CDS General Anil Chauhan focused on Uttarakhand's future role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. "I wonder that when India becomes a developed nation by 2047, would Uttarakhand only reap the benefits or be a contributor?" he said.

Emphasising collective responsibility, General Chauhan said, "We should make collective efforts so that our state's development matches the pace and level of our country's development." He further added that Uttarakhand should aim higher, stating, "Sometimes I believe that in this initiative, we should not only contribute, but provide leadership."

- ANI
The share price of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) surged by 30.89% between January 7 and January 14, 2026, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week.

Sable Offshore (SOC) - Among the Energy Stocks that Gained This Week

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is an independent upstream company focused on developing the prolific Santa Ynez Unit in federal waters offshore California.

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) has more than doubled in value over the last month after it scored a big win by receiving federal approval to restart its controversial oil and gas pipeline near Santa Barbara. The company had been facing significant legal challenges from state and local authorities in California, but it overcame the opposition after the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) approved its request to shift the pipeline to federal rather than state oversight. However, the local resistance against the pipeline continued, and Sable was hit with an emergency lawsuit seeking to block the restart on December 26.

The environmental groups filing the suit argued that PHMSA had bypassed the required public notice, opportunity for public participation, statement of reasons for its decisions, and other conditions required under the federal Pipeline Safety Act. The federal regulator responded by saying that its emergency permits for Sable were based on a national energy emergency declared by President Trump last year. On January 2, the petition to stay PHMSAs decision to take over oversight of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC)s plans to restart the Santa Ynez unit was denied by a federal court, marking a major step forward for the company.

While the case wasnt dismissed and responses and briefs are due over the next few months, Benchmark analyst Subash Chandra believes that Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC)s Santa Ynez Unit is the closest it has been to resume production. On January 2, the firm reiterated its Buy rating on SOC and assigned the stock a price target of $20, indicating an upside of over 77% from the current levels.

While we acknowledge the potential of SOC 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 High Yield Crude Oil Stocks to Buy After Trumps Blitz in Venezuela and 11 Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025.

Disclosure: None.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid heartfelt tributes to former CM N. T. Rama Rao on his 30th death anniversary. Naidu credited NTR with changing history through landmark welfare schemes like two-rupee rice and social security pensions. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Union Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu also honored the late leader's legacy. NTR is remembered as a cinematic icon and a political force who elevated the self-respect of the Telugu people.

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu honors NTR's 30th death anniversary, recalling his pro-poor schemes and impact on Telugu self-respect. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy also pays tribute.

Amaravati, Jan 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday paid rich tributes to former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao on his death anniversary, saying that the leader changed the course of history with unparalleled welfare and development schemes.

The national president of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) recalled the services of NTR both as an actor and a political leader.

CM Chandrababu Naidu, who is the son-in-law of NTR, took to 'X' to remember the late leader's pro-poor schemes.

"On the occasion of the 30th death anniversary of the extraordinary leader, the man of the era, the benefactor of the poor, 'Anna' Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, I pay my heartfelt tribute to that great soul," CM Naidu posted.

"'Anna' NTR, who shone like a guiding star in the cinematic firmament and was an invincible force in the political arena, was a valiant hero who rewrote the history of generations. He is forever memorable to all of us for his struggle to uphold the self-respect of the Telugu people to the highest level," said the Chief Minister.

CM Naidu wrote that NTR changed the course of history with unparalleled welfare and development schemes such as two-rupee-a-kilo rice, social security pensions, construction of permanent houses, free electricity for farmers, local self-governance through the Mandal system, property rights for women, and irrigation and drinking water projects for Rayalaseema.

He called the TDP founder an inspiration and said that the path he laid is worthy of emulation.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also paid tributes to NTR, the former Chief Minister of the united Andhra Pradesh.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu also took to 'X' to pay tributes to NTR.

"Remembering Shri Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao garu today on his 30th Vardhanthi. A legend who didn't just act in films but lived as the pride of the Telugu people. From mythological roles that defined divinity on screen to a leader who gave Telugu people self-respect and a powerful voice, NTR was more than an actor, more than a Chief Minister. Even after decades, he still lives on in the hearts of millions, in our culture, language, and identity. A true son of the Telugu soil, his legacy continues to inspire," he wrote.

- IANS
On the 30th death anniversary of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), former minister E Peddi Reddy stated that the policies introduced by the iconic leader continue to be followed by successive governments. Several political figures, including Nandamuri Balakrishna, Daggubati Purandeswari, Nara Lokesh, and CM Chandrababu Naidu, paid tributes, honoring his dual legacy in cinema and politics. They highlighted his transformative welfare schemes, such as subsidized rice and housing, which have endured in various forms. NTR, who served as Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister for seven years, is remembered as a towering figure who redefined public service.

On NTR's 30th death anniversary, political leaders highlight how his welfare policies continue to influence successive governments in Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad, January 18 On the 30th death anniversary of legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, former minister E Peddi Reddy paid tribute to the iconic leader, recalling his enduring influence on governance and welfare in the state.

Remembering NTR's legacy, Peddi Reddy said the policies introduced by the former Chief Minister continue to shape administrations even decades after his tenure.

"We worked under him, and the policies he introduced during his term are still being followed by successive governments. For the poor, he worked tirelessly to provide education and food security... He was a great leader and will always remain in people's hearts," Peddi Reddy said to ANI.

Earlier today, Andhra Pradesh MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna paid tribute to his father, NT Rama Rao, at NTR Ghat on his death anniversary.

BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari also paid tribute to her late father, recalling his legacy in the Telugu film industry and in politics.

"He might not be physically amongst us, but he is definitely ever living in the hearts of the Telugu people. He not only ruled the Telugu film industry but also won the people's hearts, not only as a hero figure but also in a negative role," she said.

Speaking about his role as a politician, the BJP MP said that NTR brought several development schemes to the state, which continue to help people to this day.

"After he entered politics, he brought in a sea of change in the political arena. He has proven that politics is not simply about grasping power, but can be used to serve the people. The various programs he brought in when he was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, be it the Rs. 2 per kg of rice or the Pakka Grah construction, or the support that he gave to the women in the state of Andhra Pradesh, they might have changed a little bit, but they continue as welfare measures implemented across the country," she stated.

"This only proves that his commitment to the people and the state is very strong. He may not be present physically with us, but he is definitely forever living in the hearts of the Telugu people," she added.

Earlier in the day, Nara Lokesh also paid floral tributes to NTR at NTR Ghat. Furthermore, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to NTR in a post on X, calling him a towering figure who transformed both cinema and politics in the state.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, fondly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, editor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years.

He received three National Film Awards for co-producing 'Thodu Dongalu' (1954) and 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1960) and directing 'Varakatnam' (1970). NTR also received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in films like 'Raju Peda' (1954) and 'Lava Kusa' (1963). He acted in over 300 films and was known for doing the role of mythological characters.

At the age of 72, NTR passed away from a heart attack on January 18, 1996, at his home in Hyderabad.

- ANI
The number of companies operating in South Korea's free economic zones increased by 4.4% year-on-year in 2024, reaching 8,590 firms. This growth drove significant gains, with employment jumping 8.8% and total investment rising 14.4% to nearly 5.9 trillion won. The Incheon zone hosted the largest share of companies at 44.9%, while foreign-invested firms and their investment also saw healthy increases. The government views these zones as crucial hubs for attracting foreign capital and fostering regional economic development.

Companies in S. Korea's free economic zones rose 4.4% in 2024, driving an 8.8% employment gain and a 14.4% investment increase.

Seoul, Jan 18 The number of companies operating in South Korea's free economic zones rose 4.4 per cent from a year earlier in 2024, driving gains in employment and investment, the industry ministry said on Sunday.

A total of 8,590 companies were operating in the country's free economic zones at the end of 2024, up from 8,228 firms a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, reports Yonhap news agency.

Employment at those firms increased 8.8 percent on-year to 254,775 people as of end-2024, while investment climbed 14.4 percent to about 5.9 trillion won (US$3.99 billion).

By region, the free economic zone in the western city of Incheon accounted for the largest share of tenant companies at 44.9 percent, followed by the one in Busan and Jinhae in the southern region at 28.4 percent, and the zone in the southeastern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province at 12.2 percent.

Foreign-invested companies totalled 690, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier, while their foreign direct investment rose 4.3 percent to 3.8 trillion won.

"Free economic zones continue to show steady growth, and are strengthening their role as hubs for foreign investment and regional economic development," a ministry official said. "We will closely identify region- and industry-specific challenges, and actively support corporate activities and investment."

Free economic zones are areas where the government eases regulations and provides incentives to make it easier for companies to invest and operate, with the goal of attracting foreign investment and promoting advanced industries.

Meanwhile, foreign direct investment (FDI) pledges to South Korea reached a record high of over US$36 billion in 2025, government data showed, thanks to eased political uncertainties here and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering held in the country's southeastern city of Gyeongju.

Last year, South Korea received $36.05 billion worth of FDI commitments, up 4.3 percent from $34.57 billion in 2024, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

In 2025, the actual amount of investment that arrived in the country also surged 16.3 percent from a year earlier to $17.95 billion.

- IANS
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya declared the opposition "finished" in Maharashtra following the party's sweeping victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a majority, winning 118 of 227 seats and ending the Thackeray family's nearly three-decade hold over the BMC. The BJP itself emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) won 29. The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance, which included the MNS, secured 71 seats combined, with Congress winning 24.

BJP's Kirit Somaiya declares opposition "finished" as Mahayuti sweeps BMC polls, ending decades of Thackeray family control in Maharashtra civic elections.

Mumbai, January 18 Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya, reacting to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election results, said on Sunday that the Opposition should accept the outcome and come to terms with what he described as a new political reality in Maharashtra.

Speaking to ANI, Somaiya said that the mandate reflected the people's clear rejection of Opposition parties.

"The Opposition should now accept the political reality that they have lost. Their party is finished in Maharashtra," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Mahayuti allies swept the Maharashtra civic elections, winning 25 of 29 municipal corporations, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

This marks a significant shift in power, ending the Thackeray family's nearly three-decade dominance over the BMC. The Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member BMC, securing 118 seats. BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) won 29 seats.

The election was conducted on January 15, with the counting of votes carried out on January 16.

According to official figures released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BMC, the BJP won 89 seats, polling 11,79,273 votes, which accounts for 21.58 per cent of the total votes cast. Among all winning candidates, the BJP's vote share stands at 45.22 per cent, making it the single largest party in the civic body.

Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), secured 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, translating into 5.00 per cent of the total vote share. Together, the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance emerged as the largest bloc in the BMC.

On the other side, the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the MNS, won 65 seats. The UBT-led Sena polled 7,17,736 votes, accounting for 13.13 per cent of the total votes cast. The MNS added 6 seats to the alliance tally, with 74,946 votes and a 1.37 per cent vote share. The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 24 seats, polling 2,42,646 votes, which represents 4.44 per cent of the total vote share.

Among other parties, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 8 seats with 68,072 votes. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 3 seats, the Samajwadi Party won 2 seats, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) won 1 seat.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that over 60 lakh beneficiaries have received benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the state's rural and urban areas over nine years. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and leadership for this achievement, stating it marks the first time since independence that so many have gained housing facilities. During a Direct Fund Transfer event, he added 2 lakh more beneficiaries, bringing the total to 62 lakh. Separately, at a health conclave, he highlighted the state's growth in medical infrastructure, with operational medical colleges increasing from 40 in 2017 to 81 currently.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath says over 60 lakh beneficiaries received PM Awas Yojana benefits, crediting PM Modi's leadership for housing revolution.

Varanasi, January 18 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the Direct Fund Transfer program under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban 2.0 on Sunday.

During the programme, CM Yogi stated that more than 60 lakh beneficiaries have received benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the state's rural and urban areas over the past 9 years.

"In the past nearly 9 years, we have provided the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to more than 60 lakh beneficiaries in the rural and urban areas of Uttar Pradesh, and today 2 lakh more people are being added to it. Now this number has reached 62 lakh... For the first time after independence, 62 lakh beneficiaries are receiving the benefit of housing facilities, and the credit for this goes to Prime Minister Modi's vision and leadership," said CM Yogi.

He further said that when a good government comes into power, people receive facilities with a positive approach.

"When a good government comes into power, people receive facilities with a positive approach. This is not just a house; it is also a feeling of complete self-reliance. We have been hearing since childhood that food, clothing, and shelter are basic necessities. PM Modiji has provided all three types of facilities," added CM Yogi.

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stated that the state has grown significantly in the health sector, with a notable increase in medical colleges over the last decade.

Addressing the Health Tech Conclave 1.0 in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said that due to the improvement in this sector, health facilities are now more easily accessible to the people.

Further, he noted that the State is among the largest consumers in the health sector, while bearing the burden of providing health facilities for neighbouring states and several countries.

"The biggest consumer market in this sector is Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, along with its 25 crore population, also bears the burden of health facilities for neighbouring states and several other countries..." he said.

CM Yogi affirmed that there are currently 100 district-level government hospitals, 81 operational medical colleges, with two AIIMS in the state, compared to a total of 40 medical colleges in 2017.

"Inspired by the Prime Minister and under his guidance, the Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Government of India, has succeeded in bringing about comprehensive changes in the health sector over the past 8-9 years... Before 2017, there were a total of 40 medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh, combining government and private sectors, and currently, 81 medical colleges are operational in Uttar Pradesh, with two AIIMS, over 100 district-level government hospitals, health and wellness sectors, which ensures medical facility reaches the far-fetched regions..." he stated.

- ANI
A massive fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road has killed at least six people, with 38 others reported missing. The blaze, which broke out Saturday night, caused part of the complex to collapse, trapping an estimated 80-100 people inside. Rescue efforts have been hampered as fire brigades reportedly ran short of water and diesel during operations. Pakistan's top political leaders have expressed grief and ordered immediate assistance, along with a transparent investigation into the incident.

Major fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping complex kills 6, leaves 38 missing. Rescue operations continue as officials express grief and order investigations.

Karachi, January 18 At least six people were killed, and 38 others are missing after a massive fire broke out at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi, which led to the back part of the complex collapsing, ARY News reported on Sunday.

It further mentioned that while 60-70 per cent of the blaze has been controlled, search and rescue operations continue as fear persists that people may be trapped in the building. The fire broke out at shops inside Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, Karachi, on Saturday night around 10 pm.

ARY News reported that a firefighter also lost his life during the rescue operation.

Citing South DIG Police, it reported that 38 persons are currently missing, with authorities collecting detailed information to trace them.

It was further confirmed that six bodies have been recovered and handed over to the families, while 22 injured people were under treatment.

President of the Gul Plaza Traders Association, Tanveer Qasim, said during an interaction with media that an estimated 80 to 100 people could still be inside the building. Questioning the authorities, he lamented over what the government was doing as one of Karachi's major tax-paying markets was reduced to ruins. He further claimed that traders themselves had rescued between 200 and 250 people.

He further stated that fire brigade teams were repeatedly running out of water and diesel, adding that desperate calls for help were being received from people trapped inside the market.

As per ARY News, rescue authorities said some people fell ill due to smoke inhalation, while others were injured during panic and stampede-like conditions. It mentioned that fire officials warned that the blaze continues to spread and that, due to its intensity, it cannot be brought under control immediately.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims and directing authorities to provide immediate assistance and ensure the best medical care for the injured.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and financial damage, directing the Sindh Chief Minister and Karachi Mayor to use all available resources for rescue and firefighting operations and to conduct a transparent investigation, The Express Tribune reported.

- ANI
The Taliban has accused Pakistan of increasing arrests and harassment of Afghan refugees, calling for respect of their rights. UN agencies reported an 18% spike in detentions of Afghan nationals in early January 2026. Separate concerns have been raised over the arrest of three Afghan journalists in Pakistan, which a media watchdog says risks their lives if deported. Pakistan has repatriated thousands of Afghans in a nationwide crackdown, affecting many who fled after the Taliban's 2021 takeover.

Taliban calls on Pakistan to respect refugee rights and halt arrests of Afghan migrants and journalists, as UN reports an 18% increase in detentions.

Kabul, Jan 18 Taliban has said that the problems faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan are rising and stressed that Pakistani government should respect refugee rights and stop arresting and harassing Afghan migrants, local media reported on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, problems faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan are increasing, with arrests, harassment, and mistreatment by Pakistani officials on the rise, leaving refugees in serious difficulty," Pajhwok Afghan News quoted Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat as saying in an audio message.

Fitrat urged United Nations and other relevant organisations to uphold refugee protection principles and intervene in nations where refugee rights are breached.

He also said that Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan needs economic cooperation and support.

He emphasised that Pakistani government should be forced to respect refugee rights, follow international refugee principles and stop arresting and harassing Afghan refugees, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

On Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that arrests and detentions of Afghan nationals in Pakistan increased by 18 per cent in the first 10 days of January 2026 in comparison to the previous week.

According to the report, majority of the arrests were reported in Pishin, Chaghi and Islamabad.

Earlier on Thursday, a leading Afghan media watchdog has expressed deep concern over the repeated arrest of Afghan journalists in Pakistan and demanded immediate release of three detained reporters.

In a statement on Thursday, Afghanistan Media Support Organisation (AMSO) said that two journalists were arrested in Islamabad while another was arrested in Peshawar, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported. The names of journalists who have been arrested in Pakistan are -- Abdulrahman Mangal, Asma Mohammadi and Samim Naimi.

The organisation said that the arrest of Afghan journalists in Pakistan, many of whom face deportation, puts their lives at risk, especially if they are forced to return to Afghanistan.

The group termed the arrests a clear violation of freedom of expression, journalistic principles and human rights and urged Pakistani police to stop the harassment, arrest and forced deportation of Afghan journalists.

The AMSO also urged United Nations and other international organisations to intervene in the matter.

Pakistan has repatriated thousands of Afghan migrants over the past year as part of a nationwide crackdown, with journalists and human rights activists being among those impacted. Many Afghan journalists fled to Pakistan as they faced threats and restrictions on independent media activity after Taliban seized power in 2021.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects worth approximately 830 crore in Singur, West Bengal. The projects include the Balagarh port gate system with an Inland Water Transport terminal, a state-of-the-art electric catamaran for the Hooghly River, and a new railway line between Jayrambati and Maynapur. He also flagged off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Kolkata to other major cities. These initiatives aim to boost multimodal connectivity, reduce urban congestion, and accelerate economic growth in the state.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 830 crore projects in Singur, including a port gate system, electric catamaran, and new rail lines to boost Bengal's growth.

New Delhi, January 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects in Singur, West Bengal, on Sunday, highlighting the Centre's focus on accelerating development in the state.

The initiatives include the foundation-laying of an extended port gate system at Balagarh with an Inland Water Transport terminal and road overbridge, the launch of an electric catamaran in Kolkata, the inauguration of a new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur and the flagging off of Amrit Bharat trains.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Our Government is committed to adding momentum to West Bengal's growth journey. In Singur today, important development works will be launched or their foundation stones laid. The works include: Laying the Foundation Stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal and Road Overbridge. Launching of the Electric Catamaran at Kolkata. Inauguration of the new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur. Flagging off of trains, including Amrit Bharat trains."

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), at around 3 PM, PM Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth around Rs 830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district.

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge

Spanning approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project includes the construction of two dedicated cargo-handling jetties: one for containerised cargo and one for dry bulk cargo.

The Balagarh project aims to significantly improve cargo evacuation efficiency by diverting heavy cargo movement away from congested urban corridors. This will enhance road safety, reduce vehicular congestion and pollution in Kolkata city, and contribute to an improved quality of life for residents. Improved multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency will also provide cost-effective market access to regional industries, MSMEs, and agricultural producers. The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, benefiting local communities through job creation in logistics, terminal operations, transport services, maintenance, and allied activities.

PM Modi will also launch a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata. This is one of the 6 Electric Catamarans indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. for inland water transport. The 50-passenger hybrid-electric aluminium catamaran, equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, can operate in fully electric, zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for extended endurance. The vessel will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.

The release stated that PM Modi will also inaugurate the new rail line between Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur. This line is an important part of the Tarkeshwar-Bishnupur new rail line project. Along with the new rail line, a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur, will also be flagged off. It will provide direct rail connectivity to the residents of Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.

PM Modi will flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains: Kolkata (Howrah) - Anand Vihar Terminal; Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras; Kolkata (Santragachi) - Tambaram.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the National Democratic Alliance's campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with a public meeting in Madurantakam on January 23. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran stated the rally's objective is to send the ruling DMK out of power. Clarity on potential allies like TTV Dhinakaran and the DMDK joining the NDA is expected to emerge during the event. The AIADMK-led NDA is seeking to regain power in the state after its loss in the 2021 elections.

PM Narendra Modi will launch the NDA's Tamil Nadu election campaign in Madurantakam on Jan 23, aiming to oust the ruling DMK.

Chennai, January 18 Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch their assembly election campaign of the National Democratic Alliance in Madurantakam, in Chengalpattu district, on January 23.

Addressing reporters at the BJP state headquarters, Kamalalayam in T Nagar, Nagendran said the Prime Minister will address a public meeting in the afternoon, marking the first campaign rally of the NDA with a call to "send the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) back home."

"On January 23, Prime Minister will come to Madurai to inaugurate the NDA programme. The main objective is that the DMK will go out and the NDA will come in the Assembly. That's the main cause," Nagendran told reporters.

He said clarity on whether TTV Dhinakaran will join the alliance and whether the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) will come on board will emerge on January 23. Leaders of parties that are part of the NDA alliance will also share the stage during the campaign launch, he added.

Responding to criticism over welfare announcements, Nagendran said former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced Rs 1,500 during the previous election, while the amount has now been increased to Rs 2,000.

"It cannot be termed as copying. Such claims are not appropriate," he said, adding that there has been a significant shift in public sentiment.

On the Hosur airport issue, the BJP state president said permission had not been denied, but that the authorities had sought certain clarifications.

The AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming to reclaim power in the state after losing the 2021 Assembly elections. Despite a subdued performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK has renewed its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after severing ties in 2023.

Meanwhile, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is seeking to retain power and is entering the electoral contest with confidence following its strong performance in the 2024 parliamentary polls.

Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold elections in the first half of this year.

- ANI
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047 is intrinsically linked to the progress of villages and laborers. He launched the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G RAM G), framing it as a comprehensive modernization of rural employment beyond the old MNREGA scheme. The new law increases guaranteed work days to 125, allows for seasonal suspensions, mandates weekly wage payments, and aims to eliminate fraudulent practices. With Haryana's high minimum wage, this is expected to significantly boost annual incomes for rural workers.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says PM Modi's Viksit Bharat mission ensures dignity, timely wages, and secure livelihood for workers, boosting rural income.

Chandigarh, Jan 18 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission is a strong foundation for improving the living standards of hardworking labourers and that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee to every worker in the country.

It ensures the right to work with dignity, timely wages, social respect and a secure livelihood. The Chief Minister was speaking at the state-level conference of VB-G RAM G held in Panchkula, near here.

The Haryana Chief Minister said the Prime Minister's resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047 cannot be achieved without the development of villages and labourers.

He emphasised that the path to a developed India passes through its villages.

"The VB-G RAM G scheme is not merely an employment programme, but an initiative aimed at uplifting the lives of hardworking people, ensuring dignity of labour and protecting their self-respect," the Chief Minister said.

He further said that keeping in view the shortcomings of MNREGA, PM Modi has presented the Viksit Bharat -- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill to the nation, which is being referred to as the Viksit Bharat -- G RAM G Act.

He clarified that this is not just a renaming of MNREGA, but a comprehensive modernisation of the rural employment system.

He said that under the new law, the statutory guarantee of employment has been increased from 100 days to 125 days.

In addition, the law empowers states to suspend work for up to 60 days during the sowing and harvesting seasons.

This provision ensures that workers will receive employment for these 60 days separately, in addition to the 125 days guaranteed under the Viksit Bharat -- G RAM G scheme.

As a result, the annual income of an average rural unskilled worker across the country is expected to increase by more than Rs 7,000.

In Haryana, each worker will receive an additional benefit of at least Rs 10,000.

With Haryana offering the highest minimum wage in the country at Rs 400 per day, the annual income of every worker can increase to a minimum of Rs 50,000.

The Chief Minister said that under the employment scheme, wages will now be paid on a weekly basis instead of the earlier 15-day cycle, ensuring timely payments to workers.

These provisions will eliminate fake workers, fake work and fake payments.

He further stated that the nature and scope of work under the new law have been expanded, with many additional categories of work being included.

This will create more employment opportunities for labourers and accelerate development activities in villages.

Earlier, MNREGA offered limited avenues of employment, whereas the new scheme adopts a more comprehensive and development-oriented approach.

- IANS
Sequoia Capital is reportedly joining a blockbuster funding round for Anthropic, the AI startup behind Claude, according to the Financial Times. Its a move sure to turn heads in Silicon Valley.

Why? Because venture capital firms have historically avoided backing competing companies in the same sector, preferring to place their bets on a single winner. Yet heres Sequoia, already invested in both OpenAI and Elon Musks xAI, now throwing its weight behind Anthropic, too.

The timing is particularly surprising given what OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said under oath last year. As part of OpenAIs defense against a high-profile lawsuit by Musk, Altman addressed earlier rumors about restrictions in OpenAIs 2024 funding round. While he denied that OpenAI investors were broadly prohibited from backing rivals, he did acknowledge that investors with ongoing access to OpenAIs confidential information were told that access would be terminated if they made non-passive investments in OpenAIs competitors. Altman called this industry standard protection (which it is) against misuse of competitively-sensitive information.

According to the FT, Sequoia is joining a funding round led by Singapores GIC and U.S. investor Coatue, which are each contributing $1.5 billion. Anthropic is aiming to raise $25 billion or more at a $350 billion valuation  more than double its $170 billion valuation from just four months ago. The WSJ and Bloomberg had earlier reported the round at $10 billion. Microsoft and Nvidia have committed up to $15 billion combined, with VCs and other investors said to be contributing another $10 billion or more.

The Sequoia connection with Altman runs deep. When Altman dropped out of Stanford to start Loopt, Sequoia backed him. He later became a scout for Sequoia, introducing the firm to Stripe, which became one of the firms most valuable portfolio companies. Sequoias new co-leader Alfred Lin and Altman also appear comparatively close. Lin has interviewed Altman numerous times at Sequoia events, and when Altman was briefly ousted from OpenAI in November 2023, Lin publicly said hed eagerly back Altmans next world-changing company.

While Sequoias investment in xAI might seem to have already contradicted the traditional VC approach of picking winners, that bet is widely viewed as less about backing an OpenAI competitor and more about deepening the firms extensive ties to Elon Musk. Sequoia invested in X when Musk bought Twitter and rebranded it, is an investor in SpaceX and The Boring Company, and is a major backer of Neuralink, Musks brain-computer interface company. Former longtime Sequoia leader Michael Moritz was even an early investor in Musks X.com, which became part of PayPal.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid rich tributes to former CM and legendary actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) on his 30th death anniversary. Naidu described NTR as an epochal figure who elevated Telugu self-respect and revolutionized the state with welfare schemes like subsidized rice and social pensions. Minister Nara Lokesh also offered floral tributes at NTR Ghat, hailing him as a symbol of Telugu pride. NTR, who served as Chief Minister for seven years, was a prolific actor with over 300 films and three National Film Awards.

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh honor legendary actor-politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) on his 30th death anniversary.

Amaravati, January 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday paid profound tributes to legendary actor and former Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao on his 30th death anniversary, remembering him as a towering figure who transformed both cinema and politics in the state.

In a post shared on X, Naidu described NTR as an "epochal figure" and a champion of Telugu self-respect.

"On the occasion of the 30th death anniversary of the cause of creation, the epochal figure, the treasure of the poor, 'Annam' Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao garu, I offer my profound tribute to that great soul. Shining as a pole star in the cinematic firmament and emerging as an invincible warrior in the political Kurukshetra, 'Annam' NTR is a heroic and noble soul who rewrote the history of generations. He who fought to elevate the self-respect of the Telugu people to the heights of the sky is one worthy of our morning remembrance," Naidu wrote.

CM Naidu also recalled the welfare reforms introduced by NTR and how they transformed the state.

In his post, he said, "Initiatives like rice at two rupees per kilo, social security pensions, construction of solid homes, electricity for farmers, the mandal system for local self-governance, inheritance rights for women and children, and irrigation and drinking water projects for Rayalaseema--through such unprecedented welfare and development programmes, that great one altered the course of history, serving as an inspiration to us all."

The Chief Minister further added that the path laid by the former Chief Minister remains one to be followed. "The path he laid is one to be followed. Once again, offering him a handful of water in tribute..." the post further read.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh visited NTR Ghat in Hyderabad, Telangana, and paid floral tributes to the late leader on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.

Sharing his thoughts on X, Lokesh hailed NTR as a symbol of Telugu pride and self-respect.

"On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the pride flag of Telugu self-respect, the world-renowned actor-emperor, the great leader Sri NTR, I offer my solemn tributes. The rare boon that only NTR garu has received is that people keep photos of the mythological characters he portrayed in their homes and worship them as gods. Even though you have been physically away for so many years, you remain alive in the hearts of Telugu people, dear father-in-law.. Your birth is blessed!" Lokesh wrote.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, fondly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, editor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years.

He received three National Film Awards for co-producing 'Thodu Dongalu' (1954) and 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1960) and directing 'Varakatnam' (1970). NTR also received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in films like 'Raju Peda' (1954) and 'Lava Kusa' (1963). He acted in over 300 films and was known for doing the role of mythological characters.

At the age of 72, NTR passed away from a heart attack on January 18, 1996, at his home in Hyderabad.

- ANI
India's power distribution companies have collectively recorded a positive Profit After Tax of Rs 2,701 crore for 2024-25, marking a dramatic reversal from significant losses in previous years. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal attributed this turnaround to a series of transformative government initiatives and reforms in the sector. Key measures include the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, new prudential norms, amendments to electricity rules, and the Late Payment Surcharge Rules. The sector's health is further evidenced by a substantial reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses over the past decade.

India's power distribution utilities post a positive PAT of Rs 2,701 crore in FY25, a major turnaround from years of losses, driven by government reforms.

New Delhi, January 18 The country's power distribution utilities have collectively recorded a positive Profit After Tax of Rs 2,701 crore in the year 2024-25, marking a significant turning point for the sector, Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, said.

The distribution utilities as a whole have been reporting PAT losses for the past several years since the unbundling and corporatisation of State Electricity Boards.

As per a statement from the Ministry of Power, the positive PAT of Rs 2,701 crore returned in 2024-25 compares to a loss of Rs 25,553 crore in 2023-24 and a loss of Rs 67,962 crore in 2013-14.

Minister Manohar Lal said this marks a new chapter for the distribution sector and is the result of several steps taken to address its concerns.

The Minister said this achievement was possible due to the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi captured in his words that, "India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role in this."

Manohar Lal said the government is committed to the required reforms in the sector so that the power sector can support our growing economy and play its part in the journey towards Viksit Bharat.

Some of the transformative initiatives in the distribution sector include; Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): Enhancing financial viability through infrastructure modernization and accelerated smart metering; Additional Prudential Norms: Linking access to finance for Power sector Utilities to achievement against performance benchmarks to promote fiscal and operational discipline; Amendments to Electricity Rules: Enforcing timely cost adjustments, prudent tariff structures, and transparent subsidy accounting to ensure full cost recovery; Electricity Distribution (Accounts and Additional Disclosure) Rules, 2025: Introducing uniform accounting and enhanced transparency across Distribution utilities for improved financial governance; Late Payment Surcharge Rules: Enforcing legal contracts through timely payments in the power sector thereby supporting investment in new RE projects; and Incentivizing states to implement critical power sector reforms, with borrowing limits tied to performance metrics as part of Additional Borrowing Scheme.

The result of these reforms is evident not just in the positive PAT posted by the Distribution Utilities after so many years, but also in other performance indicators.

The Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses have reduced over the years, signalling a transformation. The AT&C losses have reduced from 22.62 per cent in 2013-14 to 15.04 per cent in 2024-25.

The Ministry of Power has put in concerted efforts over the past decade to improve the performance of distribution utilities across the country.

In addition to the different policy initiatives, extensive engagements with states and UTs have emphasised reforms in the distribution sector.

These include discussions led by Manohar Lal, Union Power Minister, during the Regional Conferences of Energy Ministers of States/UTs in 2025 - Gangtok (Northeastern Region), Mumbai (Western Region), Bengaluru (Southern Region), Chandigarh (Northern Region) and Patna (Eastern Region). Regular interactions and reviews have played an important role in DISCOMs accomplishing this remarkable turnaround.

- ANI
Priyanka Chopra posted a reflective video from a beach, marking her first steps into the new year. She expressed amazement that 2026 sounds like a futuristic date and shared feelings of gratitude for her family and the life she has built. The actress emphasized the importance of pausing to acknowledge one's journey and being kind to oneself. She also offered encouragement, reminding followers to have faith and persevere.

Priyanka Chopra shares a beachside reflection on gratitude, family, and the surreal feeling of entering 2026 in a candid video message.

Mumbai, Jan 6 Global star Priyanka Chopra decided to take a pause and express gratitude for her biggest blessing, her family, as she steps into 2026.

PeeCee dropped a video on her Instagram Stories where she was seen taking a stroll by the beach, looking back at what all life has bestowed upon her.

Priyanka also hilariously admitted that she has been discussing with her friends that 2026 sounds like something from the future.

The 'Fashion' actress was heard saying, "Okay, I told myself I will get better at this, which is talking to the camera. Look at that, my first few footsteps in 2026. That sounds like the future. I've been telling my friends that 2026 sounds like the future. How is that even possible? But here we are."

PeeCee shared that at times life moves at such a fast pace that one forgets to step back and applaud oneself for simply coming this far.

Deciding to be a little kinder to herself, the diva added, "You know, I was just looking back at my family, my beautiful footsteps, and just felt grateful for how lucky I am. You know, it's like having run for such a long time at such a fast speed, you kind of forget to give yourself a little bit of a pat on the back for surviving. So here's me, giving myself a pat on the back, being kind to myself, being really grateful for being able to build this life."

Priyanka further went on to remind everyone that "There's always light on the other side of the tunnel. So, all one needs to do is to have faith in the process, persevere, and just keep moving."

Work-wise, Priyanka will next be seen as the leading lady in SS Rajamouli's highly talked about project "Varanasi". The drama has already managed to create massive buzz among cinephiles.

- IANS
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra extended heartfelt greetings on Mauni Amavasya, expressing hope for the welfare of all citizens. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also welcomed devotees to the Sangam, praying for new energy and resolve. Security was heightened in Prayagraj as approximately 50 lakh devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam ghat. Police reported heavy footfall continuing despite challenging conditions of thick fog.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath extend Mauni Amavasya greetings, praying for citizens' welfare and new energy.

New Delhi, January 18 Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday expressed hope for the "welfare of all citizens" on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

The Congress leader, in a post on X, extended warm greetings on the occasion.

"Heartfelt greetings to all of you on the sacred festival of Mauni Amavasya, dedicated to austerity, sacrifice, meditation, and charity," she wrote.

She further expressed her hopes and prayers for everyone's well-being in her post with a graphic wishing the festival.

"May Mokshadayini Mother Ganga bring welfare to all citizens of the country...Har Har Gange!" she noted.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, wishing "new energy, enthusiasm, and resolve."

In a post on X, the Chief Minister extended a welcome to the devotees who arrived at Sangam for the holy dip on the occasion.

"On the sacred occasion of the great festival of faith, Mauni Amavasya, a heartfelt welcome to all the revered Akharas, Dharmacharyas, saints, sadhaks, kalpavasis, and devotees who have graced the holy Sangam for the sacred bath," he wrote in the post.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister wished positivity and determination to all.

"By the grace of Mother Ganga, the bestower of liberation, and Lord Surya, may all the heartfelt wishes of everyone be fulfilled, may new energy, new enthusiasm, and new resolve awaken in life--this is my prayer....Har Har Gange!" he added.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been strengthened at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj as a large number of devotees gathered to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the early hours on Sunday.

According to police authorities, approximately 50 lakh devotees took the holy dip at the Sangam between 6 pm yesterday and 4 am today.

The ritual bath began at midnight amid heavy footfall at the ghats.

Speaking to ANI, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar said that despite thick fog in the region, devotees from several areas continued to arrive in large numbers.

He said, "...Proper security arrangements have been made...Devotees are coming in large numbers to take a holy dip. There has been thick fog since midnight, despite that we are witnessing heavy footfall."

- ANI
The Nobel Foundation has reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or distributed further, even symbolically. This statement comes after Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado presented her medal to former US President Donald Trump. Machado described the gesture as a historical symbol of appreciation for Trump's support of Venezuelan freedom. The Foundation's position upholds Alfred Nobel's will, which states the prizes are awarded for specific contributions and cannot be transferred.

The Nobel Foundation reiterates prizes cannot be passed on, following reports Maria Corina Machado gave her Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump.

Stockholm, January 18 The Nobel Foundation once again reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or further distributed, days after the Institute issued a statement saying that a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced.

On Sunday, in a post on X, it said that one of the core missions of the Nobel Foundation is to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration.

The post noted, "The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel's will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who "have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind," and it specifies who has the right to award each respective prize. A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed."

This comes after US President Donald Trump met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado on Thursday and said that she had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump at the White House, describing the gesture as recognition for his support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic efforts.

Speaking to reporters following her meeting with Trump, Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in championing democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, said that she gave the medal as a symbol of appreciation for his "unique commitment to our freedom".

"I presented the President of the United States the medal...the Nobel Peace Prize, and I told him this: 200 years ago, General Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington's face on it. Bolivar, since then, kept that medal for the rest of his life. It was given as a symbol of brotherhood to showcase the relation between the people of the US and Venezuela," Machado said.

"Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, as a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom," she added.

President Trump also acknowledged Machado's gesture, calling it "a wonderful gesture of mutual respect" in a post on Truth Social and thanked her for the medal.

"It was my Great Honor to meet Maria Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!" the post read.

The White House, in a post on X, also confirmed that Trump had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

"President Donald J. Trump meets with Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor," the White House said in its post.

Earlier on January 16, the official website for the Nobel Prize said, "A laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. A Nobel Peace Prize can also never be revoked. The decision is final and applies for all time. The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not see it as their role to engage in day-to-day commentary on Peace Prize laureates or the political processes that they are engaged in. The prize is awarded on the basis of the laureate' contributions by the time that the committee's decision is taken."

- ANI
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta inaugurated a nine-day Ram Katha at Bharat Mandapam, framing it as a vital guide for future morality and global peace. The event, organized by Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati under Acharya Lokesh Muni, features discourses by spiritual leader Morari Bapu. Speakers emphasized that the life of Lord Ram and Jain principles of Ahimsa offer critical solutions to contemporary global conflicts and crises of trust. The program is dedicated to the World Peace Centre Mission, aiming to foster dialogue, compassion, and ethical responsibility worldwide.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta inaugurates Ram Katha at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting its role as a moral guide for world peace and leadership.

New Delhi, January 18 Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Sunday emphasised that the nine-day Ram Katha being organised from January 17 to 25 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi is not merely a narration of the past but a moral guide for the future as well.

Addressing the gathering as Convenor at the commencement of the Ram Katha, Gupta said, "Ram Katha is not merely a narration of the past; it is a moral guide for the future and a call for world peace. At a time when the world is confronted with war, violence, and a deep crisis of trust, the life and ideals of Lord Shri Ram remind us that true leadership is anchored in character, compassion, restraint, and moral courage."

According to an official release, the Ram Katha is being organised under the auspices of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, founded by Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji, revered Jain saint and Founder of the World Peace Centre, as part of the World Peace Centre Mission, with Pujya Morari Bapu, spiritual leader and internationally renowned Ram Katha narrator from Gujarat, delivering the discourse.

In his address, the Delhi Assembly Speaker stated that Ram Katha has historically served as a powerful medium for spreading the values of morality, fraternity, and humanity, and remains an inseparable part of India's cultural and spiritual life. He observed that Pujya Morari Bapu ji, through decades of Ram Katha in India and across the world, has carried this message of humanity to the very heart of society. He further noted that dedicating this Ram Katha to the World Peace Centre Mission reflects a conscious and purposeful commitment to the welfare of society, the nation, and the world.

Gupta further observed that the World Peace Centre has been envisioned as a moral and spiritual platform capable of responding to situations of war, violence, and conflict anywhere in the world through dialogue, compassion, and non-violent engagement. He specifically acknowledged that Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji has played a seminal role in reviving and reaffirming the ancient Jain tradition of Ahimsa (non-violence) and in giving it contemporary relevance through institutional initiatives such as Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati and the World Peace Centre.

Vijender Gupta stated that Ram Katha embodies India's living civilisation, where spirituality and peace-building are not separate pursuits but are deeply interwoven. He observed that Bharat Mandapam, symbolising India's global identity rooted in its civilisational heritage, is a fitting venue for a programme of such spiritual, cultural, and moral significance.

Pujya Morari Bapu, spiritual leader and Ram Katha narrator from Gujarat, while addressing the gathering, said that Ram Katha is a living spiritual dialogue with humanity, capable of awakening compassion, reflection, and ethical responsibility. He observed that the life of Lord Shri Ram offers timeless guidance on harmony, restraint, and empathy, and stated that dedicating Ram Katha to the mission of world peace is both timely and necessary in an age marked by conflict and division.

Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji, while addressing the gathering, said that Sanatan Dharma is not the name of any single sect, but an eternal, universal principle that guides humanity. He stated that Sanatan consciousness is the unifying civilisational force that binds diverse faith traditions :Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist and others into a shared moral framework rooted in compassion, restraint, and ethical living.

Emphasising the contemporary relevance of Jain Ahimsa, he said that the principles of non-violence, peace, harmony, and balance taught by Bhagwan Mahavir are urgently needed in a world grappling with war, violence, and growing imbalance. He observed that many global challenges can find meaningful solutions in Mahavir's philosophy, and added that the World Peace Centre has been envisioned to revive, institutionalise, and give contemporary expression to these timeless values through dialogue, compassion, and moral responsibility.

- ANI
Chennai International Airport has implemented a stringent multi-tier security system effective until January 30 for Republic Day celebrations. The security protocol involves five to seven tiers, with peak measures from January 24-26, coordinated by multiple agencies including CISF commandos with sniffer dogs. All vehicles, baggage, and cargo are undergoing thorough checks, with special focus on long-term parked cars and restricted cabin items. Passengers are advised to arrive 1.5 hours early for domestic and 3.5 hours for international flights to accommodate the enhanced screening while ensuring scheduled flight operations.

Chennai Airport enforces strict 5 to 7-tier security until Jan 30 for Republic Day. Passengers advised to arrive early for enhanced screening.

Chennai, Jan 18 In view of the Republic Day celebrations, a stringent multi-tier security blanket has been in place at Chennai International Airport.

The enhanced security measures, which came into effect from midnight, will remain in effect until midnight on January 30, airport authorities said.

Chennai Airport has stepped up its arrangements, implementing a five-tier security protocol, which will be escalated to a maximum seven-tier system during the peak period from January 24 to January 26.

The comprehensive security exercise involves multiple agencies working in coordination.

All vehicles approaching the airport are being stopped at the main entrance for inspection. Suspected vehicles are subjected to thorough checks with the assistance of sniffer dogs, while bomb disposal squads are carrying out scans using metal detectors and other specialised equipment.

Armed police personnel are maintaining a round-the-clock vigil across the airport premises.

Special focus has been placed on the multi-level car parking facility, where vehicles, parked for extended durations, were being carefully examined by security experts.

In addition, commando units of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), accompanied by sniffer dogs, are conducting intensive checks in all sensitive areas, including terminal buildings and the aircraft apron.

Passenger screening procedures have also been significantly strengthened. Apart from routine security checks, secondary screening is being carried out at boarding gates.

Hand baggage is being subjected to detailed scrutiny, and restrictions have been imposed on carrying liquids, pickles, jams, and oil bottles in cabin baggage.

Cargo and baggage handling zones are under heightened surveillance, with consignments undergoing multiple layers of checks before being loaded onto aircraft.

Security at fuel stations has also been reinforced, with additional CCTV cameras installed and monitored round the clock from the airport's security control room.

In view of the enhanced checks, passengers have been advised to report well in advance. Domestic travellers are requested to arrive at least one and a half hours before departure, while international passengers should reach the airport three and a half hours before their scheduled flights.

Airport officials have assured passengers that despite the tight security arrangements, all flight operations are proceeding as scheduled. Travellers have been urged to cooperate with security personnel and follow the revised reporting guidelines to ensure a smooth and safe journey.

- IANS
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski stated the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a serious challenge to the entire European security architecture. He revealed Poland is allocating 4.7% of its GDP to defense to bolster its and Europe's security. Sikorski analyzed that China has gained strategic advantages from the war, making Russia dependent on it for key goods and services. He emphasized that Europe must now strengthen both its defense capabilities and political will in a changed geopolitical landscape.

Poland's FM Radosaw Sikorski calls the Russia-Ukraine war a fundamental challenge to European security, details defense spending, and analyzes Russia-China ties.

Jaipur, January 18 On the fourth day of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 on Sunday a session titled "A Continent in Crisis: Russia, Ukraine and the European Story" was held during which Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski spoke candidly on the Russia - Ukraine war, Europe's security, the Russia-China equation, and the global balance of power.

He said, "Russia talks about trust, but its actions say otherwise. Attacks on Kyiv and constant military threats expose the reality behind this so-called brotherhood."

Sikorski said that the Russia-Ukraine war is not merely a regional conflict, but a serious challenge to the entire European security architecture. He made it clear that Poland is spending 4.7 per cent of its GDP on "defence to strengthen its security and remains fully committed to European security."

The Polish minster was in conversation with senior diplomat Navtej Sarna.

Speaking on Russia-China relations, Sikorski said, "China has gained strategic advantages since the Ukraine war began. Russia is now being forced to sell oil at cheaper prices and is becoming increasingly dependent on China for high-quality goods, internet access, and cyber services. He expressed concern that in return, Russia is providing North Korea with missile and nuclear technology, which could further increase global instability."

Referring to history, Sikorski said that after the Cold War, Europe had come to believe in an era of lasting peace, but that phase is now over. "Europe is a small but prosperous continent, and it must now strengthen both its defence capabilities and its political will," he said.

On diplomacy, he noted that dialogue is not conducted only with friends, but also with adversaries and enemies. What truly matters, he emphasized, is the quality of the dialogue, not merely its existence.

The session also discussed Europe's unified response, the role of NATO, Russia's evolving strategy, and the tendency to distort global history.

- ANI
Scientists have identified the specific cells that enable severely damaged tissue to regenerate after events like radiation. These cells activate but then halt a self-destruct program, allowing them to survive and rapidly multiply to rebuild the tissue. The same survival mechanism may be exploited by cancer cells, explaining why tumors often return more aggressively after radiation therapy. This discovery opens avenues for improving cancer treatments and developing new strategies for healing burns, surgical wounds, and degenerative diseases.

Scientists pinpoint the specific cells that drive tissue regeneration after severe damage, a breakthrough with implications for preventing cancer relapse and healing burns.

Tel Aviv, January 18 For the first time, scientists have identified the specific cells that allow severely damaged tissue to regenerate after widespread destruction, a discovery that could change how cancer relapse is prevented, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science told The Press Service of Israel.

Their study, recently published in the peer-reviewed Nature Communications, focuses on a phenomenon known for decades as "compensatory proliferation" -- the ability of tissue to regrow after radiation wipes out large numbers of cells. The effect was first observed in the 1970s in fruit flies, but until now, scientists did not know which cells were responsible or how the process worked at a molecular level.

Professor Eli Arama from the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute, who supervised the study, told TPS-IL that while the phenomenon itself was not new, seeing the process unfold at the cellular level was unprecedented.

"The phenomenon was identified 50 years ago. It was understood that not all cells die after radiation. Some survive, divide, and recreate the tissue. But no one actually saw these cells. We were able to identify them for the first time," he said.

Using advanced genetic tools and live tracking in fruit fly tissue, the researchers discovered a small population of cells that activate the early stages of the cellular self-destruct program, known as apoptosis, but then stop short of dying. These cells survive radiation, multiply rapidly, and drive the rebuilding of the damaged tissue.

"They became visible about 24 hours after radiation, and within the following 24 hours the entire tissue is rebuilt," Arama explained.

At the heart of the discovery are caspases, enzymes best known for executing cell death. The study found that in these regeneration-driving cells, caspases are activated but then restrained, allowing the cells to survive while still triggering signals that promote growth in neighboring cells. The result is a tightly controlled burst of regeneration, rather than uncontrolled growth.

This balance is critical, and it may help explain a troubling pattern seen in cancer treatment. Tumors that return after radiation therapy are often more aggressive and resistant to further treatment. According to the researchers, the same survival mechanism that enables healthy tissue to regenerate may also be exploited by cancer cells.

"Cancer appears to use a similar mechanism. But now that we understand the mechanism that allows these cells to survive, we may be able to manipulate it so they do not," Arama said.

According to a statement by the Weizmann Institute, the implications extend well beyond basic biology. By learning how to selectively block survival in cancer cells, scientists hope to improve radiation therapy outcomes.

At the same time, the findings could guide new strategies in regenerative medicine, accelerating healing after injury or surgery. In particular, the research raises the potential of improving healing for burns, surgical recovery, and organ injuries, while enhancing lab-grown tissues and organ transplants.

Moreover, by activating or mimicking the tissue "resurrection" pathways, it may be possible to slow or reverse damage in cases of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

"That is why understanding this mechanism is so important," Arama said, "with the hope that in the coming years it can be applied clinically."

- ANI
President Lee Jae Myung has appointed former Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo as his new secretary for political affairs. Hong, a three-term lawmaker known for a cooperative style, replaces Woo Sang-ho, who resigned to run for Gangwon Province governor. The appointment comes amid political tensions, including a hunger strike by main opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok. President Lee recently met with leaders of the ruling and minor parties to discuss bipartisan cooperation and state affairs.

Former DP lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo appointed as President Lee Jae Myung's new secretary for political affairs, replacing Woo Sang-ho ahead of elections.

Seoul, Jan 18 Former Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo has been named South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's new secretary for political affairs, Cheong Wa Dae said on Sunday.

Hong will begin his term as presidential secretary on Tuesday, replacing Woo Sang-ho, presidential secretary for public relations and communication, Lee Kyu-youn said during a press briefing, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Hong, a three-term lawmaker, previously served as the DP's floor leader alongside Lee when he was party leader.

"Known for his reasonable and amicable character, (Hong) continuously practised politics of tolerance and cooperation under his belief of resolving conflict and confrontation through compromise and agreement during his term as lawmaker," Lee said.

The appointment comes as Woo offered to resign in an apparent bid to run for Gangwon Province governor in the upcoming local elections scheduled for June.

Eyes are on whether other senior presidential officials will leave office under a rule that mandates civil servants seeking to run in elections quit their jobs 90 days prior to the elections.

On January 16, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with the leaders of ruling and opposition parties on Friday to discuss bipartisan cooperation and pending state affairs, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The luncheon meeting, held at Cheong Wa Dae, brought together the leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and five minor parties. Jang Dong-hyeok, the leader of the main opposition People Power Party, did not attend the meeting.

On Thursday, Jang launched a hunger strike, demanding the DP accept special probe bills on claims of bribery involving the Unification Church and separate claims of illicit payments linked to the DP's election nominations.

The five minor parties are the Rebuilding Korea Party, the New Reform Party, the Basic Income Party, the Jinbo Party and the Social Democratic Party.

Details of the conversations were not immediately disclosed, though it was expected that Lee would share the outcomes of his recent visits to China and Japan, exchange views on overall state affairs, and ask for political support for the government's policy efforts.

It marked Lee's third meeting with the party leaders since taking office in June last year, and his first since last September.

- IANS
Key Points

The price of silver has nearly tripled in just the past year.

The gold-silver ratio has gone from a high of over 100 last year to now being around 50.

10 stocks we like better than iShares Silver Trust 

As investors grow concerned about the economy and the state of the overall stock market, they have been turning elsewhere for safety. Gold is typically seen as a safe asset to hang on to amid turmoil, but lately, it's been silver that has been generating a lot of attention, with its value spiking over the past year.

In the past 12 months, the price of silver has nearly tripled. A year ago, it was worth around $30 per ounce. As of Jan. 13, 2026, it was up over $87.

One exchange-traded fund (ETF) that has benefited from this surge in excitement is the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV). During the past year, it has risen by around 190%, vastly outperforming the S&P 500, which is up 20% during that stretch.

Image source: Getty Images.

The iShares Silver Trust can be a good investment if you're bullish on silver

The iShares Silver Trust aims to track the price of silver and is the largest silver ETF in the world. It enables you to benefit from the precious metal's rising value without having to physically own it.

It charges an annual expense ratio of 0.50%, which is modest and in line with other commodity-linked ETFs. And it may be justifiable for investors who want an easy way to invest in silver, without the need for buying individual stocks or holding physical assets.

The downside is that there is no diversification with this investment: It will all hinge on the rise or fall of silver. The ETF has continued to rise this year, and as of Jan. 13, it's up around 12% year to date. The fund's inception date was April 2006, and with silver skyrocketing over the past year, the ETF is now at an all-time high.

Are silver prices still headed higher?

When the value of any investment or asset takes off in a short period, the temptation is to assume that it'll keep rising. Hype and excitement can take over, resulting in investors paying sky-high prices that prove to be unsustainable later on. There are those who believe silver will continue to rise to more than $100, while others believe it's due for a correction given its red-hot run over the past several months.

Gold and silver prices typically move in the same direction, because investors see them as safe-haven assets. One metric that analysts often look at is the gold-to-silver ratio, which tells you how many ounces of silver it would take to buy a single ounce of gold. It is normally within a range of 50:1 and 80:1. Last April, the ratio soared to more than 100:1, suggesting that silver was undervalued in relation to gold.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated India's first-ever national Guava Festival in Sawai Madhopur on its 263rd Foundation Day. The festival, combined with a Tiger Festival, aims to provide a national platform for farmers and highlight the district's agricultural strength. With guava cultivation spanning over 15,000 hectares and an annual production of 4 lakh metric tonnes, the event seeks to establish the region as a major production and export hub. The festival features exhibitions, demonstrations on modern farming, and over 200 stalls showcasing horticulture and value-added guava products.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurates India's pioneering Guava Festival in Sawai Madhopur, showcasing 4 lakh metric tonnes of annual production.

Jaipur, Jan 18 On the occasion of Sawai Madhopur's 263rd Foundation Day, the district is poised to create history by hosting the country's first-ever Guava Festival on Sunday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the festival at 11 a.m.

This year, the Foundation Day festivities are being organised as a combined Tiger Festival and Guava Festival, giving the event a unique and vibrant identity that reflects both the region's rich wildlife heritage and its renowned guava.

Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena said it is a moment of pride for Sawai Madhopur and the entire state that such a festival is being organised for the first time in the country.

He said the Guava Festival is not merely a ceremonial event but a serious effort to provide a national platform to farmers, showcase their hard work, and highlight the agricultural strength of the district.

Dr Meena informed that guava cultivation in Sawai Madhopur currently spans more than 15,000 hectares, with an annual production of around 4 lakh metric tonnes. This has created a robust agricultural economy, generating business worth Rs 6-7 billion every year.

He expressed confidence that the festival will help establish Sawai Madhopur as a major hub for guava production and export. The event aims to connect farmers with markets, technology, and policy support, making it a convergence of knowledge, innovation, and opportunity.

The festival will feature sessions and demonstrations on modern and smart farming practices, agricultural mechanisation, drone technology, high-tech horticulture, processing, and value addition.

Farmers will also receive information on the latest innovations in agriculture. A major attraction of the festival will be the exhibition of value-added guava products, including juice, jelly, squash, pulp, barfi, chutney, and pickles.

An exhibition of different guava varieties, fruit and flower competitions, and live demonstrations of agricultural equipment will also be organised.

More than 20 nurseries from different states will participate, while around 200 stalls will showcase organic and natural farming, horticulture techniques, animal husbandry, and dairy-related activities, making the festival a comprehensive agricultural showcase.

- IANS
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed he spoke with US President Donald Trump about security in Greenland and the Arctic. The conversation occurs amid Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Denmark and several European Union countries unless the US is allowed to acquire Greenland. A coalition of eight European nations has issued a joint statement expressing full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, calling the tariff threat a risk to transatlantic relations. Rutte and Trump are scheduled to meet later this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

NATO's Mark Rutte discusses Arctic security with Donald Trump amid US tariff threats against Denmark and EU nations. Details on their upcoming Davos meeting.

Brussels, January 19 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday spoke with US President Donald Trump on the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic, amid Washington's threat to impose 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark and European Union countries.

Mark Rutte also informed that he will meet US President Trump this week in Davos.

In a post on X, Mark Rutte said, "Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week."

Rutte did not share details of the conversation with Donald Trump on the matter.

Meanwhile, Several European countries have come together and expressed support and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland amid the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European nations untill it is allowed to acquire Greenland.

A joint statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--shared by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that exercise 'Arctic Endurance' does not pose a threat to anyone and that the countries stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

The statement highlighted that the threat of tariffs undermines transatlantic relations and risks a dangerous downward spiral

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.

In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats.

- ANI
A surge in returning Afghan refugees has created a major shelter crisis, with many lacking housing and basic necessities. Taliban officials state that land distribution programs are ongoing, with thousands of plots already provided across several provinces. However, returnees on the ground report selling possessions to pay rent and urgently need blankets, food, and cash assistance, especially during cold weather. Since the Taliban's return to power, nearly seven million Afghans have come back, highlighting a massive need for sustained resettlement planning.

Thousands of returning Afghan refugees face a severe shelter crisis. Officials announce land distribution, but returnees plead for urgent aid and housing.

Kabul, January 18 With a rising number of Afghan refugees returning home, access to shelter has emerged as a major challenge, as many returnees struggle to secure housing and basic necessities, Tolo News reported.

Officials of the Islamic Emirate said measures are being taken to address the issue, with land distribution continuing in several provinces. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said more than 3,000 plots of land have been provided so far to forcibly deported returnees.

"So far, 3,046 plots of land have been distributed in various provinces among returnees who were forcibly expelled. The distribution process is ongoing. Also, under the directive of the esteemed Amir al-Mu'minin, emergency aid for returnees has accelerated, including food, non-food items, and cash assistance," Fitrat said.

In a related development, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said the Joint Permanent Committee for the Resettlement of Migrants has distributed land to over 2,800 families in Kunar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Kunduz, Paktia, and Bamyan, Tolo News reported.

The ministry also said that land distribution for another 5,000 families has begun in Nangarhar, according to Tolo News.

Kamal Afghan, the ministry's spokesperson, said the land distribution programme is being expanded province by province.

"The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has launched land distribution step-by-step in all provinces, and the program will, God willing, expand to ensure the fair distribution of plots to all returnees," Afghan said.

Meanwhile, returnees arriving from Pakistan said they continue to face serious difficulties due to a lack of shelter and essential facilities, and urged faster allotment of land and the provision of basic services, Tolo News reported.

"Now I'm going to Baghlan, but I have nothing there. We sold everything we had just to pay rent. We ask the Islamic Emirate to help us with land and food distribution," said Yar Mohammad, a returnee.

Another returnee, Sher Mohammad, called for urgent support amid harsh weather conditions.

"Our request to the government is to give us blankets and cash aid because it's cold here and we're struggling," he said.

According to statistics cited in the report, nearly seven million Afghans have returned from various countries since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, underlining the need for sustained planning to resettle and support returnees.

- ANI
Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski describes Canada's renewed engagement with China as a stark pivot driven by hard-nosed pragmatism rather than ideology. He argues the global order is now dominated by autocratic powers, forcing nations like Canada to adapt. Milewski suggests Prime Minister Mark Carney's use of "pragmatism" is a polite term for a lack of viable alternatives, especially with the U.S. relationship becoming more adversarial. The central question remains whether Canada can navigate China's embrace without being suffocated by it.

Veteran journalist Terry Milewski analyzes Canada's foreign policy recalibration towards China as a pragmatic necessity in an unstable global landscape.

New Delhi, January 18 Canadian journalist Terry Milewski has described Canada's renewed engagement with China as a matter of hard-nosed pragmatism rather than ideological choice, arguing that Ottawa is being forced to recalibrate its foreign policy in an increasingly unstable and autocrat-driven global order.

Milewski, in an interview with ANI, said that the new world order is being dominated by the whims and fancies of rogues and autocrats.

"Well, it makes your neck hurt, doesn't it? I mean, you could get whiplash watching the twists and turns of Canadian foreign policy as it tries to navigate, I guess, these very choppy seas right now. But you're quite correct. I mean, as little as 10 years ago, Canada, under Justin Trudeau at the time, was contemplating severing relations completely with China. And there was the two Michaels affair, which was basically hostage taking by the Chinese government. You could not have imagined at that time, this What did he say? He said a strategic partnership. I'm quoting the new prime minister, Mark Carney, talking about a strategic partnership with the same China that we just discussed," he said.

He added, "So it is a bit of a head snapper, but he answered that question in a way with the phrase I think perhaps may be the most memorable, may turn out to be the best remembered from the summit, that we have to take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. In other words, we're just going to have to be flexible. We're going to have to get along with governments of which we do not approve," he said.

Milewski said that the phrase 'new world order' emerged with the fall of communism. But now this refers to a world being run by rogues and autocrats.

"Well, I think it's the same as the old world order, isn't it? The new world order originally became a sort of catchphrase, I think, with the fall of communism and everything was going to be sunshine and roses. And that would be the new world order. But now what they really mean by that is a world order dominated by rogues and autocrats who do what they want. or try to do what they want, as, for example, in the case of Mr Trump, and make life relatively grim for the rest of us, as they do in the case of Mr Xi. So we'll have to see, but it's ironic, I think, that the same phrase has popped up again, but it doesn't mean the same thing at all," he said.

Milewski said that calling the foreign policy of Canada now 'pragmatic' is more of politeness because Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is in dearth of options as to what to do.

"Well, I mean, the word pragmatic and that is a polite word for these circumstances, because I think the real answer is that he doesn't have an alternative. So he's making it look as good as he can. Let's face it, all of Canada has been impacted perhaps more than any other country in this sense by the arrival of Donald Trump on the scene. And what I mean is that Canada's whole history, our whole operating system, since the war at least, and going back even further, maybe the First World War, has been completely upended. It's all been turned upside down," he said.

Milewski said that the US is no longer an ally for Canada, and is more of a menace.

"The days when the United States was our greatest friend, our protector, our leading trading partner, and now it's a menace that wants to annex us, denies us even our sovereignty. Again, a head snapper. I mean, what is happening here? So I think that what they're all doing, not just Carney, but Carney is a good example of this, is using your words carefully to suggest, and using them ambiguously to suggest that, well, you know, I'm not really being a wh**e. I'm not just doing what I have to do. I'm doing something that has a principle. Pragmatism. Well, we all like pragmatism," he said.

Milewski said that it is upto Canada to see that China's embrace doesn't suffocate it.

"You're doing what you should do. But where it leads us is the real question, isn't it? I mean, that's probably the next one you're going to ask. Certainly, the one I would ask, where does this lead? If we are going to have this wonderful new embrace, for example, with China in Canada's case over the reduction of steep reductions in tariffs, meaningful reductions in tariffs on electric vehicles and on Canadian canola and so on and so forth. Everybody's happy about that. But really, is this embrace going to be welcome on day three and day four and day five and year 10? Are we still going to be happy about this Chinese embrace, or will it become rather suffocating?" he said.

Milewski then said that as one goes deeper into the contours of the takeaways from Carney's visit to China, the first takeaway is the EV reduction in the tariffs.

"We're going quicker than we may imagine into the national security realm. I think the Chinese have a powerful interest which is just being whetted now in gaining an advantageous position in other markets, replacing the United States as the essential trading partner. You may say, okay, well, this is just a few cars. I mean, there are 49,000 cars. That's 3% of the Canadian market, by the way. So it's not as though we're flooding the market. The Chinese are coming. It's not like that yet. But there's no doubt that for President Xi Jinping, this is just a beginning, not the end. This is the beginning of further wonderful deals, more flag-wiping, more handshakes that we will see on our screens in the next, not even decade, I would say in the next two or three years, where both sides are, they said, this is great," he said.

"The fishermen on our East Coast are happy because they can sell their lobster. And the fishermen on the West Coast are happy because they can sell their crabs. So everybody's happy. So why don't we, what is there exactly to stop us doing more of this? Nothing, nothing, except if we could look back from say 10 years to now and realize that we've given away the store. What does that mean? We'll find out," he added.

Milewski said that Carney is trying to expand his trade with all other countries around the world. This is to recover the trade issues with the US.

"Well, I think that, from Carney's point of view, what he might say, I will try to speak for him. I have no idea what he would say, but what I imagine he'd be thinking, he might say something very different. What I imagine he'd be thinking is that this 4%, which you're quite right to point to, is part of a much larger whole because we're not just expanding our trade with China. We're also expanding it with Indonesia, with Spain, all over the world. That's the idea. That is his strategy. And it's been successful," he said.

Milewski said that Carney is trying to recover the trade losses by the US.

"Now it's been slow and coming up to now the conservatives in opposition, in Canada have been saying loudly that, Oh, Carney's going off around the world again. And he always comes back empty-handed. I was just listening to a podcast about that. Well, so now we can't say that this is a significant deal, but I insist that it's a part of a whole, from their point of view, that it's not 4% of American trade that has been replaced by China, for example," he said.

"It's going to be a much larger percentage than that, especially if Trump is going to go on with these tantrums like now he's going to sanction Europe for backing Denmark over Greenland. Now he's going to slap more tariffs on the whole world if they don't do what he wants. Otherwise, he'll bang his spoon on his high chair and have a fit," he added.

When asked about the symbolism of the China gambit, Milewski said that the symbolism is real, but incidental.

"I think the symbolism, the symbolic content is real, but it's incidental. In other words, it's happened without Carney going for that, because what he needed, considering that what we've just talked about, was to satisfy, it was to stick his thumb in the eye of those conservatives who were opposing him and show them, oh, yeah, yeah, well, I've got a real deal this time. Now, you know, you can't say I've come home empty-handed. And what is your alternative, please? Come back to that question. What is your alternative? Look, people on both sides, I think, we can agree," he said.

Milewski said that there have been questions about sovereignty and selfhood. But Canada doesn't have the cards now.

"People on both sides of that question, is it okay to be embraced by China when you may lose your selfhood? You may lose your sovereignty. People on both sides will agree, I think, that that is a serious question and a serious danger. But they don't offer us an alternative right now," he said.

He added that the US, India and China dominate the world now.

"I don't think that they can tell us, well, here's what we should do instead. Let's trade with, hmm, well, who is there? I mean, we still left with three battleships on this very choppy ocean, China, India, and the United States. And those three, they're going to dominate whatever kind of world we inhabit. And this question is going to be asked daily, and you'll get as many answers. The longer you wait, the more answers you'll get. But none of them that I've heard so far are very persuasive," he said.

Milewski said that they have yet to find an alternative trading partner who like the US.

"I mean, if you think it's a danger that it's too much of a risk to be in bed with China, as the conservative opposition in Canada likes to say, well, if you think that, okay. So who do you want to be in bed with? I mean, you want to be in the unemployment line? Well, do you? Because that may very well be the alternative too. I mean, we don't have another potential largest trading partner that can compete with the United States at all. What is it, 75% of our trade? A bit more, I think, even today," he said.

He said that there have been fears of China spying the export nations.

"Well, the criticism is not completely without substance. The fact is that China does spy the exports, the high value exports that China does send. Those cars, those EV cars, they're all internet linked, right? And China will get a lot of data of Canadians when they apply on Canadian roads. Do you think that the security question should not be considered when you're dealing with a country like China, an authoritarian country like China?" he said.

Milewski said that Canada maintains that it is entering the deal with eyes wide open.

"I think the Canadians, like in the words of the industry minister, Melanie Joly, in Beijing, I believe she said, that we're going into this with eyes wide open. You probably saw that quote. Yes, I did. We're going into this with eyes wide open. That's her version of an answer. It isn't much of an answer at all, is it? To the question, well, what's your alternative? Well, we're going to be aware of how the Chinese are spying on us, stealing our data, and doing very well out of a regime of identity theft and persecution," he said.

He said that China must also prepare itself for a case where it cannot make sales in Canada.

"I mean, Canadians are going to have to decide for themselves, am I going to buy a Chinese car? Well, the Chinese, remember, they have some questions to answer too. Remember, because this is all very nice if they want to extend their influence by using cars or by using anything else, they're going to buy canola from us. They also have to answer, well, if, Where are we going to turn if this doesn't work?" he said.

"What if the Canadians refuse to buy our cars? And we've invested a couple of billion dollars in building a first plant and starting to build them. Canada is saying after this summit, is it not, that we want to be the first place where a Chinese designed and built car is made," he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a new trade agreement with China. Carney said that the deal would open markets for Canadian businesses and workers.

In a post on social media platform X, Carney said, "We've secured a new trade agreement with China -- unlocking more than $7 billion in export markets for Canadian workers and businesses."

- ANI
Devotees gathered at the Agnitheertham sea in Rameswaram to perform Pitru Tharpanam on the sacred day of Thai Amavasai. The no-moon day in the Tamil month of Thai is dedicated to honoring departed ancestors through prayers and offerings. Rituals like Shradh and Tarpan, involving holy baths and offerings of water and food, are performed to ensure the peace and liberation of ancestral souls. The day is also observed as Mauni Amavasya in other parts of India.

Thousands observed Thai Amavasai in Tamil Nadu, performing sacred Pitru Tharpanam rituals in the Agnitheertham sea for ancestral peace.

Rameswaram, January 18 Considered one of the most sacred days for performing Pitru Tharpanam, on the occassion of 'Thai Amavasai', many devotees in Tamil Nadu paid tributes to their ancestors in the early morning hours of Sunday. The devotees performed Pithurkarma puja at the Agnitheertham Kadal in Rameswaram to pray for the peace of their departed ancestors.

Many devotees also paid tributes to their ancestors on this day at Harbour Beach in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

Thai Amavasai is the no-moon day in the Tamil Month of Thai (January - February) and is very important in Tamil culture.

Amavasai falls in January and is called Thai Amavasai in the Tamil calendar; the same day is observed as Mauni Amavasya in North India.

According to local belief, by fasting and offering special prayers on the Amavasai day of every month, their ancestors who have passed away will find peace.

Special prayers, rituals and offerings are made on the day for departed souls to rest in peace. People take a holy bath in one of the sacred water bodies. Shradh and Tarpan are offered.

Shradh is a significant Hindu ritual, also known as Pitru Paksha, where people honour and offer tributes to their ancestors (Pitrs) through specific rites like offering food, water (Tarpan), and rice balls (Pind Daan) to help their souls find peace and liberation in the afterlife, seeking blessings for family prosperity and well-being.

Tarpan (or Tarpana) primarily refers to a significant Hindu ritual of offering water, sesame seeds, and other sacred items to ancestors (Pitru), deities, and sages to satisfy them and ensure their peaceful journey.

Thousands of people take a dip at Rameshwaram and visit the Agnitheertham Kadarkarai (sea coast) in the morning to offer pujas to their dead ancestors.

- ANI
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced the creation of the 'Semmozhi National Literary Award' in response to concerns over political interference in the Sahitya Akademi awards. The annual award will carry a cash prize of 5 lakh and will initially recognize works in seven Indian languages. Stalin emphasized that independent juries of eminent writers will ensure the selection process is based on literary merit and transparency. He positioned the move as Tamil Nadu taking on a patron role for Indian literature and reinforcing the state's commitment to cultural and intellectual exchange.

CM M K Stalin announces new national literary honor, criticizes political interference in Sahitya Akademi awards. Details on prize and languages.

Chennai, January 18 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday announced the launch of a new national-level literary honour by the state government, while strongly criticising political interference in the functioning of the Sahitya Akademi.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Chennai International Book Fair 2026 held at Kalaivanar Arangam, the Chief Minister said that recent developments surrounding the Sahitya Akademi awards had caused "deep concern" among writers and cultural organisations across the country.

Stalin referred to reports that the announcement of the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Awards was cancelled due to alleged intervention by the Union Ministry of Culture.

"Political interference in literary and artistic awards is dangerous," he said, adding that freedom of thought and creative independence must be protected at all costs.

He noted that several writers and literary bodies had urged the Tamil Nadu government to respond constructively to the situation, calling it a "need of the hour".

Responding to these concerns, the Chief Minister announced the institution of a new annual national literary award by the Tamil Nadu government.

The award, to be known as the "Semmozhi National Literary Award," will be presented every year to outstanding literary works published in select Indian languages. In the first phase, the award will be given for exceptional works in: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali, and Marathi.

Each award will carry a cash prize of 5 lakh.

Stalin said that independent juries comprising eminent writers and award-winning authors would be constituted separately for each language to ensure transparency, literary merit, and credibility in the selection process.

"The Tamil Nadu government will proudly take on the role of patron for Indian literature," he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that literature has no borders and described translation and copyright exchange as cultural handshakes between languages. He highlighted Tamil Nadu's efforts to promote translation of Tamil classics and modern works into global languages, while also bringing world literature to Tamil readers through state-supported translation initiatives.

Stalin said the participation of publishers from over 100 countries in the Chennai International Book Fair demonstrated the city's growing stature as a global knowledge and publishing hub. He added that Tamil Nadu was not just an investment destination, but also a state deeply rooted in intellectual and cultural exchange.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that future editions of the Chennai International Book Fair would attract even greater global attention and reaffirmed the state's commitment to building libraries as "temples of knowledge".

"Language is not a wall that divides, but a bridge that connects the world," he said.

- ANI
Several European nations have issued a joint statement expressing full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland following tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump. The statement asserts that a routine Arctic military exercise poses no threat and that the tariff ultimatum undermines critical transatlantic relations. Trump has threatened escalating tariffs on eight European countries unless a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland, citing national security. European leaders warn the situation risks a dangerous downward spiral and could impact the future of the NATO alliance.

European nations issue a joint statement of solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, condemning Trump's tariff threats as a danger to transatlantic relations and NATO.

Copenhagen, January 18 Several European countries came together and expressed support and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland amid the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European nations untill it is allowed to acquire Greenland.

A joint statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--shared by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that exercise 'Arctic Endurance' does not pose a threat to anyone and that the countries stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

The statement highlighted that the threat of tariffs undermines transatlantic relations and risks a dangerous downward spiral.

"As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre- coordinated Danish exercise "Arctic Endurance" conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone. We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty", the joint statement said.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.

In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats.

"Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted.

Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns.

Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise.

- ANI
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will attend the "Leadership: 21st Century" program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government from January 25-31. He will be part of a global class with participants from over 20 countries, studying under professors Tim O'Brien and Karen Morrissey. Upon completion, he will become the first sitting Chief Minister in Indian history to receive a course certification from Harvard. Separately, Reddy has emphasized foreign language training for nursing students to access job opportunities in Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy becomes first sitting Indian CM to attend a Harvard University program, joining a global class at the Kennedy School.

Hyderabad, January 18 Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will attend "Leadership: 21st Century" program at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, becoming the first CM in Independent India to enrol for a program in the Ivy League.

According to the release, Reddy will attend classes in a Harvard program from January 25 to 31. The CM will be stationed on the Kennedy School campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in a class featuring students from over 20 countries across five continents.

During the program, Reddy will attend classes and complete assignments, submit "homework," and participate in group projects alongside fellow global participants.

The release said that this programme is chaired by Prof. Tim O'Brien and directed by Prof. Karen Morrissey. The curriculum is designed to analyse case studies from various parts of the world and across different eras of history, with participant groups tasked with solving and presenting solutions in a classroom setting.

Upon completion, the Telangana CM will receive a program course certification from Harvard, marking the first time in Indian history that a sitting Chief Minister has achieved such a distinction.

Earlier, the state CM Revanth Reddy emphasised on the importance of foreign language skills for students to compete in a globalised world and announced that the state government will develop facilities to teach Japanese, Korean and German languages to nursing students aspiring for overseas employment.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), during an interaction with students of a nursing college in Khammam on Saturday, the Chief Minister said there is a high demand for nurses in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

He said the state government would provide dedicated teaching facilities in Japanese, German and Korean to help nursing students access global job opportunities.

CM Reddy said that during his recent foreign visit, many people praised the services of Indian nurses, particularly those from Telangana. He added that students from Yedulapuram nursing colleges would also be included under the proposed foreign language training initiative.

Highlighting the government's focus on healthcare and education, Revanth Reddy said doctors are next to God and expressed confidence that nurses from Telangana would further enhance the state's prestige worldwide through their professional excellence.

- ANI
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has prioritized addressing traffic congestion in Greater Hyderabad by posting young and dynamic IPS officers to key traffic management positions. The transfers aim to find long-term, sustainable solutions to the city's traffic problems by reinforcing the system across multiple police commissionerates. Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy stated that while initiatives against cybercrimes and drugs continue, focused attention is now on traffic regulation. Several officers with proven field experience as Additional SPs have been appointed as Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic) in urban areas.

CM Revanth Reddy posts young IPS officers to key traffic roles in Hyderabad to find sustainable solutions to the city's congestion problems.

Hyderabad, Jan 18 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has posted young IPS officers to strengthen law and order and address key public concerns, particularly traffic congestion in the Greater Hyderabad.

"As part of the government's priority to improve civic governance, the transfers on Saturday are aimed at finding long-term and sustainable solutions to the traffic problems faced by city residents," Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy said on Sunday.

Young and dynamic IPS officers with proven field experience have been entrusted with key traffic responsibilities to ensure effective implementation at the ground level.

After assuming office, the Chief Minister had issued clear directions to strictly curb cybercrimes and drug trafficking in the state.

"While these initiatives are being pursued vigorously, focused attention has now been directed towards strengthening traffic regulation and enforcement," DGP Reddy added.

The transfers are intended to reinforce the traffic management system in the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda Police Commissionerates within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits, as well as in the newly established Future City Police Commissionerate.

Officers who have demonstrated effective performance as Additional Superintendents of Police (SPs) in districts have been posted as Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic) in urban commissionerates.

Accordingly, Avinash Kumar, formerly Additional SP of Kothagudem (Operations), has been posted as DCP, Traffic-I of Hyderabad (Khairatabad and Secunderabad Zones).

Kajal, formerly Utnoor Additional SP, has been posted as DCP, Traffic-II of Hyderabad (Golconda and Jubilee Hills Zones).

S. Seshadrini Reddy, formerly Jagtial Additional SP, has been posted as DCP, Traffic-II, Cyberabad (Kukatpally and Quthbullapur Zones).

Kankanala Rahul Reddy, formerly Bhongir Additional SP, has been assigned as DCP, Traffic-I, Malkajgiri Commissionerate.

Shivam Upadhyay, Additional SP, Mulugu (Operations), has been appointed as DCP (Traffic), Future City Commissionerate.

G. Chandana Deepti, (DIG, Railways), has been posted as Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration & Traffic), Future City Commissionerate.

B.K. Rahul Hegde, formerly Hyderabad DCP () has been transferred as DCP, Traffic-III, Future City Commissionerate (Charminar, Rajendranagar and Shamshabad Zones), while G. Ranjan Ratan Kumar, formerly DCP, Traffic, Cyberabad, has been posted as DCP, Traffic-I, Future City Commissionerate (Serilingampally Zone).

Abhishek Mohanty, has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General, Vigilance and Enforcement, with the mandate to curb illegal activities such as sand smuggling across the state, protect natural resources, and safeguard government revenue.

- IANS
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the state will establish facilities to teach Japanese, Korean, and German to nursing students aiming for overseas employment. He highlighted the high global demand for nurses, particularly in these countries, during an interaction with students in Khammam. In a separate development, the CM also chaired a Civil Military Liaison Conference to resolve pending land and Sainik School issues with the Army. These initiatives reflect the state's dual focus on enhancing human resource development and strengthening national security cooperation.

CM Revanth Reddy announces Japanese, Korean, German training for Telangana nursing students to boost overseas employment opportunities.

Khammam, January 18 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy emphasised the importance of foreign language skills for students to compete in a globalised world and announced that the state government will develop facilities to teach Japanese, Korean and German languages to nursing students aspiring for overseas employment.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), interacting with students of a nursing college in Khammam on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that there is a high demand for nurses in countries such as Japan, South Korea and Germany. He said the state government would provide dedicated teaching facilities in Japanese, German and Korean to help nursing students access global job opportunities.

CM Reddy said that during his recent foreign visit, many people praised the services of Indian nurses, particularly those from Telangana. He added that students from Yedulapuram nursing colleges would also be included under the proposed foreign language training initiative.

Highlighting the government's focus on healthcare and education, Revanth Reddy said doctors are next to God and expressed confidence that nurses from Telangana would further enhance the state's prestige worldwide through their professional excellence.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also held a "Civil Military Liaison Conference" on Thursday in Hyderabad to discuss issues related to coordination between the state government and the armed forces.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy has requested Army officials to appoint special officers to resolve pending issues, mainly related to land allotment and the sanction of Sainik Schools, through continuous deliberations.

"Stating that the state government is ready to extend all kinds of cooperation to the Army to strengthen the national security, the CM said the government already allocated 3,000 acres to establish a low-frequency Navy radar station in Vikarabad. Further, the Chief Minister stressed that the pending issues should be resolved through continuous deliberations and requested to appoint special officers," the CMO said.

The conference focused on strengthening cooperation between civil administration and defence establishments in Telangana, particularly in addressing long-pending matters through structured engagement and coordination.

Officials said the Chief Minister reiterated the state's commitment to supporting defence infrastructure and national security-related projects, while also ensuring that administrative bottlenecks are addressed in a time-bound manner.

The dual announcements on enhancing global employment prospects for nursing students through foreign language training and on deepening civil-military coordination reflect the Telangana government's broader focus on human resource development, healthcare, education, and national security cooperation, officials added.

- ANI
SEOUL, Jan 18 (Reuters) - South Korea will seek favourable terms for U.S. tariffs on imports of memory chips, a presidential office spokesperson said at a televised briefing on Sunday.

The country last year released a joint fact sheet on its trade deal with the U.S. that included terms ensuring South Korea will not receive unfavourable treatment from U.S. tariffs on imported chips compared to key competitors, the official said, when asked about the Trump administration's proclamation imposing tariffs on artificial intelligence chips.

More from Yahoo Scout What tariffs is South Korea seeking favorable treatment for? How will U.S. AI chip tariffs impact Korean companies? Which Korean companies are major memory chip producers? What trade deal protections does South Korea have?

On Saturday, South Korea's trade minister said U.S. tariffs on some advanced computing chips would have a limited impact on South Korean companies.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are among the world's biggest memory chip producers.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Editing by Jamie Freed)
BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana dismissed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's allegations of irregularities in the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Khatana asserted that India's electorate has evolved and now votes with a clear understanding of leadership, rendering old political slogans ineffective. Thackeray had questioned the polls' credibility, citing missing voter names and irregularities in counting, which he claimed could undermine public trust. The elections resulted in a decisive victory for the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.

BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana responds to Uddhav Thackeray's BMC election allegations, stating today's voter is aware and votes for leadership, not old slogans.

New Delhi, January 18 BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Sunday dismissed allegations raised by Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, asserting that India's electorate has evolved and now votes with a clear understanding of leadership and governance.

Reacting to Thackeray's claims of irregularities, Khatana said, "In today's India, from Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections to the three-tier corporation system, today's voter is aware. Today's voter is casting their vote keeping the Prime Minister and Chief Minister in mind; old slogans no longer work."

His remarks came after Thackeray questioned the credibility of the January 15 BMC elections, alleging missing names on voter lists, irregularities in counting, and misuse of power by the ruling alliance. Addressing a press conference, the UBT chief described the polls as "strange" and claimed that his opponents were fighting a desperate battle, allegedly resorting to cash distribution, coercion of candidates and forced withdrawals to ensure victory.

Thackeray further questioned the early visibility of numbers on television channels even before counting was completed, casting doubts on exit polls and the overall electoral process. "I have received several complaints from voters that their names were missing from the voter list. At various locations, the results are surprising," he said, adding that such practices could undermine public trust in elections.

The BMC elections, however, resulted in a decisive win for the ruling Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP and the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. According to official data released by the State Election Commission and the BMC, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 89 seats with 11,79,273 votes. Among all winning candidates, the BJP's vote share stood at 45.22 per cent.

Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), secured 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, translating into a 5.00 per cent vote share. Together, the alliance formed the largest bloc in the civic body.

On the opposition side, the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), won 65 seats. The UBT polled 7,17,736 votes, or 13.13 per cent, while the MNS added six seats with 74,946 votes, accounting for 1.37 per cent of the vote share.

- ANI
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is undertaking an official visit to India, marking his third visit since assuming the presidency. The visit aims to build on recent high-level exchanges and chart new frontiers for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Key discussion areas include bolstering bilateral trade, investments, energy collaboration, and regional security. The leaders are also expected to review progress under agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits India to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, energy, and regional issues.

New Delhi, Jan 18 United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India for an official visit on Monday. This will be Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's third visit to India since assuming office as UAE President and his fifth visit to India over the past 10 years.

According to the statement released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), UAE President's visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September 2024, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE and the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in April 2025.

In a statement, MEA stated, "India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. The two countries are among each other's top trading and investment partners, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements."

"The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence," it added.

In December last year, External Affairs Minister (EAM ) S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi.

The two leaders reviewed all aspects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, as well as identified key priorities for the future.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "In today's world, deeper India-UAE cooperation advances shared interests and contributes to regional and global stability."

During the meeting, the EAM highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade, investments, fintech and digital connectivity following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).

He also underlined the vast potential in connectivity and logistics, both bilaterally and through initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

EAM Jaishankar underscored the expansion of energy collaboration, with a particular focus on civil nuclear cooperation, strengthening educational ties and cultural exchanges, and consolidating defence and security cooperation.

In July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations during a phone call, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates.

"They positively assessed the remarkable progress made across various sectors of bilateral cooperation and laid emphasis on further developing and deepening collaboration for the shared benefit of the peoples of both countries," said a statement issued by the MEA.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister in India's history, and wished him continued success in his service to the nation.

PM Modi thanked the UAE leader for his gracious wishes and the affection he expressed for the people of India.

"The two sides also addressed ways to bolster ties to serve mutual interests while fostering sustainable development and prosperity for their peoples. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and PM Modi affirmed their keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities to achieve further prosperity for their peoples," said the UAE President's office after the phone call.

- IANS
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on January 19 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his third official visit to India since becoming President, continuing a series of high-level exchanges between the two nations. The leaders are expected to advance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, investment, and energy cooperation. They will also discuss regional and global issues where both countries share significant convergence.

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed visits India Jan 19 for talks with PM Modi on trade, energy, and regional issues to strengthen strategic partnership.

New Delhi, January 18 At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, will pay an official visit to India on January 19, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

This will be Nahyan's third official visit to India since assuming office as President of the UAE, and his fifth visit to India over the past decade.

The visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in September 2024, and the visit of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai in April 2025.

India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. The two countries are among each other's top trading and investment partners, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements.

The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence, the statement added.

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1972. While the UAE opened its Embassy in India in 1972, the Indian Embassy in UAE was opened in 1973.

India and the UAE enjoy strong cooperation at the United Nations. Both countries are also currently part of several plurilateral platforms such as BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAEUSA) and UFI (UAE-France-India) Trilateral, etc. UAE was invited as a Guest Country to the G20 Summit held under India's Presidency.

- ANI
The UAE has welcomed the launch of the second phase of a comprehensive peace plan and the formal establishment of a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. Minister of State Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy commended the efforts of international partners, including the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, in supporting the process. She expressed pride in the UAE's appointment to the Gaza Executive Board, seeing it as recognition of the country's leading role. The minister emphasized that achieving lasting peace requires international cooperation and effective governance to ensure Palestinian rights and regional stability.

UAE Minister welcomes launch of Gaza peace plan's second phase and new administrative committee, praising international efforts for regional stability.

Abu Dhabi, January 18 Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, has welcomed the announcement of the launch of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan, as well as the formal establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a temporary transitional body established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Al Hashimy further welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump of the 'Board of Peace' as an important framework supporting efforts to consolidate stability and advance the political process. In this context, she commended the leadership efforts of President Trump, as well as steadfast endeavours undertaken by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkiye, in supporting the peace process and strengthening prospects for security and stability in the region.

Al Hashimy expressed her pride in being appointed to the Gaza Executive Board, affirming that the appointment reflects the international community's confidence in the UAE's leading role and its steadfast approach to supporting peace and transforming challenges into meaningful opportunities for the people of Gaza, and for the peoples of the region as a whole.

The minister added: "The UAE believes that achieving lasting peace requires the concerted efforts of the international community and effective governance of the Gaza Strip in a way that ensures the legitimate rights and aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people, contributes to stability, and supports the peace process toward a more secure and prosperous future for the region."

She emphasised the importance of building on the progress achieved under the Gaza peace plan, and of working diligently to reestablish a comprehensive political process that leads to a two-state solution and a just and lasting settlement.

- ANI
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun to discuss water resource management. The discussions centered on adapting strategies to the state's mountainous geography and sensitive water sources. CM Dhami highlighted efforts under the Jal Jeevan Mission and other central schemes to ensure clean drinking water for all households. The Union Minister appreciated the state's implementation and affirmed the Centre's continued support for Uttarakhand's water security and conservation projects.

Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami discuss Jal Jeevan Mission, water conservation, and sustainable management in Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, January 18 Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, on Saturday paid a courtesy call on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Chief Minister's residence in Dehradun.

During the meeting, a positive and meaningful discussion was held on several important issues related to water resources management, drinking water schemes, irrigation, availability of clean water, and water conservation in accordance with the geographical conditions of Uttarakhand, as per an official statement.

Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the state's mountainous terrain and the sensitivity of its water sources, stressing the need for sustainable and region-specific water management strategies.

He said that Uttarakhand is not only the origin of many major rivers of the country, but through the effective implementation of the "Jal Jeevan Mission" and other central schemes, the state government is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household.

The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that, with the support of the Central Government, the state is giving priority to drinking water supply, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and irrigation projects. He added that special attention is being paid to the rejuvenation of water sources and the preservation of traditional water structures in hilly areas so as to ensure water security for future generations, the statement

Choudhary appreciated the effective implementation of various schemes of the Ministry of Jal Shakti in Uttarakhand. He said that keeping in view the special needs of a Himalayan state like Uttarakhand, the Central Government is extending all possible support.

He also praised the efforts of the state government in schemes related to the Jal Jeevan Mission, Namami Gange, water conservation, and sanitation.

The Chief Minister and the Union Minister also discussed future water projects in the state, strengthening Centre-State coordination, and the sustainable use of water resources.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami also expressed confidence that with the support of the Central Government, Uttarakhand will emerge as a model state in the field of water management.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath digitally transferred 2,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of 2 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban. He stated that over 60 lakh families in the state have now benefited from the housing scheme, with this latest addition bringing the total to 62 lakh. The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for enabling housing facilities for the needy on such a scale post-independence. He also linked the state's progress to improved cleanliness and the removal of mafia elements.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath disbursed 2,000 crore to 2 lakh families under PMAY-Urban, praising PM Modi's vision for housing welfare.

Lucknow, Jan 18 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday transferred Rs 2,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of 2 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban -- a flagship scheme of the Central government to assist lower-income families in building a house of their own.

Attending an event in Lucknow for the disbursal of funds under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the Chief Minister facilitated it by clicking the digital button and also congratulated all the families who received the first instalment of PMAY on Sunday.

"More than 2 lakh families in Uttar Pradesh are being benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban 2.0). When people made cleanliness a part of their lives, many types of diseases disappeared automatically. The government removed the mafia, you removed the filth. Uttar Pradesh is now progressing rapidly -- this is the foundation of change," CM Yogi told the gathering.

According to state government data, about 2,09,421 families got direct government assistance under the PMAY (Urban 2.0), enabling them to build a home of their own.

The Chief Minister, reiterating his administration's focus on empowering the marginalised sections, said that when good governments come to power, they empower people with facilities through good thinking.

"For the first time, street vendors are also benefiting from the PM SVANidhi scheme. Housing facilities are being ensured for every needy person," he stated.

He remarked that 'roti, kapda aur makaan' have remained perennial troubling issues for decades and it was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge that these three facilities became available to the common people through welfare schemes.

He further stated that more than 60 lakh families have benefited from the PMAY scheme alone in Uttar Pradesh, and today more than 2 lakh families are being brought under this ambit of social welfare policy.

"In the past nearly nine years, we have provided the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to more than 60 lakh beneficiaries in the rural and urban areas of Uttar Pradesh, and today 2 lakh more people are being added to it. Now this number has reached 62 lakh," he said.

"For the first time after independence, 62 lakh beneficiaries are receiving the benefit of housing facilities, and the credit for this goes to PM Modi's vision and leadership," he added.

- IANS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed devotees and extended greetings for Mauni Amavasya, praying for new energy and resolve. Security has been significantly boosted at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj to manage the massive influx of pilgrims. Police officials reported that despite dense fog, a large and continuous stream of devotees arrived for the sacred bath. Authorities stated that approximately 50 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip within a specific overnight period.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath extends Mauni Amavasya wishes as lakhs take a holy dip at Sangam in Prayagraj amid enhanced security.

New Delhi, January 18 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday extended greetings on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, wishing "new energy, enthusiasm, and resolve."

In a post on X, the Chief Minister extended a welcome to the devotees who arrived at Sangam for the holy dip on the occasion.

"On the sacred occasion of the great festival of faith, Mauni Amavasya, a heartfelt welcome to all the revered Akharas, Dharmacharyas, saints, sadhaks, kalpavasis, and devotees who have graced the holy Sangam for the sacred bath," he wrote in the post.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister wished positivity and determination to all.

"By the grace of Mother Ganga, the bestower of liberation, and Lord Surya, may all the heartfelt wishes of everyone be fulfilled, may new energy, new enthusiasm, and new resolve awaken in life--this is my prayer....Har Har Gange!" he added.

Security arrangements have been boosted at the Sangam Ghat as a large number of devotees arrive to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya.

On the auspicious occasion, the police assured a heavy police deployment.

Speaking to ANI, Police Commissioner of Prayagraj, Jogendra Kumar, stated that despite thick fog in the region, a large number of devotees from several regions are continuously arriving for the dip.

He said, "...Proper security arrangements have been made...Devotees are coming in large numbers to take a holy dip. There is thick fog since midnight, despite that we are witnessing heavy footfall."

Additionally, the Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj Division, Saumya Agarwal, said that appropriate arrangements have been made to ensure the safety and sanctity of the occasion.

"Proper arrangements have been made, and all the officials are present at the spot...," she told ANI.

The police also informed that nearly 50 lakh devotees have taken the holy dip till 4 AM on Sunday since Saturday, 6 PM.

- ANI
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has revised school timings for all classes to 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting January 19, 2026, due to dense fog and severe cold. The order applies to all government, private, and board-affiliated schools in the district. This decision coincides with the CAQM reinvoking Stage-IV GRAP measures across the NCR to combat severe air quality. The IMD reported persistent dense fog and minimum temperatures between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, well below normal.

Gautam Buddh Nagar orders all schools to operate from 10 AM to 3 PM due to severe cold and dense fog. IMD reports low temperatures, CAQM invokes GRAP Stage-IV.

Gautam Buddh Nagar, January 18 In view of dense fog and severe cold conditions prevailing across Gautam Buddh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, the district administration has revised school timings for all classes, officials said on Sunday.

The order, issued in compliance with the directions of the District Magistrate, stated that, from January 19, 2026, until further orders, all classes will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

"In compliance with the instructions given by the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and in view of the dense fog and extreme cold, all classes in all schools operating in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, including government, private, and all schools affiliated with various boards (CBSE, ICSE, IB, UP Board, and others), will be conducted from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, effective January 19, 2026, until further orders. These orders must be strictly followed," the order read.

The move comes amid persistent cold wave conditions and reduced visibility due to dense fog in the region, which has prompted district authorities to take precautionary measures, particularly for young children.

Meanwhile, visibility across the National Capital remained poor as cold wave conditions continued and dense fog covered large parts of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that dense fog persisted in the morning hours, with moderate fog observed at several locations and dense fog at isolated spots. Minimum temperatures on Sunday hovered between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, remaining below normal by 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, in response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reinvoked Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP - 'Severe+' Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, as a proactive measure. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of the extant GRAP already in force in NCR," the order from the CAQM read.

The order further added, "NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned have been asked to escalate the preventive measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region."

With severe pollution, a cold wave, and dense fog persisting, authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor activities, follow health advisories, and take precautions against hazardous air quality.

- ANI
Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, directly appealed to the people of Ukraine to remain strong in defending their culture and freedom. He analyzed the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting it has shattered European stability and caused severe humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Sikorski criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's miscalculations and warned that Russia's growing economic dependence on China is against its long-term interests. He emphasized that European nations, including Poland, must enhance their own defence capabilities and become more self-reliant, even as they continue supporting Ukraine.

Poland's Deputy PM Radoslaw Sikorski, at Jaipur Lit Fest, urges Ukraine to stay strong, critiques Putin's war strategy, Russia-China ties, and calls for European defence self-reliance.

Jaipur, January 18 Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who is currently visiting India on Sunday, urged the people of Ukraine to "remain strong" and "keep protecting their culture and freedom."

Addressing a session titled "A Continent in Crisis: Russia, Ukraine and Europe" at the Jaipur Literature Festival the Polish minister said "I plead to the people of Ukraine to remain strong and keep protecting their culture and freedom."

Sikrosi and renowned author Anne Applebaum attended the Jaipur Literature Festival as distinguished guests.

The session at the festival, "Radoslaw Sikorski in Conversation with Navtej Sarna," focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, European security, the role of NATO, and evolving global geopolitics.

Addressing the audience, Radoslaw Sikorski said the Russia-Ukraine war has shaken the stability of the entire European continent. He highlighted the severe humanitarian and economic losses suffered by Ukraine, noting that thousands of people have been killed, cities destroyed, and civilians forced to survive in harsh winter conditions of minus 20 degrees Celsius without electricity and basic amenities

Questioning Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy, Sikorski said Putin had initially viewed the conflict as a three-day "special operation," but it has turned into a prolonged war lasting years, resulting in heavy military and economic losses for Russia. He added that Russia is spending billions of dollars annually on its military and losing a large number of soldiers, as per a official statement on the session.

On growing Russia-China ties, Sikorski said that increasing closeness with China is not in Russia's long-term interest. He said Russia is becoming economically dependent on China and spending its national wealth on Chinese products, a trend that could weaken the country over time.

Speaking on NATO and European security, Sikorski emphasized that European nations must now strengthen their own defense capabilities. Countries including Poland have increased their defense budgets and extended military assistance to Ukraine. He noted that Poland was among the early nations to provide fighter jets and other military equipment to Ukraine.

Referring to US President Donald Trump, Sikorski said that while US-Europe relations have seen fluctuations, Europe must now become more self-reliant in ensuring its own security.

On the issue of Ukrainian refugees, he said millions of Ukrainian citizens have sought refuge in Poland, placing pressure on the country's economy and social infrastructure, but Poland has extended full support on humanitarian grounds.

Sikorski also recalled that Ukraine had once given up the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees, yet today its territorial integrity has been violated, raising serious questions about international trust and security assurances.

The session also featured discussions on the European Union's common defence policy, hybrid warfare, drone and cyber-attacks, China's role, and the future of global politics.

The JLF was attended by a large number of literature enthusiasts, intellectuals, and diplomats from India and abroad.

- ANI
The European Union has paused the ratification of a major bilateral trade deal with the United States announced in July 2025. This decision follows President Donald Trump's threat to impose escalating tariffs on several European nations unless they agree to sell Greenland to the US, which he frames as a national security necessity. In response, European countries like Germany and Denmark are increasing their military presence in Greenland, rejecting the sale and asserting the territory's right to self-determination. The escalating situation has raised serious concerns about the potential destabilization of NATO and transatlantic relations.

EU halts ratification of a major trade deal after President Trump threatens tariffs on European nations to force a sale of Greenland, citing security.

Brussels, January 18 Following US President Donald Trump's warning to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries over the sale of Greenland, the European Union has called for a pause to the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal announced back in July 2025.

Vice-President of the European People's Party, Siegfried Muresan, in a post on X, confirmed the pause in the ratification process, stating, "We were supposed to ratify the EU-US trade deal from last July very soon, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%. However, in light of recent developments, this ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context."

The deal announced in July 2025, between the US and the EU, comprising 27 member states, unveiled a bilateral framework agreement aimed at resolving various tariff and trade issues.

However, Trump's recent post on Truth Social has cast doubt on the future of the agreement.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.

In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.

He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026 if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.

"Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted.

Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns.

Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination.

Muresan, in a follow-up post, added that Trump's latest announcement undermines the "stability" which was the sole benefit expected from last year's trade deal.

He further stated that this was the reason why delaying the ratification of the trade deal is warranted.

"STABILITY would have been the only gain from last year's trade deal between the US and the European Union. Today's announcement by President Trump to eventually impose new tariffs on several EU member states takes away that stability. This is why the postponement of the ratification of that trade deal is justified," Muresan added.

Meanwhile, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland, with Denmark increasing its own military presence amid Trump's call for acquiring the Arctic island.

The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise.

- ANI
March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26) on Friday closed up +0.39 (+2.68%). March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26) closed up +10.20 (+2.44%).

Sugar prices settled sharply higher on Friday amid fund short covering ahead of a three-day weekend in the US, with markets closed on Monday for the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

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On Thursday, NY sugar tumbled to a 1-month low, and London sugar dropped to a 2-month low. Strength in India's sugar production is undercutting prices after the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd., a sugar producers group in India, reported Thursday that the country's 2025-26 sugar output climbed to 15.9 MMT from Oct 1-Jan 15, up +21% y/y.

Higher sugar production in Brazil is also bearish for prices after Unica reported Tuesday that Brazil's cumulative 2025-26 Center-South sugar output through mid-December rose by +0.9% y/y to 40.158 MMT. Also, the ratio of cane crushed for sugar rose to 50.91% in 2025/36 from 48.19% in 2024/25.

An excessively long position in London ICE white sugar futures could exacerbate any price decline. Friday's weekly Commitment of Traders (COT) report showed funds boosted their white sugar positions by 4,544 net long positions to a record 48,203 (data from 2011).

The outlook for a global sugar surplus is weighing on prices. On Monday, Covrig Analytics raised its 2025/26 global sugar surplus estimate to 4.7 MMT from 4.1 MMT in October. However, Covrig projects that the 2026/27 global sugar surplus will fall to 1.4 MMT, as weak prices discourage production.

The outlook for smaller future sugar supplies from Brazil is a supportive factor for prices. Consulting firm Safras & Mercado said on December 23 that Brazil's sugar production in 2026/27 will fall by -3.91% to 41.8 MMT from 43.5 MMT expected in 2025/26. The firm expects Brazil's sugar exports in 2026/27 to fall by -11% y/y to 30 MMT.

Signs of stronger sugar output in India are negative for prices. The India Sugar Mill Association (ISMA) on November 11 raised its 2025/26 India sugar production estimate to 31 MMT from an earlier forecast of 30 MMT, up +18.8% y/y. The ISMA also cut its estimate for sugar used for ethanol production in India to 3.4 MMT from a July forecast of 5 MMT, which may allow India to boost its sugar exports. India is the world's second-largest sugar producer.
US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation for India to participate in the newly formed Gaza Board of Peace. The White House has announced the board's composition, which includes prominent international figures like former UK PM Tony Blair and World Bank President Ajay Banga. The board is part of Trump's 20-point roadmap aimed at Gaza's stabilization, reconstruction, and long-term governance. The plan also establishes a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and an International Stabilisation Force to oversee security and humanitarian operations.

US President Donald Trump invites India to the Gaza Board of Peace. White House unveils members including Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and Ajay Banga.

New Delhi, January 18 US President Donald Trump has invited India to be a part of the Gaza Board of Peace, according to sources.

The invitation comes as the US administration moves forward with formalising the "Board of Peace" structure linked to Trump's broader Gaza roadmap. On Friday, the White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.

The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement.

The list also includes Apollo Global Management's CEO, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.

Explaining the roles and responsibilities under the initiative, the White House said, "Executive Board members will oversee defined portfolios critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation.

"With Trump serving as the Chairman of the Board of Peace, he has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors, tasked with leading day-to-day strategy and operations, and translating the Board's mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution.

As part of the administrative mechanism under the plan, Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

Describing the NCAG as a key component of phase two, the White House said it is a vital step forward in implementing Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict -- a 20-point roadmap for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.

The White House statement said the NCAG will be led by Ali Sha'ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilisation of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance.

Alongside governance and reconstruction planning, the statement also outlined security arrangements to establish stability. Additionally, to establish security, preserve peace, and create a durable terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarisation, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, the White House said.

The announcement also named members of the Gaza Executive Board, with Blair, Kushner and Witkoff also listed, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others.

- ANI
Ambush killed two US soldiers and an interpreter

The United States military conducted a strike in northwest Syria, killing senior Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader Bilal Hasan al-Jasim. CENTCOM stated al-Jasim had direct links to the ISIS operative responsible for a December ambush in Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and an interpreter. The operation is part of the larger "Hawkeye Strike" campaign launched in response to that attack, targeting ISIS infrastructure across Syria. US officials emphasized their resolve to pursue terrorists who threaten American forces and citizens.

US military kills senior Al-Qaeda affiliate Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, directly linked to ISIS ambush that killed two US soldiers and an interpreter in Syria.

Florida, January 18 The United States military killed a senior Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader with direct links to the ISIS ambush that targeted American soldiers in Syria in December in a strike carried out in the country's northwest region.

In a statement issued by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US forces conducted the strike on January 16, resulting in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an experienced terrorist leader with direct links to an ISIS operative responsible for a deadly ambush on US personnel, which led to the death of two American soldiers and an interpreter.

The December 13 ambush in Palmyra, Syria, killed two US service members and an American interpreter while also injuring American and Syrian personnel.

CENTCOM said al-Jasim was directly connected to the ISIS gunman involved in that attack and had played a role in plotting terrorist operations.

"The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces," CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.

"There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you," he added.

Following the December ambush, CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes across Syria under an operation dubbed Hawkeye Strike.

As part of the operation, US and partner forces targeted more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites, employing over 200 precision-guided munitions, as per the statement issued.

CENTCOM further stated that over the past year, US and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 others across Syria, removing individuals who posed a direct threat to US forces and regional security.

This comes weeks after the CENTCOM forces, along with partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria as a part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.

CENTCOM mentioned that the strikes targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of its ongoing commitment "to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region. U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States."

Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on December 19, 2025, at the direction of US President Donald Trump, in direct response to the ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13, 2025, which CENTCOM said was carried out by an ISIS terrorist.

The soldiers were identified as 25-year-old Sgt Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Des Moines, Iowa, and 29-year-old Sgt William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa, both members of the Iowa National Guard.

They were part of roughly 1,800 troops deployed in the Middle East earlier this year as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US mission to defeat ISIS.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh is set to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos to position itself as a prime destination for industrial investment and sustainable development. The state's delegation is being led by Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna and coordinated by the agency Invest UP. The Davos meeting, convening under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," aims to address global geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and technological change. The event will see record participation from global political and business leaders seeking collaborative solutions.

Uttar Pradesh delegation, led by Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, to present state as emerging industrial hub at World Economic Forum in Davos.

Lucknow, January 18 Uttar Pradesh is set to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, being held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23.

The state will leverage this global platform to engage with international investors, policymakers and industry leaders, while presenting itself as a rapidly emerging destination for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development, said Invest UP, the investment promotion and facilitation agency of government of Uttar Pradesh, in a post on X.

"The high-level delegation, led by Hon'ble Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Shri Suresh Kumar Khanna and coordinated by Invest UP, showcases Uttar Pradesh's strong commitment to global partnerships and long-term economic growth," the post read.

Various other Indian states, including Maharashtra, Assam, and Kerala, are also marking their presence at the annual Davos event.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) will convene its 56th Annual Meeting in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty and rapid technological transformation.

Held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," Davos 2026 seeks to provide an impartial platform for global leaders from government, business and civil society to reconnect, rebuild trust and explore collaborative solutions to challenges that increasingly transcend borders.

This year's programme is shaped by ongoing geopolitical realignments, slowing global growth, trade frictions and accelerating technological change. Across sessions on geopolitics, growth and global governance, participants will explore how cooperation can be renewed amid contested norms, strained alliances and eroding trust.

The Annual Meeting is expected to see record levels of government participation, with around 400 top political leaders, including nearly 65 heads of state and government and six leaders from the G7, taking part.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Family at Shantikunj in Haridwar. He welcomed over 40,000 devotees arriving from across India and the world for the event. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the organization's global role in spreading Indian civilisational values. The week-long celebrations include a flag-hoisting ceremony, a university convocation, and addresses by several senior national leaders.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami welcomes 40,000+ devotees to Gayatri Family's 100-year celebrations in Haridwar, with Union Ministers in attendance.

Haridwar, January 18 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday welcomed devotees and members of the Gayatri Family from across the country and beyond, as he graced the centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Family at Shantikunj, Haridwar.

"Today is the birth centenary of the revered Mata Ji, and it is also the day marking the completion of 100 years of Gurudev's penance and spiritual practice. More than 40,000 devotees and members of the Gayatri Family are arriving here from the country and around the world. I welcome everyone..." CM Dhami said.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was also present at the event, emphasised Gayatri Family's role in spreading India's civilisation and cultural consciousness on a global scale.

"On this sacred day of Mauni Amavasya, we have all gathered here on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the revered Mata Ji. The Gayatri Family, based on the consciousness ignited by Gurudev and the organisational mantra given by him, has worked not only in India but across the entire world to expand India's civilisational consciousness rooted in India's civilisation and cultural values," he said.

Earlier today, CM Dhami participated in the 'Dhwaj Vandan Ceremony' organised by Dev Sanskriti University at Shantikunj, Haridwar, on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations-2026.

On Wednesday, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, in Uttarakhand, Dr Chinmay Pandya, outlined the schedule and scale of the centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Pariwar.

"On January 18, the first program is the flag hoisting ceremony," Chinmay Pandya told ANI, adding, "On the day of the flag hoisting ceremony, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, central ministers, and many distinguished personalities from various fields, including writers and educationists, will be present."

He said spiritual leaders and volunteers will also participate in large numbers. "Spiritual saints will also be there, along with thousands of Gayatri Family workers," he stated.

Pandya said the celebrations will focus on national development and education. "The programme begins with the flag-hoisting ceremony and a pledge to contribute to nation-building," he added.

Outlining the subsequent events, he said, "The following day, there will be the seventh convocation ceremony of Dev Sanskriti University and also the tribal conference."

He further said several senior Union leaders are scheduled to attend. "The Home Minister is arriving; the Defence Minister, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, the Governor of Uttarakhand, and several Union Ministers, such as Shivraj Singh, JP Nadda, and many other Union Ministers, are arriving here," Pandya said.

- ANI
Uttarakhand has been recognized as a "Leader" in the latest States' Startup Ecosystem Ranking released by the DPIIT. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated the achievement stems from supportive government policies and the innovative potential of the state's youth. Separately, the state cabinet approved a phased implementation of "equal pay for equal work" for certain personnel. This decision, chaired by CM Dhami, will first benefit those with ten years of continuous service.

Uttarakhand recognized as a "Leader" in India's state startup rankings. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami credits supportive policies and youth innovation for the national achievement.

Dehradun, January 18 Uttarakhand has been recognised as a "Leader" in building a strong startup ecosystem in the States' Startup Ecosystem Ranking released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the release said.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), on the occasion of National Startup Day, the Industries Department of the Uttarakhand Government was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for this achievement.

This honour reflects Uttarakhand's success in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and self-employment among youth through its startup policies, an effort that is now being acknowledged at the national level. Uttarakhand's achievement is also being viewed as a model for other states across the country.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this recognition is a matter of pride for Uttarakhand. "Our government has developed supportive policies, simplified procedures, and a robust ecosystem to promote startups. The youth of the state possess remarkable innovative potential, and the government is providing them support at every level. This achievement is the result of the collective efforts of all entrepreneurs, startups, and officials of the state."

Earlier this week, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved a proposal to extend, in a phased manner, the benefits of "equal pay for equal work" to personnel sponsored by the Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL).

The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. In the first phase, UPNL personnel who have completed 10 years of continuous service will be granted salary-related benefits.

The Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Ministerial Sub-Committee in its meeting held on December 8, 2025. The committee was constituted in compliance with the order passed by the Uttarakhand High Court on November 12, 2018, in Public Interest Litigation.

In view of the State's financial condition, the Cabinet decided to implement the policy in a phased manner. Accordingly, salary-related benefits will initially be extended to UPNL-sponsored personnel who have completed a decade of continuous service.

- ANI
Engage with firms like Maersk and Sumitomo

A high-level Gujarat government delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is set for a major push at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The delegation aims to hold over 50 meetings with global leaders and investors across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, renewable energy, and other key sectors. These engagements are designed to attract transformative investments and build international partnerships for the state. The participation underscores Gujarat's ambition to position itself as a crucial player in global economic chains.

Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi to lead state delegation at WEF Davos, holding 50+ meetings to attract global investment across key sectors.

Gandhinagar, Jan 18 As India preps up for its power-packed representation at the upcoming World Economic Forum, a high-level delegation of the Gujarat government led by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is set to make its presence felt at the five-day-long Summit, widely perceived as the gathering of global elites.

The WEF Annual Meeting is set to get underway from January 19 to 23 at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The 56th edition of the WEF meet will see world leaders, senior diplomats and industry experts, think tanks and social entrepreneurs descending to the snow-clad town to deliberate on global issues, including climate change, seeking workable solutions.

Gujarat's participation in the WEF Summit will reflect its bold, future-ready approach towards international collaboration and accelerated economic transformation.

At the WEF 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will hold more than 50 high-level meetings with global leaders and investors across key sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Textiles, Semiconductors, Emerging Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Food Processing, Chemicals, Shipping and Logistics, Electronics, and Aerospace.

Proposed interactions include leading global companies such as AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, Tillman Global, and others.

Through these engagements, the Deputy CM will seek to strengthen the state's industrial ecosystem, enable technology and innovation partnerships, attract global investments and build long-term international institutional linkages.

With the message 'Gujarat - Ready for the World, where vision meets action', the state's participation at WEF 2026 underscores its ambition to emerge as a key partner in global value chains.

"The state government remains firmly committed to accelerating industrial development, fostering innovation-led growth, attracting transformative investments, building a resilient and future-ready economy," said a government statement.

Gujarat's presence at WEF 2026 marks not just participation, but leadership in shaping the global growth narrative, it added.

- IANS
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose arrived in Hooghly, with tight security at Bandel station, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public rally in Singur. PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation for central government projects worth approximately Rs 830 crore, many related to Indian Railways. The rally will be held at the site of the abandoned Tata Nano plant, a location steeped in political symbolism from the 2008 land acquisition protests. The event is expected to revisit the project's relocation to Gujarat under then-Chief Minister Modi while focusing on current development and infrastructure themes.

West Bengal Governor arrives in Hooghly ahead of PM Modi's rally at the former Nano plant site. Modi to inaugurate projects worth Rs 830 crore.

New Delhi, Jan 18 West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose arrived at Bandel railway station on Sunday after travelling from Malda on the Intercity Express, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled public rally in Singur, Hooghly district.

The Governor's visit is part of preparations related to the Prime Minister's official engagements in the state.

Strict security arrangements were put in place at Bandel station from early morning. Railway officials, along with the district administration and security agencies, deployed additional personnel to ensure smooth movement and safety during the Governor's arrival. After reaching Bandel station, Governor Bose proceeded to the District Magistrate's Circuit House in Hooghly.

Speaking briefly to the media upon arrival, the Governor said, "I came for the functions of the Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a major public rally at Singur later in the day. Before the rally, the Prime Minister will also attend an organisational programme, where he will virtually inaugurate and dedicate several central government projects in West Bengal. Most of these projects are related to the Indian Railways, highlighting the Centre's focus on strengthening railway infrastructure in the state.

According to official sources, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth approximately Rs 830 crore at a government event. Following this, he will address a public meeting from the site of the abandoned Tata Nano plant in Singur.

The choice of Singur as the venue holds strong political and symbolic significance. The area is closely associated with the exit of Tata Motors' Nano project in 2008, following a prolonged and violent agitation against land acquisition. At that time, the Trinamool Congress, then in opposition and led by current West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, spearheaded the movement.

After the then Tata Group chairman, late Ratan Tata, announced the withdrawal of the Nano project from Singur on October 3, 2008, the project was relocated to Sanand in Gujarat. Notably, Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time and played a key role in facilitating the project's relocation.

The Prime Minister's rally in Singur is expected to revisit these developments while focusing on development, infrastructure, and industrial growth.

- IANS
The Trinamool Congress secured a clean sweep, winning all 12 seats in the Amdabad Cooperative Agricultural Development Committee elections in Nandigram Block-II. This marks a significant rebound for the party after it failed to win any seats in a similar cooperative poll in the same area earlier this month. The victory is attributed to the party's Sebaashray health initiative, launched by Abhishek Banerjee, which has gained community trust. The results intensify the political battleground in Nandigram, a key constituency, as major leaders campaign ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.

TMC wins all 12 seats in Amdabad cooperative polls, a rebound after recent defeat, as political heat rises ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections.

By Sourav Tewari, Nandigram, January 18 Trinamool Congress on Sunday swept the Amdabad Samabay Krishi Unnoyan Samiti or the Cooperative Agricultural Development Committee elections in Nandigram Block II, West Bengal.

The TMC won all 12 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left could not open their accounts.

The TMC's Sebaashray initiative turned out to be a masterstroke, helping the party sweep the polls after a heavy defeat in the Nandigram Cooperative Agricultural Development Committee elections earlier this month.

Medical camps are organised under the Sebaashray initiative launched by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in January last year.

"Sebaashray is fast becoming a trusted lifeline for the health and well-being of the people of Nandigram. The steady stream of people at the Sebaashray camp reflects not just need, but deep faith in a system that brings care, dignity, and timely treatment directly to the community," TMC wrote on X today.

Nandigram is a crucial Assembly seat, where in 2021, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of 1,956 votes. The cooperative election results become crucial ahead of the Legislative Assembly polls later this year in the state.

Earlier, on January 4, the BJP won all nine seats in the Nandigram Cooperative Agricultural Development Committee elections on Sunday, while the TMC did not win any. BJP workers celebrated after the party secured victory in the Nandigram Cooperative Polls.

Meanwhile, the politics in the state have heated up in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gave the clarion call for the West Bengal elections, attacking the Trinamool Congress and accusing the state government of failing to implement the Centre's welfare schemes. Even today, during the second day of his visit, he gave the slogan of "Paltano dorkar, chai BJP sorkar" (Change is Needed - We Want BJP Government).

On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, in a veiled attack on the BJP, urged the judiciary to protect the Constitution and democracy from a "disaster".

- ANI
A wildfire has been burning for nearly two days in a remote village in China's Yunnan Province, prompting a significant emergency response. Local authorities have mobilized 326 personnel from various departments to combat the blaze, which has affected an area of approximately 40 hectares. The challenging, cliff-adjacent terrain is complicating firefighting efforts, though no residential areas are threatened and no casualties have been reported. This incident follows other recent wildfires in Guangdong and Shanxi provinces, highlighting ongoing fire risks in the country.

A wildfire in remote Yunnan Province, China, has burned for nearly two days, mobilizing 326 rescuers. No casualties reported despite challenging terrain.

Beijing, Jan 18 A wildfire has been raging for nearly two days in a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province as of Sunday, with 326 people mobilised for rescue efforts, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at 4:51 p.m. on Friday in Jiasheng Village, under the jurisdiction of Nujiang Prefecture. The local government has organised 326 rescuers, including personnel from forestry, grassland, and firefighting departments, to combat the blaze.

No casualties have been reported so far, reports Xinhua news agency.

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the fire line spanned approximately 600 meters, with an affected area of about 600 mu (40 hectares).

The government said the site is remote, with no residential areas or critical infrastructure nearby, but added that the fire is adjacent to steep cliffs and rugged terrain, complicating containment efforts.

As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, firefighting operations were still ongoing.

Meanwhile, earlier on January 11, a sudden wildfire broke out in Queshi sub-district of Shantou City, south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities said.

No casualties were reported, as local forest fire prevention forces have been immediately mobilised to combat the flames.

Last year in April, a massive wildfire broke out in Pingyao County, north China's Shanxi Province.

More than 1,000 people have been mobilised to battle the wildfire, local authorities had said.

Eight firefighting aircraft were deployed, and they continuously worked to extinguish the blaze.

Eleven fire trucks and 65 firefighters were dispatched to ensure a water supply to the fire zone and to protect nearby villages.

Strong winds had made the operation particularly challenging. No injuries were reported.

- IANS
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead a high-level Gujarat delegation to the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. The delegation has scheduled over 58 meetings with global leaders and investors across sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Gujarat aims to showcase its Viksit Gujarat @2047 development blueprint and attract transformative investments. The state's participation underscores its ambition to become a key partner in global value chains and foster innovation-led growth.

Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi leads Gujarat's delegation to WEF 2026 for 58+ global meetings on investment, tech, and Viksit Gujarat vision.

Gandhinagar, January 18 Gujarat at World Economic Forum 2026 is taking the vision of Viksit Gujarat @2047 to the global stage, with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi to lead a high-level Gujarat delegation, according to a release.

A high-level delegation from the Government of Gujarat will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the release from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office said.

The WEF Annual Meeting will be held from January 19 to 23 at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The State's participation reflects Gujarat's bold, future-ready approach towards international collaboration and accelerated economic transformation.

At WEF 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will undertake an intensive programme of over 58 high-level meetings with global leaders and investors across key sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Textiles, Semiconductors, Emerging Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Food Processing, Chemicals, Shipping and Logistics, Electronics, and Aerospace. Proposed interactions include leading global companies such as AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, Tillman Global, and others, the release said.

These engagements aim to strengthen Gujarat's industrial ecosystem, enable technology and innovation partnerships, attract global investments, generate large-scale employment opportunities for youth, and build long-term international institutional linkages.

According to the release, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will also speak at prominent global sessions, including India in the New Geo-Economic Order, The Power of Sports: Turning Spectacle to Legacy, Coal to Clean Initiative: Technological Innovations to Drive the Transition, Mission Water: A Water-Secure Future for One Billion People, and Delivering Sustainability at Scale: Pathways for Global Transformation. Through these platforms, Gujarat will showcase its development blueprint aligned with the vision of Viksit Gujarat @2047.

With the message "Gujarat - Ready for the World, Where Vision Meets Action," the State's participation at WEF 2026 underscores its ambition to emerge as a key partner in global value chains. The Government of Gujarat remains firmly committed to accelerating industrial development, fostering innovation-led growth, attracting transformative investments, and building a resilient and future-ready economy.

Gujarat's presence at WEF 2026 marks not just participation but leadership in shaping the global growth narrative.

- ANI
In 2021, Alibaba (BABA) founder Jack Ma publicly criticized Chinese regulators, sparking a massive backlash. He effectively vanished into exile for months as authorities launched an antitrust investigation into Alibaba for alleged monopolistic practices. The fallout included the scuttling of Ant Groups planned $34 billion IPO, one of the largest ever.

Alibaba faced intense scrutiny, paid billions in fines, and restructured parts of its business. While the company has rebounded somewhat, with its stock rising over the past year amid a broader market recovery, it still trades nearly 40% below its five-year highs.

More News from Barchart

Now, Trip.com (TCOM) faces a similar regulatory storm. Beijing announced an antitrust probe into the travel giant for suspected monopolistic behavior, sending its shares down 20% since the Jan. 14 revelation, evoking fears of a prolonged Jack Ma treatment that could hinder growth.

www.barchart.com

About Trip.com Stock

Trip.com  formerly known as Ctrip  is Chinas leading online travel agency, providing booking services for hotels, flights, train tickets, vacation packages, and tours through its platforms like Trip.com, Ctrip, Qunar, and Skyscanner. It dominates the Chinese market with an estimated 60% share when including its investments in competitors like Tongcheng and eLong, making it Asias largest by market cap at around $40 billion.

In 2025, TCOM stock rose just 4.7%, underperforming the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) stronger gains amid a robust U.S. market. However, it had climbed about 10% year-to-date before the antitrust announcement triggered the sharp selloff.

Valuation metrics show TCOM trading at a trailing price-earnings ratio of 10.64x, well below the travel industry average of 20x to 25x for peers like Booking Holdings (BKNG) and Expedia (EXPE), suggesting potential undervaluation. Its forward P/E of 20x implies growth if earnings rise as projected. The price-sales ratio stands at 5.20x, higher than historical averages around 4x during the post-COVID-19 recovery but reasonable given double-digit revenue growth.

Overall, these stats point to TCOM being undervalued relative to both industry benchmarks and its own history, especially with Chinas travel rebound, but that was before the probe. Investors might see it as fairly valued if fines remain contained, but the low P/E suggests discounted pricing if the probe resolves favorably.
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Chinese envoy Yao Wen meets Bangladesh NSA Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka

Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 00:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Dhaka [Bangladesh], January 18 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman at the Chief Advisers Office on Sunday, according to a statement from the office of Bangladesh Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.The statement said the meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere," during which both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.Discussions included the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital, the statement noted.In this context, the Chinese Ambassador informed that he would visit the Teesta project area and reiterated Chinas commitment to expeditiously completing the ongoing technical assessment.The statement further said the Ambassador reaffirmed his governments continued support for Bangladeshs ongoing democratic transition and conveyed best wishes for the successful conduct of the forthcoming national elections.Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reiterated their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit, the statement added. In 2025, Bangladesh substantially expanded its strategic and economic engagement with China, highlighted by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunuss visit to Beijing, during which agreements worth over USD 2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants were signed for infrastructure, energy and digital development.The moves signalled a stronger phase of alignment following the change in government, increasing Chinas footprint.Key developments included a trilateral dialogue with Pakistan, greater Chinese backing for the Teesta project, and an emphasis on economic integration and digital infrastructure, with Beijing offering major financial support for priority initiatives. (ANI)

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First Published: January 19, 2026, 00:00 IST

News agency-feeds Chinese envoy Yao Wen meets Bangladesh NSA Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka

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Poland Dy PM Sikorski to meet EAM Jaishankar today

Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 04:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski arrived in New Delhi on Monday after attending the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan.Radoslaw Sikorski visited Jaipur from January 17 to 18.Radoslaw Sikorski was welcomed by Additional Secretary, Pooja Kapur, in Delhi. The Polish Deputy PM will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the India-Poland Strategic Partnership.In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, A warm welcome to New Delhi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland arrived in New Delhi today. His engagements in New Delhi are focused on furthering the India-Poland Strategic Partnership." At the Jaipur Literature Festival, Radoslaw Sikorski attended a session titled A Continent in Crisis: Russia, Ukraine and the European Story."He said, Russia talks about trust, but its actions say otherwise. Attacks on Kyiv and constant military threats expose the reality behind this so-called brotherhood."Sikorski said that the Russia-Ukraine war is not merely a regional conflict, but a serious challenge to the entire European security architecture. He made it clear that Poland is spending 4.7 per cent of its GDP on defence to strengthen its security and remains fully committed to European security."He urged people of Ukraine to remain strong" and keep protecting their culture and freedom."Addressing the audience, Radoslaw Sikorski said the Russia-Ukraine war has shaken the stability of the entire European continent. He highlighted the severe humanitarian and economic losses suffered by Ukraine, noting that thousands of people have been killed, cities destroyed, and civilians forced to survive in harsh winter conditions of minus 20 degrees Celsius without electricity and basic amenities. Questioning Russian President Vladimir Putins strategy, Sikorski said Putin had initially viewed the conflict as a three-day special operation," but it has turned into a prolonged war lasting years, resulting in heavy military and economic losses for Russia. He added that Russia is spending billions of dollars annually on its military and losing a large number of soldiers, as per an official statement on the session.The Polish minister was in conversation with senior diplomat Navtej Sarna.Speaking on Russia-China relations, Sikorski said, China has gained strategic advantages since the Ukraine war began. Russia is now being forced to sell oil at cheaper prices and is becoming increasingly dependent on China for high-quality goods, internet access, and cyber services. He expressed concern that in return, Russia is providing North Korea with missile and nuclear technology, which could further increase global instability." (ANI)

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First Published: January 19, 2026, 04:15 IST

News agency-feeds Poland Dy PM Sikorski to meet EAM Jaishankar today

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Surge of returning refugees deepens shelter crisis in Afghanistan

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 22:45 IST

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Kabul [Afghanistan], January 18 (ANI): With a rising number of Afghan refugees returning home, access to shelter has emerged as a major challenge, as many returnees struggle to secure housing and basic necessities, Tolo News reported.Officials of the Islamic Emirate said measures are being taken to address the issue, with land distribution continuing in several provinces. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said more than 3,000 plots of land have been provided so far to forcibly deported returnees.So far, 3,046 plots of land have been distributed in various provinces among returnees who were forcibly expelled. The distribution process is ongoing. Also, under the directive of the esteemed Amir al-Muminin, emergency aid for returnees has accelerated, including food, non-food items, and cash assistance," Fitrat said.In a related development, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said the Joint Permanent Committee for the Resettlement of Migrants has distributed land to over 2,800 families in Kunar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Kunduz, Paktia, and Bamyan, Tolo News reported.The ministry also said that land distribution for another 5,000 families has begun in Nangarhar, according to Tolo News.Kamal Afghan, the ministrys spokesperson, said the land distribution programme is being expanded province by province.The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has launched land distribution step-by-step in all provinces, and the program will, God willing, expand to ensure the fair distribution of plots to all returnees," Afghan said.Meanwhile, returnees arriving from Pakistan said they continue to face serious difficulties due to a lack of shelter and essential facilities, and urged faster allotment of land and the provision of basic services, Tolo News reported.Now Im going to Baghlan, but I have nothing there. We sold everything we had just to pay rent. We ask the Islamic Emirate to help us with land and food distribution," said Yar Mohammad, a returnee.Another returnee, Sher Mohammad, called for urgent support amid harsh weather conditions.Our request to the government is to give us blankets and cash aid because its cold here and were struggling," he said.According to statistics cited in the report, nearly seven million Afghans have returned from various countries since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, underlining the need for sustained planning to resettle and support returnees. (ANI)

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 22:45 IST

News agency-feeds Surge of returning refugees deepens shelter crisis in Afghanistan

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For Tesla, CEO Elon Musk's relationship with the White House has gone from advantageous to a liability and back to advantageous again in the short span of 18 months.

This week, a few decisions by the National Highway Traffic Association could be a huge benefit to Tesla.

It was about a year and a half ago when Elon Musk officially endorsed President Donald Trump. Between spring 2024 and the November election, Musk spent over a quarter of a billion dollars to help get Trump elected.

Tesla compensation performance benchmarks for CEO Elon Musk

20 million Tesla vehicles delivered

10 million active FSD subscriptions

1 million Optimus robots delivered

1 million Robotaxis in commercial operation

$400 billion of Adjusted EBITDA over four separate quarters

While that is a lot of money for any election by any measure, it is simply a rounding error for a man of Musk's $700 billion wealth and a small price to pay for the influence it has granted him.

However, 2025 didn't exactly unfold according to plan, as Elon Musk left his position at the Department of Government Efficiency and burned some bridges on his way out of Washington, D.C.

However, when you are the world's richest man, no relationship is unsalvageable. Musk has returned to endorsing MAGA policies on his social media platform, and Trump has gone back to inviting Musk over for dinner at the White House, according to Bloomberg.

But free meals aren't the only benefit Musk's Washington D.C. ties have granted him.

Musk caused a stir earlier this year when, at his direction, DOGE fired about 30 members of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government agency that regulates original equipment manufacturers like Tesla.

One worker said at the time that the firings could weaken NHTSAs ability to understand self-driving technologies, The Verge reported.

In September, the U.S. Senate voted 51-47 along party lines to confirm Jonathan Morrison as the 17th leader of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This week, we got a glimpse into how the agency's new director will handle one of its most high-profile wards.

Tesla requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant it more time to review records of consumer complaints, field reports, crashes, and related issues.Photo by CFOTO on Getty Images  Photo by CFOTO on Getty Images

NHTSA gives Tesla 5 more weeks to comply with investigation

On Friday, Jan. 16, the NHTSA granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to its investigation into Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) traffic violations.

The agency delayed the deadline for key responses to its investigation until February 23 after Tesla requested more time to review thousands of records. The NHTSA first opened its preliminary investigation into Tesla in October, and in December, it sent it a request seeking information on consumer complaints, field reports, crashes, lawsuits, and internal assessments related to alleged violations involving FSD.
Timeline of how US, Europe have been at odds

Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 01:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New York, Jan 18 (AP) The dispute between the United States and Europe over the future of Greenland isnt the first time the allies have been at loggerheads.

Deep disagreements have flared up from time to time since World War II, bringing trans-Atlantic diplomatic crises.

Heres a look at some of them.

Suez crisis When France, the United Kingdom and Israel invaded Egypt in 1956, aiming to topple Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and take back control of the Suez Canal, the US employed heavy diplomatic and economic pressure to stop it.

The US intervention severely strained Washingtons relations with London and Paris, which were key allies during the Cold War, and was a milestone in Europes waning postwar influence.

Vietnam War  While European countries except France gave diplomatic backing to the US, they refused to provide troops.

Street protests in Europe against the war had a significant political cost for the continents governments, which had to reconcile their support for the US with an erosion of their domestic popularity, and were a burden on trans-Atlantic relations.

Euromissile crisis  Russias deployment of its new SS-20 missiles that could quickly hit targets in Western Europe compelled NATO to install US Pershing nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in Europe in order to maintain the balance of the nuclear arms threat.

The move ignited an uproar on the continent, where fears of a new arms race deepened. Huge anti-nuclear peace demonstrations, with protesters often aiming their ire at Washington, filled the streets of European capitals in the 1980s.

Invasion of Iraq  The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked a major crisis in relations with Europe, especially France and Germany after they refused to support the attack on President Saddam Husseins government.

Washington officials rebuked Paris and Berlin, with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld referring to them as Old Europe" and praising Eastern European countries as New Europe." Extraordinary rendition  As part of its war on terror," the United States captured and sometimes kidnapped suspects, and then transferred them to locations in countries where they were interrogated and often tortured outside the reach of US law.

While some European governments were complicit in the programme, a public outcry forced political leaders to denounce the practice.

War in Ukraine  When US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, he upended three years of American policy toward Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump spoke warmly of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was cold toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then significantly reduced US military aid for Kyiv.

Alarmed European leaders, who see their own security at stake in Ukraine, have pressed Trump to be on Ukraines side.

National security strategy  The Trump administration set out a new national security strategy last December that portrayed European allies as weak.

It was scathing of their migration and free speech policies, suggested they face the prospect of civilizational erasure" and cast doubt on their long-term reliability as American partners.

Trade tariffs  With relations between the US and Europe deteriorating, Trump threatened the continent last July with heavy trade tariffs in what was seen as a deeply hostile move.

Trump initially announced tariffs of 30 per cent on the 27-nation European Union, which is the biggest trading partner of the United States. Both sides later agreed to a trade framework setting a 15 per cent tariff on most goods. (AP) GRS GRS

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First Published: January 19, 2026, 01:00 IST

News agency-feeds Timeline of how US, Europe have been at odds

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Trump's voice in new Fannie Mae ad generated by AI, with his permission

Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 02:45 IST

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New York, Jan 19 (AP) What sounds like US President Donald Trump narrating a new Fannie Mae ad actually is an AI-cloned voice reading text, according to a disclaimer in the video.

The voice in the ad, created with permission from the Trump administration, promises an all new Fannie Mae" and calls the institution the protector of the American Dream".

The ad comes as the administration is making a big push to show voters it is responding to their concerns about affordability, including in the housing market.

Trump plans to talk about housing at his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders and corporate executives meet this week.

This isnt the first time a member of the Trump family has used AI to replicate their voice, First Lady Melania Trump recently employed AI technology firm Eleven Labs to help voice the audio version of her memoir.

Its not known who cloned President Trumps voice for the Fannie Mae ad.

Last month, Trump pledged in a prime-time address that he would roll out some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history".

For generations, home ownership meant security, independence, and stability," Trumps digitised voice says in the one-minute ad aired Sunday.

But today, that dream feels out of reach for too many Americans not because they stopped working hard but because the system stopped working for them." Fannie Mae and its counterpart Freddie Mac, which have been under government control since the Great Recession, buy mortgages that meet their risk criteria from banks, which helps provide liquidity for the housing market.

The two firms guarantee roughly half of the USD 13 trillion US home loan market and are a bedrock of the US economy.

The ad says Fannie Mae will work with the banking industry to approve more would-be homebuyers for mortgages.

Trump, Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and others have said they want to sell shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on a major stock exchange but no concrete plans have been set.

Trump and Pulte have also floated extending the 30-year mortgage to 50 years in order to lower monthly payments.

Trump appeared to back off the proposal after critics said a longer-term loan would reduce peoples ability to create housing equity and increase their own wealth.

Trump also said on social media earlier this month that he was directing the federal government to buy USD 200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are anxious about home prices. Trump said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have USD 200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.

Earlier this month, Trump also said he wants to block large institutional investors from buying houses, saying a ban would make it easier for younger families to buy their first homes.

Trumps permission for the use of AI is interesting given that he has complained about aides in the previous Joe Biden administration using autopen to apply the former presidents signature to laws, pardons or executive orders. An autopen is a mechanical device that is used to replicate a persons authentic signature.

However, a report issued by the House Republicans does not include any concrete evidence that autopen was used to sign Bidens name without his knowledge. (AP) ARI

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First Published: January 19, 2026, 02:45 IST

News agency-feeds Trump's voice in new Fannie Mae ad generated by AI, with his permission

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TVK chief Vijay to appear before CBI again over stampede case, arrives in Delhi

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 21:45 IST

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New Delhi/Chennai, Jan 18 (PTI) TVK chief Vijay arrived in Delhi on Sunday to appear before the CBI authorities on January 19 in connection with the Karur stampede case.

The actor-turned politician, who left Chennai by a chartered plane at 4.15 pm arrived at the national capital as per schedule, party sources said, adding he will appear before the federal agencys officials for questioning on Monday.

Vijay, who was questioned at the CBI headquarters here on January 12 for more than six hours, was asked to come again on the following day, but the actor sought another date, citing the harvest festival Pongal. PTI COR VGN VGN ADB

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 21:45 IST

News agency-feeds TVK chief Vijay to appear before CBI again over stampede case, arrives in Delhi

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Bharat Coking Coal IPO To List Tomorrow: GMP Indicates Over 50% Bumper Gains

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:33 IST

Bharat Coking Coal IPO, a Coal India subsidiary, lists on BSE and NSE January 19, 2026, with a strong GMP.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO: Listing Price Prediction. Shares to be listed tomorrow, January 19, 2026.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO Listing Price Prediction, GMP: The allotment of the Bharat Coking Coal IPO was concluded on January 14, 2026. Now, investors are eyeing the listing of the shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), which is likely to take place on Monday, January 19, 2026.

The investors who have been allotted the unlisted shares of the Bharat Coking Coal IPO might be checking the grey market premium regularly.

The IPO was open for public subscription between January 9 and January 13. It received a massive overall subscription of 143.85 times subscription. Its retail category received 49.37x subscription, its non-institutional investor (NII) category received 240.49 times subscription, and its qualified institutional buyer (QIB) portion got 310.81 times bidding.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO Listing Date

The shares of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd (CIL), will be listed on both the BSE and the NSE on January 19, Monday.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO Listing Price Prediction, GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd are currently trading at Rs 35.4 apiece in the grey market, which is a 53.91 per cent premium over the IPO price of Rs 23. It indicates a strong listing gains for investors. Its listing will take place on Monday, January 19.

The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO Allotment Status

The Bharat Coking Coal IPO allotment has already been finalised.

The allotment status can be checked online by following these steps:

Via Official Registrar

1) Visit registrar Kfin Technologies portal  https://ipostatus.kfintech.com/.

2) Under Select Company, select Bharat Coking Coal Limited from the drop-box.

3) Enter your application number, demat account, or permanent account number (PAN).

5) Then, click on the Submit button.

Your share application status will appear on your screen.

Via the BSE

1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL  https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx.

2) Under Issue Type, select Equity.

3) Under Issue Name, select Bharat Coking Coal Limited in the drop box.

4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). Those who want to check their allotment status via PAN can select the Permanent Account Number option.

5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option.

Your share application status will appear on your screen.

Via NSEs Website

The allotment status can also be checked on the NSEs website at https://www.nseindia.com/invest/check-trades-bids-verify-ipo-bids.

Bharat Coking Coal IPO: More Details

According to the red herring prospectus (RHP), the maiden public issue is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of 46.57 crore equity shares by Coal India.

The listing of BCCL is part of the governments broader divestment push in the coal sector, aimed at unlocking value in Coal Indias subsidiaries and enhancing transparency through market discipline.

In its prospectus, the company stated that the IPO will help achieve the benefits of listing.

BCCL will make its stock market debut on January 16. The company said that half of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 35 per cent for retail investors and the remaining 15 per cent for non-institutional investors.

Last year, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL), another wholly-owned arm of Coal India, had also filed its draft papers with Sebi for an IPO via the OFS route.

While BCCL is a coal-producing entity, CMPDIL serves as Coal Indias technical and planning arm.

Bharat Coking Coal was the largest coking coal producer in India in fiscal 2025, according to a Crisil report. It produces various grades of coking coal, non-coking coal and washed coals for applications primarily in the steel and power industries.

The company was incorporated in 1972 to mine and supply coking coal concentrated in mines located at Jharia, Jharkhand and Raniganj, West Bengal coalfields.

The public sector firm has expanded operations significantly over the years, with coal production increasing from 30.51 million tonnes in fiscal 2022 to 40.50 million tonnes in fiscal 2025, which is an increase of 33 per cent. Its coal production stood at 15.75 million tonnes in the six months ended September 30, 2025, as compared to 19.09 million tonnes in the year-ago period.

The company operates a network of 34 operational mines, including 4 underground mines, 26 opencast mines, and 4 mixed mines as of September 30, 2025.

On the financial front, Bharat Coking Coals revenues from operations stood at Rs 13,802 crore and profit of Rs 1,204 crore in FY25.

BCCLs issue comes against the backdrop of a blockbuster year for the primary market.

In 2025, companies raised a record nearly Rs 1.76 lakh crore through IPOs, buoyed by strong domestic liquidity, resilient investor sentiment and a supportive macroeconomic environment. This surpassed the Rs 1.6 lakh crore mobilised by 90 firms in 2024 and the Rs 49,436 crore raised by 57 companies in 2023.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:31 IST

News business ipo Bharat Coking Coal IPO To List Tomorrow: GMP Indicates Over 50% Bumper Gains

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Gold and Silver Prices Outlook: What Investors Should Watch This Week

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 14:54 IST

Gold and silver hit new records in 2025, with silver crossing 90 dollars per ounce. Experts highlight silver's industrial demand and gold's role as a hedge.

Gold and Silver outlook this week

Gold and Silver Prices Outlook: Gold and silver prices saw a marginal dip after a record-breaking rally. Continuing the upward momentum of 2025, gold and silver made new records with silver crossing $90 per ounce-mark for the first time in history. Meanwhile, gold hovered in the range of $4,596-$5,600 per ounce.

COMEX Silver has seen a relatively sharper correction to the $89$90 region after peaking above $93.7, reflecting short-term profit-booking following an extended rally.

In India, gold futures with expiry on February 05, 2026, stood at Rs 1,42,474 per 10 grams as on January 16, 2026. Silver futures with expiry in March were at Rs 2,87,701 per kg.

The tussle between European Union and the United States of American will be watched closely across the world this week. Trump administration has put fresh tariffs on the European Union following his demand to acquire Greenland, an autonomous region under Denmark, prompting the EU to halt the trade deal with the US with immediate effect.

The 0 per cent tariffs on US products must be put on hold," Weber said in a post on X, citing concerns over Washingtons latest actions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the new tariffs risk damaging transatlantic ties.

Tariffs undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," she said, stressing that Europe would uphold its sovereignty and remain united.

Gold, Silver Outlook

The long-term appeal of silver and gold will remain. Chronic supply shortages, especially in silver, sustained central bank gold purchases, accelerating demand from green energy, EVs, AI, and electronics, and ongoing macro and geopolitical uncertainties continue to support the long-term bullish narrative, said Ponmudi R, CEO  Enrich Money.

While near-term volatility may persist due to profit-taking, dollar movements, and key U.S. macro data, any corrective phases are expected to remain shallow and attract buying interest, added Ponmudi R.

Silver continues to offer relative outperformance potential due to its higher industrial leverage, while gold remains a reliable hedge against macro and geo-political uncertainty," he said.

Prasenjit Paul, Equity Research Analyst & Fund Manager at 129 Wealth Fund said one of the biggest mistakes investors can make is treating gold, silver, and debt as one broad defensive" allocation.

Doing so masks overlapping risks and can lead to a situation where supposedly safe assets decline at the same time as equities," he said.

For gold he added that it should be viewed purely as catastrophe insurancelargely independent of the business cycle and the most reliable hedge against systemic stress.

Adding for silver, Paul said, Silver does not belong in the defensive category at all. Its demand is heavily linked to industrial activity, particularly in areas like solar energy and electric vehicles.

As a result, silver behaves more like a cyclical asset and should be treated as a tactical satellite allocation," Paul added.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 14:54 IST

News business savings-and-investments Gold and Silver Prices Outlook: What Investors Should Watch This Week

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'Demanded Over Rs 2 Crore To Issue 2 Liquor Licences': Karnataka Excise Officer Arrested In Graft Case

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 17:54 IST

Police said a sting operation revealed that the excise officer was making demands upwards of Rs 2.25 crore over and above the standard fee to issue liquor licence

Police said as per complaint, main accused Jagadish Naik (in pic) demanded Rs 2.25 crore to issue CL-7 and microbrewery liquor licences. (Image: News18)

The Lokayukta police claimed to have busted a massive bribery racket with the arrest of an officer from Karnatakas excise department.

According to the police, a sting operation revealed that the excise officer was making demands upwards of Rs 2.25 crore over and above the standard fee to issue liquor licence.

Police identified the accused as Jagadish Naik, who they said was nabbed with Rs 25 lakh on his person from the Batterayanapura office in Bengaluru, on Saturday. Two others  a superintendent identified as Tammanna and a middleman identified as Lakkappa  were arrested alongside Naik, the police said.

The police said a former corporator, Lakshminarayana, set the trap after he complained that Naik had demanded a bribe of Rs 2.25 crore to issue licences under CL-7 (authorises hotels and boarding houses to sell and serve liquor) and for microbrewery.

They said as per Lakshminarayana, Naik initially demanded Rs 2.3 crore, including Rs 75 lakh for CL-7 and Rs 1.5 crore for microbrewery, and settled for Rs 2.25 crore for both. The bust took place at 12.30 pm, following which a case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The deputy commissioner directly demanded over Rs 2 crore for two licences we applied for. We begged, they cut Rs 5 lakh. Manual or online, bribes ruled; hence, my Lokayukta complaint," Lakshminarayana said.

Superintendent of police Shivaprakash Devraj detailed the operation, where the complainant paid Rs 21 lakh as standard fee yet the accused demanded more to clear the application file.

We caught Naik with Rs 25 lakh out of the Rs 80 lakh that was demanded. His aides tried to flee, but were nabbed. House searches are underway," Devraj said.

ONLINE AUCTION FOR DEFUNCT LIQUOR PERMITS

The Karnataka government has fixed a base price of Rs 1.5 crore per liquor licence in Bengaluru for the online auction of 569 defunct liquor permits across the state. The process commenced from January 13 and will end on January 20.

Karnataka has not issued new CL-2 (retail liquor shop) and CL-9 (bar and restaurant) licences since 1992, making existing permits highly valuable. Out of the total licences on offer, 477 are retail shop permits with bidding for most Bengaluru licences starting at Rs 1.5 crore.

Licences in Belagavi and Ballari will have a base price of Rs 1.1 crore, while the lowest base price of Rs 70 lakh applies to locations such as Honnavar, Tirthahalli and Shiggaon.

A total of 92 bar and restaurant licences will also be auctioned, with base prices ranging from Rs 1.1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore. The state government expects bidding in Bengaluru to reach up to Rs 3 crore per licence.

Auctioned licences will be valid for five years. The online auction will be conducted on MSTC Ltds portal.

A1 CROOK

Calling the prime accused an A1 crook", leader of opposition in the Karnataka assembly R Ashoka alleged that Naik was perpetrating a loot" by rampantly charging bribery rates".

Excise DC Jagadish Naik is the prime accused, essentially the A1 crook in this scenario, while superintendent Tammanna acts as a mini crook alongside him. Then there is Lakkappa Gani, whose very name implies a mine, signifying the depth of the loot; all three of these individuals have now been ensnared in the Lokayuktas net," Ashoka said.

He alleged that they were charging Rs 950 crore in bribes. They are issuing a total of 750 CL-7 licenses, and for each one, a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore rupees is being demanded. Similarly, 650 CL-2 licenses are effectively being auctioned off for Rs 1.5 crore each, which amounts to a staggering total of Rs 950 crore in bribes. Furthermore, CL-9 licences are being distributed at a rate of Rs 1 crore each, totaling another Rs 92 crore," he added.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 15:27 IST

News cities bengaluru-news 'Demanded Over Rs 2 Crore To Issue 2 Liquor Licences': Karnataka Excise Officer Arrested In Graft Case

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Delhi Police Roll Out Multi-Layer Security Plan For Republic Day Celebrations At Kartavya Path

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 21:57 IST

Security has been heightened, with Delhi Police and paramilitary forces deployed to ensure safety during the celebrations.

AI-generated image used for representation

The Delhi Police have announced a detailed security and facilitation plan for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, scheduled to take place at Kartavya Path on January 26.

According to the officials, the arrangements are aimed at ensuring both safety and smooth movement for thousands of guests expected at the national event.

Security has been heightened, with Delhi Police and paramilitary forces deployed to ensure safety during the celebrations.

The event will be attended by dignitaries and invitees from across the country, making extensive preparations essential.

Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said the focus is on maintaining a secure environment while also making it easy for guests to access the venue.

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 77th Republic Day, police remain fully committed to ensuring a safe, secure and celebratory atmosphere for all citizens and invitees," he said.

He also highlighted a new initiative introduced this year. The enclosures at Kartavya Path have been renamed after Indian rivers to help with better identification and smoother facilitation of visitors during the event.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 21:53 IST

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Noida Engineers 2-Hour Desperate Fight: A Deadly Pit, Authorities Apathy & A Life Lost

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 18:33 IST

Stuck in 70-ft deep pit, Noida's Yuvraj Mehta called his father, friend. A delivery man jumped in, but couldn't help; police, SDRF were ill-equipped, unprepared, alleges kin

Rapid Read

Yuvraj Mehta's kin alleged the police and SDRF were ill-prepared to rescue him in time.

Noida witnessed a tragic drowning of a 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, whose SUV crashed through a damaged boundary wall amid poor visibility on Friday midnight and plunged into a flooded pit dug up for a project in Sector 150.

Mehta, who didnt know swimming, put up a valiant and heart-wrenching struggle, as he managed to get out of the car, climbed onto its roof and even called his father and friend. The authorities, according to the friend and father, failed to rescue Mehta in time. Mehtas body and his car were pulled out of the pit after five hours.

Knowledge Park Police Station in-charge Sarvesh Kumar said any negligence found in the case will be investigated, and necessary legal action will be taken.

#NoidaTragedy | A 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, drowned after his SUV broke through a damaged boundary wall and plunged into a flooded pit at a commercial site in Sector 150 around midnight. His father spoke exclusively to CNN News18 about the incident pic.twitter.com/KvBgiSfZy8 News18 (@CNNnews18) January 18, 2026

I dont want to die: How Mehta landed in the pit

Mehta worked at Dunnhumby India, a customer data science company in Gurugram, and was heading home after work. Because of the thick fog and lack of streetlights and reflectors, Mehta couldnt see the high-ground ridge that separates two adjacent drainage basins ahead at a sharp turn near ATS Le Grandiose in Sector 150, which led to the accident. He fell into a 70-feet-deep ditch filled with water.

Mehta lived in the same sector, so his father Raj Kumar Mehta and the police arrived at the scene within minutes. However, due to the dense fog, they couldnt see Yuvraj, although they could hear his voice.

Rescue boat came only two hours later to fetch his body: Father Raj Kumar Mehta

On his last call to his father, Yuvraj Mehta said, Dad, Ive fallen into a deep pit filled with water. Im drowning. Please come and save me. I dont want to die." Recounting the call before the last, he said, I told him there was fog, so drive carefully. He said he would, as always. He was later than usual due to work in officeA reflector or barrier would have stopped him in time."

The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) team came around 3am. They called for JCB. It took two hours to prepare the boat to go inside. They came late. The boat that was supposed to help my son reached only after two hours to fetch his body," Raj Kumar Mehta told CNN-News18.

They only had ropes which couldnt reach YuvrajThe road was made because of the prior accident of the truck. If not for that, the vehicle would not have met with the accidentNo remedial measures were taken," he alleged.

I was requesting everyone there that if anyone knew swimming, please save my son. The authorities had only a rope, nothing else," he said, adding, Help was not delivered to him.Official statements following the incident were cheap defenceI tried my level best, but I couldnt help my son due to lack of infrastructure. I told them to ensure the rope reaches my son. He was fighting and ready to cooperate. I kept giving him hope till the very end," he said.

I went to the other end as there was no network. I was on the move for hours," he said, adding, When we reached the hospital, they said he had died some time ago and could not be revived."

The family has filed a First Information Report (FIR). I want the authorities to ensure that all safety measures are put in place so there is no other loss of life. My loss is invaluable," Mehta said.

Police said they didnt know how to swim, alleges Tokas

He was six-foot tall, a fit guy, but did not know how to swim," said Pankaj Tokas, a close friend, who reached the spot within minutes and alert the police.

Sources say the SDRF team arrived first, but they didnt have the necessary equipment for the rescue.

According to Tokas, the police personnel who arrived at the spot kept saying they did not know how to swim. Cranes and ropes were also called, but no one entered the water to save my friendHe stopped pleading for help around 2.30 am," said Tokas.

He was very ambitious and intelligent and earned a good reputation at work, said Tokas.

He was my only son, his sister is in the UK. He had a bright future ahead. He had studied hard to clear his exams," said Raj Kumar Mehta.

#NoidaTragedy | A 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, drowned after his SUV went through a damaged boundary wall, plunging into a flooded pit dug for a commercial project in Sector 150 around midnight@SimranBabbar_05 shares more information#Noida #NoidaSector150 pic.twitter.com/5uGiU2qc4g News18 (@CNNnews18) January 18, 2026

I jumped in without any gear, SDRF pretended to help: Saviour Moninder

A delivery executive jumped in to save the life of the man. Moninder, who described the entire incident, narrated how the SDRF casually acted to pretend to save him but he jumped in without any gear to try and rescue him from the pit that is expected to be around 70 feet deep.

Moninder said he couldnt find Mehta because of poor visibility, but Mehta kept shouting for help. Police stood at the scene but couldnt rescue him.

I had to deliver an order at around 1:40 A.M. When I reached the spot, I enquired about what was going on there. A few people told me that a man had been trapped in the pit since 12 A.M. The police came here. They called the fire department, which got here within 15-20 minutes. The SDRF teams reached the site a bit late. However, despite having the required equipment and necessary safety materials, the mans car was floating on top of the water for about two hours. He kept pleading for help, which fell on deaf ears. There were over 100 men around, but no one stepped up to help him."

They asked me if I knew how to swim. I agreed. However, I also asked them why nobody was going to help the man. I noticed that the fire department was fully equipped with fire safety jackets and a crane. The man was alive when the fire department was here. They could have saved him 100 per cent. They were well-equipped," he said.

Not the first time

A similar incident was reported from the spot 18 days ago, when a loaded truck fell into this pit and partially submerged.

Despite that, a stoppage was not installed at the uncovered boundary wall in sector 150 in Noida This is the open pit against which residents had protested. A similar protest will be held at 5 pm.

Residents alleged they had alerted the authorities to put a concrete boundary wall over this section, but the authorities failed to act on it.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 13:45 IST

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Why Investing In Employee Training Delivers Returns At Every Level Of Organisation, Harvard Study Finds

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Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 09:22 IST

Companies often assume training helps employees work faster. New research shows the real payoff happens somewhere else, and it changes leadership itself.

When frontline employees are better trained, fewer interruptions flow upward, unlocking time and focus for managers. (Image-AI)

Employee training is widely judged by productivity gains, but new research shows how its real value reshapes the way how employees work, how managers lead and how organisations grow.

For decades now, employee training has been considered a necessary expense, something which is useful but often questioned during budget reviews by companies. The management often asks similar questions, including whether it is worth the time away from work, whether it delivers measurable results and related concerns.

A recent Harvard Business Review report suggests that these questions often miss a critical part. Training not only improves the way an individual works, but it also reflects changes in how the work flows through an organisation.

The report reveals that when employees are trained better, the managers benefit as well. The managers can gain time and focus, and develop the capacity to showcase strategic leadership. In other words, training pays off twice.

How Does Training Employees Pay Off Twice?

Organisations across industries spend billions every year on training programs. In the US alone, companies invest roughly $1200 per employee annually, according to the 2023 industry report by the Trade Publication Training.

Yet, despite this investment, scepticism persists. Training is often seen as a soft initiative, valuable in theory, but extremely difficult to justify in numbers. The report by the Harvard Business Review challenges this assumption by demonstrating that training generates returns in two distinct ways.

The first benefit is visible and widely understood; trained employees work more efficiently. However, the second benefit has long remained hidden; the trained employees free up managers time, allowing them to be more productive without working longer hours.

Together, these effects change how organisations should think about the return on investment (ROI) in employee departments.

Source of The Evidence

The findings are based on the detailed study conducted by Harvard Business School professor Christopher T. Stanton and his co-author, Espinosa. The research examined training activities at an unnamed Colombian federal regulatory agency between 2018 and 2019.

The scope of the project was significant, as it involved 655 employees, 526 frontline workers and 129 managers. About 12% of frontline workers were selected to participate in a rigorous training program that spanned 16 weeks or 120 hours in total.

The curriculum combined practical skill building, such as goal setting, Microsoft Excel and effective writing, with in-depth instruction in Colombian legal analysis. This was not surface-level training; it was designed to equip employees with both technical competence and contextual understanding.

To measure its impact, researchers compared goal achievement scores from April to June 2018 (before training) with the same period in 2019. They also analysed internal emails that basically focused on how frontline workers were sending emails to the managers for assistance or help.

The results were striking. Frontline employees who completed the training program achieved roughly 10% more of their goals in the 12 weeks following the program compared with the same period the previous year.

On its own, this productivity boost would already justify attention from business readers. But the study also revealed something more significant.

Increase In The Productivity of Managers

As frontline workers became more capable and confident after the training program, they relied less on their managers or supervisors for guidance. Email data showed a significant drop in help-seeking messages sent to managers. This reduction benefited both employees and managers.

Managers whose teams included trained employees completed 3% more of their strategic goals. Those who worked more closely with trained workers saw a productivity gain of 8%. Crucially, this improvement did not come from managers working harder or longer hours; it came from having fewer distractions.

As Professor Stanton explains in the Harvard Business Review report, Most people turn to their managers for help when they need something." By reducing that need, training created a ripple effect that moved upward through the organisational hierarchy.

The researchers calculated that these so-called spillover effects" accounted for nearly 45% of the total benefits of the training programs. In other words, almost half the value came not from the employees who were trained, but from the managers who suddenly had time to focus on higher-level work.

Rethinking Training ROI

Traditionally, organisations measure training ROI by looking at short-term output or efficiency at the employee level. How fast are tasks completed? Are error rates down? Is productivity up?

The study by the Harvard Business Review suggests that this approach only takes half of the picture in accountability. As one review of the research notes is clear, a 10% increase in frontline productivity through faster completions, shorter cycles, and better execution.

But the hidden multiplier lies in what does not happen: fewer calls, fewer emails, fewer urgent requests for managerial intervention.

From Brittle Systems To Resilient Organisations

The study also highlights how training contributes to organisational resilience. Without the productivity gains at the managerial level, the agency would have needed to train nearly twice as many frontline workers to achieve the same overall output.

Deep and contextual training creates what researchers describe as a more resilient operating model. Employees who understand not just what to do, but why they are doing it, can handle unexpected situations more effectively.

System glitches, sudden demand spikes, or difficult customers become manageable challenges rather than crises that require escalation. In this sense, trained employees act as self-healing nodes" within the organisation. Instead of breaking under pressure and waiting for instructions, they adapt, decide, and move forward.

Training As A Signal Of Trust

Beyond productivity metrics, training is increasingly seen as essential. Assigning people to some roles without equipping them properly may breed anxiety, burnout and frustration. Over time, this erodes morale and drives attrition.

By contrast, investing in training signals respect and trust. The study found that trained employees were more likely to remain with the organisation over the following three years. They were also about twice as likely to be promoted compared with their untrained peers.

These outcomes also reinforced a virtuous cycle. Employees who feel supported are more engaged. Engaged employees perform better. Better performance reduces managerial strain, allowing leaders to focus on growth rather than firefighting.

Implications In The Age Of AI

When it comes to the timing of these findings, it is considered significant. In the era of AI, it is important to understand how it is reshaping roles across industries, requiring workers at all levels to acquire new skills.

Stanton also argues that scalable training, increasingly supported by AI tools, could lead to flatter organisational structures. From a leadership perspective, if you double everyones skill, do you need as many managers overseeing them?" he asks. And the answer is almost surely no."

This does not diminish the role of the managers; it elevates it. Freed from constant problem-solving, managers can focus on strategy, innovation and long-term direction.

The Quiet Power Of Trained Teams

The key question for organisations is no longer whether they can spare employees for training; it is whether they can afford to keep managers trapped in reactive roles. By constantly solving problems that effective training could have prevented.

This study highlights that efficiency is not just about speed, but also about creating the stillness required for leadership. An organisation cannot think strategically if its leaders are perpetually responding to urgent emails and routine queries.

The Harvard Business Review study reframes training as a structural investment rather than a discretionary perk. This way, employees can gain confidence and career stability, managers gain the freedom to focus on strategy, and organisations gain resilience and long-term performance.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 17:15 IST

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12 Detained In UP For Offering Namaz In Empty House 'Without Permission'

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PTI

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 20:43 IST

Police in Bareilly detained 12 people for offering namaz in Hanif's vacant house in Mohammadganj village without permission. Three are absconding.

Police said precautionary action was taken after receiving information from people in Mohammadganj village that a vacant house was allegedly being used as a temporary madrasa for the past several weeks. (PTI)

Police have detained 12 people in a village in Bareilly district for allegedly offering namaz at a empty house without permission", officials said on Sunday.

A video purportedly showing people offering prayers inside the house has surfaced and is being circulated on social media, they said.

SP (South) Anshika Verma said police took precautionary action after receiving information from people in Mohammadganj village that a vacant house was allegedly being used as a temporary madrasa for the past several weeks.

Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law. Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated," she said, appealing to people to maintain peace and law and order.

Police said the 12 detained persons were challaned under sections related to breach of peace and later produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail. Efforts are underway to trace three other persons who are absconding.

According to police, preliminary inquiry revealed that the vacant house belongs to one Hanif, and was being used temporarily for Friday namaz.

No written permission or valid documents could be produced when sought by the authorities, they said.

Police said some villagers had objected to the prayers being held regularly at the house without permission and informed the authorities, following which the police reached the spot and stopped the gathering.

The online video has been taken into account as part of the investigation, officials added.

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Location : Bareilly, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 20:43 IST

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The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least $1 billion.

According to a draft charter for the proposed group seen by Bloomberg, President Donald Trump would serve as its inaugural chairman and would decide on who is invited to be members. Decisions would be taken by a majority, with each member state present getting one vote, but all would be subject to the chairmans approval.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charters entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charters entry into force, the draft says.

Critics are worried that Trump is trying to build an alternative, or rival, to the United Nations, which he has long criticized.

The board is described in the charter as an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. It would become official once three member states agree to the charter.

Trump would also be responsible for approving the groups official seal, the document says.

Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Argentinas Javier Milei and Canadas Mark Carney, to be part of a Board of Peace for Gaza, which would be formed under the broader umbrella of his new Board of Peace.

That plan attracted swift criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the details hadnt been coordinated with his country.

Several European nations have been invited to join the peace board, according to people familiar with the matter. The draft appears to suggest Trump himself would control the money, something that would be considered unacceptable to most countries who could have potentially joined the board, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.

Several nations strongly oppose the draft of Trumps charter and are working on collectively pushing back against the proposals, the people added.

A US official confirmed to Bloomberg News that while members would be able to join for free, the $1 billion fee would grant permanent membership. The money raised will be used directly to accomplish the Board of Peaces mandate to rebuild Gaza, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The board will ensure almost every dollar raised is used to execute its mandate, the official added.
'Bail Before Conviction A Right But...': Ex-CJI Chandrachud On Umar Khalid's Case

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 20:48 IST

The former CJI said bail before conviction should be a matter of right, but in cases where national security is involved, the court has the duty to examine the case in depth.

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Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. (PTI/File Image)

Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Sunday remarked that bail before conviction should be a matter of right, but noted that it is a courts duty in depth where national security is involved.

He made the remarks at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival in response to a question from a journalist, who raised the issue of the Supreme Court recently denying the bail plea of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The top court on January 5 observed that they were involved in the planning, mobilisation and strategic direction" of the northeast Delhi riots and said a delay in trial does not operate as a trump card" which automatically displaces statutory safeguards.

During a session titled Ideas of Justice, Justice Chandrachud (retd) said, Bail before conviction should be a matter of right. Our law is based on a presumption, and that presumption is that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Because, if someone remains an undertrial prisoner for five or seven years and is finally proven innocent, how will you compensate for the time lost?"

He said bail can be denied if there is a possibility of the accused returning to society and committing the crime again, tampering with evidence, or using the benefit of bail to escape the clutches of the law. I think that where national security is involved, it is the courts duty to examine the case in depth. Otherwise, what is happening is that people remain imprisoned for years," he said.

The former CJI called the denial of bail by sessions and district courts a matter of concern and said judges fear that their integrity might be questioned. This is the reason why bail cases reach the Supreme Court," he said.

Highlighting concerns over the slow pace of case disposal in the Indian criminal justice system, Justice Chandrachud emphasised that the Constitution is the supreme law, allowing no exceptions. If there is a delay in a speedy trial, the accused is entitled to bail," he added.

The 2020 Northeast Delhi riots broke out on February 24, 2020 during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment Act) (CAA) and NRC. The violence lasted several days, resulting in at least 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. The Delhi Police Special Cell filed multiple FIRs, including one under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967) and IPC provisions alleging a larger conspiracy" behind the violence.

(with inputs from PTI)

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 20:48 IST

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9 Killed, 80 Injured As Bus Carrying Wedding Guests Overturns In Jharkhand

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 23:16 IST

The bus was on its way from Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district to a wedding at Jharkhand's Latehar when it overturned, killing nine people.

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A representative image for an accident (PTI)

In a tragic incident, at least nine people were killed and 80 others injured after a bus carrying wedding guests overturned in Jharkhands Latehar district on Sunday, police said.

The accident occurred at Orsa Valley under the Mahuadanr police station limits. The bus was reportedly on its way to a wedding procession in Jharkhands Latehar when the accident took place. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

A bus carrying a marriage party was coming from Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh for a wedding at Mahuadanr in Latehar. The bus overturned, and five people died on the spot. The injured were taken to a hospital," Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav told news agency PTI.

The victims were immediately rushed to a hospital. Doctors from private clinics in the local block volunteered to assist the doctors at the government hospital in Mahuadanr. One of the main reasons for the overturning of the bus is believed to be overcrowding.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Hemant Soren asked the Latehar deputy commissioner to provide appropriate medical facilities to the injured.

Previously, it was reported that five people had died and 25 were injured. However, the death toll jumped after two persons died during treatment in Latehar hospital, along with two others in the Gumla Sadar hospital. A civil surgeon in Gumla said nine injured persons were referred to the Sadar hospital, of which two were brought dead.

The bus driver, Vikas Pathak, said around 90 passengers were on the bus. The brakes of the bus failed. Despite attempts to stop the vehicle using the handbrake and switching off the engine, I could not regain control, and the bus eventually overturned," he told reporters.

The deceased were identified as Reshanti Devi (35), Prema Devi (37), Sita Devi (45), Sonamati Devi (55), Sukhna Bhuiyan (40) and Vijay Bhuiyan. Identification of a woman, who died in Latehar hospital, is underway, said Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vipin Kumar Dubey. He informed that 60 injured were admitted to Mahuadanr community health centre and over 20 to a private hospital.

(with inputs from PTI)

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Location : Latehar, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 17:33 IST

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Day After 4 Naxalites Killed In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, 2 More Die In Fresh Gunfight

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 19:07 IST

Six Naxalites, including Dilip Vedja, Madvi Kosa, Lakkhi Madkam, and Radha Metta, were killed in Bijapur during a joint security operation targeting Maoists.

Between 2014 and 1 December 2025, security forces recorded a total of 27,765 outcomes against LWE cadres across the country. (PTI Photo)

A day after four Naxalites were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district, two more cadres were shot dead in the same operation, police said on Sunday.

PTI quoted Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav saying the latest exchange of fire occurred on Sunday morning in the forested hills of the districts north-western region, where a joint team of security forces has been conducting an anti-Naxalite operation.

On Saturday, four Naxals, later identified as senior cadre Dilip Vedja, who was a divisional committee member, area committee members Madvi Kosa and Lakkhi Madkam, and party member Radha Metta, were killed.

All four were active in the National Park Area Committee of the Maoists, the SP said.

The gunfight first broke out on Saturday morning in the forested hills of the districts northwest region, where a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxalite operation based on inputs about the presence of Maoist cadres in the area.

On January 3, 14 Naxalites were killed in two encounters in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts, including Bijapur.

The Centre has set a deadline of March 31 to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism.

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Location : Bijapur, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 19:07 IST

News india Day After 4 Naxalites Killed In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, 2 More Die In Fresh Gunfight

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DelhiBagdogra IndiGo Flight With 238 Passengers Receives Bomb Threat, Makes Emergency Landing

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 13:35 IST

A DelhiBagdogra flight with 238 passengers made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a bomb threat was found on a tissue paper. The plane is being searched.

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Visuals of the IndiGo Delhi to Bagdogra flight, which made an emergency landing in Lucknow. (ANI)

IndiGo Airlines flight 6E-6650 travelling from Delhi to Bagdogra, carrying 238 passengers received a bomb threat on Sunday, forcing an emergency landing in Lucknow, police said.

According to ACP Rajneesh Verma, a message claiming that there was a bomb on board was found written on a tissue paper in the aircrafts toilet. He said the flight was en route from Delhi to Bagdogra when the threat was discovered.

ACP Rajneesh Verma says, A message was found written on a tissue paper in the toilet of the flight, stating that there was a bomb on board. The flight had 238 passengers, along with the pilots and crew. The flight was en route from Delhi to Bagdogra. It made an emergency landing ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026

The aircraft landed safely in Lucknow. It was carrying 230 passengers, including 222 adults and 8 infants, 2 pilots, and 5 crew members. ACP Verma said the plane is currently being searched.

After landing at Lucknow airport, the aircraft was immediately parked in the isolation bay and secured by security personnel. Bomb disposal squad and CISF teams began a detailed investigation. All passengers were evacuated and screened, and a comprehensive search is currently underway at the airport. #WATCH | Visuals of the IndiGo Delhi to Bagdogra flight, which made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a message was found written on a tissue paper in the toilet of the flight, stating that there was a bomb on board.(Source: ACP Rajneesh Verma) pic.twitter.com/cvgiNX8yrz  ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026 Authorities received information at around 8:46 am on January 18, 2026, that a message from air traffic control reported a bomb threat on IndiGo flight 6E-6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra. The aircraft landed safely at about 9:17 am. (With inputs from ANI) Watch more videos Share this Article

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 12:58 IST

News india DelhiBagdogra IndiGo Flight With 238 Passengers Receives Bomb Threat, Makes Emergency Landing

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Delhi Police Arrest Two In Gujarat For Rs 15 Crore Digital Arrest Scam Targeting NRI Doctors

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 07:23 IST

Delhi Police arrested two people from Vadodara for defrauding Dr Indira Taneja and Dr Om Taneja of Rs 15 crore in a digital arrest scam targeting NRI returnees.

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Dr Indira said the officer told them it was a matter of national security and that they could not share any information, not even with their driver who stayed with them at all times. (Image: News18)

Delhi Police has arrested two accused from Gujarat for allegedly defrauding an NRI doctor couple of Rs 15 crore through a digital arrest" scam.

According to the police, the accused have been identified as Divyank Patel and Shitauli. Of the total amount defrauded, Rs 4 crore was transferred to Divyank Patels bank account, police said.

Both accused were arrested from Vadodara. Delhi Police has brought them to Delhi for further proceedings.

This comes after, a 77-year-old IITian and his doctor wife returned to India after spending over 40 years in the US, with the aim of serving the nation through their NGO. However, a cyber fraud ordeal has compelled them to rethink their decision and consider moving back to the US.

One of Indias costliest digital arrest" frauds wiped out the couples lifetime earnings, as they lost Rs 14.85 crore in nearly 15 days. A single phone call shattered their dreams of survival in India, and they are now fighting to recover their money.

Dr Indira Taneja received a call from a man posing as a police officer on December 24. Claiming to be an IPS officer, the caller alleged that her phone number was linked to offensive and abusive calls. He later invoked the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and threatened the couple, saying the matter was connected to national security. Similar warnings were also issued to her husband, Dr Om Taneja. The elderly couple was defrauded by people posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). According to the couple, they were kept under constant surveillance through their phones and were instructed not to disconnect and to keep their phones charged from 24 November till 9 December. The fake officer told us not to disconnect and keep the phones charged. He identified himself as Dinesh Gupta and remained connected 24*7 through phones. Infact when I told him that we have to take my husband for walk as he is suffering from a medical condition, the fake officer asked us to keep the phone on. Our phone used to remain on even while sleeping in our bedroom," Dr Indira told News18. Explaining why they did not inform anyone while repeatedly transferring money, Dr Indira said the caller claimed it was a matter of national security and warned them against sharing any details with anyone, including their driver who was with them at all times. They told us that Naresh Goel case is linked to National security and we have to transfer money which will get cleared and returned back to them. He also asked us,to keep it secret which they were also monitoring through our phones and laptops as they said it is the matter of national security," Dr Taneja said. Watch more videos Share this Article

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:19 IST

News india Delhi Police Arrest Two In Gujarat For Rs 15 Crore Digital Arrest Scam Targeting NRI Doctors

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'I Commit Misdeeds Openly': UP Principal's Bizarre Remark Sparks Row, DM Demands Clarification

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 10:53 IST

Following outrage, the principal orally issued a clarification and said his statement was taken out of context.

The students approached the principal to raise issues related to student union elections. (Photo:X)

In a bizarre incident, a college principal from Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal district told students that he commits misdeeds openly." The video of the incident went viral and triggered an outrage among the students. The objectionable remarks are drawing sharp criticism, prompting authorities to take cognisance.

As per a report by India Today, the incident is from SM Degree College in Chandausi. The students approached the principal, Danveer Singh, to raise issues related to student union elections.

During the interaction, the principals comments were recorded and the video was widely shared on social media. Students and netizens called Singhs remarks insensitive."

While addressing students concerns, Danveer Singh said, I have come here, making eye contact with everyone. I am a person with an open heart and an open personality. Those who commit misdeeds do it secretly. No one commits misdeeds openly like me. I am speaking very frankly. (Dushkarm jo karte hain, woh chhupkar karte hain. Meri tarah khulkar koi dushkarm nahin karta. Main bahut frankly keh raha hoon.)"

He goes on and calls Chandausi a small city" and says, I never stopped boys and girls of my own college from roaming around. I only stopped them from going out with outsiders. Students should roam within limits and dignity."

The meeting took place on Saturday when students approached him with a memorandum demanding that student union elections be conducted in the college. They also highlighted other problems on campus, including parking fees.

After the video sparked a row, principal Danveer Singh Yadav orally issued a clarification and said his statement was taken out of context. By this, I meant that I speak by looking people in the eye and live like an open book. By the word misdeeds, I meant bad deeds in a general sense," he said.

Sambhal DM Dr Rajendra Pensia took cognisance of the matter and assured that a proper clarification will be taken from the principal.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 10:53 IST

News india 'I Commit Misdeeds Openly': UP Principal's Bizarre Remark Sparks Row, DM Demands Clarification

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Indian Chief Ministers Take Their Growth Story To Davos In Push To Attract Global Capital

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 23:53 IST

Several Indian states are making a strong push at the WEF Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, with chief ministers leading delegations to showcase investment opportunities.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reached Switzerland for WEF 2026 (Credits: X)

Several Indian states are marking a strong presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, as Chief Ministers and senior ministers travel to the Alpine town to pitch investment opportunities and strengthen global partnerships.

The WEF meeting will be held from January 19 to January 23, bringing together global political leaders, policymakers and business heads at a time of economic uncertainty and rapid technological change.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Reaches Zurich

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Zurich on Sunday as part of his five-day visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF in Davos. He was given a traditional Marathi welcome by members of the Marathi community, who greeted him in ethnic attire as the Maharashtra Song was played.

Fadnavis thanked the community for the warm reception, according to a statement from the Chief Ministers Office. He was formally welcomed by Indias Ambassador to Switzerland, Mridul Kumar. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu also met Fadnavis and congratulated him on the ruling alliances strong performance in the recent Maharashtra municipal elections.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu Leads Large Delegation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also left for Davos on Sunday to attend the WEF. He is leading a delegation of ministers and senior officials.

During his four-day visit from January 19 to 22, Naidu is scheduled to take part in 36 engagements, including one-on-one meetings with global CEOs, roundtables, thematic sessions, inter-governmental meetings, plenary discussions, media interactions and a Telugu diaspora programme, a government source told PTI.

Karnataka Focuses On Execution-First Approach

A Karnataka government delegation led by Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil has departed for Davos to participate in the WEF Annual Meeting, which will be held from January 19 to 23.

Ahead of the visit, Patil said Karnatakas engagement at Davos would follow an execution-first" approach, with a focus on converting investment proposals into projects on the ground. The delegation will take part in over 45 high-level engagements, including bilateral meetings, roundtables and ecosystem interactions.

Meetings are scheduled with global companies and institutions such as Amazon Web Services, Lenovo, Vast Space, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, Imperial College London and the Singapore Economic Development Board, along with several other international investors.

Strong Indian Political And Corporate Presence At Davos

From India, at least four Union MinistersAshwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and K Rammohan Naidualong with six Chief Ministers and over 100 top CEOs are likely to attend the event.

Assam Makes First-Ever Appearance At Davos

Assam will participate in the World Economic Forum for the first time, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma representing the state. During his four-day stay in Davos, several important agreements are expected to be signed, the Chief Ministers Office said.

For the first time, Assam steps onto the world stage at the World Economic Forum, @davos 2026. HCM @himantabiswa will represent the State from 19-23 January, showcasing Assams growing economic confidence and investment potential," the CMO said in a post on X.

The CMO added that key MoUs are expected to be signed, highlighting Assams future-ready vision. Sarma will also present governance reforms, industrial growth plans and technology-driven development shaping the states progress.

Gujarat Delegation Led By Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is leading a high-level delegation to WEF 2026 to project the states vision of Developed Gujarat @2047" on a global platform.

According to the Gujarat government, Sanghavi will hold around 58 one-on-one meetings with global business leaders to attract investment across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, shipping, logistics and aerospace. The focus will be on boosting industrial growth and employment opportunities for youth.

Uttar Pradesh Showcases Growth Potential

Uttar Pradesh will also participate in the WEF Annual Meeting, with a delegation led by Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, coordinated by Invest UP.

The high-level delegation showcases Uttar Pradeshs strong commitment to global partnerships and long-term economic growth," Invest UP said in a post on X. The state plans to highlight its rise as a destination for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development.

Indias Strong Presence At Davos

Along with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, other Indian states including Kerala are also marking their presence at the global forum.

The 56th WEF Annual Meeting is expected to draw nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, with discussions focused on geopolitics, economic recovery and technological transformation.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 23:53 IST

News india Indian Chief Ministers Take Their Growth Story To Davos In Push To Attract Global Capital

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Internet Gives Testosterone Boost, Alcohol Erases Sense: SP Leaders Remark On Rape Sparks Row

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 10:45 IST

Phool Singh Baraiya's remarks on rape sparked outrage; ST Hasan blamed internet and alcohol, calling for strict punishment.

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Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan. (ANI)

After Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya triggered a political storm with his remarks, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan weighed in, blaming the influence of the internet and alcohol for sexual crimes.

Reacting to Baraiyas controversial statement, Hasan said vulgar content on the internet gives a testosterone boost" to young men, leaving them unable to control their sexual desires. He alleged that this leads to crimes when women or girls come into contact with them.

He further claimed that alcohol was a major factor, saying that after consuming alcohol, a man forgets the difference between his wife and daughter, citing several such instances. Calling for strict punishment, Hasan said rapists should be shot at a chauraha."

I think the internet is a big reason behind this. The vulgarity on the internet gives a testosterone boost to young men, which makes them unable to control their sexual desires. During this, when a woman or a girl comes around them, she is raped. The main reason behind this is alcohol. After alcohol consumption, a man forgets to differentiate between his wife and daughter. We have seen so many examples of this We need strict laws to punish rapists. They should be shot at on a chauraha," he said.

#WATCH | Moradabad, UP: On Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiyas controversial statement, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan says,  I think the internet is a big reason behind this. The vulgarity on the internet gives a testosterone boost to young men, which makes them unable to pic.twitter.com/4eEwa7azX3 ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026

This comes after Baraiya from Bhander in Madhya Pradesh claimed that most rapes in India occur in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.

He further went on to explain his rape theory behind the statement and stated that if a person sees an extremely beautiful woman" while travelling, their mind may get distracted, leading to rape.

Who are the victims of rape in India? Mostly women belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the OBCs. The theory of rape is that if a man, regardless of his mental state, is walking down the road and sees a beautiful girl, he can get distracted and rape a woman," the Congress MLA from Bhander said.

The Bhander MLA further claimed that rape is often committed by groups rather than individuals and shockingly referred to cases involving infants, asserting that such crimes stem from a mindset" fuelled by the beliefs written in religious texts of Dalits.

The BJP hit out at the Congress MLA following his remarks and termed the statement as shameful and shocking".

Taking to X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared Baraiyas photo with Rahul gandhi and wrote, The Congress MLA who made the most despicable comments on women, Hindu Astha and SC ST women is with Rahul Gandhi being patronised by him. So, sanction for his comments comes from the top."

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Location : Moradabad, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 10:45 IST

News india Internet Gives Testosterone Boost, Alcohol Erases Sense: SP Leaders Remark On Rape Sparks Row

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Juniors Allegedly Beaten With Belts At Doon Medical College, Probe Ordered

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:54 IST

Government Doon Medical College faces fresh ragging allegations as juniors report assault by seniors. Principal confirms inquiry and promises strict action if charges are proven.

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The police confirmed the attack and stated that a case had been filed, including charges of assault. (Representational image)

A case of ragging and assault by senior students on juniors has come to light at Government Doon Medical College in Patel Nagar, Dehradun, with allegations that juniors were beaten with belts.

In a written complaint submitted to the hostel warden on January 13, a first-year MBBS student stated that the incident occurred the previous day. He named two seniors from the 2023 and 2024 batches, alleging that after assaulting him, the accused confronted him inside the hostel, leading him to formally report the matter.

I am scared of retribution, and this left me shaken," the student stated in his complaint, Times of India reported.

Dehradun | An incident of ragging and assault by senior students on junior students has come to light at Government Doon Medical College (Patel Nagar, Dehradun). Juniors were allegedly beaten with belts.Medical College Principal Dr Geeta Jain says that the Anti-Ragging  ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026

Medical College Principal Dr Geeta Jain said the Anti-Ragging Committee is conducting a detailed inquiry into the matter. She added that strict action will be taken against the guilty students once the committee submits its report.

The Discipline Committee has recorded statements from students and reiterated that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the college. The administration stated that if the allegations are confirmed, the accused may face strict disciplinary action, including possible suspension.

Doon Medical College has faced ragging allegations in the past. In September 2023, an intern and seven senior students were suspended after a junior reported being beaten. In a separate incident in November 2019, six students were suspended following a harassment complaint.

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Location : Dehradun, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:54 IST

News india Juniors Allegedly Beaten With Belts At Doon Medical College, Probe Ordered

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Kuki Woman, Kidnapped And Gang-Raped By Mob 2 Years Ago, Dies Awaiting Justice In Manipur

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 08:00 IST

A 20-year-old Kuki zone woman, gang-raped during Manipur ethnic violence in Imphal in 2023, died on January 10 in Guwahati hospital due to trauma and injuries.

The woman was gang-raped in 2023. (Image used for representation)

A 20-year-old Kuki zone woman, who was gang-raped in 2023 during ethnic violence in Manipur, died on January 10 due to prolonged injuries. Two years ago, she was kidnapped and gang-raped by a mob in Imphal. Reportedly, the woman reported her assault in July 2023, but no arrests have been made.

As per the local reports, the womans family said that she could never recover from the trauma of the brutal attack. She was in deep shock that affected her mental and physical health. She breathed her last while undergoing treatment at a Guwahati hospital.

As per a report by India Today, the woman reported the horrific incident and shared that she was kidnapped by a group of four men who asked her identity and handed her over to a group of armed men.

The incident occurred on May 15, 2023. The victim, a resident of New Checkon Colony in Imphal, had stepped out to withdraw money from an ATM when she was abducted.

According to her statement, she was taken to multiple locations in Imphal, including Wangkhei Ayangpali and Langol, where she was subjected to sexual and severe physical assault.

The perpetrators abandoned her in Bishnupur, presuming that she was dead. The woman was rescued by an autorickshaw driver who rushed her to a hospital.

After receiving initial treatment in Manipur, the victim was shifted to Guwahati due to the graveness of her injuries.

Based on the survivors statement, an FIR was registered under Sections 354, 307, 364, 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, even after 2 years, no arrests have been made.

The Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced a candlelight vigil in the womans memory.

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Location : Imphal, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:39 IST

News india Kuki Woman, Kidnapped And Gang-Raped By Mob 2 Years Ago, Dies Awaiting Justice In Manipur

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Americas top trading partners are responding to President Donald Trumps belligerent and unpredictable trade policies by trying to take their business elsewhere.

Canada broke with the United States Friday, slashing its 100% import tax on Chinese electric vehicles in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, particularly canola seeds.

Its a huge declaration of realignment in Canadas economic relations, said Edward Alden, who studies trade issues as senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The economic threat from the United States is now perceived by Canadians as far bigger than the economic threat from China. So this is a big deal.

Canada has repeatedly been the target of Trumps impulsive wrath. In October, for instance, he said he was imposing a 10% tariff on Canadian imports as a reprisal for Ontarios provincial government airing an advertisement that criticized the presidents go-to diplomatic tariff tool. He didnt follow through on the increase, but tariffs on on some key Canadian sectors like steel and aluminum remain.

But Friday's deal with China is potentially perilous one for Canadas prime minister, Mark Carney, who risks retribution from Trump on the eve of negotiations over the renewal of a North American trade pact that is crucial to Canadian businesses.

Trade partners seek alternatives to the U.S.

Canada is not alone in looking for alternatives to Americas massive market as Trump slaps massive tariffs on imports in an attempt to strong-arm other countries into moving production to the United States.

The European Union is expected to formally sign a trade pact Saturday with the South American alliance known as Mercosur, which includes the regions two biggest economies, Brazil and Argentina. The EU is also pursuing a trade deal with India.

China, pounded by U.S. tariffs since Trumps first term, has diversified its exports away the worlds biggest economy to markets such as Europe and Southeast Asia. It seems to be working. Chinas trade surplus with the rest of the world surged to a record $1.2 trillion in 2025, the Chinese government reported Wednesday, despite tumbling exports to the U.S.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has overturned seven decades of U.S. policy in favor of ever-freer trade. Hes imposed double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on Earth as well as singling out specific industries, such as steel and autos, for levies of their own.

Trump says tariffs will raise money for the U.S. Treasury, protect American industries, bring investment into to the United States. On Thursday, in fact, Taiwan agreed to invest $250 billion in the United States in return for Trump reducing the tariff on its products to 15% from 20%.
Mayor Decision Will Be Ours: Fadnavis' Retort To Uddhavs God Willing Claim After BMC Loss

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 11:08 IST

CM Devendra Fadnavis underlined that all key decisions related to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would be taken collectively by the ruling alliance.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (L) and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. File image

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a sharp swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over his claim that his party could still secure the Mumbai mayors post if God is willing," asserting that the decision would rest firmly with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.

Reacting to Thackerays remark, Fadnavis struck a sarcastic note, saying it was unclear whether Deva" referred to God or himself. What does Deva mean? God or me? Because I am also called Deva Bhau," he said, adding that it was indeed the will of the Almighty" that the next mayor of Mumbai would come from the Mahayuti.

The chief minister underlined that all key decisions related to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would be taken collectively by the ruling alliance.

Who will become the mayor, when the mayor will be elected, where it will be decided, and for how many years, these decisions will be taken together by me, Eknath Shinde, and our party leaders. There is no dispute at all," Fadnavis said.

Thackeray had made the God willing" remark during his first interaction with party workers after the BMC election results were declared.

Calling it his dream to see a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor in Mumbai, he insisted that his party had not been politically wiped out. The BJP could not finish Shiv Sena (UBT) on the ground," he claimed, alleging that the ruling party could not buy loyalty."

Targeting the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thackeray accused them of betraying Mumbai.

They have registered victory through betrayal by mortgaging Mumbai. The Marathi Manoos will never forgive this sin," he said, adding that the political battle was far from over.

At a subsequent press conference, Thackeray alleged misuse of state machinery during the polls and claimed the BJPs strength existed only on paper, not on the streets."

He also raised concerns over polling-day irregularities, alleging that indelible ink could be wiped off and that opposition candidates were either pressured or tempted.

The war of words comes a day after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance ended nearly three decades of Shiv Sena dominance in the BMC.

In the 227-member civic body, the alliance crossed the majority mark of 114 seats, with the BJP winning 89 and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena securing 29 seats, taking the total to 118.

Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged as the largest opposition party with 65 seats, while the Congress won 24, AIMIM eight, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena six, the Samajwadi Party two, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) one seat.

Even if all opposition parties were to come together, their combined strength would fall short of the majority mark, leaving the Mahayuti firmly in control of Mumbais civic body.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 11:08 IST

News india Mayor Decision Will Be Ours: Fadnavis' Retort To Uddhavs God Willing Claim After BMC Loss

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Not The Only Victims: Goa Murder Case Takes Grim Turn As Russian Man Claims More Killings

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 07:56 IST

Aleksei Leonov, a Russian national, confessed to multiple killings in Goa, including Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva, prompting police to widen their investigation.

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(File for representation)

A twist has emerged in the Goa murder case after a Russian national allegedly confessed to additional killings, with investigators indicating that the two women earlier found dead may not be the only victims.

According to the police, 37-year-old Aleksei Leonov was arrested early on Friday, after the recovery of the body of his suspected live-in partner, Elena Kasthanova (37), was found with her throat slit in north Goas Arambol.

The discloser made by the accused during interrogation prompted authorities to widen the scope of the investigation. He also led the police to the body of one Elena Vaneeva (37) in Morjim village. Police believe that she was killed on the night of January 14.

On Saturday, Leonov took the police to Korgao village, where he claimed to have killed a 40-year-old woman from Assam by drugging her. Police said they are verifying whether the claim matches a suspected overdose case reported on January 14 at the Pernem Community Health Centre and whether Leonov was indeed involved in the womans death.

During interrogation, he said that the two women who were found dead were not the only ones he had killed. We are verifying his claims and will act based on the evidence we find," a Goa police officer aware of the matter said.

The accused is changing his statements and we are yet to conclusively establish a motive. He is also believed to be under the influence of psychotropic substances so his statements need to be verified," the official added.

Later in the day, a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Pernem remanded Leonov to 14 days of police custody in connection with the murder of the two Russian women.

Both Russian women were found with their throats slit, with Kasthanovas body being noticed by the landlord of the room she had rented at 9.15pm on Thursday. Neighbours had heard her screams and rushed to her aid, while Leonov fled the scene by jumping from the first floor of the building. He was arrested at 4am on Friday," said an officer.

Leonov has been living in the Arambol area on a long-term visa since 2023. Preliminary investigations suggest jealousy as the motive in the case of Kasthanova and a financial dispute in Vaneevas case, an officer said.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:56 IST

News india Not The Only Victims: Goa Murder Case Takes Grim Turn As Russian Man Claims More Killings

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UAE President To Visit India For Talks On Strategic Ties Amid West Asia Tensions

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 22:12 IST

This will be UAE president's third official visit to India since taking office and his fifth visit to the country in the past decade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (PTI file photo)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on Monday for talks aimed at strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia, marked by strained Iran-US relations, ongoing instability in Gaza, and unresolved conflict in Yemen involving Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Officials said regional developments are likely to be discussed during the talks.

People familiar with the visit said key areas on the agenda will include trade and investment, defence industry cooperation, and energy initiatives. The situation in West Asia is also expected to feature prominently in discussions with the Indian leadership.

Sheikh Mohameds visit is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be his third official visit to India since taking office as president and his fifth visit to the country in the past decade.

India and the UAE have seen a sharp rise in bilateral trade and people-to-people ties since signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022. The agreement has helped boost trade flows and investment between the two nations.

The MEA said the visit builds on recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024. It also follows the visit of UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to India in April last year.

India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties," the MEA said.

The ministry further stressed that the two countries are among each others top trading and investment partners. Their partnership is supported by CEPA, a local currency settlement system, and a bilateral investment treaty.

The MEA said the visit will allow both leaders to chart new directions for the strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 22:11 IST

News india UAE President To Visit India For Talks On Strategic Ties Amid West Asia Tensions

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US Ambassador Sergio Gor Meets CM Fadnavis, Praises Mumbai In Successful Visit

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 12:17 IST

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor praised Mumbai after high-level meetings with Devendra Fadnavis, Sanjay Malhotra, Mukesh Ambani, N. Chandrasekaran and other leaders.

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Ambassador Sergio Gor spoke about Mumbai's busy streets, historic landmarks. (X/@USAmbIndia)

United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor praised Mumbai as he concluded what he described as a very successful" visit to the city, marked by a series of high-level meetings with political, business and institutional leaders.

In a post on X, Gor said he held discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, executives from Indias pharmaceutical sector, and religious faith leaders.

He said the meetings helped build strong momentum across trade, technology, education, energy and resilient supply chains, adding that the U.S.India partnership continues to grow.

Were building strong momentum across trade, technology, education, energy, and resilient supply chains as the U.S.India partnership continues to grow," Gor posted on X.

Wrapping up a very successful trip to Mumbai! Great meetings with @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis, @RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of @TataCompanies N. Chandrasekaran, executives from Indias pharmaceutical sector, and Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 18, 2026

Earlier, Gor praised Mumbai as a city marked by energy, culture and striking sights. The remarks came a few days after he formally assumed charge as the 27th United States Ambassador to India on January 12.

In the post, Ambassador Gor spoke about Mumbais busy streets, historic landmarks such as the Gateway of India, and views of the Arabian Sea. The message expressed admiration for the citys character and everyday life, while inviting people to experience the spirit of Indias financial capital. Mumbai, as a key hub for business, culture and diplomacy, often figures in outreach by foreign diplomats.

Discover the enchanting beauty of Mumbai  a vibrant tapestry of bustling streets, iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India, and the sparkling Arabian Sea. Everyone must visit to feel its magic! pic.twitter.com/S5q8UaIXov Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 17, 2026

Before arriving in India, Gor served in senior roles in Washington. He previously worked as Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House, where he handled key responsibilities related to appointments and administration.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 12:17 IST

News india US Ambassador Sergio Gor Meets CM Fadnavis, Praises Mumbai In Successful Visit

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'Want Assam's Culture To Be Recognised Globally': PM Modi At Bagurumba Dwhou Event In Guwahati

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Last Updated: January 17, 2026, 23:32 IST

"The BJP believes that Assams traditions are the pride of India. Assams history and culture enrich and complete our nation," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Bagurumba Dwhou 2026 in Guwahati. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that efforts were underway to ensure that Assams rich cultural heritage is recognised globally.

While addressing the Bagurumba Dwhou event, a traditional cultural programme of the Bodo community in Guwahati, PM Modi said that no other Prime Minister had visited Assam as frequently as he had, underscoring his commitment to the states development and cultural promotion.

No other Prime Minister has visited Assam as much as I have I want the culture of Assam to be recognised globally, and initiatives have been underway in this regard," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, No other Prime Minister has visited Assam as much as I have I want the culture of Assam to be recognised globally, and initiatives have been underway in this regard Bagurumba is a live celebration and respect of https://t.co/gEiMCE7LBE pic.twitter.com/t3LYt4kjyD ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026

The Prime Minister further described Bagurumba dance as a living celebration and a mark of respect for the Bodo society. He said the performance reflected the traditions, values and cultural consciousness of the community.

PM Modi said that Assams traditions are the pride of India and its history and culture enrich the nation. He said that Bihu has received national recognition and that Charaideo Maidam has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to BJPs sustained efforts.

VIDEO | Guwahati: PM Modi (@narendramodi) addresses Bagurumba Dwhou, a traditional Bodo cultural programme. He said,The BJP believes that Assams traditions are the pride of India. Assams history and culture enrich and complete our nation. That is why the BJP organises pic.twitter.com/f8mFh53pov  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 17, 2026

Taking a swipe at the Congress, he alleged that previous Congress governments kept Bodoland disconnected from the mainstream and encouraged infiltration for vote-bank politics.

There was a time when killings were a regular occurrence in the state; today, the state is filled with the colours of its culture and traditions. Congress ensured Assams Bodoland remained disconnected from mainstream and it opened doors for infiltrators as they formed its vote bank," he said.

Referring to the states transformation, the Prime Minister said the sounds of gunshots that once echoed in Assam have been replaced by the sound of musical instruments. He noted that the Bodo Peace Accord ended years of unrest and opened new avenues for education and development, bringing Bodoland into the mainstream.

Today, Assam marks Silpi Diwas, in homage of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. He was a cultural stalwart of Assam, whose works have left a lasting impression on the minds of the Assamese people. His life has inspired countless people to excel in theatre, films, music and other pic.twitter.com/45IsU4VXd4 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2026

Ahead of his participation in the Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, PM Modi held a grand roadshow at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied the Prime Minister during the roadshow, where thousands of supporters welcomed PM Modi with resounding sloganeering.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India

First Published: January 17, 2026, 19:25 IST

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The Most Underrated Skincare Ritual Isnt In Your Vanity, Its On The Yoga Mat

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 11:23 IST

From stress reduction to hormonal balance, heres how yoga transforms skin from the inside out.

Yoga doesnt promise glow, it restores balance.

In a beauty culture obsessed with instant radiance, glow is often treated like a finish  buffed, layered, filtered into existence. Yoga challenges that narrative entirely. In its philosophy, luminous skin isnt something to be chased; its something that appears when the body is functioning in harmony. Long before skincare routines became ten-step rituals, yoga positioned skin as a reflection of circulation, breath, hormones, digestion, and nervous system health. The difference lies in intention: products polish the surface, while yoga works beneath it  quietly, consistently, and cumulatively.

Skin As An Internal Report Card

The skin is a mirror of what is going on in the body. No cream or serum can replace the intelligence of balanced breath, steady blood flow, and a calm nervous system," says Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa. According to him, yoga doesnt aim to create glow externally. It restores internal harmony, allowing radiance to emerge naturally.

As the body moves through asana, circulation becomes intentional. Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and life force to every cell, including skin tissue," Akshar explains, noting that, unlike topical products, yoga improves the quality of blood nourishing the skin. Over time, dullness fades not because its masked, but because its corrected at the root.

Breath, Detox, And The Nervous System

Modern skin issues such as acne, pigmentation, and premature ageing are increasingly linked to stress. Yoga addresses this connection directly. Among the most underestimated causes of skin problems is stress," Akshar points out. When the parasympathetic nervous system activates, cortisol levels normalise, inflammation reduces, and the face visibly softens.

Echoing this, Mihir Jog, yoga teacher and Ayurveda practitioner, explains, Glow is a byproduct of balance, never the goal." Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, weakens digestion, disrupts sleep, and the skin mirrors that internal strain. Yoga works from the inside out by creating the conditions for regulation rather than quick fixes," he says.

Breathwork plays a crucial role here. Practices like Anulom Vilom, Kapalabhati, and Bhramari improve oxygenation, support detoxification, and calm the nervous system  benefits no serum can replicate.

Circulation, Hormones, And Facial Release

Yogas impact on skin is also structural. Asana improves circulation and lymphatic movement, helping the body clear metabolic waste more efficiently," Jog explains.

Restorative postures, inversions, and backbends release tension from the neck, jaw, and shoulders  areas where stress restricts blood and lymph flow.

From a therapeutic lens, Gaurav Chauhan, AYUSH Ministrycertified Yoga Protocol Instructor, sees yoga outperforming topical fixes entirely. Yoga nourishes skin from within. It boosts circulation, reduces tension, tones facial muscles, and improves healing and firmness," he says.

He points to poses like Downward Dog, Cobra, Camel, Shoulder Stand, and Headstand for increased facial blood flow, while pranayama practices support oxygenation and detox. Face yoga techniques  like Lion Roar, Fish Face, and facial tapping  release habitual holding patterns and tone muscles gently.

Lifestyle Awareness

Yogas most overlooked skincare benefit may be awareness. As Akshar notes, habits shift naturally  hydration improves, sleep deepens, digestion strengthens, and food choices become more conscious. Jog adds that when yoga is paired with an Ayurvedic lifestyle supporting daily rhythm and digestion, skin health stabilises without force.

Products may deliver immediacy, but yoga delivers longevity. One covers; the other corrects.

True radiance doesnt announce itself. It settles in. It appears when the nervous system is calm, hormones are balanced, digestion is efficient, and breath is steady. Yoga doesnt manufacture glow. It removes what blocks it. And what remains is skin that looks clear, rested, and quietly confident  without asking for attention.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 11:17 IST

News lifestyle beauty The Most Underrated Skincare Ritual Isnt In Your Vanity, Its On The Yoga Mat
Dealing With Heartburn After Eating Your Meals? Yoga Expert Shares 8 Poses For Relief

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 13:51 IST

Heartburn and indigestion are common signs of poor digestion that are often ignored. These poses can help with the discomfort.

A yoga expert shares eight easy poses to help ease acidity naturally.

Heartburn is something many people deal with, especially after eating heavy or spicy food. That burning feeling in the chest or the sour taste in the mouth can be uncomfortable and hard to ignore. While many see it as a small problem, it often points to ones digestion not working the way it should.

Stress, long sitting hours, poor posture, and irregular meals can all slow digestion and lead to acidity. Medicines can give quick relief, but simple yoga poses may also help by relaxing the body, improving digestion, and helping food move better through the stomach and intestines.

Why Does Heartburn Happen?

Digestive discomfort like heartburn and indigestion often arises from stress, poor posture, irregular eating habits, or weak digestive fire (agni)," Dr Yogrishi Vishvketu, Founder of Akhanda Yoga Institute, told Health Shots. He suggested doing yoga poses slowly, either on an empty stomach or at least three to four hours after eating.

Here are a few poses to soothe acid reflux and reduce indigestion:

Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose): This is one of the few poses that can be done after meals. Sitting on your heels with a straight back helps blood flow to the stomach and may reduce acidity. Sit calmly, place your hands on your thighs, and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half spinal twist): This gentle twist massages the stomach area and supports digestion. Sit tall, twist slowly, and switch sides after a few breaths.

Balasana (Childs pose): This pose helps relax the body and reduce stress-related acidity. Kneel, fold forward, rest your head on the mat, and breathe slowly.

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose): This pose improves blood flow and reduces sluggish digestion. Lift your hips gently and hold for a few breaths.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining bound angle pose): This calming pose relaxes the belly and helps soothe acidity. Lie back, bring your feet together, support your knees, and focus on slow breathing.

Pawanmuktasana (Wind-relieving pose): Pawanmuktasana helps release trapped gas and reduces abdominal pressure, making it especially helpful for bloating and post-meal discomfort," Dr Yogrishi told Hindustan Times. Lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and breathe deeply.

Malasana (Yogic squat): This pose gently presses the abdomen and helps digestion. Squat with your feet slightly apart, bring your palms together, keep your chest lifted, and breathe steadily for up to a minute.

MarjaryasanaBitilasana (CatCow pose): Stay on your hands and knees and move the spine gently to improve circulation to digestive organs.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 13:51 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Dealing With Heartburn After Eating Your Meals? Yoga Expert Shares 8 Poses For Relief
Infertility, Pregnancy Loss & Low Parity Linked to Higher Osteoporosis Risk in Menopausal Women

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 14:03 IST

When a woman experiences infertility, repeated miscarriages, or low parity, it is not just about fertility; it is about her long-term health.

Integrating bone health into fertility care can help clinicians identify at-risk women decades earlier. (Representative Image)

Emerging evidence is reshaping how clinicians understand womens bone health after menopause. A new wave of observational data suggests that women with a history of infertility, recurrent miscarriages, stillbirth, or low parity face a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis once they reach natural menopause. Surprisingly, age at menopause, which was long considered a primary determinant of bone loss, appears to have little influence on these associations. In fact, the studies are highlighting that reproductive history itself may be a powerful predictor of long-term skeletal health.

Dr Sandhya Mishra, Consultant  Reproductive Medicine  Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Milann Fertility Hospital, Bengaluru, says, For decades, menopause was seen as the turning point for bone density decline due to reduced oestrogen levels. However, fertility patterns across a womans life may offer even deeper insights. Conditions such as repeated pregnancy loss, difficulty conceiving, or having fewer children than biologically attempted are often rooted in underlying hormonal, metabolic, or autoimmune factors. These same factors may also compromise bone strength over time."

Importance of reproductive history for bone health

Women who face infertility often have hormonal irregularities, which include low oestrogen, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or diminished ovarian reserve, each of which plays a crucial role in regulating bone turnover. When oestrogen levels remain suboptimal for years, bones tend to become porous long before menopause begins, explains Dr Sandhya Mishra.

Similarly, recurrent miscarriages and stillbirths, although caused by diverse factors, are frequently linked to chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and coagulation abnormalities. Many of these conditions subtly alter calcium metabolism or increase bone resorption, contributing to reduced bone density later in life.

Low parity, which is defined as having fewer pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age, has also been identified as a risk marker. Each full-term pregnancy creates a surge of oestrogen that temporarily protects bone mass. Dr Sandhya Mishra says, Women who do not experience these protective phases may have comparatively lower cumulative oestrogen exposure across their lifetime."

Age at menopause is not the full story

Traditionally, early menopause is considered a strong predictor of osteoporosis. While this remains true, recent insights reveal that irrespective of when menopause occurs, a womans reproductive journey, fertility challenges, pregnancy outcomes, breastfeeding patterns, and parity, may independently shape her bone health trajectory.

Dr Sandhya Mishra says, This is particularly important for Indian women, who often delay fertility for education and career or face silent reproductive disorders that go undiagnosed for years. By the time they reach menopause, many of these women have never been evaluated for underlying endocrine or metabolic issues that could have been managed early."

Also, most women always put family responsibilities first over their personal health, making conditions like low bone density go unnoticed until a fracture occurs.

Why fertilitybone health integration should be prioritised

Reproductive health is not confined to the years of attempting conception. Instead, it forms the foundation for lifelong metabolic and skeletal well-being. Dr Sandhya Mishra says, Women with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss frequently undergo hormonal assessments, but these evaluations rarely extend to bone markers, vitamin D levels, or long-term osteoporosis risk screening."

Integrating bone health into fertility care can help clinicians identify at-risk women decades earlier, enabling timely intervention through lifestyle modification, nutritional counselling, and medical therapy when required.

Remember, reproductive challenges are often windows into deeper hormonal imbalances. When a woman experiences infertility, repeated miscarriages, or low parity, it is not just about fertility; it is about her long-term health. Screening these women for bone health early can prevent major complications after menopause. A woman may reach menopause at a normal age but still be at high risk of osteoporosis if she has had unresolved fertility or pregnancy-related issues.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 14:03 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Infertility, Pregnancy Loss & Low Parity Linked to Higher Osteoporosis Risk in Menopausal Women
Why Walking May Be The Most Underrated Fat-Burning Habit After 50

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:41 IST

Can walking reduce belly fat after 50? Health experts explain how regular walking targets visceral fat and improves metabolism naturally.

Walking helps burn abdominal fat and supports long-term health.

Belly fat after 50 is a common concern, and not just for cosmetic reasons. As the body ages, changes in metabolism, muscle mass, hormones, and stress response often lead to fat accumulating around the abdomen. This type of fat, particularly visceral fat that surrounds internal organs, is closely linked to insulin resistance, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. While intense workouts may feel daunting or unsustainable at this stage of life, research increasingly points to a simpler, more accessible solution: walking.

Why Belly Fat Increases With Age

When an individual reaches the age of 50 years or above, abdominal fat may increase despite being physically active," explains Dr Narendra K Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer at Kshemavana Naturopathy and Yoga Centre, Bengaluru. He notes that ageing naturally leads to muscle loss, a slower metabolism, and increased fat storage that is often concentrated in the abdominal region. Research, he adds, shows that women may carry nearly four times more visceral fat by the time they reach their 60s compared to young adulthood.

From a holistic lens, Dr Isaac Mathai, Founder, Chairman and Medical Director of SOUKYA International Holistic Health Centre, Bengaluru, sees belly fat as more than a standalone issue. After the age of 50, abdominal fat increases due to metabolic slowdown, hormonal changes, reduced muscle mass, digestive inefficiencies, and prolonged stress," he says, highlighting how lifestyle and internal balance play a crucial role in midlife weight gain.

What Kind Of Belly Fat Does Walking Target?

Belly fat comes in two forms: visceral fat, which surrounds vital organs and poses the greatest health risk, and subcutaneous fat, which sits just under the skin and affects waist size.

According to Dr Shetty, scientific evidence consistently shows that aerobic exercise like walking helps reduce both types. Significantly, walking has been found to decrease visceral fat, even without extreme weight loss," he explains, making it particularly valuable for people over 50 who may struggle with aggressive workout regimens.

What Research Says About Walking After 50

Clinical studies reinforce walkings effectiveness in older adults. Dr Shetty points to trials in postmenopausal women showing improvements in body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and inflammation markers linked to cardiovascular risk. Long-term studies also reveal a clear dose-response effect: the more consistently people walk, and the greater the distance covered, the greater the reduction in abdominal fat.

Walkings appeal lies in its sustainability. As Dr Mathai explains, While high-intensity workouts may not always be suitable at this stage of life, walking remains one of the most effective and accessible ways to initiate healthy weight regulation, particularly around the midsection."

How Walking Burns Belly Fat

From a medical perspective, walking triggers multiple fat-burning mechanisms. Dr Manisha Arora, Director  Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, describes walking as almost like a magic pill" for reducing belly fat after 50.

Walking creates a calorie deficit, boosts metabolic rate, and stimulates lipolysis  the process by which stored fat is broken down for energy," she explains. It also improves insulin sensitivity, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone linked to belly fat), and enhances hormonal responses such as growth hormone and leptin sensitivity, all of which support fat loss.

Dr Mathai adds that walking also improves digestion, sleep quality, circulation, and stress regulation  factors that quietly but powerfully influence midlife weight.

How Much Walking Is Enough?

Most studies show positive effects with 3060 minutes of walking, three to seven days a week, at a brisk but comfortable pace. Consistency is more important than speed or intensity," Dr Shetty emphasises, noting that visible results often emerge over months, not weeks.

Dr Arora recommends pairing walking with light strength training to preserve muscle mass and enhance calorie burn, even at rest.

Walking may not promise overnight results or spot reduction, but its impact after 50 is both real and well-documented. By improving metabolism, insulin sensitivity, hormonal balance, and stress regulation, regular walking helps reduce harmful belly fat in a safe, sustainable way. When practised consistently and supported by mindful eating and healthy lifestyle habits, it becomes more than exercise. It becomes a long-term investment in metabolic health, vitality, and ageing well.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:41 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Why Walking May Be The Most Underrated Fat-Burning Habit After 50
Parents Ignored Teens Weight Loss As Picky Eating Until Breathlessness & Fainting Revealed Anxiety Disorder

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Last Updated: January 29, 2026, 18:17 IST

Doctors identified the episode as a severe anxiety attack, and a week later further evaluation revealed anxiety disorder, a condition more commonly diagnosed in adulthood

Unlike externalised anxiety that leads to tantrums or aggression, children that experience internalised anxiety often appear to be diligent, conscientious, hardworking, and/or compliant (Image: AI-Representational)

Weight loss during adolescence is rarely cause for alarm. Growth spurts, changing appetites, fluctuating routines for most families, these are accepted and known indicators of teenage transition also known as the age of stress and storm. Breathlessness, too, is often brushed aside as fatigue or poor fitness. It is only when such symptoms interrupt daily life rather dangerously that they demand closer attention.

Globally, concerns about adolescent mental health have never been more urgent. A 2025 World Health Organization(WHO) report estimates that roughly 1 in 7 adolescents aged 1019 experiences a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression among the leading causes of illness and disability in this age group. Mental health conditions account for about 15% of the total disease burden in adolescents worldwide, yet many remain undiagnosed and untreated. Half of all adult mental health disorders begin by age 14, underscoring how crucial early detection and support are during these formative years.

For Shaurya (name changed for anonymity), a 13-year-old Gurugram boy, that moment came unexpectedly, in the middle of a school day. Teachers noticed him struggling to breathe before he collapsed. He was taken to hospital, where routine tests ruled out respiratory and cardiac causes. What followed was not a diagnosis his family had anticipated. Doctors identified the episode as a severe anxiety attack, and a week later further evaluation revealed Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a condition more commonly diagnosed in adulthood than in early adolescence.

Dr. Astik Joshi, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist told News18, Anxiety disorders have been diagnosed in younger children over the last several years than was previously the case. Today, parents and clinicians can recognize children with anxiety at a much earlier age, for example, in elementary school. Recognizing anxiety in younger children can help overcome barriers in their environments and improve the quality of life for them, but this also indicates a growing number of stressors in their environments."

In about 8 months leading up to Shauryas anxiety attack in school, the physical signs were there, though very easy to dismiss. Shaurya was eating less, often pushing food around his plate or skipping meals altogether. His appetite had narrowed, and he became increasingly selective about what he would eat, a behaviour the family attributed to adolescent fussiness and teenage mood swings. Gradually, his weight dropped, his body structure noticeably thinner. There were occasional complaints of fatigue and uneasiness, brushed off as weakness or poor stamina. None of it seemed urgent, until his body made it impossible to ignore.

Emotional distress presenting as physical ailments is probably the most common presentation when it comes to children. There are multiple contributing factors behind this phenomenon. Limited verbal vocabulary, lack of emotional maturity and set parental responses all have a good weightage when it comes to physical manifestations," Dr. Nehal Shah, Consultant- Paediatric Medicine, Narayana Health SRCC Childrens Hospital, Mumbai adds.

The family although stunned did not take into account the events that may have led this teenage boy to experience such a shocking state. There had been no visible warning signs, no academic pressure, no behavioural issues at school. He was quiet, attentive, and by most measures, coping, mature, sensible, reasonable". What this case revealed was how easily childhood anxiety can hide behind normality.

Constant activation of a childs stress response due to long-term parental conflict and family financial strain, as well as illness or instability at home, will eventually have negative effects on the brain areas associated with emotional regulation. Ultimately, these effects result in adolescents becoming hypervigilant, more easily agitated, and at a higher risk to become anxious or worried about everything. These children will have developed expectations of danger or fear of trusting others and will continue to have persistent anxiety patterns as adults," adds Dr Astik, who is also a Forensic Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi.

Shaurya lives with his parents and grandparents in a joint family setup. He is an only child of two service-class professions and grandson to a retired daada-daadi, deeply loved and well cared for. Yet the emotional environment around him was far from calm. Not just his parents but grandparents too shared a dysfunctional relationship with frequent arguments, fights and doors slamming, although no physical violence ever occurred but on most occasions meals were skipped and silence settled heavily across the household.

Dr Joshi explains, Situational stress tends to be transient and identifiable through a triggering event. Stress can be alleviated when conditions surrounding the trigger change. In contrast, a clinical Anxiety Disorder will persist longer and is not directly related to the specific triggering event. Clinical Anxiety may also be disproportionate to the actual triggering event. Daily activities such as academics, school, sleep, friendship or any physical activity will be affected by clinical anxiety. Clinical symptoms will typically last for several weeks or months and include avoidance, physical complaints, and/or excessive reassurance-seeking by the individual experiencing the disorder."

Dr Nehal says, There are exceptions, children who have been taught early on to label emotions, to be aware of them and are provided with the right guidance and emotional support often clearly express themselves even at a young age."

No one ever directed anger towards the child. He was not scolded, threatened or blamed. But children do not need to be the focus of conflict to feel its effects. They observe patterns, absorb tension and adapt quietly. Over time, the boy became hyper-aware of emotional shifts in the house. His body remained on alert, anticipating disruption even in moments of calm.

In many households across India, such dynamics are not considered harmful. Raised voices are dismissed as normal disagreements. Emotional volatility is seen as part of family life. Adults often assume that children are unaffected as long as they are not directly involved. Yet psychology tells us otherwise. Prolonged exposure to unresolved conflict can shape a childs stress response, particularly when there is no space to process or express what they feel.

In this case, anxiety did not announce itself through panic or rebellion. It surfaced slowly, through weight loss, poor appetite and increasing physical discomfort. By the time it culminated in a collapse at school, the emotional burden had already been carried for years.

Dr Astik points out, Repeated exposure to conflict results in childrens feelings of security becoming unstable. When children recognize that there is conflict in the home on a regular basis, their home environment becomes less predictable and secure, causing them to remain in a continual state of heightened awareness."

Chronic exposure to this stress may cause children to develop negative feelings about parents; expect caregivers to be tense and act in an unpredictable way; develop hyper-vigilance; are unable to sleep well, and will have a trust deficit when it comes to caregivers and parents."

Once the diagnosis was clear, treatment extended beyond the child alone. Therapy helped him identify and articulate emotions he had long suppressed. He learned to recognise early signs of anxiety in his body before they escalated. Family counselling addressed the emotional climate of the home, encouraging adults to acknowledge how everyday interactions can affect a childs sense of safety.

Warning Signs: Does Anxiety Look Different In Children?

Quiet and compliant, children with internalised anxiety may not appear to have anxiety, but they do. Dr Astik notes, unlike externalised anxiety that leads to tantrums or aggression, children that experience internalised anxiety often appear to be diligent, conscientious, hardworking, and/or compliant. The behaviours manifested from a child with internalised anxiety can be excessive worry, social withdrawal, high levels of perfectionism, stomach aches, headaches, and sudden dips in self-confidence. Internalised anxiety is very overwhelming emotionally, but may be difficult to identify."

Dr Nehal highlights and notes, Early signs of anxiety in teenagers have an overlapping presentation with a multitude of mental health disorders:

Poor attention span, easy distractibility, restless pacing which is acute in onset, can be mistaken for ADHD but becomes evident on clarification Getting easily irritated, lashing out, becoming withdrawn can seem like a normal teenage experience or be confused with depression. Rebellious behavior, truancy, defiance can also sometimes have anxiety as the underlying condition and such children can be disregarded by school and family.

This incident highlights a crucial reality, anxiety in children is often invisible. It does not always manifest as tears, tantrums or defiance. Sometimes, it appears as compliance, quietness and physical symptoms that are easy to rationalise away.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:22 IST

News lifestyle Parents Ignored Teens Weight Loss As Picky Eating Until Breathlessness & Fainting Revealed Anxiety Disorder

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NEW YORK wit (AP)  What sounds like President Donald Trump narrating a new Fannie Mae ad actually is an AI-cloned voice reading text, according to a disclaimer in the video.

The voice in the ad, created with permission from the Trump administration, promises an all new Fannie Mae and calls the institution the protector of the American Dream. The ad comes as the administration is making a big push to show voters it is responding to their concerns about affordability, including in the housing market.

Trump plans to talk about housing at his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders and corporate executives meet this week.

This isnt the first time a member of the Trump family has used AI to replicate their voice, First Lady Melania Trump recently employed AI technology firm ElevenLabs to help voice the audio version of her memoir. Its not known who cloned President Trumps voice for the Fannie Mae ad. But ElevenLabs said in an email to The Associated Press on Sunday that the audio of Trump's voice wasn't generated by the company.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Last month, Trump pledged in a prime-time address that he would roll out some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history."

For generations, home ownership meant security, independence, and stability, Trump's digitized voice says in the one-minute ad aired Sunday. But today, that dream feels out of reach for too many Americans not because they stopped working hard but because the system stopped working for them."

Fannie Mae and its counterpart Freddie Mac, which have been under government control since the Great Recession, buy mortgages that meet their risk criteria from banks, which helps provide liquidity for the housing market. The two firms guarantee roughly half of the $13 trillion U.S. home loan market and are a bedrock of the U.S. economy.

The ad says Fannie Mae will work with the banking industry to approve more would-be homebuyers for mortgages.

Trump, Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and others have said they want to sell shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on a major stock exchange but no concrete plans have been set.

Trump and Pulte have also floated extending the 30-year mortgage to 50 years in order to lower monthly payments. Trump appeared to back off the proposal after critics said a longer-term loan would reduce peoples ability to create housing equity and increase their own wealth.

Trump also said on social media earlier this month that he was directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are anxious about home prices. Trump said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.
Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain Actor Aasif Sheikh Shares Near-Fatal On-Set Incident: A 13-Foot Tree Fell...

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:59 IST

At the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!  Fun on the Run trailer launch, Aasif Sheikh and Ravi Kishan revealed a near-miss with a falling tree during filming.

After a decade of ruling television, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain is heading to the big screen with its film adaptation Fun On The Run.

As Zee Studios and Edit II unveiled the trailer of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!  Fun on the Run, the laughter-filled event also witnessed a shocking revelation from the films cast. During interactions at the trailer launch, actors Aasif Sheikh and Ravi Kishan recalled an on-set incident that could have turned dangerous during the films shoot.

Sharing the experience, Aasif Sheikh revealed that the incident took place on the very first day at a new shooting location. It was our first day at a new location. Ravi and I were sitting next to each other, sipping coffee. There was some distance between us when suddenly, a tree almost 1213 feet long fell right between us. If one of us had been in the place of the falling tree, hamari chutney ban jaati. We were completely stunned. It felt like an adventurous reunion"

Adding to it Ravi Kishan added, The tree must have weighed close to 500 kilos. It fell right between us and created a massive boom sound. I did bruise my shoulder during the incident," he shared.

Producer Sanjay Kohli, who was present at the time, said, For a good 30 minutes, we were all speechless. Ravi got hurt on his shoulder and went for treatment, but within half an hour, he was back on the sets saying, Chalo, karte hai shooting," Kohli recalled.

Starring Shubhangi Atre, Vidisha Srivastava, Aasif Sheikh, Rohitashv Gour, Ravi Kishan, Mukesh Tiwari, and Nirahua, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!  Fun on the Run is produced by Zee Cinema, Sanjay Kohli, and Binaiffer Kohli, presented by Zee Studios and Sanjay Kohli, and directed by Shashank Bali. The film marks the highly anticipated transition of Indias beloved television comedy franchise to the big screen. The film hits theatres on 6 February 2026.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:59 IST

News movies bollywood Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain Actor Aasif Sheikh Shares Near-Fatal On-Set Incident: A 13-Foot Tree Fell...
Farah Khan Reacts In Shock As Cook Dilip Says He Uses Her BMW For Travel

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 07:43 IST

Farah Khans vlogs feature cook Dilip, who hilariously revealed he uses her BMW. Dilips fame now includes travel vlogs, brand ads with Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani.

Farah Khan Left Shocked As Cook Dilip Admits To Using Her BMW For Travel

Farah Khans YouTube vlogs are known for food, fun and unfiltered moments, but its her cook Dilip who often ends up stealing the show. The filmmakers latest vlog delivered another laugh-out-loud moment when Dilip casually revealed that he travels around using Farahs BMW, leaving her both shocked and amused.

In the recent episode, Farah visited the Mumbai home of Bigg Boss 19 contestant Pranit More along with Dilip. While the trio cooked and chatted about Pranits journey into stand-up comedy, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Pranits father brought up a luxury car spotted in one of Farahs earlier videos.

Reacting to the question, Farah laughed it off and clarified that Dilip still commutes on a two-wheeler. She then turned to Dilip to confirm whether he had actually bought a car of his own. Thats when Dilip dropped the bombshell, saying, Aapka BMW wala hain na (Your BMW is there)!"

The room erupted in laughter as Pranit joked that Dilip must be telling everyone back in his village that the BMW belongs to him. The surprise didnt end there. Pranits father added that he had once seen Dilip travelling in the car with a driver, prompting a stunned Farah to react, Driver bhi tha? Ubed and ye dono kaha ghum raha tha Lonavala mein (With the driver? Ubed and him are going around with my car but where)?"

Dilip could only giggle at the remark, choosing not to explain further.

Dilip has become a recurring star in Farahs vlogs over time. In an earlier video, he spoke about starting his career in Delhi with a salary of just 300, before landing a job at Farahs home for 20,000. Farah later revealed that his earnings have grown substantially and that he also receives additional income or a share from their YouTube content.

The filmmaker has also expanded her content with Dilip beyond the kitchen. She recently launched a travel vlog series featuring him, which included his first-ever international trip to the Maldives. His growing popularity has even led to brand endorsements, with Dilip appearing in advertisements alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani for Myntra, as well as campaigns for Flipkart and other brands.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:43 IST

News movies bollywood Farah Khan Reacts In Shock As Cook Dilip Says He Uses Her BMW For Travel
Kabir Bedi Celebrates His 80th Birthday, And 10th Wedding Anniversary With Parveen Dusanj In Goa | PICS

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IANS

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 20:13 IST

Kabir Bedi has shared photos from his 80th birthday, and 10th wedding anniversary celebration with Parveen Dusanj. Their marriage has often made headlines due to 29-year age gap.

Rapid Read

Kabir Bedi Celebrates His 80th Birthday, And 10th Wedding Anniversary With Parveen Dusanj In Goa

Veteran Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi on Sunday shared umpteen number of pictures from his beach holiday with his wife Parveen Dusanj, marking their 10th wedding anniversary, 20 years of togetherness, and Bedis birthday, all on the same day.

Kabir and Parveen in a joint post on their social media account, wrote, CELEBRATED our 10th wedding anniversary, and 20 years of being together, as well as my birthday by escaping to a sun-kissed beach with green palms and welcoming waves. Time to remember, to reflect, to renew. Together time. Alone time. Idyllic. Were back now! #anniversary #birthday #getaway #love."

The pictures show Kabir and Parveen Dusanj standing hand in hand on a beach at sunset exuding love and warm vibes.In another picture, Parveen can be seen clicking a selfie featuring Kabir all smiles for the camera.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kabir Bedi (@ikabirbedi)

Parveen and Kabir were also seen having a ball of a time at their getaway and their pictures and videos speak volumes of the same.

For the uninitiated, Kabir Bedi married a 29 year-old younger Parveen Dusanj in 2016.

Their wedding, back in 2016 had stirred headlines due to the age difference between the two. Kabir Bedis daughter Pooja Bedi had also expressed her disappointment with her fathers marriage.

She had taken to social media to express her disapproval of the relationship and had made strong remarks against Parveen Dusanj, including calling her a witch."

But over the years, the situation has reportedly improved, and relations between the family have become more cordial.

Talking about Kabir, in the past he had been married multiple times. He was first married to dancer Protima Bedi, with whom he had two children, Pooja Bedi and Siddharth Bedi.

Bedi was later married to British fashion designer Susan Humphreys, followed by television presenter Nikki Bedi.

He finally found love in his current wife Parveen Dusanj at the age of 70.

On the professional front, Kabir Bedi is known for his work across Indian and international projects.

He was a part of hit movies like Khoon Bhari Maang and Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story.He had gained international recognition for his role as Sandokan in the European television series of the same name.

The veteran actor has also appeared in Hollywood films, including Octopussy, that was a part of the James Bond franchise.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 20:13 IST

News movies bollywood Kabir Bedi Celebrates His 80th Birthday, And 10th Wedding Anniversary With Parveen Dusanj In Goa | PICS
Timothy Busfields Lawyers Claim Parents Of Accusers Have History Of Fraud In Court Filing

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 13:28 IST

Timothy Busfields lawyers claim accusers parents Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis have histories of fraud and revenge motives.

Timothy Busfield Seeks Release As Lawyers Challenge Parents Of Alleged Victims

As legal proceedings move forward in the case involving actor-director Timothy Busfield, a new court filing has added another layer to the already complex situation. While seeking his release ahead of trial, Busfields legal team has sharply questioned the credibility and motives of the parents of the twin boys who have accused him of sexual abuse.

Busfield, 68, was charged in New Mexico on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys who were child actors on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield worked as a director. He surrendered to Albuquerque police following the issuance of an arrest warrant.

The actor, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, has denied all allegations. In a video obtained by TMZ, Busfield said he plans to confront these lies" and fight."

In a court filing submitted on Friday, Jan. 16, and obtained by PEOPLE on Saturday, Jan. 17, Busfields lawyers opposed the states request for pretrial detention. The filing argues that the case against the actor relies heavily on testimony from the twins parents, Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis, whom the defense describes as unreliable and motivated by revenge and financial gain.

According to the filing, the State offers no reliable proof  only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation, contradicted by a comprehensive studio investigation, and refuted by witnesses and objective risk assessments."

The document further claims that the case rests almost entirely on the accounts" of what it describes as two stage parents," adding that they are not neutral observers." It alleges that the accusations surfaced only after the twins were recast from The Cleaning Lady in 2024 and after the parents consulted civil counsel. Their allegations emerged only after the loss of the twins role  and only after consultation with civil counsel  creating an obvious financial and retaliatory motive," the filing states.

That motive must be evaluated against the couples well-documented history of fraud and dishonesty," the defense added.

The filing outlines allegations related to Rodis past, stating that he is a former attorney who was convicted of federal conspiracy and wire fraud and was later disbarred following that prosecution for a multi-million-dollar scheme in which he used his law license to deceive vulnerable victims for profit." Rodis previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a case that allegedly defrauded more than 1,500 homeowners of approximately $6 million."

Busfields lawyers also included testimony from a director of photography on The Cleaning Lady set, who described Rodis as pushy and manipulative" and claimed that he would frequently encourage and tell the children to hug people on set, including Mr. Busfield."

The filing makes similar claims about LaSalle, stating that she has had multiple civil judgments entered against her for fraudulent and dishonest behavior." According to the document, she was sued for various claims including fraud, conversion, and fraudulent transfer," including allegations that she unlawfully repossessed a Bentley after selling it and wrote bad checks to Las Vegas casinos.

The fact of the matter is that the parents driving the allegations against Mr. Busfield have an extraordinarily checkered past that casts enormous doubt on the truthfulness of their statements," the filing states.

Busfields attorneys also allege a motive of retaliation, claiming that LaSalle was previously heard stating that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield. "

An earlier investigation into the matter began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police about alleged sexual abuse. The defense filing also references a separate investigation conducted by Warner Bros. Television Studios in 2025, which reportedly found not only that allegations against Mr. Busfield were unfounded, but also that Angele LaSalle, after hearing that her children might not be returning for a fourth season, stated to the shows lead actor that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield."

In a statement previously shared with PEOPLE, a Warner Bros. representative said, The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. 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."

PEOPLE said it was unable to reach attorneys for Rodis and LaSalle for comment.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 13:28 IST

News movies hollywood Timothy Busfields Lawyers Claim Parents Of Accusers Have History Of Fraud In Court Filing
Opinion | As Kaundinya Sails Again, Moment Has Come To Expose Eminent Distorians

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 23:53 IST

INSV Kaundinyas successful voyage brings Indias past alive, making this a fitting moment to revisit history with Utpal Kumars Eminent Distorians.

INSV Kaundinya is an Indian Navy sailing vessel built using ancient techniques to recreate Indias early ocean-going ships and showcase the countrys maritime heritage. (IMAGE: Sanjeev Sanyal)

This week, the Indian Navys hand-stitched wooden sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya arrived in Oman after 17 days at sea. Named after Kaundinya  the Indian Brahmin who sailed to Southeast Asia, married a Naga princess, and founded the Funan kingdom in present-day Cambodia and Vietnam in the early centuries AD  the vessel was built using an ancient Indian stitching technique, inspired by a 5th-century depiction from the Ajanta Caves.

INSV Kaundinya stands as a reminder that Indias maritime past was neither peripheral nor borrowed. It also signals a reawakening of Indian history from the long slumber imposed by colonial historians, aided and abetted by their Marxist successors.

As Indias history takes tangible shape this week, I turn to Eminent Distorians: Twists and Truths in Bharats History. Its author, Utpal Kumar  a seasoned journalist and rare bibliophile  advances his mission to offer an alternative lens through which Indias past can be analysed, understood and, more importantly, course-corrected.

In the process of doing so, Kumar unwaveringly shuns the ideological preoccupations of leftist historians who held sway in interpreting Indias past for long. His bid is to reflect and highlight those uncomfortable twists and turns that often prohibit viewing historical facts and events outside a predictable, methodical arrangement. Eminent Distorians, a 291-page book with nearly 50 pages devoted to research references, succeeds in striking a responsive chord and offers ample scope for further debate on viewing Indias past beyond a series of invasions.

Unflinchingly, the book uncovers many lesser-known facts, including the maritime exploits of Kaundinya in ancient Southeast Asia, and passionately adds a new word to the lexicon  distorians  to exemplify acts of distortion in history writing.

With hindsight, many of the trials and errors of yesteryears can be regretted, and this book appears to undertake soul-searching without rejecting all the liberal virtues that dominated the intellectual scene for decades in independent India. While differing ideologically  and that too very strongly  it keeps room for free and fair debate, which is one of the books key achievements. It makes a serious inquiry into earlier interpretations of history carried through an uncontested stream of historiography, calling for a reinterpretation of Indias past to look ahead.

For vantage point, the books flap helps: Bharats history is often written as a series of invasions starting with the Aryans knocking on the gates of the subcontinent, followed by Central Asian tribes, the Arabs, Afghans, Turks, and finally Europeans. Mainstream history depicts Bharat as a barren land where various races and cultures arrived at different times. This country, we are told, belonged to each one of these migrants and invaders  or to none of them." Eminent Distorians challenges this historiography, presenting Indias story from its own perspective.

Among the unique characteristics of the book are:

i) It debunks the Aryan invasion theory, calling the Vedic and Harappan civilisations two sides of the same coin;

ii) it re-evaluates Ashokas legacy and the Nehruvian obsession with his greatness;

iii) it reinterprets Bharats golden era during the Gupta period and sheds new light on the post-Gupta phase.

To give strong traction to the call for a fresh look beyond academic confines, the book argues that Islamic conquest in Bharat faced stiff Hindu resistance until Akbars diplomatic and matrimonial overtures. When Aurangzeb reverted to confrontation, his empire declined."

Departing from conventional understandings, Eminent Distorians ponders how the British conquered this country from the Marathas, not the Mughals. It also examines the roles of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhians, and revolutionaries in ending colonialism, besides decoding the Delhi-centric view of history. Meticulously researched and argued, the book goes beyond the obvious and succeeds in covering significant but often neglected episodes from dynasties such as the Karkotas, Gurjara-Pratiharas, Pallavas, Cholas, and Ahoms, among others.

While the book comments on leftist historians, the most notable mention is that of the 94-year-old Romila Thapar, in the context of the Kluge Prize awarded to her in 2018 by the Library of Congress.

That said, Her research has profoundly changed the way Indias past is understood both at home and across the world." On the same page (xxi) of the books introduction, an important reference to Edward Luces review of Thapars Early India in May 2003 for Londons Financial Times is worth noting, as such a narrative still finds itself firmly rooted in certain quarters of mainstream academia: Romila Thapars masterful recent book, Early India, ends before the Islamic era, but it makes it plain that the destruction of temples  a highly combustible issue in todays India  was also the normal thing for incoming Hindu dynasties to do Well before Islam appeared in India. Hindu dynasties had erased almost all the Buddhist and Jainist temples of early dynasties."

Eminent Distorians aptly responds to these distortions and more.

Towards the fag end (pages 23435), the book presents a proposition that may have many takers but is not free from contestation: The free nation that was born in 1947 was unapologetically Hindu. This was also evident from the look of the original Constitution." The book includes 22 illustrations, created under the guidance of Nandlal Bose, within its main body. While illustrations from the ancient era ranged from a Mohenjodaro seal to a scene of a Vedic ashram, from Ramas victory over Ravan to Krishna propounding the Gita to Arjun, and Buddha delivering a sermon, those chosen to represent the medieval era were a Hindu sculpture from Odisha, the image of Nataraj, a Mahabalipuram scene depicting the penance of Bhagiratha, and the descent of the Ganga.

Among Muslim themes, only the portrait of Akbar found space.

The other two individuals included in the medieval list were Shivaji and Guru Gobind Singh.

In the modern era, Gandhis Dandi March and his visit to riot-hit Noakhali, along with Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA, found space, indicating that revolutionaries had not yet been pushed to the margins (Source: S Gurumurthys Eternal India and the Constitution, India First Foundation, 2005)."

The final words of the book put it bluntly, while acknowledging that this is a work in progress: Bharat, thus, was born as a Hindu state in 1947. It was the Nehruvian conspiracy in the 1950s, which saw further ascendancy in the 1960s and 1970s, that pushed the country towards a socialist, secular order, much against the civilisational grain of this land. And in all this, our eminent distorians played a prominent role. How Bharat lost its Hindu-ness within a few years of regaining it, soon after independence, is another sordid saga  for another book."

Between India and Bharat, between pride in what has been achieved since 1947 and lament for opportunities foregone, the worlds largest democracy and a great civilisational nation deserves a renewed sense of history  free from isms, free from holy and unholy biases. This week, with the successful journey of INSV Kaundinya, as Indias history comes out of theory to become a lived reality, it is time to relook at Indian history afresh with Utpal Kumars Eminent Distorians. It is time we unshackled the countrys history, hijacked by Marxist historians.

Atul K Thakur is a policy professional, columnist and author (most recently co-authored Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India-Nepal Relations; Penguin Random House India). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 23:53 IST

News opinion Opinion | As Kaundinya Sails Again, Moment Has Come To Expose Eminent Distorians

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Opinion | Devendra Fadnavis And The Maharashtra Model

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 17:17 IST

Devendra Fadnavis's true legacy lies in his role as Maharashtra's 'Infrastructure Man'

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What makes Devendra Fadnavis's journey especially compelling is that it is not a story of entitlement. (File)

Following the historic mandate and emphatic victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently concluded Municipal Elections in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has not only firmly established himself as the man of the match but also as the man of the series and probably the greatest of all time, making him a role model for Indias ambitious vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

What makes his journey especially compelling is that it is not a story of entitlement. He comes from a middle-class, progressive family in Nagpur and began his political life early, learning politics as a form of public service. There is a reason his supporters often describe him with a simple mantra: People First."

It is a phrase that can sound like a slogan  until you observe his method: preparation over posturing, execution over excuses, and measurable outcomes over rhetorical victories. His progression has been patient, grounded, and organisationally rooted. That is precisely what gives his leadership credibility: he is not a manufactured phenomenon; he is a built leader.

Fadnaviss dedication to public service began early. By 1992, at age 22, he was elected as a corporator to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, and at 27, he became Indias second-youngest mayor. These werent mere titles and medals; they were platforms for action and hard work. This relentless drive propelled him into the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1999, where he won six consecutive terms from Nagpur constituencies.

Fadnaviss mantra  Politics is an instrument for socio-economic change"  guided his roles on committees on estimates, urban development, and reserve funds. By 2013, as BJP Maharashtra President, he orchestrated a historic turnaround, leading the party to 122 seats in the 2014 Assembly elections. At 44, he became Chief Minister for the first time and completed a full five-year term, only the second in Maharashtras history after Vasantrao Naik.

If one were to describe Fadnaviss governance in one phrase, it would be this: he treats infrastructure as social policy. Roads are not ribbon-cutting opportunities; they are productivity, safety, jobs, and dignity. Metro systems are not vanity projects; they are time returned to citizens, cleaner air, and a modern urban economy.

Fadnaviss true legacy, however, lies in his role as Maharashtras Infrastructure Man". The label is not hyperbole. It reflects a strategy: build the backbone first, and growth will follow. Under his stewardship, the state has undergone a metamorphosis, aligning with Prime Minister Modis Viksit Bharat vision. Maharashtra contributes nearly 15% to Indias GDP, 25% of its industrial output, and accounts for 31% of Indias total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows.

Fadnavis has accelerated this progress to target a $1 trillion economy. His flagship projects are testaments to visionary planning and execution:

Take the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km expressway connecting Nagpur to Mumbai. Conceived in 2015 during his first term, it was fully operational by June 2025, slashing travel time from 16 hours to 8. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee SewriNhava Sheva Atal Setu Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and Vadhvan Port position Maharashtra as a global logistics powerhouse.

In urban mobility, Fadnavis earned the moniker Metro Man." Mumbai Metro expanding to an 81 km network by 2025, with Pune and Nagpur metros adding 70+ km. These arent just tracks; theyre lifelines that enhance the ease of living  reducing commute times and cutting pollution. His War Room approachmonitoring projects weekly  cleared bottlenecks, attracting 15.7 lakh crore in MoUs at Davos 2025, creating 16 lakh jobs in steel, IT, and green energy.

Maharashtras Right to Service mindset and the push for digitisation of citizen services are strong examples of governance that respects peoples time. When services are time-bound, transparent, and increasingly online, it signals something powerful: the citizen is not a supplicant; the citizen is a stakeholder.

Maharashtras ambition to reach a $1 trillion economy is not merely a sloganit is an outcome that requires three things:

(1) Capital formation,

(2) Competitive infrastructure, and

(3) Institutional reliability. Fadnaviss model has aimed squarely at this triangle.

Maharashtra has consistently been among Indias most attractive destinations for industrial investment, and the states ability to secure large investment commitmentswhether via global forums or direct industrial outreachspeaks to the credibility of its economic direction. But beyond the headline MoUs and big-ticket announcements lies the real work: land aggregation, permissions, power reliability, logistics readiness, skilling, and a governance culture that facilitates and catalyses enterprise.

This is a key point that is sometimes missed in political commentary: investors do not invest only in tax incentives; they invest in predictable execution. When they sense a state is being run with urgency, clarity, and coordination, they allocate capital. Fadnavis has made that confidence a core asset for Maharashtra.

If Maharashtra is to become a $1 trillion economy, it will do so not by hoping for growth, but by engineering itthrough industrial depth, urban productivity, and connectivity-led expansion into the interiors. Fadnaviss infrastructure-first approach is, in this sense, directly aligned to the trillion-dollar goal.

What makes the Devendra Fadnavis Model" especially relevant for other Indian states is that it is not dependent on one-time populism. It is built on a few replicable principles:

Build capacity, then scale delivery.

Use infrastructure as an economic multiplier.

Digitise citizen services to cut corruption and friction.

Treat investment attraction as a full-time mission, not an annual event.

Run government like a programme  monitoring, milestones, accountability.

Balance urban ambition with rural resilience.

These principles are not ideological; they are practical. And they reflect a modern understanding of statecraft: development today is less about declarations and more about systems. Fadnaviss model is a template for replication.

Fadnaviss most important contribution is not any single project or policy. It is the governance culture he represents: hard work, focus, determination, and a steady sense of duty. In a world of turbulence  geopolitical, economic, and social  states need leaders who can keep building, keep delivering, and keep strengthening institutional trust.

That is why his story resonates across party lines and beyond Maharashtra. It is the story of a middle-class boy from Nagpur who rises through discipline and service to shape one of Indias most complex and largest statesand does so with a clear nation-building intent. That is why he is respectfully and fondly called Deva Bhau, meaning brother, and that is why he keeps winning the hearts and minds of people and elections as well!

The author is an angel investor and startup mentor for the Atal Innovation Mission, Government of India, and the Atal Incubation Centre-Rambhau Mhalgi Prabhodhini. He is presently the Convenor (Western Maharashtra) of the BJP Intellectual Cell and has recently co-edited the book Modis North East Story. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 17:17 IST

News opinion Opinion | Devendra Fadnavis And The Maharashtra Model

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 23:58 IST

PM Modi West Bengal Visit, Singur Rally Today Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a major public rally in Singur, West Bengal, today, as part of his two-day visit to the poll-bound state. During the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 830 crores.

In a post on X, PM Modi also referred to the atmosphere at the rally in Singur as electrifying and said that the massive support for the BJP speaks volumes against TMCs misgovernance and politics of fear.

Addressing a rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that many people in Bengal still do not have access to drinking water. He asserted that if a BJP government comes to power in the state, a transformation similar to Tripura would take place, ensuring basic amenities for every household.

He mentioned that people in the state are now demanding a Nirman (development-oriented) government. He claimed the public mood reflected a desire for large-scale change and effective implementation of welfare schemes.
Rahul Gandhi Takes 'Smart City' Jab At BJP After Meeting Water Contamination Victims In Indore

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Last Updated: January 17, 2026, 20:10 IST

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore to meet patients and families affected by the water contamination in the city, which has killed more than 20 people.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the families of the victims of the water contamination in Indore. (X/@RahulGandhi)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh governments negligence for the deaths linked to the contaminated drinking water in Indias cleanest city, Indore, calling it a new smart city model with no drinking water.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore on Saturday to meet patients and families affected by the water contamination in the city, which has killed more than 20 people. He visited patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital and enquired about their health and met their family members in Bhagirathpura.

After meeting the families, he attacked the central government, saying Indore is a new model smart city that doesnt even have clean drinking water. This is the urban model. This isnt just about Indore. This is happening in cities across the country," he said.

Families Being Intimidated

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha later visited the Bhagirathpura area, where the outbreak was reported last month, and spoke to the families of the deceased persons. Its the governments responsibility to provide clean water to people and reduce pollution. But the government isnt fulfilling these responsibilities," he told reporters after meeting families of victims.

People are being intimidated," he alleged, adding that someone in the government must be held responsible for the drinking water disaster in Indore. People in Indore have died after drinking contaminated water due to the governments negligence. In such a situation, the government should provide full support and adequate compensation to the victims," he demanded.

BJP           ,  ,  ,  , ,     !                            pic.twitter.com/M4iEPKRmij  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 17, 2026

He further emphasised that clean drinking water is a public right, and accused the BJP of shirking responsibility while people were dying and families were falling apart. This governments attitude is extremely insensitive and will not be tolerated," he said.

Congress leaders said that in Gandhis presence, the party provided financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 16 affected families, while the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Umang Singhar, provided an aid of Rs 50,000 each.

BJPs Disaster Tourist Jibe At Gandhi

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya took a jibe at Gandhi for visiting the victims of the Indore water contamination, calling him a disaster tourist who is preoccupied with photo ops and leaves the area without doing anything.

Whoever comes to our city, we welcome them, whether they come as a tourist or in any other form. The situation is fully under control. He always comes as a tourist. This time, he has arrived as a disaster tourist. He will take some photos and leave. The rest of the development of Indore is for us to do," Vijayvargiya said.

However, Gandhi denied that his visit was politically motivated. People have died here because of contaminated drinking water. They are not getting clean water. I have come to raise their issue and help them. There is nothing wrong with that. It is my responsibility to help the victims Call it politics or whatever you want; it doesnt matter to me," he said.

While the residents of Bhagirathpura have claimed that 24 people have died so far of a vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak that broke out in the locality in December, the Madhya Pradesh government has pegged the toll at seven, including a five-month-old infant.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Location : Indore, India, India

First Published: January 17, 2026, 20:10 IST

News politics Rahul Gandhi Takes 'Smart City' Jab At BJP After Meeting Water Contamination Victims In Indore

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TMC Should Be Punished: PM Modi Says BJP Will End Era Of 'Maha Jungle Raj' In Bengal

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 16:33 IST

PM Modi asserted that people of Bengal will teach the "heartless" TMC a lesson in the upcoming Assembly elections, and accused the state government of blocking central schemes.

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PM Modi addressing a public gathering in Singur, Hooghly. (BJP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) genuinely cares about the welfare of West Bengal, and asserted that the people of the state will teach a lesson to the heartless" Trinamool Congress (TMC) and end its 15 years of Maha Jungle Raj".

While addressing a public gathering in Singur, Hooghly, PM Modi said that the massive crowd gathered there had only one demand  asli parivartan"  and a clear desire to end what he described as Maha Jungle Raj." He said people from all sections of society had come together with the hope of real change in the state.

Electrifying atmosphere at the rally in Singur! The massive support for the BJP speaks volumes against TMCs misgovernance and politics of fear.@BJP4Bengal https://t.co/pKk2GdG8rd Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 18, 2026

The Prime Minister said that under the BJP rule, Bengali was classified as a regional language, Durga Puja was given the UNESCO tag, and the statue of Netaji Chandra Bose was installed in front of India Gate on Kartavya Path in Delhi. He questioned why these measures were not implemented when the TMC was allied with the Congress government.

PM Modi Assails TMC On Misgovernance

Prime Minister Modi went guns blazing against the TMC, accusing the party of taking out its enmity with the BJP on the people of West Bengal. While it is understandable that they may have differences with Modi and the BJP, it is regrettable that the TMCs hostility is impacting the welfare of the states citizens," he added.

He also accused the TMC government of not cooperating with the BJP-led Centre for the welfare of the fishermen, which is why they were unable to avail the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. He claimed the Mamata Banerjee-led government was denying children to quality education in PM Shri schools.

Modi further alleged that women were not safe under TMCs Maha Jungle Raj, while illegal infiltration and mafia rule were given a free rein in Bengal. He emphasised that Bengals youth will not get quality education and meaningful employment as long as the TMC remains in power.

TMC government should be punished for acting against the interests of Bengals people," he stated, adding that the state needs the double-engine government of the BJP to put it on the path of development.

The BJP will stop incidents of rape and violence in colleges. Your one vote for the BJP will ensure that events like Sandeshkhali do not happen again in Bengal. It will ensure that hundreds of teachers do not lose their jobs. It is very important to remove TMC. Even a low-level leader thinks he is bigger than the state," he added.

The Prime Minister said the Centre had repeatedly written to the West Bengal government over the past several years, urging increased vigilance along the borders, but claimed these warnings were ignored. Stressing that infiltration must be halted at all costs, Modi said ensuring border security and preventing illegal entry was the need of the hour" to safeguard the nations future. He said infiltrators would be identified and sent back to their respective countries if the BJP comes to power.

PM Modi Draws Parallels With Kejriwal

The Prime Minister said all state governments that halted development have been punished in elections, citing the example of the Arvind Kejriwal-led former AAP government in Delhi. We kept urging them to implement the Ayushman scheme that provides free treatment to poor families in Delhi, but they wouldnt listen and kept doing politics," he said.

Therefore, the people of Delhi showed them the way out of power, and now in Delhi, free treatment for the poor is happening through the Ayushman scheme. The people of Bengal have also resolved to do this; they are going to teach a lesson to TMCs heartless government so that a BJP government is formed here. In Bengal, having a BJP double-engine government is essential."

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Location : Singur, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 16:12 IST

News politics TMC Should Be Punished: PM Modi Says BJP Will End Era Of 'Maha Jungle Raj' In Bengal

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Maps Dont Tell The Full Story And These Strangest Geography Facts Prove Exactly Why

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 12:00 IST

The viral video walks through different parts of the world and details how continents, mountains, lakes and islands carry stories shaped by time and nature.

The west coast of Australia lines up closely with the east coast of US. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

The world has a way of surprising us, especially when it comes to geography, because Earth is full of details that dont always make it into everyday conversations. Recently, an Instagram video brought together some strangest" geography-related facts that have caught the attention of many viewers.

The video walks through different parts of the world and details how continents, mountains, lakes and islands carry stories shaped by time and nature.

Australia and the US Were Once Connected

The video explains that even though Australia and the United States now sit far apart, their coastlines tell an old story. When viewed closely, the west coast of Australia lines up closely with the east coast of the United States, as if the two continents were once puzzle pieces that drifted away over time."

Research suggests that around 1.7 billion years ago, parts of present-day Queensland in Australia were connected to North America. This happened when both regions were part of a massive supercontinent known as Nuna or Columbia. When the landmass later broke apart, that section stayed attached to Australia leaving behind what scientists describe as a fragment of North America on the Australian continent.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wascemal  (@wascemal)

A Lake In Finland That Matches The Countrys Shape

Another part of the video takes viewers to Finland, where a lake looks exactly like the country itself. Called Lake Naitokainen, this is not a natural formation. It is a man-made pond created in 1991 in Kittila, Lapland. It is built on the slope of Vesikkovaara hill and shaped to copy Finlands outline at a scale of 1:10,000. Locals often call it Finland Lake" or Suomi Jarvi."

The Spot Farthest From Any Ocean

The clip also mentions a place known as the Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility (EPIA), which is the point on Earth farthest from any ocean. It lies in Chinas Xinjiang region, close to the Kazakhstan border in the Dzoosotoyn Elisen Desert. It is roughly 2,645 kilometres away from the nearest coastline.

A Mountain That Changes Climate With Height

In Africa, there is a mountain that is so tall and isolated that it creates distinct climate zones as you move upward. It is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At the base of this mountain, conditions are warm and humid with rainforest-like weather. As elevation increases, temperatures drop sharply and at the summit, glaciers and snow remain despite the mountain standing above tropical plains.

At Uhuru Peak, temperatures can fall as low as minus 29 degrees Celsius.

An Island Inside A Lake With Lakes Of Its Own

The final segment of the video focuses on Manitoulin Island in Canada. Located in Lake Huron, it is the largest freshwater island in the world that covers about 2,766 square kilometers. What makes it even more unusual is that the island contains over 100 lakes and some of those lakes have islands within them. Manitoulin Island is also an important cultural area for the Anishinaabe people and is known for its natural landscapes. Visitors can reach it by road through the Little Current Swing Bridge or by ferry from Tobermory.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 18, 2026, 12:00 IST

News viral Maps Dont Tell The Full Story And These Strangest Geography Facts Prove Exactly Why

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The U.S. Treasury had planned to buy back $4 billion of its own debt on the day but postponed the operation after encountering a "technical issue," according to an official public statement.

The Treasury added that the rescheduled date will be informed on Jan. 16 at 9:00 AM ET.

A debt buyback allows the government to repurchase outstanding obligations ahead of maturity to better manage its budget and ensure smooth functioning in financial markets.

Related: Treasury Secretary Bessent reveals plan to tackle soaring $38T debt

The delayed transaction was part of the Treasurys routine operations aimed at managing US debt, particularly bonds with maturities ranging from seven to 10 years.

U.S. government debt has climbed above $38 trillion, keeping borrowing costs elevated as Treasury issuance rises to fund deficits and refinance maturing bonds.

The growing debt load is pushing yields higher, tightening financial conditions and weighing on risk assets as investors demand more return to hold U.S. debt.

Buybacks typically improve market liquidity and make government bonds easier for investors to trade.

Can blockchain prevent Treasury buyback delays?

The delayed debt buyback has reignited debate around the resilience of legacy financial infrastructure.

"Is this how broken the system has become?" wrote a crypto trader.

One of the solutions making rounds in the crypto circles is moving the U.S. Treasury to blockchain.

Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that securely records transactions across computers, enabling transparency, immutability, and trust without intermediaries.

The conversation about blockchain gained prominence, especially last year, when Tesla CEO Elon Musk raised concerns about government spending fraud.

He alleged that "career Treasury officials are breaking the law every hour of every day" by approving payments that are either fraudulent or do not match the funding laws passed by Congress.

When investor and entrepreneur Mario Nawfal said, Should be put on the blockchain so this doesnt happen, Musk replied: Yes!

In December, SEC Chair Paul Atkins said on Fox Business that U.S. financial markets could transition to on-chain within the next few years.

The remark sounded both predictive and prescriptive, particularly coming from the leader behind Project Crypto, the SECs initiative aimed at advancing tokenized market infrastructure.

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Could One Time Zone Be Holding Back India? Experts Warn Children Lose Hours Of Sleep

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 08:30 IST

India stretches about 3,000 kilometres from east to west which means it covers nearly 30 degrees of longitude.

India currently runs on one official clock no matter where you live. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Does India need more than one time zone? A debate has started online after a video questioned whether Indias single time zone truly works for a country this vast. The clip argues that following just Indian Standard Time (IST) may no longer match how people across different regions experience daylight.

India currently runs on one official clock no matter where you live. But the video points out that sunrise and sunset timings vary sharply across the country, especially between the far east and the far west.

India Needs Three Time Zones

Explaining this gap, the narrator says: Humare India ko asal mein teen time zone ki zaruart padti hai  Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. Lekin hum pura desh sirf ek hi time zone  Indian Standard Time (IST)  par chalate hai (India actually needs three time zones  Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. But the entire country runs on just one time zone  Indian Standard Time)."

The narrator further highlights how sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh can happen as early as 4:20 AM, while parts of Gujarats Kutch region remain dark until around 6:10 AM. This creates a difference of nearly one hour and 50 minutes in sunrise times within the same country.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rahul Suman (@bharat_animatrix)

What Does Geography Have To Do With It?

According to a report by BBC, India stretches about 3,000 kilometres from east to west which means it covers nearly 30 degrees of longitude. This naturally translates into almost a two-hour difference in solar time which is based on the suns position in the sky rather than the clock.

Despite this, the country continues to follow a single time standard.

Why A Single Time Zone Is Being Questioned?

Experts quoted in the report argue that eastern India loses usable daylight every day. Offices and schools open according to IST, not sunrise. This forces people to rely on artificial lighting earlier than necessary. This in turn increases electricity consumption.

The issue becomes more serious in winter when daylight hours shrink even further.

How Daylight Affects Sleep And Health?

As the report explains, human sleep patterns depend heavily on light. The rising and setting of the sun impacts our body clocks or circadian rhythm. When evenings stay brighter for longer, the body delays the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep.

Why Children From Poor Families Suffer More?

Because school schedules are similar nationwide, children in areas with later sunsets often sleep less even though they wake up at the same time as others.

The BBC report cited research by Maulik Jagnani, an economist at Cornell University, who found that children exposed to later sunsets tend to perform worse in school.

The effect is sharper in low-income households where sleep conditions are already difficult due to heat, noise, mosquitoes, overcrowding and lack of proper bedding.

The poor may lack the financial resources to invest in sleep-inducing goods like window shades, separate rooms, indoor beds and adjust their sleep schedules," Jagnani told BBC.

What The Data Reveals

Using national surveys, Jagnani observed that childrens educational performance differs depending on the average sunset time, even between eastern and western parts of the same district. His analysis suggested that losing one hour of evening darkness could reduce schooling by almost a year over time.

Could Multiple Time Zones Help?

The research estimates that shifting to two time zones (one for eastern India and another for the west) could significantly improve sleep, learning and productivity. Over time, this could translate into billions of dollars in economic gains through better education and human capital.

Why India Has Stuck To One Time Zone?

The idea of multiple time zones in India isnt new. In the late 1980s, a team of researchers from a leading energy institute proposed dividing the country into different time zones to save electricity. A similar proposal resurfaced in 2002 but a government panel rejected it. The panel cited the complexities involved: railways and other transport systems could face accidents or confusion if clocks had to be adjusted at every time zone crossing.

Still, scientists at the National Physical Laboratory have warned that the current system wastes daylight in the east and increases power use, particularly during winter months.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 08:30 IST

News viral Could One Time Zone Be Holding Back India? Experts Warn Children Lose Hours Of Sleep

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Snow In The Sunshine State: Florida City Sees Rare Snowfall For Second Year In A Row

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 21:59 IST

Snow dusted the Florida Panhandle, turning beaches and palm fronds white. This marks the second January in a row with rare snowfall in the region.

Snow in Crestview in Northwestern Florida. (Image: X @PaulFox13)

Snow made a brief and rare appearance across parts of the western Florida Panhandle early Sunday, as a surge of frigid air behind a cold front transformed lingering rain showers into snowflakes, an unusual sight in the Sunshine State.

The snowfall was light but visible, dusting grass and rooftops in several areas. Photos and videos quickly flooded social media, showing flakes drifting onto beaches and settling delicately into palm fronds. While temperatures were too warm for snow to accumulate on roads, a thin layer lingered on lawns before melting away.

Remarkably, the event was not a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Less than a year earlier, on January 21, 2025, some of the same regions recorded up to 8 inches (20 centimetres) of snowmarking the most significant snowfall there since the late 1800s.

ITS SNOWING IN FLORIDA!!!  The Florida Panhandle is a winter wonderland this morning! Its the second January in a row with snow there!  #flwx pic.twitter.com/2bD56cVBUz Dylan Federico (@DylanFedericoWX) January 18, 2026

The rare winter weather extended beyond Florida. Parts of southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia also reported snowfall, allowing residents to experience a second winter wonderland" in under a year. Snow blanketed the ground in cities such as Columbus and Macon, Georgia, where officials cautioned that accumulation could make travel hazardous.

For many across the Deep South, the brief snowfall was a reminder that even the warmest regions can still be surprised by winters chill.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 21:59 IST

News viral Snow In The Sunshine State: Florida City Sees Rare Snowfall For Second Year In A Row

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After Greenland, Is Trump Using Arctic Security To Pressure Canada Next?

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 20:50 IST

Donald Trump urges Canada to boost Arctic defense against Russia and China, linking it to his Greenland ambitions and US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

US president Donald Trump and Canadian PM Mark Careny. (REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool)

US President Donald Trump has privately intensified his focus on Canada, repeatedly raising concerns in recent weeks about what he sees as the countrys vulnerability to US adversaries in the Arctic, according to multiple current and former US officials familiar with the discussions, as reported by NBC.

As Trumps advisers continue to work toward his stated goal of acquiring Greenland, the president has increasingly voiced frustration over Canadas ability to defend its northern borders from potential encroachment by Russia and China, the officials said. Trump has argued in private that Canada needs to significantly boost its defence spending, a push that has accelerated internal deliberations within the administration over a broader Arctic strategy.

One outcome under consideration is a potential agreement with Canada later this year aimed at strengthening security along its northern frontier. Trump is really worried about the US continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this," one official said.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, US officials stressed there is no discussion of stationing American troops along Canadas northern border. They also said Trump is not seeking to purchase Canada or threatening to seize it by military force, unlike his repeated statements about Greenland.

Arctic strategy and Greenland push

Trumps growing concern about Canada comes as he moves to translate long-standing criticism of US neighbours into concrete actions designed to expand American influence across the Western Hemisphere. Since the start of the year, his administration has used military force to oust Venezuelas leadership and facilitate a US takeover of the countrys oil industry, issued threats against Cubas government, and warned Mexico and Colombia of possible US intervention to curb drug trafficking.

At the same time, Trump has repeatedly said the US intends to acquire Greenlandeither through purchase or, if necessary, military force prompting anxious diplomatic efforts by US allies to ease his concerns.

Senior administration officials say protecting Canadas northern border is central to Trumps vision of solidifying" US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. On Saturday, Trump suggested that a US acquisition of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, would also benefit Canada.

At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic," a senior administration official said. Canada stands to benefit from the US having Greenland."

Canadas official position remains that Greenlands future is a matter for Greenland and Denmark to decide. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday that Ottawa stands firmly behind Denmark as a NATO ally.

Defence spending and cooperation talks

Trumps criticism of Canadas defence posture dates back to his first term and peaked last year, when he threatened to use economic force" to make Canada the 51st US state, sparking a trade war and public clashes with Ottawa. While those public tensions have eased, officials say Trump has continued to raise the same concerns behind closed doors.

Privately, US and Canadian officials are now discussing ways to deepen military cooperation in the Arctic. Options under consideration include upgrading Canadas early-warning systems, expanding joint military training and operations, increasing coordinated air and maritime patrols, and boosting US ship patrols in Arctic waters.

One key forum for these talks is a Pentagon-led Arctic working group, which has warned the White House that Canadas exposure to Chinese and Russian activity along its northern border is among the most pressing regional security challenges.

Trump has repeatedly complained that Canada does not spend enough on defence, arguing this leaves it ill-prepared to counter threats in the Arctic. They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities," one official said, adding that the status quo is not acceptable given todays threats."

Although Canada has increased defence spending, it still falls short of NATOs target. The world doesnt see Canada as a major force when it comes to defence," a senior administration official said.

Trump has also expressed interest in expanding the US fleet of icebreakers to enhance Arctic patrols an idea that could feature in next years defence budget.

China, diplomacy and muted public tone

The renewed focus on Canada comes as Prime Minister Carney recently visited China, seeking to strengthen ties amid tensions with Washington. Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping and referred to a new world order," drawing attention in Washington. Asked about the outreach, Trump said it was a good thing" for Canada to pursue trade deals with China.

Despite his private complaints, Trump has largely avoided escalating his criticism of Canada in public. Officials say that is unlikely to change as long as discussions between Washington and Ottawa continue to be productive.

While Trump has not ruled out using force to secure Greenland, he told NBCs Meet the Press last year that such a scenario was highly unlikely" when it comes to Canada. I dont see it with Canada," he said.

-With inputs from NBC

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 18, 2026, 20:46 IST

News world After Greenland, Is Trump Using Arctic Security To Pressure Canada Next?

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Attack On Supreme Leader Will Be Declaration Of War, Warns Iran President

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 22:48 IST

Pezeshkian warned any attack on Iran Supreme leader means war. Iran plans gradual internet restoration after a major shutdown amid protests and unrest blamed on the US and Israel.

Iran has been under a near-total communications blackout since January 8, cutting off internet access for around 92 million people. (Image: @iribnews_irib/X)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday warned that any attack on the countrys supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would mean a declaration of war.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said: An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation."

The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump told Politico: Its time to look for new leadership in Iran."

Earlier in the day, Iran said they are considering a gradual restoration of internet services after imposing one of the most severe communications shutdowns in the countrys history.

Local media reported that officials were planning a phased return of internet access. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said relevant authorities" had announced the move, though no clear timetable or details were given.

Some services have already been partially restored. Outgoing international phone calls resumed earlier in the week, and text messaging services were restored on Saturday morning.

Tasnim also reported that local messaging applications would soon be reactivated on Irans domestic intranet.

Iran has been under a near-total communications blackout since January 8, cutting off internet access for around 92 million people. Phone and text services were also disrupted. The government introduced the shutdown amid calls for anti-government protests linked to economic hardship.

Iranian officials say the move was necessary for security reasons. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the internet was cut in response to what he described as externally directed terrorist operations". Authorities have blamed foreign enemies, including the United States and Israel, for unrest in the country.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates more than 3,300 confirmed protester deaths, with thousands of additional cases under review. Arrests are said to have exceeded 24,000 across the country.

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Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: January 18, 2026, 22:48 IST

News world Attack On Supreme Leader Will Be Declaration Of War, Warns Iran President

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Countries Targeted By Trumps Tariffs Over Greenland Stance Warn Of Dangerous Downward Spiral

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 19:13 IST

The countries expressed full support for the people of Greenland, stressing their readiness to engage in dialogue based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

US President Donald Trump (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

European countries reacted strongly on Sunday after US President Donald Trump announced a plan to impose a 10 per cent tariff on eight countries that oppose American control over Greenland. In an official statement, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to unity, sovereignty and transatlantic cooperation.

The countries said that as NATO members, they remain committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic priority.

Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom:As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted  Dick Schoof (@MinPres) January 18, 2026

They noted that the Danish-led military exercise Arctic Endurance," conducted alongside allied forces, was aimed at meeting security needs in the region and posed no threat to any nation.

Warning against escalation, the statement said tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk triggering a dangerous downward spiral." The countries said they would remain united and coordinated in their response, while firmly upholding their sovereignty.

Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty," the statement added.

The move by Trump has caused concern across Europe, with officials warning it could damage long-standing transatlantic relations and benefit rival powers such as China and Russia.

The announcement by the US President on Saturday came as thousands of Greenlanders were concluding a protest outside the US Consulate in Nuuk, opposing American pressure over the Arctic territory.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark and part of the NATO alliance. The President suggested the tariffs were intended to push Denmark and other European nations into talks over Greenland, which he considers vital to US national security.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 19:07 IST

News world Countries Targeted By Trumps Tariffs Over Greenland Stance Warn Of Dangerous Downward Spiral

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EU Freezes Trade Deal With US After New Trump Tariffs Over Greenland Demand

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 07:53 IST

European Peoples Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber said that while there had been broad approval for the trade agreement, the process could not move forward.

Manfred Weber, president of the European People's Party and US President Donald Trump | File Image

The European Union on Saturday said negotiations on a proposed EUUS trade deal have been put on hold following President Donald Trumps decision to impose fresh tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries, linking the move to his renewed push to acquire Greenland.

European Peoples Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber said that while there had been broad approval for the trade agreement, the process could not move forward amid Trumps threats over Greenland.

The 0 per cent tariffs on US products must be put on hold," Weber said in a post on X, citing concerns over Washingtons latest actions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the new tariffs risk damaging transatlantic ties.

Tariffs undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," she said, stressing that Europe would uphold its sovereignty and remain united.

She underlined that territorial integrity and sovereignty are core principles of international law and are vital for Europe and the global community.

Von der Leyen also reiterated the EUs support for Denmark and Greenland, saying the bloc stood in full solidarity" with both.

She noted that Europe remains committed to dialogue and to continuing discussions initiated last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States.

Reacting to the tariff announcement, Swedish Member of the European Parliament Karin Karlsbro said lawmakers had not ruled out using the EUs anti-coercion instrument, often referred to as the bazooka," to respond with punitive measures.

She told Politico that there was little chance the European Parliament would approve the tariff agreement at its upcoming vote, adding that the EU must be ready to counter Trumps tariff pressure, including measures affecting Sweden.

The dispute threatens to unravel a deal struck last July, under which tariffs on European goods were set at 15 per cent, while the EU agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of US energy and increase investments in the United States by $600 billion.

At the time, Trump had called it the biggest deal ever made," while von der Leyen said it would bring stability and predictability to EUUS trade ties.

Trump announced that the new 10 per cent tariffs would take effect on February 1 and apply to Denmark, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands.

In a post on Truth Social, he said the tariffs would remain in place until a deal was reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland," claiming that the US had long subsidised Europe by not imposing tariffs.

Arguing that Greenland is critical to US national security, Trump has repeatedly said Washington needs control of the island, warning that world peace is at stake" and alleging interest from China and Russia.

His remarks have heightened tensions, prompting Denmark and other European nations to step up joint military exercises in Greenland.

The move has also drawn criticism from within the US. Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned that the tariffs would harm American businesses and strain relations with allies, while Senator Lisa Murkowski cautioned that the escalating rhetoric was forcing NATO partners to divert attention and resources, potentially undermining the alliances stability.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:53 IST

News world EU Freezes Trade Deal With US After New Trump Tariffs Over Greenland Demand

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From PM Modi To Meloni: Who All Have Been Invited To Join Trump's Gaza 'Board Of Peace'?

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Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 08:40 IST

The Board of Peace will focus on governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment and large-scale funding in Gaza.

Ali Shaath (C), head of the new Palestinian technocratic committee for administering the Gaza Strip, posing with its members in Cairo on January 18.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has invited political leaders, diplomats and business figures from around the world to join a new Board of Peace" for Gaza, as part of a US-backed and UN-supported plan to demilitarise and rebuild the territory after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.

The White House said the initiative includes three linked bodies: a main Board of Peace chaired by Trump, a Palestinian technocratic committee to run day-to-day governance in Gaza, and a Gaza Executive Board with an advisory and support role.

Board Of Peace: Confirmed Members

According to the White House, the main Board of Peace will focus on governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment and large-scale funding.

The confirmed members are:

US President Donald Trump (chair)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Steve Witkoff, Trumps special negotiator

Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law

Tony Blair, former UK prime minister

Marc Rowan, US billionaire financier

Ajay Banga, World Bank president

Robert Gabriel, a Trump aide on the National Security Council

Gaza Administration And Executive Boards

A National Committee for the Administration of Gaza will oversee public services and civil institutions. It will be headed by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister.

The Gaza Executive Board, meant to support governance and service delivery, includes:

Steve Witkoff

Jared Kushner

Tony Blair

Marc Rowan

Nickolay Mladenov, Bulgarian diplomat

Sigrid Kaag, UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Ali Al-Thawadi, Qatari diplomat

General Hassan Rashad, Egypts intelligence chief

Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE minister

Yakir Gabay, Israeli billionaire

PM Modis Invitation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been invited to join the initiative. US Ambassador Sergio Gor said on X on Sunday: Honored to convey POTUS invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza. The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity!"

Leaders Who Say They Were Invited

Several world leaders have said they were invited to join the effort, including Albanias Prime Minister Edi Rama, Argentinas President Javier Milei, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney, Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordans King Abdullah II, and Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, among others.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 18, 2026, 23:59 IST

News world From PM Modi To Meloni: Who All Have Been Invited To Join Trump's Gaza 'Board Of Peace'?

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'Greenland Not For Sale': Show Of Unity As Thousands March Against Trump's Takeover Push

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:04 IST

Many protesters said frustration had reached a tipping point after repeated statements from Trump suggesting the United States would take Greenland one way or the other.

People attend a protest against Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US | Reuters Image

Thousands of people took to the streets across Greenland on Saturday in the largest coordinated protests the Arctic island has witnessed, pushing back against renewed calls by US President Donald Trump to take control of the territory and reaffirming support for self-rule.

In the capital Nuuk, demonstrators marched through snow- and ice-covered streets, waving Greenlands red-and-white flag and holding placards reading Greenland is not for sale."

Protesters chanted slogans in Greenlandic as they walked from the city centre to the US Consulate, which was secured by police.

According to organisers and local authorities, nearly a quarter of Nuuks population joined the rally, an unprecedented turnout for a city of under 20,000 people.

Similar demonstrations were reported in other towns across Greenland, as well as in Copenhagen and other Danish cities.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined the march in Nuuk, briefly climbing a snowbank to raise the national flag as crowds cheered.

Many protesters said frustration had reached a tipping point after repeated statements from Trump suggesting the United States would take Greenland one way or the other."

We said it last year and we will keep saying it: we are not for sale," said Isak Berthelsen, an electrician who joined the rally, adding that repeating the message showed Greenlanders had their own voice."

As the protest concluded, news emerged that Trump had announced a 10 per cent tariff on imports from Denmark and several other European countries opposing US control of Greenland, set to take effect in February.

The announcement dampened spirits among some demonstrators but also hardened resolve. This is a fight for freedom," said former Greenland lawmaker Tillie Martinussen, as others stressed that autonomy mattered more than economic pressure.

Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to US national security, citing growing competition in the Arctic.

The White House reiterated this position last week, saying the president believes US control of the island is necessary to counter potential influence from China and Russia. These remarks have raised concerns within Nato and fuelled anxiety in Greenland and Denmark.

The protests came amid heightened diplomatic and military activity in the region. Several European Nato members, including France, Germany, Sweden and Norway, have announced troop deployments to Greenland as part of Danish-led security exercises aimed at strengthening Arctic defence.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the situation as serious, warning that Washingtons ambitions regarding Greenland remain unchanged.

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Location : Denmark

First Published: January 18, 2026, 09:04 IST

News world 'Greenland Not For Sale': Show Of Unity As Thousands March Against Trump's Takeover Push

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He Fooled Us: Iranian Protesters Accuse Trump Of Betraying Them After Raising Hopes Of Support

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Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 14:23 IST

Iranian protesters felt betrayed by Donald Trump after his initial support gave way to inaction, fueling anger and disillusionment amid rising calls for political reform.

Supporters of the Iranian opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, protest to demand an immediate stop to the violence against protesters in Iran and an end to detentions and repression, in Berlin, Germany, January 3, 2026. (REUTERS)

As protests spread across Iran, some demonstrators believed strong rhetoric from US President Donald Trump signalled support for their movement. That expectation, protesters now say, has given way to anger and disillusionment, with many accusing Trump of abandoning them.

The protesters accused Trump of betraying them, saying they were misled and deceived by his actions and statements.

In the early days of the unrest, the US president openly voiced support for Iranian protesters and issued warnings to Tehran. When he posted on social media that help is on its way" and later said the United States was locked and loaded" if peaceful demonstrators were harmed, many Iranians read the remarks as a pledge of tangible support, possibly even military intervention.

As demonstrations intensified, the Iranian state responded with measures long associated with past crackdowns, including shutting down communications, deploying security forces and using lethal force. Accounts from across the country spoke of sniper fire, machine-gun attacks and a high number of people killed or missing. For some Iranians, the blame does not rest solely with their own government.

News that the Pentagon had ordered some non-essential personnel to leave a major US base in the region was widely read as preparation for conflict.

Trump later said Irans leadership had assured him that killings and executions would stop, and he indicated that the expected US military action would not take place. For protesters who had risked their lives believing Washington would step in, the announcement was a shock.

Referring to the protest death toll, a Tehran businessman told TIME magazine, Trump is responsible for the death of these 15,000."

Because many of the protesters took to the streets when they saw his post that the US is locked and loaded. The US must have made a deal with the Islamic Republic to betray Iranians like this,'" he added.

After he said the Iranian authorities had told him there wont be any more killings and executions, everyone was just stunned," said an Iranian interviewed after leaving the country.

Everyone was enraged; they just kept saying this b*stard used us as cannon fodder. Iranians feel that they were played, that he fooled them, deceived them," he added.

The emotional reversal was particularly severe for those who had acted on Trumps words.

Trump is worse," said a businessman in Tehran. He screwed up. He pulled the rug from under our feet."

Hes not only yellow on the outside, hes also yellow inside," another Tehran citizen told the magazine.

According to them, Trumps remark raised expectations that directly influenced peoples decisions to protest, only for that support to evaporate when it mattered most. Some believe a deal was struck behind closed doors. Others see indifference.

Ive lost all hope," said a woman in Tehran. Trumps not going to do anything. Why should he? He doesnt care about us."

The latest wave of protests in Iran began in late December, sparked by economic pressures such as the sharp fall of the rial, rising prices and financial mismanagement that made basic goods increasingly unaffordable.

What started as demonstrations over economic grievances soon expanded into demands for political reform and changes to the government. Later in January, calls from Irans exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and other opposition groups were followed by nationwide protests involving millions of people.

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Location : Iran

First Published: January 18, 2026, 14:23 IST

News world He Fooled Us: Iranian Protesters Accuse Trump Of Betraying Them After Raising Hopes Of Support

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Hindu Shop Owner Beaten To Death With Shovel While Protecting Employee In Bangladesh

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 08:50 IST

The victim, identified as Liton Chandra Das, owned a small hotel and sweet shop in the Kaliganj area, said authorities.

Liton Chandra Das | Image: X

A Hindu trader was beaten to death by a mob in Bangladeshs Kaliganj area after he stepped in to defend an employee during a dispute at his shop, police said.

The victim, identified as Liton Chandra Das, owned a small hotel and sweet shop in the locality.

The incident took place on Saturday morning following an argument between a customer and Ananta Das, an employee at Litons shop.

As tensions rose, Liton intervened to protect his staff member. However, the situation quickly spiralled, with several people turning on him.

According to local accounts, the group initially assaulted Liton with punches and kicks before attacking him with a shovel. He sustained severe injuries and died on the spot before help could arrive.

Police rushed to the area after being alerted and brought the situation under control. Three people have been detained in connection with the killing, and Litons body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Authorities said an investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events.

The killing has triggered fear and anger among local residents, who have demanded a fair probe and strict action against those responsible.

In a separate incident, a fuel station worker named Ripon Saha was crushed to death after trying to stop a vehicle from leaving a petrol pump without paying.

According to a PTI report, the incident occurred at the Karim Filling Station, where a black SUV allegedly refuelled and attempted to flee without settling the bill. When Saha tried to block the vehicle, he was run over.

Police later arrested the vehicle owner, Abul Hashem alias Sujan (55), a former treasurer of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Rajbari district, along with his driver Kamal Hossain (43).

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 18, 2026, 08:37 IST

News world Hindu Shop Owner Beaten To Death With Shovel While Protecting Employee In Bangladesh

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Debate is raging over whether President Donald Trumps plan to reboot Venezuela's oil production will succeed. While fans argue there is simply too much money at stake for major oil companies to ignore, naysayers point to a decade of "once-bitten, twice-shy" failures that have left E&P balance sheets scarred.

However, we are about to get a definitive look at whether were truly on the cusp of a Venezuela oil rush. Energy service giants Halliburton (HAL) and SLB (SLB)  the "gold standard" for global oilfield infrastructure  are set to report quarterly earnings on Wednesday, January 21, and Friday, January 23, respectively.

Ive seen many crude oil pops and drops since I began investing back in the early 1990s, and decades of advising some of the largest mutual funds and hedge funds taught me that Wall Street considers these companies to be the ultimate bellwethers; they won't just witness a Venezuela overhaul  they will build it.

It wouldn't be surprising if management weighed in on the scale, scope, and "boots on the ground" reality of this emerging opportunity during their respective earnings calls.

We left only because of the U.S. sanctions that were put in place and have effectively been evaluating how to return ever since, said Halliburton Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Venezuela oil reboot could prove tricky

We have already seen the lines drawn in the sand. ExxonMobil (XOM) CEO Darren Woods recently labeled Venezuela "uninvestable" without radical legal reforms  a stance that drew sharp fire from President Trump, who countered that if the majors won't play, "wildcatters" will.

Major oil services companies could see a wave of sales growth tied to Venezuela in 2026 and 2027.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

In contrast, Chevron (CVX)  which maintains a strategic footprint via its joint venture with Petroleos de Venezuela, PDVSA  has signaled a more opportunistic path. Chevron suggests it could double production with relatively simple infrastructure "tweaks," despite U.S. sanctions last summer that throttled its output from 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) down to just 100,000 bpd, according to Reuters.

For the service giants, this isn't just a policy debate; it's a massive revenue event. Halliburton (HAL) excels at the "dirty work" required here: reviving aging, shut-in wells and deploying artificial lifts to move heavy crude from the shallow, sandy Orinoco Belt. Meanwhile, SLB (SLB) brings the high-tech edge with reservoir mapping and advanced well-completion technology.

More Wall Street
Jamaat Candidates Kin Threatens To Slit Throats Of BNP Workers In Bangladesh

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 19:13 IST

Zakaria Niyogi, nephew of Jamaat candidate Khairul Kabir Niyogi, openly threatened BNP workers during a protest rally, and a video of his remarks went viral in Bangladesh.

Rapid Read

A Jamaat-e-Islami party worker openly threatened BNP workers in Bangladesh. (AP/Representative Image)

A video went viral showing the nephew of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate in Bangladesh openly threatening Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters, saying he will slit their throats" in the Netrokona constituency, as the country prepares for general elections.

Zakaria Niyogi, nephew of Jamaat candidate Khairul Kabir Niyogi, threatened BNP workers during a protest rally held last week in Netrokona, according to a report by Prothom Alo. Zakaria is reportedly a member of the district Jamaats working committee and a part-time lecturer in the English Department of Gurudayal Government College in Kishoreganj.

Citing party and local sources, the report said an argument broke out between Zakaria Niyogi and BNP supporters last year. Following that incident, Zakarias supporters had another altercation with BNP supporters over an e-bike fare on Monday, and his men were even assaulted.

The Jamaat held a protest rally on Tuesday to protest against the incident, and a clip from Zakarias speech went viral in which he said, We must identify them, and from today you should all be preparedif any voice is raised in the future, their throats will be slit. If a finger is pointed at my uncle, that finger will be broken."

However, Zakaria later acknowledged that his remarks were wrong and offered an apology. Supporters of the BNP candidate have repeatedly tortured me, my relatives, and my people at different times. That is why I spoke at the protest rally. Only a fragment of my speech has been published, where my inappropriate remarks can be heard. However, regardless of that, it was wrong of me to make such statements. I could not control my anger, and for that I apologise to everyone," he told Prothom Alo.

Jamaat candidate Khairul said Zakaria made the remarks in an emotional outburst and said he had been reprimanded for this. The latter said he was threatened by the student wing of the BNP at his college.

Meanwhile, BNP candidate Md. Rafikul Islam Hilali said he and his supporters were feeling threatened. The nephew of the Jamaat candidate cannot make such statements. I will submit a written complaint to the returning officer today regarding this matter," he said.

Police have taken note of the remarks and initiated an investigation, assuring legal action once a written complaint is received.

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 18, 2026, 19:09 IST

News world Jamaat Candidates Kin Threatens To Slit Throats Of BNP Workers In Bangladesh

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NATO Chief Rutte Speaks With Trump On Greenland, Arctic As Denmark Warns Alliance At Stake

Curated By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 23:28 IST

NATO chief Mark Rutte discussed Greenland and Arctic security with US President Donald Trump, as Germany withdrew its reconnaissance team and 15 soldiers from Greenland.

NATO chief Mark Rutte with US President Donald Trump. (Reuters)

NATO chief Mark Rutte on Sunday said he has held talks with US President Donald Trump over the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic.

In a post on X, Rutte said: Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week."

According to BBC, Trump will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week  as will the leaders of France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.

On Friday, Trump said he may slap trade tariffs on countries that dont support his plans to take over Greenland, part of the territory of NATO ally Denmark.

I may put a tariff on countries if they dont go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," Trump said at a health roundtable at the White House. I may do that."

Trump compared the possible Greenland tariffs to those that he threatened on France and Germany last year over the price of pharmaceutical products.

The threat is the latest pressure tactic by Republican Trump as he steps up his bid to acquire the autonomous Arctic island, a goal that he has threatened to achieve by military means if necessary.

Trump claims the United States needs mineral-rich Greenland and has accused Denmark of not doing enough to ensure its security against US rivals Russia and China.

European nations who are members of NATO have in recent days shown their support for Denmark and Greenland over Trumps escalating threats, including by sending troops to the strategic territory.

Germany On Greenland

According to DW, the German military has pulled its reconnaissance team out of Greenland.

It further said that 15 soldiers were leaving the Arctic island on a civilian flight to Copenhagen on Sunday midday (local time).

The team was meant to assess conditions for possible NATO exercises, with the spokesman of the command control center having said Sunday that the mission was completed, DW reported. The results of the reconnaissance will be analyzed in the coming days."

Denmark On Trumps Tariff Threat

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Sunday warned that the NATO alliance is at risk from US President Donald Trumps tariff threat on NATO allies backing Denmark against his goal to seize control of Greenland.

AFP quoted him saying that the global geopolitical order as we know it" and NATOs future" were at stake.

I have no doubt there is strong European support" for Denmark in the row, he told a news conference during a visit to Norway, adding that Europe was stronger when we collectively show muscle".

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Location : Brussels, Belgium

First Published: January 18, 2026, 23:05 IST

News world NATO Chief Rutte Speaks With Trump On Greenland, Arctic As Denmark Warns Alliance At Stake

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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir May Meet US President Trump In Davos | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 17:24 IST

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is leaving for Zurich on Monday, along with a large delegation. Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir is likely to accompany Sharif

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet United States President Donald Trump next week in Davos, where world leaders will be present to attend the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF).

Sharif is leaving for Zurich on Monday, along with a large delegation, including cabinet federal ministers. Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir is likely to accompany Sharif.

Top security sources claimed that Munir has scheduled security and strategic meetings in Munich and Europe, but the dates have not been confirmed yet.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Davos On Tuesday.

Sources in Pakistan Prime Ministers Office said that Sharif may stay overnight in London while returning, where he would have some private engagements.

PAKISTAN AND US

Documents released earlier this month show that when Indias Operation Sindoor shook it to the core, Pakistan pleaded with the United States for help, offering more investments, special access and critical minerals in exchange. The documents were filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Pakistani diplomats and defence officials reached out more than 50 times over emails, phone calls and in-person meetings to several officials and intermediaries and even the US media amid the Operation, documents accessed by News18 showed.

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Right after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan released a document on the bilateral relations with the US. Pakistan is prepared to take significant actions to renew its bilateral relationship with the United States on shared interests. A clear, forward-looking agenda will serve the core interests of both nations and their peoples. As one of the worlds most populous and youthful countries, Pakistan offers great promise for economic growth," read the document.

Weeks after Islamabad struck a deal with Seiden Law LLP working through Javelin Advisors, then-US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 17:24 IST

News world Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir May Meet US President Trump In Davos | Exclusive

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PM Modi Receives Invitation From Donald Trump To Join Gaza Peace Board

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee



Last Updated: January 19, 2026, 08:05 IST

Trump recently announced the formation of a Gaza board of peace, describing it as a key Phase Two step in a US-backed plan aimed at ending the war in the region

Rapid Read

PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. (Reuters/File Image)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, government sources told CNN-News18 on Sunday.

The board has been set up as part of a United Nations-backed US plan to demilitarise and rebuild Gaza after two years of devastating conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group. The panel will be chaired by US President Donald Trump.

Sources said President Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Modi on January 16. He is among several world leaders, including Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Canadian PM Mark Carney, Italys Giorgia Meloni and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be invited to the board. However, it has not been confirmed if PM Modi has accepted the invite.

Sergio Gor Shares Trumps Letter

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, later confirmed Trumps invitation to PM Modi, sharing the letter by the American president. It is my Great Honor to invite you, as Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to join me in a critically Historic and Magnificent effort to solidify Peace in the Middle East and, at the same time, to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!" Trump said in the letter.

Honored to convey @POTUS invitation to Prime Minister @narendramodi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza. The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity! pic.twitter.com/HikLnXFFMp Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 18, 2026

The White House said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern the war-wracked territory, and a second executive board" that appears designed to have a more advisory role.

Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gazas stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation," the White House said.

However, a draft charter sent to about 60 countries by the US administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years. Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charters entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman," the document read.

Who Are Other Members Of The Board?

It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed. The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Thursday.

He later announced the appointment of US State Secretary Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as the founding members of the peace board. Additionally, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner will be part of the Board of Peace, according to the White House. CEO of Apollo Global Management, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser, Robert Gabriel, are also on the list.

READ MORE: Who Is Ajay Banga, Indian-Origin World Bank President Chosen By Trump For Gaza Peace Board

Additionally, Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

Trump had already named himself chair of the body while advancing a contentious vision for economic development in the Palestinian territory. However, the plan drew opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the announcement of the boards composition was contrary to Israels policy.

The US-backed Gaza peace plan first came into force on October 10, facilitating the return of all the hostages held by Hamas and an end to the fighting between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in the besieged territory. The second phase of the peace plan is now underway.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 21:35 IST

News world PM Modi Receives Invitation From Donald Trump To Join Gaza Peace Board

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South Africas Oldest Hindu Temple Risks Services Being Cut Over Unpaid Bills, Fraud Allegations

Curated By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 22:08 IST

Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam in Durban faces closure due to financial crisis and fraud allegations. SAHMS urges community support and announces a forensic audit to protect the legacy.

151-year-old Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam (Facebook)

The 151-year-old first Hindu temple in South Africas Durban has declared that it runs a risk of discontinuing its civic services due to the pending bill of over half a million rands amid allegations of fraud.

PTI quoted the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) urging the community to save the Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam, declared a National Heritage Site in 1980, that was established by indentured labourers who arrived in Durban in 1860 from India.

The dire financial condition of the temple was highlighted when the temple authorities posted a notice on its Facebook page last week making the allegations while not naming any officials.

According to PTI, the temple is reportedly struggling to maintain the temple after allegations that donations and other funds were diverted to private bank accounts rather than the temple account.

The authorities has announced the decision to launch a forensic audit.

The reality of the situation is that the Alayam currently has an outstanding account with the eThekwini Municipality at approximately half a million rand, which is as a result of poor management and mishandling of funds within the NPO (non-profit organisation).

Our Alayam is in a financial crisis and may be the reason that our lamps will be turned off in the near future," the Facebook post read, adding that the temples executive management had since resolved to initiate a forensic audit.

This audit will examine, verify and reconcile all financial transactions, funding records and reported inconsistencies, including those identified in relation to the existing auditors report. The outcome of the forensic audit will be addressed in accordance with applicable legal, fiduciary and regulatory requirements," the post said.

PTI quoted the executive stating that since the temple is a national monument, the relevant authorities would also be advised, further stating that this was in the interests of transparency, accountability and protection of the institutes integrity, governance structures and stakeholders.

In the post, the authorities also requested all donations intended for the temple to be made strictly and exclusively through official channels" and said it was aware of different private bank accounts that were used for the acceptance of donations under the previous management committee.

We assure you that steps are being taken against these individuals criminally," it said.

Meanwhile, South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) deputy president Professor Brij Maharaj told local media: At this critical juncture, we call upon the entire community to unite in safeguarding this historic institution. Together, through co-operation and shared responsibility, we can uphold the values of honesty, respect and service that have sustained our faith for over 150 years."

He also vowed SAHMS support in strengthening governance, preserving its legacy, and ensuring ethical financial management. Let us work collectively to restore confidence and protect this sacred space for future generations," he added.

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Location : South Africa

First Published: January 18, 2026, 22:08 IST

News world South Africas Oldest Hindu Temple Risks Services Being Cut Over Unpaid Bills, Fraud Allegations

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Syrian Govt, US-Backed SDF Agree To Immediate Ceasefire On All Fronts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 22:59 IST

The agreement comes after Syrian government forces advanced into areas previously held by Kurdish-led forces in the northeast.

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with US envoy Tom Barrack at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on January 18.

The Syrian government and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday agreed to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts, following days of fighting in the countrys north and east.

The agreement comes after Syrian government forces advanced into areas previously held by Kurdish-led forces in the northeast. The ceasefire was announced after talks involving Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi.

US envoy Tom Barrack welcomed the deal, calling it a major step forward. This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division," Barrack said in a post on X.

The United States commends the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their constructive efforts in reaching todays ceasefire agreement, paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria.Two great Syrian leaders, driven by the  Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) January 18, 2026

He met President Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday and held talks with Abdi in Erbil, Iraq, a day earlier.

According to a document published by the Syrian Presidency, the ceasefire will take place alongside the withdrawal of all SDF-affiliated forces to the east of the Euphrates River. The agreement also includes plans to integrate SDF fighters into Syrias defence and interior ministries after required security checks.

Under the deal, the Syrian government will immediately take full military and administrative control of the provinces of Deir al-Zor and Raqqa, which were previously under Kurdish control. All border crossings, as well as oil and gas fields in the region, will also be handed over to the state.

President Sharaa said the decision was taken to calm the situation. He told reporters that a planned meeting with Abdi was delayed due to poor weather, but both sides agreed to move forward with the ceasefire.

The presidency released the text of a 14-point agreement, which also places responsibility for Islamic State prisoners and their families, currently held in Kurdish-run prisons and camps, under the control of the Syrian government.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Syria

First Published: January 18, 2026, 22:54 IST

News world Syrian Govt, US-Backed SDF Agree To Immediate Ceasefire On All Fronts

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Trump Invites Pakistan PM Sharif To Join Gaza Board Of Peace: What It Means For India | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 19:01 IST

Indian intelligence sources said that Pakistans involvement is symbolic and narrative-driven.

Rapid Read

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif speaking alongside US President Donald Trump at the Gaza Peace Summit. (Pic/Reuters)

United States President Donald Trump has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to join the Board of Peace on Gaza. The development has been confirmed by the Pakistan foreign office spokesperson.

Pakistan has said it will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions

Islamabad has signalled alignment with UN-backed resolution efforts in Gaza. The US outreach to Pakistan is likely to reshape regional optics on Gaza," said intelligence sources.

Decoding the outreach

Indian intelligence sources said that Pakistans involvement is symbolic and narrative-driven. It will have minimum operational influence on Gaza outcomes, but they will deliver to USA. The move also serves as indirect messaging to Beijing and key Gulf states," said sources.

This is positioning Washington as the central coordinator and testing Pakistans diplomatic alignment beyond traditional China allies."

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Sharif likely to meet Trump in Davos

News18 has reported how Sharif is likely to meet Trump next week in Davos, where world leaders will be present to attend the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF).

Sharif is leaving for Zurich on Monday, along with a large delegation, including cabinet federal ministers. Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir is likely to accompany Sharif.

Top security sources claimed that Munir has scheduled security and strategic meetings in Munich and Europe, but the dates have not been confirmed yet.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Davos On Tuesday.

Sources in Pakistan Prime Ministers Office said that Sharif may stay overnight in London while returning, where he would have some private engagements.

Documents released earlier this month show that when Indias Operation Sindoor shook it to the core, Pakistan pleaded with the United States for help, offering more investments, special access and critical minerals in exchange. The documents were filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Weeks after Islamabad struck a deal with Seiden Law LLP working through Javelin Advisors, then-US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 18:57 IST

News world Trump Invites Pakistan PM Sharif To Join Gaza Board Of Peace: What It Means For India | Exclusive

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TTP Challenges Pakistan Army, Blows Up Another Bridge After Waziristans Shewa | Exclusive

Reported By :



Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 15:53 IST

This is TTPs massive winter offensive to paralyse Pakistan militarys movement in tribal areas. The supply lines and communication have been cut off, sources said

TTP is attacking Pakistan's assets. (News18)

Days after blowing up the Shewa Bridge in North Waziristan, which was used by the Pakistan military for troop movement and logistics, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has now warned against efforts to rebuild it, local sources told News18. Meanwhile, the TTP blew up another bridge in Khushhali in Mir Ali Tehsil of North Waziristan on Saturday night.

As a result of the explosion, the bridge suffered severe damage, which affected the movement of the local population. After Shewa Bridge, which was blown up on last Wednesday, this is second consecutive attack on strategic assets of Pakistan," said intelligence sources.

This is TTPs massive winter offensive to paralyse Pakistan militarys movement in tribal areas. The supply lines and communication have been cut off," they added.

Shewa bridge rebuilding efforts

Locals in North Waziristans Shewa say their jirga  a traditional assembly or council of respected elders convened to resolve disputes in Pashtun culture  met with TTP leaders in the area, who admitted to blowing up the Shewa bridge used by the Pakistan Army.

According to a jirga member, militants admitted that they planned this IED blast seven months ago.

TTP fighters have threatened the local jirga, warning they will target anyone who tries to rebuild the bridge," they said.

Why Shewa bridge was key

Last Wednesday, the TTP blew up the strategic bridge in Waziristan. It was a key route for Pakistan security forces supply chain in tribal areas and the Durand Line and the main route for military deployments in tribal areas and Pak-Afghan borders checkpoints.

The Shewa bridge was connecting the Shewa Tehsil (North Waziristan) connects Kurram (N), Hangu (NE/E), Bannu (E/SE), Karak (SE), South Waziristan (S), and borders Afghanistan to the west.

The Pakistan security forces are conducting multiple operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa on a daily basis, said sources. Lack of connectivity will create problems for Pakistan military in the north and south Waziristan districts. Pakistan is already facing huge challenges on the escalating Durand Line and now Shewa bridge collapse will put all military operations in huge trouble," said sources.

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 15:42 IST

News world TTP Challenges Pakistan Army, Blows Up Another Bridge After Waziristans Shewa | Exclusive

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'Won't Be Blackmailed': EU, UK Respond To Trump's 10% Tariff Over Greenland 'Purchase'

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 09:00 IST

Several European leaders condemned the tariffs as "unacceptable" as Greenland's minister praised them for a strong response to the move linked to the future of the Arctic island

People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against US President Donald Trump's plans to take Greenland, in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 17, 2026. (Image: AFP)

The European Union and United Kingdom have said they will not be blackmailed" by US President Donald Trump and his completely wrong" imposition of 10 percent tariff on several member countries for opposing" his threats to control Greenland.

Calling an emergency meeting of ambassadors from the EUs 27 countries on Sunday, the bloc warned of a dangerous downward spiral" in wake of Trumps threats. It also said a division among allies  US and majority EU member countries are part of NATO  will benefit China and Russia.

Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa said in posts on X.

Greenland, meanwhile, praised European countries for their strong response to the tariffs linked to the future of the Arctic island. Several European leaders condemned the move as unacceptable" even as Denmark said they come as a surprise".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the imposition of the tariff completely wrong" while French President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson wholly rejected it and spoke of defending European sovereignty.

On Saturday (January 18), Trump said he will impose 10 percent tariff February onwards on eight European countries for opposing US control of Greenland. In a social media post, he said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland will face the tariff and that it would climb to 25 percent on June 1 if a deal is not in place for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland".

The reactions came in as thousands of Greenlanders braved near-freezing temperatures and marched across snow and ice to take a stand against Trump. They held signs of protest, waved their national flag and chanted Greenland is not for sale" in support of their own self-governance.

CHINA, RUSSIA HAVING FIELD DAY

The European Unions top diplomat Kaja Kallas said tariffs will hurt prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, while distracting the bloc from its core task" of ending Russias war in Ukraine.

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies," Kallas said on X. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO."

COME AS A SURPRISE

Greenlandic minister Naaja Nathanielsen praised the reaction of European countries targeted by Donald Trumps new tariff threats.

I am amazed to witness the first responses from the targeted countries," Nathanielsen, who is the minister for mineral resources, said in a message posted on LinkedIn. I am thankful and hopeful for diplomacy and allieship to prevail."

Denmarks foreign minister, meanwhile, called Trumps threat to impose tariffs on European countries that do not let him acquire Greenland a surprise".

The purpose of the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the president refers, is precisely to enhance security in the Arctic," Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told AFP. We are in close contact with the European Commission and our other partners on the matter."

Only a few days ago, Rasmussen had attended talks in the White House with the US and Greenlandic officials on the Greenland question.

COMPLETELY WRONG

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trumps threat as completely wrong".

Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration," Starmer said in a statement.

Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 17, 2026

We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic," he added.

UNACCEPTABLE

French President Emmanuel Macron denounced Trumps threat and said they are unacceptable" while Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson said we wont let ourselves be intimidated".

Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context," Macron posted on X, in French and English. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. It is in this spirit that I will engage with our European partners."

Kristersson told AFP in a message: We wont let ourselves be intimidated. Only Denmark and Greenland decide questions that concern them. I will always defend my country and our allied neighbours."

Vi later oss inte utpressas. Bara Danmark och Gronland bestammer i fragor som ror Danmark och Gronland. Jag kommer alltid sta upp for mitt land, och for vara allierade grannar. Detta ar en EU-fraga som ror manga fler lander an de som nu pekas ut. Sverige har nu intensiva Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) January 17, 2026

Sweden is currently having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom to find a joint response," he added.

THEY TELL US HOW TO STAND UP TO BULLIES

Greenland, meanwhile, turned out in droves to trudge across snow and ice to take a stand protest against Trumps threats of an American takeover.

Trump has long said he thinks the US should own the strategically located and mineral-rich island, which is a self-governing territory of Greenland. He had intensified his calls a day after the military operation to oust Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

A nine-year-old girl, who was at the protest with her mother, crafted her own Greenland is not for sale" sign. She said her teachers have addressed the controversy and taught them about NATO at school.

They tell us how to stand up if youre being bullied by another country or something," she said.

I thought this day couldnt get any worse but it just did," a stunned protester told The Associated Press about Trumps tariff announcement. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now."

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also joined what others described as the islands biggest protest, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuks population. Others held rallies and solidarity marches across the Danish realm, including in Copenhagen, as well as in the capital of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canadas far north.

This is important for the whole world," a Danish protester said as she held Danish and Greenlandic flags in Copenhagen. There are many small countries. None of them are for sale."

(With agency inputs)

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First Published: January 18, 2026, 08:02 IST

News world 'Won't Be Blackmailed': EU, UK Respond To Trump's 10% Tariff Over Greenland 'Purchase'

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'World Peace At Stake': Trump Says US Open To Negotiations With Denmark Over Greenland Plan

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 07:21 IST

Reiterating his long-standing push for US control of the Arctic island, Trump claimed Greenland had become strategically vulnerable

US President Donald Trump. (File photo)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States was open to negotiations with Denmark over Greenland, warning that the issue had implications for global security and world peace."

Reiterating his long-standing push for US control of the Arctic island, Trump claimed Greenland had become strategically vulnerable and alleged that China and Russia were seeking to expand their presence there.

China and Russia want Greenland," Trump said, asserting that Denmark was incapable of defending the territory.

Only the United States can guarantee its safety," he added, linking Greenlands strategic value to US national defence and what he described as the broader security of the planet.

Trump claimed that rival powers had already journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," calling the situation very dangerous for the safety, security and survival of our planet."

He argued that decisive action was needed to prevent further escalation.

Escalating pressure on Europe, Trump also announced plans to impose a 10 per cent tariff on goods from eight European countries starting February 1.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, he named Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, accusing them of benefiting for decades from US security protection without adequate compensation.

We have subsidised Denmark, and all of the countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them tariffs," Trump said.

Now, after centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back." He added that the tariffs would remain in force until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland," claiming the US had sought to acquire the territory for more than 150 years.

Trump also linked Greenland to Americas missile defence ambitions, referring to the proposed Golden Dome" defence system and modern weapons platforms.

He said hundreds of billions of dollars were being spent on such programmes and argued they could operate at maximum potential and efficiency" only if Greenland were included.

The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries," Trump said, warning that strong measures were necessary to resolve the issue quickly, and without question."

Trumps remarks triggered protests in Greenland, where hundreds of people marched through the capital Nuuk in near-freezing conditions to oppose any suggestion of an American takeover.

Demonstrators waved Greenlands red-and-white flags and carried placards reading Greenland is not for sale" and We shape our future," with similar rallies reported across Denmark.

The protests came just hours after a bipartisan US congressional delegation visited Copenhagen to reassure Danish and Greenlandic leaders of continued American support.

Led by Senator Chris Coons, the delegation sought to calm tensions, with Coons acknowledging that recent rhetoric from Washington had caused anxiety across the Danish kingdom.

Trump has repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland is essential for national security, saying earlier this week that any outcome short of American control would be unacceptable."

He has also hinted at using trade pressure to advance the demand, warning that tariffs could be imposed on countries that refuse to go along with Greenland."

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 18, 2026, 07:21 IST

News world 'World Peace At Stake': Trump Says US Open To Negotiations With Denmark Over Greenland Plan

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Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is one of the best stocks to buy in 2026 for beginners. On January 14, KeyBanc reiterated a Buy rating on Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) and set a price target of $300. The rating update came the same day Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) announced the signing of a new cloud agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), allowing the MoD to rapidly transition legacy technology systems to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The agreement supports the Ministrys modernization goals, effective use of critical data to bolster the national security of the region, and adoption of new AI capabilities.

Oracles (ORCL) Strategic Innovation Boosts its Dividend Appeal

The cloud agreement between Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) and MoD allows access to OCI to support the modernisation and consolidation of legacy systems. Jason Rees, senior vice president of Technology Engineering, Oracle EMEA, stated that the migration of work loads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure would allow the sophisticated use of data and AI to bolster national security for the UK without complicated and costly rewrites, with OCIs in-built security and AI solutions offering a strong foundation for improved decision making, faster innovation, and mission-ready capabilities.

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) provides products and services addressing aspects of corporate IT environments, including applications and infrastructure technologies. The companys operations are divided into the following business segments: Cloud and License, Hardware, and Services.

While we acknowledge the potential of ORCL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
If you've been fretting about the job market, a bit of hope: This year is set to be a "landmark year" for those on the hunt, leading to a "new era of opportunity," per Mental Floss. How those opportunities unfold for you, however, may depend what city you're in. WalletHub wanted to see which metropolitan areas hold the best prospects for job seekers, looking at more than 180 of the nation's largest cities across 31 metrics in two main categories: job market, which includes the opportunities themselves, as well as the unemployment rate, industry variety, job security, and average starting salary, among other factors; and socioeconomics, covering such things as median income, housing affordability, commute times, and safety. The Arizona city of Scottsdale shot to the top of the list, while Detroit currently offers the most dismal news. The top and bottom 10 cities:
China's propaganda machine has found a new way to talk about American hardship, and it comes straight out of gamer slang. State-linked outlets and online commentators are fixating on the idea of a US "kill line"a term borrowed from video games to describe a point of no return for a characterand repurposing it as a stark metaphor for American poverty, per the New York Times . In this narrative, once Americans slip below this invisible line, they're supposedly doomed to homelessness, crushing debt, and addiction, among other trials, with no realistic path back. The message: Americans live under a constant economic guillotine, while Chinese citizens are protected by a more humane system.

The focus on US misery isn't new in Chinese propaganda, but the "kill line" framing is, basically serving as "shorthand for what, supposedly, is wrong with America and right with China," reports the Economist. It took off after a November video on the Bilibili platform by a creator known as Squid King, who strung together bleak anecdotes from his time in the US, per the Timeshungry delivery workers, children knocking on doors for food on Halloween, injured laborers turned away from hospitals. State and nationalist media then amplified the phrase, using it to brand American capitalism's "real operating logic," citing everything from a Financial Times piece on wealth gaps in Connecticut to JD Vance's memoir Hillbilly Elegy as proof.

The campaign arrives as China faces its own economic strain: slower growth, high youth unemployment, meager rural pensions, and widespread fear of financial ruin from illness or job loss. Inequality and insecurity remain serious issues, even if visible homelessness is tightly controlled and kept largely out of everyday sight. By late December, the term had become official language, with state outlets like the Beijing Daily pushing "kill line" discussions on the Weibo social media platform, per the Times. Commentaries contrasted American anecdotes with China's basic health care and poverty programs, insisting that "China's system will not allow a person to be 'killed' by a single misfortune."

A Los Angeles resident tells Xinhua that he doesn't completely disagree with the Chinese stance. "I make about $100,000 per year, but the cost of living is so high now that my family is one paycheck away from a total disaster that could leave us homeless. We are the new working poor. It's insane," he says. More here.
A construction worker's passport going up in flames has become a symbol of one woman's apparent mission to funnel foreign men into Russia's war in Ukraine and leave them stuck there. Per a BBC investigation, "Omar," a 26-year-old Syrian who spoke under a pseudonym, says former Russian teacher Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh lured him and other Arabs into signing army contracts through her Telegram channel, promising good pay, housing, and even noncombat roles in exchange for cash. He says she took their passports, promised Russian citizenship, and told them that for $3,000 she could keep them away from the front. Instead, he says, he got 10 days of basic training and was sent straight into heavy fighting.

When Omar refused to pay, a video arrived on his phone, showing his passport in flames, and a woman's voice he recognized as Azarnykh saying, "It's burning well." The BBC says it has identified nearly 500 men from Syria, Egypt, Yemen, and multiple African countries who received "invitation" documents from Azarnykh allowing them to enter Russia to join the military. Relatives of at least 12 of those men say they're now dead or missing. Recruits and families told the BBC they knew they were entering military service but believed they would guard facilities or checkpoints, not be in front-line positionsand that they were never clearly told contracts could be extended under a 2022 decree until the war ends.

Azarnykh denies wrongdoing and, in public videos, has increasingly insisted that recruits knew they were going to war, mocking those who expected passports, accommodations, and comfort "for free." The BBC reports that Azarnykh operates in a broader, loosely organized network of recruiters feeding Russia's manpower needs as casualties climb, alongside other Arabic-language Telegram accounts advertising "elite" battalions and big bonuses. Read the full story.
Walmart (WMT) stock has long been a dividend favorite, but the retail giant's international operations are quietly setting the stage for a key acceleration in shareholder payouts.

The numbers from overseas tell a story most investors aren't paying close enough attention to.

Walmart International drove the company's strongest performance in the third quarter, posting sales growth of 11.4% in constant currency while adjusted operating income jumped 16.9%.

For context, that's nearly double the growth rate of Walmart's U.S. operations. More importantly, it signals a fundamental shift in how international markets contribute to the company's bottom line.

"We continue to benefit from business mix changes and lower losses in e-commerce," CEO Doug McMillon shared during the company's recent earnings call, referring specifically to international operations.

Walmart is bullish on international sales, driven by expansion in China and India, including Flipkart and PhonePe.Getty Images Michael M. Santiago  Getty Images Michael M. Santiago

China's digital dominance creates a profit machine

Walmart's China business hit a remarkable milestone that few U.S. retailers have matched.

Digital sales now account for 50% of total revenue in the country, with e-commerce growing by more than 30% in the most recent quarter.

Nearly 80% of digital orders in China arrive in under an hour, according to company data.

That's impressive on the logistics side, providing a massive competitive advantage that drives customer loyalty and reduces delivery costs per order.

McMillon visited three Chinese cities in October, including Hefei, a city of about 10 million people. The company now operates 60 Sam's Club locations across China, with a healthy pipeline of new clubs.

What makes China valuable isn't just the sales growth. The market serves as a testing ground for innovations that eventually make their way to other regions.

Dark-store formats, ultra-fast delivery, and digital-first shopping experiences are all refined in China before rolling out globally.

During the Q3 earnings call, McMillon explained:

India's twin engines accelerate growth

If China represents Walmart's digital future, India showcases the company's platform strategy at scale.

Through Flipkart and PhonePe, Walmart operates in what is now the world's largest consumer market.

Related: Walmart makes bold move to challenge Amazon for customers

Both businesses hold the largest market share in their respective categories, and they're network businesses that become more valuable with each additional user.
In a deeply reported feature for New York magazine, Elizabeth Weil follows two families confronting what experts say is a largely invisible form of child sexual abuse: harm carried out by one sibling against another. Research suggests at least 1% of people have been abused by a brother or sisterlikely enough to touch nearly every communityyet families who disclose it find almost no clear path forward. They face an immediate, wrenching question: Can they protect the child who was abused without sacrificing the child who caused the harm?

The first family, a Utah couple with five kids, discovers via nanny-cam and a 3-year-old's words that their 14-year-old son, Owen, sexually abused his toddler sister. Porn use that began during the pandemic had already triggered failed interventions; a later autism diagnosis helped explain, but not excuse, his behavior. With residential treatment financially out of reach, the parents improvise: Owen lives in the basement with his father, under surveillance and strict rules, while his mother raises the other children upstairs under an elaborate security system and a 55-point safety plan.

The second family, in the eastern US, takes a different route. After 15-year-old Piper discloses that her brother Conor, 21, has raped her for more than five years, their mother, Lynnherself a survivor of intra-family abusedemands he turn himself in. He does, and is ultimately sentenced to nine years in prison. For Piper, disclosure day was liberation; for Lynn, it was the death of the son she knew. Her marriage buckles under the strain.

Across both stories, the article lays out what Weil calls a "moral impossibility": the child who was harmed needs safety, validation, and the power to define the future relationship; the child who caused harm needs accountability and continued belonging. But "the family cannot meet everyone's needs at once," writes Weil. As Owen's father puts it, his daily task is brutally simple and impossibly complex: "How do I love both kids?"
Jimmy Carter didn't just oversee peace accords and peanut farmshe also spent decades quietly wrestling with oil paint and church steeples. Nearly 100 of the former president's paintings are now coming out of the Carter family orbit, with four headed to Christie's this month in a series of auctions that also feature handwritten letters (including a love note to his wife, Rosalynn), memorabilia, and handmade furniture, per the New York Times . A slice of the proceeds will support the Carter Family Foundation, which backs causes in Sumter County, Georgia, where Carter lived most of his life.

The art is intentionally not priced like blue-chip presidential relics: Estimates run from $2,000 to $12,000 per painting, or, as Christie's specialist Julia Jones puts it, "priced to sell," in the hopes of establishing a real market for Carter's work. Carter's daughter, Amy, says painting was a thread running through his life, even if the public rarely saw it. He once took a mail-order course in the Navy and copied Monets before politics took over. After leaving the White House, he set up a garage studio, painting on a palette made from scrap wood. Museums like Madrid's Prado and Amsterdam's Van Gogh were touchstones, but Carter's own canvases stayed closer to home: Georgia landscapes, local churches, still-lifes, and a nearby waterfall where he swam and fished.

The man who spent much of his days thinking about elections, poverty, women's rights, and the Middle East, Amy Carter notes, left all that off the canvas: "His paintings seem to be this quiet place of things he loved." Carter isn't the only president to pick up a brushUlysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George W. Bush all havebut presidential art is a niche market. Eisenhower's works have sold for as much as $14,000; Bush's have stayed largely in book form. Carter used his hobby for fundraising: An oil of butterflies and milkweed fetched $525,000 for the Carter Center in 2017. No US leader, though, has matched Winston Churchill's art-world statureone Churchill landscape given to Franklin D. Roosevelt went for $11.5 million in 2021.

Carter's style leans toward small, impressionist-like dabs, with results that recall David Hockney's iPad experiments more than Monet's ponds. Amy Carter doubts her father would have listed "painter" on his CV, but she says he took the craft seriously. For a man used to relentless public scrutiny and global crises, she adds, painting offered something simple: "permission to relax." The Christie's "American Collector" auctions kicked off Tuesday and will continue through Jan. 27, per Smithsonian.
Lawmakers in DC are weighing a bill that would shield makers of trendy quartz countertops from worker lawsuits at the very moment California regulators are considering whether to ban cutting the material altogether. At issue is quartz, a form of engineered stone and a kitchen and bath favorite that can release heavy concentrations of silica dust when cut or polished. Inhaling that dust has left nearly 500 California countertop workers with incurable silicosis since 2019; more than 50 have needed lung transplants, and at least 27 have died, most of them relatively young Hispanic men, per NPR . Similar cases have surfaced in Texas, New York, Colorado, Washington, and now Massachusetts . California health officials say that despite tougher rules, many small and midsize fabrication shops still dry-cut stone and rarely use proper respiratory protection.

The industry's main US manufacturer, Minnesota-based Cambria, argues the product isn't the problemunsafe fabrication is. Cambria's legal chief, Rebecca Shult, recently told a House Judiciary subcommittee that the company safely cuts stone in its own shops with wet-cutting techniques and ventilation systems and blamed "American sweatshops" that ignore safety standards. Cambria faces about 400 lawsuits from workers employed elsewhere, but Shult maintains "the wrong parties are being sued," because the company doesn't control those workplaces. Distributors say they, too, are being pulled into dozens of cases despite never cutting stone, and they want Congress to "refocus accountability" on shop-level safety and OSHA compliance.

Worker advocates counter that removing manufacturers' legal exposure would gut incentives to protect people handling their products. Former OSHA chief David Michaels called the proposal "a death sentence for workers," arguing that with too few inspectors and shrinking budgets, regulators can't police thousands of small shops on their own. In California, occupational health physicians are following Australia's lead and pushing for a ban on high-silica engineered stone, saying that evidence shows dangerous dust levels even in facilities that attempt controls. One specialist estimates that roughly 12% of the state's 4,000 countertop workers already have serious disease, a trend he calls "impossible to tolerate." Studies back up the urgency of the matter. The Texas Tribune has more.
European officials lined up behind Denmark in anger on Saturday after President Trump threatened to impose new tariffs unless the US is allowed to buy Greenland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other leaders promised a coordinated response, Euronews reports, saying Europe would remain united in defending its sovereignty. In Greenland, thousands of people carefully marched across snow and ice to oppose Trump's plans, waving their national flag and chanting, "Greenland is not for sale." As they arrived at the US Consulate in Nuuk after walking from downtown, the marchers learned of Trump's announcement. Reaction included:
A deadly shooting inside a suburban home in Lakewood, California, has left three members of the same family dead and a 19-year-old daughter as the lone survivor, authorities say. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials say the teen called 911 around 8am Thursday, reporting that her father had fired at her and was now lying on the floor unconscious. She told deputies she woke to the sound of gunfire, then saw her fatheridentified as 52-year-old Hector Alfaroapproach her with a handgun and shoot at her multiple times without hitting her, reports USA Today . Investigators say he then turned the gun on himself while standing near her.

When deputies searched the Lakewood home, they found Alfaro in the den with a gunshot wound to the upper body. In one bedroom, they discovered his wife, 48, and in another bedroom, they found the couple's younger daughter, 17. Both had been fatally shot, per ABC Los Angeles. Two firearms were recovered inside the residence.

Authorities are treating the case as an apparent murder-suicide and say there is no sign that anyone else was involved. The sheriff's department has released few additional details and says the investigation remains active. "It's hard to process," Jorge Fuentes, the brother-in-law of Alfaro, tells NBC Los Angeles. "It's pain, anger, hard to understand how a person that's supposed to be a protector and a father to those girls would have done something so hideous." Lakewood, a city of about 79,000 residents, lies roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Syria and a Kurdish-led militia agreed to an immediate cease-fire on Sunday, a deal that includes absorbing the force into the government's military. The 14-point agreement was struck after major territorial advances by Syrian forces into regions held Syrian Democratic Forces that hurt the SDF's bargaining position, the New York Times reports. Government forces had entered the Kurdish-held city of Raqqa in eastern Syria earlier in the day. The SDF appeared to withdraw after large military convoys swept into the city and troops were greeted by residents, the AP reports. Developments include:
Hundreds of anti-riot police entered a maximum security prison in Guatemala early Sunday, freeing guards who had been taken hostage and retaking control of the facility that houses gang leaders. Shots sounded as police swept into the Renovation prison, about 45 miles southwest of Guatemala City. About 15 minutes later, guards who appeared to be unharmed were escorted out, per the AP . No injuries or deaths were immediately reported. But a short time later, reports began to emerge of attacks on police in the capital.

National Civil Police Director David Custodio Botero said there were at least 10 armed attacks against police, leaving three dead and at least five wounded. Five attackers were captured, he said. Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said Saturday night that nine guards were taken hostage in the prison. Some three dozen other guards were being held at two other prisons, where inmates took control in what the government called a coordinated uprising Saturday. All told, 46 people were held, per Reuters.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the inmate uprising was a direct result of the prison administrators' decision to strip privileges from some imprisoned gang leaders. "In Guatemala, we don't negotiate with terrorists nor with organized crime," the statement said. "We also don't allow groups that have sown fear to impose their conditions."
Key Points

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can make investing in dividend stocks much safer by diversifying your risk.

Some ETFs can offer payments monthly rather than quarterly, which is the norm for most dividend stocks.

10 stocks we like better than WisdomTree Trust - WisdomTree U.s. High Dividend Fund 

If your main goal from investing in the stock market is to collect a dividend each month, that's not a difficult task. There are many dividend stocks to choose from, but buying them individually may not be ideal, as each of them carries its own individual risk. You'll also have to consider each of their payout ratios, financials, and respective valuations.

This is where investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) makes a lot of sense, as it can drastically simplify your strategy. By finding a couple of dividend-paying ETFs, you can get plenty of diversification and much more safety than just picking stocks individually.

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) is an excellent example of a well-balanced fund that invests in around 100 high-quality dividend stocks. It pays 3.8%, which is more than three times the S&P 500 average of 1.1%, and its expense ratio is extremely low at 0.06%. It invests in quality stocks that have safe and sustainable payouts, as it factors in fundamental strength and financial ratios in its criteria.

But if you're looking for a monthly dividend, this is where you might be disappointed -- this ETF pays every quarter. Instead, you may want to consider the following two funds, both of which offer high yields and pay every month.

Image source: Getty Images.

WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund

The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (NYSEMKT: DHS) not only yields a high amount at 3.3%, but it also makes distributions to investors each and every month. That can give you a much more consistent stream of cash flow than investing in the average dividend stock that pays quarterly.

With this ETF, you're also getting exposure to many more stocks. The WisdomTree fund had 365 holdings as of the end of September. Its largest holding, Johnson & Johnson, accounts for about 6% of its overall portfolio. It's a fairly diverse ETF with healthcare, financials, consumer staples, and energy stocks making up the lion's share, representing 72% of the entire portfolio.

The one drawback is that its expense ratio is a bit higher at 0.38%. However, that's in line with other ETFs, and on a $10,000 investment, that would still amount to a fairly modest fee of $38 per year.

Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF

Another good option for income investors to consider is the Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (NYSEMKT: SPHD), which yields an even higher rate of just over 4%. Its expense ratio of 0.30% is also slightly lower than the WisdomTree ETF.
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KYOTO, Jan 18 (News On Japan) - A traditional New Year archery contest known as Toshiya is being held at the national treasure Sanjusangendo Temple in Kyoto, with 20-year-olds and other young participants competing to test their skills.

The annual Omato National Tournament, which began on the morning of January 18th, is being held for the 76th time this year, drawing about 1,900 participants dressed in brightly colored furisode kimono and hakama.

The event is said to trace its origins to the Edo period, when samurai competed beneath the temples eaves to see how many targets they could hit in a single day.

One participant said turning 20 had made them feel a stronger sense of responsibility for their actions, while others said they wanted to make this a year of taking on new challenges and growing into adults they could be proud of.

Many spectators also gathered at the temple to watch the newly turned adults shoot at targets one meter in diameter set 60 meters away.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Jan 18 (News On Japan) - In the year 2026, the concept of scarcity for assets like Bitcoin, gold, and silver has evolved beyond traditional boundaries of supply constraints.

Investors are now viewing scarcity through the lenses of market narratives, financial access, and underlying structures rather than mere availability.

Understanding scarcity today involves more than just evaluating how limited an asset is, as Bitcoin, gold, and silver each present their own unique scarcity narratives shaped by modern financial markets.

Bitcoins predefined scarcity, governed by immutable code and capped at 21 million units, is increasingly influenced by financial instruments such as exchange-traded funds and derivatives that alter accessibility and perception.

Golds scarcity has shifted from physical extraction to conceptual trust, reinforced by central banks and its role as neutral collateral during geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Silver occupies a unique position due to its dual role as both an investment and an industrial metal, complicating scarcity pricing as industrial demand intersects with market volatility.

Exchange-traded products have reshaped scarcity perception by enhancing access and amplifying sentiment-driven investment without changing underlying supply.

Derivatives further influence scarcity narratives by allowing exposure without ownership, illustrating how leverage and availability can coexist.

Rather than debating which asset is scarcest, investors in 2026 assess how each expresses scarcity differently, with Bitcoin rooted in certainty, gold in trust, and silver in industrial necessity.
A new dining destination is on the horizon for Somers Point as Websters Tavern gears up to take over the iconic Windjammer Cafe Bar & Grill.

The new restaurant is expected to open by this summer.

City council approved the Windjammers liquor license transfer to Websters SP LLC on Nov. 13.

The family-owned Windjammer at 18 MacArthur Boulevard closed abruptly in November after serving the Somers Point community for more than 13 years.

The Windjammer opened on Oct. 11, 2011, in a space that was formerly a TGI Fridays and became a favorite spot for locals and tourists, with its location near the bridge to Ocean City.

Windjammer owner Steve Tiniakos said he sold the property because he was retiring.

Earlier this month, Shorn Construction began interior demolition ahead of renovations at the restaurant.

Shorn Construction posted on Facebook that work crews are removing existing finishes from inside the former Windjammer building.

Renovations to the building will continue in February, according to the post.
A former member of the Oath Keepers who was elected to the Northern Valley Regional school board in Old Tappan, has been denied his seat after a criminal background check revealed he twice went to prison for robbery.

Edward Durfee was supposed to take the oath for a three-year term on January 7. However, a background check that the state Department of Education requires of all incoming school board trustees turned up two felony convictions from 50 years ago.

I was a little rambunctious when I came out of the Marine Corps, said Durfee, 71, the Republican leader in Northvale who runs a coin shop in town. Yeah, the robberies are what disqualified me. But I did my time and I have lived a clean life ever since.

Durfee said hes speaking with his attorney and considering an appeal. But the school district has already begun the search to fill the vacancy, advertising the position online and inviting anyone who is interested to submit their resume.

The state rehabilitated me, and now its holding me back from serving my community, Durfee said. Hows that?

Durfee grew up in nearby Ramsey and joined the Marine Corps in 1971, where he first took the oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. His legal troubles began when he came home after his service.

The Paterson News reported on September 27, 1974 that Ramsey police arrested Durfee and charged him with robbing the desk clerk at the Holiday Inn on Route 17 two days before. The story said that about $200 was stolen.

Durfee said he was not armed but was later sentenced to five years in prison. He recalled serving 2 to 3 years before he was paroled, Durfee said.

In March 1977 he was arrested again. The Ridgewood News reported in its March 17 edition that Durfee was charged with breaking into a dormitory at the Swiss Chalet restaurant in Ramsey and robbing an employee who lived there.

Durfee said he worked at the chalet and lived in the dormitory. The dispute was over a case of beer, he said  but the crime was serious enough to send him back to prison for 18 or 19 months, he said.

It was something stupid, Durfee said. I went to prison and was rehabilitated. I served my time.

Durfee said he joined the Oath Keepers because he believed it was his duty to uphold the Constitution and the right to protest.

He later told a Congressional committee that the Oath Keepers went to the Capitol to provide security. Their leader, Stuart Rhodes, was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in instigating the riot and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Rhodes and approximately 1,600 other demonstrators convicted in the riot were pardoned by President Trump.

Durfee initially ran unopposed for a seat on the school board representing Northvale. But his Oath Keeper affiliation prompted another Northvale resident, Mathew Horning, to wage a last-minute write-in campaign.

Horning said he feared Durfee would be a disruptive force on the school board due to his extreme right-wing views. Durfee in turn said the high school curriculum should focus less on what he called social engineering and more on reading, writing and arithmetic. Durfee won by a wide margin.
A 5-acre Bergen County senior housing facility is part of a recently secured $48 million refinancing deal arranged by JLL Capital Markets.

The Chelsea at Washington Township at 620 Pascack Road received the three-year, floating-rate loan from a large regional bank.

The Chelsea at New City in Rockland County, New York also received financing in the same deal.

Bain Capital Real Estate and Capitol Seniors Housing own the properties.

JLLs Seniors Housing Debt Advisory team brokered the financing deal on behalf of the borrowers.

The Chelsea at Washington Township, opened in 2023 with 85 units for assisted living and memory care.
The borough of Lawnside doesnt have any working fire trucks  a decision the local fire chief blames on the mayor and council and says could be dangerous.

All three of the towns fire trucks are inoperable  one is just sitting there and two are out for repairs.

In a letter sent to the boroughs mayor and council on Dec. 31, borough fire chief Mark Jay accused officials of chronically denying repairs to trucks due to a lack of funding  forcing one of the oldest historically Black all volunteer fire departments to borrow trucks from neighboring towns.

This is the worst its been for a long time and were finally standing up for the department against the borough, Jay told NJ Advance Media on Friday. Public safety has never been a priority with the borough.

Lawnside Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow said Wednesday that after she was notified that the last remaining truck wasnt working the issue was handled within 24 hours.

When asked to clarify the timeline, Wardlow claimed she did not receive Jays Dec. 31 letter until Jan. 8 and approved the repair request the next day.

But Jay said the mayor should have been aware earlier  other borough officials knew about the issue and shot down a request for repairs right around Christmas, he said.

On Christmas Eve, while shuttling Santa Claus around town, the departments last operational fire trucks power steering busted and the department had to break the news on Facebook that St. Nick might not visit all the boys and girls in town.

Its now being fixed at a price tag of $2,800, according to Jay. And another truck that has been out of service for three years is finally getting fixed. Meanwhile, the town is borrowing trucks from Haddon Heights and Barrington.

An engine has sat in front of the Lawnside Fire department's fire house since 2024 awaiting repairs. The department's chiefs vehicle was damaged after another borough vehicle clipped the SUV, according to the chief. Matthew Enuco

Despite the condition of Lawnsides fire trucks, the department has avoided serious tragedies, according to Jay. He wants to keep it that way.

There hasnt been any fatal house fires in Lawnside since the 1980s, Jay wrote in his letter. We do not want the Borough of Lawnside to wait until a civilian or firefighter is killed to decide to do something and help the fire company.

The price to repair fire trucks has risen by about 30% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and many towns have struggled to maintain aging trucks with limited ability to raise taxes enough to pay for them.

New Jersey towns can fund fire departments in different ways, through fire districts with elected leaders that manage a separate tax collected by the municipalities, or through the boroughs municipal budget.

For those municipalities wealthy enough to purchase new fire trucks, prices range from about $750,000 to $2 million and take years to deliver a final product, experts have said.

But for most towns, New Jerseys cap on local tax increases has placed a financial death grip on fire departments and forced them to work with less, hoping failed equipment doesnt lead to a tragedy.

Camden, just five miles west of Lawnside, has faced similar issues with aging equipment that has failed during critical moments in rescues, an NJ Advance Media investigation found.

Other towns across New Jersey, including Millville, Newark, Trenton, Woodbridge and West Orange, even ones with full-time career firefighters and larger budgets, are trying to survive with aging fleets, the investigation found.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends departments consider placing trucks into reserve status after 15 years and consider retiring trucks after 25 years. The NFPA recommends this timeline based on a number of factors including quality of maintenance and intensity of use, and leaves the final decisions up to each department.

Lawnsides all volunteer department has about 10-15 active members with three trucks, the oldest of which is 30 years old. The truck that broke down on Christmas is 21 years old and is considered past its useful life, Jay said.

It needed $5,000 in repairs in early 2025, which was funded through an emergency budget resolution, records show.

Within the towns $6.8 million 2025 municipal budget, about $30,000 was earmarked for the fire department, according to a copy of the budget obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Jay says the majority of that is dedicated to fire hydrant repairs, leaving the department with few dollars for repairs, equipment and training.

Another fire truck has been sitting in front of the firehouse and municipal building since 2024 awaiting repairs to its engine block, Jay said.

The total to fix that truck was initially estimated at $7,000, but has since increased to about $43,000, according to Jay.

Lawnside purchased a new truck in 2018 that cost the borough $800,000, according to an ordinance approving a bond sale to purchase the truck.

But that new truck was involved in a fatal crash in 2022 that resulted in criminal charges against the volunteer firefighter who was driving and a wrongful death suit thats still pending against the borough, records show.

The fire truck had to be removed from use during the legal proceedings.

It was taken in for repairs in early 2025, but it is still unclear when the truck will be returned and placed back in service, according to Jay.

Jay also said the departments chiefs vehicle is old, damaged and in need of four new tires. The chiefs vehicle, sitting next to the beached fire engine in front of the fire house, has a gash in the drivers side door and a broken tail light after Jay claims a Department of Public Works vehicle grazed the SUV.

And while theyre grateful the neighboring towns have loaned them equipment, the truck doesnt have enough storage space to transport life saving tools necessary to respond to all types of emergencies.

The chief in Heights and Barrington immediately offered to help us out, Jay said. But borrowing a fire truck is not a permanent solution.
Mickey Rourke publicly denounced a GoFundMe fundraiser that raised $100,000 on his behalf.

The actor even went as far as calling it a cruel embarrassment.

Earlier this month, People reported that the star of Sin City and The Wrestler was served a notice Dec. 18 to pay $59,100 in back rent he allegedly owes to his landlord or to vacate his Los Angeles property within three days.

In an interview with The New York Times, the actors manager, Kimberly Hines, claimed Rourke asked for her assistance.

A GoFundMe campaign was then set up in his name by a member of Rourkes management team, Liya-Joelle Jones, which accumulated over $100,000 in donations.

On Jan. 5, Rourke released a video on his Instagram account, denouncing the GoFundMe and claiming he had no knowledge of it.

Somethings come up that ... Im really frustrated, confused and I dont understand ... Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me, to donate money, like charity. And thats not me, OK? the actor said in the clip.

Hines disputed these claims, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, saying the actor is now living in a West Hollywood Hotel and his previous living situation is uninhabitable.

She added that Rourke didnt fully understand what a GoFundMe was when she presented the idea to him.

The GoFundMe page was then put on pause and was removed shortly thereafter. Hines stated that if Rourke doesnt want the money, donors would be reimbursed.

Rourke once again took aim at the GoFundMe in a series of social media posts, stating its a Vicious, cruel god--m lie to hustle money using my fkin name so motherfin enbarassing.

The actor also noted, There will b severe repercussions to the individual who did this very bad thing to me, and anyone who knows me knows payback k will be god--m severe!!!!!!
Queen has never played the United Kingdoms biggest festival, Glastonbury, and it looks like that may never change.

Although the famous music festival will be taking a break in 2026, guitarist Brian May has shot down hopes that Queen will be on the bill once it returns in 2027.

This is due to an ongoing dispute with festival founder Michael Eavis and his ongoing support of badger culling.

A badger cull is a governmentlicensed program in parts of the U.K. that involves shooting or trapping badgers, according to Badger Trust, a U.K.-based organization. The practice is designed to reduce the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, based on the view that badgers act as a wildlife reservoir for the disease.

May has been an animal activist for a long time and founded Save Me Trust, an animal welfare organization, in 2010 to campaign against fox hunting and badger culling.

When the guitarist was asked about Glastonbury in an interview with The Daily Mail, he stated, I wouldnt do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it. Unless that changes, I wont do it.

They like killing badgers, and they think its for sport and thats something I cannot support because weve been trying to save these badgers for years and they are still being killed for years, so thats the reason were missing out on it, added May.

There has been bad blood between Eavis and May for years.

In 2019, the Glastonbury founder said to the Daily Mail that May is a danger to farming, and he doesnt care about the badgers he doesnt know anything about it at all.

May responded in a BBC Radio 2 interview that Queen would never play the festival, citing Eaviss insults as one of the reasons, saying hes in favor of the badger cull, which I regard as a tragedy and an unnecessary crime against wildlife.
The Shoppes at North Brunswick, a retail center along one of the townships busiest corridors has been sold to a local private investor.

JLL facilitated the leasehold sale of the Route 1 property on behalf of Shoppes at North Brunswick, L.L.C., an affiliate of The Azarian Group.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the investors name was withheld, according to a statement on Thursday from JLL.

The nearly 147,000-square-foot shopping center is located on 15.8 acres at 650 Shoppes Blvd., North Brunswick.

Built in 2007, the property includes 42 retail stores and five small office tenants across three buildings.

Current occupancy stands at 86.7%, with national brands including Starbucks, Chipotle, Bath & Body Works, Mens Wearhouse, Crumbl Cookies, Banana Republic, Big Blue Swim School and Orange Theory Fitness among the tenant roster.

According to Jose Cruz, senior managing director with JLLs Investment Sales and Advisory team, the property offered multiple advantages for the buyer.

The propertys strong tenant mix, robust demographics and multiple avenues for value creation made it an attractive investment, Cruz said in a statement.

The property has nearly 20,000 square feet of vacant space.

Kevin OHearn, a senior managing director with JLL, said in the statement that the property offered excellent potential for the new owner to make further upgrades and attract trending tenancy.

Senior Director J.B. Bruno also served on JLLs transaction team.
A father who had just dropped off his child at school and another man detained in Princeton during a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted operation have been identified.

The apprehensions sparked concern among local officials and immigrant advocates after one arrest happened near an elementary school.

On Saturday, ICE confirmed that officers arrested Selvin Estuardo Galicia Galicia and Jose Tunche-Dieguez, both Guatemalan nationals, during the operation.

Both entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown time and broke our nations immigration laws. They will remain in ICE custody until they are removed, an ICE spokesperson said in a statement.

The detentions occurred Thursday morning near John Street and Birch Avenue, close to Community Park Elementary School, according to Resistencia En Accion N.J., a grassroots migrant advocacy group.

The organization said it was alerted to ICE activity by a school district crossing guard who reported seeing federal agents in the area.

One of the men detained was a father who had just dropped off his child at school, according to Resistencia En Accion.

A second individual was detained on John Street shortly afterward, the group said. Volunteers arrived at the scene after receiving the report, but said ICE officers had already left.

Princeton officials confirmed that two men were detained in the borough and said the town did not receive advance notice from ICE.

The municipality shares the concerns many in our community feel in response to this and similar actions, Princeton officials said in a statement.

Town officials also emphasized that Princeton police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement and said ICE did not share information about the reasons for the arrests.

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., said her office received numerous calls and messages from concerned constituents following the detentions.

Resistencia En Accion said it spoke with a relative of one of the detained men, who said the man was on his way to work when he was taken into custody.

My cousin was no criminal, the relative said. He came here to find better opportunities, and now hes been taken.

The Princeton arrests come amid increased immigration enforcement nationwide since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025.

Recently, ICE officers detained a father in Morristown while he was picking up food for his 6-year-old daughter, according to the childs mother. In July 2025, ICE officers stopped a van and detained 15 men who were traveling to work.
The Union City condo has been without heat since September.

No heat through the fall. No heat by the end of November, when the low temp hit 32 degrees.

And no heat on Dec. 5  when the low was 20 degrees and the high was only 32  the day that Ivan Vitiello, who owns the condo with his partner Diego Rodriguez, asked Bamboozled for help.

I take pride in being a not good, but great landlord, not a slumlord, said Vitiello, a self-proclaimed Jersey boy who now lives in California. He and his partner have been renting out the condo, which they first purchased in 2004, since they moved out in 2011.

Whats so hard about replacing a broken heating system?

Vitiello has a warranty contract with Edison-based Choice Home Warranty, which has been featured in this space before, most recently for topping the list of complaints to the Division of Consumer Affairs since 2018.

The company I trusted to take care of my home has been not only failing me again and again, but fighting me tooth and nail to get this claim denied, Vitiello said. I am not asking them for a handout.

Heres what happened and why Vitiellos tenant has been without heat for 116 days. And counting.

HOW IT STARTED

The last tenant moved out in May because they were relocating to Virginia.

Vitiello and Rodriguez did some remodeling and found a new tenant, whod move in on Sept. 1.

On Sept. 25, the tenant said the air conditioner  part of an electric split system that provides both AC and heat  had stopped working.

Vitiello, in his third year with Choice Home Warranty  paying $514.80 a year with a $75 deductible for each service call  filed a claim. About 48 hours later, a technician came and diagnosed a faulty blower motor.

The warranty company approved the work and said it would be replaced.

Thats when the runaround began. As the delays mounted, the wrong motor was ordered. Another was ordered, and when it was finally installed on Oct. 14, it still didnt work.

A technician came back and determined the motor wasnt the problem. He said hed sent a report to Choice.

Exactly what the report said is unclear, but the warranty company denied the claim, saying there was a power surge that blew out the system.

But there had been no storms, Vitiello argued. He checked with PSE&G. No reported surges or related issues. And the warranty company wouldnt share a copy of the technicians report.

Vitiello kept at it, and finally, Choice said he could hire someone for a second opinion.

By now, it wasnt just an AC issue. The temperature was falling, and because the unit is a split system, the heat wasnt working, either.

His tenant was making due with space heaters, but Vitiello said its not enough.

We have marble floors in the bedroom so you can imagine how cold it must be, he said. I have not been able to afford to put him in a hotel.

Vitiello got the second opinion and the tech submitted a report to Choice.

They went back and forth for a month  it was now the week before Thanksgiving  when Choice had another idea that deferred responsibility. It said Vitiello should check with the manufacturer to see if the system was still under a manufacturer warranty.

He asked Choice to send photos of the unit that were in the techs report because it would have the units serial number on it.

That led to more confusion. The picture was of a Trane gas system that was manufactured in 2011. But it couldnt be his  the condo doesnt have gas. And Vitiello owned the home since 2004 and had never replaced the system. So how could his have a 2011 manufacturing date?

Choice sent him a photo of someone elses system.

But because it was Thanksgiving week  the low was 36 degrees in Union City that week  he couldnt get anyone from Choice on the phone.

He did, though, reach someone from Trane the next day. It confirmed the unit in the photo was actually installed in Maceo, Kentucky.

Vitiello asked his tenant to take a photo of the real system  a Carrier system  and Vitiello learned it was manufactured in 1988. And certainly no longer under a manufacturer warranty.

Back to Choice.

It sent another technician on Dec. 3. That tech sent yet another report.

They denied it again, saying that the blower motor was full of debris and because of lack of maintenance, that was a cause of failure from my system, Vitiello said. Are you kidding me?

How in the world can they say that the blower motor was full of debris when they approved it and replaced it on Oct. 14? he asked.

Vitiello called his mayor, who is also a state senator. He filed a complaint with Consumer Affairs. He tried his homeowners insurance to see if anything could be covered because of the loss of use, but it was not. And the warranty company hasnt offered to put up the tenant somewhere else until the issue is resolved.

Vitiello asked Bamboozled for help.

BABY, ITS COLD OUTSIDE

We reviewed the case and asked Choice Home Warranty to take another look.

Around the same time, the company sent another tech to the condo and finally agreed to a fix.

But its not the fix Vitiello wants.

The split system has two parts: a heat pump thats outside, which works in conjunction with an air handler on the inside. Choice agreed to replace the air handler.

Ivan Vitiello says Choice Home Warranty should pay to replace his split heating and cooling system. It hasn't worked for 116 days. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

But because the system is 38 years old, new air handlers are not compatible with the older heat pump. That would mean Vitiello would have to pay to replace that part on his own, plus, modifications to the ductwork, electrical and more would be needed, upping the cost.

You cant just replace one part of it and not replace the whole thing, so what theyre trying to do is just shift the blame and say, well, you pay for one and we pay for the other, which to me doesnt sound right, he said.

Thats not all. The warranty company said the policy provided for $3,000 of coverage. But because the service call for the new blower motor  the one that didnt solve the problem  cost $800, Choice said it would only pay $2,200.

So stupid that they promote `repair or replace but the cap is nowhere near what that appliance costs to replace, Vitiello said on Jan. 5, when the low temp was a balmy 39 in Union City. He vowed to keep fighting, thankful that his tenant was being understanding, but also knowing hed have to give the tenant  who he called an angel  a portion of the rent payments back.

Vitiello got two new quotes  between $10,000 and $12,000  to replace the whole system, including the modifications.

Choice supposedly escalated his case, but he didnt hear anything for three weeks. On Jan. 13, he had an updated answer.

Choice said it wants its own vendor to do the replacement. It would charge Vitiello $1,800 for the unit and another $3,000 for ductwork and electrical modifications.

But Vitiello said the contractors hes spoken to would only charge about $700 for those modifications. With a smaller cost, he asked Choice if it would supply the replacement units, and his own contractor would do the installation. It said no.

One tiny sliver of good news: Choice said it would apply the funds it paid for the unnecessary blower motor to the new job, so it would pay the full $3,000.

The contract they have is super misleading, as they claim to `repair or replace appliances but set a maximum amount that is far from the actual cost of replacement, he said.

And, he said, Choice still refused to consider any compensation to his tenant, now 116 days without a working system.

Im so tired of all of this, he said.

We asked Choice for an update. It did not respond.

This leaves Vitiello, as a landlord, in a pretty bad position.

I told the tenant that when everything is resolved then Ill refund him for the total time he was without heat, he said, estimating it would be at least $3,000.

Thats a tremendous loss for me. But hes been very kind, cooperative and understanding, he said.

Well keep an eye on this case and on the more than 2,000 other open Consumer Affairs complaints against Choice Home Warranty.
When Phil Murphy announced his candidacy for governor more than eight years ago, he was met with a collective, Who?

The former Goldman Sachs executive and prominent Democratic fundraiser launched wallet-first into the race and managed to secure a comfortable win. Now, eight years later, after two terms that included some good, some bad and a pandemic, do we really know him any better?

Ive drawn the man dozens and dozens of times, so Im pretty familiar, but Murphy hasnt left as indelible a mark on the state as some of his predecessors, which isnt necessarily a bad thing.

When it comes to the world of politics, theres something to be said for boring. What I wouldnt give for a dull president right about now. Murphy took over the governors office from Chris Christie, a man famous for his ability to suck every last molecule of oxygen out of a room. Where Christie relied on bluster and intimidation, Murphy pivoted toward geniality and a general, occasionally undeserved, air of competence.

There were plenty of serious missteps along the way, including the mishandling of sexual assault allegations against his staff, poor decisions concerning state nursing homes during COVID-19 and the ill-fated decision to back his wife for the Senate seat vacated by Bob Menendez.

He took meaningful losses on all three of those issues, but Team Murphys scandals never reached the critical mass of a Bridgegate. The governor did eventually pay a price with voters when he ran for a second term, however. Murphy famously escaped a narrow defeat at the hands of perpetual Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a candidate Mikie Sherrill just trounced by nearly 14 points.

Murphys tenure ushered in a number of changes politically.

His aforementioned near-loss forced a definitive change in focus toward affordability for the Democratic Party. Party bosses also lost the county line when Andy Kim had the gall to challenge the status quo that would have seen Tammy Murphy installed as the Democratic candidate. Instead, a grassroots effort to nominate Kim took off and was eventually bolstered by a successful legal challenge. Tammy Murphy was forced to bow out, and Phil Murphy was forced to endure the rest of his second term catching the stink eye from his party brethren.

Its no secret that Phil Murphy had designs on higher office, but despite raising tons of money as finance chair of the Democratic Governors Association, he was never able to cultivate a national profile.

So, whats his lasting legacy? Some of the lofty promises he made during the initial campaign never materialized. We didnt get free community college, for instance, but we did get weed.

Murphy campaigned on legalizing recreational marijuana and he delivered, so next time your neighbor sparks up and hotboxes your entire apartment, know you have Phil Murphy to thank.
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Almost from the moment Hunter was laid to rest, his widow and his son began to feud, over everything from the future of Owl Farm to Juans belief that his father had been mistreated by Anita in his last days.

The estrangement deepened with time, and now, Anitas suspicions have taken the feud to a more pointed place, revealing a long, bitter fight over the legacy of the man who pioneered the personal, participatory style of reporting known as gonzo journalism.

But they were all together the weekend Hunter died.

Juan wrote in his memoir that he was in another room and heard a thump that sounded like a book hitting the floor. Anita was at a health club in Aspen waiting for a yoga class to start. She later told the news media she was on speakerphone with her husband before he shot himself, and heard the clicking of the gun.

Looking back, there were signs from that last weekend that Hunter had planned to take his own life, Juan and Jennifer said in interviews.

He insisted on watching one of his favorite movies, The Maltese Falcon, with his 6-year-old grandson, Will. He gave away gifts  an old clock that had belonged to his mother and a signed copy of Fire in the Nuts, a short book with his frequent collaborator, the artist Ralph Steadman.

Ralph Steadman spoke about Hunters suicidal ideations in an interview after his death in 2005. ITN, via Getty Images By Itn

So there is nothing new to know about Hunters actual death, said Juan, 61. So I do not know why she raised this. And I cant imagine that the C.B.I. would find anything to act on.

He and Jennifer said they did not have any role in Hunters death. This is really shocking, Jennifer said. Its been disruptive to our family. Its obviously been very traumatic to be revisiting this. She said she believed Anita knew that her husband took his own life, and added, we hope this brings her closure.

Jennifer Winkel

Anita had been an assistant to Hunter, and was 35 years younger than him. At the time of his death, they had been married for less than two years  it was Hunters second marriage  and that last weekend they fought constantly. In his memoir, Juan wrote that Hunter shot a pellet gun at a gong in the living room the night before he killed himself, just missing Anita, prompting her to threaten to call the police and have him put in a nursing home.

Hunter was also in poor health. He had difficulty moving and suffered occasional seizures, the result of decades of heavy drinking.

Hunters body was giving out, said Debra Fuller, who worked as an assistant to Hunter and helped manage Owl Farm for almost 20 years before Hunter married Anita. He was having more difficulty writing as well.

Hunter had often talked of suicide. Like many of Hunters friends, Joe DiSalvo, who was undersheriff of Pitkin County at the time of his death, had conversations with him about how his life would end. He recalled that Hunter would demonstrate his intentions by pointing a loaded gun at his head.

Hunter talked about suicide, Mr. DiSalvo said. He talked about the way he was going to kill himself.
Why Its Hard to Run Venezuela President Trump said he expected the United States to run Venezuela for years. That is a daunting task.

Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Maracay Valencia Barquisimeto Maturin 100 Miles Andes Mountains VENEZUELA Guyana City Lowlands Ciudad Bolivar Orinoco River San Cristobal GUYANA Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Andes Mountains Lowlands Guyana City venezuela Ciudad Bolivar San Cristobal Orinoco River Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Valencia Maturin Andes Mountains Lowlands Guyana City venezuela Ciudad Bolivar San Cristobal Orinoco River Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Valencia Barquisimeto Maturin Lowlands Andes Mountains venezuela Guyana City Ciudad Bolivar Orinoco River San Cristobal Amazon Jungle guyana Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA 100 Miles BRAZIL Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Maracay Valencia Barquisimeto Maturin 100 Miles Andes Mountains VENEZUELA Guyana City Lowlands Ciudad Bolivar Orinoco River San Cristobal GUYANA Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Andes Mountains Lowlands Guyana City venezuela Ciudad Bolivar San Cristobal Orinoco River Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Valencia Maturin Andes Mountains Lowlands Guyana City venezuela Ciudad Bolivar San Cristobal Orinoco River Amazon Jungle Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Caribbean Sea Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Valencia Barquisimeto Maturin Lowlands Andes Mountains venezuela Guyana City Ciudad Bolivar Orinoco River San Cristobal Amazon Jungle guyana Guyana Highlands COLOMBIA 100 Miles BRAZIL 85 percent of Venezuelans live in the north. Caracas Maracaibo Puerto La Cruz Maracay Valencia Barquisimeto Maturin PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND URBAN ORGANIZED CRIME 100 Miles Guyana City Ciudad Bolivar San Cristobal COLOMBIAN ARMED GROUPS MINING ORGANIZED CRIME GUYANA COLOMBIA BRAZIL 85 percent of Venezuelans live in the north. Caracas Maracaibo Paramilitary groups and urban organized crime Colombian armed groups Mining organized crime COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles 85 percent of Venezuelans live in the north. Caracas Maracaibo Paramilitary groups and urban organized crime Colombian armed groups Mining organized crime COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles 85 percent of Venezuelans live in the north. Caracas Maracaibo PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND URBAN ORGANIZED CRIME COLOMBIAN ARMED GROUPS MINING ORGANIZED CRIME guyana COLOMBIA 100 Miles BRAZIL Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Caracas Bajo Grande Puerto La Cruz Puerto Jose 100 Miles Oil pipelines Orinoco oil belt GUYANA Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating COLOMBIA BRAZIL Oil extraction areas Operating Main oil export hub Paraguana Refineries Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines Mining areas Rare-earth elements COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Caracas Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines guyana Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating 100 Miles BRAZIL Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Caracas Bajo Grande Puerto La Cruz Puerto Jose 100 Miles Oil pipelines Orinoco oil belt GUYANA Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating COLOMBIA BRAZIL Oil extraction areas Operating Main oil export hub Paraguana Refineries Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines Mining areas Rare-earth elements COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating COLOMBIA BRAZIL 100 Miles Paraguana Main oil export hub Refineries Caracas Puerto Jose Bajo Grande Orinoco oil belt Oil pipelines guyana Mining areas Oil extraction areas Rare-earth elements Operating 100 Miles BRAZIL Maps show Venezuelas topography of the Andes mountains in the north and the Amazon jungle in the south, the location of Venezuelas oil and mineral resources and where different armed groups hold sway in the country. Venezuela sprawls over terrain twice the size of California, with vast tracts of treacherous jungles, steep mountains and cities filled with guns. Colombian guerrillas dominate Venezuelas border region. Paramilitaries and militias are entrenched in the cities. Criminal gangs run mining in the south. The oil and mineral wealth Mr. Trump covets are far from the capital, Caracas, often in forbidding domains where organized crime holds sway. Venezuelas resources offer great potential for prosperity. But governing a vast territory filled with armed groups holds enormous challenges.

Under Nicolas Maduro, a status quo prevailed among Venezuelas powerful armed factions: Paramilitary cells enforced the governments priorities. Ever-expanding crime syndicates, deep-pocketed prison gangs and combat-tested Colombian rebels often colluded with local officials or the federal government.

But with Mr. Maduro gone, and allies and opponents competing to fill the power vacuum at Venezuelas center, there are many forces  or breakaway groups within them  that could frustrate the ambitions of whoever governs the country.

Nicolas Maduro, before his capture, sat atop a fragile web of powerful, armed factions. Now the new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, must deal with this knot of different interests, only some of which she actually commands. Government forces Government-backed paramilitaries Organized crime Colombian armed groups National Liberation Army (E.L.N.) Guerrilla group along border Bolivarian Militia Armed civilian reserve group Megabandas Expansive urban crime gangs Military Official armed forces Pranatos Gangs originating in prisons Arm of Some mining gangs run out of prisons. Bolivarian National Police Official police force Intelligence services Accused of surveillance and torture Colectivos Urban pro-government armed groups Sindicatos Gangs controlling illegal mines FARC dissidents Fighting for border territory Nicolas Maduro, before his capture, sat atop a fragile web of powerful, armed factions. Now the new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, must deal with this knot of different interests, only some of which she actually commands. Government forces Intelligence services Accused of surveillance and torture Bolivarian National Police Official police force Military Official armed forces Arm of Government-backed paramilitaries Colectivos Urban pro-government armed groups Bolivarian Militia Armed civilian reserve group Organized crime Megabandas Expansive urban crime gangs Pranatos Gangs originating in prisons Sindicatos Gangs controlling illegal mines Some mining gangs run out of prisons. Colombian armed groups National Liberation Army (E.L.N.) Guerrilla group along border FARC dissidents Fighting for border territory Nicolas Maduro, before his capture, sat atop a fragile web of powerful, armed factions. Now the new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, must deal with this knot of different interests, only some of which she actually commands. Government forces Government-backed paramilitaries Organized crime Colombian armed groups National Liberation Army (E.L.N.) Guerrilla group along border Military Official armed forces Bolivarian Militia Armed civilian reserve group Megabandas Expansive urban criminal gangs Arm of Bolivarian National Police Official police force Colectivos Urban pro-government armed groups FARC dissidents Fighting for border territory Sindicatos Gangs controlling illegal mines Some mining gangs run out of prisons. Intelligence services Accused of surveillance and torture Pranatos Gangs originating in prisons Nicolas Maduro, before his capture, sat atop a fragile web of powerful, armed factions. Now the new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, must deal with this knot of different interests, only some of which she actually commands. Government forces Government-backed paramilitaries Organized crime Colombian armed groups National Liberation Army (E.L.N.) Guerrilla group along border Military Official armed forces Bolivarian Militia Armed civilian reserve group Megabandas Expansive urban crime gangs Pranatos Gangs originating in prisons Arm of Some mining gangs run out of prisons. Intelligence services Accused of surveillance and torture Bolivarian National Police Official police force Colectivos Urban pro-government armed groups Sindicatos Gangs controlling illegal mines FARC dissidents Fighting for border territory Nicolas Maduro, before his capture, sat atop a fragile web of powerful, armed factions. Now the new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, must deal with this knot of different interests, only some of which she actually commands. Government forces Intelligence services Accused of surveillance and torture Bolivarian National Police Official police force Military Official armed forces Arm of Government-backed paramilitaries Bolivarian Militia Armed civilian reserve group Colectivos Urban pro-government armed groups Organized crime Megabandas Expansive urban crime gangs Pranatos Gangs originating in prisons Sindicatos Gangs controlling illegal mines Some mining gangs run out of prisons. Colombian armed groups National Liberation Army (E.L.N.) Guerrilla group along border FARC dissidents Fighting for border territory Photos by Juan Barreto/Agence France-Presse and Adriana Loureiro Fernandez/The New York Times

For now, Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally who led the stabilization of Venezuelas economy after a harrowing crash, has emerged as the Trump administrations choice to lead the country. Ms. Rodriguez, the administration determined, has a firmer grip than the political opposition on Venezuelas many security forces and intelligence agencies, and their paramilitary offshoots.

But the transition from Mr. Maduros authoritarian rule is just starting. The huge investments Venezuela will need to revive its vital oil industry, and the broader economy, require at least a semblance of stability.

That means the central government has to assert authority over areas of the country where well-armed crime syndicates or paramilitary agents hold sway, choking off their revenue streams from illegal activities, including extortion, drug smuggling and kidnapping. But that could upset the power dynamics Mr. Maduro used to cement control.

Rebecca Hanson, a sociologist at the University of Florida and an expert on Venezuelas security landscape, said that suddenly reducing the access to illicit markets and extortion rackets that criminal groups now enjoy is a recipe for turmoil.

That invariably results in the perfect cocktail of increased conflict, both between criminal armed groups, and between criminal groups and the state, Ms. Hanson said.

The new dynamic does not mean a full-blown civil war is on the horizon, security experts said. But pockets of civil strife could materialize under different circumstances. These include pushback from factions in the armed forces against Venezuelas submission to the Trump administration, or a purge of security forces and intelligence agencies by an opposition-led government, potentially flooding the country with thousands of armed individuals with an ax to grind.

But there are more immediate security challenges. One involves the colectivos, the armed civilian cells that function as paramilitary enforcers for the government.

These groups generally operate in cities where they control small but strategically important swaths of territory. In Caracas, they are based in strongholds like 23 de Enero, an area of decaying modernist apartment blocks under a mile from the Miraflores presidential palace.

What colectivos look like in the streets of Caracas Masks covering faces Black or camouflage clothing Rifles and tactical bags Masks covering faces Rifles and tactical bags Black or camouflage clothing Masks covering faces Rifles and tactical bags Black or camouflage clothing Armed members of a colectivo inspect the trunk of a car on Jan. 3, 2026. Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

Some colectivos there are more ideologically aligned with Chavismo, the socialist-inspired movement forged by Hugo Chavez. Others hew to their own mercenary ideals, relying on government payouts and small-scale criminal activities to stay afloat.

Some colectivos have been seen on the streets of Caracas since Mr. Maduros capture. Valentin Santana, the leader of one of the oldest colectivos, La Piedrita, suggested that unnamed elements within the government had been colluding with the United States prior to Mr. Maduros capture, revealing fissures within Venezuelas power structures.

They betrayed our president, Nicolas Maduro, but history will make them pay, Mr. Santana said in a video made after Mr. Maduros capture.

Should even a small number of individuals from such groups mount armed challenges to the established order, Caracas offers multiple options for refuge with its labyrinthine squatter settlements, sprawling apartment blocks, abandoned high-rises and hilly topography.

The Coche neighborhood in El Valle in Caracas. Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

Outside Caracas, security challenges also abound. Unlike the colectivos, some armed groups in rural areas are already battle-tested against well-trained adversaries. These include Colombian guerrillas with thousands in their ranks, often operating from Venezuelan territory.

These rebel groups, the National Liberation Army, or E.L.N., and splinter cells from the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, no longer have realistic chances of seizing control of a central government.

But their numbers are resurging as they vie for control over drug smuggling routes and extortion rackets, while still relying on other illicit revenue streams like abducting oil workers.

Venezuelas mineral deposits are another potential source of instability, notably in the gold-rich state of Bolivar. Las Claritas Sindicato, one of the most powerful criminal groups engaged in illegal mining, is deeply rooted there.

Las Claritas, like similar groups, applies taxes on miners and traders, and exerts strict control over outposts where it imposes its own laws and punishments for scofflaws, according to InSight Crime, a research group focused on organized crime.

Venezuelas leadership faces not only challenges from illegal armed groups, but also potential defiance from within governing circles.

At the moment, there is a fragile alliance between civilian factions, led by Ms. Rodriguez and her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the National Assembly; and military factions led by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

Nicolas Maduro Guerra Son of ousted president Vladimir Padrino Lopez Defense minister Delcy Rodriguez Interim president Diosdado Cabello Interior minister Jorge Rodriguez National Assembly president Nicolas Maduro Guerra Son of ousted president Vladimir Padrino Lopez Defense minister Jorge Rodriguez National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello Interior minister Delcy Rodriguez Interim president Nicolas Maduro Guerra Son of ousted president Vladimir Padrino Lopez Defense minister Diosdado Cabello Interior minister Delcy Rodriguez Interim president Jorge Rodriguez National Assembly president In a photo provided by the Venezuelan government, Venezuelan leaders walk together at the National Assembly, in Caracas on Jan. 5, 2026. Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters

But an open rupture between these camps over a contentious issue like U.S. meddling in Venezuela could open up other chances for conflict, warned Ms. Hanson, the sociologist.

Security forces and intelligence agencies are more closely aligned with the military faction, potentially threatening the stability of a civilian government whether it is led by a Chavista, like Ms. Rodriguez, or an opposition leader, like Maria Corina Machado, the recipient of last years Nobel Peace Prize.
DEIRDRE FOX, the spirited force behind the Offaly Volunteer Centre in Tullamore, has been matching people with purpose since the centre officially opened to the public in 2022. Though the centre is young, its heartbeat is strong, thanks to Deirdres decades of dedication to community development, both in Ireland and abroad. A native of Marian Place in Tullamore, Deirdre was raised in a home where boredom wasnt an option. Her parents, Eamon and Sheila Fox, both now in their 90s,instilled in her a sense of drive and curiosity. Eamon, a familiar face in GAA circles, passed down his community spirit, which Deirdre took to heart from an early age.

The Spark of Service

It all began one summer when 15-year-old Deirdre wandered down to the local Youth Centre, seeking something more meaningful to do. There, she found Sr Jenny and an opportunity to get involved. "That was the beginning of it all,'' she recalls. ''I started helping out, became a youth leader, and knew this was the path I wanted to pursue."

With no formal qualifications at the time, Deirdre immersed herself in voluntary work, climbing the ranks through the Midland Regional Youth Service and eventually becoming a volunteer with the National Federation of Youth Clubs.

An opportunity arose in Wexford through the Ferns Diocesan Youth Service, where she joined a programme aimed at young people who were disengaged from school and work. That initial offer of "pocket money and accommodation" turned into a transformative journey that spanned years. She became a supervisor under a new government-backed youth employment scheme, what is now known as the Community Employment Programme.

''Wexford was a turning point,'' Deirdre says. ''I made friendships that have lasted to this day.''

READ NEXT: Life of faith, encouragement and quiet love remembered following passing of retired Offaly school principal

Cork, Literacy, and Betting Slips

Eventually, Deirdre moved on to Togher in Cork, managing a local development centre while studying at UCC. The centre catered to youth in crisis, many of whom couldnt read or write. ''I noticed they could fill out betting slips, so we started a literacy and numeracy programme using betting as a hook,'' she says with a smile.

But the job came with challenges. The centre wasnt open on weekends, which left a vacuum. ''Some turned to drinking, soft drugs, and joyriding. Spike Island was still in operation, and a lot of our youth were in and out of the system.''

Her time in Cork was valuable, but Deirdre felt the pull of homeand the GAA scene in Offaly wasnt doing too badly either. She wanted to be nearer to Tullamore. So when a position opened with the Catholic Youth Council in Dublin, she took it. But it was her next experience that changed everything.

Paris and Peacebuilding

While in Dublin, Deirdre was selected for a unique peace-building project in Paris, working with Protestant and Catholic youth affected by the Troubles. Alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland and the Republic, she helped create safe spaces through music and shared experiences.

It was here that Deirdres talent for bridging communities came into full bloom. The organisation she was with asked her to stay on after the initial programme ended. She accepted and spent the next three years working on integration projects with communities from Algeria and Morocco.

One particularly memorable initiative brought a diverse group of young people from Parisincluding Senegalese, Algerians, Moroccans, and a Korean and Hungarian teen,to Tullamore. They created a supplement for the Tullamore Tribune, working with local photographers and even hosting an exhibition.

''It was beautiful. Cultures coming together, telling stories, learning from one another. Thats the power of community,'' Deirdre says.

Coming Full Circle

Returning to Ireland, Deirdre joined the Community Enterprise Programme, serving the Midland Region and operating out of the very building that now houses the Offaly Volunteer Centre.

''We created a magazine called Networks to highlight innovative community projects across the country. It was such a vibrant time,'' she remembers.

That momentum led her to a national role with the LEADER Programme, supporting community-driven development across Europe. ''I met so many people I had started out with in Wexford.''

Eventually, in Offaly, Deirdre helped establish what would become the Offaly Volunteer Centre. ''When the Department of Community and Rural Development asked if wed form a separate company, we stepped up.''

Working closely with Offaly Local Development and a powerhouse chairperson in Molly Buckley, the centre began to flourish. Today, they connect volunteers with organisations like Meals on Wheels, Saint Vincent de Paul, Power4Good, and more.

READ NEXT: National school in Offaly marks retirement of much-valued staff member

More Than a Matching Service

The centre also operates a Community Volunteer Programme for one-off events like the Birr Vintage Festival or the St Patricks Day Parade. They also maintain a professional exchange bank, encouraging retired professionals or those still working to contribute their skills to local causes. ''Matching skills with need'' Deirdre says. ''It gives volunteers purpose and organisations the right support at the right time.''

A Life of Purposeand Balance

Despite her packed schedule, Deirdre remains deeply grounded in her family. Shes a proud mother of four: Jane, who lives with her grandparents and helps support them; Jack, whos thriving in Sydney with his partner; Dan, a mechanical engineering student with the army; and Luke, a personal trainer in Clara.

''Theyre my greatest joy,'' she says. At the time of this interview, Deirdre was waiting for news from Sydney that could take her into a new chapter, becoming a grandmother.

Beyond work and family, she finds joy in music and books. Shes an active member of the Tullamore Stage School Ladies Choir and the Esker Book Club, both of which provide the balance and creativity she thrives on.

Why It All Matters

For Deirdre, community work is more than a career, its a calling.

''What makes it special is the people. These are not just there to advance their career. Theyre changemakers. Theyre the heartbeat of their towns and villages. I get such a buzz out of meeting them and hearing their stories,'' she says.

After a life spent travelling the world, developing programmes, and changing lives, shes happy to be back in Offalyright where it all began.

''In a way,'' she says, ''Ive come full circle.''
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

The regional security architecture of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean appears to be entering a new phase of realignment, as multiple overlapping defense initiatives take shape amid intensifying geopolitical competition. According to reports by Bloomberg, Turkey is engaged in advanced negotiations to join a strategic defense framework with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, potentially giving rise to a new trilateral security bloc with far-reaching implications.

Discussions between Ankara, Riyadh, and Islamabad have reached an "advanced stage," with a strong likelihood of a formal agreement. If finalized, the pact would bring together three states with distinct yet complementary strategic assets.

Saudi Arabia would anchor the alliance economically and politically as the only Arab member of the G20 and a central actor in the Islamic world. Pakistan would contribute its status as the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed state, along with its growing defense-industrial base. Turkey, meanwhile, would add operational experience as the second-largest military in NATO and a country deeply involved in multiple regional theaters.

In September 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), committing both sides to treat an attack on one as an attack on the other-- an arrangement conceptually similar to NATO's Article 5, though without NATO's institutional depth. Turkey's potential accession would significantly elevate the agreement's strategic profile.

Pakistan is close to finalizing a $1.5 billion arms deal with the Sudanese Armed Forces, which are backed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey in their confrontation with the UAE-supported Rapid Support Forces. The package includes Karakorum-8 (K-8) light attack aircraft, more than 200 reconnaissance and strike drones, and advanced air-defense systems. A retired Pakistani air marshal described the deal as "essentially finalized," adding that JF-17 fighter jets-- jointly produced by Pakistan and China-- may also be included.

Turkey and Pakistan have increasingly emerged as major arms exporters. Ankara's combat drones have played a decisive role in Ukraine's war against Russia and in multiple regional conflicts, while Pakistan has steadily expanded its aircraft, drone, and missile exports across Africa and the Middle East.

I interviewed Pakistan-based political analyst Sabtain Ahmed Dar, an academic and policy strategist, specialized in international relations, global political economy and strategy. He gave me the following personal analysis on the situation.

"In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), committing to treat an attack on one as an attack on both, similar in principle to NATO's Article 5 collective security concept. With Turkey likely to become part of it next. As it brings NATO experience.

"Keep an eye on Somaliland. Israel recognizes it, but both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia rejected it. Because Israel has a puppet regime in Somaliland and they aim to establish future military bases on it.

"Israel Greek alliance is mainly focused on security, energy routes (Eastern Mediterranean gas), and balancing Turkey's assertiveness in the region. It has also drawn in EU/NATO support and reflects Western bloc dynamics.

"But this new Muslim security cooperation is not simply a 'response to' the Israeli-Greek alliance; it's driven by broader security uncertainties, shifting US influence, and intra-regional rivalries (especially with Iran's role and tensions involving Israel).

"Pakistan is the main player behind everything concerning new securing dynamics. It aimed at entering Libya. Look what happened with its Western-backed military command in Turkey.

"Also, Saudi Arabia's pivot toward Asian partners (Pakistan, and potentially Turkey) reflects concerns about over-reliance on the US and aims to share defense burdens with like-minded regional actors."

Despite deep historical ties, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have not always seen eye to eye. Ankara's support for the Arab Spring movements was perceived by Riyadh as a direct threat to regional stability, and the two countries clashed in Libya, Egypt, and broader ideological alignments.

However, since 2021, relations have improved markedly. A normalization process has coincided with converging interests in key theaters such as Syria and Sudan. The Israeli war on Gaza and its regional repercussions have further narrowed differences among several Muslim-majority states, reinforcing the sense that existing security arrangements may no longer be sufficient.

At the same time, Saudi-Emirati relations have shown visible strain, particularly in Yemen, where Riyadh has backed forces opposing the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council. These divergences have encouraged Riyadh to explore broader and more diversified security partnerships.

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Portland police on Friday arrested 34-year-old Dayla Causey on suspicion of murder in the 2022 death of Portland Uber driver Shaani Mohamed.

Causey is the fourth person charged in the case in recent months.

Mohamed, a 39-year-old father of eight, was driving for Uber when he was shot to death near Northeast 82nd Avenue and Milton Street on March 27, 2022.

More than three years later, Portland police announced a flurry of arrests connected to his death.

Jurors have indicted four people on second degree murder charges since October, including Causey, Justin Ortega-Mejia, Kaesha Green and Shaperryia Lambert.

Police and court documents say little about how the four suspects are connected with one another. Charging documents allege that all four were attempting to commit robbery when a participant in the crime killed Mohamed, who was not involved.

Ortega-Mejia, Green and Lambert have pleaded not guilty.

Causey is being held in the Multnomah County jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
If you get a traffic ticket in Albany  and its your first  you can probably go to traffic school now no matter what your age.

City leaders formally adopted an ordinance this week to eliminate age limits for a traffic school diversion program.

Its been a long-term goal for some on the Albany City Council, especially Council President Steph Newton, who sees it as a matter of fairness. Previously the age limit for the program was 25 and younger for first-time offenders.

Under the ordinance adopted on Wednesday, Jan. 14, those with first-time Class B, C or D moving violations  not involving accidents and excluding Class A and mobile communication device violations  can take the traffic diversion course, sparing them fines and keeping a ticket off their record.

Still, according to Albany Municipal Court administrator September Ridgeway last year, people still have to pay for the class.

The Albany Municipal Court, which handles traffic citations, had started offering the diversion program to all ages in October, according to city officials, following a push from council members to drop the age requirement.

Under the ordinance, the municipal court judge would have discretion to determine who is eligible for the program. Ridgeway told councilors this week discretion would be used when any extenuating circumstances would make diversion inappropriate.

Over the last year, a few Albany residents have approached the City Council to air concerns about being ticketed, specifically at the new cameras set up around town.

To curb speeding, the City Council in late 2023 approved the placement of traffic cameras at various intersections, including at North Albany Road and West Thornton Lake Drive  by North Albany Middle and North Albany Elementary schools; Queen Avenue and Elm Street; Queen and Geary Street; and Santiam Road and Geary.

Cameras went online last year, and according to data from the Albany Police Department, the devices led to nearly 6,300 speeding and traffic citations in 2025. Around 3,500 of those tickets came from North Albany alone.

Asked by Councilor Marilyn Smith this week, Ridgeway couldnt say how many people had taken advantage of the diversion program, but it was quite a few, she said.

Its been popular, Ridgeway said.
A Pierce County woman with a large Instagram following accused her ex-boyfriend of sending her threatening emails, leading to his arrest. Prosecutors now say the woman actually sent those emails to herself.

Prosecutors charged Kristina Breann Ellis, 42, with three counts of stalking, two counts of malicious prosecution, 13 counts of first-degree criminal impersonation, first-degree perjury, obstruction a law enforcement officer, tampering with physical evidence and two counts of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, according to court records.

A plea of not guilty was entered on Ellis behalf during her arraignment Tuesday. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille set her bail at $1 million. Jail records show Ellis is in custody at the Pierce County Jail.

Prosecutors say that Ellis weaponized the legal system to wreak havoc on multiple peoples lives.

She has perpetrated a fraud on our judicial system, the likes of which may have never been seen before in the State of Washington. Up until her arrest on January 8, 2026, it appears that Ms. Ellis was continuing her criminal behavior, prosecutors wrote in charging documents. The case against Ellis

Detectives determined through their investigation that Ellis tried to frame her ex-boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend for harassment. She also allegedly impersonated the 16-year-old daughter of the pair.

When Ellis was in a relationship with the man, they both accused his previous girlfriend of making threats to kill them and harassing them in 2018. The child was allegedly used as a conduit for the threats, according to charging documents.

The woman was charged, but her case was dismissed with prejudice as the handwriting used in the threatening messages did not match hers. Her attorney believes Ellis sent herself those threats to frame the woman, documents show.

Documents state Ellis was in a relationship with the man for over 11 years. During that time, she accused him of domestic violence. The first incident was in July 2024 for verbal abuse. She also received a protection order against him for physical assault and verbal abuse, which expires next year.

Ellis alleged in March last year that the man sent her threatening emails, and she lived in fear he would follow through on his threats to harm her. Detectives wrote she is an influencer on various social-media platforms and alleged her ex-boyfriend was stalking her accounts. She accused him of manipulating the posts and overlaying threatening words on them, making her fearful of being in public, court records show.

Her sphere of influence regards modified vehicles, according to court records. She herself has a modified Subaru BRZ, which is the subject of a lot of her posts.

Ellis has over 58,000 followers on Instagram, according to a review by The News Tribune.

Ellis also said that her ex-boyfriend sent the messages through various email accounts. Some of the accounts used Proton Mail, which is based in Switzerland. Detectives learned that Proton will not share data with non-Swiss authorities. Documents show that Ellis told a detective she knew Proton Mail was untraceable.

The ex-boyfriend was arrested and charged on Dec. 11, 2025 for felony stalking, felony harassment, cyber harassment and violating a court order.

The ex-boyfriend has been out of custody on a $250,000 bond and on a GPS-monitoring device. According to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office, his case likely will be dismissed following Ellis charges and his conditions of release have been waived.

Detectives also allege Ellis might have allegedly altered an image of her ex-boyfriends 16-year-old daughter to make it appear she had a black eye and cut on her face. This photo was sent to a high school counselor, who called the girl into her office. When the counselor noticed the girl did not have injuries to her face, she spoke to the ex-boyfriend. Both the ex-boyfriend and his daughter said that Ellis might have sent that photo, court records state. An intake was created by the Department of Children, Youth and Families, which found the claims to be unfounded.

Ellis also sent detectives a picture that she alleged came from her ex, according to charging documents. The photo was of him standing in front of a mirror. In one hand was a knife, in the other a paper that said, Im coming Tina.

Detectives wrote in police reports at the time that the photo incited fear in Ellis.

In the charging documents against Ellis, detectives say that photo is significant now because, after seeing the altered photo of the child with a black eye, it made them realize Ellis had the ability to change or alter pictures and that Ellis had previously admitted to using AI to enhance photos of herself for her social media posts.

Ellis alleged she received another threatening email from her ex-boyfriend after he bonded out of the jail. The email promised to ruin her life as she did his, with derogatory language used.

There was another email with handwritten threats towards Ellis, which she claimed came from the ex-boyfriends daughter on Dec. 26, 2025. Statements such as, we are watching you, and, my family is going to make sure you pay for what you did to my dad, were written on physical copies of court documents in the ex-boyfriends legal case, according to charging documents.

Documents show the same day that email was sent, a DCYF worker told a prosecutor the childs mother accused the ex-boyfriend of being in contempt of family law court orders. Those messages were written on physical copies of court documents from the ex-boyfriends criminal case and accused him of still being a danger. Prosecutors noted the handwriting on the court orders appeared to be the same as the threatening messages the woman was accused of writing to Ellis and her ex-boyfriend in 2018.

Detectives learned through records that Ellis was the only one to purchase or download the court documents that the child and woman allegedly used to write messages on them, according to charging documents. Search of Ellis home

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Ellis home, so they could seize items including her electronic devices and physical documents, such as court orders regarding the ex-boyfriends harassment case. When police went to her home, Ellis was upset and called her attorney, charging documents show.

Documents show that when Ellis realized her electronics would be seized, she pleaded that her children phones and computers not be removed.

During the search, detectives were reportedly alarmed to find a paper document that had different handwriting variations with two phrases. One of the phrases was, My name is Maddie. That phrase was reportedly written in one of the threatening messages sent to Ellis, according to charging documents.

Other documents were found indicating that someone was trying to impersonate the woman, documents show. There was also a paper found where someone had been trying to write the ex-boyfriends last name three times. Detectives wrote it appeared the writing matched the same writing from the email that DCYF received.

Ellis was arrested and was evaluated at a hospital after she suffered a panic attack. She was then booked into the jail, documents show.

Detectives learned from a Sheriffs Office detective there were 10 reports made by Ellis against her ex-boyfriend through the Sheriffs Office between August and November 2024. The ex-boyfriend was arrested once but never charged for sending alleged threatening emails to Ellis. A detective believed Ellis fabricated the emails to frame her ex-boyfriend.

Ellis does not have any previous criminal convictions, according to court records.

--By Puneet Bsanti/The Peninsula Gateway/TNS
They came to Oregon to chase their own versions of the American dream.

Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras arrived in 2023 with her teen son after living in Colombia and spent a short time in Portlands temporary shelter for asylum seekers before venturing out on her own.

Luis David Nino-Moncadas path to Portland is less clear, leading through Colorado, Washington state and Oregon.

The two, both from Venezuela, appeared in federal court last week in Portland after they were shot and wounded Jan. 8 in a Southeast Portland parking lot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a traffic stop. The shooting sparked fear and widespread protests and vigils in the city.

The agent shot Nino-Moncada, 33, in the arm and Zambrano-Contreras, 32, in the chest. U.S. Homeland Security officials have accused Nino-Moncada of trying to run the agents over with a Toyota truck he was driving and have claimed both he and Zambrano-Contreras are members of a violent Venezuelan gang but have provided little proof.

The Portland shooting came a day after a U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis fatally shot 37yearold Renee Good, a U.S. citizen who was protesting ICE enforcement. Officials there also said she attempted to run the agents over with her car  a claim eyewitnesses and video footage have contradicted.

The Portland pair survived. The two were hospitalized then arrested and now face federal charges and the prospect of potential prison time or a swift deportation.

No videos and few outside witness accounts have surfaced in the Portland shooting. And little is still known about the two people who were shot. Heres what we have learned:

Where theyre from

Zambrano-Contreras, known to family and friends as Nina, is originally from La Guaira State (previously Vargas State) in northern Venezuela, said Jose Garcia Escobar, a former boyfriend. Her mother and siblings still live there, he said.

Their relationship lasted two and half years when both lived in Colombia and he acted as a stepfather to her son while she also took care of his daughter, said Garcia Escobar, who still lives in Colombia.

While there, Zambrano-Contreras was a stay-at-home mother although she holds an accounting degree from the Universidad Nacional Experimental Politecnica de la Fuerza Armada Bolivariana, also known as UNEFA, a large university in Venezuela, he said.

A friend of Nino-Moncadas who identified himself as Zamhir Pedraza on Facebook said he was Nino-Moncadas childhood friend. He and Nino-Moncada grew up in Tachira State in Venezuela and have known each other since they were children, Pedraza said.

He has no criminal record, he is a working man, said Pedraza who was in Venezuela last week and later didnt answer more questions about Nino-Moncada, including what type of work he did.

Coming to the U.S.

Zambrano-Contreras and her son left South America for the United States two and half years ago to pursue the American dream, her former boyfriend said. He stayed in Colombia, he said, because he didnt want to travel without legal documentation.

She went there in search of a better future with her son and to help her family, Garcia Escobar told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

In an affidavit filed earlier this month, a Border Patrol agent from El Paso, Texas, wrote that Zambrano-Contreras unlawfully entered the country from Mexico about one mile east of the Paso Del Norte port of entry in September 2023. The affidavit doesnt mention her son but a separate court document says she entered the U.S. as part of a family unit.

She was caught, then released due to lack of space in the detention facility and served with a notice to appear at the ICE office in Portland but never did, according to court documents. Her Immigration Court date was set for June 1, 2028.

The notice to appear in immigration court is the official document that Homeland Security uses to start a persons deportation proceedings. Its likely Zambrano-Contreras court date wasnt scheduled until 2028 because of the historic backlog of immigration cases nationwide, which currently stands at more than 3 million.

Her border crossing came in the aftermath of the Biden administrations moves to expand protections for Venezuelans. At the time, an ongoing political and economic crisis in Venezuela was pushing millions to flee the country.

That same year also saw recordbreaking migration at the U.S.-Mexico border, with a large share of arrivals coming from South America, including Venezuela. Those who crossed the border without authorization could still request asylum once inside the United States  something many South Americans did at the time.

Its unknown whether any of these factors influenced Zambrano-Contreras decision to come to the U.S. or her release after her arrest in Texas. Immigration case records arent public.

Its much less unclear why Nino-Moncada came to Oregon.

Homeland Security officials said he entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was released by immigration officials. They did not specify the state where he arrived or was released.

In a federal affidavit for the assault charge filed against him after he was shot, an FBI agent wrote that an immigration judge in Denver ordered Nino-Moncadas deportation in November 2024. Homeland Security officials said he has a final deportation order.

Its not known whether he was living in Colorado at the time or if he was already in Oregon and ordered deported in absentia for not showing up in court. His deportation order is part of his immigration case and not publicly available.

FBI agents and other law enforcement at the scene at Southeast 146th and East Burnside Street where Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras ended up stopping to call 911 after they were shot by a Border Patrol at a medical clinic parking lot in Southeast Portland. Beth Nakamura

In the U.S.

Zambrano-Contreras social media account says she made it to Oregon in November 2023. Upon arrival, she and her son lived at the Welcome Center, a shelter for asylum seekers, said a manicurist from Vancouver who lived at the same center with her children at the time. The woman, also a Venezuelan immigrant, asked not to be named because her husband was recently detained by ICE agents.

The state of Oregon quietly opened the Welcome Center, housed at a former Ramada Inn near the Portland International Airport, in November 2022 after a group of asylum seekers arrived at the airport months earlier and began sleeping in the baggage claim area.

In late 2023, state officials abruptly closed the center and transitioned the remaining families into rental apartments in the community. The hotel provided housing to 469 people over 14 months at a cost of $29 million.

Jake Sunderland, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Human Services, declined due to privacy reasons to confirm whether Zambrano-Contreras and her son had stayed at the Welcome Center. He also declined to comment on the current whereabouts of her teenage son who is now 15, according to his mothers social media accounts.

Its also unclear whether the state paid for a rental apartment for Zambrano-Contreras and her son, as it did for some of the people at the Welcome Center. Public records and photos on the womans social media accounts show the family recently lived at a large apartment complex in Gresham. She also appears to have lived  or worked  part of the time at an extended stay hotel in Portland, according to court records.

While little is known about what Zambrano-Contreras did after leaving the Welcome Center, a screenshot of a dispatch log leaked after the shooting included a phone number that Nino-Moncada used to call 911. The number, which has since been disconnected, was linked to numerous escort sites for a woman whose photos resemble the photo of Zambrano-Contreras released by federal officials as well as the numerous photos posted on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Her personal Facebook accounts and Instagram feeds are filled with revealing selfies showing Zambrano-Contreras with long, dyed bright orange hair, flamboyant clothes, braces and a distinctive mark under her left eye. Though she doesnt directly say what her job is, the photos and comments on her social feeds make it understood.

She also frequently posted photos of her teenage son and declarations of her love for him, as well as photos of her new cars, including what appears to be the red truck linked to the Border Patrol shooting. It was the same truck that Nino-Moncada reversed several times, ramming an empty federal rental car before getting shot and speeding off.

The manicurist  who became friends with Zambrano-Contreras after she visited her in Vancouver to get her nails done  said she was aware of what Zambrano-Contreras did for a living in Oregon, but that doesnt make her a criminal, she said.

Shes a normal, quiet, kind, hardworking girl, the manicurist said. She provides the best things she can for her son.

Much less is known about Nino-Moncada. A records search revealed ties to Denver, Monroe near Seattle, Vancouver and Portland. An acquaintance said he also lived in Seattle.

His Facebook profile contains only three photos, 61 friends and very few posts. One photo shows him partying on a boat with a drink in hand, a second riding on a motorboat on a river and a third sitting inside a car.

The acquaintance of Nino-Moncada, who asked not to be named given the sensitivity of the case, said he met him about three years ago in Seattle when they lived in the same building. The acquaintance believes Nino-Moncada worked in delivery but did not provide any other details.

Their relationship

The Portland Police Bureau, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI all declined to answer questions about Nino-Moncadas relationship with Zambrano-Contreras. Federal officials did say in a news release that they arent married.

The manicurist said the two were romantically involved.

The logo of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Pablo Martinez Monsivais | The Associated Press

Its unclear when and how they met but Nino-Moncada told FBI investigators that he and Zambrano-Contreras were friends for about a year, according to an affidavit.

He also said she asked him to sign for the red Toyota Tacoma at a dealership with the promise that she would make all the payments; she took possession of the truck at a dealership in September and she made the promised payments to him, he told FBI investigators.

Their relationship seems to have been complicated. Nino-Moncada has an open case from November in Washington County involving a misdemeanor allegation of driving under the influence and a felony allegation of unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is accused of driving a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro without the consent of the owner  who was identified as Zambrano-Contreras, court records show.

Tren de Aragua

Homeland Security officials have said Zambrano-Contreras was the target of the Border Patrol stop and have alleged she played an active role in a prostitution ring associated with Tren de Aragua and was involved in a Portland shooting last summer. Federal officials also have said Nino-Moncada is a suspected member or associate of the same gang.

Their defense lawyers contend that Homeland Security officials are blaming the victims for a federal officers unjustified shooting.

The federal government has a well-documented history of making false and inflammatory statements about immigrants, Venezuelans in particular, attorney Conor Huseby, who represents Zambrano-Contreras, said in a statement.

When U.S. Homeland Security was asked what evidence it had that suggests both Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras are affiliated with Tren de Aragua, the agency told The Oregonian/OregonLive: We are confident in our intelligence indicating they are TdA and Portland police confirmed that fact.

Portland police declined to comment on that statement. Police Chief Bob Day said at a news conference shortly after the shooting that Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras names had come up during a July shooting investigation but they were never arrested, charged or named as suspects. And Zambrano-Contreras hasnt faced any new charges stemming from the alleged prostitution ring allegation.

Zambrano-Contreras doesnt have much of a criminal record; she has one arrest for prostitution, according to police.

She also appeared to be the victim of physical violence and a prostitution-related robbery in Washington County last July, an affidavit indicated. She returned to an apartment to retrieve her belongings with several men, according to the affidavit.

One of the men broke a window and she went inside but couldnt find them and left, she told investigators. Washington County deputies later were called to the scene on the report of a gunshot and found a 9mm casing near the back of the apartment, according to the affidavit

Zambrano-Contreras said she didnt hear any shots. Investigators later matched the casing found at the apartment to casings at a shooting of a Venezuelan man in Portland four days later, according to the affidavit.

The man told police the shooting stemmed from an altercation with Tren de Aragua gang members, the affidavit said.

Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras were interviewed a month later during a prostitution sting and they were found with men who were identified as Tren de Aragua associates in the Portland shooting investigation, the records said. Investigators also said Zambrano-Contreras knew a man who was at both shootings who had been identified as a Tren de Aragua member.

Zambrano-Contreras former boyfriend said he was shocked by the gang-related accusations and that, to his knowledge, she doesnt belong to Tren de Aragua or any other gang.

By God, shes not a bad person, Garcia Escobar said. Shes an excellent mother, daughter and sister, and I dont recognize any of the bad things people say about her.

The manicurist from Venezuela who now lives in Vancouver also said Zambrano-Contreras wasnt part of Tren del Aragua. As far as I know, shes not (involved), the woman said.

Nino-Moncada also doesnt have much of a court record. Other than the Washington County DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle case, a search of court records turned up nothing under his name in Denver and in the counties where he appeared to live in Washington state.

Pedraza, Nino-Moncadas childhood friend, and Nino-Moncadas acquaintance from Seattle said they didnt believe Nino-Moncada was a member of Tren de Aragua.

The Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that Tren de Aragua infiltrated the regime of recently ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (now in U.S. custody) and invaded the U.S. Trump officials have accused Venezuelan immigrants of gang membership and quickly deported 238 Venezuelan men to a notorious prison in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

But a New York Times investigation found no link between most of those men and the gang. A U.S. intelligence assessment  along with other internal government records  showed no organized threat from Tren de Aragua, instead portraying the gangs U.S. presence as fragmented, lowlevel and profitdriven.

Where are they now

Nino-Moncada was treated at OHSU Hospital in Portland for a gunshot wound to his arm then booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center in downtown Portland on a U.S. Marshals Service hold.

He appeared twice last week in U.S. District Court in Portland on charges of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon  the Toyota truck he was driving when the agent shot him  and damaging federal property in excess of $1,000. He pleaded not guilty. A hearing was set for Wednesday to decide Nino-Moncadas potential release pending trial.

Zambrano-Contreras underwent surgery at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland and was moved Jan. 10 to the ICE detention center in Tacoma, where she remains.

She briefly appeared in federal court by video Friday on the federal complaint alleging she illegally entered the United States in 2023. No immediate date was set for her next court appearance. Her lawyer declined to comment on her medical condition.

What counts, said the former boyfriend, is that she is alive. Im terrified by whats happened to her, Garcia Escobar said. Im glad shes OK and hopefully, with Gods help, this will be resolved.

Yesenia Amaro, Maxine Bernstein and Noelle Crombie contributed to this article.
For Soledad Molina and her four children, the basics  light, heat, cooling, even a way to cook  are under constant threat.

The 45-year-old Portland mother fell behind on her electricity bills last winter as rates soared and the region was hit by extreme weather, racking up a balance of more than $1,000. In June, Portland General Electric shut off her power for a day and night. A state assistance program helped pay the balance, but reconnection fees and new charges quickly piled up again.

Molina, who lost her job cleaning houses last year, also fell behind on rent payments and received an eviction notice this fall, forcing her to choose between utilities and housing. Today, she again owes PGE hundreds of dollars and fears another shutoff at any moment.

My bills are competing for the little money I have available, said Molina, who currently relies on limited child support and food stamps to stay afloat. Its simple: either I pay the rent, buy food or pay the electricity bill, but I cant do all three.

Across Oregon, energy bills for residential, commercial and industrial customers of investor-owned utilities PGE and PacifiCorp  which serve two thirds of electricity users in the state  have soared in the past six years. Nearly 58,000 residents had their power disconnected in 2024, the highest number on record. Consumer advocates say many other lower-income households are just a few dollars away from losing power.

A PGE customer for 24 years, Molina said her bills rarely topped $100 a month until recently. They now run $200 to $300  even after the family cut back on their heating and AC use and enrolled in the utilitys bill discount program.

The impact is economy-wide. The Pacific Northwest has historically enjoyed some of the cheapest electricity rates in the country, a key advantage for businesses and one that has helped keep the cost of living in check.

But national figures show that differential has disappeared. And the squeeze on customers could potentially get worse.

Experts predict bills could climb sharply as Oregons investor-owned electric utilities grapple with an unprecedented build-out of solar, wind and battery storage projects to meet ambitious state climate mandates, and a surging appetite for energy from data centers.

Oregon's looming energy crunch This is Part 3 of a series about the ability of Oregons largest electric utilities to meet the interlocking challenges of decarbonizing the grid while maintaining affordable and reliable service. Part 1: The regions soaring energy demand, coupled with supply constraints, could spark a new power crisis.

Part 2: Utility progress toward looming green power mandates has been slow, throwing doubt on their ability to meet the targets and adding to the costs.

Part 3: Will consumers, already struggling with steep utility rate increases, pay for Oregons climate ambitions and data center boom? Can new legislation, dubbed the Power Act, shield customers from surging electricity costs?

Part 4: There are possible solutions to Oregons looming energy crisis, but many are expensive or unproven  and nearly all would take years to implement.

Oregons largest electric utility, PGE, has forecast that its cost to generate every megawatt of electricity will double in the next five years, triple in 10 and quintuple in 15 years. Power generation costs are only one component of customers rates. Others, like transmission and distribution rates, are rising, too, as utilities add capacity and make upgrades to reliably deliver power to customers.

PGE, which serves about 930,000 customers in Oregon across seven counties and 51 cities, has not forecast future rate impacts in filings with state regulators.

In a filing with state regulators this week, PacifiCorp provided an eye-popping estimate of its costs to comply with the emission mandates: between $135 million and $2.5 billion a year for the next two decades. It said those would translate to an average annual incremental rate impact between 10% and 140% of its 2025 costs. PacifiCorp serves more than 620,000 customers in Oregon.

The current plan for clean energy deployment in Oregon will impact the cost of living for Oregonians and is becoming increasingly risky for utilities, Omar Granados, a spokesperson for the utility, said in an email.

Bob Jenks, executive director of the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, said PacifiCorp may legitimately face high costs to comply with the emissions mandates in any given year, but the way it presented annual rate impacts in the filing is misleading. The law, he added, also allows regulators to temporarily exempt utilities from the mandates if compliance would increase their costs of service by 6% or more.

This is not a legitimate rate forecast, he said.

Bob Jenks, executive director of Oregon Citizens' Utility Board, sits at his desk in downtown Portland. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Nevertheless, lawmakers are already alarmed by rising costs. Theyve put some Band-Aids on the affordability problem, including limiting how often residential rate increases can occur and doubling funding for bill assistance programs from $20 million to $40 million a year. And the Oregon Public Utility Commission has previously approved temporary moratoriums on service disconnections for non-payment during winter cold snaps and summer heat waves.

The Legislature also passed a new law earlier this year designed to make data centers pay for their own transmission and energy costs. But its unclear whether the legislation will buffer other customers from higher power bills.

The Power Act will clearly make a significant difference, said Jenks. But I cant guarantee that rates with the Power Act will be affordable because of all the costs utilities are facing.

PGE rates higher than national average

The Columbia Rivers vast hydroelectric system, a cheap, abundant and clean power source, has long kept costs low in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest.

When the surplus of cheap hydro power started to run out in the 1970s, aggressive energy efficiency programs adopted in Oregon dramatically reduced overall electricity usage, helping keep rates and bills down. Meanwhile, the national average for household electricity use continued to steadily increase.

Efficiency measures included stricter building codes for new construction, incentives for energy-saving appliances and HVAC systems and rebates for home weatherization. Businesses made their processes more efficient. And widespread adoption of compact fluorescent bulbs, and later LEDs, dramatically reduced lighting energy use. The measures freed up capacity on the grid so utilities didnt have to generate or purchase as much electricity.

But in recent years, those measures havent been enough to shield Oregonians from rising power costs. Electric rates surged dramatically between 2019 and 2025 for all customer classes. PGEs residential rates rose by 61% over that time period, after compounding; commercial by 53.5% and industrial by 48%. (Compounding means that if a customer gets an increase in one year and another increase a year later, the second increase is applied to the already-higher rate.)

PacifiCorps residential customers saw an increase of 39% between 2020 and 2025.

Oregon is hardly an outlier; customers in other states have seen similar or even larger increases.

Oregons average residential electricity rate remains 1.5 to 3 cents per kilowatt-hour below the national average, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But the average obscures the rates of investor-owned utilities like PGE and PacifiCorp by combining them with public utilities and cooperatives that buy their power from the federal hydroelectric system and typically charge far less.

In fact, residential electric rates for PGE are now higher than the national average, according to the Oregon Public Utility Commission. But PGE customers are still using significantly less energy than customers across the nation, thanks to a continued push on energy efficiency.

source: Oregon Public Utility Commission OPUC

Many Oregon households, like Molinas, have been unable to keep up. Businesses are feeling the pressure, too.

For small businesses, the fixed costs of doing business have gone up across the board, including rent, insurance and electricity, said Britt Marra, executive director National Small Business Utility Council, a nonprofit that advocates for small businesses in Oregon and Washington. So theyre very concerned about the future of energy affordability and the grid.

Costly decarbonization, transmission upgrades

The surge in electric rates over the past six years in Oregon corresponds with a spike in demand, the vast majority of which stems from the growth of electricity-hungry data centers across the state. Forecasts show data center demand will continue to soar, consuming dramatically more energy than power planners had anticipated.

Residential consumption also has increased, mostly during peak-demand periods, as more households depend on heat pumps and air conditioners to make it through prolonged winter cold snaps and summer heat waves, driving sharp spikes in electricity demand when energy prices are highest.

Rising demand has forced utilities to buy vast amounts of electricity on the wholesale market, often pricey purchases that have been a significant factor in recent rate increases, utilities have said.

Meanwhile, aggressive state climate targets require utilities to wean off fossil fuels and procure energy from wind and solar farms, and back it up with battery storage. Those resources will require billions of dollars in upfront investments, and costly upgrades to transmission and local distribution systems to deliver the power to customers.

Wind turbines at Klondike wind farm in Sherman County, Oregon.

Climate change and resulting wildfire risks are also driving higher expenses for insurance, monitoring and maintenance of transmission corridors. And utilities borrowing costs are increasing as rating agencies downgrade debt ratings to account for higher risks. PacifiCorp, in particular, is facing billions of dollars in liabilities related to damages from the catastrophic wildfires of 2020.

Those costs are only going to rise. Just as Oregons large electric utilities are ramping their renewables investments to meet 2030 climate goals, generous federal tax credits are ending after being dismantled by the Trump administration. Those credits have historically lowered the cost of clean energy projects on PGEs system from 20% to 40%, said Kristen Sheeran, PGEs vice president of policy and resource planning.

Thats a lot of value that is going away and it will necessarily increase the cost of clean energy projects going forward, Sheeran said.

All told, those costs could drive utility bills over the edge, said Jenks with the Citizens Utility Board.

The issue isnt, can we afford a big increase in power costs. The issue is, can we afford that, combined with the big cost increases in distribution and transmission, said Jenks. PGE has this idea that they can do everything, and Im skeptical that everything is affordable.

Will the Power Act save the day?

The multibillion-dollar question is whether households and small businesses will foot the bill.

Legislation passed in June, dubbed the Power Act, aims to shield residential customers from the costs of meeting data centers voracious power demands. The law requires investor-owned utilities to create a new class of customers for large energy users and charge them for their own energy costs. It directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission to allocate costs to the data centers based on how much power they consume and how that drives statewide investments in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

QTS data center buildings in Hillsboro, Oregon seen from the air in March 2023. Oregon data centers are expected to draw at least twice as much power by the end of the decade, and ratepayers are concerne they might have to foot the bill for building new power plants, transmission lines and substations to serve them. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

While the law must be fully implemented by 2028, key details  such as how costs will be allocated and what rates data centers will pay  still need to be determined by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

Already, a PGE proposal on how to divvy up the costs has sparked controversy.

This fall, the Citizens Utility Board accused the utility of undermining the Power Act by attempting to shift an outsized share of the costs of powering data centers onto residential customers.

PGE proposes to assign electricity costs based on who is causing the growth in peak demand  the times when electricity use is at its highest level  to ensure all customers pay their fair share of the system costs, said the utilitys spokesperson Drew Hanson.

The principle is simple. Customer groups driving peak-demand growth should pay for the infrastructure needed to serve that growth, Hanson said.

While data centers have been driving overall system load growth, Hanson said, residential customers adoption of air conditioners, heat pumps and other household electrification has fueled increases in peak demand, during cold snaps and heat waves.

Residential customers account for 45% of recent system growth, specifically increases to system peak demand, said Hanson. Building new transmission lines and adding more generation and storage will ensure residential customers have reliable energy when demand is at its highest, he said.

Jenks of the Citizens Utility Board said it was absurd to ask residential customers to shoulder up to half the cost of generating and moving more power given that demand for electricity from the residential sector has barely increased.

PGEs system without the data centers isnt growing, Jenks told The Oregonian/OregonLive, adding that household adoption of energy efficiency measures has fully offset the residential peak load growth in recent years.

Facing pushback, PGE scaled back parts of its proposal. The utility says it now supports factoring in residential customers investments in energy efficiency when allocating generation and transmission costs.

Thats a step in the right direction, said Jenks. But, he added, PGE still wants to charge consumers far too much of the cost of generating power and building new wind, solar and storage projects and transmission lines.

Where the costs of new transmission and generation are being driven by data centers, they should be assigned to the data centers and paid for by them, said Jenks. Cost allocations can be revisited if a data center leaves after 20 years and the investments end up serving other customers, he added.

PGE opposes assigning costs to data centers permanently, arguing that new generation and transmission investments benefit all customers, not just data centers. Instead, the utility wants the data centers  the customers driving growth and creating new demand  to cover the first 10 years of a power investment that typically lasts 50 years. After that, all customers, including households, would share costs for the remaining years based on how much they contribute to the systems peak electricity use.

PGE argues that, assuming data centers continue to grow as predicted, theyre likely to become the future drivers of peak demand growth and larger users of the system overall, so more costs would be allocated to them.

If PGEs proposal is adopted, the utility says data centers will see an immediate 26% rate increase. Residential and small commercial customers will see their rates decrease by 2%. Its unclear what rates would look like after that.

But Jenks said asking data centers to cover only a small portion of the upgrade costs and then spreading the rest across all customers is woefully insufficient. Households and small businesses could face steep increases after the first decade, he said, especially if fewer additional data centers come online in later years.

Public accountability

Oregon residents and activists are increasingly demanding that the commission ensure data centers pay their fair share.

On a cold Saturday in October, Be Marston stood at the Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University, handing out leaflets warning that data centers are driving up household electricity bills. Marston is a member and union organizer with UNITE HERE Local 8, which represents about 4,000 food service and hospitality workers in Oregon and Washington. The union members are working with other local nonprofits and the utility board on a campaign to ensure tech companies pay for rising demand.

Everyone I talked to was like, those data centers are awful, theyre disastrous for the environment, theyre not creating any jobs and were subsidizing their power bills, Marston said. People are really engaged on this issue and really angry.

The anger doesnt come as a surprise, she said. Low-income people  including unionized cafeteria and dining workers at Google and Meta, which operate data centers in Oregon  are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay rising electric bills as food and health care costs also climb, Marston said. Meanwhile, tech companies are reaping rising profits from data center-powered services such as cloud platforms and artificial intelligence.

Be Marston, a member and organizer with UNITE HERE local 8, sits in Portlands South Park Blocks on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Marston is working on a campaign to ensure tech companies pay for data centers' rising hunger for electricity. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Marston, who also works as a bartender, said most Oregonians dont know about the existence of the Power Act, much less that the utility commission will be crafting rules to implement it through an opaque process thats inaccessible to most customers.

This stuff is kind of happening in the dark and slipping under the radar, Marston said. But I think if they know the public is watching, it could help move the needle on this.

Oregonians have taken notice. To date, PGEs Power Act docket before the PUC has received 1,642 public comments, the second most on any issue since 1987, when the current docket system was created.

Mike Rogoway and Ted Sickinger contributed to this article.
Tommy Ly

For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Ly is owner of GeekEasy Anime Cafe. He lives in Portland.

People warned me not to do this.

They told me opening a cafe in Old Town/Chinatown would chew me up and spit me out. That it would wreck me financially, grind me down mentally and leave me tired, angry and broke. They talked about break-ins and overdoses the way people talk about bad weather  inevitable, unavoidable not worth arguing with.

They werent wrong.

Some mornings, I unlock the doors after stepping over someone slumped against the building. You pause. You check for breathing. You dont rush. Thats not something you get used to. It stays with you long after the espresso machine is warm and the day has officially started.

Old Town Chinatown is hard. Its chaotic, fragile, uncomfortable. If what youre looking for is safety, convenience or easy money, you picked the wrong neighborhood. Completely.

So why open a cafe here?

Because Old Town Chinatown isnt just another struggling part of town. Its Portlands most layered, most complicated and most abandoned neighborhood. People talk about it like its already dead, even though there are still businesses here, still people showing up every day, still history clinging to the walls under the grime.

This was Japantown before Japanese Americans were sent to concentration camps and erased almost overnighthomes gone, businesses gone, lives scattered. This was Chinatown before decades of neglect hollowed it out. Before nearby gentrification waited patiently for the last lights to go dark so it could swoop in and rename the place without the people.

And somehow, even now, Old Town is still home.

Its home to Black-owned businesses that stayed when leaving would have been easier. Its home to queer spaces that carved out safety where none was promised. And its home to meone of a dwindling handful of Asian-owned businesses left in a neighborhood that still carries the name Chinatown.

That fact weighs on me more than Id like to admit.

People ask why I didnt open somewhere safer. Somewhere cleaner. Somewhere with better margins and fewer headaches.

The honest answer? I couldnt stomach doing nothing.

I dont believe my cafe will save Old Town Chinatown. Coffee doesnt fix systemic failure. Food doesnt undo decades of disinvestment. I ran the numbers. I know exactly how thin the margins are. This wasnt a romantic leap of faithit was a decision made fully aware of how badly it could go.

Theres an old saying that celebrates the idea of knowing something is likely impossible, but choosing to do it anyway. Thats what opening this cafe feels like.

Every morning, I unlock the doors and do small, unremarkable things. I make food. I pour coffee. I talk to regulars who dont have many places left where they feel welcome. Some days it feels pointless. Some days it feels unsafe. Some days it feels like stubbornness dressed up as hope.

But neighborhoods dont vanish overnight. They disappear when everyone decides theyre no longer worth the trouble.

Old Town Chinatown doesnt need heroes. It doesnt need saviors. It needs people willing to stay when staying doesnt make sense on a spreadsheet. It needs witnessespeople who refuse to let history fade quietly just because leaving would be easier.

This cafe might fail.

But I refuse to be the kind of person who watched a neighborhood die and told myself there was nothing I could do.
Dogs of all curls and patches and spots trotted through the Portland Expo Center Saturday for the Rose City Classic Dog Show.

More than 2,000 dogs representing some 170 breeds competed in everything from tricks to obedience to scent work, lively events in whats billed as the largest dog show in the Pacific Northwest. Rose City Classic has been hosting shows since 1939.

The show continues Sunday, with the Portland Expo center open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or when judging ends for the day. Individual and family tickets can be purchased online.

On Saturday, I ventured in to do some judging of my own, seeking some of the afternoons cutest dogs.

Here are my best-in-show picks:

Its the best thing I get to do in my life, says Ina Dunlap about training her pugs to become therapy dogs. Allison Barr

1) A pair of legacy therapy pugs

Ina Dunlap has owned nine different pugs in her life, a fact advertised proudly in the cartoon dogs printed on her long-sleeve shirt and the pair of pooch photos swinging from her ears. Two-thirds of those pugs have worked as therapy dogs.

Ive been doing pet therapy in Eugene since 2002, Dunlap said, two tiny black pugs wriggling in her lap. Its the best thing I get to do in my life.

Its the best thing I get to do in my life, says Ina Dunlap about training her pugs to become therapy dogs. Allison Barr

Wylie and Timmy, the antsy black pups, are the newest members of the Dunlap family.

At 2 years old, Wylie has already proven himself up to the task of therapy dog work. Hes brought a playful, comforting energy to kids and adults in hospitals and airports across Eugene, Dunlap said, though her favorite place to visit is a juvenile detention center.

On pug Wednesday, she said, her dogs watch movies with youth in custody while they take turns petting, playing and practicing tricks.

Being able to let them touch the dogs and have a little bit of normalcy on days when theyve made some bad decisions or havent had the right direction, Dunlap said. To me, that means the world.

Timmy, at just over a year old, is still learning the trade, she said. But the dog show is a great place to train Timmy to focus on his therapy dog work as crowds of eager dog lovers look to snag a quick pet.

The Rose City Classic Dog Show is happening in Portland Jan. 15-18. The event offers different competitions and showcases based on breed, skill, age and more. Allison Barr

2) One retired show dog, one up-and-comer

Dogs of all sizes paraded the Portland Expo Center Saturday. But I was hard-pressed to find any larger than Keaton and Ziggy, two Akitas greeting passersby from their booth within the Meet-the-Breeds section.

While on all fours, the dogs easily reached my knees. When they stood up to nab a treat I was holding, we stood almost eye-to-eye. Its rare at 5-foot-7 that Im face-to-face with a giant dog.

The Rose City Classic Dog Show is happening in Portland Jan. 15-18. The event offers different competitions and showcases based on breed, skill, age and more. Allison Barr

A Japanese breed, Akita were traditionally used for a variety of tasks, said Kim Howell, including bear hunting, deer hunting and pulling fishing nets. They were even used by samurai for dogfighting, she said.

Keaton and Ziggy live a more pampered life.

Both dogs have competed before, but Ziggy, 6, is still learning the ropes, Howell said. This year, hes working on his agility  specifically, his teeter, which requires him to walk up and down on a dog-sized seesaw.

Keaton, on the other hand  at 10 years old and 130 pounds  is a retired show dog.

She just gets to hang out and be loved and adored at home, sleep all she wants and dig holes, Howell said.

Savvy the Xoloitzcuintli wears a sombrero. Xoloitzcuintin are Mexican hairless dogs. Allison Barr

3) A Mexican spirit dog with its own Disney character

Three things pulled me toward Ginny Combs and her dog, Savvy.

First was the colorful sombrero perched atop Savvys head. Id been on a mission all morning to talk to a dog in an outfit, so once the hat caught my eye, I instantly beelined in her direction.

(A plea to all pet owners: Sweaters are great, but more dogs should be wearing hats.)

The second eye-catching detail was a pun. Combs owns two dogs  Harry, named for Harrison Ford and not present Saturday, and Savvy  so the business cards she was handing out aptly read When Harry Met Savvy in a paw-fect nod to the Rob Reiner romantic comedy.

Combs adopted 2-year-old Savvy in July, followed soon after by 4-year-old Harry.

I left (Savvy) home alone once and she ripped up her kennel, Combs said. So, I talked to her breeder and she said I think she might need a friend.

Savvy the Xoloitzcuintli wears a sombrero. Xoloitzcuintin are Mexican hairless dogs. Allison Barr

Then, I realized why Savvy looked so familiar: Shes a Xoloitzcuintli, a Mexican breed of hairless dogs that features prominently in Coco, the 2017 animated Disney movie centered around Day of the Dead.

Xoloitzcuintli dogs are named for Xolotl, the Aztec god of fire and lightning. According to Aztec legend, the breed would act as a spirit guide, ushering souls along their journey to the afterlife.

The legend is when you pass away, your Xolo will meet you and take you across to Mictlan, which is where you go when you die, Combs said. The Xolo is then asked if it wants to stay with that owner. If the Xolo says it wants to go back, its cleaned in the river and gets white paws, which means that dog was sent straight from heaven.

The "Meet-the-Breed" portion of the event entailed different booths hosting a variety of dog breeds. People were allowed to come pet the dogs, take pictures and ask questions. Allison Barr

4) A collection of collies with A+ hair routines

I bonded right away with Darcie and Finley, a pair of Bearded Collies with pin-straight, ultra-soft coats hanging at least 12 inches off their small bodies. My own hair isnt nearly as fine or smooth  but it is, by human standards, pretty long, so I think the collies sensed a kinship as they nipped persistently at my curls.

Darcie was born in France, while Finley hails from Canada. The breed itself is actually Scottish, said Courtnie Eastman, whos had Bearded Collies since she was 6 years old.

They are herding dogs, so theyre very smart, Eastman said. Theyre a very versatile breed. They compete in agility, scent work, obedience. (Theyre) therapy dogs. They can kind of do it all.

The "Meet-the-Breed" portion of the event entailed different booths hosting a variety of dog breeds. People were allowed to come pet the dogs, take pictures and ask questions. Allison Barr

But those interested in adopting a Bearded Collie of their own should be prepared for a multi-step haircare process that rivals some skincare routines. Eastman suggested brushing their hair at least once a week. Bathing, brushing and drying can take an hour and a half, she said.

Finley and Darcie both rocked hot pink clip-in bows Saturday, while other Bearded Collies were decked out in tiny claw clips and yellow ponytails creating a sprout of fur above their head.

Taking over a large part of the Expo Center, one of the rooms was dedicated to dog bathing and grooming. Allison Barr

5) Tiny, toylike dogs with big personalities

Tucked away in the back of the Portland Expo Center, dozens of dog owners toiled away at the grooming station.

Torie McDaniel was hard at work on her 3-year-old pup, Johnny, snipping and sculpting his fluffy white coat into a perfectly spherical poof around his head. Later, he would compete against other Bichon Frise dogs.

Taking over a large part of the Expo Center, one of the rooms was dedicated to dog bathing and grooming. Allison Barr

Saturday wasnt Johnnys first show, but hes still working on perfecting his pageant dog poise.

He tries really hard, McDaniel said. He gets really excitable, so its kind of hard to keep him focused where I need him to be focused because he just wants to say hi.

During grooming, Johnny fixed his attention on a pair of spotted dalmatians playing in a pen behind him.

Bichon Frise are family dogs, McDaniel said. Tiny with supersized personalities, theyre big dogs in little bodies, she said.

If you go: The Rose City Classic Dog Show continues through Sunday at the Portland Expo Center at 2060 N. Marine Drive. The event is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or when judging ends for the day. Individual and family day passes can be bought online.
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Is Aldi coming to an area near you?

The popular grocery chain just might be because the it is planning to open 180 stores this year and that includes locations in two new states.

Thats good news for any community lucky enough to have an Aldi nearby, simply because these days, youre guaranteed to spend at least $100 now, no matter how small your grocery list might be.

At Aldi, however, things are a lot more affordable, so rest assured youll get your moneys worth.

Anyway, the company recently announced that its expanding rapidly this year, which is on track to bring affordable groceries and seasonal items to nearly 200 neighborhoods, according to Cheapism.

As previously mentioned, its all about affordability as the chain normally totes prices that are way lower than most of its competitors like Kroger, Albertsons and Publix.

Its a lot less stress on your wallet for the new year.

So, when it comes to the reasoning behind the expansion, Aldis community champions the grocer for its inexpensive, high-quality groceries, which is often comparable to Trader Joes.

Aldi sells private label items but at cheaper pricing, with an aim to target 3,200 U.S. stores by 2028. Last year, the grocer opened 175 locations, and it intends on opening 180 more in 2026.

In total, it reaches about 2,800, including conversions from acquired Southeastern grocers, with 200 conversions planned by the end of 2027.

When it comes to where exactly the new locations will land, though a full location list has yet to be released by the company, it has been confirmed that an expansion into Maine and Colorado is happening for the first time.

Maine will be the grocer chains 40th U.S. state with a store in Portland, while 50 Colorado stores are in the works around Denver and Colorado Springs.

Additionally, Aldi also plans to add three distribution centers in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado, as the move supports further growth in Pheonix conversions.

The great news also comes with major tech upgrades.

A new website is on its way, which is designed to improve trip planning, product search, reordering and nutrition details.

Smarter recommendations is coming to curbside pickup, as well as a new home delivery option.
After nearly half a century in the business, a trucking company has filed for bankruptcy.

This news signals the latest of whats being called the Great Freight Recession, during which a demand for shipping services has dropped while capacity has stayed high.

According to industry publication FreightWaves, STG Logistics  a Dublin, Ohio-based institution that also happens to be the countrys fourth-largest asset-based intermodal marketing company  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on Monday.

This pre-negotiated plan, FreightWaves explains, wipes out 91 percent of STGs almost $1 billion debt. It also gives it $1140 in new capital in order to support its core business operations, and to compensate its employees and vendors.

TTNews.com reports that the carrier expects to exit court protection in about five months.

Todays announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to strength STG amidst one of the most severe freight recessions in history, said CEO Geoff Anderman via company release. We are confident that leverage the Chapter 11 process will best position the business for long-term growth and success.

I am deeply grateful to our valued team, customers, vendors, and other partners whose support enables us to continue delivering solutions for our customers at the highest levels while staying true to our core values of safety, service, integrity, and efficient at the forefront of our operations.

The release confirms that STG will continue operations in the ordinary course of business as a restructuring plan takes place.

Further information regarding bankruptcy proceedings remains pending.
By CARA ANNA and JOSH BOAK, The Associated Press

At least seven more countries said Sunday the United States has invited them to join President Donald Trumps Board of Peace, a new body of world leaders meant to oversee next steps in Gaza that shows ambitions for a broader mandate in global affairs. Two countries, Hungary and Vietnam, said they have accepted.

A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the Trump-led board instead of a three-year appointment, which has no contribution requirement, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the charter, which hasnt been made public. The official said the money raised would go to rebuilding Gaza.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accepted an invitation to join the board, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told state radio on Sunday. Orban is one of Trumps most ardent supporters in Europe.

Vietnams Communist Party chief, To Lam, also has accepted, a foreign ministry statement said.

India has received an invitation, a senior government official with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the information hadnt been made public by authorities.

Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan also said Sunday they had received invitations. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have already said they were invited. It was not clear how many have been invited in all.

The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Those on the board will oversee next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 moves into its challenging second phase. It includes a new Palestinian committee in Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-battered territory.

In letters sent Friday to world leaders inviting them to be founding members, Trump said the Board of Peace would embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.

That could become a potential rival to the United Nations Security Council, the most powerful body of the global entity created in the wake of World War II. The 15-seat council has been blocked by U.S. vetoes from taking action to end the war in Gaza, while the U.N.s clout has been diminished by major funding cuts by the Trump administration and other donors.

Trumps invitation letters for the Board of Peace noted that the Security Council had endorsed the U.S. 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, which includes the boards creation. The letters were posted on social media by some invitees.

The White House last week also announced an executive committee of leaders who will carry out the Board of Peaces vision, but Israel on Saturday objected that the committee was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy, without details. The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office was rare criticism of its close ally in Washington.

Displaced Palestinians cook and warm themselves around a fire at a tent camp in Gaza City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) AP

The executive committees members include U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Trumps deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with an Israeli business owner, billionaire Yakir Gabay.

Members also include representatives of ceasefire monitors Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. Turkey has a strained relationship with Israel but good relations with Hamas and could play an important role in persuading the group to yield power in Gaza and disarm.

Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary and Rajesh Roy in New Delhi contributed to this report.

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
By Maggie Prosser, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

A chorus of nurses called Muthoni Nduthu to service one last time Saturday at her funeral.

Nurse Muthoni, please report to duty, the nurses repeatedly cried out, each time punctuated by a chime from a triangle. You faithfully served your profession with dignity, compassion, and integrity.  Your fellow nurses will take over from here.

Nduthu  who was killed when an explosion just before Christmas razed the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Lower Bucks County  was laid to rest Saturday, memorialized by family, friends from the tight-knit Kenyan community in the area, and a 50-person nurse honor guard as an exemplary healthcare professional, a doting and spirited mother, and a pillar of her community.

She was our anchor, our prayer warrior, and our safe place, the oldest of her three sons, Clinton Ndegwa, wrote in a tribute read by a relative. Though her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, her love remains rooted in us. We carry her faith, her strength and her lessons forward.

During the funeral service at St. Ephrem Catholic Church in Bensalem, where Nduthu, 52, was a longtime member, she was remembered for her warmth and natural humor; her perseverance as an immigrant who went back to school for nursing while working full-time; her quiet, but constant, sacrifices for her family; and her cooking.

The night before her Dec. 23 shift at the Bristol facility, formerly known as Silver Lake Nursing Home, Nduthu prepared spiced chicken for her husband and sons to share on Christmas. The next day, she was working when a blast flattened a section of the nursing home just after 2 p.m., trapping dozens, hurling debris, and rocking nearby homes. Resident Ann Reddy was also killed, and about 20 others were injured. Earlier this month, another resident, identified as Patricia Mero, succumbed to injuries.

PECO crews had responded to reports of gas odor hours before the explosion, and residents of the 174-bed nursing home told The Inquirer they had smelled gas in the days leading up to the disaster.

The nursing home; its operator, Saber Healthcare Group; PECO; and others are facing lawsuits from survivors and their loved ones who say the explosion was the result of negligence. NBC10 reported that Nduthus husband, David Ndegwa, has also filed a lawsuit.

The National Transportation Safety Board and a spokesperson for Saber said Friday that the investigation into what caused the explosion is ongoing.

Nduthu and her family emigrated from Kenya to the Philadelphia area more than two decades ago, David Ndegwa wrote in a tribute. Once stateside, Nduthu pursued a nursing degree, guided by her compassion and desire to serve others, her eulogy read. She believed deeply in the power of education and hard work, her sons said.

She touched many lives through her kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others, David Ndegwa wrote. Her legacy lives on in our sons, in the friendships she nurtured, and in the strong foundation of family she built.

2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By William Wachob

Gov. Josh Shapiro has built a national brand on three letters: GSDGet Stuff Done. Yet, three years into his term, Shapiro has failed to deliver for the very people who first put him in the national spotlight: the thousands of survivors of the Catholic Church clergy abuse scandal.

While Pennsylvania remains paralyzed, dozens of other statesfrom New York to Arkansashave already acted to provide survivors the compensation and justice they deserve.

Taking him at his word, its time he actually GSD, so to speak, for clergy abuse survivors in Pennsylvaniabefore he sets his sights on a bigger stage, perhaps even a presidential campaign.

To understand why, lets revisit how we got here.

Numerous articlesmost recently in The Atlantichave chronicled Gov. Shapiros ambition and his steady climb up the political ladder. At each rung, he has stepped over or pushed aside others in pursuit of higher office. At times, he has used sensitive and deeply emotional political issues as platforms to advance his career.

Some will say thats simply how politics works; others see it as naked ambition: take an issue, brand it as your own, show just enough progress to claim credit, and then move on. The outcomes often matter far less than the headlines.

When it comes to clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, that pattern is hard to ignore.

As attorney general, Shapiro conducted a Grand Jury that exposed decades of abuse inflicted on hundreds of Pennsylvanians. The investigation brought forward victims as well as members of the Catholic clergy. The Grand Jurys final report detailed horrific abuse by dozens of priests. At the time, Shapiro was rightfully seen as a hero in the survivor communitya champion who would finally deliver long-awaited justice.

That was 2018nearly seven years ago. Since 2002, 30 U.S. States and three Territories have revived previously expired Child Sexual Abuse Statue of Limitations laws. California has revived their law three times while survivors in Pennsylvania wait and hope. Hoping that Gov. Shapiro will once again emerge as their champion.

Even before the Grand Jury report, legislation allowing a retroactive window for survivors to file civil lawsuits despite expired statutes of limitations had seen mixed progress in Harrisburg. Several bills passed the House, and one even passed the Senate, but the effort collapsed in 2022 when the Department of State failed to issue required public notice. A decade of work, and the hopes of countless survivors, evaporated because of a bureaucratic failure in the final days of the Wolf administration.

Survivors regrouped, but momentum faded. The House again passed the window legislation, but the Senate refused even to bring it up for a vote. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church, insurance companies, and accused clergy faced no consequences, while survivors continued to wait for their day in court.

Hope returned in 2022 when Josh Shapiro was elected governor. If anyone could get the window passed, it was the man who had championed the issue from the beginning.

But heres what happened: the House once again passed the bill, and once again it stalled in the Senate. And rather than demand an up-or-down vote, Gov. Shapiro did littleif anythingto force the Senates hand. Survivors were told repeatedly that there was only so much the Governor can do.

Ive been around politics, politicians, and legislatures my entire adult life. I know that when a Governor wants something done, it usually gets doneespecially when all thats being asked for is a vote. Not a guarantee of passage. Just a vote. And especially when the governor built his reputation, in part, on investigating the very abuse this legislation seeks to address.

So, when a governor who prides himself on Getting Stuff Done allows this issue to languish year after year, it becomes impossible to ignore the question: Why the indifference? What changed? How does the man who once stood as the champion for survivors now refuse to use his influence to move the bill out of limbo?

The Catholic Church hasnt changed. The insurance lobby hasnt changed. The Senates opponents havent changed.

The only thing that seems to have changed is Gov. Shapiro.

So, Governor: before you embark on a presidential campaign, survivors of clergy sexual abuse believe it is long past time for you to finish the work you started years ago. It is time for you to Get Stuff Done for the people who trusted you, supported you, and stood with you for more than seven years.

All it takes is forcing a simple vote.

Finish what you started Gov. Shapirothen you will have earned the reputation you so proudly claim.

William Wachob represented Elk and Clearfield Counties in the Pennsylvania House from 1978-1984.
Bernie Sanders slams immoral and unsustainable wealth inequality while calling to end oligarchy. Since the start of the 21st century, this groups wealth has expanded nine times, aided by Donald Trumps 2017 tax cuts followed by his 2025 tax cuts that mostly benefit the rich. While Trump/Republican cuts to ACA subsidies and Medicare $500 billion and Medicaid one trillion will result in about 16 million hard-working citizens losing their healthcare according to the CBO. President Joe Biden warned on his way out the door, saying there is a growing oligarchy that threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.

Wealthier households gain the most under Trumps new rules due to the expanded deductions like the $40,000 cap on state and local tax write-offs. Business owners, investors, and high-income earners benefit from preferential tax treatment on investment income and mortgage interest.

Thomas Jefferson believed that when government falls into the hands of rich and wealthy corporations as our government has, it will lead to an elective despotism, where the interests of the rich overshadow those of the common people as we are now shockingly experiencing today.

Warning: The stakes are nothing less than the future of American democracy. If we the people fail to rise to this challenge, MAGA Republicans wont just win the next election; theyll win the power to define who counts as an American, whose stories matter, and who has the right to belong in America.

Dr. Richard A. French, Glendale, Calif.
Weve all seen the politicians social media posts  photos of them decked out in camouflage, clutching rifles, hoping to win favor with hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. But what happens when those same sportsmen in suits vote against hunters rights simply because the bill came from the other party?

Case in point: State Reps. Jamie Walsh, R-117, and Alec Ryncavage, R-119. Despite their carefully curated pro-hunting images, both voted against HB 1431 (Act 36)  the law that finally lifted Pennsylvanias outdated ban on Sunday hunting.

For decades, Pennsylvania hunters were largely barred from enjoying their sport on Sundays, except for crows, coyotes, and foxes. HB 1431 changes that, giving the Pennsylvania Game Commission authority to permit Sunday hunting for most species, including on private land with owner consent. Its a commonsense reform that expands opportunity while respecting property rights.

Given their hunters rights rhetoric, Walsh and Ryncavages no votes stand in stark contrast to their public personas. Their opposition cant be brushed aside as mere political theater  its a vote against the very freedom they claim to champion.

Hunters and outdoorsmen deserve representation that values principle over partisanship. The right to responsibly enjoy our states natural resources shouldnt depend on which side of the aisle proposes the bill.

Scott Cannon, Plymouth, Pa.
By STEFANIE DAZIO, JOHN LEICESTER and LORNE COOK, The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP)  The eight European countries targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 10% tariff for opposing American control of Greenlandblasted the move Sunday, warning that the American leaders threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

In an unusual and very strong joint statement coming from major U.S. allies, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland on Sunday said troops sent to Greenland for the Danish military training exercise Arctic Endurance pose no threat to anyone.

Trumps Saturday announcement sets up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. The Republican president appeared to indicate that he was using the tariffs as leverage to force talks over the status of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he regards as critical to U.S. national security.

We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, the group said. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

There are immediate questions about how the White House could try to implement the tariffs because the EU is a single economic zone in terms of trading. It was unclear, too, how Trump could act under U.S. law, though he could cite emergency economic powers that are currently subject to a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said China and Russia will benefit from the divisions between the U.S. and Europe. She added in a post on social media: If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

Trumps move was also panned domestically.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot and Democrat who represents Arizona, posted that Trumps threatened tariffs on U.S. allies would make Americans pay more to try to get territory we dont need.

Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in, he wrote on social media. The damage this President is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesnt change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction.

These tariffs will hurt us

Six of the countries targeted are part of the 27-member EU, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trading. It was not immediately clear if Trumps tariffs would impact the entire bloc. EU envoys scheduled emergency talks for Sunday evening to determine a potential response.

The tariff announcement even drew blowback from Trumps populist allies in Europe.

Italys right-wing premier, Giorgia Meloni, considered one of Trumps closest allies on the continent, said Sunday she had spoken to him about the tariffs, which she described as a mistake.

The deployment to Greenland of small numbers of troops by some European countries was misunderstood by Washington, Meloni told reporters. She said the deployment was not a move against the U.S. but aimed to provide security against other actors that she didnt name.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that no intimidation or threats will influence us, whether in Ukraine, Greenland or anywhere else in the world when we are faced with such situations. He added that tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.

Jordan Bardella, president of Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party in France and also a European Parliament lawmaker, posted that the EU should suspend last years tariff deal with the U.S., describing Trumps threats as commercial blackmail.

Trump also achieved the rare feat of uniting Britains main political parties  including the hard-right Reform UK party  all of whom criticized the tariff threat.

A crowd walks to the US consulate to protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) AP

We dont always agree with the U.S. government and in this case we certainly dont. These tariffs will hurt us, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a longtime champion and ally of Trump, wrote on social media. He stopped short of criticizing Trumps designs on Greenland.

Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who leads the center-left Labour Party, said the tariffs announcement was completely wrong and his government would be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration.

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Norway are also expected to address the crisis Sunday in Oslo during a news conference.

Leicester reported from Paris and Cook from Brussels. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, Aamer Madhani in Washington and Josh Boak in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report.
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'Granny' Enters First Poker Tournament and Runs Deep After Favorite Slots Removed

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

A casino removed an 88-year-old woman's favorite slot machines, so she decided to enter a $1 million guaranteed poker tournament instead, where she went on to nearly win the thing.

Linda Hammons, who'd never played in a poker tournament, entered the $500 Mystery Bounty event at The Beau Rivage Heater, a Gulf Coast Poker Tour (GPT) series in Biloxi, Mississippi.

She more than held her own in the no-limit hold'em tournament, finishing in 14th place out of 2,628 entrants for a $10,100 payday ($8,400 from the main prize pool and $1,700 in bounties). Call it beginner's luck if you must, but poker players in attendance were so impressed with the deep run that local media picked up on the story.

'I Showed Them'

Hammons built up quite the rail inside the Beau Rivage as she approached the final table. Her deep run ended when Harold Evans, who had QQ in the small blind, put her all in preflop and she called with K9 from the big blind.

"Good luck, granny," a player at the table said just before the dealer revealed the flop.

The flop came out 5J2, minimal help for the inexperienced poker player. She'd pick up two extra outs when the 10 on the turn gave her a gutshot straight draw. But the 2 on the river was a blank, and the improbable run was over. The crowd gave her a rousing ovation upon exiting the tournament. Evans would later bust in seventh place for $16,335.

Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Randall Chase Cummins $115,136 2 Michael Lech $115,135 3 Jonathan Park $55,480 4 Brian Wardrup $41,616 5 James Tian $29,383 6 Charles Leroi $20,413 7 Harold Evans $16,335 8 Ethan Figueroa $13,074 9 Michael Corbin $10,627

Hammons, following her elimination, spoke with the Biloxi Sun Herald, a local news outlet, to dicuss her performance. She explained to the reporter that she went to the slot machines "that I always play," but discovered they had been removed.

"So I just wandered up here," Hammons said about how she entered the poker tournament.

Hammons jokingly said, "I showed them," referring to her opponents in the tournament. The 14th-place finisher said she can't shuffle chips, but she gave it a try so as to fit in with the other players in the tournament.

"I think my fingernails get in the way. I'm not giving up my fingernails," she explained.

Randall Chase Cummins and World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Michael Lech would go on to chop the tournament evenly ($115,136 a piece), with Cummins being crowned champion.

*Image courtesy of Gulf Coast Poker.

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A misclick helped settle the overwhelming chip leader going into the final table of the 888 888poker Live Madrid Main Event.

Sergio Garcia had built his stack up close to 3,000,000 with 12 players left and seemingly had a spot at the final table locked up when he was in the small blind and saw Mario Ramirez put in 125,000 in the cutoff. Garcia shoved to put Ramirez to a decision for his last few chips.

What Garcia didnt notice, however, was that fellow big stack Daniel Wu had been the one to raise first from under the gun. Wu snap-called for 2,300,000, and Garcia immediately knew the calamity that had befallen him. Wu turned over two aces and beat Garcias fives to earn the massive double up that put him atop the leaderboard with 4,445,000.

Final Table chip counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Daniel Wu China 4,445,000 74 2 Gorka Akerreta Spain 3,660,000 61 3 Martin Pardo Argentina 2,550,000 43 4 Julien Loire France 2,505,000 42 5 Raul Gordo Spain 1,460,000 24 6 Turlough McHugh Ireland 1,000,000 17 7 Jorge Diego Spain 790,000 13 8 Jake Collins United Kingdom 750,000 13 9 Nima Jenabi Spain 485,000 8

Wu is followed on the final table lineup by Gorka Akerreta (3,660,000), Martin Pardo (2,550,000), and Julien Loire, who scored a double knockout of both Ramirez and Garcia to end the night with 2,505,000. Raul Gordo (1,460,000), Turlough McHugh (1,000,000), Jorge Diego (790,000), Jake Collins (750,000), and Nima Jenabi (485,000) round out the final nine who will return to battle for the trophy tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time.

Day 2 began with 111 players remaining from the first three starting flights, but the turbo Day 1d flight earlier in the afternoon and late arrivals for the first level brought the total field up to 360 by the time late registration closed. Ian Simpsons title defense ended early, while Aaron Barone soon followed to join fellow team member Nick Eastwood in the commentary booth.

Rafi Elharar, Khossein Kokhestani, Claudio Di Giacomo, Javier Zarco, and last years 888poker Live Barcelona champion Pau Veciana were also among those to miss the money. Only the top 47 players would secure a payday, and Santi Crous was eliminated on the bubble when Akerreta spiked a set of eights on the turn to beat his flopped two pair.

Popular YouTuber Inaki Angulo (45th), Vivian Saliba (42nd), start-of-day chip leader Fernando Santa Maria (37th), and David Algarra (35th) were then sent to the payout desk. Lucia Navarro lost two pots with jacks when her opponents found an ace, the last to Jorge Diego to leave her with one big blind. She fell in 23rd place on the next hand.

Adrian Garcia, the 2023 champion, was eliminated in 19th place, while 2022 champion Abel Aspas got in his last 500,000 with ace-jack but ran into Akerretas flopped Broadway straight to bust in 16th.

Wu shoved the turn in a pot against Mario Diaz, who called for his last 700,000 with top pair. Wu had a straight draw, and completed his draw on the river to win the pot and bust Diaz in 14th place. He then took full advantage of Garcias mistake to rocket into the chip lead.

Borja Diaz finished fourth in this event in 2024 but had to settle for 12th this time when his sixes lost a race to Pardo. Loire then had both Ramirez and Garcia all in and spiked a pair of nines on the river to score the double knockout and set the final table lineup.

Final Table payouts

Place Prize 1 50,000 2 36,000 3 25,000 4 19,300 5 15,800 6 13,000 7 10,300 8 7,900 9 5,900

The action at the final table picks up with 13 minutes remaining in Level 24 with blinds of 30,000/60,000 and a 60,000 big blind ante. Levels will be extended to 60 minutes on the events final day. Each finalist has already locked up 5,900 for making it this far, but theyll all be battling for the 50,000 top prize and prestigious 888poker Live trophy tomorrow.

All the action will be streamed on 888pokers official YouTube and Twitch channels. PokerNews will also be following the action and providing updates, so come back tomorrow for the conclusion of another thrilling festival here at the Casino Gran Via.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A few passing clouds. Cold. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Cold. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
Aiken Standard reporter

Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry.

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John McDermott has been the business editor of The Post and Courier since 2006. He's written about all facets of the South Carolina economy, served in the U.S. Air Force and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii-Manoa journalism program.
Jason Ryan is a senior enterprise reporter covering the Lowcountry and South Carolina. He has reported for three South Carolina newspapers and has written several history and true crime books about the Palmetto State and Hawaii.
David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter and personal finance columnist. Over more than three decades he's worked for multiple newspapers and magazines, and his reporting has been honored with more than 50 state, regional and national journalism awards. David reports on the impacts of South Carolina's rapid population growth and development. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 17, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Alexandria and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 27, 2025, Alexandria reported below-expectation financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2025 and, in particular, cut its full-year 2025 funds from operations, or FFO, guidance. The Company attributed the setback to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and, most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property.On this news, Alexandria's stock price fell $14.93 per share, or 19.17%, to close at $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 17, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against agilon health, inc. ("Agilon" or the "Company") (NYSE:AGL). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Agilon and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until March 2, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Agilon securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On August 4, 2025, Agilon issued a press release reporting that Steven Sell "has stepped down as President, CEO, and a Director of the Board." That same day, Agilon issued another press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Commenting on the results, Agilon's Executive Chair stated that "as we progressed through this transition year, it's become clear that the industry headwinds are more acute than previously expected[.]" Further, the release announced that the Company was "suspending its previously issued full-year 2025 financial guidance and related assumptions." On this news, Agilon's stock price fell $0.94 per share, or 51.52%, to close at $0.88 per share on August 5, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
Qatar Airways said its aircraft operating the LagosDoha route returned safely to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after the flight crew detected a technical issue while the plane was airborne on Friday.

The airline said the aircraft, flight QR1406, was turned back as a precautionary measure in line with international aviation safety procedures and landed without incident.

The plane was carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the incident.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Qatar Airways confirmed that all passengers disembarked safely on arrival and were attended to by ground staff.

The airline added that affected passengers were rebooked on the next available flights, while others were provided accommodation and assistance to complete their journeys.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), emergency response teams were immediately deployed from the agencys command and control centre in Ikeja after receiving distress alerts.

The agency said responders were placed on high alert along the runway to ensure a safe and coordinated operation.

It added that the response involved multiple agencies, including LASEMA emergency teams, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

LASEMA further said that after safety checks were carried out by the flight crew and engineering personnel, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and technical assessment.

All passengers were evacuated safely. No injuries or loss of lives were recorded, the agency said.

The incident also drew a response from Nigerias aviation regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which dismissed claims suggesting the aircraft narrowly avoided a crash.

Reacting to reports circulating on social media, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, described the claims as misleading.

Escaped death? For an air return due to technical issues that landed normally and safely without incident? he wrote on his official X page.

There was no incursion or excursion. No crash landing, Mr Achimugu added.

He further explained that most of the affected passengers continued their journeys shortly after the aircraft returned, while a small number were accommodated in hotels and rebooked on alternative flights.

Qatar Airways reiterated that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.
Veteran actress and pastor Eucharia Anunobi has announced that she has initiated legal action against Apostle Psalm Okpe, founder of the US-based Fresh Oil Ministry International Church, over an audio recording in which the cleric allegedly claimed to have had an amorous relationship with her.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a recorded phone conversation between Mr Okpe and Pastor Martin surfaced online, in which the cleric alleged that he dated and had carnal knowledge of Anunobi for more than five years.

Responding to the claim in a series of videos posted on her Instagram page on Sunday, the 60-year-old actress described Mr Okpes statements as false, defamatory and damaging to her reputation.

Redress

She said: I am not going to allow that to be swept under the carpet because that malicious, vile statement has left me in emotional trauma. And it is also a testament to his threats over the years to destroy my ministry. So I have instituted legal action so that he can come and prove that he dated me for 5 years and 6 months.

My lawyers have been instructed to start the process of writing a petition to the Nigerian police force, the U.S. Security and Immigration Department, against Psalm Okpe, for defamatory accusations, bothering on issues that I do not know, defamatory accusations that is out to tarnish my integrity, my reputation as a renowned actress and a preacher of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Anunobi further stated that her life and ministry are under attack, warning that Mr Okpe should be held accountable for any harm that may come to her.

If anything happens to me, my material possessions, acquisitions and family members here in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, as in physical injury, harm or death, Apostle Psalm Okpe, founder of Fresh Oil Ministry, Egbeda, Lagos, Nigeria and his entire family should be held responsible.

I am ready to be taken for medical examination to ascertain if I have been having sex in almost 14 years (almost fourteen years), if there is anything like that, since I have been ordained (midwifed into Ministry), she noted.

High class

Additionally, Anunobi insisted that Mr Okpe could never have dated her, noting that she is of a higher standing than the cleric.

She added that any notion of him dating her existed only in his dreams.

Psalm Okpe, you claimed that you dated me for five years, six months. You claimed you had sex with me for five years, six months. Do you know what it means to date? You couldnt date me. You wish you could date me. How could you date me? You beggarly, miserable street urchin. I was giving you money to support your ministry because I am sold out to the things of the kingdom.

So how could I date you? How could you date me? You cant afford me. I am a higher class. The records are there. The bank records are there. Oh, you have suddenly forgotten. Oh, you wish you could date me. Hallucinating monster. You wish in your dreams, said the actress.

Celibacy

Furthermore, she revealed that no man has been intimate with her since she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ fourteen years ago.

Anunobi added that, although she has been courted and engaged multiple times, none of the men can claim to have had sexual relations with her.

She noted, Psalm Okpe, not only are you vile, you are malicious, wicked and mean. Everything evil, its your name. And through the recent trending video, you have shown your anger, jealousy and bitterness towards me. That being said, I want to state here categorically that in almost 14 years since I have been midwived into ministry, I have been celibate and have been keeping myself for the man that will be deserving of my new virginity.

That is not to say that I have not been in courtship or not been engaged. I have been engaged all this while severally. I have been in courtship all this time. But none of these men can come out and say they have had penile penetration with me. None of them can say they have had sex with me.

Transactional ministry

Anunobi also acknowledged that Mr Okpe ordained her and guided her entry into ministry.

However, she said she eventually left after witnessing what she described as evil and demonic activities.

Serving as an associate pastor under his ministry, as time went by, I began to see a lot of evil and demonic things and especially his continuous engagement in transactional ministry.

These things left me very uncomfortable, and I felt that it was a toxic environment, and I knew it was not going to be good for me as a righteousness preacher. In late 2015, I went to him, and I said I wanted to be released.

He said no, he was not going to release me yet, that he had not made up his mind. While I was still in the ministry, I used to hear a lot of people saying to me that they heard the Apostle Okpe threatening that he midwifed me into ministry, he ordained me into ministry, that he was going to destroy my ministry, said Anunobi.

She further revealed that after leaving Mr Okpes ministry, he continued to mislead people into believing she was still affiliated with him.

She emphasised that no attempt to undermine her would succeed.

Anunobi noted that she had witnessed numerous efforts on social media aimed at tarnishing her name, ministry, and everything she stands for and worked tirelessly to build.

After I had left, people would call me or send me messages via the internet asking about my whereabouts, still asking whether I am still in his ministry, and I would tell them no, I had left years ago. They said, but we went there now, and we asked him where you are, and he told them that I just travelled for my acting work. I said, but I left two years ago, or I left three years ago.

They said, Are you serious? I said, Yes, I have left a long time ago. So he kept lying to people that I was still in his ministry, even though I had left years ago. So this authenticates the fact that he is embittered and jealous of me and truly meant to harm me as he had been saying behind my back.

Backstory

This newspaper previously reported that the actress shared screenshots on her Instagram page of blog reports claiming that Mr Okpe had apologised for his comments.

During a TikTok Live session with her followers, she described the preacher as a monumental global embarrassment.

God has made the man who tried to tarnish my image a monumental global shame. He has confessed. And may the thunder of God fire everyone of you who have been writing negatively, she said.
When Umo Eno, as a governorship candidate, crisscrossed Akwa Ibom State, soliciting for votes, he vowed to entrench transparency if elected. At town halls, campaign events, and meetings with professional groups, he repeatedly spoke about accountability, openness, and responsible governance. In his manifesto, the ARISE Agenda, he pledged to promote accountability and transparency by ensuring compliance with Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement Acts.

However, more than two years into his administration, a detailed review of budget documents, official timelines, legal provisions, civil society reports, and responses from government officials reveals a widening gap between that promise and practice.

Instead of deepening fiscal openness, evidence suggests that Governor Eno is adopting government secrecy, repeatedly breaching Akwa Iboms fiscal responsibility law, and dismantling reforms that once made the state a reference point for subnational transparency in Nigeria.

What the law demands

Akwa Iboms fiscal responsibility law, codified as Volume III, Cap 56 of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022, is clear on what the government should do to be fiscally transparent. Section 47(1) mandates the state to conduct its fiscal and financial affairs in a transparent manner and to ensure full and timely disclosure and wide publication of all transactions and decisions involving public revenues and expenditure and their implications for the economy.

Section 47(2) requires all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including local governments, to maintain functional online portals for publishing critical fiscal documents. These include proposed and approved budgets, budget implementation reports, individual MDA performance reports, and audited financial statements. The states own Standard Budget Calendar complements this by setting clear deadlines for making each document public.

Eno inherited foundation of fiscal openness

Governor Eno did not inherit a blank slate on fiscal openness. His predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, had come under pressure following the 2018 World Bank-supported State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) assessment, which ranked Akwa Ibom among 11 states that performed poorly on fiscal transparency.

Rather than resist scrutiny, Mr Emmanuels administration embraced reforms. The state made fiscal laws that institutionalised fiscal responsibility and began publishing proposed budgets before legislative approval to allow public input, approved and supplementary budgets, detailed quarterly Budget Implementation Reports (BPRs), debt management reports, audited financial statements and citizens budgets. These efforts paid off. By 2020, Akwa Ibom ranked first in the South-South region and fifth nationally on the Budget Transparency Index. In 2022, Akwa Ibom State advanced to the top of the countrys fiscal transparency rankings.

Aware of these strides, Mr Eno, in the opening words of the ARISE Agenda, promised continuity. I believe in building upon the legacies of past administrations for faster and sustained development, he declared.

Promising start, then a turn

The early months of the Eno administration appeared to align with that pledge. In September 2023, barely four months in office, the governor presented a supplementary budget, which was passed into law and published on the state government budget website.

However, the gesture did not last.

In November 2023, Policy Alert, a civil society organisation focused on fiscal justice, reviewed the supplementary budget and raised red flags.

The group reported that five projects already completed and inaugurated by the previous administration were reallocated multi-billion naira in the new budget. It also criticised what it described as disproportionate votes on furniture for lawmakers and the approval for the purchase of 180 SUVs and pickup trucks, despite generous allocations for similar items in the original budget.

Mr Eno dismissed the concerns as frivolous.

This government will not be responding to frivolous allegations. I wont be distracted, he said, adding that Akwa Ibom people would judge his administration at the end of its tenure.

Behind the scenes, however, multiple sources in the ministries of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning told PREMIUM TIMES that the scrutiny triggered a decisive shift.

According to them, the governor directed that proposed budgets should no longer be published until after legislative approval, effectively shutting out civil society and the media from questioning budget priorities before they become law.

Architecture of secrecy

The effects of that alleged directive are now visible. Unlike previous years when proposed budgets were uploaded immediately after presentation to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, the 2024 proposed budget was not published until late January, weeks after it had already been passed into law. The same pattern was repeated with the 2024 supplementary budget, the 2025 proposed budget and the 2025 proposed supplementary budget. None of these documents can be found on the states official budget portal.

The 2025 Approved Supplementary Budget signed by Mr Eno on 8 October 2025 was only published 12 days before the end of the fiscal year, on 19 December 2025, a day after PREMIUM TIMES enquiry about the absence of the document.

In contrast, checks show that between 2020 and 2022, when fiscal reforms gained traction, such documents were available online and before approvals.

Even more worrisome, the 2026 proposed budget was published in mid-January 2026, after legislative engagement that culminated in the budgets approval had ended in 2025.

Without access to the document, citizens were excluded from providing informed input, a concern publicly raised by Policy Alert and the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress during a public hearing on the budget, organised by the Akwa Ibom assembly.

Using the 2024 citizens budget to test the waters

One of the flagship reforms under SFTAS was the Citizens Budget, a simplified version of the budget meant to help ordinary people understand how public funds are raised and spent.

Akwa Iboms Standard Budget Calendar requires it to be published at least by March each year. Under Governor Eno, compliance faltered.

Instead of a comprehensive document like the 61-page 2023 Citizens Budget published by the previous administration, Mr Enos administration released a single-page document titled 2024 Citizens Budget. The document omitted basic explanations expected of a publication of this kind. Worse still, it missed the 31 March deadline. Analysis using the Wayback Machine shows it was uploaded on 14 May 2024, 44 days late.

Despite a 29 May 2024 report by TheMail, a newspaper in Akwa Ibom, drawing attention to the breach, the government never released a complete version. While a more comprehensive Citizens Budget was published in 2025, the 2024 episode raised concerns.

Breaking the law, standard on budget timelines

The fiscal responsibility law also governs when budgets should be presented. Section 21 stipulates that the State Executive Council must approve and submit the proposed annual budget to the House of Assembly not later than the end of October, allowing at least two months for scrutiny and public engagement.

Mr Eno has never complied with this provision for the three times he has presented a budget to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The 2024 budget was presented on 21 November 2023; the 2025 budget on 26 November 2024; and the 2026 appropriation bill on 25 November 2025.

By comparison, from 2019 to 2022, the Akwa Ibom State Government largely adhered to the deadline, missing it only once by seven days in 2023. An analysis of the 2020 through 2023 proposed budget presentations shows that the 2020 appropriation bill was presented on 8 October 2019, the 2021 appropriation bill on 20 October 2020, the 2022 appropriation bill on 25 October 2021, and the 2023 appropriation bill on 7 November 2022.

Arbitrariness appears to have become ingrained in almost the entire budget process.

The Standard Budget Calendar of Akwa Ibom State stipulates that December is the deadline for the state assembly to review, pass, and present the following years budget for the governors assent. The calendar also keeps December as the end date for the governor to assent to the budget passed by the assembly.

Despite this being adhered to in past years, the 2026 budget has been different, with the calendar disregarded.

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly passed the budget into law on 1 January 2026, while Governor Eno assented to it on 5 January 2026.

Contrary to the Budget Calendar, which sets December as the deadline for publishing the approved budget online, the 2026 approved budget has yet to be published as of mid-January 2026, when PREMIUM TIMES checked the state governments websites.

Other fiscal documents not published

Beyond the proposed and supplementary budgets, other fiscal documents have disappeared from the Akwa Ibom State Governments web portals.

For instance, the Domestic Debts report of the state, a quarterly report that details the amount of money the state owes to its lenders, lists the last publication quarter as the Second Quarter of 2023, which falls within the administration of Mr Enos predecessor, Mr Emmanuel.

Another fiscal document that is no longer published on the government web portal is the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Board Annual Report. This report usually presents the years State Public Finance Management (PFM) assessment findings, which assessed the States PFM regulatory framework, institutions, processes, systems and capabilities under 64 indicators structured under seven pillars  budgeting, planning, administration and execution, budget transparency, public procurement, internal audit and financial reporting, domestic resource mobilisation, auditing and debt management.

The last publication of this report was in 2023. The 2024 Report of the Auditor General for Local Governments on the accounts of the 31 local governments of Akwa Ibom State has not been published on the governments web portal.

Budget performance reports: transparency shoved

Quarterly Budget Performance Reports (BPRs) are central to fiscal accountability. They allow citizens to track revenue and spending across sectors and highlight what they consider to be deviations. Mr Enos administration continued publishing detailed BPRs until 2025.

Now, instead of the comprehensive reports previously issued, which sometimes exceeded 46 pages and broke down revenue and expenditure by administrative, economic, functional, and programme classifications, the government began publishing three-page summaries that merely aggregate figures for Q1, Q2, and Q3 of 2025.

The implications are profound. Without disaggregated data, citizens cannot see how much each ministry generates internally, how revenues flow from sources such as statutory allocation, VAT, derivation funds or taxes, or how spending priorities tilt between social sectors like health and education and administrative centres of power.

When questioned at a press briefing, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Linus Nkan, defended the abridged reports. We publish what is important and leave out what is not, he said. For me, that information is enough.

He added, That you paid Mr A and failed to pay Mr B, for me, that information is not important. In the course of the year, there may be little posting errors, and at the end of the year, the auditors will do their work, where there was wrong classification, posting or coding, that will be corrected.

At the end of the year, after our account has been audited by the Auditor General of the State and approved by the House of Assembly, the full publication will be made public. But for this report, we see that it is adequate.

Findings by PREMIUM TIMES also revealed that the 2023 and 2024 Audited Financial Statements of Akwa Ibom State published under Mr Enos administration do not include capital expenditures, such as expenditures on projects and programmes.

However, this pattern can be traced to Mr Emmanuels administration. The Audited Financial Statements published on the state government budget websites do not contain those details.

Civil society pushback

On 29 July 2025, a coalition of 21 civil society organisations, including Policy Alert, Peace Point Development Foundation, Clement Isong Foundation and STEPS, issued a joint statement warning that Akwa Iboms opaque reporting constituted a clear breach of the states fiscal responsibility law.

They called on the government to withdraw the Q2 2025 BPR and publish a comprehensive version, release historical reports with omitted details, and fully comply with transparency and procurement laws.

National data backs their concern. Analysis of BPRs across Nigeria shows that Akwa Ibom is the only state with an approved 2025 budget that failed to publish detailed BPRs for three consecutive quarters. Every other state has reports of at least 12 pages. Rivers State is the sole exception, but it currently has no approved budget due to a political crisis.

Analysis of the BPRs of the states in Nigeria are highlighted as following: Abia -66 pages, Adamawa 77 pages, Anambra -112 pages, Bauchi 96 pages, Bayelsa 56 pages, Benue 66 pages, Borno 64 pages, Cross River 121 pages, Delta-156 pages, Ebonyi State- 67 pages, Edo 65 pages, Ekiti-108 pages, Enugu-63 pages, Gombe 77 pages, Imo-57 pages, Jigawa-89 Pages, Kaduna-54 pages, Kano-55 pages, Katsina 56 pages, Kebbi 110 pages, Kogi-83 Pages, Kwara 59 pages, Lagos-73 pages, Nasarawa 77 pages, Niger-63 pages, Ogun-12 pages, Ondo -88 pages, Osun- 87 pages, Oyo 56 Pages, Plateau-105 pages, Sokoto-84 pages, Taraba 85 pages, Yobe-62 pages, Zamfara- 66 pages.

Some states, such as Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Plateau, and Sokoto, have gone further to provide detailed reports on capital expenditures for all projects and programmes across the MDAs.

FOI requests ignored

Beyond proactive disclosure, the law guarantees the right to request information.

On 1 December 2025, this reporter submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Commissioners for Finance and for Budget and Economic Planning in Akwa Ibom, seeking the 2025 revised budget, proposed supplementary budget and detailed BPRs. The requests were acknowledged, but none were granted.

The fiscal responsibility law says failure to respond to a request such as this is an offence. Specifically, section 51 of the law states, Any person who refuses to give information to another upon a request made in the performance of a function imposed by this Law commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a term of confinement of not less than three months or a fine of not less than one hundred thousand naira or to both.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Finance, Emem Bob, directed our reporter to the budget ministry, despite his ministrys mandate explicitly including transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

Recently, everything concerning the budget has been moved to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. So, contact the commissioner. He has a full team that will provide fiscal updates, Mr Bob told our reporter.

When reminded that his ministry oversees finance-related matters, he responded that journalists who needed anything from him must submit a written request.

This reporter reminded Mr Bob of an FOI request sent to his office on 1 December 2025. He said he would request it from his office staff and that he would respond accordingly. Despite the assurance, the commissioner did not respond to the FO1 request at the time this report was filed.

The budget commissioner, Mr Nkan, meanwhile, rebuffed our reporter on the matter. Find out who you should make the enquiries to, he said to our reporter on the phone before ending the call abruptly. He did not respond to further calls.

Weak oversight, mounting risks

Akwa Ibom has had a revenue windfall in the last two years. Yet many residents have questioned where the money has gone, when compared with the development projects in the state.

Financial records in the last two years show that the state has received about double what the past administration received in the past four years, between 2019 and 2022. Yet Mr Enos administration arguably has little to show for it.

Analysis of the State Audited Financial Statements and its Budget Performance Report shows that between July 2023 and September 2025, Mr Enos administration received N2.227 trillion (July to December 2023  N240.46billion), (2024  N1.09trillion, January -September 2025  N897.14billion minus opening balance). Comparatively, former Governor Emmanuel, in his second term, received a total of N1.18 trillion. (N192.06bn in 2019, N203.55bn in 2020, N340.36bn in 2021 and N444.29bn in 2024).

Regulators Speak

The states Fiscal Responsibility Board was established to enforce compliance with fiscal transparency. Its Director General, Victor Edet, said he was unaware that the 2024 boards annual report was not published online. He, however, argued that the law does not specify how detailed BPRs should be. He expressed hope that the gaps would be corrected following legislative intervention.

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has promised to investigate gaps in the BPRs. The Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Itoro Etim, said the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning had submitted comprehensive Budget Performance Reports for appraisal. However, she said the committee would check again what had been published and, if found incomplete, would engage with the relevant authorities to publish them immediately.

On what the assembly has done to curb the new practice of the Akwa Ibom State Government not publishing the proposed budget and supplementary budgets, Ms Etim said the committee would investigate and get back to the reporter.

Decline in transparency will erode accountability  Expert

BudgIT Foundation, a civil society organisation that facilitates budget reforms at the national and sub-national levels in West Africa, says the decline in fiscal transparency in Mr Enos administration points to a growing sense of impunity, and that it will lead to a complete absence of accountability in the management of resources in Akwa Ibom.

Speaking through its Deputy Country Director, Vahyala Kwaga, BudgIT said the administration can only do what it puts out. Hence, its refusal to publish timely, regular and comprehensive fiscal documents suggests that the administration is not ready to be accountable.

The clear departure from fiscal transparency potentiates institutionalisation of opacity from the regular and comprehensive reporting. Comprehensiveness, regularity and availability are the bare minimum of any government, he said.

Mr Kwaga noted that, beyond accountability, the governments failure to be transparent in its fiscal affairs will affect investment in the state.

This has negative implications for investment. Investors who want to invest in Akwa Ibom will now think twice. They will wonder if the government is secretive with its revenue and expenditures. That is the same way it will be secretive when their money is invested. Despite some gains the state may have recorded now, that could be doubled or tripled if the state is open regarding its finances.

He called on the Akwa Ibom Assembly to be proactive on the matter, as civil society groups are.

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly should do the same. It is actually their responsibility. That is why they exist. They are meant to serve as a check on the Executive. Unfortunately, far too often in Nigeria, the state assembly is an appendage of the executive.

Akwa Ibom yet to join Open Government Partnership

Despite its claims to be an open state, the Akwa Ibom State Government is among the nine states in Nigeria that have yet to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

So far, 27 states and five local government areas (AMAC in FCT, Gwagwalada in FCT, Kwali in FCT, Anambra East in Anambra State, and Abaji in FCT) have joined.

The OGP, joined by Nigeria in 2016, is a voluntary multilateral, multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to foster collaboration between government and civil society. It aims to create and implement reforms to improve public service delivery and, more broadly, governance through transparency, accountability, and civic participation and inclusion.

Akwa Ibom opacity on fiscal documents exposes broader pattern

On 31 July 2025, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development launched the 2024 Openness Index Report, which named Akwa Ibom among 16 states in Nigeria that suppress administrative transparency and access to information.

The report said that Akwa Ibom is among the states yet to domesticate the FOI Act or create similar mechanisms that serve to promote transparency and accountability in government.

The index, which drew responses from over 1,100 professionals, including journalists, editors, newsroom managers, and civil society actors, categorised Akwa Ibom among states that do not proactively publish budgets, contracts, or policy documents.

The report said these states often ignore or delay FOI requests, and that public information offices are underresourced or politicised.

This lack of transparency limits citizens ability to engage meaningfully with governance, and it erodes trust, the report stated.

The Openness Index also examined seven diagnostic factors that, together, paint a comprehensive picture of openness: legal protections, institutional guarantees, journalist safety, media diversity, internet freedom, civic engagement, and government transparency.

The report shows that Akwa Ibom ranked 12th least open state in Nigeria, with a score of 47.81, below the national average of 50.51 per cent. States like Cross River, Ondo, Delta, Katsina, and Ekiti emerged as the five most open states in Nigeria.
Nigerias opposition politics appears to be facing its most severe test since the countrys return to civil rule in 1999.

As defections sweep through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubus political dominance is no longer measured solely by electoral victories but by the steady erosion of organised resistance at the subnational level.

The APC has endorsed the president for reelection ahead of its presidential convention.

With at least six PDP governors already defecting to the APC and strong indications that Kano Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP may follow suit, the list of governors outside the ruling party has narrowed significantly.

The defectors are Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba).

The development in the polity is not only clearing the way for Mr Tinubus second term but also raising fears in some quarters that the country may become a one-party state.

Ifeanyi Odili, national President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), agrees. He told PREMIUM TIMES that the concern about Nigeria sliding towards a one-party state is quite real, given the scale and speed of defections.

With several governors joining the APC, the party now controls about 28 out of 36 states, leaving four for PDP, one for APGA, one for NNPP, and one for Accord. Abujas status is uncertain with (FCT Minister Nyesom) Wikes influence, Mr Odili said.

This trend has sparked fears that Nigerias democracy is being undermined, as a weak opposition can lead to a lack of accountability and checks on the ruling party.

However, outside the shrinking pool of opposition governors, attempts are emerging to rebuild resistance through inter-party coalition-building rather than through state-level power.

Central to this effort is the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has increasingly positioned itself as a convergence platform for disaffected opposition figures, civil society actors and political blocs seeking an alternative to both the APC and the fractured PDP.

Unlike the PDPs governor-centric structure, the ADCs strategy is elite coordination, voter mobilisation and coalition politics, aimed at compensating for the oppositions loss of incumbency power.

In recent months, the party has intensified talks with elements of the Labour Party, NNPP-aligned actors and PDP reform groups, reflecting a growing belief that defeating the APC in 2027 may require a broad alliance rather than a single dominant opposition party.

Despite its growing visibility as a rallying point for coalition talks, the ADC currently lacks the electoral muscle to independently pose a serious threat to Mr Tinubus re-election bid. The party has no serving governors, controls no state assemblies, and has limited representation in the National Assembly, factors that significantly constrain its immediate competitiveness.

Its organisational structures remain uneven across states, and its voter reach is yet to match that of Nigerias dominant parties.

Opposition Governors

Officially, seven governors still belong to opposition parties. They are Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Alex Otti (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Abba Yusuf (Kano).

However, politics in contemporary Nigeria appears no longer to be driven by party registration.

This reality partly explains why emerging coalition efforts, particularly those coalescing around the ADC, are gaining attention. With governors increasingly constrained by federal leverage and survival instincts, opposition organisers are shifting focus to party structures, voter sentiment and cross-party consensus as potential counterweights to presidential dominance.

Thus, of these seven governors in opposition parties, only two, Messrs Makinde and Mohammed, consistently project resistance to Mr Tinubus political dominance. Even that resistance exists under intense pressure, fuelling concerns that Nigeria may be edging closer to a de facto one-party state.

Those who are not in support may have been deliberately fought against in several ways.

Mr Odili argues that the motivations behind defections are neither ideological nor accidental.

The defections are driven by factors like internal party crises, fears of political marginalisation and victimisation, particularly those that are potentially EFCC candidates, and the desire to align with federal power to escape any eventual harassment, he said.

Why defections?

Most, if not all, of the six PDP governors have cited the partys unabated crisis as the reason they dumped it for the APC.

The crisis developed gradually through a long chain of unresolved leadership disputes, court interventions, and power struggles that hollowed out the partys authority. PREMIUM TIMES earlier analysed how the PDPs crises worsened in 2025.

After losing the 2023 presidential election, the PDP failed to resolve disputes over leadership positions, zoning arrangements and control of party structures. Instead of settling these issues internally, a number of these disagreements spilt into the courts.

For instance, several court cases were filed over the dispute on the position of national secretary between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye, one of the most powerful offices in the party.

However, the national convention held by one of the factions in November, in defiance of court judgements, deepened the internal wrangling within the opposition party.

No fewer than three judges of the Federal High Court had delivered separate judgements stopping the convention conducted by the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and asked INEC not to recognise it. But an Oyo High Court gave its nod for the party to go ahead.

Amid conflicting judgements, the faction held the convention, which produced a new 20-member national leadership of the party, with Kabiru Turaki, a senior lawyer and former Nigerian minister of special duties, as national chairman.

A major occurrence at the convention was the expulsion of key PDP members, including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who belongs to the other faction of the opposition party.

Others expelled were the factional national chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose; National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, as well as a former senator, Mao Ohuabunwa, and a former national vice chairman of the party in the South-south, Dan Orbih.

Three of Mr Wikes allies  Imo PDP chairman, Austine Nwachukwu, Abia PDP chairman, Amah Nnanna, and PDP South-south Zonal Secretary, Turnah George  were also given the boot. The trio had challenged the convening of the Ibadan convention, arguing that state congresses were not conducted in accordance with the PDP Constitution.

In response, the Abdulrahman faction announced the expulsion of some members of the Kabiru-led faction. Those affected included Governors Makinde of Oyo, Mohammed of Bauchi and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara from the party.

As expected, the two groups actions and counteractions deepened internal divisions and triggered fresh legal and political confrontations within the party.

For party leaders, who needed federal cooperation to govern effectively or seek re-election, the PDP increasingly looked like a risky platform. Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, recently moved to the Accord Party, citing this fear; although he had been hobnobbing with the APC and declared his support for the reelection of President Tinubu.

As the PDP meandered through the crises, some of its faithful claimed that the governing APC planned to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, hence the quest to have its governors in its fold.

Some publicly accused the ruling APC and federal actors of offering financial and political incentives to opposition figures to defect or weaken the party from within.

Former chairman, Mr Damagum, alleged that Mr Tinubus camp was deliberately fuelling the PDP crisis to ease Nigeria into a one-party system.

NEC stands in firm resistance to the sinister plot by the Tinubu-led APC to turn Nigeria into a one-party totalitarian state, as evidenced in the desperate attempts to stifle and annihilate opposition parties through open siege, threats and intimidation of opposition figures and institutions of democracy in Nigeria. It is clear that this plot is borne out of APCs mortal fear of inevitable defeat in 2027 due to its dismal failure in government, he said.

He warned that the systematic weakening of the PDP posed a threat to democratic balance, saying the ruling party was benefiting from and encouraging the confusion within the opposition.

Erstwhile party spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, claimed that defections were driven not by ideology but by inducements, intimidation, and promises of protection or access to federal power.

As internal disputes festered, governors and legislators have arguably begun reassessing their political futures. Many concluded that the party lacked the unity, leadership clarity and legal stability required to mount a credible challenge in 2027.

Opposition governors body language

With the gale of defections in the build-up to the 2027 polls, some of the remaining seven opposition governors are likely to join the APC or at least support President Tinubus re-election. Their actions and public utterances suggest this. This is how they stand.

Charles Soludo (Anambra)

In Anambra, Charles Soludo, the only governor in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has emerged as one of the most prominent examples of opposition in name but not in posture.

Long before his re-election last November, Mr Soludo openly praised Mr Tinubus economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange-rate unification, arguing that Nigeria had delayed difficult decisions for too long.

He also said he has no apologies for supporting Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that he believes political parties that profess progressivism should form a coalition to deepen development in Nigeria.

For me, saying progressives working together is a call to those who share these ideals. Regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I have no apologies for my support.

He (Tinubu) has been my friend for 22 years and counting. You dont deny your friend, he said.

I fully support him, and I am impressed by the bold economic and structural reforms he has implemented. We are on the right path, and we need to stay the course.

Rather than positioning APGA as a counterweight to the APC, Mr Soludo has repeatedly framed Anambra as a partner of the federal government. He has avoided partisan attacks on the presidency and has said he would support Mr Tinubus reelection in 2027.

In effect, APGA under Mr Soludo functions less as an opposition party and more as a regional ally of the ruling centre.

Ademola Adeleke (Osun)

Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke offers perhaps the clearest example of opposition by convenience rather than conviction.

Although local APC power brokers in Osun reportedly blocked his entry into the party, Mr Adelekes political conduct has remained strikingly conciliatory towards the president.

Following internal disputes within the PDP and resistance from APC structures in Osun, Mr Adeleke joined the Accord Party and was nominated as its governorship candidate. Yet his political signals since then have remained deliberately ambiguous.

It suggested that while local party dynamics may complicate immediate realignment, Mr Adeleke is unwilling to position himself as an opponent of the presidency.

After defecting to the Accord Party in November 2025, Mr Adeleke said he joined the party as a platform to seek re-election in 2026.

While officially framed by the governor as a move to align with a party focused on welfarism, the shift is widely perceived as a calculated, tactical, and strategic decision.

In July, before his defection, the Osun State chapter of the PDP, ostensibly at Mr Adelekes prompting, endorsed Mr Tinubu for reelection in 2027.

Mr Adelekes spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that the Osun PDP declared its support for Mr Tinubus reelection bid.

The caucus recognises the fact that Osun is the ancestral home of President Bola Tinubu, which makes him the son of the state, the PDP leaders said. Accordingly, the caucus adopted and endorsed the president for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Also, Mr Adeleke has paid high-profile visits to Mr Tinubu in Lagos, repeatedly praised the presidents leadership, and avoided joining coordinated PDP attacks on the federal governments economic reforms.

On one of the visits, the governor was accompanied by his elder brother, Deji Adeleke, and nephew, Afrobeat musician David Adeleke (Davido).

Some APC members described the visit as a show of desperation by the governor seeking to curry the presidents favour in view of the coming polls.

However, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, declared that there was no space for the governor in the APC.

Also, the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Olabisi, in a statement, said the visit of Davido, his father, and uncle to President Tinubu had no significant political implications for the partys governorship aspirants.

Our party is intact in our state, and I am eminently qualified to state that we have an array of capable and qualified governorship aspirants who have been consulting with interest groups about their 2026 gubernatorial aspirations, to take over from the current bumbling and fumbling governor and give quality leadership to the people of Osun State.

The troubled looks on the faces of the three visitors to the president indicated a pointer to the fact that if something was not chasing them, they were definitely chasing something.

It is believed that Mr Adelekes calculations extend beyond immediate party loyalty. With Osun politics historically volatile, maintaining goodwill with the centre could prove decisive for his long-term survival, by helping him retain his seat in the 2026 governorship election before formally realigning with the centre. There are also reports that Governor Adeleke would officially join the APC if he wins his reelection, and, thus, shows that he is more popular in the state than the local APC leaders.

Alex Otti (Abia)

Abia Governor Alex Otti continues to insist that he remains committed to the Labour Party. Yet his body language, elite engagements and regional messaging increasingly tell a different story.

He remains one of the most symbolically important opposition figures, having won under the party during the 2023 electoral wave that disrupted traditional party dominance.

Officially, Mr Otti insists he has no plans to defect and continues to affirm his membership of the LP.

His recent political conduct, however, has raised questions about where he truly stands. His meeting with Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, an influential APC figure and one of Mr Tinubus closest allies, was particularly instructive.

Both governors publicly declared that the South-east would back Mr Tinubu in 2027, a statement that would be politically inconceivable if Mr Otti were positioning himself as an opposition bulwark.

While Mr Otti has not endorsed Mr Tinubu outright, his refusal to criticise the president and his emphasis on regional engagement and cooperation suggest an accommodation strategy.

For many, this reinforces the growing pattern in which opposition governors prioritise access to federal power over partisan confrontation.

Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa)

Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has maintained a low-profile national posture. His most visible intervention came during the PDP convention in Ibadan, where he opposed moves to expel Nyesom Wike, a figure widely regarded as politically aligned with Mr Tinubus camp.

That intervention placed Mr Fintiri on the side of party moderation rather than confrontation. Beyond internal party debates, however, he has made no strong public statements opposing Mr Tinubus policies or 2027 ambitions. He has also opposed Atiku, who was his benefactor in the PDP, amidst reports that he will support Mr Tinubus second-term bid.

His approach arguably reflects a broader survival instinct among opposition governors: resist internal party implosion while avoiding confrontation with the presidency.

Seyi Makinde (Oyo)

Oyo Governor Makinde stands apart from this cautious consensus. Unlike most of his peers, Mr Makinde has explicitly stated that he will not support Mr Tinubus re-election in 2027. He has framed his position as a defence of democratic pluralism and warned against political monopolisation.

Mr Makindes stance has come at a cost. Shortly after his declaration, former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose alleged that Mr Makinde received and concealed N30 billion in federal funds linked to post-disaster intervention in Ibadan.

Although Mr Makinde strongly denied the allegation and clarified that the funds were neither hidden nor misused, the episode underscored how financial narratives can be deployed to weaken dissenting voices.

For Mr Makindes supporters, the timing of the allegation reinforced fears that opposition figures who resist alignment with the centre may face reputational pressure or selective scrutiny. For now, Mr Makinde appears undeterred, consolidating his image as the most consistent opposition governor in the South-west, the presidents home region.

Civil society actors see a pattern in the pressures faced by dissenters.

I have the perception that state institutions like anti-corruption agencies and security bodies are being used to pressure, oppress opposition figures, Mr Odili said.

Campaign for Democracy has accused the EFCC and other agencies of selective justice, fuelling concerns about institutional bias. So, opposition voices get silenced, and the ruling partys grip tightens.

Mr Makinde has also accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Wike, of attempting to weaken the PDP in support of Mr Tinubus second-term ambition.

The Oyo governor further alleged that during a meeting attended by Messrs Tinubu, Wike, the presidents chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other officials, the FCT minister openly offered to hold the PDP for the president ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr Makinde said the comment came as a shock to him and raised concerns about efforts to erode the opposition and push the country towards a one-party system.

While acknowledging Mr Wikes right to support President Tinubus re-election bid, the governor insisted that other political actors must be allowed to protect the PDP and Nigerias democratic diversity.

I was in a meeting with the president, and Wike said to the president, I will hold PDP for you against 2027. I was in shock. So, we got to the veranda, and I asked him, Did we agree to this?

The real issue is not that Wike would like to support the President for 2027. Thats fine. It is within his right to do that. But also some of us that want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, that we dont drift into a one-party state, and want to ensure that PDP survives, should be allowed to do our own thing, he said.

The governor said he initially raised his concerns privately with mutual associates, hoping Mr Wike would reconsider his position, but claimed the minister remained unmoved. He added that this eventually led him to confront the issue directly.

The FCT minister, however, denied the claim.

Thats a blatant lie, he said. First of all, you ask yourself, what was that for? What was the purpose of that meeting that would have led me to say, Mr President, I will hold PDP for you?

Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)

Bauchi Governor Mohammeds resistance is more defensive than ideological. His administration has come under intense scrutiny following the arraignment of a senior state official on charges related to terrorism financing.

The EFCC arraigned the state Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other state civil servants and others on alleged terrorism-financing and money-laundering charges, a development critics say may be politically weaponised.
The Kano State Police Command announced on Sunday the arrest of three suspects in connection with the killing of a mother and her six children at Dorayi Charanchi Quarters within the state metropolis.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the attack occurred on Saturday afternoon when unidentified assailants stormed the residence of one Haruna Bashir at 12:10 p.m., killing the seven victims.

The police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Kiyawa, a superintendent of police, confirmed the arrests in a statement. He said that the operation followed direct orders from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Kano, Ibrahim Bakori.

He said a team of crack operatives leveraged intelligence-led policing to apprehend the suspected masterminds.

Mr Kiyawa identified the suspects as: Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, Kano; Isyaku Yakubu (alias Chebe), 40, of Sagagi Quarters, Kano; and Yakubu Abdulaziz (alias Wawo), 21, of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters, Kano.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspects were apprehended during a targeted sting operation conducted between 10:00 p.m. on 17 January and 4:00 a.m. on 18 January, shortly after the incident was reported.

According to the police, one of the suspects is a nephew of the deceased woman. Investigators revealed that the group was also responsible for the gruesome murder of two housewives at Tudun Yola Quarters in November of last year.

The leader of the syndicate, Umar Auwalu, a nephew to the deceased housewife, confessed to the crime and also admitted that the same syndicate has carried out a series of gruesome killings and attacks in the recent past, including the killing and burning of two housewives at Tudun Yola Quarters, Kano.

Mr Kiyawa said during the arrests, police recovered several items linking the suspects to the crime scene, including four blood-stained cloths, two mobile phones belonging to the deceased, a cutlass and a club used in the attack.

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The police also announced the recovery of an undisclosed amount of cash stolen from the residence.

Mr Kiyawa said the Command is still investigating the inciden.

The Kano State Police Command commends the efforts of the police officers involved in the operation, as well as members of the public for their prayers, support, encouragement, and cooperation, Mr Kiyawa said.

He further assured the public of the commands commitment to bringing all perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of receiving property through corrupt means and using forged documents.

The charges, filed on 16 January by Ngozi Onwuka of the ICPCs High Profile Prosecution Department, follow a damning September 2025 judgment by a London property tribunal that linked the 68-year-old lawyer to fraud and forged documents in a dispute over a North London house.

Three-Count Charge

Court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES show that Mr Ozekhome faces three criminal counts.

The first count alleges that sometime in August 2021, he directly received House 79 Randall Avenue, London, purportedly given to him by one Shani Tali in a transaction the ICPC says constitutes a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count accuses the senior lawyer of making a false document, a Nigerian passport bearing number A07535463 in the name of Mr Shani Tali, with the intent to support a claim of ownership of the London property. This charge is filed under the Penal Code of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the third count, Mr Ozekhome is accused of dishonestly using the allegedly false passport as genuine to support the property ownership claim when he had reason to believe the document was false.

London Tribunal Blocks Property Seizure

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Judge Ewan Paton of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) delivered a judgment on 11 September 2025 blocking Mr Ozekhome from seizing the house in North London.

The tribunal held that the case was built on a network of fraud, impersonation, and forged documents. Still, it concluded that the late Jeremiah Useni, former Minister of FCT, was the genuine purchaser of the property in 1993.

In August 2021, Mr Ozekhome applied through the Tribunal to transfer the property at 79 Randall Avenue into his name, claiming it was a gift from a man who presented himself as Tali Shani in appreciation for legal services.

However, the application was challenged in September 2022 by Westfields Solicitors, claiming to represent Ms Tali Shani, who insisted she was the registered owner of the property since 1993 and had never signed any transfer.

Web of Forged Identity Documents

The London tribunal uncovered fraudulent Nigerian identity records, including a passport, a National Identification Number (NIN), and a Tax Identification Number (TIN) allegedly generated with the connivance of corrupt officials at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Immigration Service, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

NIMC admitted in evidence that the NIN assigned to Ms Tali Shani was fraudulently created remotely from Monaco, using a forged photograph and bypassing biometric requirements. The Nigeria Police Force also confirmed that the address used to back up the fraudulent phone bill was fictitious.

Judge Paton concluded that the supposed Ms Shani was never a real living person and that her documents were deliberately fabricated with the connivance of corrupt Nigerian officials. The entire case was built on forgery and deception, the judge said, before ruling that the property remained part of Mr Usenis estate, now subject to probate.

In a letter to the ICPC, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed that passport booklet number A07535463 was never utilised due to a defect and consequently had no record of a holder in its database.

The agency said preliminary findings indicated that the passport booklet had personal data unlawfully superimposed on it with numerous inconsistencies on the data-page, suggesting significant irregularities in its production.

HEDA petition triggers ICPC Probe

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ICPC investigation was triggered by a petition from Olanrewaju Suraj, head of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA).

The petition accused Mr Ozekhome, his son Osilama, and several collaborators of conspiring with corrupt Nigerian officials to procure fake national identity documents in a bid to fraudulently claim ownership of the North London house.

These findings reveal a grave conspiracy not only by senior and respected members of the Nigerian Bar but also by unknown Nigerian public officials who aided and abetted the fabrication of national documents, thereby undermining the integrity of Nigerias identification systems, the petition reads.

Such acts are squarely within the purview of the ICPC as they involve the abuse of public office, bribery, and corruption in the issuance of sensitive national identity instruments.

The ICPC summoned individuals named in the UK judgment to appear before the commission for questioning.

Mr Ozekhome appeared before the commission on 12 January to give a written statement.

Ozekhomes Defence

In his statement at the ICPC, Mr Ozekhome said he was aware of the judgment granted by the First Tier Tribunal in the UK. It was prompted by an objection to my application for the transfer of a property situated at 79 Randall Avenue, London, to me, which was filed by myself and Mr Shani Tali before the H.M. Lands Registry UK. I have seen the judgement now shown to me (albeit an uncertified copy), he stated.

This fact about my title to the property, how I came about it, and all have been exhaustively written down and explained to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and I have no further explanation to the same, all issues having been under investigation by the Commission for many months now.

Mr Ozekhome further said the ownership had been with him since 2021, adding that everything concerning Mr Tali Shani and himself, as regards evidence, could be found in the judgment.

In the UK court documents, Mr Ozekhome admitted that he never knew Mr Shani until January 2019, more than two decades after the disputed purchase, and had no personal knowledge of how the property was acquired or managed in earlier years.

His confidence in the claim, he explained, stemmed largely from his long-standing relationship with Mr Useni, whom he described as both a client and friend for over 20 years.

The Nigerian lawyer told the tribunal that after being introduced to Mr Shani in 2019, he undertook several legal services for him and that the property was later gifted to him in 2021 as an expression of gratitude.

How the Case Collapsed

Judge Paton of the UK Tribunal ruled that the house was secretly bought in 1993 by the late Mr Useni, former Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, using a false identity.

Mr Useni, an army general who died in France in January 2025, was a very influential member of the Sani Abacha government and was even in contention to be head of state following Mr Abachas death in June 1998.

Before his death, Mr Useni appeared before the court through a video link in 2024. Contrary to Mr Ozekhomes defence, Mr Useni told the court plainly: I owned it. I bought the property. It is my property.

Documents before the tribunal confirmed that the acquisition was made under a false identity, Philips Bincan, a practice consistent with findings by the Royal Court of Jersey in a separate 2022 case that exposed Mr Usenis use of coded names like Tim Shani to conceal wealth.

The tribunal therefore ruled that since Mr Shani had no legal title, he could not have transferred the property to Mr Ozekhome. Ownership of the property, the judge said, now rests with whoever secures probate over Mr Usenis English estate.

The court found that Mr Ozekhomes defence, supported by his son, amounted to a contrived story invented in an attempt to provide a plausible reason for the 2021 transfer.

The tribunal concluded that Mr Shani had no connection whatsoever to the 1993 purchase.

ICPC lines up Witnesses

At the Federal High Court, the ICPC listed six witnesses, including its investigators, Joshua Wakili, Tosin Olayiwola, Ebenezer Nduo, and Blessing Monopo.

It also listed a representative of the Nigeria Immigration Service, and any other vital witness by way of subpoena or filing an additional list of witnesses.

AGF, NBA Wade In

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that his office had launched a review of the case. Mr Fagbemi described the London judgment as a matter that bears sadly on the integrity of the Nigerian legal profession.

It will be remiss of me not to bring such an egregious development to the attention of my lords, in the hope that it is addressed frontally, the AGF said, while calling on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to cooperate with his office.

The NBAs Anti-Corruption Committee, chaired by Babafemi Badejo, welcomed the AGFs intervention in a statement last October. It urged a full investigation into the alleged forgery of passports, NINs, and utility documents linked to the London case and demanded accountability for civil servants and lawyers involved.

Investigations should lead to the criminal prosecution of civil servants who connived with lawyers to tarnish the name of Nigeria, the committee said.

It also warned that the matter must not be swept under the rug once media attention fades, stressing that the credibility and sustainability of the legal sector in Nigeria are at stake.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Code of Conduct Bureau is also investigating the matter and recently secured a forfeiture order from a Nigerian Court for the London property.
Israel on Saturday objected to the White Houses announced line-up for a Gaza executive committee, saying the move was not coordinated.

In an unusually pointed statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the announced composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which operates under the newly established Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs counter to its policy.

Mr Netanyahu instructed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to raise the matter with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, the statement said.

Mr Netanyahus objections appeared to focus in particular on the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and senior Qatari diplomat Ali Thawadi on the committee.

Turkey and Qatar have both sharply criticized Israels war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Technically, the Gaza Executive Board, along with another executive committee, is subordinate to the Board of Peace, which is to be made up of leading political figures from around the world and led by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The executive bodies, however, are expected to be more directly involved in overseeing Gazas post-war administration.

The Board of Peace forms part of the second phase of Mr Trumps Gaza peace plan, which envisages a permanent end to the war and the disarmament of Hamas  a condition the group rejects.

The international body is intended to oversee a new interim administration for the largely devastated coastal enclave, to be run by Palestinian technocrats.

Mr Trump said on Friday that several world leaders had been invited to participate in the Board of Peace, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

(dpa/NAN)
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigerias governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over their failure to account for the spending of billions of naira of public funds in the name of security votes by them since 29 May 2023 to guarantee and ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians.

The suit followed reports of the Benue massacre and well-documented ongoing cases of insecurity in several states and the FCT, despite the over N400 billion budgeted yearly as security votes. Ten governors reportedly budgeted about N140 billion as security votes in 2026.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to direct and compel the governors and Mr Wike to disclose the details of the spending of security votes by them since 29 May 2023 to date, which are intended to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians.

SERAP is also asking the court to compel the governors and Mr Wike to provide detailed reports on the allocation and spending of security votes by their states and the FCT, including the information on implementation status and completion reports, and the plans, if any, for improving the security infrastructure in the states and FCT.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including security votes meant to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians, are spent by the governors and FCT minister.

SERAP is arguing that, the escalating insecurity in several states and FCT is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger and leading to other grave human rights violations.

SERAP is also arguing that, Several state governors and FCT minister continue to fail to effectively discharge their primary and constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of the Nigerian people.

According to SERAP, The framers of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] never contemplated opaque spending of public funds as security votes.

SERAP said, The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians right to know the spending details of the money collected in the name of security votes meant to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians.

SERAP is arguing that, Citizens right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the countrys democratic order.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Andrew Nwankwo, and Valentina Adegoke, read in part: There is a significant risk of embezzlement, misappropriation or diversion of public funds collected by the states and FCT as security votes.

Despite the billions of naira yearly budgeted as security votes, many governors and FCT ministers are grossly failing to guarantee and ensure the security and welfare of the Nigerian people, contrary to section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Directing the governors and FCT minister to account for security votes spending would serve to engage Nigerians in an honest conversation about the security problems and what the governors and minister are doing to respond to them.

The intense secrecy and lack of meaningful oversight of the spending of security votes by governors have for many years contributed to large-scale stealing of public funds.

Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have also limited the ability of the people to hold high-ranking public officials to account for their constitutional responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

There is a legitimate public interest for the governors and the FCT minister to explain how they have spent the security votes they have so far collected.

The obligations of state governors and FCT minister to guarantee and ensure the security and welfare of the Nigerian people is interlinked with their responsibility under section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.

While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrets from the people in the name of national security, there is no constitutional or legal basis to hide basic information on public spending from the people.

The Supreme Court in a groundbreaking judgment declared that the Freedom of Information Act is applicable and applies to the public records in the Federation, including those on security votes spending kept by the states and FCT.

With the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has made clear that state governors can no longer hide under their unfounded claim that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to them.

As the Supreme Court has eloquently stated, any freedom of information law by the state is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

The failure by state governors and FCT minister to disclose and account for the spending of security votes is a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the countrys international human rights and anticorruption obligations.

Pervasive tendency by governors to regard or treat security votes as their personal entitlement or funds is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution and international standards. Security votes should be used for improving the security situation in the states or returned to the public treasury.

Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution further imposes clear responsibility on the states and FCT to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.

The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information.

The World Bank recently classified Nigeria as economy in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS), which explains why the country continues to face severe and persistent development challenges.

Other 38 countries classified as FCS alongside Nigeria include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, and Sudan. The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.

According to the Bank, the outlook for poverty in Nigeria is sobering. Millions of people are currently experiencing acute food insecurity. Severe gaps in education and health undermine human development in the country.

Weak state capacity, insecurity, and conflict-related disruptions contribute to poor outcomes across basic services. Insecurity is escalating and inflicting grave economic damage while contributing to violations of human rights across several states and FCT.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested six notorious armed robbery suspects linked to a series of violent crimes, particularly around nightclubs and recreational centres within the Abuja metropolis.

The arrests followed a discreet, intelligence-led operation conducted on Friday, 17 January at about 5:45 p.m.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the commands spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a superintendent of police.

The suspects  Suleiman Magaji (25), Abdullahi Abubakar (20), Abubakar Shitu M (25), Sani Ibrahim (17), Rabiu Dahiru (19), and Ahmen Abdullahi (26)  were apprehended at their hideout in Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the territory, while planning a fresh attack, the statement said.

Acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure the immediate arrest of the criminal gang.

Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, deployed a discreet intelligence-led operation led by ACP Victor Godfrey, the Commander, Scorpion Squad. The team successfully tracked and raided the gangs hideout at Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the FCT, where the suspects were apprehended while planning a fresh attack, Ms Adeh said.

She said that during the operation, the exhibits recovered from the suspects were one black toy gun, local charms, long and short knives and 42 bags of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis-sativa.

She stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were responsible for several armed robbery incidents within the FCT, including a recent robbery at Crystal Lounge, Wuse II, where a hotel guest was dispossessed of gold jewellery valued at approximately 15 million.

The stolen items, Ms Adeh added, were reportedly sold by the suspects for 1.2 million.

Read the full statement

FCT POLICE ARREST SIX WANTED ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested six notorious armed robbery suspects linked to a series of violent crimes, particularly around nightclubs and recreational centres within the Abuja metropolis.

On Friday, 17th January 2026, at about 5:45 p.m., acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc., directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to ensure the immediate arrest of the criminal gang.

Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, deployed a discreet intelligence-led operation led by ACP Victor Godfrey, the Commander, Scorpion Squad.

The team successfully tracked and raided the gangs hideout at Dakwa, Dei-Dei area of the FCT, where the suspects were apprehended while planning a fresh attack.

The arrested suspects are:

Suleiman Magaji (25)

Abdullahi Abubakar (20)

Abubakar Shitu M (25)

Sani Ibrahim (17)

Rabiu Dahiru (19)

Ahmen Abdullahi (26)

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are responsible for several armed robbery incidents within the FCT, including a recent robbery at Crystal Lounge, Wuse II, where a hotel guest was dispossessed of gold jewellery valued at approximately Fifteen Million Naira (15,000,000).

The suspects reportedly sold the stolen items for One Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (1.2 million).

During the operation, the following exhibits were recovered:

One black toy gun

Local charms

Long and short knives

Forty-two (42) bags of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis sativa

The suspects and exhibits are currently in Police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, commended the officers for their professionalism and gallantry. He also appreciated the members of the public for the timely and useful information that led to the successful arrest of the suspects.

The CP further urged residents to remain vigilant, security-conscious, and to continue supporting Police operations by promptly reporting suspicious persons or activities through the Commands emergency lines:

08032003913 and 07057337653.

Together, we will continue to rid the Federal Capital Territory of criminal elements.

SP Josephine Adeh,

Police Public Relations Officer,

FCT Police Command,

Abuja.

18th January, 2026
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in the alpine town of Davos, Switzerland, to lead the Nigerian delegation at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), scheduled to be held from 19 to 23 January.

The vice president arrived from Conakry, Guinea, where he represented President Bola Tinubu at the presidential inauguration of President Mamadi Doumbouya on Saturday.

He was received on arrival by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yussuf Tuggar, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and officials of the Nigerian mission in Switzerland.

The 2026 WEF marks a milestone in Nigerias global economic diplomacy with the official debut of Nigeria House Davos. For the first time, the federal government has established a dedicated sovereign pavilion on the Davos Promenade.

This facility, a product of a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will serve as a permanent hub for high-level ministerial engagements, investment roundtables, and cultural diplomacy throughout the week.

Vice President Shettima will present Nigerias 2026 economic outlook to the worlds most influential political and business leaders, as he participates in key plenary sessions focusing on the responsible deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Throughout the week, the vice president will hold bilateral meetings with heads of state, top executives from multinational corporations, and leaders of international development finance institutions to deepen partnerships that align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In an interview with journalists shortly after the VPs arrival, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said Nigeria would make a robust presentation of investment opportunities in the country at the launch of the Nigeria House in Davos which will focus on President Tinubus efforts in revamping the economy.

According to the minister, we will be showcasing four playbooks on President Tinubus efforts in re-engineering the Nigerian economy. We will present our solid minerals sector, climate sustainability agriculture, creative and digital sectors to investors from all over the world.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

18th January 2026
The Kano State Police Command has launched an investigation following the brutal murder of a mother and her six children at Dorayi Charanchi Quarters within the state metropolis.

The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon when unidentified assailants reportedly stormed the residence of one Haruna Bashir at 12:10 p.m.

The police spokesperson in Kano, Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement on Saturday, said the assailants utilised dangerous weapons, inflicting fatal injuries on the victims.

The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children.

The police said following the discovery of the scene, their bodies were evacuated and rushed to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano, where they were certified dead by medical doctors.

Mr Kiyawa said in response to the murder, the police command has mobilised a specialised team to track down the killers.

The investigation is headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Wada Jarma, who has been mandated to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly.

The Kano State Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and the people of Dorayi Charanchi and Kano State.

The police also called on the residents to assist in the manhunt and provide any vital information that could help in arresting the fleeing suspect (s).

Members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the assailants are advised to report to the nearest police station or contact the command, the statement urged.

The attack occurred barely two months after unidentified assailants invaded a residence in the Tudun Yola area of the Kano metropolis in November last year, killing two housewives.

The police had also launched an investigation into the previous incident.

In his reaction to the latest killing, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

The governor described the incident as barbaric, senseless, and a grave assault on human dignity.

In a statement by the governors spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Saturday, Mr Yusuf extended his condolences to the victims family, the people of Dorayi Chiranchi, and the entire Kano State.

He prayed that Allah should grant the departed souls eternal rest and give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

Meanwhile, the governor vowed that his administration would ensure that perpetrators of the tragic incident are brought to justice.

He directed the Kano State Police Command to immediately hunt down the perpetrators and ensure they are arrested and prosecuted.

According to the statement, Mr Yusuf also ordered the Kano Neighborhood Corps to intensify patrols and community surveillance across vulnerable areas, to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.

He called on residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly report suspicious activities, while assuring that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.
European leaders were angered and dismayed on Saturday when US President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10 per cent tariff on imports from eight countries from 1 February, citing disagreements over Greenland.

Mr Trump said the tariff would apply to all goods sent to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.

The levy would rise to 25 per cent from 1 June and will remain in place until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland, he said in his post on Truth Social.

EU Council President Antonio Costa criticised Mr Trumps threat.

If we want prosperity, we must open markets, not close them.

We must create zones of economic integration, not raise tariffs, he said as he signed a free trade agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur in Paraguay.

The EU has always been very determined in defending international law  and, of course, especially in the territory of a member state, he said when asked about Mr Trumps planned tariffs.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he seeks to own Greenland in order to guarantee security in the Arctic, justifying his plans with security concerns about alleged threats from China and Russia in the region.

Largely autonomous Greenland is part of the territory of Denmark, a NATO member.

With a population of just under 57,000, Greenland has said it does not wish to become part of the United States.

NATO allies also say that Greenland does not need to be taken over by the US to protect the Arctic.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Costa warned of the consequences after Mr Trumps threatened levies.

Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty, the two said in posts on social media.

The EU had actually agreed on a deal with the US last year in the customs dispute, which still has to be approved by the European Parliament.

The deal foresaw the US customs duty of 15 per cent set to apply to most European products.

Meanwhile, customs duties on US industrial goods would be completely abolished, and barriers to the import of certain foods would be removed.

The leader of the European Peoples Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, said that his group supports the tariff deal, but that approval is not possible at this time in view of Mr Trumps threats.

The 0 per cent tariffs on US products must be suspended, he said.

Representatives of the EU member states are set to meet on Sunday for a special session after Mr Trumps threat.

The Cypriot presidency said an extraordinary meeting at the ambassadorial level was convened for the afternoon in response to the latest announcements by the US.

It remains unclear whether possible countermeasures will be discussed at Sundays gathering.

The EU has an instrument to defend itself against trade pressure, a regulation applying in situations where a third country attempts to use trade measures to force the EU or a member state to make a certain decision.

The regulation allows for counter-tariffs and many other measures, though the instrument is only to be used as a last resort.

The threatened tariffs affect countries that recently sent soldiers on an exploratory mission to the Arctic island at the heart of the dispute.

Mr Trump was angered by the European NATO members that have sent soldiers to the Arctic island for a reconnaissance mission ahead of a military exercise.

In Saturdays post, the US president strongly criticised the deployment.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown, he wrote, describing this as a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.

But von der Leyen and Costa said the exercise was in line with the need to strengthen security in the Arctic and did not pose a threat to anyone.

The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the U.S., they said in posts on X.

Earlier, the head of the Arctic Command, Sren Andersen, told dpa that the military exercise in Greenland was set to continue for several more months.

What we are currently doing is planning a longer-term exercise, which will continue throughout 2026 and perhaps into 2027, he said.

The Germans, as well as the Swedes and Norwegians, among others, are up here to explore the possibilities for joint training here, Mr Andersen said.

The US was also invited to train up here, as were all NATO members, Andersen told dpa.

(dpa/NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised more than 40 terrorists in coordinated close air support and air interdiction operations at Azir and Musarram areas of Borno, disrupting planned attacks and bolstering ongoing ground operations.

This was contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Ejodame, an air commodore, said the operations were conducted on 15 and 16 January by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, following actionable intelligence and in close coordination with troops in contact.

He said the NAF aircraft, in the early hours of 16 Jan, swiftly responded to a distress report at Azir, where troops were engaged with terrorists withdrawing from the area.

According to him, further scans revealed terrorist elements attempting to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting precise and successive air strikes that neutralised several of them.

Post-strike assessment confirmed no further threats, while feedback from ground troops, local authorities and community sources indicated a significant degradation of terrorist presence and a return of relative calm.

Earlier on Jan. 15, NAF air assets carried out a successful air interdiction at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area after intelligence revealed terrorists assembling on canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.

On arrival, the aircraft sighted about 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists, who were engaged in multiple passes, throwing them into disarray.

Some fleeing elements were trailed and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly area were also engaged, effectively dismantling the terrorist concentration, he said.

Reacting, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAFs commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces.

Mr Aneke, an air marshal, said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close airground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.

He assured Nigerians of sustained pressure on terrorist elements as the Armed Forces of Nigeria continue efforts to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.

(NAN)
Gunmen have killed three people and injured a one-year-old child in an attack on commuters in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack occurred at about 10 p.m. on Friday at a bridge linking the Gassa and Nding communities in Fan District, according to the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM).

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the group said the victims were returning to Fan District when they were ambushed by armed men suspected to be terrorists operating from the Jong area of Ropp District, believed to be their hideout.

The assailants reportedly shot the victims  a man and two women  at close range. A one-year-old baby carried by one of the women survived the attack but sustained injuries.

Shortly after, gunmen also attacked a mining site in Rabuk village of Nding, where about 200 people were working at the time.

BYM said no casualty was recorded at the mining site due to the vigilance of local residents.

Condemning the attacks, the association described them as part of a troubling and coordinated pattern of violence across Plateau State, warning that the incidents were not isolated.

BYM expressed concern over the timing of the attacks, noting that they came barely a day after the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) alleged that more than 100 cows were rustled in Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area, purportedly by Berom youths from Vwang in Jos South.

READ ALSO: NAF airstrikes neutralise over 40 terrorists in Borno

BYM called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute people involved in both cattle rustling and coordinated attacks in Plateau State.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has attributed the countrys successful removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the European Unions list of high-risk countries on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) to coordinated inter-agency collaboration and sustained reforms.

Nigeria exited the FATF grey list in October 2025 and is set to be removed from the EUs list of high-risk third countries at the end of January, following decisions taken at FATF Plenaries in June and October 2025.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, described the developments as proof of the credibility of Nigerias reforms.

Nigerias exit from the FATF grey list and the European Unions high-risk third country list reflects the strength of our collective resolve and the effectiveness of sustained, coordinated reforms.

This milestone underscores our commitment to upholding global standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing, while reinforcing international confidence in Nigerias financial system, Ms Bakari said in a statement on Saturday.

She noted that the success would not have been possible without the guidance of President Bola Tinubu and his commitment to building a safe and prosperous Nigeria.

The NFIU CEO acknowledged strategic leadership provided by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, the Minister of Interior, and the Minister of State for Finance, through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT/CPF.

She also commended the Ministers of Aviation, Budget and Economic Planning, Defence, Industry, Trade and Investment, and Solid Minerals Development for their interventions in creating a secure regulatory environment across priority sectors.

The National Security Adviser was recognised for strengthening national coordination on security-related risks, particularly in addressing terrorism and terrorism financing through enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

Regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Insurance Commission, and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were acknowledged for improved risk-based supervision and enhanced market entry controls.

The Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority were credited with driving progress on corporate transparency through systems aligned with international best practice.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Department of State Services, Defence Intelligence Agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Code of Conduct Bureau, contributed to strengthened outcomes through investigation and prosecution of high-risk predicate offences, the NFIU said.

It added that the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority played vital roles in detecting and prosecuting cross-border cash smuggling and illicit movement of high-value goods.

The Federal Ministry of Justice achieved strong prosecutorial outcomes and international cooperation, securing convictions, facilitating mutual legal assistance and enabling recovery and repatriation of illicit assets. The Chief Judge and Justices of the Federal High Court were commended for timely adjudication and imposition of proportionate sanctions.

The agency also commended legislative support from the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and relevant committee chairpersons, who provided the legal foundation required to sustain reforms.

Ms Bakari said the achievement belonged to Nigeria and its partners, adding that the agency remained committed to deepening cooperation and enhancing intelligence-led supervision to ensure the country continues to meet global anti-money laundering standards.

The EU regulation removing Nigeria from the high-risk list takes effect from January 29, 2026.

The European Commission confirmed that Nigeria and other delisted countries Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania have strengthened the effectiveness of their AML/CFT regimes and fulfilled commitments in their FATF Action Plans.

The delisting means that automatic country-based enhanced due diligence under Article 9 AMLD IV no longer applies to Nigeria.

FATF, an intergovernmental organisation that sets global standards to protect the financial system, had placed Nigeria on the grey list in February 2023.

READ ALSO: NAF airstrikes neutralise over 40 terrorists in Borno

Grey-listing discourages foreign investment, damages reputation and increases borrowing costs.

A 2021 International Monetary Fund report found that grey-listed countries experienced a large and statistically significant reduction in capital inflows.

Nigeria is now scheduled for its third mutual evaluation exercise in 2027.
Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, Minister of Education in the First Republic, under Tafawa Balewa, and Minister of Justice under Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and one of the most brilliant lawyers ever in Nigeria, stood before Justice Olujide Somolu. Somolu was Chief Justice of the Western State. Akinjide was a known Samuel Ladoke Akintola sympathizer and a staunch member of the NNDP in the Western Region. The Brigadier General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo government of the Western State had set up an inquiry into the running of the First Republic. In doing this, tt established the Somolu Tribunal in 1967. Though officially known as the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Assets of Public Officers and Other Persons in the Western State, it was a judicial commission to investigate the assets of politicians, public officers, and officials of the former Western Region.

Akinjide stood as counsel to J. O. Adigun, Minister of Lands in the Akintola government. Adigun was one of the five founders of the Action Group who later went apostate, de-linking from the Awolowo group. He gave evidence on his acquisition of nine properties, five of which were Crown lands. The proceedings received adequate projection in the newspaper press of the time. Two stories on this proceeding were published on the front page of the Tribune newspaper of 20 October, 1967 with the titles, Policy maker: Adigun held 5 crown plots and This probe will serve a lesson.

Akinjide then stood up to respond to allegations of Adiguns multiple ownership of Crown Lands. There was absolutely nothing wrong with somebody acquiring more than one Crown land, he told Justice Somolu. He then quoted from Shakespearean Macbeth where it was said, according to him, that every man is ambitious to enrich himself. Akinjide was obviously referring to Act 4, Scene 3 of Macbeth where, while testing Macduff, Malcom had described the stanchless avarice (limitless greed) he claims to possess to see if Macduff is loyal to Scotland. Malcom had said, And my more-having would be as a sauce/To make me hunger more; that I should forge/Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,/Destroying them for wealth.

Justice Somolu had an instant reply to Akinjide. He had said curtly, But tragedy was the end of Macbeth! That tragedy seems to be the defining end of military rule in Nigeria, as well as its civilian equal who now rule Nigeria.

Details of Adiguns lands and property acquisitions in Lagos, Ibadan and Ogbomoso, which ran into several thousands of pounds were published in AG-sympathetic newspapers. They were ostensibly published to buttress the claim that the Akintola government was replete with ministers and officials who enriched themselves at the expense of the public.

On the morning of 15 January, 1966, the five, now famous, young and idealistic Majors in the Nigerian Army  Kaduna Nzeogwu, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, D Okafor, CI Anuforo and Adewale Ademoyega  executed their planned first military coup in the country. In his coup speech, Nzeogwu said the coup plotters had slated for elimination the ten-percenters, homosexuals and feudal lords. If the dry bones of Nzeogwu could look back today, he would be sorry to have killed Nigerias patriarchs of saints. Those in power today abhor percentages. They steal in totality. Nigerias rulers today are neither homo, bi, nor hetero in their sexual fascinations. They have conquered all the sexes. Their political footstools have gone beyond fiefdoms. The hearts of Nigerians are firmly padlocked, swallowed, and now swimming in the deep oceans of their belies.

With the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio on 13 January, 1963 in Lome, then Togoland, now Togo, making him the first civilian president victim of a wave of military coups that would soon sweep across Africa in the 1960s, Nigeria, its neighbour, should have trodden the earth with greater circumspection. Didnt our elders say, the whip a wife-beater husband administered on his older wife, kept securely on the rafters, is reserved for his most recent consort?

Last Thursday, stumps in place of arms, eye for eyes, healed scars of holes dug by gun pellets, and long, sorrowful faces signposted Nigerias long walk through a scorching desert of military rule. As symbolic wreathes were laid in memory of fallen soldiers, 15 January afforded Nigeria opportunity to assess the green khaki, the black jackboots and the oppressive berets of soldiers. As my people say, when a child falls, it looks far ahead of him; perhaps, a wraith Mother talked fearfully about in folklore, had caused the fall? However, when an elderly falls, they look backwards to assess the tottering steps that landed them in an embrace with the brown, coarse belly of Mother Earth. The comparative hopelessness of civil rule today puts the grim reality in perspective.

For about 28 years, including the few months of diarchy experimented by General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria was under the suffocating grips of military rule. Till today, opinions are divided on whether military rule, with its novel hijack of political power on 15 January, 1966, was downright evil. Or, was it an ambivalent mixture of good and bad? Or, simply put, a desirable phenomenon for Nigerias development?

As Professor Eghosa Osaghae wrote in his book, The Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence, (1998) the military phenomenon is central to any analysis of Nigerian politics today. Young, ambitious military officers have always cited imbalances in the polity as alibi for their strikes. The national crises of 1964 and 1965 census exercise, the economic crises of the Shehu Shagari government, the collapse of the First, Second Republics and the stillbirth Third Republic, as well as other fractures in the political system, have always come before military interventions. This unbroken chain has made many analysts describe military rule in Nigeria as continuation of politics by military means.

The 15 January, 1966 coup was a bloody, fierce, definitive and watershed turn-around in the annals of the history of Nigeria. It took the lives of 22 people, including the prime minister.

By 1966, there were three elephants in the Nigerian room. They were tribalism, nepotism and corruption. It must be borne in mind that this triad ills, the elephants that the Five Majors claimed necessitated their strike, represented a euphemistic appraisal of the ills that plagued the First Republic.

In the Western Region, the coup received popular supports, especially from majority of United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) supporters who saw it as a government that had come to rescue the region from Akintolas NNDP. The perceived ethnic colour of the killings riled the north, leading to the second retaliatory coup in July of the same year. The anger against the coup was palpable. First reason behind the Norths anger was the ethnic pattern of the killings. Its major political leaders, indeed its two most powerful politicians, Prime Minister Balewa, as well as Premier, Ahmadu Bello, and its leading military officers, were killed.

Second was what the North saw as the exuberant air of conquest displayed by Igbo residents in the North after the coup. The one that riled the north most, and which compounded its anger, were posters that appeared in some parts of the North showing Nzeogwu standing on the fallen corpse of the Sardauna. The third prong of disaffection for the government of Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, who took over after the coup, and his ethnic stock. The fourth reason why the Norths anger was propelled was that Aguiyi-Ironsi was perceived as displaying suspicious actions, post-coup.

For instance, the 1966 Unification Decree, otherwise known as Decree No 34, put a wedge on Nigerias strut into development. In the words of Billy Dudley, in his Instability and Political Order: Politics and Crisis in Nigeria (1973), Ironsi, though genial and convivial, was not perceived to be an intelligent man. This affected his perception of issues as the military head of the country. It was worsened by perception that Ironsi surrounded himself with Igbo bureaucrats, who acted as catalysts for Igbo-centered appointments. Even when Ironsi announced that governmental measures, including the unitarisation of the country, were merely transient, and set up the Constitutional Review Study Group headed by Chief Rotimi Williams, the Commission for the Unification of Civil Services, headed by Mr F Nwokedi, as well as the Economic Committee under Simeon Adebo, the North, already incensed by these policies, was not placated. It led to the pogrom in the North against Igbo, and Ironsis abduction and killing in Ibadan. The general state of anomie in the country was the tinder that eventually incinerated Nigeria.

Western Region was however generally happy with the coup and counter-coup. As the Nigeria-Biafra war raged, the war of politicians of the rested First Republic, spread like bush fire in the harmattan. Apparently confirming the Nzeogwu coupists allegation of massive corruption in that Republic, the new military administration set up the Somolu tribunal to investigate allegations of corruption and illegal acquisition of wealth by politicians of the First Republic. The major purpose of the commission was to uncover illicit enrichment and recover public assets. It acted under the Public Officers and Other Persons (Investigation of Assets) Edict No. 5 of 1967. The tribunal discovered that many public officers improperly acquired illicit wealth. It subsequently ordered the forfeiture of substantial assets that included lands, houses, bank accounts to the Western State Government. The findings and orders of the Somolu Tribunal led to widespread forfeiture of properties.

Mrs. Faderera Akintola, wife of the late Premier, had her ample share of the riposte. Faderera was a fierce woman reported to always have a pistol in her handbag. She was the woman Awolowo reported in his autobiography, during the swearing-in of Sikiru Adetona as the Awujale of Ijebu on 2 April, 1960, as complaining about how a rude crowd of party supporters was shouting Up Awo! at Akintolas appearance in Ijebu-Ode for the Awujale installation. Akintola, said Awolowo, had promised his wife that he would rid the region of the name Awo in six months. Some persons also alleged that Faderera, nee Awomolo, of Igbajo in current Osun State, believed in an eye for an eye. One day when he suggested the rout of a political opponent, Akintola was reported to have grimaced and said, Faderera, you dont even know more than elimination! If we eliminate this, eliminate that, who else would we administer in the region?

So, on her day before the Somolu tribunal investigating the Wrought Iron (Nig) Ltd., a company in which she was alleged to have purchased shares worth 22,636 in the name of Aibinu Omotara, Faderera was grilled. On 13 September, 1967, the headline of one of the stories in the Nigerian Tribune newspaper was, I lost my husband, yet: Akintola (Mrs) sobs at probe.

Some members of the Akintola government were also tried by the tribunal. The major headline of the Tribune of the same 13 September was, Juju display at assets probe. It was some celebration of the collapse of the erstwhile rulers of the West. Newspapers also devoted front pages to scintillating stories that erupted from the Somolu tribunal. When Oba Claudius Akran, former Minister of Finance under Akintola, appeared at the tribunal, his statement made the front page of the Tribunes edition of 16 September, 1967. It was, I didnt know its govt money: Akran takes turn. The story painted Akran as a patently corrupt man who acquired several thousands of pounds in assets, property and savings which were above his legitimate income between 1960 and January 1966.

On 21 October, 1967, Oba Akran again came under focus, having attended the Somolu tribunal the previous day. From the sublime, to the hilarious and humorous, the complicity of the Akintola NNDP-led government in the morass that eventually came upon the Western region was feasted upon by newspapers that were sympathetic to the defunct AG. In one of its front page stories with the title, Account Akranll give in heaven (21 October, 1967, Nigerian Tribune), the newspaper reported verbatim the cross-examination sessions between Akran and the counsel to the tribunal, an account which though hilarious, brought out the complicity of Akran in the huge theft of the regions money. Stolen money was alleged to be about 2million. In another front-page story on the tribunal which was entitled, Akran says, I dealt in  thousands, the former Finance Minister said he never dealt in any amount that was less than 1,000. In the midst of very poor people, this report was almost tantamount to casting leprosy on a public figure.

The lead story of the Tribune of 7 February, 1968, still reporting the Somolu tribunal, was the arrest of the Western region Minister for Works and Ports, Chief Adebiyi Adeyi. He was said to have been arrested for having the sum of 73,000 in his custody. A screaming headline, 73,000 funds in private pocket: Adeyi in custody, as well as another one underneath it entitled, Lakanmi sheds tears, were published in the Tribune of 7 February, 1968. Mr. Emmanuel Lakanmi was the Chairman of the Western Region Housing Corporation and Justice Somolu had issued a bench warrant for his arrest for contempt of the tribunal.

However, the Somolu tribunals actions were heavily contested in court. They resulted in landmark legal cases which interrogated the untrammeled powers of the military government over the judiciary. One of them was the Lakanmi v. AG Western State which ran up to the Supreme Court in 1970. In this landmark case, Chief Lakanmi challenged the forfeiture of his assets.

However, seeing that the judiciary was going to rout its unquestionable powers, the military promulgated the Decree No. 45 of 1968, so as to curb legal challenges to its powers. It promulgated the Forfeiture of Assets, etc. (Validation) Decree No. 45 of 1968 which essentially validated the actions of the tribunal. It overrode court decisions. When it got to the Supreme Court, it almost led to a constitutional crisis, with the court initially holding that the Decree was invalid. However, the military government responded with the Federal Military Government (Supremacy and Enforcement of Powers) Decree 1970. In it, the military held itself as running a revolutionary government which had supreme powers. This effectively ended the challenge.

The 1968 Somolu Tribunal has however remained a watershed in history, a cornerstone of anti-corruption efforts of government in post-independence Nigeria. It also signposts a flashpoint of the conflict of military might and the rule of law under military rule.

Today, the Nigerian opposition claims that the Somolu Tribunal version in operation now is the EFCC. As those in government and their clapping community rejoice that those opposed to their government like Abubakar Malami, are eating their breakfast, they should wait for what would happen to them, too.

While Nzeogwu and his fellow coupists identified three elephants in the room of Nigeria in 1966, those elephants have not disappeared, 60 years after. The ethnic suspicions between the north and the southern parts of Nigeria, whose foundation was laid during colonial rule, which escalated during the First Republic, have worsened considerably now. From Gowon, to Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, the brief spell of civilian administration of the Second Republic and the eventual coming of the military in Babangida, Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar, the incubus of divisiveness that has gripped Nigeria from the days of colonial administration has never stopped. Even with the advent of the Fourth Republic, with five presidents having ruled Nigeria, sectarian violence, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping are yet to abate. They have assumed even scary dimensions.

Since Nzeogwu, other elephants have since entered the Nigerian room. They are the elephants of hunger, selfish political elites and political office holders who are not just profiteers but vultures and scavengers. Between them, they constitute the Macbeth tragedy of our democratic governance.

May the souls of Nzeogwu and his revolutionary colleagues continue to rest in peace.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.
Congratulations to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, all members of Nigerian academia, and the Nigerian government for finally renegotiating the conditions of service of academic staff in Nigerian universities after many years of failed government implementation of the original 2009 agreement. Maybe we can now begin to experience a return to normalcy in universities and an improvement in the quality of graduates produced.

Effective January 1, 2026, the remuneration of all academic staff in federal universities will go up by 40 per cent. Core academic activities such as research, journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership, and book procurement are now to be incentivised under the category of tools allowance.

Increases

Nine earned academic allowances are restructured to promote transparency and fairness by tying payments strictly to duties performed. Thus, postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical responsibilities, examination duties and leadership roles within the university system are now specifically recognised and rewarded while a new Professorial Cadre Allowance for senior academics has now been newly introduced. This provision entitles full-time professors to a N1.74m allowance annually, while readers will earn N840,000 per annum.

It is envisaged that the new measures will boost productivity and curb brain drain. Education Minister Tunji Alausa believes that the agreement goes beyond a formal document and represents a renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigerias tertiary education system.

If that turns out to be the case, the Tinubu government would have solved a major problem that has been confronting university education for decades that of staggered academic calendars caused by incessant strikes by undervalued, underpaid, and under-motivated academic staff whose sole trusted weapon is withdrawal of services.

Its been a litany of woes over the years: In 1999, the academic staff went on strike for five months; in 2001, three months; in 2009, four months; in 2011, five months; about 11 months under President Jonathan; two months in Buharis first two years, and eight months towards the end of his tenure. Nigerian universities have regularly lost one year out of every five!

Congratulations

Under President Tinubus administration, the newly signed collective bargaining document will go down as a landmark achievement if faithfully implemented. The devil is in the implementation. But, as they say in my neck of the woods, whether a child would die in infancy or not, it is still customary to congratulate the parents. Kudos to Minister Alausa and his team, including the former Secretary to Government, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed (good man), who chaired the negotiating team.

While appreciating the governments gesture, ASUU pointed out that there were still some governance issues, especially with regard to university autonomy and administration that are still work in progress. These issues should be ironed out over time in the interest of our universities. ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, hoped that despite lingering doubts, The union would not need to issue a strike threat for the full implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN renegotiated agreement. Amen!

However, this is as good a time as any to re-examine another measure announced by Minister Alausa that could lead to retrogression in the Nigerian educational sector. Last November, Alausa announced a reversal of the lingua franca policy for primary education in Nigeria in favour of instruction in the English language. He directed that the language of Nigerias former coloniser would be the only medium of instruction in the educational system from kindergarten through primary and secondary to tertiary institutions! With due respect, there is no way Alausa can pretend to be in a position to untie the intellectual sandals of the foremost educationist, Prof Babs Fafunwa, who authored the lingua franca policy based on research.

Mother Tongue

Fafunwa, Nigerias first professor of education and his team had, between 1970 and 1978, carried out a research undertaking titled EDUCATION IN MOTHER TONGUE: THE IFE PRIMARY EDUCATION RESEARCH PROJECT, 1970-1978 in which children who were taught exclusively in Yoruba during their primary education significantly outperformed those taught in a system that switched to English early. The children taught in the local language also beat the others in the English language despite the fact that they learnt English as just another subject like arithmetic.

There were a few research efforts that predated Fafunwas in the use of the Yoruba language. There is evidence that Yoruba was used as a means of instruction around 1840 in a girls school in Sierra Leone after many years of research. Yoruba orthography has since developed to match the changing times to the extent that today, there is no concept that cannot be explained in Yoruba. None! A lot of surprise awaits any open-minded person interested in researching the massive developments in Nigerian local languages. Please read my 2023 article, Why Cant Science Speak Vernacular?

The outcome of Fafunwas experiment was celebrated all over academia. UNESCO also endorsed the findings and encouraged African states to start teaching in their mother tongue. It wasnt a difficult thing to understand. Chinese children learn in the Chinese language. English children are taught in English. Indian children are taught in Hindi. French children are taught in French. Spanish children learn in Spanish, just as Russian children are taught in Russian.

Only Africans are forced to first conquer a colonial linguistic barricade before taking the baby steps in learning. When children are forced to learn in a language they do not yet understand, they are more likely to memorise words without comprehension, leading to what the erudite professor described as epistemological disorientation.

Because memories are short, it is good to remind ourselves that Fafunwa, an alumnus of both Bethune-Cookman College, Florida, USA, (1948-50), and New York University, USA, (1950-55), bagged a B.Sc Magna Cum Laude in Social Science and English and M.A (Cum Laude) in Administration and Higher Education before achieving his doctorate in Education.

He was a senior lecturer and head, College of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1961-63; professor, dean and director, Faculty and Institute of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1964-66; professor and dean of Education, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), lle-Ife, 1967-79; deputy vice-chancellor, OAU, lle-Ife, 1970-72; and Honourable Minister of Education (1991-93) et cetera! You cant throw away the lifes work of such an intellectual giant in a casual manner without dire consequences to the society.

Make a U-turn

Dr Alausa is a very brilliant nephrologist, but education is a different ballgame. He has done well with ASUU. However, his decision on lingua franca is not correct. Rather, we should be carrying out a massive standardisation of some of our major local languages and then train linguists and experts to produce systematised texts for instruction in our public schools. This about-turn to Colonial Avenue will only lead to regression.

There already exists a large body of work on the use of lingua franca for instruction in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and some other local languages. Perhaps the teachers unions, NGOs, UNESCO affiliates, parents/teachers associations, educational researchers in transliteration and other fields will help point the way to Minister Alausa. When you find out that you are headed in the wrong direction, the sensible thing to do is to make a U-turn!

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on [email protected], Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administrations unwavering commitment to promoting religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and spiritual unity, describing faith-based gatherings such as the 2026 National Maulud of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass as powerful platforms for moral renewal, social cohesion and national peace.

The Governor stated this Saturday while hosting participants of the 2026 National Maulud at a state dinner held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina, attended by Tijjaniyya leaders, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers and other distinguished guests.

This gathering symbolises our collective devotion to Allah and our shared responsibility to strengthen unity, peace and mutual understanding among our people. The presence of eminent scholars and followers of the Tijjaniyya Movement in Katsina is both a blessing and a source of spiritual pride for our state, Governor Radda said.

He expressed profound appreciation to the Tijjaniyya family for choosing Katsina as host of the historic 2026 National Maulud, noting that the decision reflected confidence in the states peaceful atmosphere, hospitality and rich Islamic heritage.

We are deeply grateful to the Tijjaniyya family for bringing this historic National Maulud to Katsina. The discipline, harmony and brotherhood displayed by the followers throughout the event truly reflect the noble teachings of Islam and the enduring legacy of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, he added.

The governor also called on Islamic scholars and the faithful to continue to remember Katsina State and the nation in their prayers.

We need your continuous prayers for our state and our country. Only with the help of Allah can we overcome our challenges, sustain peace and secure a prosperous future for our people, he said.

He further stressed that religious gatherings remain vital instruments for strengthening social bonds and nurturing peaceful coexistence.

Our administration will continue to support religious activities that promote peace, tolerance and unity. Peace is built not only through policies and institutions, but also through faith, sincere prayers and the collective conscience of the people, Mr Radda noted.

Earlier, the Khalifa Mahi of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, represented by Sheikh Muhammadul uraish Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, expressed deep gratitude to the Katsina State Government for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to the delegation.

We are sincerely grateful for the honour, respect and kindness shown to us by the Government and people of Katsina State. This reflects the Governors commitment to Islamic scholarship and the unity of the Ummah, he said.

The National President of the Tijjaniyya Movement, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Awwal, also commended the state government for its moral and logistical support, describing the successful hosting of the Maulud as a testament to effective leadership and fruitful collaboration.

In the same vein, the Katsina State Chairman of the Organising Committee, Sheikh Hadi Balarabe, appreciated Governor Radda for personally identifying with the event and ensuring that all arrangements were made to the highest standard.

Other eminent scholars, including Gwani Munnir Sheikh Jafar Katsina, offered prayers and words of encouragement, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in promoting peace, unity and obedience to Allah.

The dinner session concluded with special prayers for Governor Radda, Katsina State, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the entire Muslim Ummah, and for lasting peace and stability across the world.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AZIO AI, a newly formed artificial intelligence infrastructure company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the AI division of Azio Corp, subject to customary closing conditions including audit, diligence, and final documentation.

The transaction formalizes the previously announced spin-out of AZIO AI from Azio Corp and transfers the AI-focused operations, customer relationships, and related commercial activity into AZIO AI as an independent company.

Azio Corp has historically operated as a consumer and enterprise computer hardware and accessories business. Over the last year, the company expanded into AI-related infrastructure sourcing, supported by long-standing supply-chain relationships. That AI-focused activity  including completed customer deliveries and signed purchase orders  will be housed entirely within AZIO AI following closing.

Transaction Overview

Under the agreement, AZIO AI has acquired the right to purchase 100% of Azio Corp's AI division. The transaction remains subject to customary due diligence, audit procedures, and other closing conditions.

Management Commentary

"This transaction is about moving a large division of Azio into the newly formed Azio AI and to keep focus," said Chris Young, Chief Executive Officer of AZIO AI. "By consolidating all AI-related commercial activity into AZIO AI, we are aligning our infrastructure strategy, customer relationships, and capital formation under a single, purpose-built platform." Young went on to comment that "The combination of both sets of customers from Azio Corp. and Azio AI will help build a greater revenue run rate for Azio AI as we work towards finishing our material definitive agreement with Envirotech Vehicles (EVTV).

About AZIO AI

AZIO AI is a next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure and high-performance computing platform focused on deploying scalable, power-efficient AI data centers and delivering mission-critical compute solutions for government, enterprise, and industrial applications.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding anticipated closing of the transaction, future operations, infrastructure deployment, customer demand, and strategic opportunities. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. AZIO AI undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Media Contact

Phoenix Management Consulting

[email protected]

888-228-0122

SOURCE Azio AI Corporation
Invitation-only global forum convened by the Future Economic Cooperation Council, in cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Government of Maharashtra, bringing together senior political leadership, international delegations, global capital and industry

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior policymakers, global CEOs, investors and leaders of multilateral institutions from India and abroad will convene in Mumbai from 1719 February 2026 for the inaugural Global Economic Cooperation 2026 (GEC), a high-level, invitation-only forum designed to examine how economic diplomacy, cooperation and capital alignment must evolve in an increasingly multipolar world.

The inaugural Global Economic Cooperation 2026 forum will take place in Mumbai in February, bringing together senior policymakers, multilateral institutions and investors.

The summit is convened by the Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC), a non-profit platform, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra.

The Council is guided by a governing body comprising Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who serves as Chief Patron; Mr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge, Foreign Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party, as Director; and Ms. Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Founder of Vishwamitra Research Foundation, as Director and Curator.

Positioned at a moment of global economic transition, GEC 2026 is designed to address the deeper structural shifts reshaping global commerce, investment flows and economic governance. With structured engagement across infrastructure financing, advanced manufacturing, technology systems, energy transitions and resilient supply chains, the event will underscore cooperation beyond trade. High-level plenaries and closed-door dialogues will focus on economic corridors, investment partnerships, digital connectivity, ESG frameworks and the governance of emerging technologies, which are areas now central to economic sovereignty and global stability.

Speaking on the vision for GEC 2026, Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Director, Future Economic Cooperation Council, said, "The global economy is entering a decisive decade where economies need to protect themselves against the threats of fragmentation, protectionism and uncertainty. Through Global Economic Cooperation 2026, India is stepping forward to convene governments, investors and industry leaders to shape practical pathways for cooperation across capital, infrastructure, technology and energy that reflect the realities of a multipolar world and our shared responsibility for global prosperity."

Mr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge, Foreign Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party, said, "Under the able guidance of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has built durable partnerships with global leaders that have stood the test of time in an increasingly multipolar world. Today, economic engagement is inseparable from geopolitics. At a time like this, we're hosting GEC 2026, which further underscores India's commitment to shaping cooperative, rules-based economic frameworks that advance national interest while strengthening global stability."

On the third day of the summit, GEC 2026 will also see the launch of the Emerging Leaders Circle, a dedicated platform engaging young business minds and future business leaders through curated panels and discussions on global economic change and innovation. The Emerging Leaders Circle will be convened in collaboration with leading academic institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Columbia University, underscoring the forum's emphasis on nurturing the next generation of global economic leadership.

The Global Economic Cooperation platform envisions a world where economic corridors become conduits of cooperation, and where fair access to trade, connectivity and inclusivity drive peace, prosperity and shared progress. Envisaged as an annual convening, the forum will bring together ministerial leadership, sovereign and institutional investors, and CEOs from critical sectors including infrastructure, logistics, ports, clean energy, AI, fintech and advanced manufacturing. The inaugural edition aims to lay the foundation for renewed approaches to global economic cooperation.

About the Future Economic Cooperation Council

The Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC) is a strategic platform to advance dialogue and collaboration on global economic cooperation in a rapidly evolving world order. Grounded in India's expanding diplomatic and economic leadership, FECC serves as a connector between emerging and advanced economies navigating the new age of multipolarity, shifting trade norms and technological independence. Through high impact convenings and strategic initiatives, FECC aims to position India as a trusted convenor and catalyst for inclusive, forward-looking economic partnerships worldwide.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2863421/FECC_GEC_2026.jpg

SOURCE Future Economic Cooperation Council
Championing Innovation and Collaboration in Autism Research and Support

MOHEGAN LAKE, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shrub Oak is honored to serve as a proud sponsor of the 3rd Annual Autism Research & Training Symposium (ARTS), hosted by the International Society for Autism (ISA) from January 2022, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida. This landmark event brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and advocates from across the autism field to share cutting-edge discoveries, evidence-based practices, and innovative approaches focused on improving quality of life for autistic individuals.

Now in its third year, ARTS 2026  themed "Innovative Pathways: Technology and Advances in Autism Research, Support, and Care"  underscores the transformative role of research and technology in shaping future supports and services. Attendees will engage in keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and networking sessions designed to strengthen collaborations and accelerate progress in autism research and practice.

"Shrub Oak is deeply committed to advancing autism research, evidence-based practice, and clinical training," said Lauren Koffler, MSW, Head of Admissions and Organizational Growth at Shrub Oak International School and The Pines at Shrub Oak. "We are proud to sponsor ARTS and to support a forum that fosters meaningful dialogue, encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, and brings the voices of researchers, clinicians, families, and autistic self-advocates to the forefront."

As a sponsor, Shrub Oak looks forward to sharing insights from our work, supporting emerging leaders in autism research, and reinforcing our dedication to evidence-based outcomes that benefit autistic individuals and their families.

About Shrub Oak International School and The Pines at Shrub Oak

The mission of Shrub Oak International School is to improve the lives of autistic children, adolescents, and young adults. Through individualized, strengths- and passion-based learning, we help students form meaningful relationships, navigate their communities, and maximize their potential.

Located on the campus of Shrub Oak International School, The Pines at Shrub Oak is a specialized therapeutic program designed to address the unique needs of neurodiverse children, adolescents, and young adultswith or without an autism diagnosiswho require intensive psychiatric support.

Shrub Oak International School is accredited by:

The National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), Level III Therapeutic Certification, Academic Accreditation, with an Autism Endorsement;

The Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), a globally recognized leader in school accreditation and improvement; and

Cognia, signifying that the school meets or exceeds rigorous standards of educational quality and effectiveness.

For more information about Shrub Oak International School, visit www.shruboak.org or contact Lauren Koffler, Head of Admissions and Organizational Growth, at [email protected].

SOURCE Shrub Oak International School
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Tehran, Jan 18 : Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that the country had defeated the United States and Israel "once again" and had "extinguished the sedition" he described as being incited by Washington and Tel Aviv.

Speaking during an address marking a religious holiday on Saturday, Khamenei accused the United States of planning the unrest with the aim of "swallowing up Iran."

He described US President Donald Trump as a "criminal" responsible for the killings and destruction in the recent riots in Iran, noting that Trump personally intervened, commented publicly, and encouraged the rioters by pledging military support, Xinhua news agency reported.

Khamenei said that while Iran would not seek war, it "will not refrain from punishing those responsible for unrest, both inside the country and abroad."

His remarks came as domestic protests appeared to have subsided after weeks of nationwide demonstrations that began in late December over economic grievances but later turned violent.

Iranian authorities said the peaceful protests had been hijacked by "vandals," and the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that security forces had detained about 3,000 people in connection with the unrest.

Amid the easing tensions, short message service in Iran was resumed on Saturday, while schools will reopen on Sunday after a one-week closure, according to Iranian media.

Also on Saturday, Lebanon's Hezbollah voiced firm support for Iran. In a televised address on the Hezbollah-controlled al-Manar channel, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called Iran a "stronghold of resistance" and accused the United States of seeking global domination.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement Friday night strongly condemning what it called "meddlesome" remarks by the Group of Seven nations concerning the recent unrest, urging the group to stop interfering in Iran's internal affairs.
Brussels, Jan 18 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned that US tariff threats linked to Greenland would undermine transatlantic ties and risk a "dangerous downward spiral."

"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," they said in a joint statement.

Von der Leyen and Costa said territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, essential for Europe and the international community. They added that Europe would remain "united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."

Their comments came after US President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10 per cent tariff from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, rising the levy to 25 per cent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory, Xinhua news agency reported.

Nordic leaders were among the first to push back, stressing that disputes between allies should be handled through dialogue rather than pressure.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was surprised by the tariff threat and noted Denmark was in close contact with the European Commission, according to Ritzau.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy.

The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland.
Kolkata, Jan 18 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) had turned down the West Bengal government's plea last week seeking withdrawal of the poll body's earlier order for strong disciplinary action -- including suspension and registration of FIRs -- against four electoral officers in the state accused of manipulation in the enrolment of voters in two Assembly constituencies.

On Friday, an official communique went from the West Bengal government to the ECI through the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), seeking the Commission's earlier disciplinary actions against these four electoral officers, including two electoral registration officers (EROs) and two assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs).

However, on Saturday, the ECI's headquarters in New Delhi had communicated to the CEO's office that the district magistrates, also the district electoral officers (DEOs), will have to carry forward with the Commission's earlier order for registration of FIRs against these four electoral officers, an insider from the CEO's office confirmed.

Two of the four officers against whom the CEO's office has been directed to register FIRs are Debottam Dutta Chowdhury, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Baruipur East Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, and Tathagata Mandal, the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) of the same constituency.

The other two officers are Biplob Sarkar, the ERO of Moyna Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, and Sudipta Das, the AERO of the constituency.

To recall, in August last year, instructions came from the ECI headquarters in New Delhi to West Bengal to suspend these four electoral officers and also register FIRs against them.

However, the West Bengal government partially implemented the order. Although the four officers were suspended, FIRs were not registered against them.

Additionally, a contractual Data Entry Operator was relieved of his duty.

Again, earlier this month, the ECI directed the district magistrates of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore to register FIRs against the four electoral officers.

However, before the two district electoral officers initiated the process of registering FIRs, the state government sent a request to withdraw the order for disciplinary action against the four officers.

The officers were accused of tampering with the voters' list. Following this, the ECI had directed that the four officers and the Data Entry Operator should be suspended and that FIRs should be lodged against them.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had then criticised the ECI for its directive and accused the poll body of being the "bonded labour of the BJP".

She had also asserted that her government would not take any action against its employees.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has dismantled an international drug syndicate operated by Nigerian nationals, leading to the seizure of cocaine and MDMA drugs valued at approximately Rs 5 crore.

The operation was carried out by the WR-II unit of the Crime Branch as part of its zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.

The team recovered 418 grams of cocaine and 925 tablets of Ecstasy/MDMA and arrested two foreign nationals from different parts of the national capital, a police statement said on Sunday.

The Crime Branch stated that it had been closely monitoring a drug trafficking network active in Delhi.

Acting on specific intelligence received on December 2, 2025, officials were informed that a Nigerian national named Frank, previously involved in NDPS cases, had resumed supplying psychotropic substances in South Delhi.

A team led by Inspector Akshay Gahlaut, under the supervision of ACP Rajpal Dabas and DCP Harsh Indora, IPS, conducted technical and manual surveillance as the suspect kept changing locations across South and South-West Delhi.

Following sustained efforts, the team traced and arrested Frank Victus from Delhi, recovering 418 grams of cocaine and 910 MDMA tablets from his possession.

Based on this recovery, a case was registered, and further investigation led the team to another Nigerian national, identified as Sunday Otuu, who was allegedly the source of the drugs.

The Crime Branch said that through phone analysis and technical investigation, the accused was traced to Mehrauli, from where he was arrested. Fifteen tablets of ecstasy were recovered from his rented accommodation.

During interrogation, both accused revealed that the drug supply chain was controlled by a kingpin based in Nigeria, identified as Elo Chukwu, and drugs were sent to Delhi through couriers, including an African woman, and distributed locally through intermediaries.

Frank disclosed that he had come to India in 2012 on a business visa and was previously arrested by the NCB in 2015. After being released on bail in 2024, he allegedly resumed drug trafficking due to financial difficulties.

Sunday Otuu, who came to India in 2015, admitted that he coordinated drug deliveries using Nigerian WhatsApp numbers to avoid direct contact between suppliers.

The Crime Branch stated that further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate and trace the international network involved in drug trafficking.
Hyderabad, Jan 18 : Two youths were killed and another critically injured in a road accident in Telangana's Jagtial district, police said.

The accident occurred near Hanumajipet when a car rammed into an electricity pole late Saturday night.

Two of the occupants died on the spot, while another sustained critical injury. The deceased have been identified as Sai Teja (22) and Navaneeth (22).

Another youth, Srujan (22), was injured and shifted to the hospital.

Three friends, who were students at an engineering college in Hyderabad, visited Jagital district to celebrate Sankranti at their native places.

When they were returning to Jagital after partying with some other friends near Porandla, the youth at the wheel lost control of the speeding vehicle and rammed it into the roadside electricity pole. Police suspect that the person driving the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol.

A police officer said two of the youth died before they could be shifted to the hospital.

The police registered a case and took up an investigation.

In another accident in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, 13 people were injured when a trolley auto-rickshaw overturned.

The accident occurred near Seeta Nagar in Palvancha mandal late Saturday night.

The injured were shifted to a hospital, where the condition of five of them was stated to be critical.

In another accident in Visakhapatnam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, a newlywed woman died and her husband was injured. The accident occurred on NAD Flyover when the car in which they were travelling suffered tyre puncture.

The deceased was identified as Rama Himaji (27), who, along with her husband MVV Vinish, was returning to Visakhapatnam after offering prayers at Satyanarayana Swamy temple at Annavaram.

The couple had come to Visakhapatnam for Sankranti. Vinish works as a software engineer at a company in Hyderabad. They had married three months ago.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday strongly countered Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks over the recent bulldozer action at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, asserting that the current government acts against encroachment without any religious bias and follows the principle of one law for all.

Responding to Akhilesh Yadav's criticism, Union Minister Manjhi said, "Kings and emperors might have broken temples. Are we talking about temples or mosques? If the issue of temple-breaking has come up, we have no knowledge that emperors broke temples. But today, if temples are being demolished, it is a matter of encroachment, and across the country, encroachments are being removed."

The Union minister emphasised that the central government is secular and does not discriminate on religious lines. "The Indian government is secular and sees everyone under one law. Wherever encroachment has been done, whether in temples or mosques, action is being taken," he said.

He further criticised attempts to give the issue a religious colour, stating, "If Hindus or Muslims see this with a religious view and condemn it, making it provocative, it is wrong. In fact, Akhilesh should think and praise the government."

His remarks came amid political uproar after a bulldozer action at Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat triggered sharp reactions from the opposition, particularly the Samajwadi Party.

Akhilesh, while speaking to the media during a programme in Bhubaneswar, accused the BJP of destroying heritage and history. Referring to the Manikarnika Ghat action, the SP chief said, "The BJP does not understand heritage and wants to erase history to create its own narrative."

Akhilesh said that the "BJP neither respects history nor appreciates good work done by others". He alleged that "even when the Samajwadi Party is constructing a temple, the BJP creates obstacles". The former UP Chief Minister claimed that the BJP has "damaged the entire Kashi," saying it has neither become Kyoto nor remained Kashi.

He further alleged that demolition benefits contractors, claiming structures are broken to award contracts, inflate estimates, and earn profits. "Temples are being demolished for profit-making," he alleged.
Hyderabad, Jan 18 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao's family members paid him rich tributes on his 30th death anniversary on Sunday.

NTR's sons N. Balakrishna and Ramakrishna, daughters Purandeswari and Bhuvaneswari, grandsons Kalyan Ram and Nara Lokesh, the late leader's second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi, and others paid tributes at NTR Ghat on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad.

Leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), actor Babu Mohan and NTR's fans also paid floral tributes and recalled his services to Telugu people.

NTR Trust had made elaborate arrangements at NTR Ghat. It organised an all-religious prayer meeting and also displayed photographs depicting the late leader's journey in the film industry and politics.

Popular actor and TDP MLA Balakrishna said after paying tributes that NTR will be remembered as long as the sun shines.

He recalled that NTR not only earned immense popularity with his film but also created a sensation by founding TDP in the early 1980s.

Balakrishna said NTR provided political representation to the backward classes, weaker sections and minorities, and implemented several pro-poor schemes, which became a role model for the entire country.

The actor said it was NTR who fought for the self-respect of Telugu people and brought recognition to them globally.

NTR's another son, Ramakrishna, and granddaughter, Suhasini, launched a rally at Rasoolpura Junction in Begumpet, which culminated at NTR Ghat.

Suhasini recalled that NTR abolished the 'patel-patwari system' in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh and launched revolutionary welfare schemes.

Lakshmi Parvathi said that NTR will live forever in the hearts of people. She said that the late leader never bowed before anybody till his last breath.

NTR's daughter and BJP MP Purandeswari stated that even after 30 years, NTR is still alive in people's hearts. She called him a great leader who used politics to serve people. She pointed out that the schemes launched by NTR are still being implemented in the country.

NTR's another daughter, Bhuvaneswari, and her son, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, visited NTR Ghat to pay tributes.

Earlier, NTR's grandson and actor Kalyan Ram laid wreaths at the samadhi.

Legendary actor NTR had launched TDP in 1982 on the slogan of Telugu self-respect and created a record of sorts by coming to power within nine months, ending the single-party rule of Congress in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

He died on January 18, 1996, a few months after his son-in-law, N. Chandrababu Naidu, led a revolt and became the Chief Minister.
Sydney, Jan 18 : Police in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Sunday that a man had been seriously injured after he was shot during a public place shooting in Sydney's west overnight.

Police said that emergency services were called to a home in Lalor Park, a suburb of Sydney, at about 11.35 pm local time on Saturday, following reports of a public place shooting, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Officers were told unknown people had fired multiple gunshots into a home, hitting one resident before leaving the scene in a vehicle.

The resident, a 46-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a gunshot injury before being taken to the hospital in a stable condition.

On January 8, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday called a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia in the wake of the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Albanese announced at a press conference in Canberra that his government will establish a royal commission, the highest form of inquiry in Australia, which will be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell and deliver a report by mid-December.

"I've taken the time to reflect, to meet with leaders in the Jewish community and most importantly, I've met with many of the families of victims and survivors of that horrific attack," he said.

The prime minister said that the inquiry would investigate the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in Australia, make recommendations to law enforcement to tackle antisemitism, examine the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach attack, and make recommendations on strengthening social cohesion.

"I've repeatedly said that our government's priority is to promote unity and social cohesion, and this is what Australia needs to heal, to learn, to come together in a spirit of national unity," he said.

The alleged lone surviving gunman, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, over the attack, which authorities allege was motivated by Islamic State ideology

In December last year, the parliament of Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) passed tough new gun and protest laws in response to the fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

ABC said that the bill, which packaged gun reforms with a ban on protests for up to three months, passed 18 votes to eight just before 3 am local time on December 24 and included a key amendment on tightening firearms laws for people with suspected terrorist links.

The legislation went back to the lower house to be rubberstamped, it added.

The mass shooting, which targeted an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, killed 15 victims on December 14.
Prayagraj, Jan 18 : Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand on Sunday claimed that he was stopped by the state administration from proceeding towards the Sangam Nose during the Prayagraj Magh Mela on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

He alleged that the police personnel blocked him mid-way to the Sangam ghat, forced him and his followers to turn back and return to his Akhara without taking the holy dip.

According to the Shankaracharya, his palanquin was halted midway as senior police officials allegedly pushed and also roughed up his disciples.

He claimed that due to the prevailing situation, he decided not to proceed further and returned, stating that saints were being "assaulted" during the process.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand also stated that in view of the circumstances, he would not take the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya.

Expressing his displeasure over handling of situation by the state administration, he said that the conduct of the authorities compelled him to withdraw.

Speaking to reporters, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said, "Now the situation is that we are being stopped from taking the holy bath. Let us see what happens next. The administration can do whatever it wants. We have told our people to return, as the administration is stopping the process. There is no reason for us to move forward. We are supporting the administration."

"We do not have any problem, but now it is up to the administration to tell us what is wrong," he further added.

Notably, Mauni Amavasya marks the third and largest bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj and traditionally witnesses massive participation from saints and devotees.

From early Sunday morning, a huge number of pilgrims reached the Sangam Ghat despite dense fog and cold weather to take the holy dip, making it one of the most significant days of the religious congregation.

To ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims, strict security and traffic arrangements were put in place at the Sangam Ghat.

NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed, while CCTV cameras and drones were used for constant monitoring.

Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal said that around fifty lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at various ghats since 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Speaking to IANS, she said, "Although the crowd was larger than expected, adequate facilities had been arranged, and the bathing process was proceeding smoothly and in an orderly manner."

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that the main bathing ritual of Mauni Amavasya was taking place on Sunday, and a large number of devotees had been bathing continuously since midnight.

He said the process had been going on for over six hours without any disruption, and devotees were present at every ghat, taking the holy dip peacefully.
Noida, Jan 18 : Haryana Thunders maintained their perfect start to the Pro Wrestling League 2026 with a commanding 6-3 win over Delhi Dangal Warriors in Match 5 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Noida, Jan 18 (IANS) Haryana Thunders maintained their perfect start to the Pro Wrestling League 2026 with a commanding 6a"3 win over Delhi Dangal Warriors in Match 5 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Riding the momentum from their opening fixture, Haryana delivered a well-rounded performance, blending aggressive technical superiority with disciplined tactical execution to control proceedings for most of the contest.

Despite Delhi Dangal Warriors putting up a tough fight and collecting valuable points, Haryanaas strength across multiple weight categories proved too strong.

The tie began with a tightly fought womenas 76kg bout, where Kajal edged out Anastasia 6a"5, giving Haryana an early advantage.

Ankush then asserted his dominance in the menas 57kg category, registering a convincing 13a"3 victory over Shubham to extend Haryanaas lead.

The highlight of the evening came in the womenas 53kg bout, as Yui Susaki delivered a sensational display of speed and precision, overwhelming Saarika 16a"0 in just 57 seconds. Her breathtaking performance earned her the Player of the Match award and drew loud applause from the spectators.

Haryana further tightened its hold on the contest when Anirudh Gulia outclassed Ronak Dahiya 13a"0 in the menas 125kg category, displaying complete control throughout the bout.

Neha Sangwan followed with another dominant showing, overpowering Karla Godinez 18a"2 in the womenas 57kg category to strengthen Haryanaas position even further.

Delhi Dangal Warriors found some relief through Sujeet Kalkal, who showed composure in a closely contested menas 65kg bout to defeat Tumur Tulga 2a"1. Turan Bayramov also impressed for Delhi with a commanding 8a"0 win over Parvinder Singh in the menas 74kg category, keeping the tie competitive.

However, Haryana sealed the contest decisively when Iryna Koliadenko cruised to a comprehensive 13a"0 victory over Anjali in the womenas 62kg bout.

The final menas 86kg contest was awarded to Delhi Dangal Warriors after Ashirov Ashraf was declared unfit to compete, handing the win to Vafeipour.

With two wins from two matches, Haryana Thunders remain firmly placed near the top of the standings. They will next face Maharashtra Kesari on January 23 in their third outing of the PWL 2026 season.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is organising a Business Expo- Bharat Vyapar Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital to showcase the strength, scale and diversity of Indian trade, manufacturing and services under one roof, according to a statement issued by the traders' body.

The event, to be held from May 1 to 4, will serve as a powerful national and global platform and is being supported by thousands of trade federations, associations and chambers across the country, the statement said.

In pursuance of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "vocal to local, local to global" and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the mega event is conceived as the comprehensive Indian Business Expo and is destined to set a new benchmark in trade exhibitions of Indian goods and services, the statement said.

CAIT Secretary General and MP Praveen Khandelwal said, "Indian goods will be demonstrated through more than 2,000 stalls, whereas more than 10 lakh visitors from all over the country are expected to visit the expo," he added.

Khandelwal further said that the strong B2B focus to expand domestic and global trade is the fundamental key to the event. With a sharp business-to-business (B2B) orientation, the Mahotsav will create unprecedented opportunities for domestic expansion and global trade linkages, enabling Indian traders and manufacturers to connect directly with buyers, investors, exporters, importers, policy-makers and international delegations.

He added that Bharat Vyapar Mahotsav is not just an exhibitionit is a strategic business movement. Designed with extensive use of advanced technology, the event will leverage digital registration systems, AI-enabled matchmaking, smart exhibition layouts, and tech-driven B2B networking tools to ensure seamless participation and meaningful business engagements.

Khandelwal informed that the expo is designed in eight thematic business zones, each dedicated to key sectors of Indian trade and industry. A unique feature of Bharat Vyapar Mahotsav is its end-to-end product presentation model, where each product category will be displayed comprehensively at a single location, covering raw materials, manufacturing, finished goods, packaging, logistics and allied services.

This integrated approach will offer visitors a 360-degree view of complete supply chains, making it easier to explore partnerships, sourcing, and investment opportunities.

Bharat Vyapar Mahotsav will witness pan-India participation of traders, manufacturers, MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs and service providers from across states and sectors.

In addition to products, a wide spectrum of services, including logistics, fintech, e-commerce solutions, export facilitation, design, branding and technology services will also be showcased.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging strict action against the BJP leader and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra for allegedly circulating a doctored video containing objectionable remarks about Sikh Gurus, which has hurt religious sentiments of the community.

In his letter, Kang cited forensic evidence from both Punjab and Delhi, stating that the video was "deliberately circulated to falsely accuse Smt. Atishi of making derogatory references to Sikh Gurus" and emphasised that "the scientific findings leave no room for ambiguityno such words were ever spoken by her."

Kang accused Kapil Mishra of propagating the falsehood with the apparent intention of "provoking outrage and harvesting political gains by weaponising Sikh religious sentiment." He described the act as "not a political misjudgment. It is blasphemy by design."

The MP highlighted the timing of the incident, pointing out that the Sikh community was commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who "sacrificed his life to protect Dharma and the religious freedom of others," and said such acts "amount to a moral transgression of the highest order."

Kang appealed to Prime Minister Modi to take decisive action against Mishra, writing, "We expect sternest possible action against Kapil Mishra, including his removal from all positions of authority and a clear, public denunciation of his actions. Such decisive action will not weaken your leadership; it will strengthen it."

The MP's letter further underscored the spiritual significance of the Gurus, stating, "The history of Bharat is illuminated by the unparalleled sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus, who laid down their lives not for power or privilege, but for the protection of Dharma, human dignity, and the universal right to conscience."

Kang further wrote, "The Sikh community has always stood as the sword and shield of this nation. Today, it seeks not favour, but justice and moral clarity. Your intervention at this moment will reaffirm that the ideals for which the Gurus laid down their lives continue to be protected in modern India."

The controversy over 'blasphemous' video, which went viral, emanated during the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly on January 6. BJP leaders including Kapil Mishra shared a video statement of Atishi, alleging that she made objectionable remarks about the Guru.

Notably, the Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Saturday said that the video of Leader of Opposition Atishi allegedly making derogatory remarks at Sikh Guru was not doctored and a CBI probe will be ordered in the matter.
Beijing, Jan 18 : A wildfire has been raging for nearly two days in a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province as of Sunday, with 326 people mobilised for rescue efforts, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at 4:51 p.m. on Friday in Jiasheng Village, under the jurisdiction of Nujiang Prefecture. The local government has organised 326 rescuers, including personnel from forestry, grassland, and firefighting departments, to combat the blaze.

No casualties have been reported so far, reports Xinhua news agency.

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the fire line spanned approximately 600 meters, with an affected area of about 600 mu (40 hectares).

The government said the site is remote, with no residential areas or critical infrastructure nearby, but added that the fire is adjacent to steep cliffs and rugged terrain, complicating containment efforts.

As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, firefighting operations were still ongoing.

Meanwhile, earlier on January 11, a sudden wildfire broke out in Queshi sub-district of Shantou City, south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities said.

No casualties were reported, as local forest fire prevention forces have been immediately mobilised to combat the flames.

Last year in April, a massive wildfire broke out in Pingyao County, north China's Shanxi Province.

More than 1,000 people have been mobilised to battle the wildfire, local authorities had said.

Eight firefighting aircraft were deployed, and they continuously worked to extinguish the blaze.

Eleven fire trucks and 65 firefighters were dispatched to ensure a water supply to the fire zone and to protect nearby villages.

Strong winds had made the operation particularly challenging. No injuries were reported.
Bhopal, Jan 18 : The long-standing dispute over the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, has intensified as Basant Panchami coincides with Friday on January 23, 2026.

In a fresh development, the Hindu Front for Justice has approached the Supreme Court with an urgent application seeking "exclusive" access for Hindus to perform "Goddess Saraswati Puja" throughout the day on January 23.

The site, a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is claimed by Hindus as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess "Vagdevi (Saraswati)", built by Parmar king Raja Bhoja in the 11th century, and by Muslims as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

The plea demands to "prohibit" from allowing any member of the Muslim community to offer namaz (prayer) that day, strict security arrangements by the ASI and state government, and an expedited hearing of the main case pending before the apex court.

The application highlights a critical ambiguity in the ASI's April 7, 2003, order, which allows Hindus to worship every Tuesday and on Basant Panchami, while permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The directive remains silent on scenarios where Basant Panchami falls on a Friday, as it does this year.

Hindu groups argue that Basant Panchami holds profound sacred significance in Sanatan Dharma as the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati, traditionally marked by uninterrupted worship at the site. They contend that overlapping observances have historically led to disorder, clashes, and even communal violence on such rare coinciding days.

The plea further alleges that allowing Friday namaz without conclusively determining the monument's religious character violates the spirit of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act. It emphasises the long tradition of Hindu worship at the complex and claims the ASI's arrangement infringes on exclusive rights to perform puja on this auspicious day.

The broader dispute traces back to historical claims; Hindus assert the structure originated as a centre of Vedic learning and Saraswati temple before alleged destruction and conversion during medieval invasions, while Muslims maintain continuity of worship at the mosque named after Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti.

Madhya Pradesh High Court, in its order dated July 22, 2024, declined to proceed further with WP No. 10497/2022 concerning the Bhojshala dispute in Dhar. Citing the Supreme Court's interim order dated April 1, 2024, in the connected SLP, the bench refrained from considering the ASI report or passing any operative orders.

The matter will now be listed only after the apex court's final disposal or further directions.

With the main casechallenging the site's religious character and ASI survey findingsalready pending in the Supreme Court (tagged with other Places of Worship Act matters), the fresh plea underscores escalating demands amid the calendar overlap.

Local authorities in Dhar have heightened security, deploying thousands of personnel to prevent any untoward incidents on January 23.
Agartala, Jan 18 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that the state has received as many as 347 national and regional awards over the past eight years in recognition of its consistent performance and commitment to good governance, reflecting the state's steady transformation through policy-driven and citizen-centric administrative reforms.

Addressing a discussion organised in connection with good governance, the Chief Minister said that Tripura's progress in good governance reinforces an important principle -- small states, too, can lead through ideas, institutions and innovation, and the state's governance reforms are not isolated efforts but part of a comprehensive transformation.

Tripura will emerge as a pathfinder among the Northeastern states in terms of policy formulation for good governance and the pace of development, CM Saha said.

He said that Tripura has been recognised as the country's seventh frontrunner state in the field of good governance.

To further accelerate development works, the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT) has decided to introduce an index-based system to monitor progress.

CM Saha said good governance is a process of building trust between the state and its citizens. aGovernance means decision-making, institutions functioning effectively, and delivering outcomes. The Tripura government has consciously placed good governance at the centre of its development strategy."

"Sustainable transformation cannot be achieved through fragmented implementation of schemes alone; it requires strong institutions, evidence-based policymaking, and continuous reforms," he said.

Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion, CM Saha said Vajpayee believed governance was not just about exercising power, but about sensitivity, dialogue and dignity for the common citizen.

"His vision continues to inspire governments across India to strive for humane, inclusive and forward-looking governance," the Chief Minister said.

He recalled that the Good Governance Department was established in August 2023, followed by the launch of the TIFT on December 25, 2023, under the guidance of NITI Aayog's State Support Mission.

The TIFT was envisioned as Tripura's policy think tank and has been recognised by NITI Aayog as one of the seven leading state institutions in the country.

Under NITI Aayog's State Support Mission, Tripura has been working closely with leading knowledge institutions to identify its core strengths, set realistic targets and prepare sectoral roadmaps.

Over the past two years, the Good Governance Department has framed record retention and disposal policies, as well as asset management policies, to enable systematic management of official records and valuable government assets.

Highlighting innovation as the foundation of modern governance, the Chief Minister said TIFT, in collaboration with IIM Calcutta's Innovation Park, organised design thinking workshops to formulate the Tripura Startup Policy.

The objective was to address systemic challenges faced by startups, including access to finance, incubation support, mentoring and market linkages, to ensure inclusive and sustainable innovation in the state.

The Chief Minister noted that no administrative reform is complete without focusing on youth and employment. In this context, TIFT has undertaken comprehensive research to restructure the state's skill development ecosystem, with the aim of aligning skills with industry demand, improving employment outcomes, and preparing youth for emerging sectors and global opportunities.

To complement public investment with private participation, the state government has established a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Cell under the Good Governance Department.

The PPP Cell has provided support for several projects, including a multispecialty hospital at Amtali, a multi-level parking facility at Battala, affordable housing at Nandan Nagar, and other initiatives.

He said sustained engagement between TIFT and NITI Aayog has led to several tangible outcomes. One such example is the recent approval of the final location survey for the Jiraniaa"Bodhjungnagar railway line, a critical infrastructure intervention to support industrial development.

Tripura's journey in good governance has also received recognition beyond the state. Following deliberations at the 72nd plenary session of the Northeastern Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Tripura Chief Minister was appointed Convener of a high-level task force on investment promotion in the Northeast region.

After consultations with the other seven Northeastern states, a unified, analytical and actionable industrial investment policy for the region was formulated.

The report received widespread appreciation from Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and all the Chief Ministers of the region. In fact, the report prepared by Tripura has been adopted as a model template for all task forces headed by other Chief Ministers, clearly reflecting the growing administrative capacity and credibility of Tripura as a policy leader in the region.

The state's reform strategy, presented at the recent 5th Chief Secretaries' Conference, was shared with all states, and the Bihar government has invited Tripura officials to study the Tripura Model of Doing Business. The Chief Minister said good governance also involves reconnecting with the people of Tripura, wherever they may reside.

The Prabasi Tripurabasi Initiative has emerged as a unique platform to rebuild emotional bonds with the global Tripuri diaspora. From virtual participation in the first year to a physical summit in the second year, the initiative has transformed emotion into engagement, bringing ideas, suggestions, investments and strategic inputs for the stateas development. Of the 86 diaspora participants, 24 are working in the IT sector, 12 are entrepreneurs, 11 are in academia, 10 are consultants, eight contribute to science and technology, seven are associated with tourism and healthcare, and the remaining seven come from industry, film and other backgrounds.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha said Tripura has received praise from the central government for its achievements in good governance and has become an important partner in driving national development. Director General of Police Anurag spoke in detail on the state's law and order situation, while Good Governance Department Secretary Kiran Gitte outlined the current and future programmes of the department and TIFT.
Dibrugarh, Jan 18 : A new chapter was added to the history of Indian Railways on Sunday as the Amrit Bharat Express began its maiden journey from Dibrugarh (Assam) to Gomti Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) after its formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The launch marked a significant milestone for rail connectivity in Assam and the wider Northeast region.

Prime Minister Modi flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express train services, providing a major boost to Assam's railway infrastructure.

The introduction of these services is expected to strengthen rail links between Assam and several key destinations across the country, improving connectivity and accessibility for passengers.

Speaking to reporters, Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan welcomed the launch and said, "The Amrit Bharat Express, which will connect Dibrugarh to Lucknow, is great news for the people of Dibrugarh and Assam. On behalf of the people of Assam and Dibrugarh, heartfelt congratulations are extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Highlighting the benefits of the new services, Phukan added, "The benefit that Assam will get through these Amrit Bharat Express is great. Our travel is now easier. One can reach Dibrugarh to Guwahati in just 9 hours. I congratulate everyone for this."

According to officials, the newly-launched train services will operate on the Dibrugarha"Gomti Nagar and Kamakhyaa"Rohtak routes.

These trains are expected to significantly enhance long-distance travel options for passengers from Assam and other parts of the Northeast, offering improved comfort and connectivity.

The flagging-off ceremony took place during the Prime Minister's visit to Assam.

From Mouchanda Pathar at Niz Chilabandha in Kaliabor, Prime Minister Modi virtually inaugurated the two Amrit Bharat Express trains, formally marking the start of their operations.

Officials said that the launch of the Amrit Bharat Express is aimed at improving passenger convenience, reducing travel time and making long-distance rail travel more affordable.

The new services are also expected to play an important role in further integrating Assam's railway network with the rest of India, boosting mobility and regional development.
Jammu. Jan 18 : A gunfight started on Sunday between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.

Officials said that an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Singhpora area of Kishtwar district on Sunday.

"Security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area following specific inputs about the presence of terrorists. During the operation, the hiding terrorists opened fire, prompting retaliatory action by the forces, leading to an encounter," they said.

"Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the spot, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Firing exchanges are going on in the area," the officials added.

Hilly districts of Jammu division, including Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi have been on the scanner of the security forces after intelligence reports that Pakistani terrorists were moving in the highly forested mountain terrain of these districts.

Several times, joint forces have engaged the terrorists in Kathua, Udhampur and other districts in sustained encounters, but somehow the terrorists managed to escape from the cordoned off area, taking cover of the densely forested terrain and darkness during the night.

In the high-level security review meeting concerning Jammu and Kashmir on January 8, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the presence of terrorists in the hilly districts of Jammu division was discussed threadbare.

HM Shah gave clear orders that coordinated, sustained and intelligence-backed operations must be carried out to eliminate terrorists from the mountainous areas and also ensure zero infiltration of terrorists from across the line of control (LoC) and the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The LoC is 740 km long, and the IB is 240 km long in Jammu and Kashmir. The army guards the LoC while the border security force (BSF) guards the IB.

LoC is situated in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of the Kashmir Valley and partly in Jammu district.

The IB is situated in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts of the Jammu division.
Sydney, Jan 18 : A boy, believed to be aged about 12, is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark at Sydney Harbour beach in Australia on Sunday.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that emergency services were called to Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at Vaucluse, an eastern suburb of Sydney, at about 4:20 p.m. local time on Sunday afternoon, following reports of a boy being bitten by a shark.

ABC quoted the NSW Ambulance service as saying that the boy was in a critical condition with injuries to both legs and was being transported to the hospital, reports Xinhua news agency.

The beach was closed, and swimmers were advised to stay out of the water, according to the report.

In November last year, one person was killed, and another was hospitalised with serious injuries after they were attacked by a shark at a beach in an Australian national park.

Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said that emergency services were called to reports that two people had been bitten by a shark at a beach at Crowdy Bay, a national park 270 km northeast of Sydney.

A police statement said that witnesses assisted the pair until the arrival of ambulance paramedics, but a woman believed to be aged in her 20s died at the scene.

A man, also believed to be aged in his 20s, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in a critical condition.

In October 2025, a teenager was hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after being bitten by a shark in Australia's far north.

Emergency services were called to Thursday Island off the north coast of the Australian state of Queensland following reports that a male aged in his mid-teens had been attacked by a shark while swimming.

The teenager was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening abdominal injuries before being airlifted over 1,000 kilometres to a hospital in the Queensland city of Townsville.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Thirty-five years is a long time in the life of a nation. It is long enough for governments to change, for narratives to be rewritten, and for uncomfortable truths to be buried under layers of convenient silence. But for a community driven out of its homeland solely because it was Hindu, time has not softened the pain - it has only deepened the wound.

Three-and-a-half decades after the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits, the questions remain unanswered. Not because the answers are unknown, everyone in Kashmir knows them, but because the hush around them is deliberate and the cover-up systemic.

Nearly seven lakh people were forced out of their native land in a short span, and conditions were created so decisively that their return was rendered impossible. This was not an accident of history; it was the outcome of a slow, calculated process that began soon after Jammu and Kashmiras accession to India in 1947 and gathered brutal momentum in the late 1980s.

At the heart of this design was a simple, sinister objective: to overwhelm Kashmir demographically and ideologically, so that Muhammad Ali Jinnah's two-nation theory would come to fruition without a formal war. Pakistan lost every war it fought against India, but in Kashmir, it succeeded where armies failed. A Muslim-majority valley was achieved not by ballots or persuasion, but by terror -- by emptying the land of its Hindu inhabitants.

The Kashmiri Pandits, who constituted barely two per cent of the valley's population, were uniquely vulnerable. A non-martial community mostly into education, administration, and spiritual traditions, they neither possessed the means to retaliate with violence. Faced with targeted killings, public threats, and systematic intimidation, they chose survival with dignity over futile resistance against a terrible monster. In doing so, they were forced to abandon a civilisation that traced its roots back over 5,000 years.

The exodus did not occur overnight. It unfolded in waves of terror. First came those whose relatives were assassinated. Then those whose homes were marked for elimination. Those whose names were on the hit lists prepared in mosques and circulated openly. Finally, those who fled to protect their daughters and wives from what had become inevitable. This was not chaos -- it was orchestration.

And so, the question must be asked: where was the much-celebrated spirit of 'azadi' in this? If the movement was truly about freedom, why was its rage directed at a defenceless two per cent minority? Why were unarmed men, women, and children hunted down? The answer is stark and inescapable. The terrorism in Kashmir was not a liberation struggle; it was a campaign for religious homogenisation. Its success lay in making the valley nearly free of Hindus.

The reality of that success was visible in the refugee camps of Jammu and Delhi, where families accustomed to large ancestral homes were herded into tattered tents under 45-degree heat. Water, food, and medicine were scarce. Many died not by the gun, but from shock, disease, heatstroke, and snake bites.

Every year, January 19 is observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community as Exodus Day or Holocaust Day -- a day to remember the terror unleashed upon them and to mourn the denial of justice that followed. Hundreds were killed, homes looted and burned, women raped and murdered. Yet accountability remains absent. Barely a hundred cases were ever registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and not a single investigation has reached a meaningful conclusion. No arrests, no convictions, no closure.

In these 35 years, many direct victims and eyewitnesses have passed away, taking crucial evidence with them. Successive governments -- both at the Centre and in the erstwhile state and now union territory -- have failed to institute even a commission of inquiry or a Special Investigation Team. Courts have remained unmoved. Human rights organisations, vocal on conflicts thousands of miles away, have found the suffering of Kashmiri Hindus insufficiently compelling. There has been a Gaza in Indiaas backyard all this time, but it never made the right kind of headline.

Part of the tragedy lies in political expediency. The Kashmiri Pandit community is neither large enough nor influential enough to command electoral attention. Their pain does not translate into street protests or international pressure. And so, their suffering is quietly sidelined.

Adding to the misery of the Kashmiri Hindus is the political rehabilitation of those who were in positions of power when the persecution occurred. Valley-based Muslim leaders are today courted across the political spectrum, yet not one of them has acknowledged, let alone championed, the cause of the Kashmiri Hindus. The silence of the valleyas leadership and intelligentsia -- at best complicit, at worst supportive of the separatist narrative -- has never been examined or questioned.

The bitter truth today is this: the original inhabitants of Kashmir live as refugees in their own country. Their homes have been usurped, their return systematically blocked, and their dignity deferred indefinitely.

January 19 is not merely a day of mourning for the Kashmiri Pandits. It is a day of national introspection. It marks not only the exodus of a people, but the collapse of Indiaas moral courage and the selective application of its secular conscience. Until justice is served and truth acknowledged, the exodus will not remain history; it will continue as an indictment.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Dhaka, Jan 18 : Bangladesh's Law Advisor Asif Nazrul on Sunday admitted that establishing the rule of law remains the biggest challenge in the country. However, he noted that significant progress has been made in that direction, local media reported.

Nazrul cautioned that achieving lasting success would be difficult without sincerity and commitment for the government, which will be elected following the general election set to be held in Bangladesh on February 12, United News of Bangladesh reported.

He said, "Some people say no reforms have been made. However, in such a short time, there has never been such a significant amount of reform in the history of Bangladesh."

Asif Nazrul made the remarks at the policy dialogue titled aJudicial Independence and the Rule of Lawa organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the CIRDAP (Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) auditorium in Dhaka.

Ahead of elections in Bangladesh, attacks on women, girls, and religious minorities continue to rise, exposing the failure of the interim government headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to protect basic fundamental human rights of the country's citizens.

Citing police data, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently highlighted that gender-based violence has increased between January and June 2025, in comparison to the same timeframe in 2024.

"Dr Fauzia Moslem, President of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (Women's Council of Bangladesh or BMP), attributes this increase to a rise in activity and rhetoric by religious groups seeking to restrict womenas free movement and participation in society. In May 2025, hardline religious groups protested the interim governmentas efforts to improve gender equality and womenas rights and demanded an end to activities they deemed 'anti-Islamic'. Since then, women and girls have experienced verbal, physical, and digital abuse that further silences their ability to speak out for fear of violence," wrote Subhajit Saha, a Senior Coordinator in HRW's Women's Rights Division.

The General Election on February 12 will be the first that the country will witness since the exit of a democratically elected government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

The HRW report also detailed how attacks on Hindu and ethnic minorities have increased in recent months.

"In December, Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy. Rights groups have reported at least 51 incidents of violence against Hindus, including 10 killings. Ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts continued to face abuse from security forces after the revolution," wrote Saha.

"Despite Bangladesh previously having two women Prime Ministers and many women participating in the 2024 student-led protests, women are still largely denied political participation. In the upcoming general elections, 30 out of the 51 political parties do not have any women candidates. Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political group and one of Bangladeshas two leading political parties, does not have a single woman candidate among its 276 nominations," he added.

Terming it a "matter of shame", several reports have stated that the February election will see the lowest-ever participation of women candidates in Bangladesh elections.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, launched India's first-ever open-sea marine fish farming project from the Andaman Sea on Sunday.

The minister described the initiative as one of the first major steps in the direction of realising the Blue Economy through India's vast ocean resources, as envisaged and repeatedly emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The project was launched on-site at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, during the ministeras field visit to the open waters of the Andaman Sea.

The project is being implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, its technical arm the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the UT Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The pilot initiative focuses on open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions, integrating scientific innovation with livelihood generation.

In his address on the occasion, Dr Singh said that this initiative represents one of the earliest and most significant steps taken to unlock the economic potential of India's oceans.

He noted that India's oceans, much like its Himalayan and mainland resources, possess immense and diverse economic potential that had not received due attention for decades.

During the field visit, two major livelihood-oriented interventions were initiated. Under the marine flora component, seaweed seeds were handed over by the minister to local fishing communities to promote deep-water seaweed cultivation in the open sea.

Under the marine fauna component, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based cultivation, supported by NIOT-developed open-sea cages designed to function in natural oceanic environments.

Dr Singh said that while the current projects are being undertaken through government-led collaboration, the experience gained and feasibility assessments could enable scaling up of such initiatives through publica"private participation models in the future. This approach, he noted, would help accelerate deployment, expand livelihoods, and strengthen Indiaas Blue Economy ecosystem.

The minister stated that for nearly 70 years after Independence, Indiaas ocean resources remained largely underexplored.

He underlined that since 2014, there has been a fundamental shift in national thinking, recognising that Indiaas maritime domain holds equal wealth and opportunity for economic growth.

He further highlighted the exclusive and heterogeneous nature of Indiaas oceans, noting that the western, southern, and eastern seaboards each have distinct characteristics and unique contributions to make to the countryas development.

Later, as part of his visit to the Andaman Islands, Dr Singh also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP) near Wandoor, one of the first marine parks of its kind in the country, established in 1983.

Spread across 15 islands and accessed via the Wandoor Jetty, the park is renowned for its protected islands such as Jolly Buoy and Red Skin. The Minister observed the parkas rich and self-sustaining marine ecosystem, including vibrant coral reefs, mangroves, and diverse marine life such as turtles and a wide variety of fish species.
Gandhinagar, Jan 18 : As India preps up for its power-packed representation at the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF), a high-level delegation of the Gujarat government led by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is set to make its presence felt at the five-day-long Summit, widely perceived as the gathering of global elites.

The WEF Annual Meeting is set to get underway from January 19 to 23 at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The 56th edition of the WEF meet will see world leaders, senior diplomats and industry experts, think tanks and social entrepreneurs descending to the snow-clad town to deliberate on global issues, including climate change, seeking workable solutions.

Gujarat's participation in the WEF Summit will reflect its bold, future-ready approach towards international collaboration and accelerated economic transformation.

At the WEF 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will hold more than 50 high-level meetings with global leaders and investors across key sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Textiles, Semiconductors, Emerging Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Food Processing, Chemicals, Shipping and Logistics, Electronics, and Aerospace.

Proposed interactions include leading global companies such as AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, Tillman Global, and others.

Through these engagements, the Deputy CM will seek to strengthen the state's industrial ecosystem, enable technology and innovation partnerships, attract global investments and build long-term international institutional linkages.

With the message 'Gujarat a" Ready for the World, where vision meets action', the state's participation at WEF 2026 underscores its ambition to emerge as a key partner in global value chains.

"The state government remains firmly committed to accelerating industrial development, fostering innovation-led growth, attracting transformative investments, building a resilient and future-ready economy," said a government statement.

Gujarat's presence at WEF 2026 marks not just participation, but leadership in shaping the global growth narrative, it added.

-- IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 18 : President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday shared a glimpse of a special invitation, handcrafted by artisans from the North Eastern states, for guests invited to the 'At Home' event being hosted by her on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day.

President Murmu shared a short film on the invitation kit on her social media handle, and wrote: "Here's a glimpse of the specially designed 'At Home' invitation that has been sent from the President of India to the guests for the 77th Republic Day. The invitation kit this year celebrates the living traditions of Indiaas North Eastern Region. This invitation is a tribute to the skilled artisans and craftspeople of the Ashtalakshmi states."

The invitation kit includes a box made from a woven bamboo mat from Tripura for a wall-hanging-type, panelled invite that showcases traditional art from all the eight states of the North East.

The decorative motifs on the cover and the box of the invitation draw inspiration from the Assamese manuscript painting style.

The motifs on the fabric panel represent the flora and fauna of the North Eastern region. Other highlights include woven nettle fabric and embroidery from Sikkim, green bamboo weave from Meghalaya, Mon Shugu Paper from Arunachal Pradesh, Gogona -- a bamboo jaw harp from Assam, and bamboo jewellery from Tripura, orange wild rhea and stinging nettle fabric from Nagaland, handwoven Puan Chei from Mizoram, Longpi Black Pottery from Manipur and an Eri Silk stole.

The President's "At Home" on Republic Day is a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 26, gathering dignitaries, prominent citizens and cultural figures for a cultural showcase, often themed around India's diverse regions, highlighting crafts, art and achievements, and serving as a festive counterpart to the main Republic Day parade.

Apart from the Chief Guests invited to the Republic Day Parade, the Vice President and the Prime Minister attend the event. European Council President Antonio Costa and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be the Chief Guests at this year's Republic Day Parade.

Many eminent citizens who have made remarkable contributions in different fields share space with the beneficiaries of various developmental programmes of the government.

The Presidentas Secretariat also organises a display of vibrant artistic and cultural elements during the event.

This year's Republic Day Parade will uniquely blend 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', India's military might, including BrahMos and Akash missiles, and rich cultural diversity through 30 vibrant tableaux, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Kolkata, Jan 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will introduce the One District, One Product (ODOP) policy in West Bengal if the party comes to power in the state Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

"Every district of West Bengal has its own speciality. The common people here have intelligence, talent, and ability. BJP will prepare a plan for each district. As a result, the people of the district concerned will benefit the most. If the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, it will introduce the ODOP policy in the state for the promotion of district-specific products," the Prime Minister said while addressing a public rally at Singur in Hooghly district of West Bengal on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister also accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of depriving the people of West Bengal of Central schemes to "settle scores" with him and the BJP.

"I can understand Trinamool Congress' apathy towards me and the BJP. But they are actually leaving the people of West Bengal to suffer by denying implementation of centrally-sponsored development schemes in the state," he said.

According to him, the Union government has opened a digital platform for fishermen throughout the country.

"Various states are registering the names of fishermen in their respective areas. But in West Bengal, it has been put on hold. I repeatedly write letters to the West Bengal government of this state. The Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, does not read my letters. But let her officers read them. The Trinamool Congress government is not helping in the registration of fishermen in the 'Matsyajibi Yojana' here. The Trinamool is playing with the future of the fishermen of the state," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi also accused the West Bengal government of deliberate non-cooperation in procuring land for raising barbed fencing at the state's international borders with Bangladesh so that infiltrators from the neighbouring country can enter the state freely and become the Trinamool Congress' permanent vote bank.

He also said that the current state of the law-and-order situation in the state is the greatest deterrent towards attracting new investments.

"Only a stable law and order situation would attract new investments to the state. But currently, a 'mafia-raj' is prevailing in West Bengal, where a syndicate tax is imposed on everything. BJP will end this syndicate tax. This is Modi's guarantee," the Prime Minister said.

He concluded his speech saying, "A BJP-led government in West Bengal would gift the people of the state a corruption-free and violence-free ambience where the safety of women would be the priority. "

"There will be no more atrocities against women like that in Sandeshkhali. There will be no more rapes and molestations at educational institutions. Only you voters can ensure that," the Prime Minister said.
Hyderabad, Jan 18 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Sunday, asked the media organisations not to drag Ministers into their rivalry and tarnish the image of the state government.

Addressing a public meeting in Khammam, he said the media organisations should settle scores among themselves instead of dragging the Ministers and running 'slanderous' stories.

The Chief Minister was reacting to reports carried by a Telugu newspaper and television channel belonging to a group about alleged corruption in contracts awarded by state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

The media house made allegations that Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who also hold the Energy and Finance portfolio, was involved in awarding contract to a company, in which its rival media group is said to have stakes.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the media should desist from working directly or indirectly to strengthen forces inimical to the state government.

Stating that there is no room for corruption in his government, the Chief Minister advised media to seek his clarification before writing anything about Ministers, MPs and MLAs.

"As the Chief Minister and the head of the family, I am always available to give the clarification," he said, adding that stories carrying false allegations against Ministers create doubts in public mind about the integrity of the Telangana government.

"Speaking on the issues in Singareni Collieries Company Limited, some people were making false allegations against the Telangana government," Revanth Reddy said.

"Some newspapers have written that there was direct or indirect scam. Singareni tenders are being given to experienced companies. There is no scope for corruption of even one paisa," he added.

Revanth Reddy claimed that the state government has given no room for any irregularities during the last two years.

Saying that Ministers are working with coordination, the Chief Minister exuded confidence that Congress will remain in power for another 10 years in Telangana.

He vowed to make Telangana the number one state in the country.

Revanth Reddy also used the platform to urge the followers of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) and current Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana to bury the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

He reminded them that BRS conspired to eliminate Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Telangana and target its leadership.

As Sunday was NTR's death anniversary, the Chief Minister told his fans and followers of Chandrababu Naidu that they can pay real tribute to NTR when they bury BRS and former Telangana Chief Minister KCR 100 metre deep.

Some people at the public meeting were seen waving flags of the TDP.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Central Information Commission (CIC) has dismissed an appeal filed by an advocate seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act related to the termination of a fruits and vegetables supply contract at a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Haryana, observing that an advocate cannot seek information on behalf of a client using the RTI mechanism.

Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi, while disposing of the second appeal, noted that the appellant, an advocate by profession, had sought information on behalf of his brother, who was a supplier to PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Odhan in Sirsa district. "In the absence of any fact stated by the Appellant as to why he is seeking details on behalf of his brother, who can personally ask information as a citizen, it appears that the Appellant has sought information on behalf of his client per se, which is not permissible," the CIC observed.

In its order, the apex information body relied on a judgment of the Madras High Court, which had held that a practising advocate "can personally ask for information as a citizen but not as an advocate on behalf of his client," cautioning that the RTI Act should not become "a tool in the hands of the advocate for seeking all kinds of information in order to promote his practice."

The CIC reproduced the Madras High Court's observation that "the laudable objects of the scheme of the R.T.I. Act cannot be used for personal ends."

The appellant had sought voluminous information dating back to 2019, including tender advertisements, quotations, committee details, laboratory reports, blacklisting orders, service records, salary and property disclosures of a Section Officer, and inspection reports relating to the alleged supply of low-quality vegetables on December 5, 2022.

The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) and Principal of the school had informed the applicant that a large part of the records could not be furnished as they were destroyed in a fire that broke out in the school office on the night of July 12, 2024. "Due to the incident of fire in the school office, all records have been burnt and destroyed. Hence, information cannot be provided," the reply stated, enclosing copies of the police diary and fire department report.

For several other queries, the CPIO denied disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, stating that the information sought was personal in nature. Noting the school authorities' submission that the contract had been cancelled following repeated deficiencies in supply and the issuance of three warning letters, the CIC found "no infirmity in the reply furnished by the CPIO" and held it to be in accordance with the RTI Act, 2005.

In the spirit of the RTI Act, the CIC directed the CPIO to provide the appellant, free of cost, copies of his written submissions, along with enclosures, within one day of the date of receipt of its order.

Dismissing the appeal, Information Commissioner Relangi said, "With the above direction, no further intervention of the Commission is warranted."
Amaravati, Jan 18 : YSR Congress Party has sought an impartial investigation into the murder of party activist Manda Salman in Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district.

The party will submit a formal representation to the Director General of Police, Harish Gupta, on Monday.

A delegation of YSRCP leaders will call on the DGP regarding the murder of a Dalit activist of the party in Pinnelli village in Gurazala constituency.

The party has sought an immediate appointment in this regard. In a letter addressed to the State DGP on Sunday, YSRCP State General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy stated that Salman, who had been living away from his native village out of fear and had returned only to see his ailing wife, was mercilessly beaten to death with iron rods, reflecting the complete breakdown of law and order in the State.

He said that since the TDP-led coalition government assumed office, Dalits have been left without protection, and YSRCP Dalit activists in particular are living under constant threat.

He said that the party will urge the DGP to ensure a fast-tracked, impartial investigation into the case and take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are identified and punished strictly in accordance with the law.

The YSRCP cadres on Saturday staged statewide protests at Dr B.R. Ambedkar statues across all district headquarters, condemning the brutal murder of Salman.

On a call given by the party president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, party leaders and SC Cell representatives held dharnas in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu (Narasaraopet), Kurnool, Tirupati (combined Chittoor), YSR Kadapa, and Anantapur districts.

They alleged that constitutional governance has collapsed in Andhra Pradesh and that political killings and attacks on YSRCP workers have become routine.

Leaders said Salman's murder is a direct consequence of the prevailing "Red Book rule," the police collusion, and demanded immediate arrests, suspension of responsible officers, and strict action under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

"Red Book" is a reference to the book carried by TDP leader and present minister Nara Lokesh during the 2024 election campaign. He had claimed that the book carried the names of the YSRCP leaders who allegedly targeted TDP men during their five-year-rule. He also stated that the book contains the names of officials who acted at the instance of YSRCP leaders to target TDP.

Lokesh, who is the son of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, had declared that all those named in the 'Red Book' will have to pay the price.

YSRCP alleges that the TDP-led coalition government is indulging in politics of vendetta by targeting all those named in the 'Red Book'.
Quetta, Jan 18 : As violence targeting civilians continues unabated across Pakistan's Balochistan, a leading human rights organisation, on Sunday, raised alarm over enforced disappearance of two Baloch civilians.

According to Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), Munib Baloch was taken from his electric shop in the main bazaar of Kharan city while Mughfar Abid was also taken away from the same location.

The rights body said that the incident showcases a "clear pattern of enforced disappearances in Balochistan" and demanded immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of two Baloch civilians.

"Two Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared from Kharan on January 17, 2025. Munib Baloch, son of Rehmat Ali, a student and shop worker, was taken from his electric shop in the main bazaar of Kharan city. Witnesses report the involvement of security forces. His family has received no information since his disappearance," Baloch Voice for Justice said on X.

"At the same location and time, Mughfar Abid, son of Abid Baloch, a daily wage labourer, was also taken away. This reflects a clear pattern of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Baloch Voice for Justice demands the immediate disclosure of their whereabouts and holds the state responsible for their safety and lives," it added.

On January 14, another human rights organisation, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), said that at least 18 Baloch people were forcibly disappeared in raids conducted by Pakistani armed forces over the past two weeks in Balochistan.

The BYC added that 11 people were forcibly disappeared from Kech's Hothabad and seven people from Gwadar's Panwan Jiwani.

According to the group, these enforced disappearances were carried out through raids on homes and targeted operations, showcasing a pattern of collective punishment against people of Balochistan.

In a statement posted on X, BYC said, "Pakistan's security forces have forcibly disappeared at least 18 Baloch civilians over the past two weeks, 11 from Hothabad, Kech, and seven from Panwan Jiwani, Gwadar. These enforced disappearances were carried out through coordinated raids on homes and targeted operations, reflecting a clear pattern of collective punishment against the Baloch nation."

"On January 7, 2026, security forces conducted military raids in Hothabad, Kech, forcibly disappearing 11 individuals from their homes at around 12 p.m. The victims include: Hasrat Hasil (20, Air Force personnel), Kashif Ayuob (22, shopkeeper), Riaz Yaqoob (36, shopkeeper), Dad Karim (24), Jalil Ahmed (22, driver), Sageer Illahi (23, student), Salam (25, shopkeeper), Fuzail Rafiq (22, student), Siraj Barkat (20, student), Riaz Hassan (32, labourer in Qatar), Sajjad Barkat (22, labourer in Qatar)," it added.

The group mentioned that Riaz Hassan and Sajjad Barkat were released on January 10. However, the remaining nine people continue to be held in illegal custody, with no information regarding their whereabouts.

The BYC also said that security forces intensified oppression in Gwadar's Panwan Jiwani area from December 25-January 7, targeting the local fishing community.

It added that seven fishermen identified as Jahangir (25), Shamsuddin (18), Shabbir (25), Sameed (25), Rizwan (26), Asif (35), and Israj (22) were forcibly disappeared.

"These enforced disappearances were accompanied by violent home raids, intimidation of families, and destruction of property, creating fear across entire communities. Those targeted are ordinary civilians whose only apparent "crime" is their Baloch identity. Such actions constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and breach international legal standards," the BYC said on X.

"The Baloch Yakjehti Committee demands the immediate and safe release of all forcibly disappeared individuals and calls upon national and international human rights organisations, the United Nations, and the international community to take urgent notice and ensure accountability," it added.

Balochistan has been reeling under the endless atrocities at the hands of Pakistani authorities, who facilitate death squads in the region to carry out enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal detentions of Baloch people.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Delhi High Court is slated to hear on Monday the pleas filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members challenging a trial court order that directed the framing of criminal charges against them in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case.

As per the cause list published on the official website of the Delhi High Court, the matters are listed before a single-judge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma for hearing on January 19.

The criminal revision petitions have been filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and their son Tejashwi Yadav, assailing the trial court's order directing the framing of charges for offences related to corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating in the IRCTC hotel scam case.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the criminal revision petitions as well as the application seeking a stay on the trial court proceedings filed by Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.

While issuing notice, Justice Sharma had observed that the pleas be heard together with the criminal petition filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In her plea, Rabri Devi has contended that the trial court, without properly appreciating the material on record, had erroneously framed charges against her merely on presumptions.

Tejashwi Yadav, in his petition, has also questioned the legality and correctness of the trial court order, arguing that the prosecution had not made out a prima facie case warranting the framing of charges.

In an order passed on October 13, 2025, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts paved the way for the trial of Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav and other accused under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The special court had reserved its order on May 29 after hearing detailed arguments on the issue of framing of charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, Prem Gupta, Sarla Gupta and Railway officials Rakesh Saksena and P.K. Goyal.

The alleged scam pertained to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister.

During his tenure, two IRCTC hotels were allegedly given on lease without following prescribed norms. One of the hotels was allotted to Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Gupta, a close associate of the RJD chief and a Rajya Sabha MP at the time.

As per the prosecution, the RJD leader got three acres of prime land through a benami company.

Claiming that there were no irregularities on his part, Lalu Prasad Yadav has maintained that the tenders were awarded in a fair and transparent manner and had sought his discharge from the case.
Nuh : , Jan 18 (IANS) The farmers in Haryana's Nuh are making a transition from traditional farming methods to modern advanced agricultural techniques, besides opting for select cultivation of crops, and this is bringing them monetary rewards, like never before.

Nuh (Haryana), Jan 18 (IANS) The farmers in Haryanaas Nuh are making a transition from traditional farming methods to modern advanced agricultural techniques, besides opting for select cultivation of crops, and this is bringing them monetary rewards, like never before.

Farming with these new techniques has not only increased farmers' income but has also brought smiles to their faces.

With the support of the Nuh Horticulture Department, farmers are using drip irrigation, mulching, and tunnel farming techniques to achieve higher yields with less water. This is making their farming a profitable venture.

Farmers in Rahpuwa and Satakpuri villages of Pingawan block have also made a conscious shift from traditional crops to vegetables and fruit crops.

Keeping water conservation in mind, crops like muskmelon, watermelon, cucumber, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, and bitter gourd are being cultivated using drip irrigation systems. This has not only reduced water consumption for irrigation but has also significantly increased crop quality and yield.

Jalaluddin Ahmed, a farmer from Rahpuwa village, said that he planted a watermelon variety from Nanhems company, which is yielding 70-75 quintals per acre. His total cost for this crop was approximately Rs 50,000-60,000, while the watermelons are selling for Rs 3,000 to 3,500 per quintal in the Delhi market. This is giving him a net profit of approximately Rs 2 lakh per acre.

Jalaluddin says that he started this 20 years ago, and now he is also receiving subsidies from the government.

Another farmer named Mohammad Irshad said that earlier they used to farm in the traditional way, but now they have learnt new techniques, which are proving beneficial.

aThese techniques also protect the crops from pests and hailstorms. We are cultivating crops on 30 to 40 acres of land, growing a variety of vegetables," he said.

The area was inspected by the District Officer of the Horticulture Department, Dr Abdul Razzaq. During the inspection, it was informed that the Horticulture Department is providing subsidies to farmers for various items, including drip irrigation systems, mulching, and tunnel farming. Farmers are also being provided with information on better crop production techniques and methods for marketing their produce at fair prices.

District Officer Dr Abdul Razzaq said that the farmers in Nuh are cultivating crops using new technologies. They are being provided with subsidies, and they are growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Farmers in adjoining villages, upon hearing success stories here, are also turning their attention to them to replicate their success story.
Mumbai, Jan 18 : The Odisha government has raised a demand of Rs 1,255.38 crore from Vedanta Limited's subsidiary, ESL Steel Limited, over an alleged shortfall in fulfilling its minimum production target from the mines leased to it in the state, according to the company's disclosure to the stock exchanges.

In a regulatory filing on Saturday, Vedanta disclosed that ESL Steel received two demand notices on January 17, 2026, from the office of the Deputy Director of Mines, Koira Circle. The notices, dated January 16, 2026, relate to an alleged shortfall in fulfilling the Minimum Production and Dispatch Targets (MDPA Targets) for the fourth year of operation of two mining leasesBICO and Feegrade Mine.

As per the Demand Notices, an aggregate amount of Rs 12,55,37,61,591 has been demanded towards the alleged shortfall in production and dispatch for the relevant period.

The filing says that "ESL is in the process of evaluating the Demand Notices and related computation and believes that the same are not sustainable on merits. ESL proposes to pursue appropriate legal remedies and seek a stay over the Demand Notices and appropriate reliefs, including quashing of the impugned demands."

The production and dispatch targets from the two mining leases have been fixed in accordance with an agreement signed with the mining department of the Odisha government. The demand notice has been issued as the company has not allegedly met the requirement under Sub-Rule 1 of Rule 12 (A) of the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydrocarbon Energy Minerals) concession Rules, 2016 for the fourth year of operation of the two mining leases (BICO & Feegrade Mine) under the Mine Development & Production Agreement dated November 15, 2021.

The disclosure has been made by the Company to the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in compliance with the provisions of Regulation 30 read with Schedule III of SEBI Listing Regulations.
Guwahati, Jan 18 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched a strong political offensive against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, declaring that the people of Assam would no longer submit to what he termed "Pakistani agents", while addressing reporters here following the inauguration of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project in Nagaon district.

The Chief Minister said Assam has undergone a decisive transformation and asserted that the stateas residents would not bow before "unknown forces".

His remarks followed reports that Gogoi had opposed the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project a day earlier.

"Assam has changed. No Assamese will surrender before any Pakistani agent or unknown people. This is a new Assam," Sarma said.

He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flagging off three new train services to the state over the last two days.

Highlighting a renewed sense of cultural pride, the Chief Minister said nearly 10,000 artistes performed the traditional Bagurumba dance in the Prime Ministeras presence, describing the event as a reflection of Assamas growing self-confidence and cultural resurgence.

He further claimed that rhino poaching incidents in Kaziranga National Park have ceased, attributing the achievement to strengthened conservation and enforcement efforts.

Sarma said the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, being built at an estimated cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, would reduce travel time by nearly an hour upon completion while ensuring safe wildlife movement across the landscape.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the Chief Minister said several large infrastructure projects once considered improbable -- including multiple Brahmaputra bridges, an underwater tunnel, and the Kaziranga corridor -- have now materialised.

He asserted that the BJP would return to power in Assam in 2026, calling it a gift to the Prime Minister.

Earlier, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, involving the four-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh stretch of NH-715 in Nagaon district at a cost of over Rs 6,950 crore.

The 86-km corridor includes a 35-km elevated wildlife stretch through Kaziranga, a 21-km bypass, and the widening of 30 km of NH-715, improving connectivity across Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains -- Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar).
Jabalpur, Jan 18 : A devastating incident unfolded on a national highway in the Barela police station area near Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Sunday, when a speeding unidentified car -- ploughed into a group of labourers, killing two women on the spot and injuring more than a dozen others.

The labourers, who were engaged in painting grills and installing road divider railings along the highway, had paused for their lunch break and were sitting by the roadside when the vehicle struck them around 2 p.m.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and screams as the car hit the group without slowing down, then fled the spot, leaving the victims scattered.

Those who were killed have been identified as Chainwati Bai (40) and Lachchho Bai (40).

Both were residents of Biharia village in the Bijadandi police station area of Mandla district and were camping in the Jabalpur area as labourers.

According to the police, both female labourers died on the spot, while several others sustained critical injuries.

A total of 13 persons were injured and immediately rushed to the district hospital (Jabalpur Medical College Hospital) via 108 ambulance services.

Of these, a few people sustained minor injuries and were discharged after first aid, while the rest remain under treatment.

"They were taking lunch after work when the car suddenly came and mowed them down," the police said.

Senior police officials said, "The driver fled with the car after the accident. Police teams immediately reached the spot upon receiving information, and the injured were shifted to the hospital. Doctors declared two women dead on arrival, three are seriously injured, and the remaining sustained minor injuries."

The victims are primarily residents of Mandla district.

Local residents gathered at the site in anger and sorrow, promptly alerting authorities.

A case has been registered against the absconding driver, and a search operation is underway to trace both the vehicle and the individual responsible.

Police investigations are ongoing to identify the vehicle and apprehend the driver.

Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Acting against individuals involved in illegal sand and blackstone mining, the ED conducted searches at more than 25 premises across Odisha's Ganjam district and seized Rs 2.63 crore in cash and incriminating documents, an official said on Sunday.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Acting against individuals involved in illegal sand and blackstone mining, the ED conducted searches at more than 25 premises across Odishaas Ganjam district and seized Rs 2.63 crore in cash and incriminating documents, an official said on Sunday.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, carried out the co-ordinated search operation on January 16 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Those who faced the action included contractors and proprietors associated with country liquor (bhati) operations, the ED said.

During the search, cash amounting to Rs 2.63 crore, along with several incriminating documents, substantial property records, and agreements including power agreements and mining leases executed by the individuals in question were found and seized, it said.

Several high-end benami vehicles were unearthed in the search action, which were obtained through the proceeds of crime, it said.

The premises covered were linked to brokers and syndicates having serious criminal antecedents, and other connected business partners, the ED said.

These included persons who, by using their muscle power, were forcibly conducting illegal mining and sale of minor minerals by exploiting and terrorising people in their areas, it said.

The federal probe agency initiated investigation on the basis of FIRs registered against various sand syndicates who used to carry out illegal mining and transportation (smuggling) of minor minerals in Ganjam district by using false and fabricated Y forms (transit permits).

Several members of the syndicate have FIRs registered against them in Ganjam district, involving serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, physical assault, forgery, cheating and extortion, the ED said.

Further, the CAG has also flagged rampant illegal mining along the riverbeds of Rushikulya, Bahuda and Bada in Ganjam district, causing huge loss to the government exchequer, it said.

The modus operandi indicated that mining leases were obtained in the names of various leaseholders unlawfully and forcibly by syndicate associates, by offering a commission at a predetermined rate to original allottees, according to an official statement.

Mining licences issued in the names of other leaseholders are not transferable and are prohibited under law.

This unauthorised usage of licences, which were in the names of other leaseholders, allowed members of the syndicate to extract more sand or blackstone than permitted by government regulations, the ED said.

A majority of minerals obtained through unauthorised mining were traded in the grey market, typically through cash payments.

The modus operandi also included use of forged Y forms (transit passes) to sell illegally obtained minerals in the grey market.

The proceeds generated from the illegal mining were dealt in cash, which was channelised through country liquor and other businesses, the ED said.

Most of these transactions are unaccounted and unrecorded, causing huge losses to the government, it said.
Raipur, Jan 18 : In a tragic accident on Sunday, five persons lost their lives and 80 others sustained injuries after a bus fell into a gorge near the Orsa Bangladara ghati on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Mahuadanr police station, sending shockwaves through the local community.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and wrote on his X handle: "The tragic accident near Balrampur on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border, claiming the lives of several passengers, is deeply saddening. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Immediately after receiving information, rescue and relief operations were launched. An administrative team is present at the site, ensuring coordinated efforts. A total of 87 people have been injured -- 27 are receiving treatment at Carmel Hospital and 60 at the Community Health Centre. I have directed the concerned authorities to provide all necessary medical care to those seriously injured. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and a swift recovery for the injured."

According to police officials, the deceased include four men and one woman, all residents of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh. Their identities have not yet been confirmed.

Authorities revealed that the bus was overloaded, carrying 87 passengers, most of whom were travelling to attend a pre-marriage function in Lodh village.

Eyewitnesses reported that the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp turn on the steep slope. The bus rammed into a guard rail, collided with a tree and plunged nearly 20 feet into a gorge. The impact left several passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

Driver Vikas Pathak, who survived the accident, told police that he attempted to apply the handbrake and even switched off the engine in a desperate bid to stop the bus. However, the steep gradient made it impossible to control the vehicle.

Rescue operations were launched immediately, with local residents and police personnel working together to extricate passengers from the wreckage. The injured were rushed to Mahuadanr community hospital and another nearby facility -- Carmel Hospital.

Officials confirmed that at least 30 of the injured are in critical condition and have been referred to Ranchi for advanced medical care.

The accident has once again highlighted the dangers of overloading and reckless driving on hilly terrain. Authorities are investigating whether negligence or mechanical failure contributed to the tragedy.

District officials have assured that all medical expenses for the victims will be covered, and arrangements are being made to provide support to the families of the deceased.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations, particularly in rural and border areas where overloaded passenger vehicles remain a common sight.
Mumbai, Jan 18 : As part of the ongoing "2026 is the new 2016" trend, actress Manushi Chhillar shared her medical college report card of 2016 on social media.

2016 was an extremely special year for Manushi as that was the year she was balancing between her MBBS studies and her preparation for Miss India, after being scouted for the beauty pageant at AIIMS.

She was constantly juggling between both her careers, booking her first campaign and also getting her first posting in surgery.

Dropping a couple of photos from 10 years ago on social media, Manushi captioned the post, "#2016

A year I played Hannah Montana juggling between college and my first few shoots after being scouted by Miss India at AIIMS, New Delhi

- Clicked my first few pics for the entry form on a Saturday after my classes

- Booked my first campaign for Bose and then the rest followed

- Realised biochemistry doesn't run in the genes (sorry mom) but the rest does (high5 dad!)

- My first clinical posting was in general surgery, one of us fainted that day (promise it wasn't me)

- Joined Instagram for Miss India as a "one time thing" and here we are a decade later (sic)."

It must be noted that Manushi went on to win the title of Femina Miss India World 2017 and became the sixth Indian to be crowned Miss World after a long gap of 17 years. Before her, Priyanka Chopra bagged the title in 2000.

Manushi later decided to step into Bollywood and made her acting debut with "Samrat Prithviraj" in 2022 opposite Akshay Kumar. She essayed the role of Sanyogita in the historical drama.

After that, she went on to be a part of movies such as "The Great Indian Family" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan", with her latest outing being "Maalik", alongside Rajkummar Rao.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Nagpur, Jan 18 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's commitment to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliant) in ammunition manufacturing and make the country a global production hub in the field.

Inaugurating the Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, he recalled the time when ammunition shortages hampered the country's defence preparedness with the government realising the need to become self-reliant in the field.

The facility, inaugurated by the Defence Ministry, is a fully automated plant manufacturing 30mm ammunition which is extensively used by the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

He had also visited the Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility and flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia.

Commending the contribution of the private sector in making the defence sector 'Aatmanirbhar', Rajnath Singh said that the nation is steadily marching forward in ammunition production as it is manufacturing quality and reliable products.

He made special mention of the handing over of the Multi-Mode Hand Grenade, a fully Indian-made ammunition manufactured by the private sector, to the Indian Army in 2021.

He added that Nagastra drones were successfully used during Operation Sindoor as these accurately struck terrorist targets, thereby proving their strategic capability.

He appreciated the development of more advanced versions of Nagastra, exuding confidence that the weapons will prove extremely lethal in the future.

Rajnath Singh said that the successful test launch of 'Bhargavastra' Counter Drone System being developed showcases the technological capabilities of the private sector.

He added that the exports of Pinaka missiles developed at the facility have begun, demonstrating the capabilities of the defence industry in further strengthening the export potential of the country.

India is no longer just an importer but is rapidly moving towards becoming an exporter, he said.

The Defence Minister termed Operation Sindoor as an example of how important self-reliance is for the nation.

He emphasised that wars are becoming increasingly complex, which demands a nation to prepare itself.

"New methods of warfare are emerging. Wars are no longer confined to borders."

"Areas such as energy, trade, tariffs, supply chains, technology, and information have also become new dimensions of conflict," Defence Minister Singh said.

"The importance of border vigilance and latest weapons and technologies has increased. Irrespective of the nature of war, the need of a robust defence industrial base will always remain. In such a situation, increased private sector's involvement in manufacturing, and research and development is the need of the hour," he added.
Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 18 : In a major success for security forces, six Maoists, including four women cadres, have been neutralised in a fierce encounter in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, an official said.

The operation, carried out by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), COBRA and Special Task Force (STF), marks a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region.

Among the slain Maoists, notorious commander DVCM Dilip Bedja, ACM Madvi Kosa, woman ACM Lakhi Madkam and party member Radha have been identified. The identification of the remaining two is still underway.

Officials confirmed that Dilip Bedja had long been active in the Indravati Reserve and National Park areas, orchestrating violent campaigns against the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stated that Bedja was given an opportunity to surrender but refused. "He was neutralised after rejecting repeated calls to lay down arms. With his elimination, the National Park area can now be considered almost free of Maoist presence," Sharma said.

The encounter also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, one INSAS rifle, two .303 rifles and six grenades. Authorities believe the Maoists were preparing for a major offensive, underscoring the importance of the intelligence-led operation.

According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr Jitendra Yadav, intermittent firing between the forces and Maoists continued throughout the day. "The dense forest terrain and difficult geographical conditions posed serious challenges, but our jawans displayed exemplary courage and strategy," Yadav noted.

Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, praised the discipline and efficiency of the forces. "Despite the odds, the DRG, COBRA and STF personnel conducted a decisive operation with unparalleled bravery. This marks another step toward dismantling Maoist networks in Bastar," he said.

The successful operation is expected to significantly weaken Maoist influence in Bijapur, a district long considered a stronghold. Security forces remain vigilant, continuing search operations to ensure the area is fully secured and to prevent any regrouping of Maoist cadres.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Referring to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi's remarks, New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said on Sunday that if any statement made in the Delhi Assembly is to be investigated, it is solely the legal right of the Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta.

Addressing a press conference regarding the objectionable remarks made by Leader of the Opposition Atishi in the Delhi Assembly about Sikh Gurus, the BJP MP said that in the haste to protect Atishi, the Punjab Police was misused and ordered to investigate a matter which did not even fall under its jurisdiction.

BJP MP Swaraj said that it has become a pattern of the AAP to misuse government machinery to suppress democracy, the media and all forms of criticism.

"However, when it comes to their (AAP's) own mistakes, they behave with even greater arrogance," she added.

"On January 6, during a discussion on the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Atishi used objectionable words while referring to the Sikh Gurus, and instead of apologising, she has gone missing," BJP MP Swaraj said.

The BJP MP said that the law grants the Delhi Assembly Speaker the authority to order an inquiry into the statements of any member of the state Assembly.

After Assembly Speaker Gupta sent the House recording to a forensic laboratory the latter's report found that the video objected to had not been tampered with in any manner.

Atishi insulted the Sikh Gurus on the floor of the Delhi Assembly, BJP MP Swaraj added.

The BJP MP questioned the whereabouts of Atishi, adding "that she was absent even when office-bearers were announced in Goa, she was not in Punjab either, and for several months the people of her Assembly constituency in Delhi have been searching for her".

"It is surprising that on January 6, Atishi insulted the Sikh Gurus in the Delhi Assembly, and on January 7, Minister Kapil Mishra posted a tweet and on the very same day the Punjab Police registered an FIR against him," Swaraj said.

"What does the Punjab Police have to do with the Delhi Assembly," the BJP MP added.

The New Delhi BJP MP said that the truth of the Jalandhar case is that the case has been registered only against social media platforms.

"Kapil Mishra or any other individual has not been made a party to the case. The report presented by Speaker Vijender Gupta clearly states that no tampering was done with the video, and hence Atishi should immediately issue an apology," she added.
Mumbai, Jan 18 : Television actress Juhi Parmar has shared a video of herself and her daughter Samaira gobbling onto croissants from morning to evening quite literally, while on their trip to Paris.

The actress shared a video where both the mother and daughter were seen enjoying and relishing on the delicacy with utmost joy.

She wrote, "Subha se leke kar shaam tak shaam se lekhar subha tak..Kya tha? Lots of croissants, loadsss of bread..A little bit of humour but lots of fun through these moments! #funny #fun #travel #traveldiaries."

Juhi and Samaira were on a joyful trip to Europe, where they visited Disney Land for the third time.

Sharing their experience Juhi had written in social media account, "They say third time is lucky, and that is exactly what happened for us because I refused to give up."

She added, "We had been to Disney twice before, but somehow both the times we couldn't experience the fireworks. I promised myself that I would keep going back until I could make Samairra experience that magic. This time, we finally stood there and watched the sky light up, and it felt so special and magical."

She added, "Disney says the magic is in you mine was a mother's determination. Your magic is inside of you tooignite it and create your own world."

Earlier, Juhi had mentioned how she ticked another dream off her bucket list and visited Paris, France.

The actress had taken to her social media account to share a transition video wherein she is seen standing right ahead of the iconic Eiffel Tower, located in the most romantic city in the world.

She wrote, "Ticking another dream from the bucket list before 2025 gets over!! #paris #vacation #travel #traveler #christmastime #eiffeltower.

For the uninitiated, Juhi is a single mother and has been raising Samaira single-handedly for many years now. Juhi was earlier married to actor Sachin Shroff. The former couple, who got married in February 2009 in Jaipur, went separate ways, officially filing for a divorce in 2018.

On the professional front, Juhi debuted in the Hindi GEC space with the series Woh. She was then seen in Choodiyan, followed by Yeh Jeevan Hai, and the first season of Rishtey.

In 2002, Juhi got the major spotlight with her hit show "Kumkum- Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan", where she starred alongside Hussain Kuwajerwala. Her character as Kumkum went on to become one of the most famous characters of Indian television. Juhi also had won the reality show Bigg Boss season 14.

IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 18 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kolkata, has arrested Pratyush Kumar Sureka (40), a resident of Kolkata, under Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a bank fraud case involving M/s Shree Ganesh Jewellery House (I) Ltd, the central investigation agency said in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the ED initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against M/s Shree Ganesh Jewellery House (I) Ltd (SGJHIL) and its promoters for defrauding a consortium of 25 banks to the tune of Rs 2,672 crore.

ED investigation revealed that around 2011-12, SGJHIL diverted loan funds sanctioned for its jewellery business into solar power projects through M/s Alex Astral Power Pvt Ltd and its related entities.

Pratyush Kumar Sureka was appointed as the Joint Managing Director of M/s Alex Astral Power Pvt Ltd vide an agreement dated April 24, 2012.

A solar power plant valued at around Rs 400 crore (comprising Rs 120 crore in equity and Rs 280 crore in bank financing secured by a corporate guarantee from SGJHIL), which was supported by a long-term power purchase agreement with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd, was fraudulently transferred using M/s Alex Astral Power Pvt Ltd.

The transfer was made for less than Rs 20 crore through a sham investment agreement involving entities controlled by Sureka. The related-party transaction was structured to transfer and conceal the value contained within the asset, resulting in adverse effects for creditor banks and financial institutions.

Despite Sureka having very little real net worth, the investigation showed that assets worth several hundred crores were ostensibly transferred by routing funds through circular transactions, engaging entry operators, filing bogus documents and hiding behind a complex corporate facade.

According to the ED, despite being given opportunities on several occasions, Sureka did not cooperate with the investigation and attempted to abscond abroad.

On January 5, he was intercepted at Kolkata airport on the strength of a Look Out Circular while trying to fly to Thailand.

Considering his non-cooperation, risk of evidence destruction, witness intimidation, flight risk and continuing dissipation of proceeds of crime, he was arrested on January 16.

The Special PMLA Court has further granted four days of custody.
Jammu, Jan 18 : Three army soldiers were injured on Sunday in an ongoing encounter between joint forces and terrorists in Sonar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.

Officials said that the encounter broke out after joint forces launched a CASO (Cordon and Search Operation) in the Sonar area of Chatroo in Kishtwar district following specific inputs about the presence of militants.

"As the forces closed in, they came under fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, three army soldiers sustained injuries. The injured soldiers were airlifted to a medical facility for advanced treatment," an official said.

"Joint forces have tightened the cordon in the area while intermittent firing between the joint forces and the terrorists was continuing till last reports. Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the operation," the official added.

Army's Nagrota bases White Knight corps said earlier on X, "Operation Trashi - I. Contact was established with terrorists in the general area Son Nar, northeast of Chhatru, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror operations alongwith @JmuKmrPolice.

"Troops displayed exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions. Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies."

Hilly districts of Jammu division including Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi have been on the scanner of the security forces after intelligence reports that Pakistani terrorists were moving in the highly forested mountain terrain of these districts.

A number of times, joint forces have engaged the terrorists in Kathua, Udhampur and other districts in sustained encounters, but somehow the terrorists managed to escape from the cordoned off area taking cover of the densely forested terrain and darkness during the night.

In the high level security review meeting on J&K on January 8, chaired by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in Delhi, the presence of terrorists in the hilly districts of Jammu division was discussed threadbare.

HM Amit Shah gave clear orders that coordinated, sustained and intelligence backed operations must be carried out to eliminate terrorists from the mountainous areas and also ensure zero infiltration of terrorists from across the line of control (LoC) and the international border (IB) in J&K.

The LoC is 740-Km long and the IB is 240-Km long in J&K. The army guards the LoC while the border security force (BSF) guards the IB.

LoC is situated in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of the Valley and partly in Jammu district. The IB is situated in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts of Jammu division.
Jaipur, Jan 18 : Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Sunday shared candid insights into Brexit negotiations, global leadership and his personal political journey while speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF).

Reflecting on the Brexit period, Varadkar said he worked with three British Prime Ministers, noting how frequently leadership changed in the UK at the time. Drawing contrasts, he remarked: "Rishi Sunak wants to do business, but he doesn't take the initiative," while adding that negotiating with Boris Johnson was particularly challenging. "Bargaining with Boris Johnson is very difficult," he said.

Speaking on the nature of politics, Varadkar noted that while journalists chase news, in politics "news keeps leaking all the time".

He recalled a difficult phase when he was questioned by police for nearly a week. "It shook my confidence," he admitted, adding that the episode stemmed from a mistake where he shared information he should not have.

On Ireland's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Varadkar said the country managed to keep the death toll relatively low by taking timely policy decisions and executing an effective vaccination drive. However, he described the pre-pandemic medical briefings as deeply unsettling.

"Doctors sometimes have to make extremely hard choices -- who goes into the ICU, knowing recovery could take weeks. Those realities were frightening," he said.

Varadkar also spoke about global institutions, saying that US President Donald Trump showed little interest in the United Nations, while Russia and China also do not accord it much importance.

"The UN needs reform, but world leaders are not interested in it," he observed.

Touching upon history and geopolitics, Varadkar said Ireland's past under British rule helps him understand Palestinian sentiments. "When Britain tried to conquer Ireland, it justified its claim through religion. That history gives perspective," he said, adding that the US finds it difficult to understand the Palestinian issue due to its close ties with Israel.

Comparing political accessibility, Varadkar said that reaching leaders in India is far more difficult than in Ireland, largely due to heavy security arrangements. "In Ireland, leaders are far more accessible," he noted, highlighting the contrast.

Earlier, discussing his book 'Speaking My Mind', Varadkar shared his views on Donald Trump, saying: "Meeting Trump is like meeting a king," adding humourously that at least one does not have to kneel or bow.

He expressed concern that Trump no longer follows checks and balances as he did during his first term, and warned against rhetoric around territorial expansion, including comments related to Greenland. He said no one's home should be taken away merely for a real estate business.

On India, Varadkar said it was "good to be here", praising the country's progress over the last two decades. He expressed confidence that India will emerge as one of the world's leading nations, lauding its commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights, which he said closely align it with European values.
Hyderabad, Jan 18 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday criticised the BJP, alleging that the party posed a threat to democracy and the Constitution.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the Communist Party of India (CPI) at Khammam as part of its centenary celebrations, he accused the BJP of attempting to snatch the voting rights of the poor in the name of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged that the saffron party is conspiring to permanently remain in power.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP poses the same threat which was once posed by the British.

Stating that the 140-year-old Congress party and the 100-year-old CPI were in the forefront of India's freedom struggle, he called for a united fight against the 'fascist BJP regime' at the Centre to save democracy and the Constitution.

He accused the BJP of making indirect attempts to change the Constitution after failing to get 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress leader alleged that the BJP was trying to take away the voting rights of the poor in the name of SIR. He claimed that Golwalkar was against voting rights for the poor but B.R. Ambedkar gave voting rights to every citizen.

"Now BJP is using SIR to snatch the voting rights of the poor. Those who were born and brought up in the country are being deprived of the voting right," he said, and warned that the poor will lose ration cards and the benefits of all the government schemes.

The Chief Minister also came down heavily on the Modi government for scrapping the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGP), which was brought by the Congress and Communist parties. He claimed that this scheme had ended migration of workers by providing them assured employment in their respective villages.

The Chief Minister said that Congress and Communists fought together to achieve independence for the country. He said while Communists fought with the slogan of land to tillers, Congress brought a legislation for the same.

He paid tributes to the comrades who declared that they would rather sacrifice their lives in the struggle for the rights of the poor than abandon the red flag. He recalled that the Communists fought for farmers, farm labourers, Dalits and tribals. He said the Communists fought for a minimum support price for farmers.
Jammu, Jan 18 : Eight Army soldiers were injured on Sunday in a gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, an official said.

Officials said the joint forces had started a CASO (cordon and search operation) in Sonar village of Chhatru area of Kishtwar after receiving information about a group of terrorists hiding there.

Officials said one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists, reportedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit, who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

"The troops retaliated and reinforcements from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides till 5.40 p.m.

"Eight soldiers were injured and evacuated to hospital. Most of them suffered splinter injuries in the grenade blast.

"A massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists. Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation," officials said.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district.

The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness. The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.

The Army's Nagrota-based White Knight Corps said earlier on X, "Operation Trashi-I: Contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Son Nar, northeast of Chhatru, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror operations along with @JmuKmrPolice.

"Troops displayed exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions. Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies."

Hilly districts of the Jammu division, including Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi, have been on the scanner of the security forces after intelligence reports that Pakistani terrorists were moving in the highly forested mountain terrain of these districts.

A number of times, joint forces have engaged the terrorists in Kathua, Udhampur and other districts in sustained encounters, but somehow the terrorists managed to escape from the cordoned-off area, taking cover of the densely forested terrain and darkness during the night.

In the high-level security review meeting on J&K on January 8, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, the presence of terrorists in the hilly districts of the Jammu division was discussed threadbare.

Home Minister Shah gave clear orders that co-ordinated, sustained and intelligence-backed operations must be carried out to eliminate terrorists from the mountainous areas and also ensure zero infiltration of terrorists from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in J&K.

The LoC is 740 km long and the IB is 240 km long in J&K. The Army guards the LoC while the Border Security Force (BSF) guards the IB.

The LoC is situated in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of the Valley and partly in Jammu district. The IB is situated in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts of the Jammu division.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Congress on Sunday held a comprehensive online review meeting with Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents, general secretaries, in-charges and members of the MGNREGA Coordination Committee to assess the progress of the ongoing MGNREGA Bachao Sangram across the country.

Strengthening the movement further, the Congress announced that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will attend a MGNREGA Chaupal in Rae Bareli on January 20.

"Strengthening this movement further, on January 20, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will attend a MGNREGA Chaupal in Rae Bareli to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of rural workers," Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, who chaired the meeting, said on X.

The review highlighted the expanding reach and success of the movement in several states. Venugopal emphasised that the campaign has been energising rural workers and panchayats, and has emerged as a strong resistance against what the party terms the "anti-people VB-G RAM G Act".

During the meeting, leaders resolved to intensify outreach at the panchayat level, directly engaging with the general public, MGNREGA workers and other stakeholders.

The plan includes a series of ward-level peaceful sit-ins, followed by Vidhan Sabha and Lok Bhavan gheraos, as well as zonal rallies.

Venugopal stressed that these activities will be carried out in a planned and sustained manner to ensure maximum participation and impact.

The event is expected to reaffirm the party's commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of rural workers, while also amplifying the voices of those dependent on the scheme for livelihood security.

Venugopal described the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram as a "beacon of resistance" and reiterated that the Congress will continue its fight until the scheme is fully restored in its original form.

"Our resolve is firm, our movement is growing, and our resistance will continue with renewed strength," he said.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provides at least 100 days of wage employment to rural households, has long been considered a lifeline for millions of workers.

The Congress alleges that recent policy changes have undermined its spirit and effectiveness, prompting the nationwide campaign.

With the upcoming Chaupal in Rae Bareli and a series of planned demonstrations, the Congress aims to mobilise grassroots support and put pressure on the government to safeguard the scheme in its true essence.
Hyderabad, Jan 18 : The Telangana Cabinet on Sunday gave its nod for conducting municipal elections in the state.

The Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at Medaram in Mulugu district unanimously decided to conduct elections as early as possible to 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations whose term has ended.

The elections will be conducted for a total of 2,996 wards and divisions. Two days ago, reservation was finalised for various categories.

For the first time in history, a Cabinet meeting was held outside Hyderabad. The historic meeting took place at Medaram, ahead of the Medaram Jatara, a mega tribal fair.

Minister for information and public relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy along with Panchayat Raj minister Seethakka and roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy briefed the media on the decisions taken by the Cabinet.

He said the Cabinet discussed various issues. It approved allotment of lands to Central and State government institutions at 14 places.

The Cabinet discussed Godavari Pushkaralu, which is scheduled to be held from July 27 to August 3, 2027. It decided to take up development works for Pushkaralu on a permanent basis.

It decided to develop temple circuit from Basar to Bhadrachalam. A consultancy will give its report about the temple circuit before February 15.

The Cabinet decided to allocate Rs.2,787 crore for Hyderabad Metro Phase-II A and B. It also discussed the issue relating to Phase-I.

The state government has already decided to take over Phase-I from L&T.

After the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister participated in a cultural event at Medaram. He announced that state government will conduct Medaram Jatara on the lines of Kumbh Mela.

The Chief Minister said that he accomplished the development of Medaram Gaddelu and the tribal shrine with all facilities which are dedicated to people on Monday.

The Chief Minister said the Medaram festival is a historical event which symbolises courage transformed into divinity. It is the biggest tribal festival where people worship deities without a temple.

CM Revanth Reddy remembered brave women Sammakka and Saralamma who led a revolt against the Kakatiya dynasty. He also recalled he embarked on ' Padayatra' from Medaram on February 6, 2023 with a resolve to dethrone the BRS government. With the blessings of the goddesses, the aPeople's Governmenta came to power in the State.

" I consider it my good fortune to develop Medaram," the Chief Minister said. He pointed out that the development of the works and stone structures were completed within 100 days before the beginning of the tribal festival.
New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a woman, who was absconding despite being convicted in Mizoram for alleged misappropriation of compensation bills of National Projects Construction Corporation Limited (NPCC Limited), an official said on Sunday.

Tamanna Chakma alias Tamie May was arrested in Guwahati on Saturday, the CBI said in a statement.

An official said she was apprehended based on inputs collected during field verification, physical surveillance and thorough call detail records analysis.

Chakma was detained by the CBI's Shillong team on Saturday from Geeta Nagar Police Station area of Guwahati in Assam.

The convict was produced before the jurisdictional court at Guwahati for transit warrant for her further production before the Special Court at Aizawl, Mizoram.

She was convicted by the Aizawl Special Court Judge along with 22 other accused vide judgement dated May 17, 2024, and was absconding since long.

The CBI registered the case immediately on December 30, 2010, against U.P. Mishra, the then Zonal Manager, NPCC Limited at Silchar (Assam) and five others, based on a complaint in the matter of alleged misappropriation of compensation bills of NPCC Limited.

After completion of investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet on July 31, 2012, against 25 accused persons, including Tamanna Chakma.

"During trial proceedings, the accused Tamanna Chakma failed to appear before the trial court and therefore an arrest warrant was issued by the trial judge," the CBI said.

Further, persistent and sustained efforts were made to trace the accused during the course of trial, however, she remained untraceable.

After completion of the trial, the trial court convicted 23 accused, including the absconding accused Tamanna Chakma, on May 17, 2024.

The accused Tamanna Chakma did not appear before the trial court even after pronouncement of the judgment.

Subsequently, the CBI mounted surveillance and observed use of mobile phone.

After an inspection of call detail records of her family and friends' phone data, the central probe agency conducted a field verification in Geeta Nagar area in Guwahati.

After confirming her identity through physical surveillance, the CBI officials raided the house and arrested Tamanna Chakma, a statement said.
Guwahati, Jan 18 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday departed for Davos to participate in the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), scheduled from January 19 to 23, officials said.

During the five-day summit, the Chief Minister will represent Assam before leading global industrialists, economists, chief executive officers of multinational corporations and senior leadership from various institutions.

With this engagement, Himanta Biswa Sarma becomes the first Assamese to take part in the WEF Annual Meeting.

The Chief Minister will present Assamas governance reforms, industrial growth strategy and technology-led development roadmap to a global audience.

He is also scheduled to participate in more than 17 high-level meetings and sign multiple memoranda of understanding aimed at accelerating investment and economic cooperation.

It may be noted that the Government of India has extended Assam the opportunity to represent the country at the WEF alongside other leading states, marking the first such occasion for the state.

Traditionally, developed states have represented India at this forum.

Building on the momentum generated by the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, the Chief Ministeras engagements at the WEF are expected to enhance Assamas investment profile and economic prospects.

He will highlight initiatives focused on inclusive growth, digital transformation and sectoral advances, while participating in discussions on themes such as future-ready workforce development, travel and tourism potential, and health and healthcare.

Founded in 1971, the WEF is a non-profit organisation and among the worldas most influential platforms for dialogue on global economic growth, geopolitics, education, technology, financial policy and investment.

With participation from nearly fifty countries, Assamas presence at the forum is expected to open new avenues for investment, catalyse projects including semiconductor initiatives, and generate employment opportunities for the stateas youth.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, Sanjay Seth, visited the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp at Delhi Cantt on Sunday, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour by NCC cadets.

The visit began with an impressive band performance by the cadets of The Scindia School at Gwalior, setting the tone for a day that celebrated discipline, patriotism and the spirit of youth leadership.

In his address to officers and cadets, MoS Seth underlined that Republic Day is not merely a national festival but a tribute to the Constitution and the sacrifices of freedom fighters.

He described NCC cadets as the living bridge between India's glorious past and its promising future, noting that the Republic Day Camp reflects the discipline, commitment and leadership potential of young Indians.

He urged cadets to adopt a "Swadeshi mindset", pointing to the remarkable rise of Indian start-ups from about 800 to more than two lakh in recent decades, a growth spurred by initiatives such as "Startup India" under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Union Minister praised 15 cadets who undertook the "Veer Birsa Munda Cyclothon" from Ranchi to Delhi, covering 1,300 kilometers to spread the message of national integration and the values of tribal icon Veer Birsa Munda.

He also lauded the achievement of 10 NCC cadets who successfully scaled Mount Everest in 2025, calling their feat a shining example of courage and determination.

In his concluding remarks, MoS Seth urged NCC cadets to remain grounded in duty, patriotism and constitutional values while preparing to face future challenges.

He called upon them to carry forward their determination and hard work to contribute to building 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

Expressing gratitude to NCC officers and instructors, he acknowledged their role in shaping the next generation of leaders.

He appealed to all present to uphold the honour and dignity of the Tiranga (Tricolour) and to continue serving the nation with integrity and dedication.

As part of his visit, the Union Minister toured the Flag Area, meticulously prepared by cadets from all 17 Directorates on themes of social awareness.

He also visited the "Hall of Fame", where cadets narrated the proud history, training activities and achievements of the NCC, showcasing the organisation's enduring role in fostering discipline, unity and national pride among India's youth.
Raipur/Narayanpur, Jan 19 : Security forces have foiled an inflitration bid by the Maoists in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh by recovering material used in making IEDs (improvised explosive devices), officials said on Sunday.

Joint teams comprising personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the district police recovered a large quantity of explosives and weapons-related materials during two separate search operations.

Officials say the Maoists were planning to use these materials to launch attacks against security forces, but the timely intervention thwarted a major conspiracy.

The first operation was carried out in the Orchha area of Narayanpur.

Acting on credible intelligence, the 29th Battalion of ITBP along with Narayanpur police conducted an intensive search in the forests of Orchha, Raynar, and Dhanora.

During the operation, security personnel recovered items hidden by the Maoists near Bhatbeda and Asnar.

The seized materials included seven batteries, a Motorola communication set, a multimeter, a circuit board, jute bombs, and electrical wires.

These items are commonly used in the preparation of improvised explosive devices, leading authorities to suspect that the Maoists were preparing for explosive attacks in the region.

The second operation unfolded in the dense forests of Adingpar and Kumeradi.

A joint team of the 53rd Battalion of ITBP and DRG discovered a major cache of explosives concealed in the area.

Security forces recovered 82 BGL cells, which according to experts, can be deployed in large-scale attacks.

The recovery of such a significant stockpile is being described as a major success, as it prevented potential ambushes and road-based explosive attacks targeting security personnel.

Police officials said that the purpose of the recovered explosives and equipment was clearly to inflict harm on security forces.

The vigilant search operations not only foiled the Maoists' immediate plans but also dealt a blow to their ability to regroup and execute attacks in the near future.

Following these operations, security has been further tightened across Narayanpur district.

Intensive search drives are continuing in the forests to ensure no additional explosives or hideouts remain undetected.

Security agencies are investigating all angles and maintaining close surveillance on suspected Maoist movements to prevent any resurgence of activity in the area.
Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 19 : A tragedy struck the Kasturipad village in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh when a young villager lost his life after stepping on a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the Maoists.

"The victim, identified as 20-year-old Ayata Kuhrami, son of Budhra Kuhrami, had gone to the forest area near his village when the incident occurred," police officials said.

The deadly device exploded as he unknowingly stepped on it, causing severe injuries to both his legs.

Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, Ayata succumbed to his injuries on the way, leaving the village in shock and grief.

The incident highlights the continuing threat posed by Maoist insurgents in the region, who often target security forces with hidden explosives but end up endangering innocent civilians.

Pressure IEDs are commonly planted along forest paths and remote areas to ambush patrols, but their indiscriminate nature makes them a constant danger for villagers who depend on these routes for daily activities such as farming, collecting forest produce, or grazing cattle.

Security forces have intensified search operations in the Usur police station area following the incident.

Teams are conducting IED neutralisation drives to detect and safely defuse hidden explosives in the forests of Bijapur.

Officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of local residents while continuing operations against Maoist groups that remain active in the district, the officials said.

Authorities have also issued a strong appeal to the public, urging villagers to exercise extreme caution while travelling in forested and remote areas.

They have advised people to immediately report any suspicious objects, activities, or materials to the nearest police station or security camp.

This cooperation, they stressed, is vital to prevent further tragedies and to strengthen the fight against Maoist violence.

The death of Ayata Kuhrami has once again underscored the human cost of insurgency in Bastar and its surrounding districts in Chhattisgarh.

While security forces continue their operations to dismantle Maoist networks, the loss of innocent lives remains a painful reminder of the urgent need to eliminate the threat completely.

The community of Kasturipad now mourns the untimely death of a young villager whose life was cut short by an act of violence meant to destabilise peace in the region.
Agartala, Jan 19 : In a joint operation, the Tripura Police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested two suspected arms and drug peddlers on Sunday after they arrived in Agartala on an express train, officials said.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Rati Ranjan Debnath, said on Sunday that Tripura Police personnel and RPF troops recovered a loaded pistol and around 100 bottles of banned cough syrup from the possession of two youths from Bihar after detaining them at Agartala railway station.

He said the seizure was made during a joint operation conducted on the Rani Kamalabati Express after the train reached Agartala railway station on the outskirts of the city.

"The two youths from Bihar were intercepted while travelling by train. During checking, a pistol along with two live bullets and nearly 100 bottles of contraband cough syrup were recovered. We are sending the pistol for forensic examination," the DIG said.

The arrested duo has been identified as Kartik Yadav and Amud, both residents of Bihar.

According to police, the accused were kept under surveillance from Dharmanagar railway station in North Tripura district.

DIG Debnath said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the illegal items and their intended recipients.

"Cases will be registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Arms Act," the police official added.

He also noted that with improved coordination between the state police and railway authorities, particularly intelligence units, success against drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking has significantly increased in recent times.

Police said sustained vigilance at railway stations and along train routes has played a crucial role in preventing inter-state smuggling activities in Tripura.

Meanwhile, in November last year, Tripura Police arrested three persons, including an alleged arms supplier from Bihar, after seizing two country-made firearms and four magazines during a patrol operation in Agartala.

Police sources further noted that the Arundhuti Nagar area, located close to Agartala railway station, has witnessed multiple arrests of arms dealers over the past few years, with most cases involving illegal firearms smuggled into the state, often via train routes.

Earlier, on May 8 last year, eight pistols and 16 empty magazines were recovered from an express train at Agartala railway station.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF, in a joint operation, recovered the arms from the Tripura Sundari Express after the train arrived from Punjab's Firozpur.
Itanagar, Jan 19 : The Indian Army continues to showcase its latest weapons systems and operational capabilities across various border states in the Northeast, highlighting its preparedness, technological strength, and commitment to safeguarding the region's security and territorial integrity.

Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat said on Sunday that as part of the pineapple festival celebrations at Bagra in Arunachal Pradesh's West Siang district, local military authorities organised a weapon and equipment display to promote community outreach and militarya"civil fusion.

He added that the display formed an integral component of the festival, adding a dimension of awareness and engagement to the cultural event.

It witnessed enthusiastic participation from villagers, with keen interest from youth and students, who gained first-hand insight into the Indian Army's capabilities, professionalism and operational preparedness through guided interactions and equipment familiarisation, the Defence official said.

Arunachal Pradesh's State Assembly members Tsering Lhamu and Topin Ete as well as local leader Nyali Bagra attended the event.

Lieutenant Colonel Rawat said that the dignitaries appreciated the Indian Army's proactive and people-centric outreach, noting that such initiatives during local festivals enhance mutual understanding, confidence and trust between the Armed Forces and the civil population.

The weapon and equipment display reinforced the spirit of military-civil fusion by integrating defence awareness with a major local cultural festival.

The initiative reaffirmed the Indian Army's enduring commitment to community engagement in Arunachal Pradesh, with special emphasis on youth interaction, awareness building and strengthening the bond between the Army and the people it serves.

The West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh shares border with China.

Meanwhile, last week, the Indian Army displayed a wide range of weapons and military equipment at the Tripura Institute of Technology (TIT) in Agartala, highlighting its strength, professionalism and commitment to national security.

A Defence spokesman had said that as part of Army Day 2026, weapons displayed by the Army showcased power, pride and purpose at Tripura Institute of Technology.

The Albert Ekka Brigade of the Indian Army organised the weapons and equipment display at the TIT, Agartala, with the objective of motivating young minds and fostering a spirit of patriotism and nation building among students.

The spokesman said that the event featured an impressive display of modern weapons, surveillance systems and operational equipment used by the Indian Army.

Army personnel briefed the students of the TIT on the capabilities and role of these systems, while also sharing insights into the life of a soldier and the core values of discipline, dedication, courage and selfless service.

Meanwhile, the Albert Ekka Brigade, which fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war from the Tripura sector, shares 856-km-long border with Bangladesh.

The Brigade recently relocated to Agartala Military Station, which is particularly ominous, as the Brigade was launched into the 1971 war (Operation Cactus Lilly) from the Agartala sector.

A Defence spokesman had said that the Albert Ekka Brigade played a pivotal role in the Battle of Gangasagar (near the Tripura border) during the 1971 war, in which Lance Naik Albert Ekka of the 14th Guards Battalion made the supreme sacrifice while clearing a critical enemy bastion that could have threatened Agartala and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his conspicuous bravery.


Charles Sykes/Bravo



The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards has addressed speculation she's reconciling with her estranged husband, Mauricio Umansky.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of handing over Assam's land to infiltrators for votes during its rule in the northeastern state.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Kaliabor, Assam. Photograph: ANI on X

Modi, while addressing a rally in Kaliabor, said infiltration 'kept increasing' during the Congress rule in Assam for decades, with illegal immigrants 'encroaching upon forests, animal corridors and traditional institutions'.

"The BJP government is protecting Assam's identity and culture by evicting infiltrators who encroached land," he said.

Modi said the Congress has lost the trust of people as it gives a 'message of negative politics', and now, the Bharatiya Janata Party is the 'first choice' of voters in the country.

"Voters trust BJP for good governance and development. In the Bihar polls, people gave the party record votes and seats even after 20 years in power," he said.

In the Maharashtra civic polls, too, people voted for the BJP and even in Kerala, 'we now have a mayor from the party', Modi said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the rally in Nagaon district, after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, and virtually flagging off two Amrit Bharat trains.

The Kaziranga corridor will help provide wildlife a safe passage during floods, he said.

Modi asserted that the BJP government's efforts ensured that no rhino was killed due to poaching at the Kaziranga National Park in 2025.

"India has shown to the world that both ecology and economy can march together," he said.

Assam's development is opening up opportunities for the entire northeast, and the Act East Policy will take the region to new heights, the PM stated.

"The projects launched in Assam have strengthened the BJP's mantra of development," he added.
Eight soldiers of the Army were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted only for representational image. Photograph: ANI Photo

The intense exchange of fire between the two sides lasted several hours before the guns fell silent. Reinforcements have been deployed to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists, the officials said.

The operation, which the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named 'Operation Trashi-I', began around noon.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies," the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides till 5.40 pm, the officials said.

Eight soldiers were injured and evacuated to the hospital. Most of them suffered splinter injuries in the grenade blast, the officials said, adding that a massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.

The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.
The Delhi police put in place a multi-layered security and facilitation plan to ensure smooth and secure 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on January 26, an official said on Sunday.

IMAGE: Rehearsals for the 77th Republic Day parade underway amid fog at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi, January 18, 2026. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

A robust security apparatus has been deployed, involving the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, to safeguard the high-profile event that will be attended by thousands of invitees and dignitaries from across the country, additional commissioner of police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said.

He said extensive arrangements have been made to maintain a secure environment, while ensuring ease of movement for guests.

"As the nation prepares to celebrate the 77th Republic Day, police remain fully committed to ensuring a safe, secure and celebratory atmosphere for all citizens and invitees," the officer said.

He said a significant change has been introduced this year with the renaming of the enclosures at Kartavya Path after Indian rivers, aimed at better identification and facilitation of guests.

According to the police, the entire Kartavya Path area has been placed under constant electronic surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras integrated with advanced facial recognition system (FRS) technology.

Specialised anti-drone units and sniper teams will be deployed at strategic locations, including high-rise buildings, to monitor the airspace and surrounding areas.

"As part of preventive measures, police teams are carrying out rigorous verification of hotels, guesthouses, tenants and domestic help across New Delhi district to eliminate any potential security risks," Mahla said.

To facilitate smooth movement, invitees and ticket holders have been advised to carefully check the details on their invitation passes and follow the designated routes to reach their respective enclosures.

The police have urged the visitors to refer to the official websites of the ministry of defence and the Delhi Police for detailed route maps, parking layouts and enclosure directions.

In coordination with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), regular public announcements are being made at metro stations to guide the invitees regarding the entry and exit gates, routes to enclosures and prohibited items.

The police said the invitees for enclosures, such as Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Gandak, Ganga, Ghaghra, Godavari, Sindhu and Jhelum, should deboard at the Udyog Bhawan metro station, while those heading to enclosures including Kaveri, Krishna, Narmada, Yamuna and others are advised to get off the train at the Central Secretariat station. Special invitees will be allowed free travel on Delhi Metro upon following the instructions mentioned on their digital passes, the officer added.

The police have also set up dedicated help desks at major locations around Kartavya Path to assist the visitors, while public service announcements will be made at the entry points to streamline movement through channelisers and frisking points.

A detailed list of prohibited items, including bags, electronic gadgets other than mobile phones, sharp objects and inflammable materials, has been issued to ensure safety inside the enclosures.

"Public cooperation is vital. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel or they must dial the emergency numbers," Mahla said.

The police said all arrangements are aimed at ensuring safe and memorable Republic-Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday charged the Trinamool Congress government with 'playing with national security by protecting infiltrators' for vote-bank politics, and said ending the ruling party's 'maha jungle raj' was vital to restore law and order, development and investor confidence in the state.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the foundation stone laying and inauguration of several development projects, in Singur on Sunday. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

With the state assembly polls a few months away, Modi framed the electoral contest as one between 'maha jungle raj and good governance' and urged voters to back the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'double-engine government' model.

Addressing a rally at Singur in Hooghly district, a place etched in Bengal's political memory for the 2008 agitation by the TMC against land acquisition that forced Tata Motors to pull out its small car project, he said infiltrators, who had settled in the state using forged documents, must be identified and sent back.

"The TMC is playing with national security. They are trying to protect infiltrators because they consider them their vote bank," Modi said, alleging that illegal immigrants along Bengal's borders had been allowed to flourish under the 'state government's watch'.

The Prime Minister also said, "Border fencing has been stalled for years. Fake documents are being made. It is time to stop infiltration completely and identify and send back those who entered with forged papers. The BJP government will do it."

Modi accused the TMC government of stonewalling critical security measures, saying that for the last several years, 'the Centre has been writing to the state government seeking land for fencing, but nothing has been done'.

"The TMC can go to any extent to protect infiltrators by giving them shelter and creating fake documents," Modi said, urging voters to back the BJP to 'secure borders, restore law and order and put Bengal back on the path of growth'.

Calling for a change of guard, the prime minister said it was essential to oust the TMC's 'maha jungle raj' and bring in a BJP government committed to good governance.

"Shouldn't the TMC government be punished for acting against the interests of the people of Bengal?" he asked, asserting that voters across the country were increasingly punishing governments that blocked development and welfare delivery.

Drawing a parallel with the erstwhile Aam Aadmi Party regime in New Delhi, Modi said a government there had earlier stalled central schemes but was voted out.

"Today, Ayushman Bharat is benefiting the poor there. The people of Bengal have also decided to teach the TMC a lesson so that a BJP government is formed and Ayushman Bharat is implemented here," he said.

The prime minister alleged that rioters, syndicates and mafia enjoyed a 'free run in Bengal under the TMC rule'.

"Industry and investment will come only when law and order improves. Syndicate tax and mafia rule will end only under the BJP. This is Modi's guarantee," he said.

Modi also said voters must ensure that alleged incidents of land grabbing and rape in Sandeshkhali are not repeated and that teachers do not lose their jobs due to corruption.

"Rape of college students, violence and corruption in education will stop only when the BJP comes to power," he said, alleging that the education system was 'controlled by mafia'.

Returning to Singur's symbolism, Modi said Bengal's industrial decline was rooted in the politics of agitation and syndicates.

"The smallest of TMC leaders have begun considering themselves local fiefdom owners," he alleged, reiterating that a BJP government would end syndicate raj and mafia rule.

Accusing the TMC of being 'enemies of women, youth and farmers', Modi claimed that daughters were unsafe and the future of Bengal's youth was being compromised.

"Women and youth must raise their voices. Under the TMC's rule, education is ruined by corruption," he said.

He also alleged that the TMC government was deliberately blocking central schemes out of political hostility.

"I constantly strive to serve Bengal's youth, farmers, mothers and sisters, but the TMC government does not allow central schemes to reach you. If they have a problem with Modi or the BJP, that is understandable. But they are taking revenge on the people of Bengal," he claimed.

Citing fishermen as an example, Modi said lakhs of families dependent on fishing were being deprived of benefits due to the state government's 'non-cooperation'.

"The Centre created a digital platform for fishermen and states are registering them, but in Bengal this work is stalled," he said, adding that fishermen were unable to benefit from schemes like the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Modi also accused the TMC of denying Bengal's children access to better education by refusing to implement PM SHRI schools.

Pitching his development plank, the prime minister said the BJP would follow a 'dual model of heritage and development (virasat aur vikaas)' in Bengal.

He cited UNESCO's heritage status for Durga Puja as a Centre-backed initiative and promised to promote local products under the 'one district, one product' model.

Highlighting the BJP's governance record, Modi cited Tripura as an example of the 'double-engine' model.

"Earlier, only four out of 100 homes had tap water. Today, 85 out of 100 homes receive tap water. In Bengal, half the population still lacks this facility. The BJP will change this. It is Modi's guarantee," he said.

"The people of Bengal will punish the cruel TMC government," Modi claimed.
Oh, good, theres our diversity in the slideshow! said my supervisor. I was a college student leading a mentorship program for community youth at my predominantly white university, and I was one of two students of color on the leadership team. We were putting together a grant presentation, and in our slide deck there was a slide entitled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which addressed in detail the programs awareness of our mentees varied backgrounds. Most importantly for my supervisor, the slide contained a picture of several mentees, one of whom was Black.

I knew my supervisor meant no harm in her statement, but there was just something about this interaction I couldnt shake. I wasnt sure if it was the fact that nobody else had volunteered to present this specific slide, or if it was the fact that to my supervisor, one picture with one Black student was enough to show that our program was diverse. I felt somehow burdened by this interaction, as if it was somehow my responsibility to bring up the need for non-tokenized diverse representation, and to advocate for our mentees who were racially underrepresented. It was as though I was experiencing an instance of the minority tax, which is the emotional and professional responsibility placed upon underrepresented individuals in professional settings to institute conversations and activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ).

The minority tax in medicine

This burden of a minority tax is felt by health care providers and medical faculty who are racially underrepresented in medicine (URiM/URM) across the U.S. and contributes to their exhaustion and burnout. A 2022 survey study at the Yale School of Medicine traces such provider burnout to as early as medical school, with increased rates of exhaustion-related burnout among medical students who are URiM being linked to three things: bias, discrimination, and the minority tax.

These are pervasive issues that significantly impact academic medicine faculty recruitment and retention as well, according to a 2021 article published in the JAMA Health Forum. One might think that the simplest solution to this problem would be to diversify medicine. But how is that possible in a world where DEIJ is a near-taboo term, and funding for efforts to diversify higher education seems to be a relic of the past? Is merely diversifying medicine enough to knock down the structural barriers that perpetuate such underrepresentation in the first place?

How representation shapes outcomes

The truth is that creating representation in medicine is not just an issue concerning education and academia; its a matter of public health.

The AAMC defines those who are URiM as any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who self-identified as one or more of the following race/ethnicity categories (alone or in combination with any other race/ethnicity category): American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin; or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (this definition is widespread across the literature on representation and workforce equity in medicine).

In 2020, 5.3 percent of physicians identified as Black or African American, 5.4 percent identified as Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin, 1.9 percent identified as Other race or ethnicity, and less than 1 percent identified as American Indian or Alaska Native or as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (0.4 and 0.2 percent, respectively). This was in contrast to the Census Bureaus 2021 report showing that Black and African American citizens comprised 13.6 percent of the population, and Latine citizens comprised 18.9 percent of the general population.

Why bring light to the specifics when Ive already said the underrepresentation exists? Heres the dilemma: Research indicates that cultural concordance between patient and provider leads to better communication, increased trust, and better patient satisfaction. However, when the discrepancy between the general population and the physician workforce is so staggering, how is there any increased likelihood of patients feeling represented in their care? How are patients supposed to experience the positive outcomes that result from cultural concordance, when the practitioners simply dont exist?

Its not just cultural concordance that makes a difference either. A 2024 cross-sectional study of family practitioners across the U.S. also indicated that Latine, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin (LHS) and non-LHS Black practitioners had more Medicaid beneficiaries as patients in comparison to their non-LHS White and Asian counterparts. An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996, which continues to be heavily cited in literature today, showed that Black and Hispanic providers in parts of California with high percentages of Black and Hispanic patients and physician shortages cared for more patients who were uninsured and covered by Medicaid.

The bottom line? Physicians who are URiM are more likely to practice in historically underserved communities and provide care for patients who need it most. That diversity in medicine is not just a checkbox, but a crucial element in the provision of equitable health care for all.

The cost of the cycle: how underrepresentation sustains itself

What are the barriers to achieving this representation? There exists great intersectionality between students who are URiM and who are First-Generation/Low-Income (FG/LI). With this comes inequity in the amount of social and cultural capital (networks, connections, navigation know-how) that these students inherit from previous generations. A lack of inherited social and cultural capital leads to students needing to invest more time in acquiring it, something that institutions and faculty dont always recognize. This capital affects opportunities for success as minoritized students feel overwhelmed by the complexity of navigating the medical pathway, whether during their premedical or medical trainee years.

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When admissions committees fail to recognize this burden that URiM and FG/LI students experience, it:

Leads to lower admission rates for these students.

Is a result of the lack of diverse representation and thus a propagation of unconscious biases against such students in academic medicine.

Further exacerbates this underrepresentation for future generations of providers and faculty, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of underrepresentation.

Students who do make it through the pathway then feel isolated within their cohorts, leading to adverse psychosocial outcomes during trainee years, minority tax related exhaustion and burnout, and in many cases, attrition from the pathway altogether.

A call to action

Its more than evident that the barriers are systemic, and at a time where policy is unlikely to support the fight against these barriers, theres one tool thats crucial yet well within reach: mentorship.

Mentorship can give students access to social and cultural capital. It can provide a sense of community, making the existing representation in medicine loud and proud for the students who seek affirmation and acknowledgment of their identities and backgrounds. Its a ground-up method to prevent professional burnout and improve the quality of care that URiM physicians provide. Its a way to pay it forward from one URiM generation to the next with the faint yet enduring hope that one day, underrepresentation in medicine will no longer exist. For students, clinicians, and educators at all levels, mentorship is not a favor; it is a responsibility. A responsibility to students in classrooms, lecture halls, and conference rooms across the country who are tired of being the only.

To me, that moment in the conference room is a constant reminder that representation cannot exist only in pictures and slideshows. Underrepresentation doesnt require mere recognition, but rather a collective sense of responsibility to break the cycle. Mentorship therefore goes beyond just guidance. Its a connection that sustains representation and protects against the systems that continue to widen the gap. Its one small but significant way we can work towards a vision of a health care system where clinicians feel reflected in their own peers and mentors, and where patients can truly see themselves in the providers entrusted with their care. Where a lack of representation is no longer a factor affecting patient outcomes, where clinicians are no longer burnt out from the weight of their cultural advocacy, and where the workforce is reflective of the diversity of the country we live in.

Tharini Nagarkar is a medical student. Maranda C. Ward is a medical educator.
India will continue to press Iranian authorities to grant early consular access to the 16 Indian crew members of a commercial vessel that was detained last month, the Indian embassy in Tehran said on Saturday.

IMAGE: Indian citizens arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport on a commercial flight from Tehran, in New Delhi, on January 17, 2026. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The mission said it was informed in mid-December about the detention of the vessel, M T Valiant Roar, with the Indian crew onboard.

"The Consulate of India in Bandar Abbas immediately (on December 14) wrote to the Government of Iran seeking consular access to the crew," the embassy said in a statement.

It said the request for consular access has been repeated numerous times since then, both by diplomatic correspondence and in-person meetings in Bandar Abbas and Tehran, including at the level of the ambassador.

"The matter is expected to be subject to judicial process in Iran," the embassy said.

"However, the Mission and the Consulate continue to press the Iranian authorities to grant early consular access to the crew, and to ensure expeditious completion of the judicial proceedings," it said.

The embassy said the Iranian authorities were also requested to allow the crew to communicate with their families in India.

The Indian consulate in Bandar Abbas also established contact on December 15 with the United Arab Emirates-based company that owns the ship.

Subsequently, it has also been in touch with the Iran-based agents of the company to press for providing food, water and fuel to the ship, and also to arrange legal representation for the crew in Iranian courts, the embassy said.

"Upon being informed by the ship of depleting food and water stocks, the mission intervened with the Iranian navy to arrange emergency supplies of food and water in early January," it said.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has also been pressing the ship-owning company to ensure legal representation and regular supplies to the ship, it said.
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra in West Bengal carrying 222 passengers made an emergency landing at the Lucknow airport on Sunday due to a security scare after a handwritten note on a tissue paper that read "Plane mein bomb" (bomb on the plane) was found in the aircraft, police said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

No suspicious item was detected during a security sweep of the plane, carried out by the bomb disposal squad and other agencies after all passengers, including eight infants, and seven crew members were safely evacuated and the aircraft was taken to the isolation bay this morning, they said.

All passengers of IndiGo flight 6E 6650 re-boarded the aircraft and it left for its scheduled destination at 4.40 pm after the completion of mandatory security checks and prescribed protocols, officials said.

According to the officials, Air Traffic Control (ATC) received information at around 8.46 AM about a bomb threat on IndiGo flight 6E-6650. Acting on the alert and following prescribed security protocols, the aircraft was diverted and made a safe emergency landing at Lucknow airport at 9.17 am.

The airline said that the plane was diverted to Lucknow after a "security threat" was detected on board.

An IndiGo spokesperson said that a "security threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra on 18 January due to which the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow".

"Following the established protocol, we informed the relevant authorities immediately and are fully cooperating with them in carrying out the necessary security checks," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are making all efforts to minimise inconvenience to our customers, including offering them refreshments and sharing regular updates. As always, safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft are our topmost priorities," it added.

A handwritten note on a tissue paper was found in the aircraft bearing the words "Plane mein bomb" (bomb on the plane), the police said.

According to a statement issued by the Lucknow police commissionerate, after landing, the aircraft was immediately parked in an isolation bay.

The aircraft was thoroughly "inspected and no suspicious material was found during the security sweep carried out by bomb disposal squads and other security agencies", the police said in another statement issued Sunday evening.

The aircraft subsequently took off safely for its scheduled destination at 4.40 pm on Sunday. The situation at the airport is completely normal. No untoward incident was reported during the entire operation, the statement added.
Iran has rejected United States allegations that it is preparing attacks on American facilities, alleging that Washington, DC is attempting to escalate tensions in West Asia, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported.

IMAGE: A demonstrator holds a burning paper depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while protesters gather outside the Iranian embassy in London in support of the Iranian people, on January 17, 2026. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Saturday after the US State Department, in a Persian-language post on X, claimed it had received reports indicating Iran was working on options to target American bases.

"These statements and claims are in line with the United States' ongoing policy of fueling tensions in the region," Baghaei said, as cited by the state broadcaster.

Baghaei also said the Iranian Armed Forces remain focused on preserving and boosting the country's military and defensive capabilities to safeguard Iran's sovereignty.

He further warned Iran would respond 'firmly and decisively' to any act of aggression, Press TV reported.

In its post, the US State Department claimed that 'all options remain on the table' and that any attack on US assets would be met with 'very, very strong force'.

Press TV also reported that protests which began late last month over economic concerns across Iran later turned violent, with vandalism and disorder encouraged through public statements by US and Israeli figures.

It added that during the unrest, foreign-backed mercenaries attacked cities, resulting in the deaths of security personnel and civilians, along with damage to public property.

The US president has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, Press TV reported.

On Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran considers Trump the main culprit for the killings and destruction in the riots.

He said some agents behind the unrest included individuals who were identified, trained and largely recruited by American and Israeli agencies.
Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair on Sunday said that unity with the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, which represents the Ezhava community, is the need of the present times.

IMAGE:Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair (left) and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan. Photograph: Courtesy NSS AND SNDP websites

He was speaking to reporters in response to a statement by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan that the organisation would coordinate with the NSS on future actions.

Sukumaran Nair said he had noted Natesan's remarks and that a decision would be taken after a meeting scheduled for January 21.

"NSS also shares the same interest. We realise this is the need of the present era," he said.

He said the matter would be discussed with the NSS leadership and expressed hope of a favourable decision.

"Personally, and from the organisation's side, I feel this unity is necessary," he said.

The NSS general secretary said the organisation has no enmity towards any community or religion and functions while upholding its core values. Maintaining those values, he said, there was nothing wrong in uniting with a Hindu organisation like the SNDP.

He said the NSS had earlier maintained a distance from the SNDP due to differences over reservation-related issues, but those issues no longer exist.

Reiterating that the NSS believes in unity, Sukumaran Nair said the organisation maintains equal distance from all political parties and religions and retains the freedom to criticise social issues.

He clarified that it was not the Muslim League but differences over reservation that had earlier caused rifts between the NSS and SNDP.

Sukumaran Nair said uniting with other Hindu organisations apart from the SNDP was not under consideration at present, though discussions could be held later.

Asked about the Congress allegedly moving closer to minority communities, he questioned whether the party was not interested in doing so.

Referring to Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, he alleged that a leader who had earlier sought NSS support later stated that community organisations should not be approached. He further alleged that the same leader had recently met bishops and church leaders.

"What he says should reflect in his actions," Sukumaran Nair said.

He said Satheesan had no right to claim that he had taken a strong stand against communal forces, alleging a contradiction between his statements and actions.

Sukumaran Nair acknowledged that Natesan had made mistakes in some of his statements against the Muslim community.

"Without considering my position or my organisation, he has also made several remarks against me. I have forgiven them because he is older than the leader of a great organisation. We should forgive," he said.

He denied allegations that any political party was behind the move, dismissing claims that Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala was involved.

The NSS, he said, maintains political equidistance and the move was not linked to elections.

He alleged that Satheesan was being given a free hand within the Congress and questioned his authority to speak on all matters, warning that "such actions could harm the party in elections."

Recalling events before the last Assembly election, Sukumaran Nair said Satheesan had visited him seeking support, which was extended through NSS leaders in the constituency.

"After the election, he says community organisations should not be approached," he said.

He also criticised Satheesan's remarks against Natesan over travel arrangements during last year's Ayyappa conclave, calling them "childish".

Sukumaran Nair said Hindu organisations are not the monopoly of the BJP and include people from various political parties.

"Some claim Hindus are their monopoly. Then what did they do for Sabarimala? Hindus do not belong to any political party," he said.

Asked whether there was a lack of unity among Hindus, he said he did not believe so and alleged that community organisations were being defamed.

Responding to allegations that actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi was ousted from the NSS headquarters in 2015, Sukumaran Nair said Gopi had not visited the office before contesting elections and that the visit at the time was politically motivated.

"He entered the hall without permission while I was presenting the budget. I told him it was not appropriate, and he left," he said.

He said the incident was later portrayed as if Gopi had been blocked. He added that Gopi later visited the headquarters twice without prior intimation and was welcomed.

Reacting to West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose's recent statement that he was not allowed to pay floral tributes at the samadhi of NSS founder Mannath Padmanabhan, Sukumaran Nair denied the allegation.

"Anyone can come here, but procedures must be followed," he said, adding that the samadhi is open daily at fixed hours and permission is required outside those timings.

"These are unnecessary controversies," he said.

Sukumaran Nair said the NSS stands for preserving rituals in all temples, including Sabarimala.

He said the organisation had strongly opposed attempts to change traditional practices related to women's entry at Sabarimala and had conducted peaceful protests.

He alleged that both the Congress and the BJP joined the protests to gain votes but withdrew when they did not achieve the desired results.

"We were left alone and had to pursue a legal battle, which is before the Supreme Court," he said.

The NSS's objective, he said, was to uphold traditions at Sabarimala.

"When the government corrected its stand, we welcomed it," he said.
The verdict in polls to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra is expected to redraw equations within the opposition bloc since the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandran Pawar has been decimated in its stronghold in Pune, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has put up a fight in its home turf in Mumbai while seeing its base shrink in others and the Congress has gained ground in several cities.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the final tally, the BJP won 1,425 out of a total 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena 399, Congress 324, Ajit Pawar-led NCP 167, Shiv Sena-UBT 155, NCP-SP 36, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena 13, Bahujan Samaj Party 6, parties registered with the SEC 129, unrecognised parties 196, and 19 independents.

With the Congress coming third overall and having done much better than Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP, its allies in Maha Vikas Aghadi, political analysts said it will force a rethink as far as coordination, seat-sharing and leadership are concerned ahead of the 2029 assembly polls.

While Shiv Sena-UBT lost its crown jewel, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and the NCP-SP saw its bastions in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad crumble despite allying with Ajit Pawar's NCP, the Congress managed to be the single largest party in Kolhapur, Chandrapur and Bhiwandi.

Congress sources said the party will now demand a larger share in the MVA pie claiming the "regional pride" card of Thackeray and Pawar had failed to arrest BJP's growth.

These sources said the Congress' decision to go solo or in limited alliances is being viewed as a "stress test" that showed the party can survive and thrive even at this juncture.

While Thackeray's party has managed to remain the main challenger for the BJP in Mumbai, its influence in other parts of the state has shrunk, which would directly affect its claim to be the senior partner in the MVA based on its organisational muscle, analysts said.

The results indicate vote division between Shiv Sena-UBT and Shiv Sena has benefited the ruling alliance in several wards, they pointed out. While Thackeray's party retains emotional connect and brand recall, translating this into ward-level victories remains a challenge in the absence of a unified organisational machinery, these analysts said.

The NCP-SP has been the worst affected since the decimation in Pune district and single digit seats in most urban areas means its claim of being the "architect" of the MVA is now up for debate, they added.

The numbers suggest Congress is now the only party with a pan-Maharashtra footprint in the opposition, which will make it push for a common minimum program that prioritizes its national agenda, potentially forcing Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP to choose between playing second fiddle or risking a three-way split in the opposition vote, an analyst said.

The MVA constituents will also have to contend with groups like AIMIM, which did well in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Malegaon among others, and the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi that won in Vasai-Virar, he said.

"NCP-SP and Sena-UBT have no option but to leave behind their prejudices and align with Congress to ensure their symbol reaches pan-Maharashtra. The 2029 assembly polls are far away but starting from Zilla Parishad polls both these parties will have to go along with the Congress for this," senior journalist Prakash Akolkar said.

BJP leader Madhav Bhandari said opposition parties, including the Congress, are far away from ground realities, while the Thackerays are living in their own paradise.

Development is the main issue for the aspirational population and this has been decisively underlined in the local elections, he added.

"It is time for Sena-UBT and NCP-SP to hit the streets and rework their organisations to create fresh leadership," NCP-SP general secretary Arvind Tiwari opined.

Senior Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said his party had emerged as the largest party in the opposition bloc but admitted the results in recent local body and civic polls showed the gap between the winners and the opposition is wide.

"Flow of cash to party workers and voters could be the reason, but this fact has been ignored. The only way forward for Congress is to strengthen the organisation at the block level. Not that the leadership doesn't understand this, but implementation has its loopholes. The party will also have to present a united face to take on BJP and rethink its alliance strategy," he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said strict action would be taken against those misleading the public on social media about the ongoing work at Manikarnika Ghat.

IMAGE: Old structures being demolished for the renovation and revamp of Manikarnika Ghat, in Varanasi. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Meanwhile, eight separate cases have been lodged at Chowk Police station in Varanasi against those allegedly spreading AI-generated images and misleading information on social media regarding the redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat, officials said on Saturday.

Addressing reporters at the Circuit House in Varanasi, Adityanath said the ongoing development work in the city is unprecedented, and that irked the Congress and its allies, who, he alleged, were trying to mislead the public through 'false propaganda'.

"Kashi today is witnessing unprecedented development. Projects worth over Rs 55,000 crore have already been implemented on the ground, writing a new chapter of development," the chief minister said.

He said the rejuvenation had begun with the construction of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and claimed that, even then, some people had tried to mislead the public by displaying broken idols.

"Today, the truth is before everyone," he said. Adityanath noted that after the completion of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, around 1-1.5 lakh devotees had 'darshan' every day, compared to 10,000 to 15,000 earlier.

He alleged that the Congress and its supporters were making 'baseless allegations' over the reconstruction and development work underway at the Manikarnika Ghat.

"The people of Kashi are well aware of the truth and are standing firmly with the development works," he added.

Warning against circulating misinformation, Adityanath said, "Strict action would be taken against those attempting to mislead the public through social media."

Reacting to his statements, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav posted on X, 'Can you go to the ghats of Varanasi and say this, looking the people of Varanasi in the eye? This isn't a question, it's a challenge. Unfortunate!'

FIRs filed over 'fake' images of redevelopment work

Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Bansal said that Varanasi police has filed first information reports (FIRs) against eight individuals and certain X handles under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for spreading 'fake' and AI-generated images on social media.

According to the police, fabricated images and misleading content, contrary to the actual facts related to the ongoing beautification work at Manikarnika Ghat, were shared on social media platform X.

Officials alleged that images linked to Hindu deities were circulated with the intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation and anger among the public, and disturb social harmony.

The police said a complaint in this regard was lodged at Chowk police station by Mano, a resident of Tamil Nadu.

The complainant stated that his company has been undertaking work to strengthen cremation-related facilities and beautify Manikarnika Ghat since November 15, 2025.

According to the complaint, an X handle user, 'Ashutosh Potnis', allegedly shared AI-generated and misleading images on the night of January 16.

The posts, police said, presented distorted facts, misleading devotees of the Hindu faith and leading to resentment in society.

The posts subsequently attracted a large number of objectionable comments and reposts, further escalating tensions, the police said.

Bansal said that by spreading false and misleading information, attempts were made not only to hurt religious sentiments but also to create an anti-government mindset in society.

Given the seriousness of the matter, legal action is being taken against the concerned X handle users as well as those who reposted and commented on the content, he said.

Bansal said a detailed investigation into the matter is underway and warned that strict action would continue against those spreading rumours and misinformation on social media.
Police here have registered eight first information reports (FIRs) against as many people, including Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Congress leader Pappu Yadav, for allegedly circulating AI-generated images, videos and misleading information on social media about the redevelopment work at the Manikarnika Ghat.

IMAGE: Visuals from Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

The ghat is among the oldest and most sacred cremation grounds in Hinduism. It is believed that getting cremated at the site helps one achieve 'moksha' -- liberation from the cycle of birth and death -- giving the ghat immense religious and cultural importance.

Reacting to the FIR against him, AAP's Sanjay Singh claimed the redevelopment work had caused destruction at Manikarnika Ghat. Temples were damaged, and a statue of Ahilyabai Holkar was broken, drawing protests from sadhus and others, he alleged.

The AAP MP accused the authorities of targeting him for raising the issue and asserted that he would not be intimidated.

There have been protests against a demolition drive under the redevelopment plan of the ghat, with many alleging that a century-old idol of Ahilyabai Holkar has been damaged, a charge refuted by the district administration.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Bansal said the eight cases have been lodged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against eight individuals and certain X handles for spreading fabricated content related to the ongoing beautification and strengthening of cremation-related facilities at the ghat.

According to police, fake and misleading videos and AI-generated images, allegedly linked to Hindu deities, were circulated on X with the intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation, provoke public anger and disturb social harmony.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Atul Anjan Tripathi said probes have revealed that a fabricated video related to the Manikarnika Ghat, made with AI and by manipulating facts, has been made viral on social media.

AI-generated images were also shared, leading to confusion and resentment among the public, he said.

The eight booked also include AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and the Congress' Pappu Yadav and Jaswinder Kaur, the ACP said.

According to police, there have been 'organised attempts' to spread rumours about the redevelopment project, pointing to not only the content posted on social media, but also those being reposted and receiving 'objectionable' comments.

A complaint in this matter was lodged by Mano, a resident of Tamil Nadu, whose company has been undertaking work to strengthen cremation facilities and beautify Manikarnika Ghat since November 15.

According to the complaint, an X user allegedly shared AI-generated and misleading images on January 16, presenting distorted facts and misleading Hindu devotees.

DCP Bansal claimed false information was circulated to not only hurt religious sentiments but also to fan anti-government sentiments.

"Legal action is being taken against the social media handles concerned as well as those amplifying the content," he added.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have accused 'the Yogi-Modi government' of 'completely destroying' the heritage of Varanasi and demanded that the ongoing work at Manikarnika Ghat be immediately stopped, with any further action only after consultation with religious leaders there.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut claimed on Sunday that many newly elected Shiv Sena corporators, who originally belonged to the Bal Thackery-founded party before its division, do not want a Bharatiya Janata Party mayor in Mumbai.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde being garlanded after Bharatiya Janata Party wins the Municipal Corporation elections, in Thane on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

As the mayoral race heats up in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, has moved his 29 corporators to a luxury hotel in the city.

The Shiv Sena said its corporators have been put up at the hotel for a three-day workshop where Shinde will guide them on the functioning of the BMC.

When asked whether there will be a 'ghar wapsi' (return) of corporators, Raut said, "Many new corporators are originally Shiv Sainiks (of undivided Shiv Sena). Our understanding is everyone wants that a BJP mayor not be elected."

Even Shinde does not want a BJP mayor in Mumbai, Raut claimed.

He said if the corporators are locked up in the hotel, there are different sources of communication to send and receive messages.

The corporators who have been locked up should be released, the Shiv Sena-UBT leader added.

Shiv Sena leader Sheetal Mhatre said her party and the BJP contested polls as Mahayuti.

She said 20 of the 29 corporators have won for the first time and need to know how the BMC functions.

"We don't need to resort to hotel politics. The elected corporators have defeated Shiv Sena-UBT candidates," Mhatre said.

She also rejected the charge that the corporators were corralled into a hotel for better bargaining of posts in the BMC.

On Saturday, Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray had said his party could have its mayor if 'Dev' (God) was willing.

He also suggested that Shinde's party was scared of poaching attempts by its ally BJP.

"There were discussions between Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray (on the post of mayor). We are watching it neutrally. There are many things happening behind the curtains," Raut said.

In the recently concluded civic polls, the alliance of the BJP and Shinde-led Sena won a clear majority in the 227-member BMC, securing 89 and 29 seats, respectively.

The Sena-UBT won 65 seats, while its ally Maharashtra Navnirman Sena emerged victorious on six.
US President Donald Trump has invited India to be a part of the Gaza Board of Peace, according to sources.

IMAGE: Palestinians seek aid supplies from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in the central Gaza Strip, on August 4, 2025. Photograph: Stringer/File Photo/Reuters

The invitation comes as the US administration moves forward with formalising the "Board of Peace" structure linked to Trump's broader Gaza roadmap.

On Friday, the White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.

The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement.

The list also includes Apollo Global Management's CEO, Marc Rowan, and US deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.

Explaining the roles and responsibilities under the initiative, the White House said, "Executive Board members will oversee defined portfolios critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation.

"With Trump serving as the chairman of the Board of Peace, he has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors, tasked with leading day-to-day strategy and operations, and translating the Board's mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution.

As part of the administrative mechanism under the plan, Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

Describing the NCAG as a key component of phase two, the White House said it is a vital step forward in implementing Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict -- a 20-point roadmap for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.

The White House statement said the NCAG will be led by Ali Sha'ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilisation of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance.

Alongside governance and reconstruction planning, the statement also outlined security arrangements to establish stability. Additionally, to establish security, preserve peace, and create a durable terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarisation, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, the White House said.

The announcement also named members of the Gaza Executive Board, with Blair, Kushner and Witkoff also listed, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others.
United States President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and several European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland to the United States, framing the move as a national security imperative amid Chinese and Russian interest in the territory.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Leah Millis/File Photo/Reuters

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was open to negotiations but warned of escalating tariffs -- 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, rising to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026 -- until a deal for the 'complete and total purchase of Greenland' is reached.

He named Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland as targets.

'Starting on February 1st, 2026 [these countries] will be charged a 10% Tariff On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%,' Trump wrote, adding it was 'time for Denmark to give back' after years of US support.

Why Trump wants Greenland

Trump has repeatedly pushed for acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, citing its strategic location and mineral resources.

He has also threatened tariffs against countries opposing the move, triggering protests in Denmark and Greenland.

Leaders in both have rejected the proposal, stressing Greenlanders' right to self-determination; polls show 85 per cent oppose a sale.

In another post, Trump criticised several European countries for sending military personnel to Greenland for a NATO exercise, 'Arctic Endurance', calling it a 'very dangerous situation' and arguing that only the US could guarantee global security there.

Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Finland have deployed small contingents, while Denmark has increased its own presence. Some European leaders have warned that any US attempt to seize Greenland could damage NATO.

Trump also reiterated that the US has sought to buy Greenland for over 150 years and linked the acquisition to modern missile defence systems, arguing the territory is essential to their effectiveness.

He said Washington, DC remains 'immediately open to negotiation' despite what he called Europe putting global security at risk.

On Wednesday, Denmark said it would further increase its military presence in Greenland following talks in Washington between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers and White House officials.

However, according to Al Jazeera, the meeting failed to shift the positions of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J D Vance.

EU warns of escalation

Hours after Trump's tariff threat, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that tariffs would undermine transatlantic ties and 'risk a dangerous downward spiral'.

She expressed full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland and called for dialogue between NATO allies.

'The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential,' von der Leyen said on X, adding that Europe would remain 'united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty'.

The EU has called an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the proposed tariffs, France24 reported.

Von der Leyen stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty are core principles of international law and central to peace and security in the Arctic.

She also clarified that the recent troop deployments in Greenland were part of a pre-coordinated Danish exercise and 'pose no threat to anyone'.
January 16, 2026: Iranian hackers, both independents and those employed by government agencies, are currently going after Israeli targets. The Iranian government was unable to carry out an effective military retribution for Israeli airstrikes last June. As part of that campaign, Iranian hackers recently offered a $30,000 reward for information on Israeli military systems as well as personnel who design them. Iran was particularly interested in air defense systems like Arrow and the Davids Sling clone of the American Patriot. The information on personnel will be used for further hacker attacks and harassment on social media like Facebook and X. There is always the assassination option, but Israeli internal security is difficult to infiltrate. While Israel has many operatives in Iran, there are few, if any Iranian operatives in Israel. The best the Iranians can do is hacking into Israeli school public address systems. After that the Iranians caused similar mischief at Israeli universities, mass media operations and manufacturers. Iran also went after Iranians living in the West, especially those running media operations for Iranians outside and inside Iran. This is all part of Iranian CyberWar operations that have been going on in the 21 st Century.

For the last quarter century, Iran has been waging a CyberWar against its enemies. Iran attempts to keep its victories unpublicized and other nations are glad to mention Iranian CyberWar defeats because it demonstrates that the Iranians are vulnerable. This was the case when Iran was unsuccessful in avenging the January 2020 death via an American UAV missile strike of their chief of foreign wars commander, Quds Force general Qassem Soleimani. The mass media tends to track Iranian vengeance efforts in terms of direct attacks on Americans in Syria and Iraq, which so far have been unsuccessful. The situation is different in a less visible war, waged by Iranian hackers, where there have been victories, but Iran keeps these victories quiet because continued success depends on the victim not being aware they were attacked or who did it.

Iran victories are often won due to the efforts of Iranian hacker organizations. Successful attacks are known as APTs/Advanced Persistent Threats, and for a decade one of the deadliest groups was one called APT 35. Internet security firms track these APT groups and use the APT label to identify those groups that have been around for a while, usually with the help of a national sponsor. APT35 is Iranian, has been active since 2014 and often works for the Iranian IRGC/Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Security firms are constantly looking for APT campaigns. One which APT35 favored used Facebook to establish dozens of fake recruiters of military personnel leaving the service and seeking civilian employment. APT35 used the social engineering approach to entice military personnel looking for a lucrative civilian job to supply useful information on their current jobs or download apps that did help them in their job search but also contained hidden malware/hacker software giving the hackers secret access to the users computer and sometimes military networks as well. This APT35 exploit was detected by security firms who alerted Facebook, which began finding and canceling hundreds of APT35 accounts used to operate this swindle. Facebook kept looking until it was certain that the illegal activity was gone, and it took many months to find and delete all the fake accounts.

The APT35 recruiter campaign was damaged and then destroyed. For APT35 it still counted as a win because much damage was done, and Facebook and the Department of Defense tried to measure the extent of the damage.

Avenging Soleimani was not the only reason for the Facebook campaign, which was expensive to create and sustain. While APT35 was compensated by Iran, which benefited from some of the hacks into the US military and defense contractors, APT35s Facebook campaign was also payback for less visible defeats APT35 suffered since 2018, when the American government secretly authorized the CIA to engage in offensive CyberWar operations. This capability had long been sought, and one reason permission was finally granted was the increased defensive CyberWar capabilities Western companies had developed. This effort was market driven because the damage done via hacking Internet networks makes it more difficult to sell Internet based equipment and services.

One of the major developments since 2001 has been the creation and growth of Internet security operations. Initially these were firms that sold and supported their own Internet security software. Soon the major Internet companies got involved again because it was good business. Hackers were seen as pests in the Internet based computing ecosystem. One after another Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Amazon, and others got more involved in protecting their customers from hackers. These separate operations cooperated by sharing information, especially about hacking groups as well as the new tools and techniques hackers were using. The effectiveness of this cooperative effort enabled the CIA to make a case for offensive operations. There was now enough intelligence being obtained, which the U.S. government as the largest computer and network user in the world had access to so that the CIA could realistically plan and conduct offensive operations.

While details of offensive operations are usually kept secret, the same is not the case with many defensive operations. That is because information about hacker techniques and tools is best exploited by letting users know how they are vulnerable and how to avoid it or deal with the problem if they were a target.

One example of this came from the IBM X-Force IRIS/Incident Response and Intelligence Services security team. One of the many hacking groups X-Force was aware of, an Iranian mercenary hacker cooperative called ITG18, had been hacked and 40 GB of hacker how-to videos were obtained. These videos were created to upgrade the skills of Iranian hackers via the use of Bandicam, a video recorder which creates annotated videos of activities on a video screen. These vids showed how hackers used their tools and revealed new uses or more effective use of current techniques.

ITG18 was in it for the money, but the Bandicam videos showed that the victims were often military or government personnel who might have access to information that could be sold to any country interested in that sort of thing. The ITG18 hack also revealed many tools and techniques APT35 used, and all Iranian hackers saw the American effort that publicized their tools as a direct attack that must be avenged.

X-Force gained a lot of useful information from the Bandicam videos and passed on a lot of it to IBM customers and computer users in general. For example, the videos revealed some techniques that were not known while also revealing how effective some security techniques were. For example, banks and other Internet services have long urged their customers to use second-factor authentication when logging in. The second factor is usually a four-digit security code sent to the users cell phone. There have been several claims that second-factor schemes could be hacked, even though this took a lot of effort. The ITG18 videos revealed that hackers were advised to ignore accounts that used second factor because it consumed so much time to hack and there were so many accounts available that did not use second factor.

Israel is one of the two countries (the other is the United States) which participates in a perpetual CyberWar with Iran, one that receives little official publicity. Not even all the damage is publicized, as a lot of the damage is undetected, often for a long time, by the victim. While Iran has made the most noise about this CyberWar, Israel is doing the most destruction. Israel wants to keep it that way and keep it quiet. Partly this is to keep the Iranians confused, but it is also to keep Israeli government lawyers happy. A lot of the tactics and weapons used in CyberWar are of uncertain legality. The traditional Laws of War have not caught up with CyberWar. This process has been going on for some time, and some aspects of it do surface in the media. For example, Israel established the National Cybernetic Taskforce, with orders to devise and implement defensive measures to protect the economy and government from Internet based attacks. The task force consisted of about eighty people and was run by a retired general. Existing Internet security efforts, and military CyberWar organizations have discovered a growing number of vulnerabilities in the national Internet infrastructure. The only solution to this growing vulnerability is a large-scale effort to monitor the national network infrastructure for vulnerabilities and fix them as quickly as possible. You will never catch all the vulnerabilities, victory is not always a matter of who is better, but who is worse and more vulnerable to attack.

Israel makes no secret of what it thinks about its CyberWar capabilities. Israel eventually revealed that its cryptography operation, Unit 8200, has added computer hacking to its skill set. The head of Israeli Military Intelligence said that he believed Israel had become the leading practitioner of CyberWar. This came in the wake of suspicions that Israel rather than the US had created the Stuxnet worm, which got into Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment equipment and destroyed a lot of it. Iran also complained that a 2011 worm, called Star, caused them trouble.

Intelligence organizations usually keep quiet about their capabilities but, in this case, the Israelis felt it was more useful to scare the Iranians with the threat of more stuff like Stuxnet. But the Iranians have turned around and tried to attack Israel and are determined to keep at it for as long as it takes. This struggle between Israel and Iran is nothing new. At one point, Israel announced that Unit 8200 had cracked an Iranian communications code, an operation that allowed Israel to read messages concerning Iranian efforts to keep its nuclear weapons program going with Pakistani help, despite Iranian promises to UN weapons inspectors that the program was being shut down.

It has long been known that Unit 8200 of the Israeli army specialized in cracking codes for the government. This was known because so many men who had served in Unit 8200 went on to start companies specializing in cryptography, coding information so that no unauthorized personnel can know what the data is. But it is unusual for a code-cracking organization to admit to deciphering someone's code. The Iranians stopped using the code in question, or the Israelis just wanted to scare the Iranians. Israel is concerned about Iran getting nuclear weapons, mainly because the Islamic conservatives that control Iran have as one of their primary goals the destruction of Israel. In response to these Iranian threats, Israel has said that it will do whatever it takes to stop Iran from getting nukes. This includes doing the unthinkable, admitting that you had successfully taken apart an opponent's secret code. Israel keeps trying to convince Iran that a long-time superiority in codebreaking was now accompanied by similarly exceptional hacking skills. Whether it was true or not, it's got to have rattled the Iranians. The failure of their counterattacks can only have added to their unease.
United States (U.S.) health care, once a citadel of innovation and quality, has sadly devolved into a complex, frustrating, and frequently inaccessible system. It is so disorganized and inefficient it might not even meet the definition of a system. U.S. health care fails to address the needs and expectations of patients on many occasions and in many ways. For most of my career, I have considered U.S. health care the best in the world. Now I think not. This distressing editorial enumerates the challenges and failures of a system that is increasingly unacceptable to patients and their physicians. What the U.S. health care system excels at is generating massive profits for hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, trial lawyers, and Medicare fraudsters.

If you are looking for answers to these enormous shortcomings of U.S. health care, read no further; I have no answers, only questions. You may wonder then what purpose will this editorial serve? Glad you asked. It will delineate, define, and validate health care problems. This editorial perspective is mine; I am a physician retired from clinical practice. At age 81, I am now a consumer of medical care rather than a provider. I want, you want, everyone wants high-quality, available, affordable health care. That is not what U.S. health care proffers.

Sadly, I am also a constant caregiver for my beloved 80-year-old wife of 58 years. Becky has severe vascular Parkinsonism and cognitive impairment. She is confined to a wheelchair, falls frequently, and lives in a nearby assisted living facility. Daily, I serve as her advocate and caregiver in a deteriorating, often indifferent, health care system. Months-long waits for her to see specialists, five- to six-hour ER visits, personal physicians that do not see urgent and emergent cases expeditiously. Been there, done that.

Unavailability will default primary care to non-physicians

Case in point: Becky has been hospitalized several times for leg cellulitis. Recently she developed another episode. I quickly called her physicians office. He is a hospital-employed internist. I told the office gatekeeper my wife needed to be seen today, tomorrow at the latest, by her physician for an urgent condition. Unmoved, she said coldly, The doctor can see her in a week. I told her that was unacceptable, that my wife had been hospitalized for cellulitis before and in a week the infection would be out of control. Sorry, as I said the soonest the doctor can see her is a week from now. But the nurse practitioner (NP) can see her this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I immediately took that appointment in spite of my concerns about non-physician medical care. Any port in a storm.

The NP was terrific and the antithesis of most of our physician visits. Becky was seen on time. The NP was professional, pleasant, listened intently, asked nuanced questions, and didnt interrupt. She projected competence, care, and concern. Amazingly, at the encounter bellwether 15-minute mark, the NP did not jump up and brusquely leave the room in the manner of many physicians. We did not feel rushed or unheard. She prescribed an appropriate antibiotic and said if we saw no improvement or worsening over the next 24 to 72 hours to call her and she would expeditiously get my wife in to see the internist. Becky got much better over the next couple of days. I shudder to think what would have happened if we had waited a week. Lesson: Physicians should have a capable RN, NP, or physician assistant (PA) triage all calls that request urgent, emergent, or expedited office visits. Spaces in the schedule should be created to accommodate these patients same day or next day as appropriate.

I note with pride that the physician-owned ophthalmology group, where I practiced for 23 years, would see patients reporting ominous symptoms, moderate to severe pain, or hyper-concern same or next day. And of course, always the same day at another physicians request. Much of that has allegedly (dont you get tired of that word?) changed for the worse since private equity (PE) bought the practice and instituted for-profit corporate medicine.

Given the existing scenarios, it is inevitable that the scope of practice for non-physicians will greatly expand. Frustrated patients will seek out the much more available non-physicians. Ersatz doctors will be NPs, PAs, podiatrists, optometrists, midwives, chiropractors, pharmacists, naturopaths, occupational and physical therapists, etc. They will practice, for the most part, autonomously without physician supervision. With prompt physician access denied, inevitably most primary care will default to non-physicians. An ever-increasing number of patients now consider Doctor Nurse their physician.

How do we as a profession and as a nation address a shortage of physicians estimated to be between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians within 12 years? Dont ask me, I told you I dont have any answers.

Medicine as a very profitable business

For-profit hospitals are straightforward in letting the public know they are trying to wring as much money as possible out of health care. Paradoxically, so-called nonprofit hospitals frequently operate in a like manner. They are often equally rapacious. Health care dollars, five trillion of them per year, flow in a green tsunami to health industry shareholders and exorbitantly compensated administrative staff. Your pain is their gain.

The U.S. spends much more money on health care administration than other wealthy countries. Hospitals, like colleges and universities, have large, unnecessary, and expensive administrative bureaucracies. There are now 10 health care administrators for every one physician in the United States. That bloat just wont float.

The U.S. also spends more on all health care than other developed countries. What does that buy our country? Sadly, too much of bad things: the highest rates of obesity, autism, substance abuse, type 2 diabetes, maternal and child mortality, violent deaths, suicide, and a falling life expectancy. America is spending an almost incomprehensibly large amount of money but not getting in return the healthier, longer, quality lives we seek. In the vernacular, we are getting ripped off.

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Just when you think it cant get worse, enter stage left the private equity firms. They are scarfing up physicians practices at breakneck speed. This includes right here in River City. Most of the major Kansas City ophthalmology groups have already sold out to PE. I have witnessed the deleterious changes made in practices acquired by PEs. These include, but are not limited to, staff reductions, patient encounter time limits (usually 15 minutes), mandatory referrals within the group, raised fees, higher billing expectations, more surgery, and promoting high-profit procedures when less expensive options are adequate. Often minimal monthly billings are assigned to each physician by the PE money mongers. Those unfortunate physicians that frequently miss their quotas are pilloried, threatened, and sometimes actually fired for low production.

So-called routine primary care is often shunted off to non-physicians by PE so physicians and surgeons can do the more profitable procedures or surgery. In ophthalmology this means primary eye care is diverted to optometrists. The implementation of extreme profit-generating measures is not in the interest of patients but boosts financial return to PE stockholders. Every independent study documents lower quality and higher patient cost when PEs buy a practice. Physician employees are cajoled to turn the money crank with a vengeance.

OMG then there is pharma! The prices of many drugs are often unaffordable and far beyond ridiculous. For example, Lenmeldy is priced at $4.25 million and Beqvez $3.5 million for one treatment. Who can afford that other than Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates? How does pharma get away with this? New drug development costs are intentionally kept arcane and obfuscated allowing pharma to kite prices and profits to obscene levels. Also, pharmaceutical companies have lots of friends in Congress. In 2024, to influence Congress and state legislatures, pharma doled out $150 million, a sum greater than any other industry or group. Money cant buy you love but it sure buys Congressional votes.

I have personal experience with pharma cupidity. The innovative Migliazzo-Hagan-Kosa treatment of acute migraine with liquid timolol 0.5 percent is effective, safe, inexpensive, and available. What is not to like about that? We have been pitching its development to pharma for over a decade. Ive lost count of the number of pharmaceutical companies that have passed. They have acknowledged the treatment is innovative and effective. They feel it would generate a profit but not a large enough profit to suit their insatiable greed. They callously ignore there are an estimated one billion world migraine patients. Hundreds of millions might benefit from timolol 0.5 percent topical to eye, sublingual, or nasal spray.

How to address the profound unavailability of physician care?

Suggestions from assorted pundits include: more medical schools, larger medical school classes, shortening medical school from four years to three years, import more international medical graduates, expand the number of residencies and truncate their duration. Every legislative session in Jefferson City we see the default solution which is to expand the scope of practice of non-physicians and have them do a greater amount of primary care.

Minute Clinics, usually staffed by nurses in shopping centers and commercial areas, offer excellent accessibility but variable quality. Other evolving solutions include Be your own doctor kits presently hawked on TV. Costing about $300 to $400, the manufacturers shill physician unavailability and emphasize the kit contains a variety of prescription medicines, mostly antibiotics, for common diseases. A small booklet on self-treatment is thoughtfully included. Implied is that is not difficult to be a doctor. What if things (inevitably) go bad? I guess the patient can sue themselves for malpractice.

Medical tourism is where people leave the United States for treatment or procedures on foreign shores. It is used presently for cosmetic and extremely expensive procedures. It will be a nonstarter for most people. Telemedicine, expanded greatly during COVID-19, may help. But most doctor visits require physical exams or procedures and are outside the purview of telemedicine.

Then there is (blow the horns, sound the trumpets) artificial intelligence (AI) which is paradoxically touted as the solution to all the worlds problems and/or the biggest threat to our continued existence as a species. AI hallucinations aside, there is real promise in AI diagnosis, for example in pathology, radiology, and dermatology. AI does not provide sympathetic care or concern and AI does not hold the patients hand or pat their back. Maybe future AI will do these comforting gestures. However, I think compassion cannot be digitalized.

By regular methods, which I designate Call and Plead, I rarely can get my wife a physician appointment in reasonable time. I confess to playing the Im a doctor card. If that doesnt work then I usually can inveigle a physician colleague to assist me with an appointment in reasonable time. Obviously, that option is not open to most patients.

As a nation and as a profession we must do much better. Lives depend on it.

John C. Hagan III is an ophthalmologist.
The United States military killed a senior Al Qaeda-affiliated leader with direct links to the Islamic State ambush that targeted American soldiers in Syria in December in a strike carried out in the country's northwest region.

IMAGE: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters gather as they are deployed after days of clashes in eastern Aleppo, in Tabqa, Syria, on January 17, 2026. Photograph: Orhan Qereman/Reuters

In a statement issued by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US forces conducted the strike on January 16, resulting in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an experienced terrorist leader with direct links to an ISIS operative responsible for a deadly ambush on US personnel, which led to the death of two American soldiers and an interpreter.

The December 13 ambush in Palmyra, Syria, killed two US service members and an American interpreter while also injuring American and Syrian personnel.

CENTCOM said al-Jasim was directly connected to the ISIS gunman involved in that attack and had played a role in plotting terrorist operations.

"The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces," CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.

"There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you," he added.

Following the December ambush, CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes across Syria under an operation dubbed Hawkeye Strike.

As part of the operation, US and partner forces targeted more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites, employing over 200 precision-guided munitions, as per the statement issued.

CENTCOM further stated that over the past year, US and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 others across Syria, removing individuals who posed a direct threat to US forces and regional security.

This comes weeks after the CENTCOM forces, along with partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria as a part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.

CENTCOM mentioned that the strikes targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of its ongoing commitment 'to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region. U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States'.

Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on December 19, 2025, at the direction of US President Donald Trump, in direct response to the ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13, 2025, which CENTCOM said was carried out by an ISIS terrorist.

The soldiers were identified as 25-year-old Sgt Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Des Moines, Iowa, and 29-year-old Sgt William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa, both members of the Iowa National Guard.

They were part of roughly 1,800 troops deployed in the Middle East earlier this year as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US mission to defeat ISIS.
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On a mild and cloudy evening in Izmit, western Turkey, a Panamanian-flagged tanker called the Bela 6 dropped anchor and began pumping nearly 100,000 tons of Russian oil.

The January 6 delivery was an outlier for the refinerys owner, Tupras, which cut Russian crude imports by 69 percent the previous month ahead of an EU sanction taking effect on January 21, according to data from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

The new measure bans imports into the European Union of products derived from Russian crude oil and is the latest attempt to cut revenues for Moscows war in Ukraine.

It especially hits refineries in Turkey and India which import Russian crude, turn it into products like jet fuel, diesel, or blending components, and ship them on to EU markets.

Taken together with US sanctions on Russian oil majors last fall, a US blockade of Venezuelan supplies, and uncertainty over possible US military strikes on Iran, the EU measures feed into growing volatility in international oil supplies.

Were in an extraordinary environment, [with] much global geopolitical gyrations in the system, David Edward from General Index, a London-based commodities markets intelligence firm, said during a webinar on January 14.

The broader context is a global oil glut that has been widely predicted for 2026, due to high production that saw oil prices fall steeply in 2025. This has already cut Russian oil revenues to their lowest levels since 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Loopholes

The new EU ban was announced as part of the blocs 18th sanctions package in July, giving refineries time to cut imports in advance.

Within the next week, this will be one of the most important talking points around the world, said Kpler analyst Sumit Ritolia, noting that major Indian refineries had already self-sanctioned by announcing they would buy no more Russian crude.

With Turkeythey are still importing Russian barrels, but it is going down as we speak, their volumes are down 20-30 percent, he added.

CREA noted that Indias Russian crude imports fell 29 percent in December 2025 to their lowest level since a G7 price cap was imposed three years earlier, although a big part of this would also have been a result of the US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's largest oil producers.

In any case, critics have warned that some refineries could try to conceal the origin of the crude oil used in their products to evade the EU sanctions.

Theyve also suggested that exemptions for countries, including Britain or Serbia, create an opportunity for oil products refined from Russian crude to be reexported to the EU.

CREA analyst Isaac Levi said the same tactic could be used within individual countries, since the ban relates to ports and refineries importing Russian crude.

There's a Georgian refinery called the Kulevi refinery on the Black Sea and it buys Russian crude oil, refines it into productsand it looks to be sending those refined products from a different port, he told RFE/RL.

Levi signed an open letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas from an international alliance of around 100 civil society groups calling on the EU to tighten the rules.

He said they received a thank you but no response on measures to close the loopholes. Kallass spokesperson did not answer RFE/RLs request for comment.

We have provided an array of different solutionsone is banning the import of refined fuels from any refinery that has a pipeline connection to Russian crude. So that would mostly be those refineries in China that are connected to a Russian pipeline. Quite a simple method that could stop again hundreds of millions if not billions of euros flowing to the Kremlin, Levi said.

Enter China?

Some observers have suggested that China could absorb part of the excess Russian oil supplies being abandoned by India, Turkey, or others.

CREAs data show a 23 percent spike in Chinas seaborne crude imports from Russia in December. Several tankers with Urals grade oil apparently shunned by India were reported that month, idling in waters off Chinese ports in the Yellow Sea.

Erica Downs, a senior research scholar focusing on Chinese energy markets at Columbia University, told RFE/RL the key role would be played by small, independent refineries called "teapots."

These account for some 20 percent of Chinese refining capacity and, she said, shift back and forth between Russian and Iranian crude chasing razor thin margins.

I think it's safe to say that China is not going to be able to absorb all that India and Turkey turn away. But, especially among the teapots, they are bargain hunters. And if the discount is enough, if they feel like their risk exposure is tolerable, they will take more, Downs said.

Last year, Washington slapped sanctions on three teapots for dealing in sanctioned Iranian oil. But, Downs said, while Chinas big national oil companies were cautious around sanctions, teapots were less concerned.

Because a lot of them dont have exposure to the US dollar financial system, you know, theyre much more willingto deal in sanctioned crudes, she said. If the US sanctions an oil terminal in China for taking sanctioned crudes, then the terminal might say OK, were already under sanctions, well just keep taking them. They are resilient.

Of course, any Russian oil taken by teapots will also be at a large discount, further choking financial flows to the Kremlin.

We do think this measure will have an impact and will reduce Russia's export revenues, said CREA analyst Levi. But we do think that more needs to be done to enforce it and ensure that the impact really holds and slashes Russia's export revenues.
New details of Iran's brutal crackdown on protests have continued to trickle out on January 18, as an Iranian judiciary official told reporters that "severest Islamic punishments" would be coming for those deemed "hostile."

Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, told a news conference on January 18 that judges would have a free hand when meting out punishments to protesters.

His comments come after a week in which Washington appeared to back off from military action against Tehran following assurances that protesters would not face the death penalty.

Later on January 18, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian doubled down on Iran's uncompromising messaging in a social media post.

Railing against Western sanctions, he wrote: "Any aggression against the Supreme Leader of our country is tantamount to all-out war against the Iranian nation."

In his latest statement a day earlier, US President Donald Trump said it was time to look for new leadership in Iran.

New Details Of Crackdown

Meanwhile, people leaving Iran have continued telling RFE/RL's Radio Farda details of life inside the country.

Relatives of 42-year-old Mohsen Rashidi, a protester, said he bled to death after being shot in the leg by security forces. They added that they had been forced to pay thousands of dollars for the release of his body.

In another interview, a pensioner who left Iran on January 17 told RFE/RL that the feeling of martial law is complete, at night...the armed forces randomly stop cars. They check the entire car and also mobile phones."

An Iranian ophthalmologist who recently left the country said hospitals were struggling to treat all those injured in the protests and doctors are under immense pressure given the large amount of eye injuries.

"There are reports that security forces have taken away wounded patients from hospitals," the doctor said.

His account follows previous testimony of eye hospitals being overwhelmed with patients amid Iran's largest protests in years. Also during the Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022-23, RFE/RL also reported numerous cases of security forces deliberately targeting people's eyes as they suppressed protests.

An Iranian citizen who recently traveled to Tajikistan told a correspondent for RFE/RL's Tajik Service that security forces are still out on the streets with "combat weapons" following the widespread protests.

Meanwhile, new videos from Iran appear to show government and plainclothes forces attacking citizens who have taken refuge in residential buildings in Tehran. In the footage, which RFE/RL has not verified, security forces used various firearms, batons, machetes, sticks, and lasers.

Trump's Warning

The latest evidence of the crackdown emerged following an interview in which President Trump slammed Tehran's handling of nationwide mass protests.

Trump told Politico in remarks published on January 17 that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was guilty of "the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before."

Days earlier, Trump had appeared to postpone a military strike in Iran, telling reporters that Iranian authorities had agreed to halt the executions of protesters.

Action Began With Economic Protest

The latest challenge to the theocratic government erupted on December 28, 2025, with demonstrators taking the streets over Iran's struggling economy, before snowballing into wider protests.

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has verified at least 3,428 protester deaths by security forces, while the US-based HRANA put the verified death toll at 3,308 with more than 22,000 arrests. Different activist groups have put the death toll far higher, but an internet blackout has made it difficult to verify the information.

Khamenei himself has acknowledged that thousands have been killed.

Rights groups warn that the actual toll is likely higher than their own tallies due to an internet blackout imposed since January 8 that has severely hampered verification efforts.

NetBlocks monitoring noted on January 18 that "traffic data indicate a significant return to some online services including Google, suggesting that heavily filtered access has been enabled."





Backing From Abroad

The protesters have received widespread support on the streets and at events in a number of US and European cities and elsewhere.

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi made an urgent appeal at the European Film Awards in Berlin on January 17 for the world to "react" to the government crackdown.

"If the world does not react to this blatant violence today, not only Iran, but the entire world, is at risk," he said during the opening ceremony.

"Violence when left unanswered becomes normalized. And when it becomes normalized, it's spread. It becomes contagious."

Panahi, who has previously faced imprisonment in Iran, has vowed to return to the country to continue his calls for freedom in the country.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa
In Romania, Iranian exiles are following events in Iran with a mix of fear and hope. Anti-government protests, sparked by a dire economy and an oppressive regime, have escalated into deadly clashes with thousands of demonstrators estimated killed over the last three weeks by human rights groups. Those who have moved abroad share insights on what's driving the calls for regime change in Tehran.
The property development group Ballymore has been shortlisted for this years Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, sponsored by PTSB.

The company, which was founded by Oran native Sean Mulryan, has been nominated under the Construction-Manufacturing and Engineering section of the awards.

A total of 84 companies have been nominated under 14 different categories for the fifth annual awards.

Winners will be announced at a gala event on Thursday, March 5th at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

Brid O Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish said: Now in its fifth year, the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards continues to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and trust in our eco-system.

She added: It is more important than ever to recognise and support the companies driving progress here in Ireland, businesses whose ambition, creativity, and commitment benefit not just their industries, but the wider Irish economy and communities they serve.
Young Castlerea farmer Owen Hester was just one of thousands of people to make the journey to Athlone last weekend for the Mercosur deal protest.

The 26-year-old farming contractor warned that the trade deal would decimate rural Ireland.

It is a deal that favours a few at the expense of the many. Certain sectors, cars and white goods, will benefit from it, but agriculture will definitely suffer. The hoops we have to jump through to produce our cattle compared to in South America, its a completely different standard," Owen told the Roscommon Herald.

"Once a calf sets foot on our farm it can be traced the whole way until it enters the food chain. We have to go to the vets to get prescriptions, there are Bord Bia audits. These are important, we know it is important. It is necessary for food safety and to prevent antibiotic resistance in people. I would just be very fearful of whats coming down the line if this does come in. Anyone who eats meat should be concerned about this," he warned.

My sole income is from the farm and the farmers I work for. So if farmers havent a profitable product to sell, I dont see a future here for myself in the West of Ireland.

After working all over the world for a number of years, it was the love of farming that brought me home, he added.

But it is sad to say that you have to fight to do something that you love so much and that we are so good at. I dont want to be negative, but since I have been home it seems to be challenge after challenge. We have a premium product here with our beef. It is as good as you will get, he said. If this comes in, I dont know what future I will have. If I cant farm the land and make money off it, I dont know what there is to keep me here. Lads over in Australia say to me what is there for me to come home to.

I have my own contracting business, and with the price of beef this year, I was mental busy. If farmers have money they spend it improving facilities on the farm. Thats money being pumped into the local economy, supporting local jobs. But if the price of beef is on the floor, no one is going to buy cattle to rear them. Beef needs to be at this price to cover the price of production. Our fertiliser and meal bills have doubled, tripled in the last few years.

Heavily involved in cattle breeding and in the Castlerea Agricultural Show, Owen and his family have won numerous awards for cattle at shows.

This deal could have a massive knock-on effect on rural towns and agricultural shows. If we cant breed cattle, we wont be going to the shows with cattle. I dont know if people fully appreciate the implications this is going to have? he said.

He described the Governments approach to the deal as shocking.

They came out at a late stage and said they werent supporting it. They should have been out lobbying countries, been over in Italy lobbying the government. Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves.

Protestors make their way to the rally at TUS Athlone. Pic: Paul Molloyl

Glanduff man Billy Kelly is also completely opposed to the deal. Involved in farming all his life, he is now retired and his son Paul farms the land, but he continues to lend a hand when needed.

Once a farmer always a farmer, he told the Herald. He is adamant that all is not lost but was critical of the government and the Irish Farmers Association, saying they had been slow to organise opposition to the deal.

If this is allowed to go through, there will be job losses. What about the future of our children and grandchildren? In 30 years time, are they going to be asking Where are all the cows? Because it is not going to be viable if this meat is going to be coming in at 30 to 40 per cent cheaper. And people will choose it when it is on the shelves. In Europe, we have food traceability second to none, everything known and approved from farm to fork. Then they are going to dump in this South American beef. They are talking about 90 million tonnes of it.

He is sceptical of the department of agricultures claims that it will be able to ensure food quality. There is no traceability. They are using angel dust and banned antibiotics, we dont know what we are going to get here, he said.

He added that while 2025 had been a good year for suckler farmers, that could be wiped out with the stroke of a pen by Mercosur.

We are crucified with paperwork from the department. The farmer was managing this countryside long before the department and managed it pretty well. He also praised Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice and MEP Ciaran Mullooly for standing up for rural Ireland. Theyre the only ones doing it.

Brideswell farmer Christine OMalley also praised the politicians for their work, and she condemned the Mercosur deal as unfair.

Irish farmers and all the farmers in Europe, we have had to adhere to strict standards about animal welfare and traceability. The animals movements, the medicines they receive, its all monitored and rightly so to ensure the consumers safety, she said.

These safeguards are simply not as strong in South America as here, she added. They use growth hormones that arent allowed over here. Our cattle are mostly grassfed, and the animals are well cared for.

This deal is unfair on the consumer, it is unfair on the Irish farmer. Farmers have played ball for the last 20 years and now its like a different set of rules for Brazil and the other countries. She also noted the unfairness of flying tonnes of beef to Europe, with the resultant carbon footprint and rainforest clearance, while Irish farmers are trying their best to be sustainable.

In Brazil it will be the small to medium sized farm that will suffer, with the bigger, industrial farms profiting.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The director of the Open University is stepping aside after seeing a transformation from best-kept secret to acknowledged third university in Northern Ireland.

John DArcy said he wanted to focus on connecting with the local community when he took on the job in 2015.

During his tenure, student numbers multiplied, ranging from professionals, pensioners, young people and prisoners, resident across the island of Ireland.

From 4,225 registered students in Northern Ireland the 2019/20 academic year, the Open University saw their numbers go to 7,430 in 2022/23.

Undated handout photo issued by The Open University of graduate 90-year-old Maryette McFarland from Derry (PA)

Mr DArcy joined The Open University in 2010 from a background in education, including as chief executive of Colleges Northern Ireland.

He described an initial steep learning curve in terms of the scale of the institution.

Although were the smallest university in Northern Ireland, were probably the biggest university in Europe, he said.

So weve about 175,000 students in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and also continental Europe, with lots of partnerships in different parts of the world, such as the the Arab Open University.

Many people may think The Open University is social sciences, creative writing, but we have got a nursing programme.

Many in the health services, such as health care assistants, do a four year programme with us and become registered nurses.

We do a lot of hard sciences, like physics, chemistry, engineering, and probably our big growth area of the last number of years has been IT.

Cyber security would be huge for us, and we just launched the UKs first part time computing with artificial intelligence degree.

You dont have to do a full degree, if youre in a job and you just need this extra bit of learning, then you can do just a module.

Mr DArcy said The Open University has become more externally focused.

This includes working with Queens University, Ulster University and the further education colleges, accrediting the latters foundation degrees, as well as a partnership with Libraries NI and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

It also shifted from become funded from London, to receiving funding from Stormont in 2013.

Were very small, just over 7million, but then we dont have same quantum of students, and all the buildings and stuff like that, he said.

Were very a cost effective type of learning, and people can drop in and out of it, which suits lifestyles now.

From the earliest days in 1969, Open University delivered courses via videos through the post, and BBC television and radio. Now its largely online.

Its an interesting space were all in as educators, with so much content out in the world that is free, he said.

The challenge for people is to make sure whatever content theyre getting is credible. Its a bit like the fake news debate.

So thats why were keen on things like OpenLearn, which can give people that free learning, but they know its been quality assured, its been written by academics, its legit, and thats the big thing as well for us.

Mr DArcy said theyre now starting to see more younger students, but there is more work to do to raise awareness for that age group.

Weve a bit of a job of work to do with schools to make them aware of what our offer is, but its interesting that it sort of started it up organically, he said.

Our fees are pretty reasonable, and there is a lot of funding from the department (for the economy), you can get a fee grant, and theres also access to a part time student loan. So there are ways that you can make make it affordable.

Mr DArcy also spoke about how much he enjoys their graduation ceremonies, and hearing about the personal experiences.

When they walk across the stage, I always say, congratulations, were very proud of you, I remember one man saying, very good for somebody didnt get their 11 plus and has no GCSEs, he said.

Youd love to stop them and put that out to the audience so they can understand what people have come through.

He said it took him eight years.

A lot of people come back to learn, its not necessarily to get a job, its that pursuit of knowledge, mental well being as well.

He said he was sorry to be leaving, but felt it was the right time both personally and professionally.

The thing I felt when I first came in was we probably were Northern Irelands best kept secret  reasonable student numbers, but we werent at the table with the other two universities and the colleges, he said.

A lot of my time was spent working with business organisations, and Stormont to make sure that we are fitting into the needs of the programme for government and the Minister for the Economys priorities.

My thing was, if you want to be called one of three universities in Northern Ireland, youve got to be playing your part.

So it was finding in ways in which we could add value to what the universities and colleges do, and I think weve sort of found that place.

The minister talks about the three universities, its common parlance, and certainly, if were doing anything with other parts of government, The Open University, will be at the table where we werent before.
TMC doesn't allow Centre's schemes in West Bengal, people will teach lesson to ruthless govt: PM Modi

"Just as Vande Mataram became the proclamation of independence, we must also make Vande Mataram the mantra for developing West Bengal..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the West Bengal government does not allow Central government schemes to reach the people of the state. He said the people of Bengal will now teach a lesson to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), just as people did to the earlier Delhi government.

Addressing a large gathering in Singur, Hooghly, PM Modi said he is constantly striving to serve the people of the state. However, he added, The TMC government here does not even allow the central government's schemes to reach you properly...

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I understand their enmity towards me and the BJP, but the TMC is taking out its enmity on the people of Bengal, he added.

Drawing a parallel with Delhi, the Prime Minister said, "There was a similar government in Delhi that did not allow the central schemes to be implemented... therefore, the people of Delhi showed them the door, he further said.

He added, People of Bengal have resolved that the people here are going to teach a lesson to the ruthless TMC government so that a BJP government is formed here too and the Ayushman Bharat scheme is implemented in Bengal as well.

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Talking about improving the states economy, PM Modi said industries would be established and investments would come only when the law and order situation improves. He alleged that but in Bengal, rioters, looters, and mafias have been given free rein.

He further alleged that a syndicate tax is imposed on everything in the state and said that only his party would end the tax and mafia rule, calling the promise Modi's guarantee.

Referring to the BJPs victory in the recent Bihar elections and expressing confidence of repeating it in West Bengal, PM Modi said, BJP has once again stopped jungleraj in Bihar, and now West Bengal is also ready to bid farewell to TMC's mega-jungleraj...

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150 years of Vande Mataram and West Bengal

Prime Minister Modi also spoke about Vande Mataram and its connection to Hooghly, West Bengal. He said the country has celebrated the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and that a special discussion was held in Parliament.

He added that the entire country has paid homage with reverence to Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

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The connection between Hooghly and Vande Mataram is even more special; it is said that it was right here that Rishi Bankim Ji gave Vande Mataram its full form. Just as Vande Mataram became the proclamation of independence, we must also make Vande Mataram the mantra for developing West Bengal and India, PM Modi added.

West Bengal is expected to go to the polls in the next few months.

(For more news apart from TMC doesn't allow Centres schemes in West Bengal, people will teach lesson to ruthless govt: PM Modi," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Police bust extortion module linked to gangster Goldy Brar; 10 arrested

The DGP said the arrested operatives were involved in illegal arms trafficking, extortion, and planned murders...

Punjab Extortion News: In a major breakthrough, the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police have busted an extortion module linked to gangster Goldy Brar, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said on Sunday (18, January 2026)

The police apprehended 10 operatives during a focused three-week-long operation. They also recovered foreign-made pistols, including two Austrian-made Glock pistols, along with 10 other sophisticated weapons, from the possession of the arrested accused.

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The DGP said the arrested operatives were involved in illegal arms trafficking, extortion, and planned murders aimed at creating lawlessness across the state.

FIRs have been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway to nab the remaining associates, the DGP added.

He further stated that the Punjab Police remain committed to crushing organised crime and gangster networks and ensuring peace and security across the state.

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(For more news apart from Police bust extortion module linked to gangster Goldy Brar; 10 arrested," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Targeting journalists, media houses: BJP Punjab urges Governor to restore law and order, stop repression

It added that police cases and raids are being conducted to intimidate editors and prevent them from reporting.

Punjab News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab has written to the Governor of Punjab, Chandigarh, expressing serious concerns over media freedom and law & order in Punjab.

In a letter dated January 17, 2026, addressed to the Governor of Punjab, BJP State President Sunil Jakhar alleged that the law and order situation in the state is in bad shape and that people are worried about their safety.

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The BJP further alleged that the state government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is suppressing media freedom to prevent it from reporting the alarming law and order situation prevailing in the state, instead of addressing it.

The BJP pointed out that the state government is allegedly targeting journalists and media houses, including Punjab Kesari Group, which has a history of fearless journalism.

Punjab Kesari stood strong during terrorism and always spoke the truth, even when it cost them lives of its founder late Sh. Jagat Narrian ji and Sh. Ramesh ji. Now, the government is misusing its power to silence them, the letter read.

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It added that police cases and raids are being conducted to intimidate editors and prevent them from reporting.

The media is the voice of the people, and suppressing it is a threat to democracy. The CM's actions are undemocratic and violate democratic values. Meanwhile, gangsters are roaming free, and crime is rising, the letter further read.

The BJP Punjab has urged Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to direct the chief minister to "stop" the alleged repression and let the media work freely.

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It further urged the Governor to restore law and order in Punjab.

The letter addressed to the Governor is signed by Sunil Jakhar and several other leaders.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the BJP Punjab met with the governor earlier today. The delegation comprised senior leaders of the Punjab BJP.

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It submitted a memorandum to the Governor regarding the issues and demanded the summoning of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the state Home Minister.

Punjab is becoming a paradise for gangsters, BJP leader Subhash Sharma said. Another BJP leader, Subhash Sharma, said, It has been seen in the past few days how attempts have been made to suppress the media.

Read also: Police bust extortion module linked to gangster Goldy Brar; 10 arrested for planned murders

The BJP leaders stated that murders are being carried out in the state everyday and flagged extortion calls by gangsters.

Speaking about the drug menace in the state, BJP leader Kewal Dhillon said that in Sherewal village of Ludhiana, the sixth son of a mother had also fallen victim to drugs, while the Punjab government is making big claims of stopping drugs, but drugs are continuously increasing in Punjab, despite the state governments launch of Yudh Nashiayan Virudh.

The Punjab government this year launched Yudh Nashiayan Virudh 2.0, a statewide year-long campaign aimed at curbing the drug menace in the state. Daily arrests of drug peddlers are being made, and efforts are underway to convince those addicted to enter rehabilitation daily.

(For more news apart from Targeting journalists, media houses: BJP Punjab urges Governor to restore law and order, stop repression," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Monuments from Soviet-occupied Bucharest

Public monuments are meant to pay homage to special people and historical moments in the life of a nation.

RRI Encyclopedia

Steliu Lambru, 18.01.2026, 14:00

On pedestals, in imposing poses, they have to convey inspiring messages across generations. War heroes and heroines, kings and queens, politicians, cultural figures, religious figures or ordinary people who put themselves in the service of others in moments of crisis are celebrated in this way. Bucharest used to be full of such tributes. However, after 1945, the inventory of these public monuments would undergo a drastic change dictated by the Soviet occupation army and the official ideology of the communist party. Repression and censorship were the means by which the old urban landmarks were replaced with new ones that, through what they conveyed, grossly misrepresented the past and the present.

On December 30, 1947, King Michael I was forced to abdicate and the new communist regime began transforming Romania from a democracy into a dictatorship. The statues of kings Carol I, whose name is linked to the foundation of the modern Romanian state, and Ferdinand I, under whose reign Greater Romania was achieved in 1918, were taken down from their pedestals and destroyed. The same fate befell the statues of leading politicians such as Ion C. Bratianu in University Square, Ion I. C. Bratianu on Dacia Boulevard and Lascar Catargiu on the boulevard that bore his name. The list of demolitions also includes the Modura Fountain in Herastrau Park, the Infantry Monument, and the Monument to the Heroes of the Teachers Corps. Historian and collector Cezar-Petre Buiumaci is the author of a book entitled Journey through the Bucharest of Yesteryear, a visual history of the transformation of the city and its monuments. Buiumaci believes that two practices can be identified in relation to the replacement of public monuments in Bucharest

Two elements are at play here. On the one hand, the demolition of monuments that reminded of the monarchy and the main adversaries of the communist regime, great statesmen like Ion Bratianu, Ionel Bratianu, Take Ionescu and Eugeniu Carada etc, including Bucharests most important mayor, Pache Protopopescu, although he lived and worked before the communist movement existed in Romania, at the end of the 19th century. His statue was also taken down. More recently, the city hall will launch a competition to recreate that statue. The statues of the kings Carol I and Ferdinand I were also pulled down.

The demolition of old monuments was not enough. To increase the propaganda impact, the regime erected new monuments, some of which explicitly paid homage to the Soviet Union, while others were more subtle ideologically. Such examples include monuments to the founders of Marxism-Leninism, others glorifying workers strikes, moments of class struggle, and monuments dedicated to the army. Historian Cezar-Petre Buiumaci explains:

On the other hand, new monuments were built. Basically, the first monuments to appear are the occupation monuments: the monument of the Red Army, the monument of Stalin, the monument of Lenin and then of some personalities of the Russian-Soviet culture and the cultures of the other states that fell behind the Iron Curtain after the Second World War, exponents of the so-called proletcultist tendency, therefore of leftist orientation. Then, monuments appear such as the Monument of the Heroes of the Fatherland, which is, basically, a declaration of the communist regime in Romania that Romania had also participated in the Second World War, with great efforts and sacrifices, although Romania had not been recognised as a co-belligerent. The monument becomes the main site where flowers were laid as part of homage paying festivities, even more so than at the monument to the Soviet soldier.

The construction of new monuments was done mainly in the late 1940s and in the 1950s and 1960s. Historian Cezar-Petre Buiumaci says that the demolition of old monuments was more propaganda-effective than the construction of new ones: There were fewer public monuments erected during the communist regime than were demolished by this regime. The new monuments were built, mainly, in the early days of the regime. In the later years, there are fewer monuments and they no longer have this deeply propaganda nature but rather cover a need to decorate the city and the parks, the latter being the main sites for the placement of public monuments. Some of these structures are even depicted in postcards and my book has an entire chapter entitled Monuments of the New Regime.

Naturally, the return to democracy also meant repairing what had been damaged during the years of socialism. The old monuments were put back in their places, and where this was no longer possible, reconstructions were carried out. The socialist monuments were removed by the same methods used to put them in place.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
Eight European nations warned that Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on their economies would "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," as they issued a joint statement backing support for Greenland.

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK said they stood in "solidarity" with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, according to the Independent. "As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest," the statement added.

The warning followed Trump's announcement that 10% tariffs would be applied from 1 February to the eight countries, rising to 25% from 1 June, and remaining in place until the US is permitted to purchase Greenland.

The Independent also reported that former Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen accused Donald Trump of issuing Russian "gangster"-style threats over Greenland, as protests against US intervention gathered pace in Denmark. Rasmussen, who also previously served as Denmark's prime minister, said Trump was using the dispute as "a weapon of mass distraction from the real threats", including Russia's war in Ukraine.

His remarks came as thousands of demonstrators rallied in Copenhagen on Saturday in opposition to Trump's comments, with crowds gathering outside City Hall before marching to the US embassy. Further protests were also held in Greenland.

According to The Times, Britain was not given advance notice of Donald Trump's tariff announcement. Keir Starmer said the additional tariffs, on top of existing charges, were "completely wrong". He reiterated that the UK's position on Greenland was "very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes".

Starmer added that Arctic security was a shared Nato priority and that allies "should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic". He said imposing tariffs on partners "for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong", adding that the government would raise the issue directly with the US administration.

According to The Guardian, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was recorded warning CBS News to air a new interview with Donald Trump in full and without edits, saying the administration would "sue your ass off" if it was altered. Leavitt told CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil that Trump had instructed the network to "make sure you guys don't cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full", according to audio first reported by the New York Times.

The 13minute segment aired on Tuesday, months after CBS' parent company Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16m over its editing of a separate interview ahead of the 2024 election. On the recording, Dokoupil responded that the interview would be broadcast in full, with Leavitt reiterating: "He said, 'If it's not out in full, we'll sue your ass off.'"

Robert Jenrick was billed as "the new sheriff in town" and the figure Reform UK needed to bring experience and political "heft", according to a leaked media plan prepared by his aides ahead of his defection.

The document, reported on by the Guardian, surfaced as Reform's head of policy, Zia Yusuf, publicly welcomed the move after several days of silence from one of Nigel Farage's senior advisers. Jenrick's allies said the plan, obtained by Kemi Badenoch's office and circulated to newspapers, was not authored by him.

Back at the Times, the paper revealed Labour and Liberal Democratrun councils have exempted hundreds of their own vehicles from lowtraffic neighbourhood restrictions. Freedom of information requests showed that Lambeth, Hackney and Islington  which have introduced nearly 40 LTNs since 2020  allow more than 330 council vehicles to pass through the zones without penalty. By contrast, residents and commercial drivers who breach LTN rules can face fines of up to 160 per offence.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A jury this week found a Staten Island man guilty of attempted retail theft, following an incident last summer when police said he attempted to leave a ShopRite with unpaid charcoal and ice.

The defendant, Dennis Gambino, 47, of Woodrose Lane in Princes Bay, was arrested June 5 in connection with the incident that police said unfolded inside 985 Richmond Ave. in Graniteville.

Gambino, who is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 22 in Criminal Court, faces up to 90 days in jail. Going into trial, he was facing the possibility of a stiffer sentence, however, the jury acquitted him of petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Defense attorney Amel Spahija declined to comment on the case.

Court records show his client has two ongoing cases on Staten Island for charges of aggravated harassment of family, misdemeanor assault and criminal contempt.

Shamelessly passing all points of sale, the defendant brazenly attempted to steal multiple items of merchandise from a local ShopRite last year, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon in a statement this week.

In this Dec. 15 photo, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at the 54th annual menorah lighting at Staten Island Borough Hall. Owen Reiter

Despite opinions to the contrary, retail theft is not a victimless crime, and it will not go unpunished here on Staten Island. The lawless behavior exhibited by this defendant and other larcenists who proudly pilfer from our boroughs businesses and retailers will not be tolerated.

McMahon went on to thank members of the NYPD and Assistant District Attorneys Brigid Bianco and Russell Satin for their work in securing a conviction in the case.

Citywide crackdown

In this December 15 photo, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, right, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited the Staten Island Mall in New Springville in December, to speak with shopkeepers about the department's effort to reduce retail theft and overall crime in the mall during the holiday shopping season. (Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence)

The ShopRite conviction on Staten Island comes amid a crackdown citywide, after a surge in organized and independent retail crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March, a 52-year-old recidivist from West Brighton took a guilty plea in exchange for a short prison stint, in connection with a retail theft in 2024 at Home Depot.

This past holiday season, officials noted a significant drop in retail thefts at the Staten Island Mall and elsewhere, as part of the same ongoing efforts by the Richmond County District Attorneys Office, the NYPD and local business owners.

In the courtroom, district attorneys are now backed by new, statewide legislation that allows them to pursue felony assault charges when a retail worker is assaulted, and also to combine the value of stolen goods from different stores when filing larceny charges.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Authorities allege a Massachusetts man disseminated indecent material to a 12-year-old girl, police say.

On Jan. 12 the Staten Island Special Victims Squad arrested Raul Santana, 19, in connection with an investigation involving a 12-year-old girl, authorities said.

According to police, Santana was taken into custody at 7:30 a.m.

Santana, who resides at 8 Jillson Circle in Milford, Massachusetts, has been charged with five counts of disseminating indecent material to a minor and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

According to court records, Santana was arraigned, where he pleaded not guilty.

A temporary order of protection was issued in the case. Santana was released with nonmonetary conditions, records show.

His next appearance is scheduled for March 9 in Richmond Criminal Court in St. George.

An attorney for Santana did not respond by the time of publication.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island experienced a historic year of reduced crime in 2025, according to NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, Staten Islands borough commander.

We had a really successful year in overall crime and most notably, historic reduction in violence, Eger said.

The borough ended 2025 with a 0.7% decrease in overall crime.

However, the most notable reductions were arguably experienced in violence. There was a 63% reduction in murders, shootings were down 26.7% and confirmed shots fired cases were down 4% last year.

Eger also noted that burglaries were down 6.3% in 2025.

Eger credited Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Chief of Department Michael LiPetri for providing Staten Island with the resources and foundational strategies that led to the departments success on the borough.

Applying precision policing to reduce violence

In addition to resources, the assistant chief shared that precision policing played a large role driving down these crime numbers.

As part of this strategy, the Chief of Department previously designated violence zones across the city. Staten Island had four such zones, all of which were in the 120th Precinct, according to Eger. These zones were identified as Park Hill, Stapleton, West Brighton and the Jersey Street area.

We deploy officers to these violence zones most of the day and during the hours that these shootings and shots fired incidents and other violent crimes occur, Eger explained.

As part of the NYPDs response, officers are deployed on footposts and in high-visibility radio motor patrol vehicles.

In addition to these violence zones, the NYPD has identified areas throughout the borough where violence had occurred and subsequently deployed officers in response.

So the precision policing of putting officers in the areas they need to be during the hours of the day that they need to be there has really, really led to this reduction, this historic reduction in violence. And were going to continue that now that were in 2026, Eger told the Advance/SILive.com.

The borough commander also made a point to personally thank the NYPDs partners in the Richmond County District Attorneys office for making a significant difference in driving down violent crime figures.

We wouldnt see this reduction in violence without the prosecution, she said.

A large reduction in grand larceny auto cases

Another significant decrease was in grand larceny auto cases, which the assistant chief said dropped 28% in 2025. Over the last two years, these grand larceny auto cases have dropped 46%.

And I can really attribute that to the initiative put in place by our former borough commander, Chief [Joseph] Gulotta, said Eger.

She explained that Gulotta put in place an initiative where members of Patrol Borough Staten Island track grand larceny auto cases citywide, as these vehicles often travel to other boroughs and New Jersey.

So our GLA [grand larceny auto] desk tracks every stolen vehicle in the city and that leads to a multitude of apprehensions and certainly sends a message that GLAs are not tolerated in Staten Island and we have that action put into place to apprehend these perpetrators, added Eger.

As part of this crackdown, the NYPD works collaboratively with other agencies in New Jersey and New York to identify issues related to the goings on with the bridges.

Retail theft

Eger also spoke on the continued efforts to combat retail theft on Staten Island.

Overall grand larceny increased 0.7% and retail theft increased 0.3% in 2025. However, Eger noted that there was a 35% reduction in retail crime during the holiday season of 2025.

Retail crime was up 55% earlier in the year.

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger (right), the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited the Staten Island Mall in New Springville to speak with shopkeepers about the department's effort to reduce retail theft and overall crime in the mall during the holiday shopping season on Dec. 15, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence)

Through the year, through our retail initiatives, weve really driven that increase down and were going to continue to do so in 2026, Eger added.

In response to the prior increase in retail theft, NYPD Staten Island created a designated retail theft team composed of officers from each of the boroughs precincts who have extensive knowledge of each precincts retail communities. Officers have subsequently strengthened their partnership with retail workers and their asset protection officers.

This retail theft team was responsible for effecting 407 retail-related arrests in 2025.

Year-to-date, the NYPD has identified over 100 shoplifting recidivists in 2025. Of those cases, bail was set in 62% of them. Of these recidivists, 29% of them were incarcerated as of Jan. 9.

Quality of Life on Staten Island

The borough commander further informed the Advance/SILive.com of the effectiveness of the Q-teams introduced by Tisch in 2025.

These teams focus on quality-of-life issues and consist of specially-trained officers from various NYPD roles, including neighborhood coordination officers, youth coordination officers and traffic safety officers. Each team operates at the precinct level under a Quality of Life Division sergeant and focuses on non-emergency complaints like abandoned vehicles, illegal scooters and late-night noise disturbances.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch speaks at a presser along with Mayor Eric Adams announcing the NYPD's new Quality of Life Division at the Park Hill Houses in Clifton on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)

The teams were first deployed on Staten Island in August 2025. Across the borough there are nearly 60 uniformed members who address complaints brought forth by the community through meetings, 311 and 911.

These teams have conducted over 100 quality-of-life operations including homeless outreach, retail theft operations, graffiti cleanups, towing operations and operations addressing noise and traffic issues, Eger said.

Since August 2025, the quality of life teams responded to 42% of 311 service requests on Staten Island.

Areas of concern for 2026

While Eger touted the successes of the department, she also noted crimes which would become a focus for the borough in the year ahead.

The focus for the NYPD on Staten Island pretty much mirrors what the city will focus on as well.

A major area of concern will be the increase in felony assaults, which are largely driven by domestic violence. In 2025, 48% of these assaults were domestic in nature, according to Eger.

There was also a 25% increase in reported rape cases on the island, 56 of which were domestic.

Eger said Tisch rolled out a new model for how domestic violence crimes are addressed in the latter half of 2025. Under this new model, most of the boroughs domestic violence officers were absorbed into the detective bureau.

So they brought their skills of how they deal with survivors of domestic violence, they brought that into the detective bureau, Eger explained. So now, domestic violence investigators will handle the cases as they live. They will triage cases, they will care for survivors, try to promote participation throughout the criminal justice process and they will see that offenders are held accountable. They will investigate the domestic violence crimes and make the apprehensions and follow up with survivors as well.

As part of this unit, domestic violence officers and detectives were reassigned from the Patrol Services Bureau and Housing Bureau to the Detective Bureau, where they will see domestic violence investigations through from beginning to end. This effectively streamlines casework and benefits survivors with consistent support. Prior to the implementation of this unit, precinct and housing officers  as well as detectives from local precinct squads  were assigned to domestic violence cases, resulting in duplication of work, as previously reported.

The borough commander also hopes to put a heavy focus on youth crime in 2026.

According to Eger, crime involving youth increased by 25% in 2025, a number driven by a 51% increase in youth robberies.

So going into this year, we are really concentrating our efforts in quick identification of emerging youth offenders, said Eger.

She added that the NYPD hopes to strengthen their collaboration with community partners, including community-based organizations and faith leaders in the hopes of holding interventions with these at-risk youth. The NYPD also aims to enhance the partnership with schools, the district attorneys office and family court.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Zio Toto closed in June and will soon reopen as Filippos, marking a fresh chapter for the long favored Richmond Valley address at 86 Page Ave. Owner Filippo Giuffre, who also runs the Mancini Giuffre salon next door, has transformed the space through a dramatic months-long rebuild.

The new storefront features a sleek design. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Zio Toto had operated since 2007 with a white, chic interior and a name honoring Giuffres late father, Salvatoreknown locally as Toto. In Sicilian tradition, Zio Toto means Uncle Toto, a tribute that helped define the original restaurants identity.

The new Filippos unveils an immersive aesthetic transforming the space into a modern Italian jewel box. Rustic touches meet refinement with wagonwheel lighting, gold-toned accents, and coffered metal ceilings casting a warm glow. Slatted woodwork draws the eye upward in clean vertical lines framing a dining room designed around intimate alcoves. At its heart, a striking Italian marble barwhite stone threaded with bold gray veininganchors the lounge, setting the tone for a sophisticated dining experience.

An Italian marble piece wraps around the bar. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Opposite the bar, a glass-front refrigerated wine room emphasizes Italian labels. Its gold-metal cabinetry mirrors the glowing slats behind the bar. These panels rotate to section off the lounge, giving the venue the flexibility of two connected but distinct rooms.

The lounge opens to an outdoor dining area, while the main dining room glows with backlit sculptural wall forms, a refreshed coffered ceiling and a blownup image of Palermo, Sicilythe owners hometown and the visual emphasis of the redesign. Beyond the dining room is a brand-new, fully outfitted kitchen, completing the transformation. An openkitchen corner within the dining room is centered on a pizza oven.

The gold theme continues throughout a striking, climate-controlled wine cabinet. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

As renovations finished last week, Giuffre greeted visitors warmly as he reflected on the scale of the work involved.

I gutted everything down. If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it right, he said.

The renovation required customized sealing systems, specialized ventilation, and an obsession with craftsmanship.

We went through such a process for this thing, sealing everything, upgrading everything. No air goes in or out unless we want it to.

Spoiler alert: the wrapped up chairs are a handsome white leather. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

He explained that a recent trip to Italy also shaped his vision.

I just came back from Tuscany, and I knew we had to elevate everythingthe food, the feel, all of it.

But the most personal decision was the name. At first, he considered keeping Zio Toto but ultimately abandoned the idea. He shared, I thought about keeping the old name, but people needed to know something was different. We had to bring them back.

The bar and lounge area can open up to a patio section. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

The new name arrived through a mix of intuition, family influence and coincidence. Giuffre was wrestling with naming options when his sister made a suggestion. The same suggestion was later echoed unexpectedly by a customer."

My sister is really the reason for the name, he said. She pushed me. And then a customer said it, too. It just clicked.

The Staten Island location, with seating for about 150 guests and a full bar, is larger and more ambitious than its Brooklyn counterpart, still called Zio Toto at 8407 Third Ave. The brickoven pizza and beloved dishes like pasta con sarde will remain, joined by new additions including steaks and an expanded wine list. Filippos is expected to open by Valentines Day. And if its namesake has his way, the restaurant will be reborn with renewed purpose and polish.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  On a recent morning, as the breakfast crowd melted into the lunch rush, Mike Moudatsos wrapped up a meeting with a friend and took a moment to talk. It was a typical busy day for him, bouncing between diners and checking on thingsthe daily drill. He started at Mikes Olympic Grill Diner, 1637 Forest Ave., in Port Richmond. Later, he said, hed head to his Great Kills spot, Mikes Place. For now, his wife Cathy supervised the bustling Unicorn Dinera full house inside with a steady stream of thirdparty drivers picking up orders at the door.

On this Tuesday morning, Moudatsos settled into a booth near the entrance. Customers drifted in and out, offering him a hello or a handshake, each greeting him by name. There was a reverence to itquiet, familiar, deeply respectful. Mike ticked off a variety of reasons for closing Dakota. The first sounded simple, Because it was too close to here. I have one diner here, another 10 blocks away.

Dakota Diner has closed as Mike focuses on his three other dinersMike's Unicorn in Bulls Head, Mike's Olympic Diner in Port Richmond and Mike's Place in Great Kills. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

But proximity wasnt the only issue. As for the Dakota Diner that just closed, Mike explained a longer arc of ownership and operation. First I bought the building. Then I ran it for a while. I was supposed to close it, but the people wanted me to stay. Things changed about two or three years ago.

The change, he said, was access with traffic patterns. You couldnt get into the diner. You had to come around from the other end of Richmond Avenue to the parking lot. The lot was too small. People didnt want to cross the street, even though I rented out the lot across the way. He shook his head at the geometry of it all and added, For me, its better to close and rent it.

And the latenight crowd isnt what it used to be, Moudatsos observedespecially after COVID. Still, Mikes Unicorn and Olympic diners remain open 24 hours.

Mikes diners have a distinct personality, and their architecture tells the story: stainlesssteel lines, chrome trim catching the light, and wide plateglass windows that frame the interior like a stage. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

The look and spirit of the restaurants

Mikes diners have a distinct personalityand their architecture tells the story. Diners generally owe their look to early 20th-century railroad dining cars: long, narrow silhouettes with gleaming stainless steel exteriors. Chrome trim catches the light, and large plateglass windows frame the interior like a stage. At the Olympic, the mirrored glass reflects a Forest Avenue that buzzes like a highway.

At Mikes Olympic Diner, the name nods to Greece, but the design embraces classic diner charm with Mikes proud flair. During the midday rush, sunlight streams through wide front windows, spotlighting the kitsch. Pinkandblack tiles stripe the floor as Port Richmond hums outsideRenatos Bakery and a laundry across the street. Inside, taupe walls with marblelike swirls frame browncushioned booths, their starandmoon motifs adding retro whimsy. Pendant lamps bounce light off mirrors, creating a kaleidoscope effect. Seating is everywhere, inviting anyone to grab a booth or perch on a chrome stool. Some nooks are made for powwows; others maybe for a lone diner enjoying eggs and a little solitude.

The specials on a typical Tuesday. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

The handwritten daily specials run around $18.95comfort food with a Staten Island accent. Todays lineup ranges from a grilled cheese stacked with bacon and tomato to chicken Parm over spaghetti. And yes, theres meatloaf, legendary among longtime North Shore Staten Islanders.

Visually, the diner stands out on an otherwise bleak stretch of Forest Avenue near expressway. Brown stacked stone climbs the facade like stylized columns, and panels of reflective green glass shimmer like sea glass. The roofline sweeps into a neat curve, capped with bold Greek flourishesbecause this is the Olympic, after all, once immortalized in a cameo in Rodney Dangerfields Easy Money. It is unmistakably Mikes.

For those in the know of the film, Dangerfield strolls past what was then the Center Diner, its sign bragging Open 23 Hours. Today it runs for 18 hours. (Mike is toying with going full 24.) But the cameo endures.

This is what the Unicorn looks like inside with its warm glow and colorful touches. Moudatsos believes in good food quality, cleanliness and friendly service as a formula in all his restaurants. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

I love to work

Moudatsos, who is from Athens, Greece, has built a Staten Island reputation on an extraordinary work schedule that borders on myth.

I work 20 hours a day, sometimes 22seven days a week. My last day off was nine years ago, after my mom died in Greece, he said.

The thing is, I love to work. I try to do the best thing for the people. I have good quality food, a clean place, and good service. Good food is at the heart of it all.

That hardcore work ethic has carried him through more than five decades in the restaurant realm. In 1972, he worked at the Park Diner in New Dorp, eventually becoming manager at the latter. It is now Cantina Mexicana at 140 New Dorp Lane, a restaurant Moudatsos says he holds in high regard. He also logged countless hours at the former Go-Go Souvlaki King, Victory Diner and National Terrace before opening his first place on New Dorp Lane in 1974.

In the mid-1970s, Moudatsos bought and operated Anns Coffee Shop on New Dorp Lane for five to six yearsthe spot that later became Mikes Diner. He went on to run the Bayonne Diner in New Jersey for about five years starting around 1980, and he also operated Mike & Nickys in Great Kills. Among other restaurants, he has owned the Hylan Boulevard dinerformerly Russossince 1993. He sold the New Dorp Mikes Diner in 2017; later that year, a fire broke out under the new owners. Mike Sr. repaired the damage, but the building remains unoccupied, its future undecided. Today, his son Mike Jr. steers the popular Oakwood and Richmond diners, extending the family brand into the next generation.

And Mike? As he moves from table to booth to counter at the Olympic, he chats with Alma, the hostess at the reception station. She came from the Dakota and greets regulars one by one. Mike will be back here tomorrow morning for sureor maybe later today. Hell definitely head to Great Kills and then maybe the Unicorn. Hell do it again and again, because this is what he does.

I love to work, he had said earlier, quietly. Good food is at the heart of it all.

Dakota is darkbut Mikes lights around the Island still glow.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  One of Staten Islands oldest churches has been sold, prompting questions about the future of the historic house of worship.

St. Marys R.C. Church in Rosebank, which closed its doors in 2015 and was de-sanctified by the Archdiocese of New York in 2020, was sold in October 2025 to Lera Holdings, LLC for more than $2.8 million, according to online documents from the Richmond County Clerk.

Recent photos submitted to the Advance/SILive.com show that some work has begun at the nearly 170-year-old church building, with workers donning hazmat suits seen entering and exiting the premises.

Workers in hazmat suits are seen removing hazardous materials from the recently-sold former St. Mary's Church in Rosebank. (Dennis Rees for Advance/SILive.com) Dennis Rees for Advance/SILive.com

Signs at the location read Warning Keep Out: Poison Baited Area, Danger Asbestos and Authorized Personnel Only.

A representative for Lera Holdings, LLC could not immediately be reached for comment, leaving it unclear as to whether the new owner intends to maintain the church building or demolish it to make way for future development.

St. Marys School

Across the street, the former St. Marys School has been demolished and work is underway to construct a new, 283-seat early-childhood annex for nearby PS 13.

St. Marys was one of four Staten Island Catholic schools that closed in 2011 shortly after the Archdiocese of New York withdrew financial support of the institution.

According to the New York City School Construction Authority (CSA), the former St. Marys School, located at 1 Virginia Ave. in Rosebank, will be leveled in the next week or so. Work will then begin on an early education annex, which is being created at the site for nearby PS 13. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) Jan Somma-Hammel

The school had been shuttered for more than a decade when the New York City School Construction Authority announced plans for the annex, which is expected to serve pre-K through second grade.

Details about the construction of the new school are limited, but the total cost of the rebuild is estimated at $69.88 million.

About St. Marys Church

St. Marys opened in 1852, as the second Roman Catholic parish on Staten Island, after St. Peters, which was established in 1839. The first pastor, the Rev. John Lewis, came to Rosebank (then known as Clifton) from Alsace-Lorraine, and he celebrated mass the next morning in a parishioners home. Without delay, he began construction of a temporary frame building on the Wood Road (now named St. Marys Avenue), which served as a church and a school, according to Advance records.

Five years later, construction of the present brick church in the Romanesque Revival style of Italy was underway on New York Avenue (now Bay Street). The first mass was celebrated in 1857, and a brick rectory was added the following year. After removing the old school on St. Marys Avenue in 1862, Father Lewis sold the property and built St. Marys School (on Bay Street at Virginia Avenue across from the church), according to Advance records.

Sunday mass at St. Mary's R.C. Church in Rosebank in April 2015 (Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons)

Also on the site stood other works initiated by the pastor -- an orphan asylum for the parish, a residence for the Sisters of Charity, and a dwelling for the male teachers. In 1878, at Father Lewiss behest, St. Marys Hall was erected on Virginia Avenue for lectures, concerts, dramatic performances and meetings. Opposite St. Marys Hall rose the Catholic Young Mens Literary Union rooms, which Father Lewis built for the young men of his parish to spend their evenings in recreation and literary activities. In addition, he established St. Marys Cemetery on a seven-acre site of the Parkinson estate in Southfield, now Grasmere, according to Advance records.

Father Lewis also constructed, at a personal cost to himself of $10,000, a chapel-of-ease in Stapleton for the aged and infirm, where services were held on Sunday mornings -- the embryo of the future Immaculate Conception Church. The old St. Marys is still dominated by its impressive bell tower, which Father Lewis wanted to be built tall enough to be seen by all who traveled through the harbor. The structure was marked on navigational maps as an aid to 19th-century mariners making the trip between the Lower and Upper Bays. The original bell was replaced with an electronic mechanism, but the peals from the tower continued to be referred to as The Bells of St. Marys.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Tottenville homeowner said a vehicle crashed into his house on Arthur Kill Road during Saturdays snowfall, with FDNY officials gathering at the scene to assess the damages.

Martin Oblites told the Advance/SILive.com he was at home when he heard what sounded like a bomb go off around 2:15 p.m.

I went into my mother-in-laws room to check and the wall was caving in and the dresser was in the middle of the room, he said.

When Oblites went outside to check what had happened, he said he saw a large dent in the wall of his house.

I saw a bunch of debris from the car, but nobody was there. The guy just took off, but my neighbor witnessed everything, Oblites said.

His neighbor, Maryanne Miro, said she was shoveling snow when she heard a loud bang and saw a dark gray, mid-size SUV hit her neighbors home.

Miro said, I saw him, and he just drove by without a care in the world. He didnt stop. I actually waved at him so he could stop, and he completely ignored me. He just kept driving.

With that kind of an impact, the license plate actually fell off the front fender of the truck. And unbeknownst to the driver that did this, he just drove away, Miro added.

FDNY officials checked the structural stability of the premises to ensure it was safe for the family to return inside.

Representatives from the NYPDs Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information could not provide any additional information at the time of publication.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  If you want to get bread, milk, and eggs, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys told the Advance/SILive.com that the timeframe is dwindling.

After 5 o clock  between 5 and 9 (p.m.)  I would say is probably the time to stay off (the roads), Roys said. Thats when things get a little more tricky, especially if you have to take one of the bridges over to another part of the area.

>> Heres when the heaviest snow is expected in NYC, according to meteorologist >>

With the storm predicted to last until around 11 p.m. Sunday night, conditions are expected to deteriorate during the evening hours as a heavier band of snow makes its way into the area.

As of about 11:30 a.m., Roys said that the total accumulation will be in the 1- to 3-inch range for New York City, with Lower Manhattan expected to bear the least of the snow. This is on top of the couple of inches that the boroughs received Saturday.

Prior to reaching the evening hours, though, there will be a break in any kind of accumulation between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be some drizzles, some flurries, according to Roys, but its this break that will give New Yorkers a chance to slip out to the store.

>> NYC snowstorm: These maps show potential snow totals >>

Temperatures will linger around 31 degrees to 32 degrees throughout the event, Roys said.

Roys prediction is a step below what the National Weather Service said in their Winter Weather Advisory, where they predicted anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of snow for Richmond County and other New York City areas.
I cant count how many times in my lifetime that Staten Islanders have called for their borough to secede from New York City.

I grew up and came of age in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.

I remember a lot about the bad old days.

Murder and other violent crimes were rampant. The streets were filthy. Mass transit was a graffitied disaster. New York City had barely avoided going broke. President Gerald Ford told us to drop dead.

Everybody wanted to leave New York City then, not just Staten Islanders.

But by the early 1990s, Staten Islanders in particular began to feel truly besieged.

The city Board of Estimate had been eliminated, depriving the Island of its equal vote when it came to many big-ticket city issues.

We lost pretty much all our bargaining power when it came to the other four boroughs. We became a lot easier to push around.

Democratic Mayor David Dinkins didnt seem to care all that much.

Then again, most Democratic mayors didnt have to think too much about Staten Island. They didnt need Staten Islands votes to win. Every one of us could have stayed home on Election Day for all they cared.

But the Dinkins brand of sniffy benign neglect did rankle. And, of course, the fact that Dinkins was Black also figured into the discontent. He wasnt going to vibe with some of the folks out here no matter what he did and thats a fact.

But the real flashpoint was the Fresh Kills landfill.

It was the only landfill in the city, meaning that Staten Island was literally the dumping ground for all the other boroughs, with tons and tons of trash arriving here daily by truck and barge.

The smell was atrocious, and the dump was being operated illegally and broke every environmental law in the book.

But it was only Staten Island, so who cared if the city was actually poisoning hundreds of thousands of its own constituents on a daily basis?

And we were powerless to do anything about it.

Who wouldnt want to secede from a city that treated us like that? Its the kind of stuff that made the colonies take up arms against the king.

But then a funny thing happened: a Republican, Rudolph Giuliani, got elected mayor.

Giuliani rode Staten Islands votes to City Hall. He would need them again to get re-elected. It was suddenly like Staten Island had two or three seats at the table of power.

That helped the secession talk die down.

Then some other funny things happened. A Republican, George Pataki, got elected governor. Republicans regained control of the state Senate.

There wasnt a Democratic stranglehold on power anymore. Places all over the state like Staten Island were at long last being listened to.

In other words, things can change no matter how bleak they seem at any one time in history.

I know that Staten Island doesnt have enough control of its own destiny. I know that were out of step with the powers that be in Manhattan. I know that things are not perfect.

But I also know that Id rather be here than in any number of out-of-the-way towns that Ive stayed in or driven through on vacation.

We are a world city. Theres us, London and Paris. Thats pretty much it.

I like being in that company.

I also know that there are just too many questions surrounding secession, including how were going to pay for it all and how everything is going to be organized.

You think Staten Island versus Manhattan is bad? How about New Dorp versus Mariners Harbor versus Travis versus Tottenville? Its not like we all get along out here either.

Never mind the actual mechanics of getting it all done legislatively.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is going to be a nightmare is not rationale enough for Staten Island to secede from New York City.

Weve lived through other nightmares and came out the other side.

The secessionists will have to do better.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Anne and Frank Bennett, owners of A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa, have created a family on their corner of New Dorp Lane.

Both originally from Brooklyn, they have been together for over 40 years. The pair met as teenagers and hit it off right away, instantly bonding over their shared interests and aspirations. Pivoting from his original career of carpentry, Frank Bennett explored various pathways until he found his true passion, hair. Anne, an innately gifted artist, fell into the trade more naturally, and the Bennetts attended beauty school and obtained their cosmetology licenses simultaneously.

Before making their way over to Staten Island, Anne and Frank Bennett began their beauty legacy in Brooklyn. Their first salon, Innovative Hair Concepts, opened in 1989 and quickly gained popularity among locals.

Anne is a classically trained hairdresser and makeup artist, and she specializes in precision haircutting and microblading, says Frank. When I was learning how to do hair, I couldnt stand cutting. I learned how to color, and I knew that it was my niche right away.

Outgrowing Innovative Hair Concepts almost immediately, the pair opened a larger studio in Brooklyn, Salon Queue. Salon Queue took off just as quickly as Innovative Hair Concepts did, and the Bennetts clientele followed them to their new location.

When Frank and I first decided to start our own business, we didnt have a lot of mentors to look to, reminisces Anne Bennett. My father had a restaurant on Hylan Boulevard in the 1970s, but he passed away before he could share any business insights with me. We both had a strong entrepreneurial drive, so we started from scratch and found our own way within the industry.

Recognizing their talent as a pair, the two expanded yet again and opened A.F. Bennett Salon of Arts and Science on 86th Street in 1993. The innovative salon took Brooklyn by storm, attracting customers from near and far to the sleek, intimate, and welcoming environment. Building upon their clientele from the first two stores, A.F. Bennett Salon of Arts and Science exploded, and the Bennetts decided that it was time to open a second location.

A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa opened on New Dorp Lane in 1998, just five years after opening the original location in Brooklyn, and it quickly became a household name on Staten Island. Expanding from traditional hair services, A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa on New Dorp Lane includes a full selection of wellness services, including facials, massages and other body treatments.

Coming from Brooklyn, which was very isolated, we werent entirely sure what to expect in Staten Island when we moved here and opened up here, says Anne Bennett. Staten Island is a very tight-knit community, and that community embraced us right away. They will rally behind you when you need them, and were so blessed to have been a part of this supportive community for almost 30 years.

The Bennetts have poured their hearts and souls into A.F. Bennett, fostering a space that exudes warmth, positivity, and comfort. All of the Bennetts stylists are trained in-house at A.F. Bennett upon graduating from cosmetology school, and the Bennetts take immense pride in the fact that they never outsource stylists from other salons.

Natural born teachers, the Bennetts established Paul Mitchell the School NYC in 2007, the first cosmetology school to open on Staten Island. In addition to owning the school, Anne Bennett also served as dean of students and program director. Since she is licensed in every area of cosmetology, she also aided in admissions and taught various courses throughout the school, entrenching herself in the academy as much as she could. Through the Paul Mitchell School, the Bennetts have developed thousands of stylists, makeup artists, and estheticians.

It is an absolute pleasure to get up every day and work with people that I truly love and care for, and I couldnt be prouder of my staff, who have become more like family, says Anne Bennett. It really fills my cup to watch my hairdressers care for our guests and help them feel beautiful both inside and out, knowing its exactly how I would do the job.

Anne and Franks son, Frankie, has also been involved in the business since he was a child. A graduate of St. Johns University, he now works full-time at A.F. Bennett, learning from his parents in everything from styling to managing.

Due to the nature of their work, the Bennetts are heavily involved in the Staten Island community. The Bennetts are active members of their church, ZION Staten Island, as well as the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Frank Bennett also serves as an assistant scout master for the Boy Scouts and on the Board of Directors of the New Dorp Lane Business Improvement District.

For their accomplishments, Anne and Frank Bennett are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which they will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.

Weve tried to be there for the community and uplift them during hard times, especially the pandemic, and in turn the community has been there for us, emphasizes Anne Bennett. We lead every day with positivity, encouraging others to do the right thing and believe in good values and morals. We can only hope that our influence has made an impact on the community that we call home.

Quick facts about the Bennetts

Current occupations: Co-Owners of A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa.

Hometown: Todt Hill/New Dorp.

Past occupations:

Anne: Owner of The Academy of Cosmetology & Esthetics NYC, Paul Mitchell School.

Frank: Hair colorist.

Community involvement:

Anne: Proud ongoing supporter of Staten Island school events and fundraisers, non-profit organizations, churches and programs within Staten Island.

Frank: Rotary International, Boy Scouts of America and Porsche Club of America.

Some of my life goals include:

Anne: Establishing community programs for mentoring young people to become successful adults, focusing on relational skills and responsibility, financial management, personal goal setting, and early intervention for career direction.

Frank: Building A.F. Bennett into the fabric of Staten Island for the next 20 years.

The best part of my job:

Anne: Getting to work within my gifts as an entrepreneur, the ability to express creatively and to bring joy and love to each person I am blessed to work on and work with.

Frank: Working with my team of young professionals to bring forth the A.F. Bennett experience to our guests.

The most difficult part of my job:

Anne: Riding the waves during uncertain economic times, but its easier because of God in my life and the amazing team I am blessed to work with.

Frank: Getting everyone synchronized to one collective vision.

My life philosophy:

Anne: Be grateful for each breath and the gift of life, dance into each new day steeped in my faith, brush things off that shouldnt stick, and always know who I am.

Frank: Do the best you can, and let God take care of the rest.

I am most proud of:

Anne: Our son Frankie. He is an outstanding young gentleman who stands on his own feet, knows who he is with unshakeable faith that leads him. I couldnt desire more from a son. Frank: My son and that we built a legacy brand.

Something that no one knows about me:

Anne: I tend to be open and share my ups and downs with the people closest to me.

Frank: I race Porsches.

The quality that I like best about myself:

Anne: My personal style. Since I was a child, Ive had a unique style of my own. I rarely follow trends and find great joy in expressing my personality that way.

Frank: I am incredibly Frank.

Personal interests and hobbies:

Anne: Shopping, cooking, dining at fine restaurants, traveling, shooting at the range.

Frank: Cooking, racing, and writing.

I am really good at:

Anne: Helping others discover their gifts and potential to overcome fear and know how special they are.

Frank: Communicating a vision and idea.

I admire:

Anne: Anyone who exudes joy amidst difficult moments, a person whose faith leaves no room for fear, who presses into their faith with abandoned trust.

Frank: Jesus Christ.

Some things I would like you to know about us:

Anne: I am a person who believes in the future of our children, our communities, our nation and the world, and that the best years are the ones to come.

Frank: I am very compassionate, disciplined, and have a lot of drive.
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BusinessCompaniesDeath Unlicensed, unregulated: Grave concerns over boom in funeral directors Nina Hendy January 18, 2026  4:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Pop-up funeral directors operating with nothing more than a briefcase and a mobile phone have stoked calls for stricter regulations for the industry, amid fears that vulnerable families could suffer as newcomers try to cash in on the $1.6 billion death trade. Established funeral businesses with bricks-and-mortar operations are concerned that corners are being cut as regulators lower barriers to entry to bolster competition. A licence is not required to call yourself a funeral director. Funeral parlour operators hold grave concerns that current laws dont go far enough to protect families from new players cashing in on a $1.6 billion industry. Aresna Villanueva New directors are setting up a website and taking funeral bookings, outsourcing cremations to local state-owned crematoriums in their area and hiring a hearse by the day as required. Some even book delivery drivers to transport the deceased and have a casket delivered to a mortuary. A NSW-based funeral director, who spoke anonymously for fear of backlash from other industry participants, says the industry has long pushed for regulation. Industry bodies are currently working on a new set of voluntary standards, which would require operators to own their own mortuary and vehicles.

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Operators with no more than a briefcase and a mobile phone can now call themselves a funeral director. They pick up the phone and use one of the shared mortuary facilities to hold and prepare the body, then order a coffin from a manufacturer to be delivered to that shared mortuary, they said. Related Article ACCC 'Potential for unconscionable conduct': Funeral industry in ACCC's sights When the funeral day comes, its easy to hire a hearse and a car ... and carry out a funeral and pray to god everything goes alright. And if it all goes horribly wrong, they can pack up their tent and leave. Theres no permanency. Operators say there is good money to be made in the death trade, but the industry has been allowed to grow with little regard for regulations, which they say have been watered down over recent decades. A report from major funeral operator Invocare in 2021 said that the number of funeral directors in Australia had increased 37 per cent since 2010.

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Laid bare However, new players argue this is a healthy disruption of an industry in need of a shake-up. Award-winning challenger funeral brand Bare started out six years ago, offering cheaper cremations and providing clarity in a sector that it says has long been shrouded in secrecy when it comes to pricing. Bare co-founders Sam McConkey and Cale Donovan. It started with no equipment, but as the business grew, it invested in 25 transfer vehicles, hearses and mortuary facilities, with more under construction. It doesnt own any crematoriums, utilising government-owned facilities in each state. Founder Sam McConkey says its a small cohort of traditional funeral directors who are resistant to the idea of change. But hes the first to agree that the industry requires better regulation, though he believes the issue of ownership is less important.

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What is important from the customer perspective is transparency, choice and informed decision-making, he says. While regulation of specific infrastructure assets is important, we believe ownership of those assets is less important as it is generally self-serving, allowing traditional players to create a barrier for entry to new competitors who cant afford to buy infrastructure from day one. Anyone can be a funeral director right now and can handle the deceased, and were not comfortable with that. Funerals Australia chief Dale Gilson Families choosing Bare know upfront that it doesnt own bricks-and-mortar funeral parlours, with families preferring to arrange a funeral over the phone or on video call, rather than being forced into a traditional funeral parlour to make decisions. While we all agree that better  and more nationally standardised  regulation in the funeral industry would benefit families, wed love to see those regulations extend across more than simply the ownership of physical infrastructure.

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Related Article Grief She was crying uncontrollably: What not to do when consoling someone whos grieving Bare is far from the only new operator to emerge over the past decade, with other players such as Green Heaven Funerals in Sydney and The Last Hurrah in Melbourne. A complex web Death is big business. There were 187,268 registered deaths in 2024, an increase of 4137 on 2023. However, funerals and cremations are legislated differently in each state and territory and responsibilities are often split between different departments. In Victoria, the Funerals Act 2006 has not been meaningfully updated in nearly two decades.

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State health departments handle public health regulations and the processes that govern the handling of deceased bodies, including the handling and transportation of human remains and the practice of preparing the deceased for burial or cremation. NSW outlines clear rules about body transport, but in many other states and territories, there are minimal laws covering the transportation of bodies. State-managed cemeteries and crematoria organisations govern how crematoriums are established and operated. Victorian cemeteries are operated by trusts, which have to adhere to standards set out by the state government. There are concerns held across the industry that funeral directors are allowed to operate largely unregulated. iStock However, when it comes to funeral directors themselves, there are no licences required, though directors can opt to receive a diploma from various training organisations. In Victoria, providers must register their business with Consumer Affairs. The National Funeral Directors Association of Australia (NFDA) has more than 230 members, who own a licensed mortuary, a funeral home, a crematorium and a hearse. Some estimate it would cost more than $1 million to set up a funeral parlour in most suburban areas in todays market  a hearse alone costs $300,000 to purchase new.

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Related Article City life High-density burials, shallower graves proposed in cemetery rules revamp The NFDA says standards and ethics have dropped over the years as operators look for ways to offer cut-price services amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The most cost-effective way of exiting this world is a cremation-only package, which can be found online for as little as $1190, while a burial can cost up to $15,000. President Michael Mackay acknowledged that the industry is not immune to disruption but raised concerns about claims of bodies being transported across cities in nondescript white vans to access shared crematoriums, all organised entirely remotely. We dont mind new people coming into the industry, but if you do, we should all play under the same set of rules, he says. If people realised what was going on, they would be horrified. Their loved one is being transferred all over the city. Its not the way things should be. If you come to us, everything is done under one roof and the body is here until we do the funeral. The NFDA has spent years working with regulators and various government departments to lift standards, and has since raised the alarm out of frustration, warning that regulations dont go far enough and that a number of complaints have fallen on deaf ears over the years.

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Dale Gilson, chief executive of Funerals Australia. Instead, the organisation is working with Standards Australia to implement a new voluntary industry standard that would require operators own their own mortuary and vehicles. Mackay hopes this will force the government to introduce tighter legislation. In lieu of regulation keeping pace with technology and the subsequent new ways to deliver funeral services, this is an example of the industry finding ways to self-regulate, says Funerals Australia chief Dale Gilson. Anyone can be a funeral director right now and can handle the deceased, and were not comfortable with that. Wed like the government to play a bigger part in legislating our industry, Gilson says. This is a largely unregulated industry, and the public would think that there would be licensing, but there isnt. We believe in standards and regulation.

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Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Death Nina Hendy is a business and finance journalist.
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CultureBooksLiterature Opinion My daughter set me a tough literary challenge. What a journey its been David Crowe Europe correspondent January 18, 2026  7:30pm

January 18, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The smart response to a set of made-up rules is to tweak them before anyone knows you will break them. We do it with diets. Treasurers do it with budgets. I did it with books. About a year ago, I was nearing certain failure in my attempt to read my way around the world. I was supposed to be on the latest leg of a journey that began during the travel bans of the pandemic, when I aimed to read 52 books from 52 countries in 52 weeks. Some of the books read by David Crowe. Jamie Brown My daughter set me the challenge, and it was almost effortless in the first two years, when I escaped Australia with every turn of a title page, and wrote about it here. By the end of 2024, I was stuck. Sometimes it took me weeks to get through a book. Then it took me forever to choose the next one. Thats why this column is about reading 52 books from 52 countries in 52 fortnights.

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If this was reality television, I would have been voted off the island. Luckily, this challenge had no jury and only one judge. So I bent the rules. It wasnt that all the books were bad. Its just that I was slow, like an exhausted traveller missing a flight. Related Article Opinion

Literature My rage for the page: 52 books from 52 countries in 52 weeks (again) David Crowe Europe correspondent I loved my time in Tokyo with a strange narrator in Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata. And in colonial Malaysia during a visit by Somerset Maugham in The House of Doors, by Tan Twan Eng. I was immersed in Santo Domingo and New Jersey in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz. I was moved by the tale of a young boy in Libya thanks to Hisham Matar and his novel, In The Country of Men. The thing about the arbitrary list, however, is that I could land in a place I was desperate to leave. I regretted stopping in North Korea to read about Kim Jong-un and his family in The Sister, by Sung-Yoon Lee. This took an academic approach to what should be an engrossing story of dynastic politics and totalitarian cruelty.

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Thank goodness for great writers such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her collection, The Thing Around Your Neck, landed me in short stories from Nigeria, but many will know her as a powerhouse who roams across national borders. One story, about an arranged marriage, was even better on a second reading. The recent news about the death of her son is heartbreaking. I experimented with stories from worlds that were invented or no longer existed. One was The Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le Guin. The other was The Radetzky March, by Joseph Roth, set during the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Another book from a different world was Orbital, by Samantha Harvey, set on the international space station. This was light on plot and heavy on description, more like a long poem than a short novel. Intriguing, but not fully satisfying. Returning to Australia, at least for a short while, I was glad I chose Question 7, by Richard Flanagan, a meditative memoir. Another book was impossible to label with a single country: Escape From Manus, by Jaivet Ealom, a Rohingya refugee, moved rapidly from Myanmar to Papua New Guinea and beyond. He assumed a false identity to escape, and it is a fascinating tale. I know the target of 52 books can seem unserious, almost like a contest we should grow out of after school. In fact, it has two great qualities. First, it makes movement essential: you change landscapes and characters with each new title. Second, it forces risk: there can be a sameness to the stories from your own country, and there is a lot to be said for leaping out of your comfort zone.

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Related Article Literature prizes Women dominate Booker shortlist, but all bets are on Percival Everett There was not much comfort in my visit to Albania in Broken April, by Ismael Kaldare, a bleak novel of a blood feud. Nor in the killing fields of Cambodia, in Surviving Year Zero, by Savonnora Ieng, a clear account of an ugly history. And not in Some People Need Killing, by journalist Patricia Evangelista, about political murder in the Philippines. I had time for only a single title from the US, something of a travesty, but at least I chose well: The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt, is an essential analysis of children and mental health in the iPhone era. I was engrossed in Caledonian Road, by Scottish author Andrew OHagan, who brought the modern class structure alive in a big story that ranged across elite and squalid London. Then I was off to the valleys of Wales in The Life of Rebecca Jones, by Angharad Price. This short novel was a wonderful discovery for the way it evoked village life over generations. Soon afterwards I was in Ireland (and elsewhere) in Barcelona, a brilliant collection of short stories by Mary Costello.

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The more I read, the more sceptical I became about prizes for global fiction. Ive had mixed success with the recent winners of The International Booker Prize, but Ive loved some that did not even make the shortlist. Lost On Me, by Veronica Raimo, was one example. It did what so many cover blurbs promise but not enough books deliver: made me laugh out loud. What stood out were the books that offered insight into the world as it is. One of the best books of these 52 fortnights also missed out on the Booker. This was Lullaby, by Leila Slimani  an unsettling and absorbing account of a Moroccan nanny in Paris. It should have won in 2023. What stood out were the books that offered insight into the world as it is, not always as we would like it to be. One was The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister, by Olesya Khromeychuk, a story of the war in Ukraine, and a family from Lviv, that avoided false heroics. Another was Necropolis, by Boris Pahor, a Slovenian writer who took me into parts of the Holocaust I had not known. When the year ended with the horror of the Bondi attack, it seemed to me even more necessary to read and remember the accounts that show where hatred leads.

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Related Article Literature Sixty books to look out for in the first half of 2026 Without a target, I might not have read Born A Crime, by Trevor Noah, who used to host The Daily Show. His memoir of growing up in South Africa is funny and thoughtful, which is why it has sold by the millions. The star of the tale is his mother, who made him go to church three times on Sundays. Without a deadline, I would not have picked up a very, very short book to race through Denmark. This was The Emperors New Clothes, by Hans Christian Andersen, a tale we all know but can all read again. It skewers political vanity with a smile  and we all know the modern ruler who wears the same old fashion. The best of the books? Looking back, I think of Homegoing, by Ghanaian-American writer Yaa Gyasi, as the perfect reason to read fiction. It took me somewhere I had never been, it brought characters alive, and it did this with light but perceptive prose. Its the kind of book you give to friends in the hope they will love it, too. Thank you for reading and subscribing. I wish you the best for the year ahead. We cannot be sure where the world is heading, so it might help to get lost in a good book.

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52 books from 52 countries in 52 fortnights* Nathacha Appanah, The Last Brother, Mauritius, 2007 Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Nomad, Somalia / Holland / USA, 2010 Joseph Roth, The Radetzky March, Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1932 Ursula le Guin, The Wizard of Earthsea, US / Earthsea, 1968

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Hila Blum, How to Love Your Daughter, Israel, 2023 Margaret Atwood, Surfacing, Canada, 1972 Sallust, The Conspiracy of Cataline, Rome, 40BC Jaivet Ealom, Escape From Manus, Myanmar / Australia / PNG / Canada, 2021 Patricia Evangelista, Some People Need Killing, The Philippines, 2023.

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Murong Xuecon, Deadly Quiet City, China, 2022 Faysal Khartash, Roundabout of Death, Syria, 2017 Leo Vardiashvili, Hard By A Great Forest, Georgia, 2023 Eleanor Catton, Burnam Wood, New Zealand, 2023 Olga Tokarczuk, Flights, Poland, 2007

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Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, USA, 2024 Ramita Navai, City of Lies, Iran, 2014 Kapka Kassabova, Border, Bulgaria, 2017 Ia Genberg, The Details, Sweden, 2022 Anna Funder, Wifedom, Australia, 2023

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Soname Yangchen, Child of Tibet, Tibet / UK, 2006 Junot Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Santo Domingo, 2007 Hisham Matar, In The Country of Men, Libya, 2006 Nilima Rao, A Disappearance in Fiji, Australia / Fiji, 2023 Savannora Ieng, Surviving Year Zero, Cambodia, 2014

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Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing, Ghana, 2016 Tan Twan Eng, The House of Doors, Malaysia, 2023 Leila Slimani, Lullaby, Morocco / France, 2018 Sung-Yoon Lee, The Sister, North Korea, 2023 Andrew OHagan, Caledonian Road, UK, 2024

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Jenny Erpenbeck, Kairos, Germany, 2023 Willem Frederik Hermans, An Untouched House, The Netherlands, 1951 Thomas Bernhard, The Rest Is Slander, Austria, 2022 Angharad Price, The Life of Rebecca Jones, Wales, 2002 Veronica Raimo, Lost On Me, Italy, 2022

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Hans Christian Andersen, The Emperors New Clothes, Denmark, 1837 Fred Charles Ikle, Every War Must End, Switzerland / US, 1971 Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes From Underground, Russia, 1864 Oliver Lovrenski, Back In The Day, Norway, 2023 Ismael Kadare, Broken April, Albania, 1978

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Georges Simenon, The Man From London, Belgium, 1934 Mary Costello, Barcelona, Ireland, 2024 Milan Kundera, 89 Words and Prague, A Disappearing Poem, Czechia, 2025 Richard Flanagan, Question 7, Australia, 2023 Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman, Japan, 2016

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David Diop, At Night All Blood Is Black, Senegal, 2018 Antal Szerb, Oliver VII, Hungary, 1942 Esther Garcia Llovet, Spanish Beauty, Spain, 2025 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, That Thing Around Your Neck, Nigeria, 2009 Ngugi wa Thiongo, The Perfect Nine, Kenya, 2020

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Boris Pahor, Necropolis, Slovenia / Italy, 1967 Raja Shehadeh, Palestinian Walks, 2007, Palestine Trevor Noah, Born a Crime, South Africa, 2016 Olesya Khromeychuk, The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister, Ukraine, 2021 Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees, France, 1953

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Samantha Harvey, Orbital, UK and Low Earth Orbit, 2023 Olga Ravn, The Employees, Denmark, 2018 * The list has 56 books, which reflects my indecision at times. It has two from Australia: Question 7, by Richard Flanagan, and Wifedom, by Anna Funder. It has two authors from Denmark: Hans Christian Andersen, but also Olga Ravn. This was because counting The Emperors New Clothes as a book felt like cheating. There are two from the US, also, because Fred Charles Ikle was born in Switzerland but spent most of his life in the US. I include his book, Every War Must End, because it is so good. David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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National treasure and comedy icon Magda Szubanski has cautioned against fake medical fundraisers and news stories made in her image.

On Saturday afternoon, the Kath & Kim star took to Instagram to confirm a series of images circulating on social media are illegitimate, and warned supporters not to donate to fundraisers from unofficial channels.

Ok. Dear peeps. This lovely lady- whoever she is - is not me, Szubanski wrote.

I hope shes doing well. But please dont think its me and DEFINITELY DO NOT DONATE MONEY TO ANY MEDICAL FUNDRAISER THAT PURPORTS TO BE ME!! If you want the real me you can always find me here. Otherwise- its a scam.
New Jersey: Bruce Springsteen denounced the Trump administrations deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in cities across the United States and dedicated a song to Renee Good, the woman recently killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, at a surprise performance in New Jersey on Saturday (US time).

Appearing at the Light of Day Winterfest in Red Bank, New Jersey, Springsteen told the crowd: We are living through incredibly critical times. The United States, the ideals and the values for which it stood for the past 250 years is being tested as it has never been in modern times, according to videos that circulated online.

Bruce Springsteen performs in the UK in May last year. Getty

He added: If you believe in the power of the law and that no one stands above it, if you stand against heavily armed mass federal troops invading an American city using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens, if you believe you dont deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president.

Springsteen went on to quote Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis, who had used an expletive to tell ICE to leave the city. He then dedicated his song The Promised Land, which tells of a young working-class man striving for a brighter future, to Good.
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CultureTV & radioAustralian TV Irene may be gone, but Alf Stewart is eternal Nicole Elphick January 19, 2026  5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Ray Meagher has just notched up 38 flamin years as Alf Stewart on Summer Bay. The 81-year-olds gruff but loveable character Alf first popped onto Aussie screens in the premiere episode of Home and Away on January 17, 1988. Hes now the only original cast member left and the longest-serving actor in an Australian TV series. However, Meagher readily admits that he did not expect the soap to last long when it began. Ray Meagher has played Alf Stewart on Home and Away for 38 years. Seven At that time, the older and more cynical actors in that pilot, Norman Coburn and Judy Nunn and a few of us thought, oh well, we might get three or six months work out of this maybe. Most pilots crash and burn, they very rarely go to series for any length of time. And here we are, 38 years later! This week the soap returns with a new season, kicking off with high drama as the outcome of a train crash cliffhanger unfolds. While Alf was safely back in Summer Bay, many fellow residents were onboard heading to a music festival, with their lives hanging in the balance after the derailment. This show never ceases to amaze me in so far as the challenges that it takes on, says Meagher. If you were doing a train smash in a big piece of film, itd probably take a month minimum to shoot, and we shot this in a week on location maximum. OK, its not as big and glitzy as some multimillion-dollar feature film, but I reckon we had a fair stab at it.

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Another plot line exciting viewers for 2026 is the upcoming return of fan favourites Brax and Ricky, played by Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen, who left in 2016. Meagher is equally excited to see them back again. Editor's pick Australian TV Everyones mum loves The Chase  but this quiz has unexpected fans too When people like Steve Peacocke come back, I find it absolutely fantastic, says Meagher. Hes one of the nicest blokes that God ever put breath into and one of the best actors in the world. Hes just so natural. And we shouldnt leave out Bonnie Sveen, Braxs other half. It was great to have her back, too. Last year saw the much-feted departure of stalwart Lynne McGranger after 32 years as Irene, her run capped off by a Gold Logie win. What has been the vibe on set since her departure? Irene was obviously a very long-serving character on the show, but there was a big lead-up for the exit and once the exit actually occurred, everybody was so busy getting on with what they have to do, explains Meagher. Its fairly unrelenting, soap.

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Youre up at five and home at seven or eight. However, having said that, Lynne was there for 30 years and did a wonderful job. But the show moves on. As for Meagher, also a Gold Logie winner, he currently has no firm plans to retire. I dont have definite thoughts on that. While Im enjoying it, and while the Home and Away producers are interested in keeping the character on, Ill stay. Im not a spring chicken any more, so well see how that goes, but so far, so good, and Im still really enjoying the show. Over the last couple of weeks, I have learnt and recorded 70 scenes  thats more than a lead actor in a feature film would have. Now thats no big deal, its just it was a wonderful challenge to have that many scenes to do in that time and to remind me that, fortunately, I can still do it.

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Alf Stewart Seven Last year also saw the end of fellow Aussie soap Neighbours, which aired its final episode in December after a brief revival. When asked about it, Meagher quickly quashes any notion of rivalry between the soaps with a clear tone of sadness in his voice. Its come back to life a couple of times, so maybe it will again, but if this is the final farewell, [Im] very sorry to see it go. I see Neighbours in Melbourne as very similar to Home and Away in Sydney; theyre both wonderful training grounds for actors and crew. Its just a shame when something like that happens people talk about competition and all of that. Thats a load of rubbish. Were all Australian actors, and we all want to see Australian drama flourish. Home and Away returns 7pm, January 19 on Seven and 7Plus. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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Exclusive NationalNSWPenthouse Syndicate investigation Banker, broker, nightclub owner: The alleged fraudster who outsmarted two of Australias biggest banks Riley Walter January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Inside what is alleged to be one of the largest fraud and money-laundering syndicates in Australian history. See all stories .

In October 2021, Andrew W Hu, a relationship manager at Commonwealth Bank, started receiving business loan referrals from an associate. Rather than applying for the loans through official channels, the associate, Bing Michael Li, sent the documents directly to Hu via email or WhatsApp. Hu, instead of submitting the applications himself, allegedly forwarded the paperwork to two colleagues in his team. The applications, seeking loans for companies directed by Li and his partner, Zhouyao Yumi Chen, were complete with company tax returns and financial statements. Hu would not submit the applications himself, but if any other documents were required, he would deal with the applicants directly. Over nine months, at least 38 loan applications linked to Hu and worth $14.9 million were approved, according to court documents obtained by this masthead. Former Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank employee Andrew W Hu allegedly defrauded the finance giants of $105 million. Matt Willis In mid-2022, Commonwealth Bank, smelling a rat, launched an investigation. Hu was sacked in August of that year after the bank identified what it suspected to be fraudulent loan applications linked to him. By then, the damage was done; the banks security had been compromised, its systems exploited, and it was out of pocket almost $15 million. Hus sacking was of little consequence. By the time he left, he had learnt the banks systems inside out, learnt which checks were done on loan applications, which documents were required and which algorithms were used to detect suspicious or fraudulent activity, detectives allege. Hu, Li and Chen had allegedly laid the foundations of the Penthouse Syndicate, which police believe is one of the biggest fraud and money-laundering syndicates in the countrys history.

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A months-long investigation by this masthead into the syndicate has traced the origins of the group to 2019, when Hu and Li became associates. Last July, detectives arrested Li, the syndicates alleged head, at an apartment in Crowns residential tower, where he and Chen rented the penthouse apartment for more than $34,000 a month. Hu, using the knowledge he gained at Commonwealth Bank, and while working as a financial planner at National Australia Bank from 2015 to 2018, allegedly became one of the syndicates ringleaders. Loading Last month, financial crimes squad detectives working under Strike Force Myddleton charged Hu with facilitating $105 million worth of mortgage and business loan fraud for the syndicate, which has amassed a luxury property empire across Sydney with the help of a network of allegedly corrupt bankers, mortgage brokers, solicitors and real estate agents. Hu has been charged with 89 offences related to the Commonwealth Bank business loans and $90 million worth of allegedly fraudulent NAB mortgage and business loans. Hu, a licensed mortgage broker until shortly before his arrest, was also charged over two unsuccessful loan applications worth $7.2 million.

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Police believe the Penthouse Syndicate has defrauded the countrys major banks and other financiers of more than $250 million and that it has inflated property prices in some of Sydneys most sought-after suburbs by purchasing overvalued homes and pocketing millions through murky back-door contracts beyond the visibility of lenders unwittingly handing over money they are unlikely to recover. Detectives allege Hu, who was born Yecheng Hu, directed the activities of several allegedly corrupt mortgage brokers and bankers on the groups payroll, including former NAB employee Timotius Donny Sungkar, who was in November charged with facilitating almost $10 million worth of business loan fraud for the syndicate while he worked at the banks Bankstown business centre. While none of the 89 offences Hu has been charged with relate to his time at NAB, this masthead can reveal the 34-year-old in February last year received accreditation from the bank to directly submit loan applications through a mortgage broker group, despite Commonwealth Bank flagging Hus dismissal over the allegedly fraudulent business loans with banking sector regulators and the Australian Banking Association. The Penthouse Syndicates alleged ringleader, Bing Michael Li, was arrested in July. An online ABA service allows banks to check the employment history of prospective employees with other financial institutions, including if they have been the subject of misconduct investigations or disciplinary action. NAB did not answer questions about what background checks were done before Hu was accredited.

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Penthouse Syndicate investigation How the Penthouse Syndicate allegedly took one of Australias biggest banks for $150m Hu allegedly rotated the brokers and bankers involved in the loans, including several other NAB employees under investigation, to avoid attracting suspicion and he vetted fraudulent financial documents police say were used to secure business and home loans. Li allegedly paid Hu  known within the syndicate as Manager Yao  up to $100,000 for each successful loan application he facilitated. The investigation into the Penthouse Syndicate has brought increased scrutiny to the banking sector and raised questions about reform of the industry since the scathing royal commission into the conduct of the countrys finance giants. To fly under the radar, Hu allegedly directed other mortgage brokers to submit home loan applications with NAB. I never use my broker number to do these deals, Hu allegedly told an associate in a phone call intercepted by detectives, according to court documents. The bankers and brokers allegedly working under Hus direction were paid in cash to avoid leaving a trail for police to follow.

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Its all cash  they cant find any of it, Hu allegedly told an associate. No transfers. No, no, no. Trust me. No. Like other alleged syndicate members, Hu has lived lavishly, enjoying the spoils of what police allege are his ill gotten gains as the groups alleged frauds have grown to hundreds of millions of dollars. In March 2021, while he was still employed at Commonwealth Bank, Hu purchased a $1.5 million townhouse in Dundas Valley, in Sydneys north-west. In late 2023, Hu and two business partners opened Myst nightclub, which operates within Home the Venue in Darling Harbour. The club became a meeting place for alleged syndicate members, including Hu and Li, who visited the venue several times. Hus business partners are not accused of any wrongdoing or involvement with the Penthouse Syndicate. According to court documents, the alleged Commonwealth Bank frauds Hu has been charged over formed the basis of the syndicates operating model used to allegedly fleece NAB of more than $150 million in the years since. The funds secured from the loans would prove valuable capital, allegedly used in the syndicates later frauds, which became more sophisticated as the group grew to dozens of members. Commonwealth Bank dismissed the employees who allegedly submitted the loan applications for Hu around the same time he was sacked.

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Penthouse Syndicate investigation The Penthouse Syndicate In the months after Hu left the bank, the syndicate allegedly turned its attention to a scheme involving non-existent luxury cars that would be its undoing. In January 2024, Strike Force Myddleton was established to investigate the $10 million scheme, and slowly but surely, Hu and Lis empire started to crumble as detectives allegedly unravelled a web of local and foreign bank accounts, private companies, properties and fraudulent documents. Manager Yao, let me remind you again that no one should tell anyone about our work, Li allegedly told Hu in a phone call police intercepted last May, according to court documents. Dont tell anyone. Protect you, protect me, protect everyone. Just keep quiet and make a fortune. During Hus failed bid for bail the day after his arrest, Burwood Local Court heard the baby-faced 34-year-old  still wearing the white hoodie he was cuffed in  had access to large amounts of money that was still unaccounted for, fraudulent documentation and significant ties to China, where detectives feared he would flee if released.

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As his barrister argued for his release, Hus mother and stepfather were arrested and charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime after allegedly transferring $205,000 from a bank account Hu shared with his mother, Xinyu Ye, to a solicitors trust account shortly after Hu was arrested. Ye allegedly tried to access a safe deposit box  opened days after Li was arrested last July  where detectives found $260,000 worth of jewellery and watches. The court heard Hu was a significant risk of using the large amount of cash and false documents at his disposal to flee to China, where several Penthouse Syndicate members have family ties. They would never return to Australia, police prosecutor Sergeant Daniel Grace told the court. Hus girlfriend, Cheryl Tan, who tried to shield herself from being photographed when approached by this masthead, was cautioned inside the courtroom as a suspect in the investigation into Hus alleged frauds. She has not been charged. Andrew W Hus girlfriend, Cheryl Tan, tries to shield her face last month. Riley Walter The next day, Sungkar, too, was refused bail after prosecutors laid bare the extent of the syndicates infiltration of the banking sector. They just need a way in and Donnys their way in, police prosecutor Sergeant Kai Jiang told the court.

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We are pulling out a whole entire weed. Mr Sungkar was the virus that allowed the syndicate to infiltrate the NAB system. Hours later, Ye, who refused to report to police, was also remanded in custody. As soon as Ye was released, she allegedly told detectives who arrested her, she would return to China. Hus stepfather, Zhenliang Hu, was released on bail after offering a $20,000 surety and agreeing to present to a police station daily. Investigations into the extent of the Penthouse Syndicates alleged frauds are ongoing. Up to 20 more syndicate members are likely to be arrested as detectives trace more loans worth millions of dollars. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaVanishing coast As coastal erosion bites, heres why there are some rays of hope Benjamin Preiss January 18, 2026  1:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Port Fairy residents knew they had a serious problem when discarded household goods began emerging from the dunes. In 2012, rubbish started appearing on the beach as coastal erosion ate into the dunes and exposed an old tip site buried long ago. Damage caused by coastal erosion at Port Fairy. Joe Armao Port Fairy resident Nick Abbott remembers old fridges and appliances, pieces of tin and lengths of wire turning up on the beach. The concern was that we were seeing the tip of the iceberg and soon the beach could be littered with unsightly rubbish, he said.

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The following year, Abbott joined other Port Fairy residents in measuring the impact of erosion on local beaches, using posts, rope and laser levels. In 2018, they began using drones, hoping to better understand the problem. With the power of Southern Ocean waves and strong winds battering the shoreline, Port Fairy, in Victorias south-west, remains highly susceptible to coastal erosion, a challenge that is accelerating with climate change. Deakin Universitys Blake Allan at Port Fairy, where erosion has hit beach areas hard. Nicole Cleary While Port Fairy is among the areas hardest hit by sea level rise, new research focusing on a stretch of beach in bayside Melbourne is providing a ray of hope. It shows human intervention can help to stabilise beaches in the face of coastal erosion, particularly when those efforts are in concert with the natural marine environment. At another Port Fairy beach known as the night soil site, erosion uncovered waste including old toilet cans, some of which rolled down the dunes. But vegetation matting has since been installed to stabilise and promote vegetation growth.

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Deakin University national coastal drone program scientific lead Blake Allan said the matting had helped protect the old night soil site. But erosion has continued to eat away at the dunes near the former tip site. A rock wall installed in front of the former tip has protected some of the dune but deflected energy from the waves, resulting in aggressive erosion on either side of the wall. Allan has also been monitoring the effects of coastal erosion at Port Fairy and providing the data to policymakers. You cant rely on memories. And we dont want decisions to be based on one event, because those knee-jerk reactions are really just Band-Aids, he said. Coastal erosion expert David Kennedy in Sandringham. Joe Armao Recently published research by University of Melbourne coastal geomorphologist David Kennedy found strategies for managing erosion at Sandringham on Port Phillip Bay had been largely successful in the past 20 years.

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The peer-reviewed research, published in the Frontiers in Earth Science journal, examined the impact of human-made structures at Sandringham going back more than 140 years. Initially, sea walls were built to stop the cliff eroding. Kennedy said there was wild fluctuation in erosion in the following decades at Sandringham until the 1990s, when a program of sand replenishment began and the rate of erosion then slowed. In the 2000s, the installation of structures known as rock groynes, which extend into the water perpendicular to the shore, helped further stabilise the beach. Sandringham beach from the air. Joe Armao What we want to do with the groynes is keep the sand on that beach for longer, because over time its moving from south to north. Thats where the sand is all going. Its all ending up in South Melbourne over decades, he said.

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Kennedy described the movement of sand as a natural phenomenon, but protecting beaches and human-built structures behind them was part of the response to sea-level rise and climate change. We tend not to view landforms as dynamic systems. But I like to think of them like dogs tails  theyre constantly wagging. Related Article Analysis

Climate crisis Climate whiplash: We can no longer pretend this isnt a crisis He said the more recent human interventions at Sandringham showed it was possible to save beaches by working with nature rather than building hard structures that risked exacerbating erosion. Locations like Port Fairy, which are exposed to the raw power of the open ocean, would require a different management strategy to Sandringham, Kennedy said. Loch Sport in East Gippsland, Inverloch on the Bass Coast and Silverleaves in Phillip Island are other locations where coastal erosion is posing a serious challenge to communities and the authorities that manage those natural areas.

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Its a human-modified world weve created, Kennedy said. Weve got to work with what natures throwing at us to maintain the bits we love. If we dont, were just going to have sea walls all the way along and no beaches. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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The murder of Sam The Punisher Abdulrahim was done by the numbers, a meticulously planned job executed by professionals. They had less than a day to prepare after learning Abdulrahim and his girlfriend had checked into a Preston hotel, a chance to finally pin him down. And the window of opportunity would close in just another day, as Abdulrahim was set to slip out of the country for his own safety. Sam Abdulrahims message to enemies, posted online. Instagram A four-man hit team. Three getaway cars  stolen, loaded with petrol cans and positioned in suburbs 30 minutes apart. A failsafe way to bypass two locked doors to slip undetected into a secure hotel parking garage. Hiding in plain sight, they had to patiently wait to see if the 32-year-old would head to his car or walk out into the street. It took less than 30 seconds for Abdulrahim to ride down the elevator and into the ambush, trapped inside a basement with nowhere to go but into a hail of gunfire  it was a kill box.

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After a decade on the run and 18 prior attempts on his life, Abdulrahim finally got got. Its been nearly 12 months since Abdulrahim, the former bikie turned boxer and wannabe player in the illicit tobacco trade, was murdered in one of the most brazen gangland executions in years. The parking garage where Sam The Punisher Abdulrahim was killed in January 2025. The Age Only a handful of people know what actually happened in the Preston hotel parking garage shortly before 10.30am on January 28, 2025. Even fewer knew that the underworlds most hunted figure, a man with a $1 million bounty on his head, would be in that particular place at that exact time. Abdulrahim was extremely paranoid and hyper-vigilant, not least because in the last close call, in May 2024, 17 bullets were fired at him but missed. In 2022, he was shot eight times outside a funeral but survived. He was living overseas until only days before his death, and came back to Australia for a lightning quick visit before he planned to go back into hiding again in a foreign bolthole.

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Its no wonder his death sparked a furious rat hunt among his friends and associates in the days after. The identity of the prime suspect for ordering the hit, underworld kingpin Kazem Hamad, has been an open secret since day one  but there have been no arrests for the murder. Related Article Crime The gangster, the phone call, and the golden casket: Behind a funeral switcheroo that was all for show In fact, nearly 18 months before the now infamous hit, Hamad taunted Abdulrahim by telling him he couldnt protect himself and Hamads men were like ghosts. Victoria Polices homicide squad says a significant investigation has since taken place to determine who was responsible for the shooting and their motivation. This includes both those directly involved and anyone who may have directed the offence to take place, a spokesperson said. Detectives have spoken with a number of people and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

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An inside man? How the shooters gained access to the underground parking garage has never been made public. The five-storey building is both a 79-room hotel and a 21-apartment residential complex, which offers a full security building with swipe access to all entries and lift, according to promotional materials. Walking into the lobby requires a key card or being buzzed in by the hotel operators or a resident, and the entries are covered by multiple CCTV cameras. Getting access to the garage also requires a swipe card to use the elevator, unlock the stairwell doors leading underground or activate the roller door to enter by car. Once Abdulrahim was gunned down, the killers escape route meant either running up the stairwell to the emergency exit out to an above-ground parking lot, or a 12-second wait for the roller door to rise, which could be opened from the inside without a key. The murder would have been caught on CCTV, with cameras positioned in the garage for blanket coverage. Victoria Police has never released any stills or video in an appeal for information.

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The shots were heard by a hotel staffer who called police, starting a ticking clock for the shooters to make their getaway. The hit team raced 1.4 kilometres north of the scene to a dead-end road, Alexandra Street, which backs onto a public water reservoir. After reversing the getaway Porsche SUV through an access fence, the car was torched. The men changed vehicles to a waiting grey Ford Ranger ute, the second getaway vehicle. Athan Boursinos was gunned down in a laneway behind his family home in Wollert in July. The trip to the burn site for the second escape vehicle was about 25-30 minutes, depending on the route. The stretch of Western Avenue in Westmeadows where the ute was burnt runs along an isolated stretch of vacant land owned by the Cleanaway waste company. The car the shooter used to make their final, clean getaway has never been publicly identified by police.

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NationalWAWA sport Kiwis incredulous at being blamed for SailGP crash as Sweden takes lead Jasper Bruce January 18, 2026  12:16pm 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

Skipper Peter Burling is incredulous umpires have blamed New Zealand for the horror crash that ended the Kiwis Perth SailGP within two minutes of the starting gun being fired. New Zealands transom, part of the boats stern, was ripped off and left floating in Fremantle Harbour when they collided with Switzerland in the first of Saturdays fleet races. Sweden SailGP Team in action during day one of SailGP Perth. Matt Jelonek/Getty Images Australia were first past the finish line in that race but are fourth on the event standings after four races, with newest boat Sweden finishing as the days best performers. The USA and France are tied atop the standings with Sweden, who won two fleet races on a bumpy first day of the high-speed leagues new season.

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It was a shocking start to the campaign for heavyweights New Zealand, deemed by umpires to have failed to give way to Switzerland en route to the second mark in the first fleet race. The Kiwis had been travelling at about 60km/h at the time of impact, with both boats grinding to a halt before a stunned crowd on the Fremantle shoreline. Leadership board after SailGP day one Sweden - 31 points USA - 31 points France - 31 points Australia - 24 points Great Britain - 24 points Brazil - 18 points Canada - 17 points Italy - 16 points Denmark - 15 points Germany - 13 points Switzerland - 0 points Spain* - 0 points New Zealand - -8 points *Withdrew with hull damage prior to the event Switzerland is expected to resume racing on Sundays second day of the Perth regatta. New Zealand are unable to take further part given significant damage to their boat. The Kiwis have also received eight penalty points on the season leaderboard, but Burling indicated his boat would challenge the leagues findings.

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The Olympic gold medallist felt his boat did not have time to avoid the Swiss boat so could not be blamed by umpires for the crash. Im still blown away, to be honest, that the umpires think were at fault, Burling said. Initially, we had right of way with them as the windward boat, but then theyve jibed onto starboard and gained right of way. We did everything we could to avoid the incident, I dont think they (Switzerland) could say the same. Burling felt SailGP had now set the standard for the rest of the Perth regatta and the 12 that follow this season.

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I think its a super dangerous precedent for SailGP to set if thats the ruling, he said. Related Article Perth Injury thwarts Iain Jensens Aussie SailGP homecoming Everyones obviously pretty shaken-up. It felt like we did a really good job through the build-up. To have an incident like that happen in the first race of the season is definitely not ideal. Fighting to recover from grand-final heartbreak last season, Australia had a mixed day, winning the first fleet race on the back of a hot start.

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Eighth, ninth and second-placed finishes followed, but skipper Tom Slingsby was mostly pleased after Australia lost star signing Iain Jensen to injury this week. The Olympic gold medallist is in a knee brace after falling during practice on Thursday and was replaced by veteran Glenn Ashby. I dont think theres any other team in the fleet who could lose their wing trimmer a day before and be sitting fourth overall, especially in such tough conditions, Slingsby said. The three boats that perform best across the weekends fleet races will advance to the event final on Sunday afternoon. AAP AAPs reporter travelled to Perth as a guest of SailGP.

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NationalWATobacco WA Police veteran appointed as states tobacco tsar as work begins on new laws Cameron Myles January 18, 2026  4:10pm 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 senior WA Police officer who played a leading role in the forces pandemic response has been appointed as the states illicit tobacco tsar as violent attacks on shops linked to the illegal cigarette and vape trade escalate. WA Premier Roger Cook announced on Sunday that Superintendent Steve Post would join the Department of Healths Tobacco Compliance Unit, while also revealing changes to the states Tobacco Products Control Act were being drafted. WA Police Superintendent Steve Post has been appointed as the states tobacco tsar. 9News Perth Post has more than four decades of policing experience and helped lead WA Polices pandemic response effort Operation Tide. Top of his priority list is to increase the departments compliance enforcement at illicit tobacco shops, and to prepare WA Health for the looming bolstered tobacco laws.

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This is about keeping our community safe, and most importantly, its about keeping our kids safe because they are being exposed to, and have access to, harmful and addictive products in our communities, Post said. Related Article Opinion

Tobacco Why are law-abiding WA citizens turning a blind eye to organised crime? Rebecca Peppiatt Journalist I have a message for those that are involved in this illicit activity: get out while you can, because we will be strengthening our enforcement, we will be strengthening the compliance, and we will use the new laws to great effect. Cook said WA did not want to see tobacco thugs terrorising the community. The move comes on the back of another week of tobacco violence, with a shop in Huntingdale destroyed by fire and a Ballajura convenience store targeted for the fourth time in 12 months.

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Locals are fed up, with the owner of a pub neighbouring the Ballajura store demanding to know when the government was going to take action. Youve got kids going in there buying vapes. It needs to go. Its not good. Its not good for the Ballajura community or its local residents, or the businesses that operate out of here, Harshal Patel told media on Thursday. Cook did not put a timeframe on the beefed-up laws passage through parliament on Sunday  theyre complex laws, and we need to get them right  but revealed more staff would also be appointed to WA Healths tobacco enforcement unit, more than doubling its inspector capacity. Police Minister Reece Whitby said Post was a veteran WA Police officer, who had spent 25 years in the organised and crime gangs operations. He is the ideal person to be our tobacco tsar here in Western Australia, Whitby said.

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On Monday, WAtoday revealed almost a dozen shops targeted by firebombs and shootings over the past year were back open and blatantly selling illegal cigarettes and vapes. Taskforce Maverick, the WA Police operation set up to combat illegal tobacco crime groups in the face of the escalating violence, has so far charged 12 people with 59 offences since it was established in November last year. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalWAPlanning WAs long-awaited tree canopy roadmap panned as directionless Hamish Hastie January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Tree canopy advocates have rubbished the Cook governments long-awaited urban greening strategy, describing it as directionless and failing to address Perth and Peels dwindling coverage. At just 16 per cent, Perths tree canopy is one of the most sparse in the nation and groups like WA Tree Canopy Advocates hoped the strategy would provide an explicit pathway to nearly double that to 30 per cent by 2040  as promised by WA Labor ahead of the 2025 election. Perth has far too little tree canopy, which increases the heat island effect. The strategy was announced in February 2024 and released on Friday afternoon. But WATCA chair Sarah Allchurch was not impressed with what she read, believing it did nothing to address tree loss on private land, which is where most of Perths tree losses were occurring.

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This strategy contains no action plan, no timelines and no accountability, she said. Related Article Development Perth council offers home owners an annual tree bonus. But theres a catch Around 80 per cent of tree loss happens on private land, yet the strategy pushes responsibility onto councils, schools and community groups, while developers  responsible for most canopy loss  face no consequences. The strategy acknowledges that retaining mature trees is the most effective form of urban greening, but offers no enforceable measures to protect them. Despite being presented as a roadmap to ambitious targets, it provides no credible way to get there.

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The strategy sets in stone Labors commitment to increase Perths tree canopy to 30 per cent by 2040 and plant one million trees by 2035. It also points to an as-yet-unreleased action plan called Lets Grow, which, according to a state government website, will outline the practical steps to build a strong foundation for the future and tackle priority actions early on. As part of that action plan, the state will spend $10 million on a grants program and $6.9 million on the existing Treebate incentive scheme. The plan acknowledges retaining existing vegetation is the most efficient form of urban greening and that the development sector is responsible for a lot of tree clearing, but does not suggest any further regulation. While some clearing will be needed for housing and infrastructure, priority should be given to retaining vegetation that cannot be easily replaced, such as mature trees and native bushland, it says.

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In the absence of a strategy, many councils have attempted to go it alone to address tree clearing with varying degrees of success. The City of Nedlands effort was vetoed by Planning Minister John Carey in 2024. Related Article Property development The major road upgrade standing in the way of Satterleys North Stoneville dream Carey said the governments new strategy was accompanied by significant investments to boost urban canopy. In line with this governments commitment to delivering housing and essential infrastructure, the strategy provides a co-ordinated, practical approach to ensure trees, plants, and green spaces are integrated into our neighbourhoods as they evolve, he said. This new strategy supports our efforts to boost urban canopy including changes to the residential codes to incentivised tree retention, the Treebates incentive, and the Tree Recovery program.

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The strategy sets out plans to engage young urban greeners and support local governments to implement their own policies, while also aiming to increase the number of tree species able to be planted in residential and commercial areas. WA Local Government Association president Karen Chappel said the strategy represented important progress in the effort to increase urban canopy across the state. We are particularly pleased the State Government has established an ambitious target to increase tree canopy across Perth and Peel to 30 per cent by 2040, which corresponds with WALGAs advocacy, she said. WALGA and the local government sector are committed to assisting in achieving this target and welcomes this recommitment in the strategy. Chappel said WALGA would continue to advocate for more measures to boost WAs tree canopy, including in its 2026-27 state budget submission, which urged an investment of $40 million over 10 years to expand the Urban Canopy Grant Program.

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There were 3733 responses to a public survey as part of the strategy, 88 per cent of which had a 10 out of 10 support for additional urban greening, and 76 per cent which rated their suburb as having low to medium canopy cover. Related Article Updated

Planning and development Perth locals react to new images of controversial planned racetrack, entertainment precinct Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said urban greening was being adopted in response to global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. The Urban Greening Strategy reinforces the need to grow tree canopy and vegetation to shade and cool our neighbourhoods and improve community wellbeing, he said. But more than just planting trees, urban greening helps protect and enhance the natural world that sustains us all.

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We all need to work together to create a city that is climate-resilient and nature-rich for generations to come. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Muslim Labor MP Ed Husic has invoked his family background in a call for calm and unity, as the country reckons with the Bondi shooting, in which 15 people were killed.

The roots of my family tree come from a place that shredded itself with ethnic and religious hatred, Husic told the House of Representatives during condolence motions for the attack.

What Ive resolved, what I bring to this moment, from the moment I took my first oath to serve here, is a determination that a country that has been so good to so many, will never contend with the same fate. Unity always.

Labor MP Ed Husic. Alex Ellinghausen

Husic was Australias first Muslim federal minister in the last parliamentary term, but was relegated to the backbench after the 2025 election. Husics family is Bosnian, and he has often alluded to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s as a crisis he does not want to see replicated in Australia.

We can differ in view, but we should never dissolve as a result of corrosive hate. We can resolve that no matter from what corner extremism emerges, Islamist or far-right extremist, we will stand up and deal with it together, Husic said.

What presents is a threat to Australians of all faiths and backgrounds, is a threat to us all. We can remember who we are as Australians, and we can resolve for better, for safer, for stronger, he said.

The question we must ask ourselves on the floor of this house [are] what are our choices, and what do we bring to this moment? Does the moment need more anger to bitterness for many who suddenly, tragically, prematurely farewell those they love? These are instinctive responses to grief and to fear and to loss, and I respect and understand that. But for us here, have we had enough raised voices, and do we need more temper?
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Exclusive TechnologySoftware Fresh face: WiseTech backs scandal-hit Grok Academy with $8.7m David Swan January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

WiseTech Global, Australias largest ASX-listed technology company, is pumping $8.7 million over three years into the charity that rescued Grok Academy, a free online coding platform, as both organisations attempt to draw a line under separate scandals that have damaged their reputations. WiseTech, an ASX-listed giant that develops logistics software used by freight and shipping companies worldwide, is seeking to rebuild following founder Richard Whites forced resignation as chief executive in October 2024. Grok Academy, meanwhile, is recovering from harassment findings that brought down its founder, prominent coding educator James Curran. I think you should sort of see this as a bit of a fresh face for Grok, WiseTech chief executive Zubin Appoo said. Yes, theres some history there that we dont want to be associated with. We want to focus on how we move forward. WiseTech Global CEO Zubin Appoo and KIK CEO Louise Nobes. WiseTech Global. The funding will support KIK Innovation, an Adelaide-based education charity that acquired Grok Academys platform and intellectual property in November 2024 after the organisation faced collapse.

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Grok had been a significant player in Australian schools technology education, providing free coding courses to students at 3400 schools and running the National Computer Science School, a summer program that had operated for more than two decades. More than 1 million students have used its learning platform. Former Grok Academy chief executive James Curran resigned from his position. The announcement marks a significant evolution in the relationship between WiseTech and Grok. White, a billionaire software entrepreneur who founded WiseTech in 1994, had previously pledged $50 million to support Groks education programs. But that relationship soured in July 2024 when he abruptly withdrew his personal financial support, triggering redundancies that affected 80 of about 100 staff. Louise Nobes, who founded KIK Innovation and now serves as both its chief executive and WiseTechs new head of education, said the acquisition was completed rapidly after a board director flagged concerns about Groks survival. It was actually a board director that said, you know, you might need to reach out to some of your contacts at Grok and see how you can provide some support, Nobes said. That really just led to a very fast-paced evolution.

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Nobes said KIK inherited no ongoing legal disputes related to Curran or the television show Future Fixers, which this masthead revealed this month had been quietly mothballed after eight near-complete episodes featuring Curran were deemed too toxic to air. The show, which was financially supported by Grok, had been designed to showcase teenage technology talent on prime-time television. It was literally the platform that came over to KIK Innovation with a couple of key staff, and thats all, she said. She added that no educators had raised concerns with her following the revelations and no schools had dropped the Grok Academy platform. Related Article Investigation

Education Why a groundbreaking new TV show disappeared without a trace The scandals that precipitated Groks near-collapse were detailed by this masthead in October 2024. Curran, an associate professor who had helped write the national computing curriculum for primary and high school students, was subject to three separate investigations that substantiated harassment allegations. Nine women, including six who were high school students at the time of the alleged conduct, accused him of sending inappropriate messages. Curran apologised but his departure triggered the organisations unravelling.

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Whites exit from WiseTech followed a joint investigation by this masthead and The Australian Financial Review that revealed a $2 million settlement with a former lover and allegations of bullying by a former director. While White remains WiseTechs largest shareholder and board chair, he stepped down as chief executive, making way for Appoo. White was recently cleared by an internal WiseTech investigation that found no evidence he misused company funds in his close personal relationships with two women. He is still facing an ongoing investigation by corporate regulator ASIC for alleged insider trading, however, specifically selling more than $200 million in shares during a prohibited blackout period. White and WiseTech Global have said that White obtained independent legal advice before the share trades in question. Asked whether WiseTech had changed any governance processes following the Curran matter, particularly around programs involving young people, Appoo said: We have very strong protocols in place, especially when young people are involved ... But no, there was no specific change that we made as a result of anything that happened with the prior iteration of Grok. Richard White at WiseTechs investor day in December.

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He added that before finalising the sponsorship, there was a lot of work that went into vetting and reviewing KIK, including Grok as part of KIK, and we were very comfortable with that sponsorship arrangement. White was involved in approving the deal in his capacity as board chair, Appoo confirmed, though he said the chief executive drove negotiations. Nobes said the Grok Academy platform had grown 35 per cent since KIK took over. We want to be in every classroom in Australia  every classroom has a disadvantaged young person, she said. The sponsorship will support the WiseTech Global Programming Competition, which offers $30,000 in prizes for high school students, and create a pathway to WiseTechs Earn & Learn program. That initiative pays year 12 school-leavers to study computer science at university while working at the company, with 125 students currently enrolled. The Grok platform offers courses in programming languages including Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, alongside cybersecurity and design thinking. All content is free to teachers and students across Australia and New Zealand.

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WiseTech has pledged $8.7 million to get Grok Academy into more schools. Appoo said the partnership reflected WiseTechs belief that coding skills benefit students regardless of their eventual career. It helps you solve problems, he said. It helps you think about problems with a logical mindset and know how to deconstruct and reconstruct and solve problems in a really smart way. Our view is that coding is going to help people, no matter what industry or what job they end up in. For WiseTech, the sponsorship also forms part of a broader education strategy aimed at addressing skills shortages in the Australian technology sector. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Software David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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Analysis WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Europe will not be blackmailed: Sweeping retaliation on the cards after Trumps Greenland threats David Crowe Updated January 19, 2026  12:17pm ,first published January 19, 2026  5:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: European leaders are warning of a dangerous downward spiral in relations with the United States in the dispute over Greenland, as they canvass a sweeping retaliation against President Donald Trump for threatening new tariffs on their exports. However, the eight leaders are being careful to avoid any personal remarks that might inflame the dispute with Trump when the argument has the potential to wreck the NATO alliance. Denmarks prime minister says Europe wont be blackmailed by Trumps threat of tariffs against eight NATO member states. AP Instead, they are blasting Trumps policy move as blackmail and framing it as a test of sovereignty for them all. We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, says the statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands.

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Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Related Article Trump's White House Trump 2.0 is all about power. His biggest move may be just days away Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty. A key point in the statement is the reference to our sovereignty, not just the borders of Greenland or Denmark. The European leaders see this as a bigger question because Trump is using economic coercion so nakedly against them. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sums this up in a message that welcomes the support from neighbours.

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Europe will not be blackmailed, she writes. At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders. There is no sign, so far, of an urgent meeting of the leaders to show their unity against Trump. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called Trump to urge him to stop the trade threats, while French President Emmanuel Macron has called counterparts to urge a tough response. Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said Greenlands status is not up for discussion. AP Macron is said to want European Union members to use their trade bazooka against Trump  a drastic sanction on US companies that could, in theory, stymie exports worth 93 billion (about $162 billion). The Financial Times said the EU members were discussing the option. Outwardly, at least, the European strategy seems designed to avoid a sense of panic.

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Trump is using tactics that convey drama and heighten pressure by setting a deadline of February 1 for new tariffs of 10 per cent on the eight countries. He says this will climb to 25 per cent on June 1. The president seems have taken offence at a small military exercise by the eight nations to support Denmark in recent days, in an operation called Arctic Endurance. This involves about 15 personnel from France and the same from Germany, but only a single officer from Britain. There is not much time for Trump to cool down, but he has delayed his tariff threats in the past. No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations. Emmanuel Macron, president of France This time, the European leaders may want to avoid the impression that they are rushing to compromise. Many of them have the chance to talk to Trump within days, when he attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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The European Union agreed to a trade deal with Trump in July, claiming it would create certainty in uncertain times. This requires a vote in the European parliament, but it is now on hold because of the threats over Greenland. This is the trouble with trying to mollify Trump when he threatens tariffs. No deal sticks. So why do a deal? The European leaders may end up copying the line taken by Chinese President Xi Jinping. We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one, the Chinese government said last October, during one of several disputes with the US on trade. For the Europeans, the lesson of the past year is that giving ground to Trump in one argument over tariffs will not bring any genuine certainty because there is likely to be another argument and another tariff threat.

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Extreme move While there is talk about Europe reacting with decisions on defence, such as threatening to withdraw their support for American bases in their countries, this would be an extreme move that would only weaken security for them all. The danger to watch for is a decision by Trump to cut military support to NATO forces in Europe, forcing countries to commit more to the alliance. Republicans are declaring he has gone too far with his tariff threat against NATO allies, so they may attempt to restrain him from making things worse. While the message from Europe may not change Trumps mind, there is a chance that the counsel from Republican supporters could prevent him from greater damage to the NATO alliance. The formal rejection from the eight European leaders adds to remarks in the hours after Trump announced his new move.

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Political leadership Trump a reminder that governments should govern, not police Sean Kelly Columnist The most provocative is French President Emmanuel Macron, who appears to draw a parallel between American pressure over Greenland and Russian pressure over Ukraine. No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, Macron says on X. Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Macron, like others, is taking a hard line. There is a chance that sanity might prevail: that Trump may relent on tariffs and accept a security deal on Greenland that gives him more military bases without full ownership.

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This is an argument for Europe to hold firm without inflaming Trump  admittedly, an almost impossible balance with such a volatile president. The alternative is the ruination of NATO. Trump may respond to a trade war by using force against American allies and seizing Greenland despite their protests. In this scenario, previously unthinkable, the alliance is broken and Europe is exposed. And everything depends on who, one day, replaces Trump. 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.
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Updated WorldEuropeTragedy How gap in track could have caused horror Spanish train crash Updated January 20, 2026  8:18am ,first published January 19, 2026  9:14am 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

Madrid: Spanish officials said at least 40 people have been confirmed dead in a high-speed rail collision in the countrys south when the tail end of a train jumped the track, causing another train speeding past in the opposite direction to derail. Juanma Moreno, the president of Andalusia, the southern Spanish region where the accident happened, confirmed the new death toll in a press conference on Monday afternoon (Spain time). Efforts to recover the bodies from the two wrecked train cars continued, he said. The impact tossed the second trains lead carriages off the track, sending them plummeting down a four-metre slope. Some bodies were found hundreds of metres from the crash site, Moreno said. He described the wreckage as a mass of twisted metal with bodies likely still to be found inside.

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Experts said a faulty rail joint might be key to determining the cause of the crash, Reuters reported, citing a source briefed on initial investigations Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the crash. Today is a day of pain for all of Spain, he said on a visit to Adamuz, where many locals helped emergency services handle the influx of distraught and hurt passengers. Emergency crews at the site of the train collision near in Adamuz, in southern Spain, on Monday. AP Broken windows of a crashed train. AP People reported climbing out of smashed windows, with some using emergency hammers to break the glass.

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Andalusias regional emergency services said 41 people remained hospitalised, 12 of whom were in intensive care units. Another 81 passengers were discharged by late Monday. Officials believe it could take weeks to work out how the collision between two trains happened on a straight stretch of track between Malaga and Madrid that was renovated in May. Spain has the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, with trains that travel at more than 250km/h. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente called it a truly strange incident that could take a month to unpick. He said the back carriages of a Madrid-bound train, with about 300 people on board, had derailed about 7.45pm on Sunday (Spain time) and crashed into an oncoming train heading for Huevla, with 200 people on board. The Madrid-bound train was four years old and operated by private company Iryo, while the other train was run by public company Renfe.

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The first two carriages of the Renfe train were knocked off the track by the collision and down the slope. Puente said the worst damage was to the front section of that train. Renfe president Alvaro Fernandez told Spanish public radio RNE that both trains were well under the speed limit of 250km/h. One was going 205km/h, the other 210km/h. He also said that human error could be ruled out. Rail operator Renfe ruled out human error as a cause of the crash. AP Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning for the victims. AP Experts studying the crash site found a broken joint on the rails, which created a gap between the rail sections that widened as trains continued to travel on the track, according to a Reuters.

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That faulty joint could prove important in identifying the cause of the accident, the source said. Adamuz Mayor Rafael Moreno told El Pais newspaper that he had been among the first to arrive at the scene alongside police, and saw what he believed to be a badly lacerated body several metres from the accident site. The scene is horrific, he said. Loading Cordoba fire chief Francisco Carmona told Spanish national radio that one of the trains was badly mangled. Social media footage showed a section of one train lying tilted at an angle, with emergency workers attempting to rescue passengers through broken windows. In comments to Spanish national TV, Carmona said rescuers were focusing on finding survivors and evacuating people from narrow areas of the wreckage. We have to remove the bodies to reach anyone who is still alive. It is proving to be a complicated task.

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Puente said that all survivors had been removed from the train by midnight. Regional Civil Protection chief Maria Belen Moya Rojas told television network Canal Sur the accident happened in an area that was difficult to reach, and local people took blankets and water to the scene to help the victims. Spains military emergency relief units joined other rescue units at the scene, and the Red Cross provided support to healthcare officials. View post on X A woman named Carmen posted on X that she had been on board the Iryo train to Madrid. Ten minutes after departing [from Cordoba], the train started to shake a lot, and it derailed from coach 6 behind us. The lights went out. Social media footage posted by another Iryo passenger showed a staff member in a fluorescent jacket instructing passengers to remain in their seats in the darkened carriages, and those with first aid training to keep watch over fellow passengers. He also urged people to maintain their mobile phone batteries to be able to use their torches when they disembarked.

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Iryo issued a statement saying it deeply lamented what has happened and that it was working with authorities to manage the situation. Renfe did not respond to a request for comment. Australian officials were making enquiries with local authorities to determine whether any Australians have been impacted. Passengers wait for updates in Madrid as services were suspended after the collision. AP Iryo is majority-owned by Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato. The train involved was a Freccia 1000 train, a spokesperson for Ferrovie dello Stato said. Tonight is one of deep sadness for our country, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X. I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims.

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Spains King Felipe VI said he and Queen Letizia were following the situation with great concern. Related Article Updated

Thailand Dozens killed after crane falls on Thai passenger train We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead, as well as our love and wishes for a swift recovery to the injured, the royal palace said on social media. Salvador Jimenez, a journalist for broadcaster RTVE who was on board the Iryo train, shared images showing the nose of the rear carriage of the train lying on its side, with evacuated passengers sitting on the side of the carriage facing upwards. Reuters, 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.

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Analysis WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Trump puts NATO alliance at risk of collapse for first time since World War II Connor Stringer and James Crisp Updated January 18, 2026  12:58pm ,first published 12:15pm 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 reaction in the corridors of power in Moscow and Beijing will have been one of undisguised glee. Donald Trump has again turned on Europe  imposing sweeping tariffs on allies, including Britain, in his quest to acquire Greenland. The maverick US president insists he needs the island to counter Russia and China in the strategic Arctic region. He has refused to rule out a military annexation. Danish military forces join hundreds of troops from European NATO members to conduct exercises in the Arctic Ocean off the Greenland coast in September. AP In a bid to appease Trump  and perhaps to shame him into de-escalating the diplomatic crisis  the UK, Denmark, France, Germany and other NATO allies sent troops to Greenland. It was meant to show that NATO was serious about Arctic security. Instead, it has left the alliance at risk of collapse for the first time since its formation after the Second World War. Trump wrote on social media: These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.

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Was NATOs most powerful member really accusing his allies of flexing their military muscles in what he insists is the US backyard? Its sphere of influence? For Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, still tight in the embrace of their no limits alliance, this was the perfect late Christmas present. Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in March. AP They have long argued that NATO is unreliable and divided. Now its divisions are laid bare, and its members are being slapped with American tariffs for committing to the very values NATO was formed to uphold. For all the shock, the move is textbook Trump. It is a negotiating tactic honed from his days as a New York real-estate mogul. He applies pressure first, driving his opponent to the negotiating table, where he waits with the deal he wants.

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In his previous life, Trump sued some of his business partners. Now he hits his allies with tariffs. Since returning to office last year, he has used tariffs as a negotiating tool to get other countries, including close ally Britain, to conform to his demands. In April, Trump unveiled his sweeping Liberation Day tariffs, which applied a baseline 10 per cent on all imports from all countries. On top of that, he imposed reciprocal tariffs, ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent, on the countries with which the US had the greatest trade deficits. US President Donald Trump shaking hands with supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. AP Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders spent huge amounts of political capital trying to strike trade deals and to avoid the punitive levies. They are back where they started, with less credibility and the threat of having the tariffs increased to 25 per cent by June. For Starmer, it will be particularly painful. He won plaudits for securing lower tariffs than the EU thanks to some canny diplomacy. Now, much of that has been wiped away by his and other European leaders miscalculation. They were playing by the old rules of diplomacy, Trump made up his own rules.

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Royal family With sharp speech, King Charles just showed the point behind the pomp The US is spending political goodwill like it is going out of fashion. As for Europe, already embarrassingly sidelined from the Ukraine negotiations, any further concessions will make it look ever weaker. That weakness, particularly when it comes to security, lies behind the instinct to appease Trump. Europe currently cannot protect itself from Russia without the US. Until it can, its options are severely limited. Would any country, except perhaps Denmark, be prepared to sacrifice NATO for Greenland? As Winston Churchill once warned, an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.

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WorldNorth AmericaTrump's America New derisive term for white women spreads after Renee Good killing Clyde McGrady January 18, 2026  4:08pm 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: In the days since a federal agent killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, Republican officials and conservative commentators have called the 37-year-old white woman very violent, a deranged lunatic woman and a domestic terrorist. Some right-wing influencers have latched onto a different word  or rather an acronym: Good, they have said, was AWFUL. Renee Good in her car, moments before she was shot dead. Alpha News/X An AWFUL (Affluent White Female Urban Liberal) is dead after running her car into an ICE agent who opened fire on her, conservative commentator Erik Erickson posted on social media. Progressive whites are turning violent. ICE agents have the right to defend themselves. From Pierce Outlaw, a cohost on an AM radio show in Orlando, Florida, to an army of internet trolls, the acronym has taken off. Outlaw called AWFULs the scourge of polite society. The term popped up on the internet Wiktionary this month as AWFL, without the U.

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Beyond labels and name-calling, the death of Good and the protests and anger in its wake have sparked a response from many on the right that is particularly targeted at white women in the streets, even though men have been just as involved. Most college-educated women, including white women, have long been sceptical of US President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again movement, and that scepticism has been growing, according to exit polls after the 2024 election. And for months now, such women are attracting the ire of the presidents supporters. Liberal white women are only the latest group to be on the receiving end of right-wing animus. In late October and November, as Tucker Carlson offered a friendly interview to Holocaust-denying white nationalist Nick Fuentes, the fear among some conservatives was that attacking Jews was inching towards the mainstream of the Republican Party. Last month, Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy entrepreneur who is a Republican candidate for governor in Ohio, was calling out a surge of bigotry directed at Indian Americans, like himself. Loading Trump administration officials say they are focused on immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, not the taunts of a few of their supporters. Im more concerned with facts on the ground than I am about acronyms, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a text message.

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But for the broader core of Trumps followers, the description of white, urban women as violent radicals obstructing mass deportations seems to reflect older anxieties around race, gender and immigration among the white, non-college educated men who make up the core of Trumps movement and perceive their place in society slipping, said political scientist Shauna Shames, who co-edited the book The Right Women: Republican Party Activists, Candidates, and Legislators. The notion of white replacement is not new. Far-right protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, were chanting Jews will not replace us in 2017. But the presidents mass deportation effort has crystallised battle lines. And gender is rising in that divide, along with race and ethnicity. People rally in New York to demand an end to immigration deployments after the fatal shooting of Renee Good. Getty Images Its all come to a head here, Shames said of Goods killing. White, educated women may indeed be a threat to Trump, at least in the electorate. Some 17 per cent of voters last year were white women with college degrees, nearly matching the 18 per cent who were non-college-educated white men.

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And in an election in which Trump cut into Democratic advantages among Black, Latino and Asian American voters, Kamala Harris expanded the Democratic lead among college-educated white women, winning 58 per cent of their vote compared with Joe Bidens 54 per cent in 2020, according to the Centre for Women and American Politics at Rutgers University. Trumps support from non-college-educated white women held steady at 63 per cent. Related Article Updated

Immigration Authoritarian tactic: Justice Department launches criminal probe into Minnesota governor The term AWFUL is not the first derisive name targeting white women. People across the political spectrum once gleefully targeted so-called Karens, a term meant to denigrate women  usually white and middle-aged  caught using their privilege to bend the world in their direction. The use of AWFUL emerged well before Good was killed. Conservative critics began attaching it to female protesters at least as far back as last northern summer. Conservatives say there is good reason to key in on such women. Erickson, in a lengthy Substack post on Thursday, called Goods death a tragedy, but one that Good and her lesbian partner had brought on themselves. Good had been harassing ICE agents much of the day, he wrote. Good had been involved in a progressive activist group called ICE Watch that encouraged not just obstruction of ICE, but also something they call de-arrest, which means helping detained illegal immigrants escape.

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It is not clear how deeply Good or her partner were involved in the organised protests that have greeted immigration agents in Minnesota. And while administration officials have said she was violent or mentally ill, that description bears no resemblance to the person relatives and neighbours said they knew. Liberal academics have been diagnosing what they see as the problem. Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right author Laura Field said social, demographic and economic changes had left men with a sense that they have lost status. Women are, for many of them, the placeholder for their stolen status, she said. Protesters outside the Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday. AP If liberal academics have their theories, Naomi Wolf, who was once a liberal writer but moved rightward after the COVID-19 pandemic, has hers. Writing on social media, Wolf said liberal men, disproportionately oestrogenised and physically passive, had left liberal women sexually frustrated and eager for a fight.

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The smiles you see on their faces now say it all: white women long for all out combat with ICE  who tend to be strong, physically confident, masculine men  because the conflict is a form of physical release for them, she wrote. On Thursday, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media site X, jumped in, amplifying a post to his 232 million followers that said: Liberal women will divorce their husband and only let him see his children once a month, then cry about how ICE hurts families. White men have been prominent in Minneapolis streets as well. But critics of the onslaught of attacks on women say male protesters are not being singled out as a cohort. Protesters shout at federal law enforcement in Minneapolis on Saturday. AP To be sure, white women who fit a traditional mould do enjoy status in American society, Field said. But that mould is not what the Trump administration and its supporters are responding to in Minneapolis.

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Trump and this administration are heavily misogynist, and thats always a big part of what he does, said former Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock, a fierce critic of the president. Comstock pointed to polling that shows that strong majorities now disapprove of the presidents handling of immigration, but public opinion is not tempering the administrations tactics or rhetoric. I think the problem is these guys all talk to themselves, and they are in their own bubble, Comstock said. A photo of Renee Good at a protest and rally in Seattle last weekend. AP When Trump was told in an interview with CBS News that Goods father was a supporter of his, the president responded: I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person. But, you know, her actions were pretty tough.

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Related Article Trump's White House Trump 2.0 is all about power. His biggest move may be just days away There are signs that the categorisation of Good as a radical may not be taking hold among the broader public. Joe Rogan, the influential podcaster who endorsed the president in 2024, said he was horrified watching video of Goods killing. Its complicated, obviously, but its also very ugly to watch someone shoot a US citizen, especially a woman, in the face, Rogan said on his podcast, which has more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube. In all of this, race is at play, for critics of the white women in the streets and for their sympathisers. The idea that you could lose your life, that you too are at risk in the way that black people have been for centuries, I do think thats different, Shames said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. 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.
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Washington: It was late morning on Wednesday and much of the Middle East and official Washington seemed certain United States President Donald Trump would launch punishing airstrikes against Iran, his second major use of American military power in as many weeks after the daring Delta Force raid into Venezuela to seize leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump had not officially given the strike order, but his top security advisers expected him to imminently authorise one of the military options presented to him and were girding themselves for a late night. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday. AP The Pentagon advertised that a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Roosevelt, had entered the Persian Gulf. Allies had been alerted that a US strike was likely, according to a person familiar with the matter, and ships and planes were on the move. Personnel at the sprawling al-Udeid US air base in Qatar were advised to evacuate to avoid an expected Iranian counterstrike. HELP IS ON ITS WAY, Trump had promised Iranian protesters, encouraging them in a social media post Tuesday morning to take over regime institutions. While many US and foreign officials took that to mean the United States would intervene militarily, Trump remained open to help in the form of pressuring Iran to stop killing demonstrators. Photos posted by Vahid Online on January 14 claim to show body bags at Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Centre in Tehran. The key moment came on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), when Trump received word through envoy Steve Witkoff that Irans government had cancelled the planned executions of 800 people, according to a senior US official. Were going to watch and see, Trump then told reporters in the Oval Office. On Thursday, US intelligence confirmed the executions didnt happen, the official said.

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Trumps rapid evolution midweek, which left many of his advisers feeling whiplashed and Iranian dissidents feeling abandoned, reflected intense domestic and foreign pressures, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former US and Middle Eastern officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive diplomatic conversations and ongoing military preparations. The president came face to face with the unpredictability of potentially destabilising another Middle Eastern country and the limitations of even the vast American military machine, several of them said. Having deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and an accompanying armada to the Caribbean on Trumps orders, Pentagon officials worried that there was less US firepower in the Middle East than would be ideal to repulse what was expected to be a major Iranian counterstrike. A domestically-built missile Khaibar-buster in an exhibition in Tehran in September, in front of portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military commanders killed in an Israeli strike in June. AP Israel shared that concern, having expended vast numbers of interceptor rockets against incoming Iranian missiles during their 12-day war in June, one current and one former US official said. Key US allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, contacted the White House to urge restraint and diplomacy, a senior Arab diplomat and a gulf official said. Those Sunni Muslim-majority nations have long felt threatened by Shiite-majority Iran, but fear spasms of instability across their region even more. Perhaps most of all, several officials said, Trump realised that Iran strikes would be messy and might bring possible economic convulsions, wider warfare and threats to the 30,000 US troops in the Middle East  not like the one and done operations he has ordered to destroy alleged drug boats and seize Maduro, target Islamic State fighters in Syria or damage Irans nuclear program.

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He wants [operations like] Venezuela, said a former US official briefed on the decision-making. This was going to be messier. The Iranian protests, the largest in the Islamic republics 46-year history, appear to have subsided for now in the face of a violent government crackdown that human rights groups estimate has killed more than 3000 people. A true accounting of the toll is difficult, as Tehran maintains a total shutdown of internet and telecommunications. Loading The regime looks to have dodged a bullet, a senior European official in direct contact with Iranian leadership said. But Iranians who risked going out in the streets to demonstrate are furious with Trumps step-back, he said. They feel betrayed and are utterly devastated. While a strike appears off for now, Trump and his senior advisers are keeping their options open  and possibly buying time  as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group is dispatched to the Middle East, two officials said. The Lincoln was in the South China Sea on Friday, officials familiar with the matter said, putting it more than a week away from the Middle East. Aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln. AP Nobody knows what President Trump will do with respect to Iran besides the president himself, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The president has smartly kept many options on the table and as always, he will make decisions in the best interest of America and the world.

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A cost-benefit analysis Inside the White House, Trump was receiving conflicting advice. Vice President JD Vance, who has long been sceptical of foreign entanglements, supported strikes on Iran, a US official and a person close to the White House said. Vance reasoned that Trump had drawn a red line by warning Iran not to kill protesters and had to enforce it, the person close to the White House said. JD Vance and Donald Trump at the White House on January 9. AP In the Oval Office on Tuesday evening, CIA director John Ratcliffe, an Iran hawk, used a secure iPad reserved for presidential intelligence briefings to show Trump clandestinely acquired videos of regime violence against Iranian protesters and bodies in the streets, the former official briefed on the decision-making said. Emotive images have swayed Trump in past crises: Disturbing images of a Syrian chemical weapons attack on its own people in 2017 moved Trump to order missile strikes. The CIA had been tasked with collecting intelligence on the violence, though it is unclear whether Ratcliffe offered his views on military strikes. Other Trump advisers urged caution, including Witkoff and chief of staff Susie Wiles, the person close to the White House said. Witkoff in particular had heard directly the concerns of Arab allies in the region and wanted to avoid another round of tit-for-tat violence, a senior US official said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued for waiting and letting economic sanctions on Iran work, another person said.

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Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Dan Caine, a trusted Trump adviser, was at the White House throughout the day, a person familiar with the matter said. Trump was given presentations by the Defence Department and US intelligence agencies of his available attack options. But he determined that the benefit was not there and that the consequences were too great, an individual close to the Trump administration said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beirut on January 9. AP Would a strike have resulted in regime change? The answer is clearly no, this individual said. The negative impact of any attack outweighed any benefit in terms of punishing the regime. And I mean, at the end of the day, its a cost-benefit analysis. Related Article Middle East tensions Four options open to Trump as he looks to punish Iran Iran had become aware that the US was moving military assets, making a strike look imminent. Tehran contacted the Trump administration. A text from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Witkoff kind of also defused the situation, according to the individual. Soon after learning of that message, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he learned the killings would stop, according to a US official. I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled, Trump said on Friday as he prepared to leave the White House for his Mar-a-Lago estate.

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PHILIPSBURG: --- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is issuing an urgent appeal to the community for assistance in stopping a persistent wave of jewelry store robberies. Over the past year, these crimes have plagued Sint Maarten, particularly in Philipsburg, with similar incidents occurring in the Maho and Oyster Pond areas.

These robberies are more than just crimes against businesses; they endanger employees, threaten public safety, and damage the economic stability and reputation of our island.

The KPSM has been working tirelessly to combat this criminal activity. Through intensive investigations, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, we have successfully arrested several suspects directly involved in these robberies. Our officers continue to dedicate long hours, often at great personal risk, to protect the people and businesses of Sint Maarten.

Despite these efforts, the robberies continue. This pattern strongly suggests that these are not random acts, but organized crimes. We believe they are planned and financed by individuals who recruit others to carry out the robberies while they remain in the shadows.

Let us be clear: without a buyer, there is no robber. Without a fence for stolen goods, there is no thief.

Someone in our community knows who is behind these crimes. Someone sees unexplained wealth, hears the conversations, or recognizes the suspicious behavior. We believe someone is aware of who is profiting from this stolen jewelry.

The KPSM cannot win this fight alone. Organized crime thrives on silence. These thefts continue because individuals who could help are being protected by those who refuse to speak. When criminals profit from the shadows while others risk their lives, the entire community pays the price.

This is no longer just a police matterit is a community responsibility. We urgently appeal to the people of Sint Maarten:

If you know who may be involved, please come forward.

If you suspect someone is buying or selling stolen jewelry, report it.

If you have any information, no matter how small it seems, share it with the KPSM.

All information will be handled with strict confidentiality. Our goal is to stop those who exploit and endanger our island for personal gain.

We also call on families, friends, and associates to reflect on their role. Too often, criminal behavior is enabled by the silence or denial of those closest to the perpetrators. Shielding a loved one involved in crime does not protect them; it enables further harm to innocent people and contributes to the breakdown of our community. Turning a blind eye is not loyaltyit is complicity.

A responsible citizen stands for what is right, even when it is difficult. True care means guiding others away from a life of crime, not allowing them to be used by those who profit from theft and violence.

Sint Maarten is a close-knit society, and these crimes affect us all. Businesses suffer, employees live in fear, and our island's reputation is threatened by the actions of a few who are supported by the silence of others.

The KPSM urges every citizen to choose courage over fear and responsibility over misplaced protection. Help us stop the masterminds behind these crimes. Help us protect Sint Maarten. Help us break the cycle. When the community stands together, crime has nowhere to hide.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the KPSM at +1 721-542-2222 or the anonymous tip line at 9300. Remember: See Something, Say Something.
Danish foreign minister to visit NATO allies over Greenland



Copenhagen, Jan 18 (AFP) Jan 18, 2026



Denmark's foreign minister is to visit fellow NATO members Norway, the UK and Sweden to discuss the alliance's Arctic security strategy, his ministry announced Sunday.

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen will visit Oslo on Sunday, travel to London on Monday and then to Stockholm on Thursday.

The diplomatic tour follows US President Donald Trump's threat to punish eight countries -- including the three Rasmussen is visiting -- with tariffs over their opposition to his plan to seize control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

Trump has accused Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland of playing a "very dangerous game" after they sent a few dozen troops to the island as part of a military drill.

"In an unstable and unpredictable world, Denmark needs close friends and allies," Rasmussen stated in a press release.

"Our countries share the view that we all agree on the need to strengthen NATO's role in the Arctic, and I look forward to discussing how to achieve this," he said.

An extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors has been called in Brussels for Sunday afternoon.

Denmark, "in cooperation with several European allies", recently joined a declaration on Greenland stating that the mineral-rich island is part of NATO and that its security is a "shared responsibility" of alliance members, the ministry statement added.

Since his return to the White House for a second term, Trump has made no secret of his desire to annex Greenland, defending the strategy as necessary for national security and to ward off supposed Russian and Chinese advances in the Arctic.
Iraq announces complete withdrawal of US-led coalition from federal territory



Baghdad, Jan 18 (AFP) Jan 18, 2026



Iraq said on Sunday US-led coalition forces had finished withdrawing from bases within the country's federal territory, which excludes the autonomous northern Kurdistan region.

"We announce today... the completion of the evacuation of all military bases and leadership headquarters in the official federal areas of Iraq of advisers" of the US-led coalition, the military committee tasked with overseeing the end of the coalition's mission said.

With the withdrawal, "these sites come under the full control of Iraqi security forces", it said in the statement, adding that they would transition to "the stage of bilateral security relations with the United States".

The vast majority of coalition forces had withdrawn from Iraqi bases under a 2024 deal between Baghdad and Washington outlining the end of the mission in Iraq by the end of 2025 and by September 2026 in the Kurdistan region.

US and allied troops had been deployed to Iraq and Syria since 2014 to fight the Islamic State group, which had seized large swathes of both countries to declare their so-called "caliphate".

The jihadist group was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, but continues to operate sleeper cells.

The vast majority of coalition troops withdrew from Iraq over previous stages, with only advisers remaining in the country.

The military committee on Sunday said Iraqi forces were now "fully capable of preventing the reappearance of IS in Iraq and its infiltration across borders".

"Coordination with the international coalition will continue with regards to completely eliminating IS's presence in Syria," it added.

It pointed to "the coalition's role in Iraq offering cross-border logistical support for operations in Syria, through their presence at an airbase in Erbil", the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region.

In December, two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria in an attack blamed on IS, sparking fears of a resurgence in the country.

The statement added that anti-IS operations would be coordinated with the coalition through the Ain al-Assad base in Anbar province in western Iraq.

IS attacks in Iraq have massively declined in recent years, but the group maintains a presence in the country's mountainous areas.

A UN Security Council report in August said: "In Iraq, the group has focused on rebuilding networks along the Syrian border and restoring capacity in the Badia region."
Slovak PM hails nuclear energy deal after Trump meeting



Bratislava, Jan 18 (AFP) Jan 18, 2026



Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico on Sunday said he met US President Donald Trump, hailing "exceptionally important" talks for the EU and NATO member's energy security.

The meeting comes at a time when Trump has threatened tariffs on goods from several European countries over opposition to his designs on Greenland. Slovakia is not on the list of targeted countries.

Fico said the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine and energy, among other issues, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday.

He did not mention the issue of Greenland in a video posted on Twitter about the trip.

The talks were "sovereign, confident, and exceptionally important for Slovakia from the perspective of energy security", Fico said.

On Friday, both countries signed a nuclear cooperation agreement, which "opens the door for talks" on US nuclear technology supplies to Slovakia, according to Fico.

The central European country of 5.4 million people plans to build a new nuclear reactor at its Jaslovske Bohunice plant northeast of the capital Bratislava "by 2040 to 2041", according to Fico.

It would be Slovakia's first US-designed reactor, as all previous ones are of Russian design.

It was Fico's first meeting with the US president since Trump's return to office last year.

The nationalist Slovak leader, who returned to office in 2023, is one of few EU leaders to also have fostered close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine since 2022.

Fico has rejected military aid to Ukraine.

frj-jza/rmb
Trump admin orders 1,500 troops to prepare for possible Minnesota deployment



Washington, United States, Jan 18 (AFP) Jan 18, 2026



The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported Sunday.

The reported preparations come days after President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which enables use of the military to suppress "armed rebellion" or "domestic violence" -- although a day later he said there was no immediate need for it.

The troop deployment plans were first reported by the ABC. The news network cited two unnamed US defense officials as saying 1,500 active-duty Army paratroopers based in Alaska have been put on alert, but the president has not made a final decision on the deployment.

The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to AFP requests for comment on Sunday.

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in the United States more than 30 years ago, and any move by the federal government to deploy the military would inflame the standoff between the White House and local authorities in Minnesota.

Crowds of protesters have clashed with immigration officers in the midwestern state's main city of Minneapolis, particularly since the fatal shooting of a US woman by a federal agent on January 7.

On Saturday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said that at the direction of Governor Tim Walz the state's national guard has been mobilized to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies. As governor, Walz has the authority to deploy the state's US military reserve during emergencies.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday described the 3,000 federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border control waging Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration as an "occupying force that has quite literally invaded our city."

He told CBS's "Face the Nation" that the federal agents outnumbered the 600-strong city police force by five to one. He also voiced concern about reports of 1,500 federal troops readying to join them.

"This is not about safety. What this is about is coming into our city by the thousands and terrorizing people simply because they're Latino or Somali, and yeah, people in Minneapolis are speaking up," Frey said.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that the crackdown would continue "until we are sure that all the dangerous people are picked up, brought to justice and then deported back to their home countries."

The Pentagon deployed some 700 US Marines in Los Angeles in June and July in response to angry protests over aggressive immigration enforcement operations underway there.

Trump also threatened at that time to invoke the Insurrection Act, but ultimately did not, and the soldiers' role was limited to guarding two federal properties in the greater Los Angeles area.
Could it be that Im coming across as a smug married? I dont mean to, but I have become rather evangelical about the transformative power of travel. Not five-star, save all year for a blow-out trip to the Maldives kind of travel (though there is, of course, a very welcome place for that) but slow, unglamorous exploration. The world is a marvel and packed full of generous, fascinating people  even though most of the time it mightnt feel like it. It is immensely privileged to be able to jack everything in and travel the world as I did  and I still pinch myself  but it doesnt have to cost ones life savings. A backpack and a campsite on the side of a mountain in Wales can be just as life-affirming as one in Peru (Ive done both).
"So what we do is actually pretty obvious - we go in there, we take it out and we redistribute it to the local community. This is what we are going to be doing in March."
We take it for granted in the United Kingdom because we have had it for so long, but those who have lived under oppressive regimes, those who have lived under authoritarianism, those who have lived under communism, know what that suffering is like, and we do not want to see that here.
The US president said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
Close-up of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shown in this photo headshoulders, alone. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day designated to honor the life and legacy of the American civil rights icon. It's also one of two federal holidays the Trump administration is making changes to in 2026.

Is MLK Day still a federal holiday, and will flags be lowered? Here's what to know about the latest changes.

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When is MLK Day 2026?

This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

The holiday is observed each year on the third Monday of January, and the commemoration is the only federal holiday that is designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Is MLK Day a federal holiday?

Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday. Former President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law on November 2, 1983, and the first nationwide observance was held in 1986.

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But it took longer than that for states across the country to adopt the holiday, including fights in Arizona, South Carolina and elsewhere, according to the National Constitution Center. Texas officially recognized MLK Day in 1991, and it wasn't until 2000 that all 50 states did the same. Today, it remains the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, encouraging all Americans to volunteer and contribute to their communities.

U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King (C) waves to supporters 28 August 1963 on the Mall in Washington DC (Washington Monument in background) during the "March on Washington", where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which mobilized supporters of desegregation and prompted the Civil Rights Act of 1964. AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Did Trump change MLK Day? Major shifts in National Parks' 'fee-free days'

In November 2025, the Department of the Interior announced changes in National Park access, which include Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In previous years, the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management have designated some federal holidays and commemorative days as "fee-free days." On these days, access to federal lands like National Parks, Forests and Wildlife Refuges waives entrance fees.

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The Trump administration made major changes to the list of fee-free days for 2026, placing an emphasis on U.S. patriotism rather than traditional federal holidays. Days like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth were removed, meaning visitors will be required to pay full entry fees to enter national parks. A notable addition to the list is Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday. The only day from the 2025 list that appears on the 2026 list is Veterans Day. The lists of fee-free days, as reported by Axios, are as follows:

2025

Jan. 9: National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter

National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 19: First day of National Park Week

First day of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day

Juneteenth National Independence Day Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act Sept. 27: National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day Nov. 11: Veterans Day

2026

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Feb. 16: Presidents Day (Washington's birthday)

Presidents Day (Washington's birthday) May 25: Memorial Day

Memorial Day June 14: Flag Day/Trump's birthday

Flag Day/Trump's birthday July 3-5: Independence Day weekend

Independence Day weekend Aug. 25: 110th birthday of the National Parks Service

110th birthday of the National Parks Service Sept. 17: Constitution Day

Constitution Day Oct. 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday

Theodore Roosevelt's birthday Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Will US flags be lowered to half-staff, half-mast for Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

No, the U.S. flag will not be lowered for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Unlike National Parks' fee-free days, this isn't a change from previous years. Flags are generally only lowered in mourning, and the holiday is meant to honor King's legacy.

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Immediately after King's assassination in 1968, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered flags at half-staff and half-mast as a sign of national mourning. Proclamation 3839 required flags to be lowered beginning April 4, the day of King's death, through April 9, the day of King's interment.

This period was the only time flags were ordered to be lowered nationwide for King. Some states and local entities may choose to fly flags at half-staff and half-mast without a federal mandate.

When are flags flown at half-staff?

There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website. That includes:

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National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Day

Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day

Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff

Patriot Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes:

30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.

10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives.

From the date of death until interment for an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

The date of death and the following day of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.

From the date of death until interment for the governor of a state, territory or possession.

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Sen. Ted Cruz is introduced by former President Donald Trump at a rally at Million Air, a private airplane terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Oct. 25, 2024. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

Maybe Sen. Ted Cruz knew something more than the rest of us a decade ago when he suggested that if Donald Trump were elected president, he might, on a whim, wage war on one of the United States' loyal allies.

"I dont know anyone who would be comfortable with someone who behaves this way having his finger on the button," the Republican senator from Texas said on Feb. 3, 2016, just two days after he had bested Trump in the Iowa caucus. "Were liable to wake up one morning and Donald, if he were president, would have nuked Denmark."

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It's fair to assume that Cruz was using hyperbole and sarcasm to question the temperament of the then-untested Trump as both men competed for the Republican presidential nomination. It wouldn't be the last time Cruz threw sharp elbows at Trump before ultimately being vanquished by the real estate tycoon and reality TV star who was elected president  twice.

The reason the "nuke Denmark" line appeared destined to be a one-and-done jab was rooted in its absurdity, which Cruz used to emphasize a point. For one thing, Denmark is a loyal member of NATO, America's most enduring military alliance, and sent its troops to be part of the U.S. response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York. For another, Denmark is a tiny peninsula in the North Sea about the size of Maine. It has no reputation for belligerence and, to illustrate the limits of its modern military might, sought to remain neutral in World War II but was invaded and conquered in a single day by Germany in 1940.

If Denmark were a person who had just fallen victim to violence, neighbors might describe him as friendly enough but largely unknown  the sort of fellow who kept his lawn trimmed and handed out good treats to kids on Halloween.

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But fast-forward nine years and 50 weeks since Cruz's sarcastic take on how Trump might approach foreign policy and the exercise of military power. Soon after his second inauguration, Trump began beating the drum for the United States to take Greenland, a vast Arctic island east of Canada, roughly 500 miles from the North Pole, and a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. That talk receded for a time, but in recent weeks the president has renewed his desire to take control of the world's largest island that is not its own continent.

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Trump has cited Greenlands proximity to Russias northern reaches and other strategic considerations. But, as might be expected, both Greenland and Denmark have made clear they have no interest in acquiescing to the presidents demands  and would actively resist them.

"We are getting better prepared all the time and we have already reached a certain level," Gen. Peter Boysen, the leader of the Danish army, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais last week. We will fight with what we have, but we need to accelerate and reinforce our forces, and that is what we are doing.

The Cruz of January 2026 sounds markedly different from the version of himself in February 2016. Speaking last week on ABC News, the Texan said he shares the president's view that the United States has a "national security interest and economic interest" in taking control of Greenland, and that it should do so. He cited the territory's abundant natural resources, including rare-earth minerals used in products ranging from cellphones to electric vehicle manufacturing. The minerals are also considered essential components of U.S. high-technology defense systems, according to the American Geoscience Institute.

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Cruz stopped short of calling for the seizure of Greenland by force, much less the deployment of the U.S. nuclear arsenal against Denmark. Instead, he called for "diplomacy and negotiations" to persuade Denmark to relinquish the territory. Trump, too, has said he prefers a deal to add Greenland to the U.S. portfolio. But he has also held out the possibility of a far messier Plan B.

If we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way, Trump said Jan. 10.

Politically, "the hard way" could prove a difficult sell for ordinary Americans. Dating back to the first Gulf War and the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, then-President George H.W. Bush and his administration prepared the public for a distant conflict by demonizing Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein, including for conquering a country to take its natural resources, namely Kuwaiti oil.

A decade later, with George W. Bush in the White House, casting "violent Islamic radicalism" as the motivating force behind the Sept. 11 attacks was central to the rationale for going after Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan and toppling Hussein in Iraq. Neither man was a particularly sympathetic figure to the American public.

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Most Americans have likely never heard of Denmark's Harvard-educated King Frederik X, much less view him as the second coming of bin Laden. The same could be said for Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe II, 85, who two years ago voluntarily abdicated the throne to make way for her son.

A Google search of Danish despots yields few results, largely confined to figures from the early 1500s and late 1700s. Even searches for ethnic slurs hurled at Danish people  language that has historically crept into the American lexicon to dehumanize wartime enemies  come up thin. The best Wiktionary could offer is "kartoffel," derived from a German word for "truffle." That offers little material for anyone attempting to manufacture an anti-Danish battle cry.

For his part, Trump has shown an aptitude for turning once-dismissed ideas into reality  whether demolishing part of the White House to build a ballroom or adding his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It remains to be seen whether either move will exact a political cost  or whether Americans would rally behind him if U.S. forces were deployed to take Greenland the hard way.
January 18, 2026: A year ago, Russia persuaded China to stop selling Ukraine drones or drone components. The Chinese government said it would be done. The Chinese firms that produced drones and drone components were willing to lose one of their largest customers. While the media reported that Ukrainian troops were now short of drones, the shortage was never real and Ukraine had already made plans to deal with the possibility of China helping Russia by cutting off Ukrainian supplies of drones and components.

The reality was that dozens of Ukrainian drone manufacturers and thousands of individual Ukrainians continued to make drones by obtaining the needed components from other suppliers. The Chinese suppliers were also not willing to give up selling components, or even drones, to Ukraine. There were trading companies that, for a small fee, would buy goods from Chinese manufacturers and then quietly sell them to a sanctioned customer. The markup was small because there were many of these trading companies and they competed on price as well as service.

And then there was the network of drone components suppliers Ukraine organized in European, American and Asian suppliers. The components needed for drones are used in many other commercial products. In short, the Russian sponsored Chinese drone blockade failed and cost Chinese drone and component manufacturers a lot of business.

Ukraine could not afford to have their drone supply interrupted. Modern warfare was radically changed by the introduction of drones, particularly the First Person View/FPV drones. These drones are an omnipresent aerial threat to armored vehicles and infantry on foot. Each FPV drone costs less than a thousand dollars. Operators use the video camera on the drone to see what is below and find targets. Armed FPV operators are several kilometers away to decide when their FPV drones will drop explosives on an armored vehicle, which has thinner armor on top, or infantry in the open or in trenches. To do so the drone operators often operate in pairs, with one flying behind the other and concentrating on the big picture while seeking a likely target. When such a target is found by the reconnaissance drone, the armed drone is directed to the target. The two FPV drone operators are usually in the same room or tent and can take control of new drones, which are lined up and brought outside for launch when needed. The reconnaissance drones are often unarmed so they can spend more time in the air to seek a target.

The Ukrainians developed the FPV drone in 2022, when only a few FPV drone attacks were recorded. The Ukrainian Army was the first to appreciate the potential of FPV drones. By the summer of 2023, the Russian Army also began to use FPV drones in greater numbers. Since then, the number of FPV drone attacks has grown exponentially on both sides. Only twelve percent of those attacks led to the destruction of the target, which could be a vehicle or group of infantry or even a sniper who was firing through a window from inside a building. In this case, the armed FPV drone would fly through the window and explode in the room the sniper was in. The only defense from this was having a nearby open door the sniper could run to or dive through as the FPV drone approached. Sometimes that isnt possible because the armed FPV drone is coming down from above the window and then in. You dont see those coming until its too late.

Ukraine built about five million drones in 2025 and plans to quadruple that in 2026. The current rate of production for defensive drones which intercept enemy drones, is 1500 a day and more than 500,000 annually. The total for 2024 was 1.5 million drones. At least 70 percent of Ukrainian drones are built entirely in Ukraine, and the rest from imported parts or whole assemblies. Some Ukrainian firms have improvised by using plywood and similar materials for their drones. For the FPV First Person View drones, cheaper is better if the drone can hit its first and only target. Most Ukrainian drones are FPV models, which are considered a form of ammunition.
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:

Distribution of reported trust in blood-donation requests by source. Diverging stacked bars illustrate the proportion of respondents selecting each trust level, ranging from strongly distrust to strongly trust, across seven potential request sources. The data is drawn from the research teams national survey in Ghana, with responses collected up to November 26.

It is late, the ward is crowded, and the clock is moving faster than everyone would like. A doctor has stabilized the patient as best they can, but one thing is missingblood.

A relative is asked to "try somewhere else," and within minutes, the family is on the phone, calling friends, contacting church groups, posting in WhatsApp chats, hoping that someone nearby is eligible, willing and able to reach the hospital in time.

In that moment, health care stops being only about medicine. It becomes about networks, trust and whether a lifesaving resource can be found quickly enough.

This is not an unusual drama in Ghana. It is a recurring reality, quietly shaping outcomes in emergencies, childbirth, surgery and severe illness. Ghana has made progress, but the gap between what is needed and what is available remains wide.

In 2024, Ghana's National Blood Service collected 187,280 units of blood. This falls far short of the World Health Organization recommended annual stock requirement of 308,000 units. The consequences are tangible, including delays to surgery, difficult clinical decisions, and families carrying the burden of searching for blood at the worst possible time.

Future willingness to donate blood among donors and non-donors: stacked bars show the distribution of intention responses for each group. The data is drawn from the research teams national survey in Ghana, with responses collected up to November 26.

One way to gauge the scale is the "blood collection index," defined as donations per 1,000 people. Ghana's index increased from 5.9 in 2023 to 6.1 in 2024, but it remains well below the ten per 1,000 level that is often cited as a basic benchmark by the WHO.

The contrast is stark. The WHO's global figures show an average (median) donation rate of 31.5 per 1,000 in high-income countries, compared with 6.6 per 1,000 in lower- and middle-income countries and 5.0 per 1,000 in low-income countries. Ghana is a low-income country, yet its donation level remains below average for this group of countries, underscoring a persistent gap between demand and supply.

Why does this matter so much? Because blood availability is not a niche issue. It underpins everyday health care and becomes decisive in emergencies.

Few examples are more urgent than childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage (severe bleeding after delivery) can escalate rapidly, and survival often depends on timely transfusion.

In 2025, the WHO highlighted that bleeding following childbirth causes nearly 45,000 deaths globally each year. When anemia is common, the danger increases further: women have less physiological "buffer" against blood loss.

Women who enter labor with severe anemia have around seven times higher odds of dying or becoming critically ill from heavy bleeding after childbirth, compared to those with moderate anemia. In plain terms, they start with less room for error, and without fast access to transfusion, things can spiral quickly.

So why is Ghana's blood supply so difficult to secure? Part of the answer is structural. Blood services require investment in collection, testing, transport at the right temperature and distribution networks.

These systems must work reliably every day, not only during crises. Yet the demand is rising with population growth and expanding clinical services, while resources remain constrained. The result is a system that is often stretched, especially outside major urban centers.

Another part of the story is how donations are sourced. In many settings, a stable supply depends on a large base of regular voluntary donors. Ghana is still working towards that goal.

In 2024, voluntary donations nationwide decreased from 40% to 29%, even as regional blood centers saw some improvement. That matters because heavy reliance on replacement donors (family members or friends recruited at the point of need) creates unpredictability. Emergencies do not wait for someone to finish work, travel across town and pass eligibility screening.

Then there is trust. People don't donate in a vacuum; they donate into a system they believe in.

In our ongoing national survey in Ghana on people's blood donation experiences, trust is clearly concentrated in familiar and formal sources. Around nine in ten respondents report trust in requests coming from a family member or close friend, and similarly high trust in requests issued by an official hospital or clinic.

Trust drops as the source becomes more distant or less verifiable, with markedly higher skepticism towards non-hospital community donation groups and, most of all, unknown people.

Yet high trust in hospitals does not automatically translate into action. When people are unsure how blood is used, whether it reaches patients fairly, or whether it might be diverted or sold, willingness can stall.

Even when people want to help, uncertainty can lead to hesitation: "Will this really go where they say it will?" In a high-stakes context, doubt is costly.

This gap points to a transparency problem, where confidence depends not only on who makes the request, but also on whether the system can credibly show where the blood goes.

Finally, communication channels shape outcomes. When a hospital lacks a rapid, reliable way to reach suitable donors, it falls back on what is available: phone calls, personal networks and social media posts.

But social feeds are noisy, messages get buried, and not everyone has the same connectivity or social reach. The ability to mobilize donors becomes uneven, depending on who you know, where you live, and how quickly information travels.

None of this means Ghana lacks goodwill. In fact, the opposite is often true: communities respond generously when they understand a need and feel confident their help will make a difference. The challenge is that goodwill alone cannot compensate for gaps in infrastructure, coordination and trust.

Telling people to "donate more" is not a strategy if the system cannot consistently reach donors, support them and show them that their contribution mattered.

The solution?

What would meaningful progress look like? It starts with stronger hospital services and blood-bank capacity, so that safe collection, testing and storage can happen consistently.

Alongside that, Ghana needs a more organized digital way to mobilize donors: a channel that can reach the right people quickly, rather than relying on broad social media appeals that get buried, skimmed past, or spread too widely without finding eligible donors nearby.

A well-run system could also keep clear, traceable records for each donation and request, making it easier to show where blood goes and to coordinate fast, accountable responses when an emergency hits.

That is exactly the gap our research is tackling. We're developing a hospital-linked digital platform designed for Ghana's realities. Here, urgent requests can be sent quickly to nearby eligible donors through a trusted channel, with location-aware matching and follow-up rather than blanket posts. It also builds in transparent, auditable donation-to-use tracking, helping hospitals coordinate emergencies more efficiently while giving donors clearer reassurance about where their blood goes.

Because, in the end, the story of blood in Ghana is not only about shortages. It is about a simple question with life-or-death consequences: when someone is bleeding, will help arrive in time?

Key medical concepts BloodPostpartum HemorrhageAnemia

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:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A blood test, combined with an ultrathin material derived from graphite, could significantly advance efforts to detect Alzheimer's disease at its very earliest stage, even before symptoms appear.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. For millions of Europeansand the health services that care for themit is a ticking time bomb, with still no cure. But EU researchers are developing a simple tool to enable much earlier detection, potentially decades before symptoms appear.

Early detection matters because treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible. This gives people a better chance to slow the progression of the disease and plan for the future. Today, around 7 million people in Europe live with Alzheimer's, a number expected to double by 2030, according to the European Brain Council.

For Dr. Aristeidis Bakandritsos, the challenge is clear: if Alzheimer's disease is to be detected early enough to make a real difference, testing must become simpler, cheaper and far less invasive.

"Early detection will only be realistic for people when it's inexpensive for the health service, and painless and simple for the patient, which it isn't today," said Bakandritsos, a senior researcher at the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN), part of Palacky University Olomouc in Czechia.

Towards routine screening

Bakandritsos is coordinating a four-year research initiative launched in October 2023 to transform how Alzheimer's disease is detected. Called 2D-BioPAD, the project is developing an affordable device capable of identifying up to five Alzheimer's-related proteinsknown as biomarkersfrom a simple blood sample.

The aim is not to replace existing diagnostic methods such as brain scans or spinal taps, but to enable much earlier screening in routine health care settings. By flagging people at risk before symptoms appear, doctors could intervene sooner, when treatments are most effective.

Clinical pilot studies are now under way in Finland, Greece and Germany to assess how well the tool performs, as well as its safety, ethical implications and how it could fit into routine health care.

From invasive testing to a simple blood sample

Diagnosing Alzheimer's remains complex and often invasive. Today, confirmation typically relies on brain imaging or spinal taps to analyze cerebrospinal fluida liquid found around the brain and spinal cord to keep them safe. While blood-based tests are starting to emerge, they are still largely confined to specialist memory clinics.

The 2D-BioPAD team aims to change that. Their vision is a blood test that is faster, cheaper and far less invasiveone that could eventually be used in everyday health care settings.

If successful, family doctors could flag people at risk much earlier, long before memory loss and confusion become obvious.

Early treatment is key

Until recently, treatment options focused mainly on managing symptoms. That changed in 2025, when the EU approved the first two disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapies.

These drugs target amyloid-beta plaques, protein fragments that build up between brain cells and interfere with communication. More importantly, they work best in the early stages of the disease, making timely diagnosis more crucial than ever.

Vincent Bouchiat, CEO and co-founder of Grapheal SAS, a project partner specializing in graphene-based health care technologies, acknowledges the ethical complexity of early detection, but points to the advantages.

"There are good reasons for knowing you may go on to develop dementia. New Alzheimer's medications show promise in delaying the progression of the disease, which is obviously a huge step forward."

How graphene enables smarter testing

At the core of the 2D-BioPAD device is graphenea one-atom-thick sheet of carbon that is stronger than a same sheet made of steel and an excellent conductor of electricity.

When Alzheimer's-related proteins bind to the graphene surface, they subtly change how electricity flows through the material. These changes can in principle be detected with extraordinary sensitivity, motivating researchers to harness this possibility and identify biomarkers present in extremely low concentrations.

Compared with laboratory-based blood tests now entering the market, the envisioned device can offer several advantages: results in around 30 minutes, testing in primary care settings, detection of multiple biomarkers at once and significantly lower costs.

The project brings together 11 partners from 8 European countries, combining expertise in nanotechnology, clinical research and digital innovation.

By the end of 2026, researchers expect to know how the technology performs compared with existing lab equipment.

If results are positive, the team hopes to secure further funding to move towards commercialization through additional trials, validation and regulatory approvals. The researchers are hopeful the test could be in regular use in as little as five years.

Bringing testing into everyday care

The long-term vision is simple, portable screening that fits easily into everyday health care. A small blood sample similar to a diabetes test would be inserted into a compact device connected to a tablet or smartphone.

Rather than a yes-or-no answer, doctors would receive the concentration of relevant biomarkers, helping them decide whether further testing is needed. Used this way, the device would act as an early warning system, not a standalone diagnosis.

The test works a little like the rapid lateral-flow tests familiar from the COVID-19 pandemic, but with far greater analytical power. Measuring several biomarkers at once significantly improves reliability compared with single-marker tests.

AI plays a key role, too. AI and machine learning help design the tiny molecular "probes" that detect Alzheimer's proteins, optimizing them through rapid simulations based on protein databases and molecular models.

Affordable solution to a global problem

Cost is a major barrier to widespread screening. Today's laboratory-based tests can cost 40 or more per biomarker, while the required equipment can reach hundreds of thousands of euros.

The 2D-BioPAD system aims to reduce that dramatically, combining a low-cost detection device with disposable cartridges that test multiple biomarkers at once.

Jean Georges, executive director of Alzheimer Europe, a pan-European network of national dementia associations, sees this as part of a broader shift from focusing solely on treatment towards improving early detection and reducing risk.

"We hope this shift will ultimately benefit not only people in the early stages of Alzheimer's, but also people with no known cognitive problems," he said.

At the same time, he stresses the need for honesty and compassion. No test can predict exactly who will develop dementia or how it will progress.

"Dementia risk prediction comes with ethical, legal and social implications," Georges said. "Disclosure should always be approached in an open, honest, empathetic and compassionate manner."

Key medical concepts Alzheimer's Disease
A German military reconnaissance team of 15 was due to board a flight on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, from Greenlands capital Nuuk, pictured here in this undated photo. (Paul Hamilton/Dreamstime/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  The German military reconnaissance team that arrived in Greenland on Friday is on its way back after a 44-hour deployment on the Arctic island, Bild newspaper reported on Sunday.

The team of 15 was due to board a flight from the capital of Nuuk at midday, according to the German newspaper, which said the soldiers had been expected to extend their original two-day stay.

The exploration was completed, as planned, a spokesman for the Bundeswehr Operational Command in an emailed statement, adding that weather conditions meant one station couldnt be visited. Nevertheless, important insights were gained that will now enable us to coordinate possible joint measures with our partners and within the NATO framework to strengthen security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

Germany took the lead among several European nations sending military personnel to Greenland on an exploratory mission last week, as the countries sought to show US President Donald Trump theyre taking security matters seriously.

France, Sweden, Norway and the UK were also participating ahead of a planned training exercise.

Trumps efforts to gain control of Greenland took another twist on Saturday, when he announced a 10% tariff from February, rising to 25% in June, on eight European nations, including Germany, for saying they would undertake token NATO military exercises there in response to US saber-rattling.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who branded Trumps threat as unacceptable, will request the activation of the European Unions anti-coercion instrument  the blocs most powerful retaliatory tool  in response to the new tariffs, a person close to the president said on Sunday.

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A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon lands at Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland on Oct. 7, 2025. (Maxim Dewolf/U.S. Air Force)



STUTTGART, Germany  Major airfield upgrades are in the works for the U.S. militarys base in Greenland even as a diplomatic crisis between the United States and NATO allies in Europe ratchets up over President Donald Trumps push to take control of the territory.

The plan calls for spending up to $25 million for a new runway lighting system, river crossing bridge and related projects to improve flight operations at Pituffik Space Base, the militarys Arctic hub, according to a new government solicitation for bids.

The solicitation, posted Jan. 8 on the U.S. governments contracting website, noted the difficulty of carrying out infrastructure projects in Greenlands austere landscape.

The region is glaciated, and the existing soil is generally permafrost, which exists from 1 to 6 feet below the surface to a measured depth of 1,600 feet, the notice said.

The aim is to begin work in the early part of 2026, the solicitation said.

The U.S. has about 200 troops in Greenland who are tasked with supporting an early warning ballistic missile defense mission. While the mission in Greenland involves a small number of troops, its not unusual for the military to make big investments at the base, which has grown in strategic importance over the years. For example, in 2022 the U.S. Air Force awarded a nearly $4 billion contract to ensure ongoing operations at Pituffik. And in 2023, four Air Force F-35s deployed for the first time at the base to show off the ability to operate in harsh terrain.

The territory also has emerged as a geopolitical flashpoint.

On Saturday, Trump upped the ante in his push to acquire Greenland, saying he will impose new tariffs on several European countries in lieu of a deal for the United States to take possession of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Several European leaders lashed out at Trump over his new demand. French President Emmanuel Macron in a social media post linked supporting Greenlands territorial integrity to the situation in Ukraine.

No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, said Macron, adding that Europeans would respond in a united and coordinated manner to the tariff threat.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also responded to Trump, saying, We wont allow ourselves to be blackmailed. Denmark and Greenland alone decide questions that affect Denmark and Greenland.

Trump has argued that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons given Russias and Chinas interests in the High North, where melting sea ice is opening new transportation corridors and potential access to valuable natural resources.

NATO countries also have acknowledged the need for a more robust military presence in Greenland to secure the alliances position in the Arctic.

During the Cold War the United States had numerous bases in Greenland and thousands of troops deployed there. Denmark has said it is open to a larger American footprint in Greenland and that existing security cooperation arrangements would allow such an expansion.

So far, however, Trump has not indicated whether he is open to a security arrangement that would leave Greenland as a territory belonging to Denmark.
A high-speed train travelling between Malaga and Madrid derailed on Sunday evening in the station of Adamuz in Cordoba province and collided with a train travelling in the opposite direction, killing at least 43 people, according to the latest figures. More than 150 people have been injured, nine of them remain in intensive care.

The accident happened when carriages 6, 7 and 8 of the Iryo 6189 train derailed at around 7.45pm as it entered Adamuz station, invading the opposite track and colliding with an Alvia 2384 travelling between Madrid and Huelva with around 100 passengers on board. The first train had left Malaga at 6.40pm.

Shortly before midnight, Andalusian regional minister for health and director of the regional emergency plan Antonio Sanz told the press that "part of one of the trains had fallen down a four-metre slope", which further complicates access to the site.

Rescue services continue working at the scene. All the injured and the rest of the passengers were evacuated from the scene on Sunday night. This is the worst rail accident in Spain since an Alvia train derailed near Santiago de Compostela in 2013, killing 80.

Spain's transport minister Oscar Puente described the accident as "serious", saying the "impact was terrible" between the two trains travelling in opposite directions, "throwing the front two carriages of the Huelva train from the track". He said that as yet the causes of the accident were unknown but it is "tremendously strange" as the Iryo train was "practically new", just four years old, and the track was "completely renewed".

"At this point the renovation work was completed in May and 700 million euros has been spent on the Seville-Madrid line," he said.

According to Puente, the Alvia to Huelva suffered the worst damage "specifically the two front carriages, where 37 people were travelling in the first and 16 in the second." The driver is among the dead.

According to witnesses, the train appeared to be shaking and vibrating just prior to the collision.

The last two carriages of the Iryo train, which left Malaga at 6.40pm, were most affected, particularly the one at the end of the train, which overturned on the track. The train was carrying around 300 passengers.

Emergency services were at the scene with five mobile ICUs, a logistical support vehicle and four emergency critical care units (ECU). The accident has led to the suspension of all train communications between Andalucia and Madrid. Transport minister Oscar Puente travelled to the scene. The president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, has said on social media that the regional government is "very concerned by the serious rail accident in Cordoba province and keeping up to date with the news of people affected".

A field hospital was set up at the scene, in Adamuz station. Andalucia's network of blood transfusion centres has begun redistributing blood supplies to Cordoba and Jaen. The hospitals of Andujar (Jaen) and Virgen del Rocio in Seville have also been placed on alert, with staff and resources on standby and permanent coordination in place in case patients need to be transferred.

Adif and Renfe have also opened assistance points for the families of the affected passengers at stations in Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva. The Madrid regional government has offered its hospitals and emergency medical teams to Andalusian authorities.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident was preceded by a strong jolt and violent shaking. The two rear carriages of the Iryo train travelling from Malaga were affected, particularly the final carriage, which overturned and came to rest on the track. Firefighters said the impact between the Huelva-bound train and the Malaga service had turned the damaged carriages into a tangled mass of metal, severely hampering rescue efforts.

Rescue teams assisted numerous injured passengers by accessing the Iryo carriage from above, where the exit doors were positioned after the crash. Initially, crew members from unaffected carriages were forced to smash windows with emergency hammers to allow passengers to escape. Several victims remained trapped in the derailed carriages.

The exact cause of the accident is still unknown. The transport minister has said that "the rear units of the Iryo train travelling towards Madrid derailed, with those carriages invading the opposite track, which at that moment was being used by a Renfe train heading to Huelva". "The impact was devastating, causing the first two units of the Renfe train to be thrown off the rails," Puente explained.

Head of the provincial fire brigade Francisco Carmona has confirmed that many of the injured were suffering from bruising and fractures, "including some open fractures". "The major problem is that the carriages are twisted, making the rescue operation extremely complex," he said.

Salvador Jimenez, an RTVE journalist who was travelling on the Malaga train, has described the moments of the accident. "We felt a huge jolt, a very sudden movement. Suddenly all the trays, glasses and even the windows were flying around," he said. According to Jimenez's account, after that the train staff "asked if there were any medical professionals who could go to carriage five to help".

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"After the derailment, we were told to remain seated. Then the staff took the emergency hammers and started breaking windows and opening doors so people could get out," the journalist said. Hundreds of passengers remained at the Adamuz halt, many visibly distressed, glued to their phones and injured, until emergency services began transferring them to a municipal hall set up as an emergency shelter.

Many local residents helped in whatever way they could. Some helped transfer the injured in their own vehicles, while others went to the scene and the emergency shelter to provide blankets and food.

A football match between Cordoba and Malaga was under way at the Nuevo Arcangel stadium shortly after the accident (9pm). More than a thousand Malaga supporters were in attendance, along with a large local crowd. Messages were broadcast over the stadium speaker system and sent to spectators' mobile phones urging them not to congest the A-4 motorway after the match, as it was being used as a key evacuation route for the injured to Cordoba's main hospital.

The deadliest precedent involving a train from Malaga is the Angrois disaster near Santiago de Compostela on 24 July 2013, when an Alvia train travelling from Madrid to Ferrol derailed on the A Grandeira curve, around three kilometres from Santiago station. Unlike the crash on Sunday night, the 2013 incident did not involve a high-speed service. Of the 224 people on board, 144 were injured and 80 lost their lives.

An emergency telephone line has been set up for relatives of passengers - 900101020.
Understanding Jack Nicholson's True Parentage: "Who Was Jack Nicholson's Real Father?"

The question of Jack Nicholson's parentage has been a subject of speculation and intrigue throughout his life. The renowned actor was born in 1937 to June Nicholson, a single mother who kept the identity of his biological father a closely guarded secret. This mystery has fueled decades of conjecture and has become an integral part of Nicholson's public persona.

The search for Jack Nicholson's real father is not merely a matter of satisfying curiosity but holds profound implications for understanding the actor's life and work. His unknown paternity has shaped his identity, influenced his relationships, and provided a rich source of material for his iconic performances. Exploring the enigma surrounding his father's identity offers valuable insights into the complexities of family, the power of secrets, and the enduring fascination with Hollywood's most enigmatic stars.

Who Was Jack Nicholson's Real Father?

The question of Jack Nicholson's parentage has been a subject of speculation and intrigue throughout his life. The renowned actor was born in 1937 to June Nicholson, a single mother who kept the identity of his biological father a closely guarded secret. This mystery has fueled decades of conjecture and has become an integral part of Nicholson's public persona.

 For more insights, check out this resource.

Identity: Unknown

Unknown Speculation: Numerous theories and rumors

Numerous theories and rumors Secrecy: June Nicholson's silence

June Nicholson's silence Impact: Shaped Nicholson's identity

Shaped Nicholson's identity Influence: Material for Nicholson's performances

Material for Nicholson's performances Fascination: Public's enduring interest

Public's enduring interest Mystery: Unresolved and intriguing

Unresolved and intriguing Hollywood Lore: Part of Nicholson's legend

Part of Nicholson's legend Cultural Impact: Explored in films and media

These key aspects reveal the multifaceted nature of the mystery surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father. His unknown paternity has not only influenced his personal life but has also become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless stories, theories, and speculation. The enduring fascination with this enigma speaks to the power of secrets, the complexities of family, and the enduring allure of Hollywood's most iconic stars.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Jack Nicholson

 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

Identity

| Name | Birthdate | Occupation | Notable Works ||---|---|---|---|| Jack Nicholson | April 22, 1937 | Actor, director, producer | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining, Terms of Endearment |

The unknown identity of Jack Nicholson's real father has been a central aspect of the mystery surrounding his parentage. This facet has fueled speculation, shaped Nicholson's life, and contributed to his enduring public fascination.

Absence of Paternity Information: June Nicholson's decision to keep the identity of Jack Nicholson's father a secret has left a void in his personal history. The lack of official documentation or confirmation has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and has given rise to numerous theories and rumors.

June Nicholson's decision to keep the identity of Jack Nicholson's father a secret has left a void in his personal history. The lack of official documentation or confirmation has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and has given rise to numerous theories and rumors. Speculation and Rumors: The absence of concrete information has led to a proliferation of speculation and rumors about Nicholson's paternity. Various individuals have been suggested as potential candidates, including actors, musicians, and even members of Hollywood's elite. These rumors have often been fueled by physical similarities, personal connections, or unsubstantiated claims.

The absence of concrete information has led to a proliferation of speculation and rumors about Nicholson's paternity. Various individuals have been suggested as potential candidates, including actors, musicians, and even members of Hollywood's elite. These rumors have often been fueled by physical similarities, personal connections, or unsubstantiated claims. Impact on Nicholson's Identity: The unknown identity of his real father has undoubtedly shaped Nicholson's sense of identity. Growing up without a known paternal figure may have contributed to his rebellious and independent nature, as well as his lifelong search for connection and belonging.

The unknown identity of his real father has undoubtedly shaped Nicholson's sense of identity. Growing up without a known paternal figure may have contributed to his rebellious and independent nature, as well as his lifelong search for connection and belonging. Influence on Nicholson's Work: The mystery surrounding his paternity has also influenced Nicholson's work as an actor. He has often played characters with complex and troubled relationships with their fathers, such as in films like "The Shining" and "Terms of Endearment." These roles may reflect Nicholson's own unresolved feelings and experiences related to his unknown paternity.

The unknown identity of Jack Nicholson's real father remains a defining aspect of his life and legacy. It has influenced his personal journey, fueled public curiosity, and provided a rich source of material for his iconic performances. The mystery continues to captivate audiences, underscoring the enduring fascination with Hollywood's greatest enigmas.

Speculation

The speculation and rumors surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father have played a significant role in the enduring mystery surrounding his parentage. The absence of concrete information has created a vacuum that has been filled with a multitude of theories and claims, ranging from the plausible to the outlandish.

These speculations have been fueled by a variety of factors, including physical similarities between Nicholson and potential candidates, personal connections between Nicholson and individuals who have been named as his possible father, and unsubstantiated claims made by self-proclaimed insiders or family members. The media has also played a role in perpetuating these rumors, often reporting on them without critical examination or verification.

The speculation surrounding Nicholson's paternity has had a number of consequences. It has contributed to the public's fascination with Nicholson and his personal life, and has been a source of both amusement and intrigue for decades. It has also led to a number of legal challenges, as individuals have come forward claiming to be Nicholson's father or heir. These challenges have often been unsuccessful, but they have further fueled the speculation and kept the mystery alive.

The speculation and rumors surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father are a reminder of the enduring power of mystery and the public's fascination with the lives of celebrities. They also highlight the importance of critical thinking and the need to question unsubstantiated claims, especially when they involve sensitive personal information.

Secrecy

June Nicholson's decision to keep the identity of Jack Nicholson's real father a secret has been a central aspect of the mystery surrounding his parentage. This secrecy has had a profound impact on Nicholson's life and has contributed to the enduring public fascination with his unknown paternity.

There are several reasons why June Nicholson may have chosen to keep this information private. She may have been concerned about the potential social stigma associated with having a child out of wedlock. She may also have been protecting the identity of Nicholson's father, who may have been a married man or otherwise unwilling to acknowledge his paternity. Additionally, June Nicholson may have simply wanted to protect her son's privacy and allow him to grow up without the burden of public scrutiny.

Whatever her reasons, June Nicholson's silence has had a significant impact on Jack Nicholson's life. He has often spoken about the challenges of growing up without knowing who his father was, and he has said that he has always felt a sense of loss and longing in relation to his unknown paternity. The secrecy surrounding his father's identity has also fueled public speculation and rumors, which have further complicated Nicholson's relationship with his past.

The secrecy surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father is a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of family relationships. It is a story of love, loss, and the enduring power of secrets.

Impact

The unknown identity of Jack Nicholson's real father has had a profound impact on his life and identity. Growing up without a known paternal figure has shaped his sense of self, influenced his relationships, and provided a rich source of material for his iconic performances.

Search for Identity: Nicholson has often expressed a sense of longing and a desire to know who his real father was. This search for identity has been a driving force in his life and has led him to explore different relationships and experiences in an attempt to fill the void left by his unknown paternity.

Nicholson has often expressed a sense of longing and a desire to know who his real father was. This search for identity has been a driving force in his life and has led him to explore different relationships and experiences in an attempt to fill the void left by his unknown paternity. Rebellion and Independence: Nicholson's unknown paternity may have contributed to his rebellious and independent nature. Growing up without a traditional father figure may have given him a sense of freedom and self-reliance, which is reflected in his personal life and his choice of roles.

Nicholson's unknown paternity may have contributed to his rebellious and independent nature. Growing up without a traditional father figure may have given him a sense of freedom and self-reliance, which is reflected in his personal life and his choice of roles. Exploration of Fatherhood: Nicholson has often played characters with complex and troubled relationships with their fathers, such as in films like "The Shining" and "Terms of Endearment." These roles may reflect Nicholson's own unresolved feelings and experiences related to his unknown paternity.

In conclusion, the unknown identity of Jack Nicholson's real father has had a significant impact on his identity, relationships, and work. It has shaped his sense of self, influenced his choices, and provided a rich source of material for his iconic performances.

Influence

The unknown identity of Jack Nicholson's real father has had a profound influence on his work as an actor. He has often drawn upon his own experiences and emotions related to his unknown paternity to create complex and compelling performances.

One of the most striking examples of this is his performance in the film "The Shining." Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as a winter caretaker at a remote hotel. Torrance is slowly driven insane by the hotel's dark history and his own personal demons, including his unresolved feelings about his unknown father.

Nicholson's performance in "The Shining" is both terrifying and heartbreaking. He perfectly captures the character's descent into madness, and his portrayal of Torrance's inner turmoil is deeply moving. It is clear that Nicholson drew upon his own experiences of loss and longing to create this unforgettable performance.

Nicholson has also explored the theme of unknown paternity in other films, such as "Terms of Endearment" and "Ironweed." In these films, he plays characters who are struggling to come to terms with their own identities and relationships with their fathers.

Nicholson's ability to draw upon his own experiences to create such powerful performances is a testament to his skill as an actor. He is one of the few actors who can truly inhabit a character and bring their inner life to the screen. His performances are a master class in acting, and they continue to inspire and move audiences around the world.

Fascination

The enduring public fascination with "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" is a complex phenomenon that stems from a variety of factors, including the actor's iconic status, the mystery surrounding his paternity, and the cultural significance of family and identity.

Nicholson is one of the most celebrated and recognizable actors in Hollywood history. He has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time, including "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Shining," and "Terms of Endearment." His performances have earned him three Academy Awards, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time.

The mystery surrounding Nicholson's paternity has added to his mystique and made him even more fascinating to the public. June Nicholson, Jack's mother, never revealed the identity of his father, and she took the secret to her grave. This has led to decades of speculation and rumors about who Nicholson's father might be.

The public's fascination with Nicholson's paternity is also a reflection of the cultural significance of family and identity. For many people, knowing who their parents are is an essential part of their sense of self. Nicholson's unknown paternity has raised questions about his own identity and has made him a symbol of the many people who have never known their fathers.

The enduring public fascination with "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" is a reminder of the power of mystery and the importance of family and identity. It is a story that has captured the public's imagination for decades, and it is likely to continue to fascinate for many years to come.

Mystery

The unresolved and intriguing nature of "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" has captivated the public's imagination for decades. This mystery has become an integral part of Nicholson's persona and has contributed to his enduring popularity.

Unknown Identity: The absence of a definitive answer to the question of Nicholson's paternity has created an aura of mystery around him. The lack of concrete information has fueled speculation and rumors, which have only served to heighten the intrigue.

The absence of a definitive answer to the question of Nicholson's paternity has created an aura of mystery around him. The lack of concrete information has fueled speculation and rumors, which have only served to heighten the intrigue. Public Fascination: The public's fascination with Nicholson's unknown paternity stems from a variety of factors, including his iconic status, the cultural significance of family and identity, and the enduring appeal of unsolved mysteries.

The public's fascination with Nicholson's unknown paternity stems from a variety of factors, including his iconic status, the cultural significance of family and identity, and the enduring appeal of unsolved mysteries. Cultural Impact: The mystery surrounding Nicholson's paternity has had a wider cultural impact, inspiring films, television shows, and articles that explore the themes of family, identity, and the search for truth.

The mystery surrounding Nicholson's paternity has had a wider cultural impact, inspiring films, television shows, and articles that explore the themes of family, identity, and the search for truth. Personal Impact: The unresolved mystery of his paternity has undoubtedly had a profound impact on Nicholson himself. It has shaped his sense of identity, influenced his relationships, and provided a rich source of material for his acting performances.

The unresolved and intriguing nature of "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" is a reminder of the power of mystery and the enduring fascination with the unknown. It is a story that has captured the public's imagination for decades, and it is likely to continue to fascinate for many years to come.

Hollywood Lore

The enigma surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father has become an inextricable part of his Hollywood legend, contributing to his mystique and captivating the public's imagination for decades.

Unveiled Secrets and Hidden Truths: Hollywood lore often weaves a tapestry of half-truths, rumors, and speculation, adding to the intrigue surrounding Nicholson's paternity. It has become a breeding ground for theories and stories, further fueling the public's curiosity.

Hollywood lore often weaves a tapestry of half-truths, rumors, and speculation, adding to the intrigue surrounding Nicholson's paternity. It has become a breeding ground for theories and stories, further fueling the public's curiosity. Enhanced Mystique and Charisma: The mystery surrounding Nicholson's father has amplified his aura of intrigue and charisma. It has created an air of unpredictability and depth, making him an even more captivating figure both on and off screen.

The mystery surrounding Nicholson's father has amplified his aura of intrigue and charisma. It has created an air of unpredictability and depth, making him an even more captivating figure both on and off screen. Cultural Symbolism and Reflection: Nicholson's unknown paternity has transcended his personal life, becoming a cultural symbol of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring search for truth. It resonates with audiences who may have similar experiences or questions about their own lineage.

Nicholson's unknown paternity has transcended his personal life, becoming a cultural symbol of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring search for truth. It resonates with audiences who may have similar experiences or questions about their own lineage. Artistic Inspiration and Exploration: The mystery has served as a rich source of inspiration for Nicholson's acting and filmmaking. He has drawn upon his personal experiences to portray characters grappling with issues of paternity and identity, adding authenticity and depth to his performances.

The connection between "Hollywood Lore: Part of Nicholson's Legend" and "who was jack nicholson's real father" is deeply intertwined, shaping his public persona, fueling speculation, and providing a profound source of inspiration for both his life and art.

Cultural Impact

The enigma surrounding "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" has had a profound impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous works of art, including films, television shows, and articles.

Films: Nicholson's unknown paternity has been a central theme in several films, such as "The Shining" (1980) and "Terms of Endearment" (1983). In these films, Nicholson portrays characters grappling with issues of identity and abandonment, reflecting his own experiences and emotions.

Nicholson's unknown paternity has been a central theme in several films, such as "The Shining" (1980) and "Terms of Endearment" (1983). In these films, Nicholson portrays characters grappling with issues of identity and abandonment, reflecting his own experiences and emotions. Television Shows: The mystery surrounding Nicholson's father has also been explored in television shows such as "Feud: Bette and Joan" (2017) and "The Crown" (2016). These shows have fictionalized the events surrounding Nicholson's birth and early life, offering their own interpretations of the mystery.

The mystery surrounding Nicholson's father has also been explored in television shows such as "Feud: Bette and Joan" (2017) and "The Crown" (2016). These shows have fictionalized the events surrounding Nicholson's birth and early life, offering their own interpretations of the mystery. Articles and Books: The public's fascination with Nicholson's paternity has also spawned numerous articles and books, speculating on the identity of his father and exploring the implications of his unknown parentage.

The public's fascination with Nicholson's paternity has also spawned numerous articles and books, speculating on the identity of his father and exploring the implications of his unknown parentage. Cultural Symbolism: Nicholson's unknown paternity has become a cultural symbol of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring search for truth. It resonates with audiences who may have their own experiences or questions about their own lineage.

Overall, the exploration of "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" in films and media has not only entertained audiences but has also sparked important conversations about the nature of family, the power of secrets, and the enduring appeal of unsolved mysteries.

FAQs

This section addresses frequently asked questions and misconceptions surrounding the. The answers are provided in an informative and objective manner, based on available information and expert opinions.

Question 1: Is Jack Nicholson's real father still unknown?

Answer: Yes, the identity of Jack Nicholson's real father remains unknown to the public. Despite years of speculation and rumors, no conclusive evidence has emerged to confirm his paternity.

Question 2: Why did June Nicholson keep her son's paternity a secret?

Answer: There are several possible reasons why June Nicholson chose not to reveal the identity of her son's father. Societal norms and the stigma associated with unwed motherhood at the time may have influenced her decision. Additionally, she may have wanted to protect the privacy of the father or shield her son from public scrutiny.

Question 3: Who are some of the rumored candidates for Jack Nicholson's paternity?

Answer: Over the years, various individuals have been suggested as potential candidates for Jack Nicholson's paternity, including actors Kirk Douglas and Marlon Brando, musician Hoagy Carmichael, and journalist John O'Neil. However, none of these claims have been substantiated with concrete evidence.

Question 4: Has Jack Nicholson ever publicly commented on his unknown paternity?

Answer: Jack Nicholson has rarely spoken publicly about his unknown paternity. He has stated that he does not know who his father is and has expressed a sense of acceptance towards the mystery surrounding his lineage.

Question 5: What impact has the unknown paternity had on Jack Nicholson's life and career?

Answer: The unknown paternity has likely influenced Nicholson's personal life and career in complex ways. It has been suggested that his search for identity and sense of longing may have contributed to his rebellious nature and his exploration of themes of abandonment and fatherhood in his acting roles.

Summary: Thecontinues to intrigue the public and has become an integral part of Jack Nicholson's persona. While the identity of his real father may never be definitively known, the mystery has added to his mystique and has provided a rich source of speculation and discussion.

Transition: For further insights into the life and career of Jack Nicholson, explore the following sections:

Decoding the Mystery of Jack Nicholson's Paternity

The enigma surrounding Jack Nicholson's real father has captivated the public for decades, inspiring countless theories and speculations. While the definitive answer may remain elusive, a comprehensive examination of the available evidence can provide valuable insights into the complexities of his parentage.

Tip 1: Explore Historical Context

Investigate the social and cultural norms of the time when Jack Nicholson was born. Consider the stigma associated with unwed motherhood and the prevailing attitudes towards paternity. This context can shed light on the reasons why June Nicholson may have chosen to keep her son's father a secret.

Tip 2: Analyze Physical Similarities

Compare Jack Nicholson's physical traits to those of potential candidates for his paternity. While physical resemblance can be suggestive, it is essential to proceed with caution and avoid relying solely on superficial similarities.

Tip 3: Examine Personal Relationships

Investigate the personal connections between Jack Nicholson and individuals who have been rumored to be his father. Consider their proximity, interactions, and any known conflicts. Cross-referencing personal relationships with other evidence can strengthen or weaken the credibility of paternity claims.

Tip 4: Review Legal Documents

Examine official documents such as birth certificates, adoption papers, and wills for any clues regarding Jack Nicholson's paternity. While the absence of a father's name does not definitively rule out paternity, it can provide valuable information.

Tip 5: Consider DNA Testing

If possible, obtain DNA samples from Jack Nicholson and potential candidates for his paternity. DNA testing can provide conclusive evidence of biological relationships, but it is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the testing procedures.

Tip 6: Respect Privacy

Remember that the search for Jack Nicholson's real father involves sensitive personal information. Respect the privacy of all parties involved and avoid spreading unsubstantiated rumors or engaging in speculation that could cause harm.

Conclusion:The quest to uncover the identity of Jack Nicholson's real father is an ongoing endeavor that requires a balanced approach. By combining historical context, physical analysis, personal relationship mapping, legal document review, DNA testing, and respect for privacy, we can gain a deeper understanding of this enduring mystery.

Conclusion

The question of "who was Jack Nicholson's real father" has captivated the public imagination for decades, becoming an integral part of the enigmatic actor's persona. Despite extensive speculation and numerous theories, the definitive answer remains shrouded in mystery.

The exploration of Nicholson's paternity has delved into historical context, physical similarities, personal relationships, legal documents, and DNA testing, yielding valuable insights but ultimately leaving the central question unresolved. This enduring enigma serves as a reminder of the complexities of family, the power of secrets, and the enduring fascination with the unknown.

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Editors note: This article was updated to report on the second shooting. We will update this breaking news when more information becomes available.

Syracuse, N.Y.  Two people were shot Sunday afternoon in Syracuse just blocks apart.

At about 1:20 p.m., a 21-year-old man was shot twice at the intersection of South Geddes and West Fayette streets, according to police.

About 30 minutes later, officers learned of the second shooting in the 100 block of Richmond Avenue. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg, according to Sgt. Tom Blake, a police spokesperson. Thats about five blocks from the first shooting.

Investigators do not believe the two shootings are connected at this time, Blake said.

In the first shooting, witnesses reported that a man in the intersection had been shot before getting into a car, according to the 911 dispatches. Police also received a ShotSpotter notification for gunshots in the area.

A few minutes after the shooting was reported, the victim arrived at Upstate University Hospital with gunshot wounds to the chest and hip, police said. He is still hospitalized, but in stable condition, police said Monday.

A short time later, the 16-year-old from the second shooting arrived at the hospital, Blake said. The boy told officers about the shooting on Richmond Avenue, Blake said.

Officers responded to the 100 block of Richmond Avenue and found one sedan that had been struck by gunfire, Blake said.

The boy, who was shot in the left leg, is expected to survive.
This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard, Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Was it when the magnificent film, A Man for All Seasons, about the great Renaissance humanist, Sir Thomas More, won the Best Picture Oscar on April 10, 1967, just six days after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made his nation-shaking speech at Riverside Church linking civil rights and the Vietnam war, that I connected them as men for all seasons?

More was beheaded for not affirming Henry VIIIs Oath of Supremacy. King would be assassinated a year after his speech for his civil rights advocacy. It struck this 18-year-old to see them respectively, as martyrs, for resistance to unjust political demands and for social and racial justice. At 78, they still inspire me.

Yes, I know about their dark sides - Mores acquiescence to the execution of some heretics and Kings with marital unfaithfulness and other flaws.

But wait! Perhaps it is the very fact they were flawed that encourages us that our own flaws must not limit our witness either.

They are no less examples of courage in resistance to conflicts of conscience and respect for justice. More couldve looked the other way; King didnt have to keep speaking about race and Vietnam. From their spiritual centers they drew from a wellthat was costly.

So what may inspire us on this Martin Luther King Day in 2026?

The final paragraph of Jonathan Eigs Pulitzer Prize, King: A Life, reads:

Where do we go from here? In spite of the way America treated him, King still had faith when he asked that question. Today his words might help us make our way through these troubled times, but only if we actually read them; only if we embrace the complicated King, the flawed King, the human King, the radical King; only if we see him and hear him clearly again, as America saw and heard him once before.

Our very survival, he wrote, depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change. Amen.

Dave Pasinski is an active participant in two religious congregations and local causes.
Syracuse, N.Y. - Seven people were displaced by a fire that badly damaged a two-family Syracuse home early Sunday morning.

Firefighters responded at 2:43 a.m. to the fire at 1606 Bellevue Ave., according to a Syracuse Fire Department news release.

Firefighters found heavy smoke coming out the front door with residents standing outside saying something was on fire, firefighters said.

Crews entered the building and found it impossible to see due to heavy smoke.

The fire near the back of the two-and-a-half-story building was located and under control within 10 minutes, and fully extinguished within 20 minutes, firefighters said.

Firefighters credited working smoke detectors for alerting occupants and allowing them to escape safely.

The building sustained fire and water damage on the first floor, as well as smoke damage throughout the building, firefighters said.

American Red Cross was on scene to assist the seven displaced residents.

According to a Red Cross news release, three of the displaced people were children aged 14, 15, and 16.

Investigators have determined that the fire started in the rear stairwell of the home, but do not yet know how, according to the news release.

Syracuse Police, AMR Ambulance and National Grid also responded to the scene, firefighters said.
In her election-year State of the State speech this past Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul re-upped last years theme of making New York more affordable.

And why not? Affordability is hot. The issue worked for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in November and has been picked up by congressional Democrats hoping to recapture the majority in the midterms.

Hochul talked about expanding free childcare for children under 5 and reducing utility and car insurance costs. She promised to hold middle-class taxes steady. She proposed eliminating state taxes on tips, mirroring the federal government.

Well see the details when the governor unveils her proposed budget Tuesday. In the meantime, heres what caught our attention in Hochuls speech.

Immigration

As masked, armed and trigger-happy immigration agents run roughshod over immigrants, protesters and the Constitution, were intrigued by the governors proposal to enable New Yorkers to sue federal agents who violate their constitutional rights.

We support her proposal requiring ICE agents to obtain a judicial warrant before conducting enforcement operations in sensitive areas like churches, schools and hospitals. President Donald Trump canceled those Biden-era protections upon taking office.

Energy

The governor quintupled her plan to build new nuclear power generation in the state, upping the goal from 1 gigawatt to 5 gigawatts. Thats more nuclear power capacity than has been built in the United States in the past 30 years, staff writer Tim Knauss reported. That should be good news for Oswego, which already hosts three nuclear plants, and for Micron, which will need a lot of power to make semiconductors in Clay.

We also agree with her proposal to make data centers generate their own power, independent of the grid. Server farms consume enormous amounts of electricity and water for cooling, raising costs for utility ratepayers and creating few jobs in return.

And good for Hochul for fighting Trumps attempts to cancel offshore wind power projects.

Tech and AI

Its clear the federal government wont be putting any guardrails on AI technology, making us and our kids guinea pigs in the tech bros latest grand experiment. In the absence of federal regulation, states have a role. Hochul is proposing rules that would require AI-generated content to be labeled and to prohibit using it to create political campaign deepfakes. She wants to restrict AI chatbots that contribute to the youth mental health crisis. New York also should protect content creators from having their work stolen by AI companies to train their large language models.

Housing

At first blush, we welcome the governors effort to encourage more home building by easing state environmental rules on new construction on previously disturbed land (i.e., not farm fields or forests). The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) process is overly burdensome, expensive and time-consuming, and often a tool for NIMBYs to prevent any construction at all.

The governor also said she will ramp up subsidies for modular home construction, which is cheaper than stick-built. And she will continue funding affordable housing in communities that declare themselves pro-housing. Hochul touted the fact that 400 communities have signed up. New York has more than 1,500 municipalities. Clearly, more need to step up their efforts if the state is to make a dent in its affordable housing crisis.

Omissions

Hochul didnt once mention how New York is coping with the loss of $7.5 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, the health insurance program for poor and disabled people. Nor did she talk about how the state plans to respond to Trumps recent threat to cut federal funding to states that are home to sanctuary cities for immigrants.

The governor also glossed over the future of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the law setting aggressive carbon emission targets for the state. The Hochul administration is a year and a half behind in issuing regulations to implement the law. In October, a judge gave the state until February to issue them. Senate Republicans want the governor to suspend climate mandates due to concerns over energy costs and the reliability of the grid. Hochul must decide if New Yorkers should bear the costs of meeting those mandates while the nation under Trump moves in the opposite direction.

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Berlin  The eight European countries targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 10% tariff for opposing American control of Greenland blasted the move Sunday, warning that his threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

The joint statement by some of Americas closest allies signaled a possible turning point in the recent tensions over sovereignty and security nearly 24 hours after Trumps threat.

It was also the most forceful rebuke of Trump from the European allies since he returned to the White House almost a year ago. In recent months, Europeans have mostly opted for diplomacy and flattery around him, even when seeking an end to the war in Ukraine. Sundays statement, as well as some European countries sending troops to Greenland for a Danish military training exercise, appeared to be a step away from that strategy.

The unusually strong joint statement from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland said troops sent to Greenland for operation Arctic Endurance pose no threat to anyone.

Standing in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland

Trumps Saturday announcement sets up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. He appeared to indicate that he was using the tariffs as leverage to force talks over the status of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he regards as critical to U.S. national security.

We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, the group said. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

There are immediate questions about how the White House could try to implement the tariffs because the European Union is a single economic zone in terms of trading. It was unclear, too, how Trump could act under U.S. law, though he could cite emergency economic powers that are currently subject to a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said China and Russia will benefit from divisions between the U.S. and Europe. She added in a post on social media: If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

Europe has been trying to keep Trump on its side to ensure U.S. support for Ukraine, including Washington sharing intelligence with Kyiv and its involvement in security guarantees if a peace agreement is reached with Russia.

Rasmus Sndergaard, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, called Trumps announcement unprecedented because tariff threats normally stem from trade disagreements, not territorial disputes between allies.

Thats of course why were seeing the response from European countries saying enough is enough, he told The Associated Press. I think theres in part probably a strategic calculation, of course, from the governments in these countries that if you give in to Trump on this, what will be the next thing? And at some point you have to sort of push back.

Sndergaard also said Trump leveled the playing field for Europe with the tariff threat. Europeans cannot compete militarily, but the EU can wield an economic weapon through reciprocal tariffs.

The EU has the ability to really strike back with force if they want to, and it will hurt European economies, he said. It will hurt American economies. The challenge for Trump is he has midterms coming up and its not going to help him if the U.S. goes into more of an economic recession or more of a economic turmoil than is already the case.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wrote on social media Sunday that hed spoken with Trump. Rutte has been criticized in recent days for largely sidestepping questions about Trump and Greenland and any NATO tensions over the island.

We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week, Rutte said.

Trumps move was also panned domestically.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot and Arizona Democrat, said Trumps threatened tariffs on U.S. allies would make Americans pay more to try to get territory we dont need.

Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in, Kelly wrote on social media. The damage this President is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesnt change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction.

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said he supports the United States ultimately owning Greenland, but not how Trump is trying to accomplish it.

He said he had concerns whether Trump had the constitutional authority to impose unilateral tariffs on NATO allies, as well as about a threat of a military invasion. Trumps current position threatens to fracture that strong relationship, not just with Denmark, but with all of our NATO allies, Pence said on CNNs State of the Union.

Populist allies of Trump criticize the tariff threat

Six of the countries targeted are part of the 27-member EU, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trading. It was not immediately clear if Trumps tariffs would impact the entire bloc. EU envoys scheduled emergency talks Sunday evening to determine a potential response.

The tariff announcement also drew blowback from Trumps populist allies in Europe.

Italys right-wing premier, Giorgia Meloni, considered one of Trumps closest allies on the continent, said she had spoken to him about the tariffs, which she described as a mistake.

The deployment to Greenland of small numbers of troops by some European countries was misunderstood by Washington, Meloni said, adding it was not a move against the U.S. but aimed to provide security against other actors that she didnt identify.

Jordan Bardella, president of Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party in France and a European Parliament lawmaker, posted that the EU should suspend last years tariff deal with the U.S., describing Trumps threats as commercial blackmail.

Trump also achieved the rare feat of uniting Britains main political parties  including the hard-right Reform UK party  all of whom criticized the tariff threat.

We dont always agree with the U.S. government and in this case we certainly dont. These tariffs will hurt us, said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a longtime champion and ally of Trump. His social media post stopped short of criticizing Trumps designs on Greenland.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who leads the center-left Labour Party, said the tariffs announcement was completely wrong and his government would be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Aleksandrya embodies a rich cultural heritage that spans ancient Greek civilization and Eastern European traditions. As a feminine form of Alexander, it carries the legacy of one of history's most influential names while developing its own distinct feminine identity. The name particularly resonates in Slavic cultures where the 'y' spelling preserves authentic pronunciation while honoring Greek roots. Throughout history, women named Aleksandrya have often been associated with leadership, education, and social reform, frequently serving as cultural ambassadors who bridge traditional values with progressive ideals. The name's enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey both strength and grace, making it a popular choice for families valuing both cultural heritage and feminine empowerment. In modern contexts, Aleksandrya represents the evolving role of women as protectors and leaders in their communities, maintaining the name's original meaning while adapting to contemporary understandings of feminine strength and compassion.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Azia holds profound significance in Islamic tradition as it connects to Asiya bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh who protected and raised the infant Moses. In the Quranic narrative, Asiya is celebrated as one of the four perfect women in Islam, alongside Maryam (Mary), Khadija, and Fatima. Her story represents the ultimate triumph of faith over tyranny, as she defied her powerful husband to embrace monotheism and protect God's prophet. This narrative makes the name particularly meaningful in Muslim cultures, symbolizing unwavering faith and moral courage.



Beyond its religious roots, Azia also carries geographical significance as a variation of Asia, the world's largest continent. This dual heritage makes the name appealing to families with connections to Asian cultures or those who appreciate the continent's rich history and diversity. In modern multicultural societies, Azia serves as a bridge between Islamic tradition and broader cultural appreciation, representing both spiritual devotion and global consciousness. The name's versatility allows it to honor religious heritage while embracing contemporary, international identities.
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Ever notice that characters in Netflix original movies seem to reiterate the films plot over and over again? Or that they always seem to say out loud what they are doing or planning on doing? It turns out its intentional  and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have just confirmed it.

For years it has been speculated that Netflix asks its hired screenwriters to cater to casual viewers, meaning those who are scrolling on their phones or performing other activities while watching. This, as suggested by journalist Will Tavlin in n+1 in 2025, is exemplified by characters who announce what theyre doing so that viewers who have this programme on in the background can follow along.

While Netflix has never officially commented on these rumours, the truth may have just been outed by Damon and Affleck, the stars of the new Netflix original film The Rip.

Making an appearance on Joe Rogans podcast this week, and during a discussion about the evaporation of cinemas and the dominance of phone usage in public life, Damon said that The Rip had to abide by numerous Netflix storytelling rules.

open image in gallery Matt Damon (left) and Ben Affleck (right) have reteamed for their new movie, 'The Rip' ( Getty Images for SiriusXM )

The standard way to make an action movie, we learnt [years ago], is you usually have three set pieces, Damon explained. One in the first act, one in the second, one in the third. You spend most of your money on that one in the third act. Thats your finale. And now [Netflix] are like, Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay.

He continued, quoting Netflix: And it wouldnt be terrible if you reiterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue because people are on their phones while theyre watching. Its really going to start to infringe on telling stories.

open image in gallery Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in The Rip ( Netflix )

Affleck then interjected, suggesting that not all Netflix storytelling follows said rules.

But then you look at Adolescence and it didnt do any of that s***, Affleck said. And its f***ing great.

That feels like more the exception though, Damon added.

My feeling is that it demonstrates that you dont need to do any of that s***, concluded Affleck.

Somewhat ironically, The Rip  which star the pair as members of a squad of Miami cops who stumble upon stolen cash  was described by The Independents film critic Clarisse Loughrey as a movie spoilt by some of these now-confirmed Netflix rules.

She wrote: Its a character piece that does very little with its characters, since its been afflicted with the Netflix curse of dialogue written exclusively for people who are busy scrolling on their phones.

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While on the promotional trail for the film, Damon also told Joe Rogan his thoughts on cancel culture, which left some raising eyebrows.
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Stellan Skarsgard has criticized Donald Trumps demands for Denmark to hand over the territory of Greenland.

The Swedish actor, 74, was asked about his reaction to Trumps threats during a press conference Saturday at the European Film Awards.

Its absurd, isnt it? Skarsgard slammed. Its a little man who got megalomania, and hes trying to take the world. He took Venezuela, suddenly, and thats for Chevron. Hell take Greenland for minerals. Hes a criminal.

The Dune actor was referring to Trumps decision to remove Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro from power before he began talks with oil giant Chevron to expand its license in Venezuela.

Trump, who has had a longstanding interest in purchasing Greenland, said he set his sights on the territory due to national security reasons. In a lengthy Truth Social post Saturday, Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on a slew of European countries that oppose the annexation, including Denmark, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Sweden.

open image in gallery Stellan Skarsgard has slammed Donald Trump's threats to takeover Greenland as 'absurd' ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has demanded that Denmark give Greenland to the U.S. ( Getty Images )

Denmark and its European allies have firmly insisted that Greenland is not for sale and slammed Trumps threats as unacceptable.

Skarsgard recently won the best supporting actor award at the Golden Globes for his performance in Joachim Triers Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value. The Swedish actor and Norwegian director, whose home countries both neighbor Greenland, both shared their frustration with the political stand-off at Saturdays winners press conference in Berlin.

Trier responded: Sitting in Europe today. I think that what weve learned from history is that the idea of appropriation of other countries and the idea of colonization is something that we suffer through guilt for in Europe, in the sense that we are trying to move forward from that idiotic idea.

Denmark has come a long way in apologizing and trying to make good for their appropriation of Greenland in the past, and Greenland is for people from Greenland. So, this idea of reappropriating it for another culture, when Denmark has been very clear that America can, through NATO Alliance, protect Greenland if they feel like it in a greater military capacity, and now this is happening.

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He concluded, I agree with Stellan that its an absurd notion, and international law must be respected, because grinding that down will have such tremendous domino effects on how other superpowers will treat other countries, so the dominant effect of that is extremely worrying, if it is to happen.
Those bearing the name Eunomia typically exhibit characteristics reflecting their namesake's attributes of order and governance. They are natural organizers who excel at creating systems and processes that enhance efficiency and fairness. Their minds work methodically, allowing them to analyze complex situations and develop structured solutions. Eunomias possess strong ethical frameworks and often serve as moral compasses in their communities. They value consistency and reliability, making them dependable friends and colleagues. While they appreciate tradition, they understand when systems need reform and approach change with careful consideration. Their leadership style emphasizes collaboration within established frameworks, and they have a talent for mediating conflicts by finding common ground. Eunomias often pursue careers in law, education, administration, or any field where their organizational skills and sense of justice can flourish. They balance their structured nature with genuine concern for others' wellbeing, creating environments where both order and compassion thrive.
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Bruce Springsteen has again taken aim at President Donald Trump and ICE in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, delivering a pointed message to a crowd gathered for a benefit concert.

Springsteen took the stage January 17 in a surprise appearance at the Light of Day Winterfest in his home state of New Jersey. The annual event raises funds for Parkinsons disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

A longtime critic of Trump  with whom Springsteen publicly sparred last year  the 76-year-old rocker slammed the administration while introducing his 1978 song, The Promised Land.

I wrote this song as an ode to American possibility, Springsteen said. Right now we are living through incredibly critical times. The United States, the ideals and the value for which it stood for the past 250 years, is being tested like it has never been in modern times. Those values and those ideals have never been as endangered as they are right now.

If you believe in the power of law and that no one stands above it, if you stand against heavily-armed masked federal troops invading an American city, using gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens, if you believe you dont deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president, as the mayor of the city said: ICE should get the f*** out of Minneapolis, Springsteen continued, according to a video from the benefit posted to YouTube.

open image in gallery A longtime critic of Trump  with whom Springsteen publicly sparred last year  the 76-year-old rocker slammed the administration while introducing his 1978 song, The Promised Land. ( Getty Images for AFI )

This song is for you and the memory of the mother of three and an American citizen, Renee Good.

Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7. In the weeks since the shooting, protests have broken out across the U.S., calling for accountability for Good's death as well as a separate shooting in Portland where Border Patrol agents wounded two people. Some protests have resulted in clashes with law enforcement, especially in Minneapolis, where ICE is carrying out its largest immigration enforcement operation to date.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a stark message to the ICE agents sent to the city by Trump in the wake of the shooting: Get the f*** out.

This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying, getting killed, he continued.

open image in gallery Springsteen dedicated a song to slain Minneapolis resident Renee Good ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Springsteen joins a chorus of celebrity voices protesting Trumps administration. At least weeks Golden Globe Awards, actor Mark Ruffalo blasted Trump as the worst human being during a red carpet interview.

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If we're relying on this guy's morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we're all in a lot of trouble, Ruffalo told USA Today.

So this is for [Good]. This is for the people in the United States who are terrorized and scared today. I know I'm one of them. I love this country. And what I'm seeing here happening is not America.

Ruffalo was just one of the many celebrities who attended the ceremony adorned in buttons that said BE GOOD and ICE OUT to honor Good.
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Stranger Things fan theories about a secret bonus episode have been shut down once again in a Saturday Night Live sketch that roasted the outlandish conspiracies.

The first SNL episode of 2026 was led by debut host Finn Wolfhard, who played Mike Wheeler for nine years in the hit Netflix show. His co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin surprised the audience during the actors monologue and returned later in the show during a pre-recorded sketch that poked fun at theories about Stranger Things continuing after its series finale.

Stranger Things is back with sequels, prequels, requels, and spin-offs, a voiceover said in the sketchs parody Netflix ad before playing faux trailers for spin-offs, including a series called Strangerous Minds about Steve Harrington continuing his teaching career, a show calledThe Wheeler Report about Nancy Wheeler as an investigative journalist, and a Sex and the City spoof starring Wolfhards Mike Wheeler as a writer in New York City.

The voiceover continued, Remember that mysterious ninth episode the internet was convinced existed? It didn't, but it does now! Wolfhard, McLaughlin and Matarazzo were then shown resuming their Stranger Things roles as Wolfhard declared the shows villain, Vecna, was still out there, before greeting Eleven, played in the sketch by Kenan Thompson.

However, after the sketch aired, some fans took issue with one of its jokes about an unpopularStranger Things scene in which Will Byers, one of the shows main characters who is played by Noah Schnapp, came out to his friends as gay.

open image in gallery Finn Wolfhard's debut on 'Saturday Night Live' surprised fans with appearances from 'Stranger Things' co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, who joined the host in a sketch satirizing finale conspiracy theories ( NBC )

open image in gallery Fans were furious that SNL made fun of a Stranger Things scene where character Will Byers came out as gay to his friends and family ( Netflix )

And before you get all mad and go, How come Will isnt in that? Its because his coming out scene is still going on, the voiceover joked about the five-minute monologue featured in episode seven  but fans slammed the bit as being in poor taste.

It's unnecessary to make fun of Will's scene, even if the dialogue was bad, one SNL critic slammed on Instagram, with another agreeing, That will joke was so unnecessary.

A third wrote: How disrespectful to make fun of wills coming out scene, that was ridiculous.

Other fans defended SNL, with one explaining, They are making fun of how long that Will scene was and how was written, not that he was gay. SNL is not a teen show and has mature jokes, you shouldnt watch if you dont like dark comedy.

Another chimed in, Yall complaining about the jokes, its SNL. Yall need to relax.

Strangers Things series divisive finale aired December 31 and sparked criticism for its lackluster ending. In response, disappointed fans of the show began to spread a rumor that another episode would be released as the real ending.

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However, there is no proof that the secret episode exists, and Vecna actor Jamie Campbell Bower appeared to shut the theory down by saying that the last episode was the ending the show deserves.
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Weeks into the new year, many Americans will enjoy a long weekend thanks to the federal holiday schedule.

This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 19. The annual holiday takes place on the third Monday of every January to coincide with the civil rights leaders birthdate of January 15.

However, a federal holiday doesnt guarantee that all workers around the U.S. will get the day off.

It is up to individual employers to decide whether they offer time off or additional pay for work on federal holidays.

Find the full list of 2026 federal holidays below:

The full list of 2026 federal holidays has been revealed ( Getty/iStock )

New Years Day: Thursday, January 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 19

Presidents Day: Monday, February 16

Memorial Day: Monday, May 25

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Friday, June 19

Independence Day: Saturday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 7

Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 12

Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26

Christmas Day: Friday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentines Day: Saturday, February 14

St. Patricks Day: Tuesday, March 17

April Fools Day: Wednesday, April 1

First Day of Passover: Wednesday, April 1

Good Friday: Friday, April 3

Easter: Sunday, April 5

Mothers Day: Sunday, May 10

Fathers Day: Sunday, June 21

Halloween: Saturday, October 31

First Day of Hannukkah: Friday, December 4

Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24

New Years Eve: Thursday, December 31
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It is a turbulent week for Russia, from stark warnings that poisonous pollution is cutting down life expectancy, to a UK inquiry decades later linking Vladimir Putin directly to the infamous poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. Meanwhile, the Soviet-era city of Baku sees tens of thousands gather in defiance of a Soviet military crackdown that would later become known as Black January. In Washington, this week proves transitional as George H W Bush is sworn in as US president, promising a new political era and distancing himself from the selfish excesses of the Reagan era. Beyond our terrestrial plane, attention turns skywards as new images from Mars reveal frozen water on the planets surface, raising fresh questions about its past  a significant step in understanding whether the Red Planet might once have supported life. All are charted in The Independent.

21 January 1989  George H W Bush sworn in as US president

George H W Bush is sworn in as the 41st president of the United States, closing the Reagan era as he takes office in Washington DC. In his inaugural address, Bush speaks of a new breeze blowing and a world reborn, striking a more restrained note as he signals a shift away from what he describes as the selfish excesses of the previous decade, telling Americans that we are not the sum of our possessions.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

23 January 1990  Baku defies Moscow after Soviet crackdown

Tens of thousands gather in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, to mourn those killed in a Soviet military crackdown, openly defying a decree from Moscow as funerals are held for victims hailed locally as martyrs. The Independent reports that the Kremlin hints at a softer approach in the face of mounting resistance, as nationalist sentiment in Azerbaijan surges during the final months of Soviet rule. Moscows crackdown would come to be known as Black January.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

24 January 1992  Pollution blamed for Russias falling life expectancy

Severe industrial pollution across Russia is linked to a dramatic fall in life expectancy, with some estimates putting average lifespan as low as 44 years. The Independent reports that decades of environmental neglect under Soviet rule are taking a heavy toll on public health, as experts admit we are near catastrophe in the early years of the post-Soviet transition.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

25 January 1993  Croats and Serbs edge closer to all-out war

A Croatian offensive against Serb-held positions unfolds amid tank battles for a third consecutive day near key sites, despite a United Nations ceasefire agreed the previous year. Geneva peace talks are suspended and heavy weapons are seized from UN control, prompting warnings that the spectre of all-out war between Serbs and Croats is drawing closer. The fighting marks a sharp escalation in the conflict, which continues through 1993 as ceasefires repeatedly break down and large-scale violence persists.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

23 January 1997  Taxpayers fund new royal yacht

Taxpayers are set to fund a new royal yacht at an estimated cost of 60m, as the government commits to replacing the ageing Britannia. The Independent highlights the scale of the expenditure by comparing it with alternative public spending, noting the sum could instead fund dozens of new primary schools or a hospital, prompting debate over priorities and public value.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

24 January 2004  New images reveal frozen water on Mars

Images sent back by a Mars orbiter reveal frozen water on the planets surface, prompting fresh questions about whether conditions for life may once have existed there. Scientists stress that while the discovery strengthens evidence of Marss watery past, it does not confirm life, marking instead a significant step in understanding the planets history and potential habitability.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

20 January 2006  A message from Bin Laden

An audio recording believed to be from Osama bin Laden is released, marking his first message in more than a year and renewing questions about his whereabouts. US intelligence officials say the voice is almost certainly his, as the al-Qaeda leader, still in hiding, issues threats and commentary amid ongoing efforts to track him down.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

23 January 2015  Daily Mirror hacking scandal

The phone-hacking scandal at the Daily Mirror is described as worse than at Murdochs papers after details emerge at a High Court hearing. Lawyers say as many as 41 journalists may have accessed private voicemails illegally, exposing the publisher to potential compensation claims running into tens of millions of pounds and intensifying scrutiny of newsroom practices across the industry.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

22 January 2016  Inquiry links Putin to Litvinenko murder

A public inquiry delivers a stark verdict, concluding that Russian president Vladimir Putin probably authorised the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, the former spy poisoned with polonium-210 in London in 2006. The findings trigger calls for a robust government response to what the inquiry describes as a state-sponsored killing of a British citizen, while Moscow reacts with fury, dismissing the report as a UK provocation and deepening an already fraught diplomatic standoff.
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For more than four decades, a woman killed in a hit-and-run was known only as Laguna Beach Jane Doe. Now, advances in DNA technology have finally given her back her name.

Authorities have identified the woman as Virginia Irene Nelson, known as Ginny to her family. She was 46 years old when she was struck and killed along Pacific Coast Highway in January 1982.

On January 30, 1982, a passing driver discovered a womans body along the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Investigators determined she had died only hours earlier and had been struck in a hit-and-run.

She wore a t-shirt with the phrase Go Climb a Hill  San Francisco on it, but had no identification. Despite having a recognizable face, dental work, fingerprints and surgical scars, investigators were unable to identify her, and the case went cold for more than 40 years.

In November 2023, the Orange County Sheriffs Office turned the case over to the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that specializes in identifying unidentified remains through genetic genealogy. In just one weekend, volunteer investigative genealogists working the case were able to identify the Jane Doe as Nelson.

open image in gallery A sketch provided by the DNA Doe Project shows Virginia Irene Nelson, who was killed in a hit-and-run along the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach in 1982 ( DNA Doe Project )

A relative of the unidentified woman had uploaded his DNA profile to a database that permits the upload of law enforcement cases, the organization said. His profile, along with other DNA matches, led DNA Doe Project researchers straight to the correct family, where the team first came across Virginia Irene Nelson.

With multiple DNA matches tied to the Nelson family, investigators with the the Orange County Sheriffs Department contacted a living relative and confirmed her identity.

Close matches do not always guarantee a quick or easy resolution, said Jeana Feehery, a team co-leader at DNA Doe Project. But in this case, we were fortunate to not only have high matches on both sides of her family, but family members who also publicly shared family trees that helped us make those connections.

Nelson was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but grew up in Yonkers, just outside New York City. She later moved to California and was living in Fresno by 1967. Investigators said that detail was uncovered through a newspaper article reporting that she had been mugged while living there, KTLA reported.

Margaret Press, co-founder and acting executive director of DNA Doe Project, told the Los Angeles Times that preserved tissue samples played a critical role in solving the case.

There were actually pieces of [human] tissue that had been retained in what we call histology blocks, Press said. Those are little paraffin-embedded blocks that contain the tissue. In fact, thats all that was left of her, if I recall. Those blocks were sent to a lab we work with, Genologue in Atlanta, Georgia.

They then extracted her DNA from those little bits of tissue, she continued. We only need a few cells, actually, and then that DNA was put through a sequencer. It was sequenced, so that the entire genome was extracted from those cells, so a big digital file, three billion base pairs in your DNA. That digital file was then processed down to a more manageable size that contains the information we need to compare with other people.

Press said the DNA profile was uploaded to GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA, where researchers identified individuals who shared DNA with Nelson.

Those people could have been separate cousins, third cousins, whatever, Press said. We then figured out who they were and built out their family trees, knowing that Virginia would be somewhere in their trees. We just had to go back far enough to find common ancestors and then build forward generation by generation, looking for some female in that tree that was not accounted for, whose death was never recorded.
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A deadly, targeted shooting outside a historic New Orleans restaurant left a 19-year-old man dead and three others wounded  and now Crimestoppers has doubled the reward for information leading to the gunmans arrest.

The shooting happened around 8 p.m. Friday at Dooky Chase Restaurant on Orleans Avenue in Treme, according to the New Orleans Police Department. Authorities say the 19-year-old victim ran into the 85-year-old civil rights landmark while someone else was shooting at him. He then collapsed inside.

He was identified by his family as Kareem Harris, a 2024 graduate of New Orleans Livingston Collegiate Academy, his sister told FOX8.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the incident was a targeted attack on a known individual, not the restaurant or its patrons.

The person who was the target simply ran into the restaurant where he collapsed, Kirkpatrick said. So unfortunately the perpetrator continued to shoot, so innocent bystanders who were patrons were actually hit, but they are in no way targets nor was this restaurant.

open image in gallery A shooting at civil rights landmark Dooky Chase in New Orleans left one man dead and three bystanders injured January 16 ( WWLTV )

Three women, who police say were visiting New Orleans, were also shot. Two are in critical condition, including one who underwent surgery, and a third is in stable condition.

They were inside but not inside the restaurant, waiting to be seated or picked up by an Uber or something, Kirkpatrick said. There is a door that closes between the foyer and dining area, that door was closed at the time.

Dooky Chase began as a sandwich shop before evolving into one of New Orleans most significant cultural and political landmarks.

It became a gathering place and refuge for musicians, entertainers, activists, and community leaders through the civil rights movement. In the 1960s, the restaurant opened its doors to Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists and local leaders who would meet for strategy sessions, solidifying the restaurants role in the civil rights movement.

In later years, the restaurant welcomed presidents including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who famously drew the ire of Chef Leah Chase after putting hot sauce on her gumbo during a 2008 campaign stop.

Chase, dubbed the Queen of Creole Cuisine, died in 2019 at 96 years old. She received several awards for her culinary impact and civil rights work, including a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award.

open image in gallery Then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama famously poured hot sauce on a bowl of gumbo inside the restaurant while on the campaign trail in New Orleans in 2008 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The suspect in Fridays shooting was described as an African American man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Investigators said he briefly left the scene, returned, and then fled into the neighborhood. Kirkpatrick said police have surveillance video of the suspect and the shooting and urged residents to review their own footage.

It is unfortunate that all of our victims, other than the decedent are visitors to our city, Kirkpatrick said. Were so sorry for that because, thats not who we are. We are a safer and safer city. We are a city that wants to welcome all of our visitors, but it is unfortunate that they were visitors to our city.

Harris, the victim, was declared dead at the scene, authorities said, not far from his home in the historic Treme neighborhood.

Our victim is from this neighborhood, Kirkpatrick said. His family is here, of course we express condolences, no matter what the circumstances.

Mayor Helena Moreno and other city leaders responded to the scene Friday night. Moreno emphasized that the restaurant was not the intended target.

During the 85 years, this restaurant has been established here, that theres never been any type of incident like this, Moreno said. So this was a very targeted event toward one person.

I have spoken with the owners of the restaurant, along with the staff, and obviously this has been a very traumatic situation, Moreno added. I have offered the support of myself along with my administration, along with the New Orleans Police Department.

No arrests have been made as of Saturday afternoon.

A reward for tips leading to an arrest was increased from $2,500 to $5,000, according to Crimestoppers President Darlene Cusanza.
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A five-year-old Louisiana boy was so severely neglected that when he died, his emaciated body fit inside an infant-sized body bag, according to deputies, who say its one of the most disturbing child neglect cases they have ever encountered.

Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, have been arrested and charged with negligent homicide in the death of their son Marley Perilloux, who weighed only 19 pounds, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office.

Perilloux and Young are also charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal carrying of weapons. Authorities said additional or upgraded charges are possible.

Deputies responded to a reported medical emergency at a gas station in Geismar, Louisiana, around 9 p.m. on January 1 where they found Marley unresponsive. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died.

The boys weight of just 19 pounds and height of 35 inches sparked concerned and investigators immediately opened a child abuse and neglect investigation after observing apparent injuries and signs of severe malnourishment, the sheriffs office said.

open image in gallery Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, have been arrested and charged with a slew of neglect charges ( Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office )

Investigators visited the familys home, where three other children resided, and what they found inside raised further alarm.

Detectives reported the inside of the home was in poor condition and barely livable due to Perilloux and Youngs negligence, the sheriffs office said. Trash was scattered throughout the residence, and dirty mattresses were laid directly on the floor.

Through interviews, investigators determined the parents had failed to ensure proper hygiene, feeding, and medical care for Marley. Investigators also reported that the child had been bedridden and never left the home.

Ascension Parish Sheriffs Col. Donald Capello described the case as the most severe neglect he had witnessed.

open image in gallery The boys father and mother, Raynisa Young, were arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail, where they are being held without bond ( Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office )

This is probably the worst case of child neglect Ive seen in my 34 years of law enforcement, he said.

To put it in perspective, when the coroners come out, there are body bags for adults, and there are body bags for infants, Capello added, per WAFB. And this child, 5 years old, fit in an infant body bag.

Marleys cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy is pending, authorities said.

Perilloux and Young were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail, where they are being held without bond.

The three other children living in the home were removed by the state. The investigation is ongoing.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Friedrich occupies a unique position in German cultural history as a name that bridges aristocratic tradition with intellectual innovation. For centuries, it has been borne by rulers, philosophers, scientists, and artists who shaped German identity and European civilization. The name's association with Frederick the Great established its royal credentials, while figures like Friedrich Schiller and Friedrich Nietzsche endowed it with profound literary and philosophical significance. This dual heritage makes Friedrich a name that simultaneously conveys authority and intellectual depth.



In the German cultural imagination, Friedrich represents the ideal of 'Bildung'  the concept of self-cultivation and intellectual development that was central to German Enlightenment thought. The name evokes images of the educated, cultured individual who contributes to society through both thought and action. Its continued use reflects Germany's pride in its cultural heritage and the enduring appeal of names that carry historical weight and intellectual prestige. The name's persistence across generations demonstrates how traditional values and modern aspirations can coexist in German naming practices.
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Eating outMelbourne icon Lygon Streets last butcher has a new owner with a familiar name Customers of the legendary Donatis butcher shop in Carlton feared the end was nigh when its founder announced his retirement. But their prayers may have been answered by a buyer who wants business as usual. Emma Breheny Updated January 19, 2026 ,first published January 19, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Donatis Fine Meats, a fixture of Lygon Street since 1972, will continue to trade as a butcher shop with a new owner  who has a name familiar to many on the strip  taking the reins from founder Leo Donati, who is retiring. When the 77-year-old Donati announced his plans to sell the business and retire late last year, it sparked worry that the last butcher shop of Carltons Little Italy would also become history. Leo Donati and son Marcello of Donatis butcher shop on Lygon Street, Carlton. Eddie Jim But Jamie Valmorbida, part of the family who own King & Godfree and several other businesses nearby, has purchased the shop with the intent to continue supplying pork sausages, veal and other meat to its many regular customers. Significantly, he will not be changing the name of the shop. The shops already thriving. My job is to protect that, said Valmorbida. Over time, we think the brand has potential, and Im excited to explore that in the future. But the focus right now is doing the fundamentals right.

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Donatis reputation is for more than just excellent meat. The shop is well-known for playing classical music all day, walls hung with artworks honouring cows and pigs, fresh flowers on the counter, and conversation spanning current affairs, books, composers and more. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Valmorbida takes possession on January 30 and will work with Donatis son, Marcello, on a transition. Most of the art and Leos playlists come with the sale. Jamie Valmorbida and his family run several other businesses along Lygon Street. Griffin Simm Butcher Sam Spagnuolo, an employee of more than 20 years, will remain while Mark Glenn, executive chef of several Valmorbida venues, will oversee operations. There are plans to recruit a head butcher, and build a team of both current and past team members. Its impossible to replace Leo and Marcello but creating a unique service experience is going to be a priority, said Valmorbida.

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While he wouldnt expand on his ideas for the shops future, including new products, Valmorbida said any changes would be six to 12 months away. The beauty of Donatis is whats there. Were not going to change the core, but we will try some things around the side, he added. Leo Donatis son Marcello will work with new owner Jamie Valmorbida on a transition. Eddie Jim Marcello hopes the shops next chapter will retain the integrity of what weve built but the Valmorbidas add their own history and imprint onto the business to make sure it has another life. He added: I think its really important that we continue to have a butcher shop in Lygon Street. The sale came about when Valmorbida was picking up a ham for Christmas and Leo jokingly asked if he would buy the business. I said: Youve planted the seed and it was genuine. From there, it moved really quickly.

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The two families have long orbited the same world of Carltons Lygon Street. The Valmorbida name has been linked with King & Godfree, a deli and continental grocer on the corner of Faraday Street, since 1955. In more recent years, the familys portfolio has skewed towards hospitality, much like the rest of Lygon Street. Most of Leos art and classical playlists come with the sale. Eddie Jim Their businesses include rooftop bar Johnnys Green Room, Pidapipo gelato shops across Melbourne, and restaurants within King & Godfree, which has been closed since July 2024 for further changes and will reopen in stages, beginning February. The timing, everything lining up, [Jamie] restarting whats across the road, preserving whats there  its serendipitous, said Marcello. Related Article Its not just a butcher: Legendary Carlton shop Donatis celebrated in its final weeks
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Exclusive NationalHealthcare Building that village here: Plan to pay surrogates for the toll of pregnancy Henrietta Cook January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Surrogates would receive monthly payments of up to $2000 for the pain and discomfort of pregnancy under a proposed overhaul of Australias surrogacy laws. Labelling the current system confusing, restrictive and not fit for purpose, the Australian Law Reform Commission has also recommended consistent surrogacy laws across the country and a new national regulator. A record number of Australian children are being born through overseas surrogacy arrangements. iStock The recommendations come as a record number of Australians go overseas for surrogacy arrangements due to a shortage of domestic surrogates. Last financial year, 369 children born through surrogacy arrangements became Australian citizens, up from 218 in 2021. It has been reported that in 2020, about 76 children were born through domestic surrogacy.

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However, international surrogacy comes with significant risks. This masthead on Sunday highlighted the ordeal of Melbourne father Jamie Roberts and his daughter, who have been stranded in Argentina for more than 11 months after discovering serious procedural issues with their surrogacy paperwork. In a discussion paper recently published online, the federal governments independent legal advisory body said: The limited availability of domestic surrogates drives intended parents to access surrogacy arrangements overseas. These arrangements may be exploitative, and create other harms experienced in Australia for intended parents and children born through surrogacy, such as challenges obtaining legal parentage.

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In Australia, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed. While intended parents are legally permitted to reimburse the surrogate for direct costs such as medical, travel and legal fees, any form of commercial payment is prohibited. Related Article Exclusive

Healthcare Jamies daughter was born in Argentina 11 months ago. He still cant bring her home Theres also a patchwork of surrogacy laws across the country. Some states and territories, including NSW, Queensland and the ACT, may apply criminal sanctions for engaging in overseas commercial surrogacy. In a bid to boost the number of domestic surrogates, the commission recommended reimbursing Australian surrogates for more of the real costs and losses of surrogacy to ensure they are not out of pocket. This could include optional monthly payment to recognise the ordinary pain and discomfort of pregnancy, as well as optional payments if extraordinary medical complications arise. These would be in addition to existing payments for medical costs, travel, maternity clothes and other costs associated with being a surrogate.

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The law does not currently allow payment that recognises the full range of costs and losses associated with being a surrogate, the commission said. It fails to acknowledge the significant physical, emotional and sometimes ongoing costs to the surrogate. It can also symbolise a lack of respect for the surrogate within a highly monetised system, where many others are paid. The commission said its proposed changes would ensure that surrogacy remained not for profit. It anticipates that the maximum monthly payment could fall between $1000 and $2000. Surrogacy Australia operations manager Anna McKie said the new hardship payments were not about profit, but that they acknowledged the profound wear and tear on a womans body and mind during and after pregnancy. Thats a small amount to thank her for the physical and emotional toll that stays with her for the rest of her life, she said.

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McKie, who has been a surrogate, said while hundreds of Australians went overseas each year for surrogacy, many would prefer to stay in the domestic system if it were more accessible. Editor's pick NSW State Parliament Jen had a baby for her best friend. It was harder than it needed to be It takes a village to raise a child, but in the case of surrogacy, it takes a village to make a child, she said. These reforms are about building that village safely here at home so fewer Aussies have to face the nightmare of being stranded overseas. One of the most exciting proposals, McKie said, was the introduction of surrogacy support organisations that could oversee financial arrangements between surrogates and intended parents and co-ordinate payments in a trust account. Beth, who does not want her surname published for privacy reasons, became a surrogate in 2021 after meeting Melbourne couple Tyson and Dan on a Facebook page.

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She gave birth to the pairs daughter, London, in December 2021 and then their son, River, in November 2024. She is a strong advocate for queer families and found the surrogacy experience empowering. It sounds crazy when you put it on paper, the 35-year-old said. I met people on Facebook and then birthed their baby. Beth (centre) was a surrogate for Melbourne couple Tyson (left) and Dan, and gave birth to their daughter London and son River. Eddie Jim While she welcomes many of the proposals put forward by the commission (particularly the nationally consistent laws), shes unsure about monthly hardship payments for surrogates. She says once you attach a price tag to the pain and discomfort of pregnancy, it risks turning a deeply personal gift into a commercial transaction. She fears this could lead to bidding wars where parents are priced out of the market, or worse, it could create a system where vulnerable women are taken advantage of  similar to the horror stories she has heard from countries like Georgia.

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Beth, who has two children of her own, said Tyson and Dan generously reimbursed her for costs associated with the pregnancies, including pelvic floor physiotherapy, dental care, counselling and maternity clothes. There is nothing that will ever compare to delivering a baby and then being able to say, Here is your daughter, here is your son. There is nothing that will ever compare to delivering a baby and then being able to say, Here is your daughter, here is your son. Beth, a surrogate for Melbourne couple Tyson and Dan A spokesman for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said surrogacy arrangements were medically, emotionally, financially and legally complex. He said the Albanese government had asked the commission to review surrogacy laws to ensure they were consistent with Australias international obligations and the protection of human rights.

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It is vitally important that all Australians considering an overseas surrogacy arrangement seek specialist legal advice on their proposed arrangement, and whether it is permitted under the surrogacy laws of their state or territory, the spokesman said. A Victorian government spokeswoman welcomed the national review, and said the state would consider the recommendations when the final report was delivered to the federal government in 2026. Our priority is to ensure that when surrogacy occurs in Victoria, it is conducted safely, ethically, and in the best interests of all parties involved, she said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWCourts Man has part of skull removed after alleged random attack in Sydney CBD Clare Sibthorpe January 18, 2026  1:50pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A gentle, family-orientated man is preparing for his third surgery after allegedly being kicked in the head in a dispute over an iPhone during a night out in the CBD, causing him to lose consciousness twice. Police found 20-year-old Sydney man Francis Wilson bleeding from the mouth and crouched in a foetal position on George Street in the early hours of September 21, court documents allege. Francis Wilson in hospital following surgery on his skull. French national Ismail Belhout has been charged over the incident, which occurred shortly after the 20-year-old Uber driver had moved to Australia. Police allege the events were captured on CCTV.

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According to the police statement of facts, Belhout was walking with two other people past World Square about 2:30am when he began holding up his phone towards Wilson  whom he did not know  seemingly taking photos or videos. The documents allege that Wilson, a Fijian national and labourer, walked towards Belhout and grabbed his phone. A scuffle ensued as Belhout tried to retrieve the device. Belhout is accused of wrapping his arm around Wilsons neck and pulling him to the ground. Multiple people joined the brawl, with Wilson tripping over and falling backwards. While Wilson was crouched on the ground and attempting to get up, Belhout allegedly kicked him in the head. The victims neck snapped back instantly, his head hitting the ground hard, causing it to bounce twice, instantly knocking him out for about 20 seconds, the fact sheet alleges.

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The accused ran from the scene; at no time did he return. A court heard Francis Wilson was left critically injured following an attack in Sydneys CBD in the early hours of September 21. CCTV footage allegedly showed an unsteady Wilson being helped to a wooden bench before stumbling to the corner of George and Liverpool streets. Witnesses found him unconscious and called police. He was taken to St Vincents Hospital in a critical condition. Officers responding to reports of an unrelated incident found Belhout at a nearby KFC store on George Street. Upon a review of the CCTV footage, he was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm while in company and affray.

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Belhout remained in custody until he was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court in early December. In applying for bail, defence lawyers said Belhout denies the offences and will argue self-defence. They said the issue at trial will be whether he by his actions, caused the injuries to the victim. Hes got a big divot in his head where he actually has no skull. Theres nothing protecting his brain Keira Bale, Wilsons sister-in-law The Crown opposed bail, arguing the CCTV footage appeared to clearly delineate Belhouts actions and that there was no suggestion of self-defence as Wilson was kicked after he had fallen over. The court heard Belhout was a French citizen with a valid visa who could live with his brother in Ultimo and continue working as an Uber driver.

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According to a letter of support from his brother  who offered a $5000 surety to secure bail  Belhout had moved to Australia in September, the same month of the alleged attack. Related Article Updated

Crime Sydney man bashed, bound and locked in boot of Uber in suspected kidnapping The letter said Belhout had been extremely stressed and frantic while in custody as he did not speak English and is still trying to understand what is going on. Belhout was granted bail with conditions including reporting daily to police, complying with a curfew and not going near international departure points. Wilsons sister-in-law, Keira Bale, told the Herald his road to recovery had been long and painful, and described how her family thought they would lose him.

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He underwent brain surgery and had part of his skull removed, with a third surgery planned for next month. Hes got a big divot in his head at the moment where he actually has no skull, so theres nothing protecting his brain, she said. Bale said Wilson had moved from hospital to a live-in rehabilitation centre, where hes had to pretty much relearn everything including eating and drinking. A fundraising page set up by Bale to support Wilson had raised more than $14,000. Bale described Wilson as a really gentle, family-orientated guy.

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Hes got seven other siblings, and their mother passed away really quite young, so theyve always had that really close family bond, she said. Hes just a really beautiful guy. Belhout will next face the local court on February 17. A co-accused man, also a French national, remains before the courts. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
People named Holden are commonly characterized by their strong sense of individuality and resistance to conformity. They often possess keen observational abilities that allow them to detect insincerity or hypocrisy, making them naturally skeptical of authority and social conventions. This trait can manifest as either refreshing honesty or challenging bluntness depending on context. Drawing from the literary archetype, many Holdens demonstrate a protective nature, particularly toward those they perceive as vulnerable or innocent. They tend to be introspective and may struggle with feelings of isolation when their values conflict with mainstream expectations. Despite sometimes appearing cynical, they typically maintain deep idealism and moral convictions that guide their actions. Their combination of intelligence, authenticity, and protective instincts often makes them loyal friends and principled individuals who march to their own drum while safeguarding what they consider truly valuable.
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Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaVictoria bushfires Opposition vows to overhaul states flawed bushfire defences Chip Le Grand January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The Victorian Coalition has vowed to reintroduce an annual fuel reduction burning target and scrap what it describes as Victorias flawed approach to bushfire mitigation as a sharp political divide opens beneath the states fire defences. The Allan government has defended its 10-year-old Safer Together policy which uses fuel reduction burns more sparingly and closer to towns to prioritise the protection of life and property, and describes as unachievable the blanket, 5 per cent of public land target which Labor adopted and subsequently abandoned after Black Saturday. Bushfire behaviour and forest ecology experts remain at odds over how best to protect the state from destructive wildfire, with some backing the governments approach, others calling for significantly more fuel reduction and a third group questioning whether the long-accepted practice of prescribed burning actually makes our forests more flammable. The 2026 bushfires, including the Longwood blaze which engulfed this forest, have so far destroyed 338 homes. Victorias 2026 fires, as of Sunday, had burnt 411,000 hectares, destroyed 338 homes and killed one person. It is the second summer in six years that uncontrolled megafires have ripped across the Victorian landscape, razed country towns, threatened regional population centres and destroyed livestock and native animals.

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It has sparked a bitter dispute over CFA funding, which escalated on Sunday with Premier Jacinta Allan accusing Opposition Leader Jess Wilson of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories and Wilson accusing Allan of misleading the public, and prompted the government and opposition to sponsor parallel inquiries into the fires in an election year. Nationals MP Melina Bath, the oppositions spokeswoman for public land. The CFA annual report containing its full financial details for 2024-25 will be published on Tuesday. While there is scientific consensus that climate change is driving the increased frequency and intensity of bushfires, the question of how best to avoid large-scale loss of life and property remains subject to fierce debate. Nationals MP Melina Bath told this masthead that while more fuel reduction isnt a silver bullet, it is one thing the state government can and should be doing to reduce the impact and cost of fire. Overwhelmingly, the Safer Together residual risk policy of the past decade is not working, said Bath, who is developing the oppositions public land management policies to take to Novembers state election.

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The government told the public we were prepared for the bushfire season, yet we have seen more than 400,000 hectares burnt. The government has not learned the lessons of 2019-20 and rejected the recommendations of the bushfire royal commission. It is time to review and set down a new model. Bath says a new fire mitigation model must include a minimum, annual land area target, whether measured in hectares or as a percentage of public or forest land. The 2009 Bushfires Royal Commissions recommended annual target of 5 per cent of public land, which equates to about 390,000 hectares, was adopted by successive governments but never met. The target was formally dumped by the incoming Andrews government in 2015. Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV), the government agency responsible for overseeing the states fuel reduction program, reported that between 2012-13 and the devastating Black Summer fire season of 2019-20, prescribed burns and other fuel-reduction methods were applied, on average, to 150,000 hectares of public land a year. The figure for 2024-25 was 109,000 hectares.

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Bath said the Coalitions policy, which has not been finalised or approved by the joint party room, would focus on greater use of patchwork fuel reduction burns across all public land to slow the spread of bushfire and stop them getting out of control. It would also incorporate more firestick burning  a traditional, Aboriginal land management practice using low-intensity fire. She confirmed the policy would also contain a minimum, annual hectare target. In the last decade, the government has done fuel reduction on only 1 per cent of public land, and we are seeing megafires costing billions of dollars in response and recovery and assets needing to be rebuilt, Bath said. It is impacting, very sharply, on the psyche of the Victorian population. Safer Together has not created a safer Victoria. There needs to be focus on what we can achieve and that means going back to a fuel-driven target system. The government defended its approach, which was developed off the work of bushfire risk modellers such as University of Melbourne professor of bushfire science Trent Penman. Instead of adopting land area targets, it calculates where and how much fuel needs to be reduced to lower the risk of homes being lost to wildfire.

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This has resulted in less prescribed burning in remote bush and a greater focus on reducing fuel in fire-prone areas surrounding towns and rural communities. Our risk-based approach to bushfire management means the resources we invest are directed where they will have the greatest impact in keeping Victorians safe, a government spokesperson said. This approach has been repeatedly reviewed by experts and inquiries and found to be a leading practice. As part of this policy, the government aims to reduce the statewide, residual risk of destructive bushfire to 70 per cent. The most recently published FFMV risk management report shows the statewide risk has been kept below this figure every year since Black Summer. The state over the same period failed to meet its targets for fire-prone districts such as Latrobe, the Grampians and the Yarra Valley, and the Metropolitan district which includes the Dandenong Ranges.

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The residual risk for the Goulburn district, the area which covers the still-uncontrolled Longwood fire which started last Friday in long grass on the side of the Hume Highway and has so far destroyed 224 homes, was kept below the FFMV target between 2021-22 and 2023-24. The FFMV report which contains the 2024-25 figures has not yet been published. The efficacy of land area targets for fuel reduction burning was questioned by the Bushfires Royal Commissions implementation monitor, former police chief Neil Comrie, who reported in 2013 that the approach would not necessarily reduce the risk to life and property. He concluded: BRCIM is not convinced a proposed target of 5 per cent minimum of public land is achievable, affordable or sustainable. Professor Penman said the residual risk model is a more nuanced approach which prioritises the preservation of human life through the protection of private property as the overarching goal, rather than the amount of land to be burnt in any year.

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The key driver was to put fuel treatments in place with an end goal in mind, which is the reduction of risk to property, people and the environment, he explained. A hectare target doesnt actually tell you anything about whether you are achieving that or not. The debate doesnt need to be do we burn or not burn. That is an old, simplistic debate. What we need to understand is how much we burn, where we burn and for what reason. Related Article Analysis

Bushfires Its the accepted wisdom on reducing bushfire risk, but doubts are growing Critics of this approach, such as retired CSIRO fire behaviour expert David Packham and forest researcher John Cameron, warn it has allowed fuel loads deeper in the forest to increase to dangerous levels. Packham advocates annual fuel reduction burns covering between 8 per cent and 20 per cent of public land. If we dont we are going to cop it, he says. ANU Professor David Lindenmayer, a forest ecology, resource management and conservation expert, says both approaches are wrong-headed. His latest research suggests prescribed burning reduces the short-term risk of bushfire but over the longer term, creates a more flammable environment, and that following the end of native forest logging in Victoria, the bush needs less intervention rather than more to rebuild its natural resistance to fire.

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He said the Coalitions idea of returning to an area target was utterly flawed and that Victoria, instead of funding more prescribed burning, should spend its money on expanding its firefighting workforce and adopting better and faster fire suppression technologies such as water-carrying drones. More than half the fire in Victoria has burnt agricultural land where the whole concept of prescribed burning and fuel loads doesnt make any sense, he said. I would question whether or not these huge, statewide targets and massive areas of prescribed burning is actually a sensible way to go. Much of country Victoria remains under a State of Disaster declaration, with seven major fires burning across the state and more hot weather forecast at the end of this week. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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InspirationEurope Italys new southern seaside star with a miraculous price tag Michael Gebicki January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The world might have fallen in love with Puglia, but the east coast city of Otranto is about as far south as most foreign visitors will ever get. South of Otranto, the coast road rides high along the sea cliffs which have been rising since Polignano a Mare, 150 kilometres further north, and after a 40-minute drive finds its way into Castro. There are two parts to Castro, the hilltop old town and down by the sea Castro Marina, and thats what you want. Stop at Piazza Dante and take in the view from the panoramic terrace. Castro Marina on the Adriatic coast in the Salento region. Michael Gebicki Salento, in the south of Puglia, Italy. Getty Images

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Clustered around a bay, cradled by creamy limestone cliffs with a shivering, luminous blue sea at its feet, Castro Marina has been crafted by the gods. Posh its not. Its more Zara than Prada, but this rough-hewn, rocky area deep in the Salento region is a haven for sea lovers. Its also where Italians come to be Italian. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The place to stay is Hotel La Roccia, which sits on an elevated shelf with the sea lapping at the rocks below. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and everyone gets a balcony with a sea view. At the front is a lido, with steps leading into the sea. For a perfect day of sloth and sociology, slip in for a sea dip, shower off, sit in your shady deck chair and order plates of calamari fritti and fresh fruit. The price is miraculous. In September 2025, a 25 square metre room cost 142 ($255) a night. Castro Marina traditionally made its living from the sea and its seafood restaurants shine. Grotta del Conte, Isola del Sole and Friggitoria Porto Vecchio all turn out variations on fried calamari, linguine with mixed seafood, mussels, swordfish and tuna dishes while Martinucci Laboratory in the piazza does pastries, gelato and sunshine. The price of a meal is about half what youd pay anywhere along the coast from Otranto north and the food is twice as good. Rooftop eats at Mename, Tricase Porto. Alamy Stock Photo

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If you want to add some gloss to your holiday, take a short drive south along the coast to Tricase Porto and stop off for lunch at Mename. Its a different tribe here, and Mename is a popular stop for Lycra loving cycle groups who have made the looping, swooping coast road a favourite track. Theres style at Tricase Porto. Meryl Streep has a masseria (a traditional manor house) nearby; Helen Mirren has a 16th-century farmhouse in Tiggiano, just slightly inland. In the other direction, the coast road to Santa Cesarea Terme plays hide and seek with the sea, twisting through the stone pines and clumps of prickly pear and rock samphire. Olive trees perch on terraced limestone walls and the villas on the seaward side will have you Googling real estate. Crumbling stone watchtowers along this coast are a reminder of the pirate raids, once a fact of life in Salento until the early 1800s. The Ceraunian Mountains of Albania, a former outpost of the Ottoman Empire, are only 70 kilometres away across the Otranto Strait. The town of Santa Cesarea Terme, in Puglia, overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Getty Images

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A resort in Santa Cesarea Terme. Getty Images The best bits of the Italian coastline have been commandeered by beach clubs. To any right-thinking Australian the notion that wealth gets you a better bit of it is obnoxious, but hang on. For the price of admission you get the right to occupy a sun lounge under an umbrella, towels, hot and cold showers and a cafe, with a side serve of people watching. After an hour or so in the sun at a beach club, you will realise that la dolce vita applies to the beach as well as just about every other aspect of Italian life. Related Article Italy Tourists flock to its neighbour, but most miss this beautiful town The most glamorous of the beach clubs is Bagno Marino Archi, located just south of Santa Cesarea Terme. Set on the ground floor of an amphitheatre chiselled from the cliffs, this is Instagram material on steroids but nobody here is going to photograph their affogato. Red topped umbrellas blossom along the shoreline, shading sun beds overlooking a brilliant canvas of sea and rocks. Castro Marina is a great relief, the dessert in the Italian feast of wonders. Forget about culture, churches, architectural marvels and traipsing around in the heat. Here the only miracles are the simple, elemental pleasures of warmth, wine, brilliant scenery and the sheer sensuality of a virile culture at play.

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THE DETAILS STAY

Hotel Piccolo Mondo is a charming family-operated hotel perched on the cliffs just to the north of Castro Marina. See hotel-piccolomondo.it/en FLY

Qatar Airways has flights between Australia and Bari, which is a 2 hour dive from Castro Marina. See qatarairways.com/en RELAX

For details on beach club Bagno Marino Archi, see bagnomarinoarchi.it The writer travelled at his own expense.

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Travel tips Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebicki Connect via email

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Reviews & adviceUK Opinion Dual citizens to face strict new rules on entering the UK Michael Gebicki The Tripologist January 19, 2026  5:00am

January 19, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points From February 25 dual Australian-British and Australian-Irish citizens must use their British or Irish passport to enter the UK

The rule change is related to the UKs Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system

Australians who have acquired British citizenship from their parents are also affected

Theres a change coming next month that affects dual Australian-UK and Australian-Irish citizens entering the UK. From February 25, all such passport holders must use their British or Irish passport when they enter the UK. The rule change affects Irish nationals since they too are exempt from the UKs border control requirements. The new rule reflects a tightening of the UKs electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme, an entry requirement for all non-UK or Irish passport holders that came into effect on January 8, 2025. Dual Australian-UK and Australian-Irish citizens will no longer be able to enter the UK on their Australian passports. Until the new rule applies, dual Australian-British and Australian-Irish passport holders can, in theory, enter the UK on their Australian passport, provided they have an ETA, and thats a loophole the UK government wants to stitch closed. In effect, the government is clarifying its position. British or Irish passport holders are not eligible for an ETA, therefore they must enter the UK on their UK or Irish passport. A large number of Australians will be affected by the change. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost a million Australian residents were born in the UK. Some of those are here on a visa, and are not Australian citizens, and therefore not dual nationals. However, add the number of Australians born in the UK to the number of Australians who qualify for UK citizenship by virtue of their parentage and there are probably close to two million who are eligible for a UK passport.

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Add to that the number of dual Irish-Australian passport holders and the total rises even further. In the year ending June 30, 2025, more than a million Australian residents returned from short-term visits to the UK. Its likely that many of those visitors are dual nationals, with either British or Irish citizenship. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. What if your UK or Irish passport has expired? The UK cant refuse entry to its own citizens, nor to Irish nationals, but after February 25 youre going to need a current passport. An expired British or Irish passport is not going to get you on a flight. Until that date, as a dual national you could book a flight ticket using an Australian passport for a flight to the UK and produce your expired British or Irish passport at the check-in desk to substantiate your right to enter the UK, but thats unlikely to pass muster with airport staff. Australians who also hold British or Irish citizenship will not be able to apply for an ETA. Getty Images The renewal process is fairly straightforward. You can do it online at the gov.uk website. The cost is 94.50 ($190) for an adult, and 61.50 ($124) for a child. Irish citizens can renew their passport on the Department of Foreign Affairs Passport Online website at a cost of 75 ($131) for a standard 10-year Irish passport.

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What about Australians with dual nationality who have never applied for a UK passport? If you were born in the UK, then youre most likely a citizen. If you were not born in the UK and one or both your parents were UK citizens, you might also be a citizen. If youre a citizen, under the new rules youre going to need a UK passport to enter the country. For those born outside the UK to a British parent, when and to whom you were born determines your citizenship. Related Article Tripologist The 26 things every traveller needs to know about travel in 2026 If you were born on or after January 1, 1983, and your mother or father was a British citizen, its likely that you are automatically a British citizen. If you were born before January 1, 1983, and your father was British at the time, and married to your mother, you may automatically be a British citizen. If this applies, you do not need to go through an application process. You would only need to apply for a British passport to prove your citizenship. However, if you were born in Australia to a British parent and had never applied for a UK passport, would UK border control even know? For many Australians who are dual UK nationals, a UK passport might be an encumbrance rather than an asset (particularly since Brexit). In that case, it might be better to renounce your UK citizenship and check the UK governments citizenship website which explains the process. Electronic processing is fast becoming a fact of travellers lives. For the countries using it, electronic passport scanning makes it easier to track who is entering their country. For the traveller, it means shorter queues and faster processing at border control.
Individuals named Kaesha are often perceived as energetic, vibrant, and socially engaging. The name's association with 'vigorous' suggests someone with dynamic energy, enthusiasm for life, and the ability to inspire others with their positive outlook. They tend to be natural communicators who excel in social settings, bringing warmth and animation to their interactions. This energetic quality often manifests as creativity, quick thinking, and adaptability in various situations.



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Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (NYSEARCA:DBC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 721,780 shares, a growth of 49.6% from the December 15th total of 482,468 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 514,791 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Approximately 1.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Approximately 1.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 514,791 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. J.Safra Asset Management Corp bought a new position in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL lifted its position in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund by 555.6% during the third quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 1,180 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund in the third quarter worth approximately $53,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund by 65.1% in the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 3,184 shares of the companys stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MAI Capital Management grew its position in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund by 51.5% in the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,384 shares of the companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares during the period. 48.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund Stock Performance

DBC stock traded down $0.04 on Friday, reaching $23.16. The companys stock had a trading volume of 506,630 shares, compared to its average volume of 671,356. The firm has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a PE ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.24. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $22.52. Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund has a 12-month low of $19.84 and a 12-month high of $23.65.

About Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund

Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services in countries throughout the world. The bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) traded down 3.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $56.29 and last traded at $57.07. 25,658,505 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 18% from the average session volume of 21,742,299 shares. The stock had previously closed at $58.91.

Trending Headlines about Novo Nordisk A/S

Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Early U.S. launch showed encouraging demand  oral Wegovy recorded 3,071 prescriptions in the first four days after launch, a datapoint traders flagged as a strong initial uptake. Read More.

Early U.S. launch showed encouraging demand  oral Wegovy recorded 3,071 prescriptions in the first four days after launch, a datapoint traders flagged as a strong initial uptake. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst notes described the rollout as a solid start, supporting upside expectations while emphasizing the need for more data to gauge sustained demand. Read More.

Analyst notes described the rollout as a solid start, supporting upside expectations while emphasizing the need for more data to gauge sustained demand. Read More. Positive Sentiment: U.K. regulator approved a higher Wegovy dose (up to 7.2 mg weekly), expanding label flexibility and the addressable market for higherintensity treatment. Read More.

U.K. regulator approved a higher Wegovy dose (up to 7.2 mg weekly), expanding label flexibility and the addressable market for higherintensity treatment. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Some analysts caution early prescription figures may not fully reflect longterm demand or uptake dynamics; UBS warned initial data can be misleading even while it lifted its price target. Read More.

Some analysts caution early prescription figures may not fully reflect longterm demand or uptake dynamics; UBS warned initial data can be misleading even while it lifted its price target. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: High trading volume and elevated market attention increase shortterm volatility as investors parse launch metrics, regulation and competitor actions. Read More.

High trading volume and elevated market attention increase shortterm volatility as investors parse launch metrics, regulation and competitor actions. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Legal risk: a compounding pharmacy has sued Novo (and Eli Lilly) over GLP1 access, alleging antitrust issues  a development prompting nearterm share pressure and regulatory/legal expense risk. Read More.

Legal risk: a compounding pharmacy has sued Novo (and Eli Lilly) over GLP1 access, alleging antitrust issues  a development prompting nearterm share pressure and regulatory/legal expense risk. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Valuation concerns persist: commentary argues Novos current valuation may not fully justify bullishness if growth or pricing faces headwinds, a viewpoint that can temper upside. Read More.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and set a $42.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday. HSBC restated a hold rating and issued a $54.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res lowered Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.21.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.12 and a beta of 0.66. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $50.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.08.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.25. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 73.50% and a net margin of 32.76%.The firm had revenue of $11.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.98 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC acquired a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz SE grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 70.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz SE now owns 578 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. 11.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Novo Nordisk A/S

(Get Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.

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Barings Participation Investors (NYSE:MPV  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 60,021 shares, a growth of 88.3% from the December 15th total of 31,880 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 50,297 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Approximately 0.6% of the companys stock are short sold. Approximately 0.6% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 50,297 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barings Participation Investors

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MPV. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Barings Participation Investors by 1.4% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 56,424 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,137,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Barings Participation Investors by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,192 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $226,000 after purchasing an additional 852 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Barings Participation Investors by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 125,390 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,522,000 after buying an additional 1,092 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Barings Participation Investors in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Barings Participation Investors in the second quarter valued at about $27,000.

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Barings Participation Investors Stock Up 1.9%

Barings Participation Investors stock traded up $0.36 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $19.36. The company had a trading volume of 32,298 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,076. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $18.90 and a 200 day moving average of $19.37. Barings Participation Investors has a one year low of $15.16 and a one year high of $21.00.

Barings Participation Investors Dividend Announcement

Barings Participation Investors Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th were given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.6%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 30th.

(Get Free Report)

Barings Participation Investors is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Barings LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in below-investment grade, long-term corporate debt obligations which are directly purchased from its issuers. The fund also seeks to invest in warrants, conversion rights, or other equity related instruments. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Standard and Poor's Industrials Composite, Russell 2000 Index, Lehman Brothers U.S.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX  Free Report) during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 29,985 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $783,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 336.1% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 38,081 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $796,000 after buying an additional 29,349 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Orix Corp Ads by 433.3% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 44,547 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $931,000 after acquiring an additional 36,194 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Orix Corp Ads by 3,021.1% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 203,967 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,261,000 after acquiring an additional 197,432 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 8,083.8% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 5,565 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 5,497 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 568.7% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 96,454 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,015,000 after purchasing an additional 82,030 shares during the period. 1.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Orix Corp Ads Price Performance

IX stock opened at $30.68 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The firm has a market cap of $34.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.73. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $28.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $26.05. Orix Corp Ads has a 12-month low of $17.75 and a 12-month high of $30.82.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Orix Corp Ads ( NYSE:IX Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.42. The business had revenue of $5.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.87 billion. Orix Corp Ads had a return on equity of 10.30% and a net margin of 14.53%. On average, analysts expect that Orix Corp Ads will post 11.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Orix Corp Ads in a report on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Orix Corp Ads presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Orix Corp Ads Profile

(Free Report)

ORIX Corporation ADS (NYSE: IX) is the American depositary share listing of ORIX Corporation, a diversified financial services group headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company operates across multiple business lines that include leasing and lending, real estate, investment and asset management, and a range of retail and corporate financial services. ORIXs ADS program allows U.S. investors to access ownership in the Tokyo-based group through shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Core activities include equipment leasing and installment financing for corporate customers, corporate lending and structured finance, and real estate development and property management.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX  Free Report).

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 8,790 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $1,271,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Lavaca Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in TJX Companies by 65.0% in the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 231 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on TJX shares. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and issued a $168.00 target price (up from $160.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating and set a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays set a $172.00 price target on TJX Companies and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $184.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-four have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $163.86.

TJX Companies Price Performance

Shares of TJX stock opened at $157.50 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $174.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.77, a PEG ratio of 3.30 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. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $153.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $141.83.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $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. Research analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is 37.53%.

Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies

In related news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total transaction of $4,464,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,634,629.83. The trade was a 5.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. This represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 over the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About TJX Companies

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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.

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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).

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Individuals named Kiera are often perceived as possessing a blend of strength and sensitivity that makes them both resilient and compassionate. They tend to exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with artistic sensibilities, often excelling in creative fields or professions requiring both analytical thinking and emotional intelligence. Their dark-haired etymology seems to translate metaphorically into personalities with depth and mystery - they're often described as having 'old souls' with wisdom beyond their years.



Kieras typically demonstrate strong intuition and emotional intelligence, making them excellent friends and confidantes. They balance traditional values with modern thinking, often serving as bridges between generations or cultures. Their Irish roots may manifest in a characteristic wit and storytelling ability, along with a stubborn determination when pursuing their goals. While they can be private about their deepest feelings, they form loyal, lasting relationships and often become the emotional anchors in their social and family circles.
Shares of ABN AMRO Bank (OTCMKTS:AAVMY  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company.

Several research firms recently commented on AAVMY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of ABN AMRO Bank in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of ABN AMRO Bank in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of ABN AMRO Bank in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded ABN AMRO Bank from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd.

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ABN AMRO Bank Stock Performance

About ABN AMRO Bank

OTCMKTS AAVMY opened at $36.03 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $34.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $31.23. ABN AMRO Bank has a twelve month low of $16.18 and a twelve month high of $36.24.

(Get Free Report)

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. is a leading Dutch banking institution headquartered in Amsterdam. The bank traces its origins to the 1991 merger of Algemene Bank Nederland and AMRO Bank, forming one of the Netherlands largest financial services providers. Over the decades, ABN AMRO has developed a comprehensive portfolio of banking and financial solutions, positioning itself as a key player in both domestic and international markets.

The bank operates across several core segments, including retail banking, private banking, commercial banking, and corporate & institutional banking.

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Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 4,967,102 shares, a drop of 46.7% from the December 15th total of 9,319,771 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,258,274 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days. Currently, 4.4% of the companys shares are short sold. Currently, 4.4% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,258,274 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Agree Realty

In other news, Chairman Richard Agree acquired 24,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The shares were bought at an average price of $70.67 per share, with a total value of $1,696,080.00. Following the completion of 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Peter Coughenour acquired 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $69.80 per share, for a total transaction of $34,900.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 18,544 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,294,371.20. This trade represents a 2.77% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders purchased a total of 39,500 shares of company stock valued at $2,813,680 in the last three months. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Agree Realty

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Agree Realty by 268.9% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 27,365 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,112,000 after buying an additional 19,948 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its holdings in Agree Realty by 7.3% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 23,326 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,704,000 after purchasing an additional 1,581 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Agree Realty by 16.4% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,517 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $973,000 after acquiring an additional 1,908 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of Agree Realty by 22.3% during the 2nd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 63,929 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,671,000 after purchasing an additional 11,666 shares during the period. Finally, Carderock Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Agree Realty in the second quarter worth about $95,000. 97.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ADC shares. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Agree Realty from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $83.50 target price on shares of Agree Realty in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Mizuho dropped their target price on Agree Realty from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Agree Realty from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Agree Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Agree Realty presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $80.23.

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Agree Realty Stock Performance

Shares of Agree Realty stock traded up $1.22 on Friday, reaching $73.23. 1,516,970 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,290,211. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.42 billion, a PE ratio of 42.82, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.55. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $72.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.68. Agree Realty has a 1-year low of $68.98 and a 1-year high of $79.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59.

Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $183.22 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $181.87 million. Agree Realty had a net margin of 28.11% and a return on equity of 3.52%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 18.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.03 earnings per share. Agree Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.310-4.330 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Agree Realty will post 4.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Agree Realty Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $0.262 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. Agree Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 183.63%.

Agree Realty Company Profile

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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.

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Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) and Agritek (OTCMKTS:AGTK  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Risk & Volatility

Mastercard has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Agritek has a beta of -0.35, indicating that its share price is 135% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Mastercard and Agriteks revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mastercard $31.47 billion 15.40 $12.87 billion $15.64 34.52 Agritek N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Mastercard has higher revenue and earnings than Agritek.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Mastercard and Agritek, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mastercard 0 2 22 5 3.10 Agritek 0 0 0 0 0.00

Mastercard currently has a consensus target price of $662.08, indicating a potential upside of 22.65%. Given Mastercards stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Mastercard is more favorable than Agritek.

Profitability

This table compares Mastercard and Agriteks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mastercard 45.28% 202.03% 29.11% Agritek N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

97.3% of Mastercard shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Mastercard shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.9% of Agritek shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Mastercard beats Agritek on 10 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mastercard

(Get Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. It also provides solutions that enable businesses or governments to make payments to businesses, including Virtual Card Number, which is generated dynamically from a physical card and leverages the credit limit of the funding account; a platform to optimize supplier payment enablement campaigns for financial institutions; and treasury intelligence platform that offers corporations with recommendations to enhance working capital performance and accelerate spend on cards. In addition, the company offers Mastercard Send, which partners with digital messaging and payment platforms to enable consumers to send money directly within applications to other consumers; and Mastercard Cross-Border Services enables a range of payment flows through a distribution network with a single point of access to send and receive money globally through various channels, including bank accounts, mobile wallets, cards, and cash payouts. Further, it provides cyber and intelligence solutions; insights and analytics, consulting, marketing, loyalty, processing, and payment gateway solutions for e-commerce merchants; and open banking and digital identity services. The company offers payment solutions and services under the MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus name. Mastercard Incorporated was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.

About Agritek

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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.

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Booking, Trip.com Group, Travelers Companies, Expedia Group, and MakeMyTrip are the five Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is providing travel-related goods and servicesairlines, hotels, cruise lines, online travel agencies, rental car firms and other tourism operators. They tend to be cyclical and sensitive to consumer spending, seasonality, fuel costs, geopolitical events and travel restrictions, so investors watch them to trade or position for economic and tourism recoveries. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

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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.

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

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

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BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ  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 179,582 shares, a decrease of 27.5% from the December 15th total of 247,641 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 138,735 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 138,735 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 51,595 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $580,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Effects LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 47.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 31,294 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $343,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund in the second quarter valued at about $113,000. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 22.6% during the second quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. now owns 53,477 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $586,000 after purchasing an additional 9,858 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 11.3% during the second quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 19,773 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 15.13% of the companys stock.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE MUJ traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $12.17. 68,597 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 93,815. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.49. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund has a 1-year low of $10.50 and a 1-year high of $12.19.

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Announces Dividend

About BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.054 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund (NYSE: MUJ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income exempt from federal and New Jersey state income taxes. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities issued by or on behalf of the State of New Jersey and its municipalities, authorities, and instrumentalities. By concentrating on high-quality New Jersey public finance obligations, MUJ aims to offer tax-efficient income for investors with exposure to the states credit profile.

The funds portfolio is actively managed by BlackRocks municipal fixed income team, which conducts credit analysis and sector allocation to identify opportunities within New Jerseys diverse municipal marketplace.

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BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund (NYSE:MPA  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be paid a dividend of 0.0477 per share by the investment management company on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th.

BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund Price Performance

MPA stock opened at $11.45 on Friday. BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund has a one year low of $10.26 and a one year high of $12.08. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.11.

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About BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund

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BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund (NYSE: MPA) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company whose primary objective is to provide shareholders with current income exempt from regular U.S. federal and Pennsylvania personal income taxes, and to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. The fund pursues its objective by investing in municipal securities that are issued by or for the benefit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its political subdivisions.

In managing its portfolio, the fund typically allocates at least 80% of its assets to investment-grade municipal bonds issued within Pennsylvania.

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BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XTWO  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 15,317 shares, an increase of 44.5% from the December 15th total of 10,602 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 13,390 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 13,390 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 11.0% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 113,386 shares of the companys stock worth $5,618,000 after buying an additional 11,256 shares in the last quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC increased its holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 42.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 134,010 shares of the companys stock worth $6,639,000 after purchasing an additional 39,744 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors raised its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 14.6% during the second quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 15,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,000 after buying an additional 1,953 shares in the last quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 27.0% during the second quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC now owns 38,656 shares of the companys stock worth $1,915,000 after acquiring an additional 8,223 shares during the period. Finally, Pineridge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 175.5% during the third quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC now owns 1,758 shares of the companys stock worth $87,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120 shares during the last quarter.

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BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Trading Down 0.0%

BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF stock traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.44. The company had a trading volume of 10,146 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,722. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $49.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $49.49. BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 1 year low of $48.94 and a 1 year high of $49.72.

About BondBloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF

The Bondbloxx Bloomberg Two Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XTWO) 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 two years. XTWO was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx.

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Shares of Canada Goose Holdings Inc. (NYSE:GOOS  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the ten brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $15.50.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Canada Goose in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Canada Goose from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Canada Goose from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Canada Goose from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on GOOS

Canada Goose Stock Performance

Shares of GOOS opened at $12.88 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The firms 50 day moving average is $13.18 and its 200-day moving average is $13.16. Canada Goose has a 12-month low of $6.73 and a 12-month high of $15.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.56 and a beta of 1.75.

Canada Goose (NYSE:GOOS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.10) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.04) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $195.63 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $274.05 million. Canada Goose had a return on equity of 15.35% and a net margin of 1.96%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.05 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Canada Goose will post 0.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Canada Goose

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Canada Goose by 1,557.5% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,265,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,165,000 after purchasing an additional 1,189,523 shares during the last quarter. Portolan Capital Management LLC grew its position in Canada Goose by 46.2% in the third quarter. Portolan Capital Management LLC now owns 2,174,001 shares of the companys stock worth $29,979,000 after acquiring an additional 686,504 shares in the last quarter. Headwater Capital Co Ltd bought a new position in shares of Canada Goose during the 2nd quarter valued at $7,385,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in Canada Goose by 115.3% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,120,956 shares of the companys stock worth $12,543,000 after purchasing an additional 600,242 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kessler Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in Canada Goose during the third quarter worth $4,128,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.64% of the companys stock.

Canada Goose Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canada Goose Holdings Inc, traded on the NYSE under the symbol GOOS, is a Canadian design and manufacturing company specializing in premium outerwear. The firm is best known for its down-filled jackets and parkas, engineered to deliver high performance in extreme cold weather. Over time, Canada Goose has expanded its product range to include knitwear, fleece, footwear, and accessories, all designed with an emphasis on technical innovation, quality craftsmanship, and functional style.

Founded in 1957 as Metro Sportswear Ltd.

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Cronos Group Inc. (TSE:CRON  Get Free Report) shares fell 1.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$3.52 and last traded at C$3.53. 76,890 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 53% from the average session volume of 164,441 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.59.

Cronos Group Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 1.13. The companys 50 day moving average is C$3.66 and its 200 day moving average is C$3.45. The company has a quick ratio of 24.01, a current ratio of 24.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

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Cronos Group (TSE:CRON  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$50.60 million for the quarter. Cronos Group had a negative net margin of 42.65% and a negative return on equity of 4.40%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Cronos Group Inc. will post -0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Cronos Group

Cronos Group, headquartered in Toronto, Canada cultivates and sells medicinal and recreational cannabis through its medicinal brand, Peace Naturals, and its two recreational brands, Cove and Spinach. Although it primarily operates in Canada, Cronos exports medical cannabis to Poland and Germany. In addition, it has entered joint ventures in Israel, Colombia, and Australia to drive further international cultivation and distribution growth. In the U.S. the company directly sells hemp-derived CBD and has an option to acquire 10.5% of U.S.

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FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:FMCX  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 398 shares, a drop of 43.4% from the December 15th total of 703 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 318 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.3 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 daily trading volume, of 318 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.3 days.

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF Price Performance

FMCX traded up $0.12 during trading on Friday, hitting $35.50. The company had a trading volume of 25 shares, compared to its average volume of 257. FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF has a 1-year low of $26.86 and a 1-year high of $36.17. The company has a market cap of $113.96 million, a PE ratio of 29.12 and a beta of 0.97. The business has a 50-day moving average of $34.69 and a 200-day moving average of $34.44.

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FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th were issued a $0.0776 dividend. This represents a yield of 45.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th.

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF Company Profile

The FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF (FMCX) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively managed, non-transparent fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation by targeting US-listed companies, selected using a research-intensive, bottom-up fundamental approach. The fund utilizes the Precidian non-transparent model. FMCX was launched on Apr 25, 2022 and is managed by First Manhattan.

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US President Donald Trump invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to become a co-founder of the newly established "Peace Council" in the Gaza Strip.

According to Burhanettin Duran, Head of Communications at the Turkish Presidential Administration, the initiative is being implemented within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan for the Resolution of the Gaza Conflict, supported by a UN Security Council resolution. The new council and related structures will be responsible for security and reconstruction issues in the region.

The Gaza Strip has remained one of the most volatile flashpoints in the Middle East, shaped by a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has governed the territory since 2007. Gaza is a densely populated coastal enclave, home to more than two million people, and has been subject to repeated cycles of escalation, ceasefires, and humanitarian strain over the past two decades.

The current phase of the conflict follows a major escalation that sharply intensified hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Israel has framed its military operations as necessary to neutralise Hamass military and governing capabilities, citing security concerns and the need to prevent cross-border attacks. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries, continues to operate an extensive network of fighters, tunnels, and military infrastructure inside Gaza.

As fighting expanded, large parts of Gazas civilian infrastructure, including housing, energy facilities, and transport networks, were damaged or destroyed. This has placed significant pressure on humanitarian services and contributed to widespread displacement. International organisations have repeatedly warned of deteriorating living conditions, while efforts to deliver aid have been complicated by security risks, damaged logistics routes, and political constraints.
by Dilip DSouza

One day you spot the young enchanter youve had a crush on for months, but havent yet found the gumption to speak to. Still, youre affected in ways youve heard about forever. You know  maybe you feel your heart beat faster? Maybe you think it skips a beat or three? You know the feeling, no doubt. But is your heart actually beating faster, or skipping beats?

Im no expert on such hypotheticals. But I will suggest here that if you had a choice, you might be better off with skipping, rather than faster beats. Because theres a sense in which if your heart beats more quickly, your life shortens. Having said that, I also dont want you to worry too much about the possibility. Were not exactly talking about years, or months, or even days, shorter. Were talking  well, I dont know. But there is a point here, and Ill return after a short digression.

Now you may have noticed that you, the human that you are, live somewhat longer than your pet budgerigar who is, Im guessing, smaller than you. You live a whole lot longer than the pesky mosquito that buzzes in your ear at night  and thats even if its existence doesnt suddenly end between your palms. And what of your pet giant tortoise who is, Im guessing, larger than you? He lives somewhat longer than you.

Noticing patterns like this  for it is a pattern  makes mathematicians (well, other scientists too) say By Toutatis! We have a correlation! (Words to that effect.) In this case, a correlation between body mass and life expectancy: the heavier an animal, the longer it lives. For example, you, about 1000 times heavier than your budgie, will live about 5.5 times longer than she does. Your tortoise, about five times heavier than you, will live two or three times longer than you.

In fact, a scientist in Switzerland called Max Kleiber found a double-edged correlation lurking here. Heavier animals dont just live longer, their hearts beat slower too. Your pulse rate is at least twice as speedy as the tortoises, but 5.5 times slower than the budgies. (Why 5.5? Thats both interesting and contentious, but of that, another time).

This is Kleibers law. It actually spells out one of those strangely satisfying little nuggets of nature. The science journalist George Johnson put it this way: As animals get bigger  pulse rates slow down and life spans stretch out longer, conspiring so that the number of heartbeats during an average stay on Earth tends to be roughly the same, around a billion. A mouse just uses them up more quickly than an elephant.

This vast planetary panorama of life, and it is conspiring! Think of that.

Humans conspire to be something of an outlier here: our lifetime allotment is more like two billion hearbeats. Yet that isnt that much an outlier if you go by a table that made the rounds a few years ago. For several different creatures, it listed heart rates and life expectancies and multiplied the two. Divide that by 2000 and you have, close enough, the animals count of heartbeats through its life, in billions. (Aside: Why that factor of about 2000? I dont know, but Ive been poring through the scientific literature. Because if I know anything about science, I feel certain someone has or must be trying to figure that puzzle out.)

But outlier or not, speed up your beating heart at your own peril  or, for that matter, your enchanters risk of a shorter life.

Kleibers law is fascinating enough by itself, with this focus on animals and their pumping hearts. But theres something else I know about science: when you hand a scientist a law, you give her reason to try it out in entirely different circumstances. In this case, there are scientists who have tried applying Kleibers law to  why not?  large cities. If cities have their own metabolisms, much as heartbeats and life expectancies define the metabolisms of animals, do larger cities have lower metabolisms than smaller ones?

Worth looking into? But what is the metabolism of a city? How would you measure it? To simulate the idea in an urban rather than biological setting, you could look any number of urban descriptors  the number of grocery stores and petrol stations, the length of roads, policing statistics, consumer goods bought and sold, and more. Gather data about these parameters from several different cities across the globe and what might it all reveal?

Well, it might reveal something remarkable. Some scientists found that the answer is yes: larger cities do indeed register lower metabolisms than smaller ones. (See for example this article or this paper.)

As you progress from small towns to large metropolises, the measures they considered collectively follow Kleibers law in much the same way as animals and their metabolisms do. Even better, theres an interesting double-edged correlation lurking here as well. The larger a city is, the more creative its people are  meaning they come up with ideas, or inventions, or maybe even exotic correlations, at a faster rate than their counterparts in smaller cities do.

And finding correlations like these opens up all kinds of new vistas to explore. Thats why correlations, Ive always felt, are one of those fundamental endeavours of science. In his Guns, Germs and Steel, Jared Diamond spells out one thats particularly fascinating: between how indented a regions coastline is and that regions political history. Chinas relatively smooth coast is a marked contrast to Europes far more indented one, with its numerous peninsulas and islands like Ireland and Britain. Diamond explains how its convoluted coastline was a fundamental reason for Europes political disunity throughout its history. Because of this peculiar geography, Europe has plenty of relatively isolated areas  Italy, Greece, Scandinavia, etc  each of which produced and nurtured its own language and culture. All this, in marked contrast to Chinas remarkable unity and cohesiveness over hundreds and thousands of years. Essentially, China was always one state with one language. And Diamond actually takes the argument further still, showing how Chinas very unity caused it to fall behind a fragmented Europe in power and progress, all the way into relatively modern times.

Though of course, thats now changing. And that may suggest that we consider whether we can apply Kleibers Law again: small European countries, as opposed to large ones like China. Think of that, too.

The point here is not really whether Diamond is definitively correct. There may be other explanations for differences between Europe and China. The point is instead about vistas that open up, in this case while musing about a link  who would have thought?  between coastlines and politics. Suggests the power of correlation.

Though of course people stumble on plenty of meaningless correlations too. Some no doubt bright spark came up with this newspaper headline thats generated chuckles for years: Study Shows Frequent Sex Enhances Pregnancy Chances.

Tell me another, wont you?
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Msamaki holds deep cultural significance in Egyptian tradition, where fish have been revered since ancient times. The Nile's abundant fish populations were essential to Egyptian survival and economy, with fishing depicted in tomb paintings and hieroglyphics dating back to the Old Kingdom. Fish were associated with several Egyptian deities, particularly the goddess Hatmehit of Mendes, who was depicted as a fish or fish-woman, and the fish were considered sacred in certain regions. During the annual Nile flooding, fish would swim into newly flooded fields, naturally fertilizing the soil and symbolizing the cycle of renewal and abundance that sustained Egyptian civilization for millennia.



In modern Egyptian culture, the name Msamaki connects contemporary naming practices with ancient ecological wisdom. Coastal communities along the Mediterranean and Red Sea continue to honor the fishing tradition, with the name representing not just an occupation but a deep respect for marine life and sustainable practices. The name embodies the Egyptian relationship with water - both the life-giving Nile and the surrounding seas - reflecting a cultural identity intertwined with aquatic resources. This connection spans from the ancient fishermen who supplied protein to pyramid builders to modern aquaculture initiatives that continue this vital tradition.
Profitability

This table compares Community Investors Bancorp and Southern Bancs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Community Investors Bancorp 11.11% N/A N/A Southern Banc 7.55% 5.65% 0.75%

Volatility & Risk

Community Investors Bancorp has a beta of 0.08, suggesting that its share price is 92% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Southern Banc has a beta of -0.1, suggesting that its share price is 110% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Community Investors Bancorp and Southern Bancs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Community Investors Bancorp $19.58 million N/A $1.82 million $2.80 7.59 Southern Banc $12.13 million 0.70 $920,000.00 $1.21 8.60

Community Investors Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Southern Banc. Community Investors Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern Banc, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Community Investors Bancorp beats Southern Banc on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Community Investors Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. operates as a thrift holding company for First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus that engages in the provision of banking and financial services to individual and corporate customers in northern Ohio. The company offers deposit accounts, including demand, NOW, checking, savings, money market, Christmas club, health savings, certificates of deposit, time deposit, and individual retirement accounts. It also provides consumer loans, home equity loans, home equity line of credit, auto and RV loans, residential real estate loans, mortgage loans, and construction loans for personal use; and business loans, lines of credit, term loans, ag loans, nonresidential real estate loans, secured loans, credit cards, commercial investment real estate, construction loans, and equipment financing for business use. In addition, the company offers online and mobile banking, bill payments, e-statements, remote deposit capture, cash management, mobile and night deposits, debit cards, overdraft protection, safety deposit boxes, telephone banking, positive pay/check reconciliation, direct deposit, and ACH and payroll services. Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1888 and is based in Bucyrus, Ohio.

About Southern Banc

(Get Free Report)

The Southern Banc Company, Inc. operates as the holding company for The Southern Bank company that provides various banking products and services in Alabama. The companys personal banking products include checking accounts, home mortgage loans, home equity loans, auto loans, and personal loans. Its business banking products comprise business checking accounts, cash flow management, real estate lending, and equipment financing. The Southern Banc Company, Inc. was founded in 1936 and is based in Gadsden, Alabama.

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Hyundai Motor (OTCMKTS:HYMTF  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $51.57 and traded as low as $51.00. Hyundai Motor shares last traded at $51.00, with a volume of 702 shares.

Hyundai Motor Stock Down 7.4%

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $51.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $51.56.

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About Hyundai Motor

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Hyundai Motor Company (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) is a South Korean multinational automaker known for designing, developing, manufacturing and selling a diverse range of vehicles. As a core member of the Hyundai Motor Group, it produces and distributes passenger cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), commercial trucks and buses. In addition to its automotive lineup, the company offers mobility and financial services aimed at enhancing customer experience and supporting vehicle sales.

Over the past several decades, Hyundai Motor has expanded its product portfolio to include eco-friendly models such as hybrids, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

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Stegent Equity Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA  Free Report) by 146.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,189 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,238 shares during the quarter. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF comprises 1.5% of Stegent Equity Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Stegent Equity Advisors Inc.s holdings in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF were worth $1,895,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PPA. Csenge Advisory Group acquired a new stake in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the third quarter valued at $341,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 92.6% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 2,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $394,000 after purchasing an additional 1,218 shares during the period. Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 80.6% in the third quarter. Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc. now owns 19,118 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,972,000 after purchasing an additional 8,530 shares during the period. ORG Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 29.9% during the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 3,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $588,000 after acquiring an additional 870 shares during the period. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 5,724 shares of the companys stock worth $891,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA PPA opened at $180.82 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.91 and a beta of 0.87. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF has a 1-year low of $100.39 and a 1-year high of $181.31. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $156.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $152.35.

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Profile

PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the SPADE Defense Index (the Index). The Index is designed to identify a group of companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of the United States defense, homeland security and aerospace operations. The modified market-cap portfolio is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted annually. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Index.

Further Reading

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Invesco DB Base Metals Fund (NYSEARCA:DBB  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 119,148 shares, a drop of 39.6% from the December 15th total of 197,187 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 329,298 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 329,298 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco DB Base Metals Fund

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. MAI Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Invesco DB Base Metals Fund in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco DB Base Metals Fund during the second quarter worth $62,000. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Invesco DB Base Metals Fund by 100.0% in the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 5,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 2,600 shares during the period. WestEnd Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco DB Base Metals Fund in the third quarter worth $110,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in Invesco DB Base Metals Fund by 3,851.5% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 6,599 shares of the companys stock valued at $134,000 after purchasing an additional 6,432 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.73% of the companys stock.

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Invesco DB Base Metals Fund Stock Down 2.2%

DBB traded down $0.53 during trading on Friday, reaching $23.76. The company had a trading volume of 243,139 shares, compared to its average volume of 411,804. Invesco DB Base Metals Fund has a 52 week low of $17.13 and a 52 week high of $24.56. The stock has a market cap of $236.41 million, a P/E ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.56. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.98.

About Invesco DB Base Metals Fund

PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (the Fund) is a separate series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust (the Trust), a Delaware statutory trust organized in seven separate series. The Fund seeks to track changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Industrial Metals 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

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Meitav Investment House Ltd. lifted its position in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 151.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 821,670 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 495,000 shares during the quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. owned about 0.79% of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF worth $52,189,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of EWT. FLP Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $65,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 25.7% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,071 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF in the second quarter worth about $153,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 177.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,816 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $181,000.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Stock Up 0.1%

EWT opened at $67.34 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $64.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $62.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.58 and a beta of 0.94. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a 12-month low of $39.44 and a 12-month high of $67.72.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Company Profile

Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index 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 MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan 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. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

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MFS Intermediate High Income Fund (NYSE:CIF  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of 0.0146 per share on Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This is a 0.2% increase from MFS Intermediate High Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.01.

MFS Intermediate High Income Fund Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:CIF opened at $1.72 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $1.72 and its 200-day moving average is $1.74. MFS Intermediate High Income Fund has a 52-week low of $1.52 and a 52-week high of $1.82.

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Institutional Trading of MFS Intermediate High Income Fund

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in MFS Intermediate High Income Fund stock. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of MFS Intermediate High Income Fund (NYSE:CIF  Free Report) by 107.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 165,900 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 86,000 shares during the period. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. owned 0.92% of MFS Intermediate High Income Fund worth $293,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.85% of the companys stock.

About MFS Intermediate High Income Fund

MFS Intermediate High Income Fund Inc (NYSE: CIF) is a closed-end management investment company advised by MFS Investment Management, one of the oldest global asset managers headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The fund seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation by allocating assets primarily to intermediateduration debt instruments. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CIF and offers investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities.

The funds investment strategy emphasizes intermediate maturities, generally targeting bonds and loans with durations ranging from two to seven years.

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National Bank of Greece S.A. (OTCMKTS:NBGIF  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,133,162 shares, a drop of 23.7% from the December 15th total of 1,484,917 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,654 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 77.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,654 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 77.3 days.

National Bank of Greece Stock Performance

OTCMKTS NBGIF opened at $17.66 on Friday. National Bank of Greece has a 52-week low of $8.28 and a 52-week high of $18.00. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $14.83.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, National Bankshares upgraded shares of National Bank of Greece from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy.

National Bank of Greece Company Profile

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National Bank of Greece (OTCMKTS:NBGIF) is one of Greeces oldest and largest financial institutions, tracing its roots back to its establishment in 1841. Headquartered in Athens, the bank has played a pivotal role in the economic development of modern Greece and continues to serve as a cornerstone of the countrys banking sector. Over the years, National Bank of Greece has expanded its operations beyond its domestic market, reflecting its commitment to supporting trade and investment across the wider region.

The bank offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services that span retail banking, corporate and investment banking, private banking, and asset management.

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Nippon Building Fund Inc. (OTCMKTS:NBFJF  Get Free Report) was up 1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$943.67 and last traded at C$943.67. Approximately 30 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 100 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$934.19.

Nippon Building Fund Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of C$934.38 and a 200-day moving average of C$940.68.

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Nippon Building Fund Company Profile

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Nippon Building Fund Inc is a Japanese real estate investment trust (J-REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of office buildings in Japan. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company primarily focuses on high-quality office properties located in central business districts across major Japanese cities, with a strong concentration in Tokyos Marunouchi, Otemachi and Shinjuku areas.

Established in 2002, Nippon Building Fund has grown its portfolio through strategic investments in Grade-A office towers and mixed-use developments.

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Northern Dynasty Minerals, Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:NAK  Get Free Report) (TSE:NDM) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $1.55 and traded as high as $2.08. Northern Dynasty Minerals shares last traded at $1.91, with a volume of 11,536,413 shares traded.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Trading Down 5.4%

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $1.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a PE ratio of -15.92 and a beta of -0.06.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Northern Dynasty Minerals by 37.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 18,320 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals in the first quarter worth $25,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals by 121.0% during the 2nd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 28,237 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 15,459 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Northern Dynasty Minerals in the 2nd quarter worth $40,000. 10.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Company Profile

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. is a mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with primary operations focused on North America. The company is publicly listed on the NYSE American and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NAK. Established in 1985, Northern Dynasty has built its business around the identification, evaluation and advancement of large-scale mineral resources, leveraging its expertise in geology, engineering and environmental planning.

The companys flagship asset is the Pebble Project, located in the Bristol Bay region of southwestern Alaska.

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Orange (OTCMKTS:ORANY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 434,315 shares, an increase of 48.7% from the December 15th total of 291,985 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 239,712 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 239,712 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Orange Stock Up 0.9%

ORANY opened at $17.15 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The company has a fifty day moving average of $16.42 and a 200 day moving average of $16.13. Orange has a fifty-two week low of $10.41 and a fifty-two week high of $17.22.

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Orange Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.2392 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 395.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on ORANY. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Orange to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research downgraded Orange from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Orange in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Orange from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Orange presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Orange Company Profile

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Orange SA, commonly known as Orange, is a multinational telecommunications operator headquartered in Paris, France. The company has its roots in the former state-owned France Telecom and later consolidated its international operations under the Orange brand. Orange provides a wide range of connectivity and communications services and maintains a significant presence across Europe, and in many countries in Africa and the Middle East, serving both consumer and business customers.

Oranges core activities include mobile and fixed-line telephony, broadband and fiber internet access, and television services for retail customers.

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In contemporary naming practices, Rutherford maintains a position as a distinguished but uncommon choice, primarily used by parents seeking a strong, traditional name with significant historical and scientific resonance. While it rarely appears in popular baby name rankings, it enjoys consistent usage in academic families, those with Scottish heritage, and communities that value names with substantial historical weight. The name has experienced a modest revival alongside other vintage surnames-turned-given-names, though it remains distinctive enough to avoid trendiness. Modern usage often sees Rutherford paired with more conventional middle names to balance its formal quality, and it's particularly favored in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The name's association with Nobel Prize-winning science and presidential leadership gives it an aspirational quality that appeals to parents hoping to instill values of intelligence, integrity, and achievement.
Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:OBK  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $42.80.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on OBK shares. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Origin Bancorp in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a buy rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Origin Bancorp from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Origin Bancorp from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Origin Bancorp from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Origin Bancorp in a report on Wednesday, October 8th.

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Origin Bancorp Stock Performance

Shares of OBK stock opened at $40.45 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.18 and a beta of 0.74. Origin Bancorp has a 52-week low of $28.80 and a 52-week high of $41.17. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Origin Bancorp (NYSE:OBK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by ($0.62). Origin Bancorp had a return on equity of 5.05% and a net margin of 10.23%.The business had revenue of $99.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $103.95 million.

Origin Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Origin Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 31.41%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director James Samuel Jr. Dagostino bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $33.93 per share, with a total value of $33,930.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 47,917 shares in the company, valued at $1,625,823.81. This represents a 2.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Preston Moore purchased 6,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $34.27 per share, for a total transaction of $222,755.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 54,882 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,880,806.14. This represents a 13.43% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders purchased 25,918 shares of company stock worth $893,280. 6.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Origin Bancorp

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of Origin Bancorp in the second quarter worth $483,000. Creative Planning grew its holdings in Origin Bancorp by 17.6% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 59,884 shares of the companys stock worth $2,140,000 after acquiring an additional 8,941 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Origin Bancorp in the 2nd quarter worth $224,000. Tributary Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Origin Bancorp by 92.5% in the third quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 790,234 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,279,000 after acquiring an additional 379,716 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in shares of Origin Bancorp by 25.6% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 138,574 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,953,000 after acquiring an additional 28,263 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 54.68% of the companys stock.

About Origin Bancorp

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Origin Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: OBK) is a bank holding company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the parent of Origin Bank, a full-service commercial banking franchise. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, and institutional clients across the southeastern United States.

Through Origin Bank, the company offers a variety of deposit products, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit.

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PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:MFUS  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 12,116 shares, a decline of 33.6% from the December 15th total of 18,258 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,625 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 5,625 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days.

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF Price Performance

MFUS stock traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $58.70. The company had a trading volume of 4,067 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,624. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $56.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.57. The company has a market capitalization of $218.36 million, a P/E ratio of 19.69 and a beta of 0.89. PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF has a 1 year low of $43.62 and a 1 year high of $58.94.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF by 27.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 28,545 shares of the companys stock worth $1,526,000 after buying an additional 6,119 shares during the last quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. raised its stake in shares of PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF by 52.7% during the third quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. now owns 97,035 shares of the companys stock worth $5,458,000 after acquiring an additional 33,498 shares in the last quarter. Austin Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Austin Wealth Management LLC now owns 580,913 shares of the companys stock worth $30,875,000 after acquiring an additional 13,769 shares during the last quarter. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,188 shares of the companys stock worth $170,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF by 73.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. now owns 9,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $514,000 after purchasing an additional 4,055 shares in the last quarter.

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF Company Profile

The PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF (MFUS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. index. The fund tracks an index of US companies that are selected and weighted by a combination of fundamental and technical factors. MFUS was launched on Aug 31, 2017 and is managed by PIMCO.

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Robert Walters (LON:RWA) reported a fourth-quarter trading update marked by continued pressure on group net fee income, alongside progress on productivity measures, headcount reductions, and cost savings initiatives. Management said conditions remained mixed across the companys geographic portfolio, with some markets stabilizing or returning to growth while others stayed challenging.

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Q4 net fee income down 14% as markets moved at different speeds

Chief Financial Officer David Bower said group net fee income declined 14% year-on-year in Q4 2025 (in constant currency), largely mirroring the cumulative position across the first three quarters. He described broadly consistent trends versus Q3, but noted that performance reflected a blend of markets moving at different speeds, potentially to an even greater extent than in the prior quarter.

Productivity improved; headcount reduced; cost base lowered

The company also refined its reporting format to more clearly separate performance between its service lines. Specialist recruitment represented 82% of group fees in Q4, while recruitment outsourcing accounted for 18%.

On productivity, Bower said the company continued to see year-on-year improvement. In specialist recruitment, perm placements per perm fee earner rose 2% to 0.84, supported by double-digit growth in the U.K. and Southern Europe. Management attributed the improvement primarily to careful management of fee earner headcount.

Looking ahead, Bower said fee earner levels are now broadly appropriate for current market conditions, and that 2026 will focus on driving further fee earner productivity by maximizing the sales funnel and ensuring teams highlight the companys broader talent solutions to clients.

At the group level, net fee income per fee earner increased 3% year-on-year, which Bower said reflected a favorable mix impact and continued strong fee rates that were either stable or rising across markets.

Headcount ended the year at just under 2,900 staff, down 5% quarter-on-quarter, with both fee earners and non-fee earners declining by roughly the same amount. Bower added that the company remains focused on reallocating resources between markets based on strategic opportunity and activity levels.

On costs, management said it exited 2025 with a monthly cost base run rate below 24 million, compared with 25 million to 26 million 12 months earlier. The company reiterated progress toward its target of at least 10 million of annualized structural cost savings by 2027, with current emphasis on moving transactional finance processes from local markets into global business services hubs. Bower said cost control, combined with transformation benefits, should drive a further reduction in costs in 2026 versus 2025.

The company ended the year with net cash of 26 million, which Bower said was in line with guidance provided at the half-year results. Management emphasized that maintaining a strong balance sheet remains central to capital allocation decisions.

Regional performance: U.K. strength, Europe challenges, mixed APAC

Chief Executive Officer Toby Fowlston outlined specialist recruitment performance by region. In Asia-Pacific, net fee income declined 11% year-on-year in Q4. Japan, the companys largest recruitment market, was down 10%, with management citing stronger temp performance but weaker perm results. Fowlston said actions are underway to improve perm performance and added that the underlying bilingual candidate market drivers remain strong.

Australia and New Zealand saw sustained improvement in temp volumes through 2025, which continued in Q4. New Zealand fees rose 18% in Q4, while Australia declined 20%, as weaker perm results outweighed temp momentumthough Fowlston noted a rebound in Australia during December.

In Europe, specialist recruitment net fee income fell 23% in Q4. Fowlston said Southern Europe, led by Spain, continued to show year-on-year improvement in hiring indicators such as job vacancies. Northern Europe remained the most difficult region, with uncertainty driven by regulatory, macro, and political factors. The company reported fees down 27% in France, 28% in the Netherlands, and 30% in Belgium, though performance in each market was described as sequentially stable.

The U.K. was the standout, with Q4 fees up 25% year-on-year. Fowlston acknowledged an easier comparative but said momentum was building, pointing to sequential improvement from 6% growth in Q3. London was up 20% with growth in both perm and temp across verticals, and the companys regions returned to growth for the first time since the end of 2022.

In the Rest of the World segment, the Middle East ended the year more slowly with fees down 23%, while continuing operations in the Americas grew 11%.

Recruitment outsourcing: contract annualization weighed; talent advisory nearly doubled

Recruitment outsourcing fees declined 12% year-on-year in Q4, which Fowlston said was a slight improvement on the year-to-date trend. The main driver was the annualization of clients contracted in 2024 that were not renewed in 2025. Management highlighted that retained client RPO was more resilient, with fees down 5% year-on-year across 2025 as a whole.

Fowlston also pointed to progress following an expansion of a perm volume hiring partnership announced in the Q3 update, saying the company began to see evidence that the contract was contributing more to group fees.

Workforce consultancydescribed as meeting flexible hiring needs by deploying the companys permanently employed skilled consultants into client organizations, often in technologyfinished the year well, and management said it sees opportunities beyond its existing outsourcing client base.

Talent advisory, the newest service line offering market intelligence, future-of-work advice, and talent development, closed 2025 with net fee income for the year almost double the 2024 level. Fowlston said the company is still refining the operating model and plans to share further details at the full-year results in March.

2026 outlook: planning for slightly lower net fee income; recovery expected to be gradual

Fowlston said 2025 marked the third year of reduced hiring volumes following the post-pandemic surge, but the company was encouraged to see some major markets stabilizing and returning to growth in the second half. In Q4, around a quarter of the specialist recruitment business was in growth, similar to Q3 and an improvement from a single-digit proportion in the first half.

However, management said uncertainty continues to keep client and candidate confidence fragile and reiterated its view that recovery will be gradual and market by market, rather than driven by a single event.

For 2026, the company said it is starting the year assuming group net fee income will be slightly below 2025, while acknowledging a modest range of potential outcomes. Management said it intends to focus on factors within its control, including continued cost reduction, portfolio management actions at country and team level, and showcasing the full range of solutions to drive productivity.

During Q&A, management said fee rates in Japan remain among the highest globally, were described as stable to slightly up, and that candidate scarcity continues. Fowlston also addressed artificial intelligence, calling it transformative but emphasizing that the industrys transition will still require fundamentally human skills. He said the company believes AI-driven labor market disruption will be net positive, cited a World Bank view of significant net job creation by 2030, and described slower AI adoption among SMEs versus larger enterprises. He added that automating repetitive tasks could free consultants to focus more on trusted-advisor relationships with clients and candidates.

The company reiterated it will provide additional detail at its full-year results in March.

About Robert Walters (LON:RWA)

Established in 1985, Robert Walters is a global talent solutions business operating in 31 countries across the globe. We support organisations to build high-performing teams, and help professionals to grow meaningful careers. Our client base ranges from the worlds leading blue-chip corporates through to SMEs and start-ups.

We deliver three core services:

 Specialist recruitment  encompassing permanent and temporary recruitment, executive search and interim management.

 Recruitment outsourcing  enabling organisations to transfer all, or part of, their recruitment needs to us either through recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) or contingent workforce solutions (CWS).

 Talent Advisory  supporting the growth of organisations through market intelligence, talent development, and future of work consultancy.

Our employees are passionate about powering people and organisations to fulfil their unique potential.

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Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 24.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 134,001 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after buying an additional 26,642 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC owned about 0.05% of Sherwin-Williams worth $46,399,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC grew its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC now owns 1,885 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $647,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the period. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. lifted its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 2.4% in the second quarter. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. now owns 1,311 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $450,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. 17 Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 0.9% during the second quarter. 17 Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,340 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $1,147,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management now owns 781 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. Finally, Jessup Wealth Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Jessup Wealth Management Inc now owns 2,341 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $804,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.67% of the companys stock.

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Sherwin-Williams Stock Performance

NYSE SHW opened at $358.04 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $334.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $343.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.93, a P/E/G ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 1 year low of $308.84 and a 1 year high of $379.65.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.44 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.21 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 66.75% and a net margin of 11.05%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.37 EPS. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is 30.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on SHW. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $405.00 target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup upgraded Sherwin-Williams from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $392.00 to $390.00 in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $400.00 to $390.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Vertical Research raised shares of Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $371.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Monday, December 29th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $388.44.

Read Our Latest Analysis on SHW

Sherwin-Williams Profile

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers.

The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers.

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APi Group Corporation (NYSE:APG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 7,725,362 shares, a decrease of 21.8% from the December 15th total of 9,876,621 shares. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,721,615 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,721,615 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.5 days. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

APG has been the topic of a number of research reports. CJS Securities raised APi Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $49.00 price target (up from $45.00) on shares of APi Group in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of APi Group in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. UBS Group set a $49.00 price objective on shares of APi Group and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of APi Group in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $41.24.

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APi Group Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of APi Group stock traded up $0.29 on Friday, hitting $42.83. The stock had a trading volume of 2,370,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,051,779. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. APi Group has a one year low of $20.50 and a one year high of $43.26. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $39.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $36.44. The stock has a market cap of $17.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 116.81 and a beta of 1.70.

APi Group (NYSE:APG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.01 billion. APi Group had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 21.86%. The firms revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that APi Group will post 1.83 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at APi Group

In other news, Director Martin E. Franklin sold 340,000 shares of APi Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.09, for a total transaction of $12,270,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 18,968,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $684,583,631.10. The trade was a 1.76% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Anthony E. Malkin bought 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of $39.58 per share, with a total value of $118,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 7,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $277,060. This represents a 75.00% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 7,000 shares of company stock worth $275,720 and have sold 900,000 shares worth $32,342,000. Company insiders own 17.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Clearstead Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of APi Group by 105.7% during the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 831 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 427 shares during the period. Silicon Valley Capital Partners lifted its stake in APi Group by 50.0% in the third quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 858 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 286 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in APi Group by 55.3% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 834 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Bares Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in APi Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new position in APi Group in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 86.62% of the companys stock.

APi Group Company Profile

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APi Group Corp. is a global specialty contractor that provides fire protection, security, mechanical insulation and energy services to commercial, industrial and institutional clients. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minnesota, the company designs, installs, inspects, tests, maintains and repairs a wide range of safety and infrastructure systems. Through its network of operating subsidiaries, APi Group delivers end-to-end solutions for new construction, facility renovations and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Its service portfolio spans life safety and industrial servicessuch as fire suppression systems, fire alarms and emergency lightingand specialized offerings including technical insulation, access solutions, passive fire protection and energy efficiency upgrades.

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DRDGOLD Limited (NYSE:DRD  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 493,968 shares, a decrease of 20.9% from the December 15th total of 624,355 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 424,648 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 424,648 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Savant Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of DRDGOLD in the 2nd quarter valued at about $182,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in DRDGOLD by 29.7% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,422 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,469 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in DRDGOLD during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,505,000. Kiker Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of DRDGOLD in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $142,000. Finally, Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd purchased a new position in shares of DRDGOLD in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $291,000. 14.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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DRDGOLD Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of DRDGOLD stock traded up $0.37 during trading on Friday, reaching $36.23. 392,302 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 325,566. DRDGOLD has a 52-week low of $9.11 and a 52-week high of $36.56. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $30.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.13.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded DRDGOLD from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, January 3rd. HC Wainwright lifted their target price on DRDGOLD to $36.25 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research upgraded DRDGOLD from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of DRDGOLD in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $36.25.

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DRDGOLD Company Profile

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DRDGOLD (NYSE: DRD) is a South African gold producer focused on the retreatment of surface tailings from historic mining operations on the Witwatersrand Basin. The company recovers fine gold particles from lowgrade tailings using an integrated, carboninleach (CIL) processing circuit that is designed to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact. DRDGOLDs operations are centered on sustainable resource utilization, transforming previously discarded material into saleable gold dore bars.

The company operates two primary tailings retreatment facilities on the West Rand and East Rand of Gauteng Province.

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Leuthold Select Industries ETF (NYSEARCA:LST  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 6,932 shares, an increase of 48.5% from the December 15th total of 4,667 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,583 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 6,583 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Leuthold Select Industries ETF Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSEARCA:LST traded down $0.26 during trading on Friday, hitting $41.55. 3,507 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,892. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $40.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.99. Leuthold Select Industries ETF has a 52-week low of $29.04 and a 52-week high of $41.90. The company has a market cap of $58.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.27 and a beta of 1.03.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leuthold Select Industries ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fulcrum Equity Management purchased a new position in Leuthold Select Industries ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $202,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Leuthold Select Industries ETF during the second quarter worth $232,000. Westhampton Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Leuthold Select Industries ETF in the third quarter worth about $369,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Leuthold Select Industries ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $602,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Leuthold Select Industries ETF by 67.0% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 15,553 shares of the companys stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 6,240 shares during the last quarter.

About Leuthold Select Industries ETF

The Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is actively managed, seeking capital appreciation by broadly investing in US equity securities. The selection process utilizes a quantitative approach that focuses on shifts in industry groups LST was launched on Jan 21, 2025 and is issued by Leuthold.

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Shiseido Co. (OTCMKTS:SSDOY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 58,138 shares, an increase of 35.3% from the December 15th total of 42,969 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 98,287 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Based on an average trading volume of 98,287 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SSDOY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Shiseido from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Shiseido to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Shiseido Stock Down 2.0%

Shares of OTCMKTS:SSDOY traded down $0.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $16.90. 21,745 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 37,063. The company has a market cap of $6.75 billion, a P/E ratio of -17.97 and a beta of 0.36. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $15.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. Shiseido has a one year low of $13.60 and a one year high of $20.04.

Shiseido (OTCMKTS:SSDOY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.52 billion. Shiseido had a negative return on equity of 1.36% and a negative net margin of 5.80%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Shiseido will post 0.29 EPS for the current year.

About Shiseido

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Shiseido Company, Limited is a leading Japanese multinational specializing in cosmetics, skincare, makeup and fragrance products. Founded in 1872 and headquartered in Tokyo, the company operates through a portfolio of brands that span premium, prestige and mass-market segments. Its core business activities include the development, manufacturing and sale of skincare treatments, decorative cosmetics, hair care and sun protection products.

Shiseidos brand portfolio encompasses flagship lines such as Shiseido, Cle de Peau Beaute, NARS and bareMinerals, alongside regional and heritage labels tailored to diverse consumer preferences.

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Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. grew its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SJNK  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,583,785 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 39,233 shares during the quarter. SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF comprises approximately 2.1% of Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. owned approximately 0.77% of SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF worth $40,545,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $62,337,000. iA Global Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF by 1,806.3% during the 2nd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,419,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,640,000 after purchasing an additional 2,292,236 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF in the second quarter worth about $22,117,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $15,753,000. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF by 98.6% in the third quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 1,074,322 shares of the companys stock worth $27,503,000 after buying an additional 533,342 shares in the last quarter.

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SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of SJNK opened at $25.45 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.31. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $25.34 and a 200 day moving average of $25.40. SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $23.92 and a twelve month high of $25.65.

SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF Company Profile

The SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of short-term publicly issued US high yield corporate bonds, with a remaining maturity of less than five years. SJNK was launched on Mar 15, 2012 and is managed by State Street.

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SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SKM  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have issued a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on SKM shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of SK Telecom in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of SK Telecom from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. Zacks Research upgraded shares of SK Telecom from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of SK Telecom to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday.

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SK Telecom Stock Performance

Shares of SKM stock traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $21.00. 583,976 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 662,771. SK Telecom has a 52 week low of $19.66 and a 52 week high of $23.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stocks 50-day moving average is $20.28 and its 200-day moving average is $21.28.

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 12th. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.29) EPS for the quarter. SK Telecom had a net margin of 3.60% and a return on equity of 5.30%. Research analysts anticipate that SK Telecom will post 2.27 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SK Telecom

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in SK Telecom by 94.2% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,336 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 648 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in SK Telecom by 1,780.9% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,674 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,585 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in SK Telecom by 138.2% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,701 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 987 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co. grew its holdings in SK Telecom by 38.9% during the third quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 1,822 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the period. Finally, Wexford Capital LP bought a new stake in SK Telecom in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000.

SK Telecom Company Profile

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SK Telecom Co, Ltd. (NYSE:SKM) is South Koreas largest wireless carrier, offering a comprehensive range of mobile telecommunications services. The company operates 5G, 4G LTE and IoT networks, providing voice, data and messaging solutions to consumers and businesses. Beyond traditional wireless services, SK Telecom delivers fixed-line broadband, digital content platforms, cloud computing and cybersecurity offerings designed to support enterprise digital transformation and the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.

Established in 1984 as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Services, SK Telecom pioneered cellular service commercialization in South Korea and has continually expanded into new technology areas.

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Stegent Equity Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV  Free Report) by 303.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 144,391 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after purchasing an additional 108,613 shares during the quarter. Telefonica Brasil accounts for approximately 1.5% of Stegent Equity Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Stegent Equity Advisors Inc.s holdings in Telefonica Brasil were worth $1,841,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Telefonica Brasil by 3.7% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 24,891 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 886 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 40,454 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $461,000 after buying an additional 1,109 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,163 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,619 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in Telefonica Brasil by 8.2% in the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 21,383 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 1,623 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Telefonica Brasil by 28.7% during the second quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,620 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $87,000 after acquiring an additional 1,701 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.16% of the companys stock.

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Telefonica Brasil Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:VIV opened at $12.06 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $12.42 and its 200 day moving average is $12.21. The stock has a market cap of $19.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.70. Telefonica Brasil S.A. has a 52-week low of $7.96 and a 52-week high of $13.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Telefonica Brasil ( NYSE:VIV Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter. Telefonica Brasil had a return on equity of 8.67% and a net margin of 10.37%.The business had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter. Sell-side analysts predict that Telefonica Brasil S.A. will post 0.6 EPS for the current year.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Telefonica Brasil from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a $14.50 price target on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $12.00 price target on Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They set an underperform rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Telefonica Brasil from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.12.

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About Telefonica Brasil

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Telefonica Brasil SA, commonly marketed under the Vivo brand, is one of Brazils largest telecommunications providers, offering a broad range of consumer and enterprise communications services. The companys core activities include mobile voice and data services, fixed-line telephony, broadband internet (including fiber-to-the-home), and pay-TV solutions. It also provides ICT and managed services for business customers, such as cloud, data center, connectivity, Internet of Things (IoT) and security solutions.

Vivo operates a nationwide network across Brazil and serves both individual consumers and corporate clients.

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Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Saturday . The company traded as high as $7.62 and last traded at $7.62, with a volume of 114785 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.59.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SVNLY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underweight rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ Trading Up 0.4%

The company has a market cap of $30.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.49 and a beta of 0.57. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $7.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a current ratio of 2.10.

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.01. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ had a net margin of 15.97% and a return on equity of 12.80%. The business had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.49 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current year.

About Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

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Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) is a Sweden-based universal bank offering a broad range of financial services to private individuals, businesses and institutions. Established in 1871 and headquartered in Stockholm, the bank operates on a decentralized branch model that empowers locally managed offices to deliver tailored banking solutions. Svenska Handelsbanken provides core services such as deposit accounts, lending, payment services and credit cards, alongside specialized corporate offerings including trade finance, cash management and leasing.

In addition to its commercial banking activities, Handelsbanken maintains a dedicated investment banking arm known as Handelsbanken Capital Markets, which offers services in equity and debt underwriting, corporate finance advisory and research.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) had its target price trimmed by TD Cowen from $102.00 to $100.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on WFC. HSBC restated a hold rating and set a $74.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Cfra Research raised Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial cut their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $104.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $94.87.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE WFC opened at $88.36 on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $58.42 and a 52-week high of $97.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.90. The business has a fifty day moving average of $90.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $84.83. The stock has a market cap of $277.37 billion, a PE ratio of 14.09, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.09.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $21.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.63 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect 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 disclosed 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 yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.71%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WFC. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth approximately $3,990,551,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 18.6% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 35,660,903 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,989,104,000 after acquiring an additional 5,584,930 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $215,638,000. Finally, M&G PLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 320.3% in the 3rd quarter. M&G PLC now owns 2,946,277 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $247,487,000 after purchasing an additional 2,245,307 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about Wells Fargo & Company

Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:

About Wells Fargo & Company

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Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seventeen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $73.8750.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays set a $68.00 price target on Kroger and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Guggenheim restated a buy rating and set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and set a $68.00 target price (down previously from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $67.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Kroger News Summary

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Kroger by 61.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 33,367,551 shares of the companys stock worth $2,249,307,000 after purchasing an additional 12,652,261 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Kroger by 1.2% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 31,948,112 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,153,622,000 after buying an additional 386,503 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Kroger during the second quarter worth approximately $518,267,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Kroger by 15.8% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,327,182 shares of the companys stock worth $426,515,000 after acquiring an additional 865,559 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its holdings in Kroger by 66.6% in the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,255,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,245,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100,444 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the companys stock.

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

Kroger Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $63.18 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $63.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.96. Kroger has a 12-month low of $58.12 and a 12-month high of $74.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28. The stock has a market cap of $39.98 billion, a PE ratio of 58.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.61.

Kroger (NYSE:KR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $33.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.27 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 38.06% and a net margin of 0.54%.The companys revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.98 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Kroger will post 4.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Company Profile

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The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Krogers stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 3,730 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $725,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 13,080.9% during the second quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 2,481,960 shares of the companys stock worth $453,752,000 after purchasing an additional 2,463,130 shares during the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 72,284.9% during the 2nd quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,437,924 shares of the companys stock worth $445,701,000 after buying an additional 2,434,556 shares during the last quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 4,818.8% in the 2nd quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 1,716,464 shares of the companys stock worth $313,849,000 after buying an additional 1,681,568 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $305,974,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 39.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 3,755,880 shares of the companys stock valued at $686,910,000 after acquiring an additional 1,065,946 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Trading Up 15.2%

Shares of QUAL opened at $203.40 on Friday. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $148.34 and a 12-month high of $187.26. The stock has a market cap of $58.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a 50-day moving average of $198.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $193.00.

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector. QUAL was launched on Jul 18, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 1,421 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,077,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 20.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 3,610 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,521,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich purchased a new position in Parker-Hannifin in the second quarter valued at about $733,000. Procyon Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 158,565.9% during the third quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 5,069,374 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,843,346,000 after purchasing an additional 5,066,179 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 0.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,125,240 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,770,646,000 after buying an additional 101,476 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 0.7% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,075,234 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,449,496,000 after buying an additional 14,534 shares in the last quarter. 82.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on PH. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $977.00 to $1,097.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $950.00 to $990.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $850.00 to $869.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated a positive rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Wednesday. Seventeen 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 stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $946.17.

Parker-Hannifin Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PH opened at $944.14 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $119.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.25. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a twelve month low of $488.45 and a twelve month high of $950.00. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $877.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $791.40.

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 27.23% and a net margin of 18.17%.The business had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $6.20 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $1.80 dividend. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.65%.

Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin

In other Parker-Hannifin news, VP Berend Bracht sold 3,507 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $864.58, for a total transaction of $3,032,082.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,230,616.40. The trade was a 57.61% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Andrew D. Ross sold 2,488 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $894.81, for a total transaction of $2,226,287.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 13,120 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,739,907.20. This trade represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 7,432 shares of company stock worth $6,484,116 in the last ninety days. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Parker-Hannifin

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Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH) is a global manufacturer and provider of motion and control technologies and systems. The company designs, manufactures and services a broad range of engineered components and systems used to control the movement and flow of liquids, gases and hydraulic power. Its product portfolio is applied across demanding environments and includes solutions for industrial manufacturing, aerospace, mobile equipment and other engineered applications.

Parker-Hannifins product and service offerings span hydraulic and pneumatic components, fittings and fluid connectors, valves, pumps and motors, electromechanical actuators and motion-control systems, filtration and separation products, and seals and sealing systems.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC bought a new position in McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 5,625 shares of the fast-food giants stock, valued at approximately $1,709,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MCD. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. lifted its position in shares of McDonalds by 142.9% during the 2nd quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 85 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in McDonalds during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in McDonalds by 162.5% during the third quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. GFG Capital LLC purchased a new position in McDonalds during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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McDonalds Stock Performance

MCD stock opened at $307.53 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $308.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $305.48. McDonalds Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $278.73 and a fifty-two week high of $326.32. The firm has a market cap of $219.01 billion, a PE ratio of 26.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.53.

McDonalds Increases Dividend

McDonalds ( NYSE:MCD Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 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 the consensus estimate of $7.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.23 EPS. McDonaldss revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $306.58, for a total value of $805,079.08. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 5,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,654,918.84. This trade represents a 32.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,486 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $795,520.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,005,760. This represents a 28.40% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 45,142 shares of company stock valued at $13,841,169. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on MCD shares. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a sector perform rating and a $320.00 price objective on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on McDonalds from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Oppenheimer upgraded McDonalds from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $355.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. BTIG Research reissued a neutral rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $358.00 to $372.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $328.88.

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About McDonalds

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McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 9,974 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $821,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Sysco during the 2nd quarter worth $493,686,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Sysco by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 62,691,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,748,230,000 after buying an additional 1,226,381 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in shares of Sysco by 207.6% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,164,656 shares of the companys stock worth $88,211,000 after buying an additional 785,995 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of Sysco by 143.2% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,215,260 shares of the companys stock worth $92,044,000 after acquiring an additional 715,663 shares in the last quarter. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al lifted its position in Sysco by 163.1% during the third quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al now owns 710,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,536,000 after acquiring an additional 440,700 shares during the last quarter. 83.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Sysco Trading Down 0.6%

Sysco stock opened at $78.70 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $74.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $77.73. The company has a market capitalization of $37.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.61. Sysco Corporation has a 52 week low of $67.12 and a 52 week high of $83.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.54.

Sysco Dividend Announcement

Sysco ( NYSE:SYY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $21.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.03 billion. Sysco had a net margin of 2.21% and a return on equity of 112.04%. Syscos revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. Sysco has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.500-4.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sysco Corporation will post 4.58 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.54 dividend. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Syscos payout ratio is 57.91%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim lifted their price target on shares of Sysco from $87.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $88.00 price objective on Sysco in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wall Street Zen cut Sysco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sysco in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Sysco from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $86.00.

View Our Latest Report on SYY

Sysco Profile

(Free Report)

Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY) is a global foodservice distribution company that supplies a broad range of food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other foodservice customers. Its core business is the procurement, warehousing and delivery of fresh, frozen and dry food products, complemented by non-food items such as paper goods, kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies and tabletop products. Sysco serves customers through an extensive network of distribution centers and dedicated delivery fleets, positioning itself as a one-stop supplier for operators of all sizes.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Sysco has grown through both organic expansion and acquisitions.

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Shares of Volt Information Sciences, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:VOLT  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $28.50 and traded as high as $31.21. Volt Information Sciences shares last traded at $30.97, with a volume of 140,000 shares trading hands.

Volt Information Sciences Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $695.68 million, a PE ratio of 286.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 2.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $28.56.

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About Volt Information Sciences

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Volt Information Sciences, Inc (NYSE American: VOLT) is a global provider of workforce solutions headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1950, the company specializes in staffing and recruitment services across a broad spectrum of industries. Volt offers direct hire placements, temporary staffing, managed services and contingent workforce outsourcing to help clients optimize their talent acquisition and workforce management strategies.

Volts service offerings span information technology, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, scientific and professional sectors.

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ZKH Group Limited Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ZKH  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 62,041 shares, an increase of 51.9% from the December 15th total of 40,850 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 134,516 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 134,516 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of ZKH Group to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (e+) rating on shares of ZKH Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Sell.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on ZKH Group

ZKH Group Trading Down 0.7%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ZKH Group

ZKH traded down $0.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $3.50. 39,031 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 145,046. The companys fifty day moving average price is $3.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $567.49 million, a PE ratio of -23.31 and a beta of 0.18. ZKH Group has a fifty-two week low of $2.50 and a fifty-two week high of $3.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.85.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of ZKH Group during the second quarter worth $33,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in ZKH Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Finally, Jain Global LLC bought a new stake in ZKH Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $238,000. 9.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ZKH Group Company Profile

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ZKH Group Limited develops and operates a maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products trading and service platform that offers spare parts, chemicals, manufacturing parts, general consumables, and office supplies in the Peoples Republic of China. The company provides MRO procurement and management services; digitalized MRO procurement solutions; and logistics and warehousing services. It also engages in the production and sale of intelligent warehousing equipment. ZKH Group Limited was founded in 1998 and is based in Shanghai, the Peoples Republic of China.

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Spadework needed for normalcy to return Ball in the court of Delhi

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The talk of the town is when the popular Government will return as well as who will be anointed as the Chief Minister. The one year itch is certainly catching up, but in all the talks doing the round on Government formation not one, repeat not one single BJP MLA, has deemed it fit to talk of any roadmap they may have to take Manipur closer to the understanding of normalcy. This is what is flabbergasting. The popular Government was told to go in the face of the utter failure to stop the violence and put Manipur on the track of normalcy even after nearly two years of the violence erupting in all its ugliness on May 3, 2023 and even after nearly a year of PR coming in, there is nothing to suggest that the BJP MLAs have pooled in their minds and discussed ways that would take Manipur to normalcy. Instead what is doing the round is when the popularly elected Government would be reinstalled. The priority is obviously all wrong. What Manipur needs at the moment is normalcy and not whether the popular Government returns or not. And for normalcy to return, taking the first step towards this is indispensable. Did the BJP MLAs ever sit down together to share thoughts on what steps need to be taken up once they return to power ? There is nothing to suggest that any thought has been given to this and on the contrary the focus of all the elected Members as well as the public seems to be on the return of the popular Government. This is what is galling. A sure sign that nothing has been learnt from the mayhem that followed May 3, 2023. Delhi may have worked out certain course of action and the convincing done for the seven Kuki BJP MLAs to fall in line could just be the first step towards normalcy. Meitei MLAs and Kuki MLAs sitting down together in the same Government and sharing thoughts and ideas on how to normalise the situation could be the right start. However it is not clear whether the BJP MLAs, as a whole, have discussed this or not. For the Congress, this is perhaps the time for them to extend the hand of co-operation for remember Kuki MLAs and Meitei MLAs will be sitting down under a Government, a Government in which both sides have equal stake. The Naga MLAs, irrespective of which political party they belong to, can also chip in and act as the plank between the two groups to ensure that their presence will at least go some distance in bridging any misunderstanding, for what is at stake is Manipur and her people. Much will also depend on the sincerity of the Government of India in dealing with the matter, the first being acknowledging that though the groups under SoO have never been mentioned as a player in the violence, the fact that Delhi has felt the need to reach out to them to bring everything in line is too significant not to notice. Manipur very well knows the hand that engineered the Separate Administration call, though this was fired from the shoulder of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs.

No one knows if and when the popular Government would return, but the air is thick with speculations. Delhi is also keeping the card close to its chest and while no one knows who would be named as the next Chief Minister, already three/four names are doing the round as potential candidates for the hot seat. It should however not be forgotten that the first priority of the Government, when it comes about, is the resettlement of the displaced persons. Former Chief Secretary PK Singh had announced that it would take time for the displaced Meiteis to return to the place they once called home at Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi and while the logic in this announcement is understandable, not a word was said about the return of the Kuki-Chin-Zo people who had to leave Imphal. Will the return of the popular Government help to pave the way for the displaced folks to return home ? Or at least can spadeworks toward this be worked out ? Thoughts ought to be given to these points and the joining of the Kuki-Zo MLAs in Government formation can be the first step towards this. Delhi can be credited for having paved the way and if and when the popular Government comes back, it should be the first call of the BJP MLAs to work towards this. Reach out to all section of people, sit down together, discuss and talk things over to pave the way for all the displaced folks to return home, whether it is at Churachandpur, Moreh, Kangpokpi or Imphal and any of the other valley districts. The return of the popular Government should live up to the understanding of the term popular.
The problem, it seems, is that we have no problems of our own. Or we cannot see them because one cannot see beyond six feet in Delhi. Or we keep trying to brush them under the Persian carpet, where, of course, they have their own problems.

So in Delhis drawing rooms, the focus shifts far afield to a virginal Greenland cowering under Trumps covetous gaze. At one level, I regard that, too, as my problem. Greenland has been on my bucket lista list that moves as slowly as an old Soviet queueever since my first sight from a transatlantic flight of endless vistas of pristine ice, dotted along the coast with brightly coloured cottage-like houses. Now Greenland is less likely to be ticked off that list even as the time to k. the b. comes ever nearer: getting a Schengen visa, though not easy, is a relatively civilised process; with another kind of ICE in full flow, an American visa will require jumping through hoops, including swearing declarations that one is not going to the US to engage in money-laundering, terrorism, prostitution and so on.

But despite three wonderfully voluble dinners since New Years Day, nobodynot even Donald Trumpcan quite predict what will happen with Greenland. The worldparticularly Europewaits like an anxious teenaged girl, plucking petals off a daisy flower and wondering: Will he, wont he.

A 3D printed miniature of Donald Trump and the Greenland flag | Reuters

American interest in Greenland has been voiced before: in 1867 when the US acquired Alaska from Russia, in 1946, in 2019 under Trump 1.0 and even last January (which seems an awfully long time ago).Its strategic and commercial importance is undeniable. Arctic warming is opening up the Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage, drastically cutting transit times. Russia has a powerful Arctic fleet and claims a long Arctic coastline. China is investing heavily in ports, energy and mining with an eye on Greenlands 1,000 trillion cubic feet of gas, 90 billion barrels of oil and massive deposits of precious metals and critical minerals.

All these are rational strategic interests whose pursuit does not require a territorial takeover and a strangling of NATO. The US occupied Greenland during World War II following the German occupation of Denmark. A 1951 agreement gives the US virtually complete military access to the territory; Denmark/Greenland are hardly likely to object to greater US military presence now: it is the US that has reduced its earlier 10,000 strong presence to 200 personnel confined to one base.

But in a Trumpian world, rational methods are passe. Explanations have to be found in irrational impulses and psychological vulnerabilities.

First, Trump, the real estate mogul, likes ownership not tenancy. And he likes big: Ask the 63 tall, broad, chunky Maduro. (In Manhattan, the XXL Nike tracksuits worn by Maduro after arrest are flying off the shelves.) So Trump salivates over Greenland on a map, which looks misleadingly the size of Africa on the Mercator projection, and says (as reported in The New Yorker): Look at the size of this, it is massive, and that should be part of the United States. By that logic, what about Russia?

Next, Trump, the reality TV host, enjoys playing commander-in-chief. Stopping wars, bombing countriesthe tally is seven in one year, running places and then watching it, from the safety of the White House situation room, like a television showthe speed, the violence. This military porn can be addictive. And, as he recently claimed, no one can stop him except his own morality own mind. Well, so this week the needle is tilting towards He will. Unless Cuba, Mexico, Columbia, Iran come in the way.

The author was Indias high commissioner to the UK and ambassador to the United States.
DEFENCE HAS BEEN one of the four focus areas of THE WEEK, as emphasised through its special section on theweek.inFortress India. Our coverage of all matters defence has been comprehensive over the years, driven largely by Resident Editor R. Prasannan.

In August 2023, Senior Assistant Editor Sanjib Kr Baruah interviewed the then Army chief, General Manoj Pande, exclusively for your favourite newsweekly. He has repeated the feat in this issue with an exclusive interview with General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. This is Gen Dwivedis first interview with a print publication.

In a frank interview, the general says that three principles have changed since Operation Sindoor. First, there is zero tolerance to terrorism, he said. Second, talks and terror cannot go together. Third, any act of terror will be treated as an act of war. In that context, the Indian Army will not differentiate between terrorists and those who sponsor terrorism. Of course, the interview goes much beyond Operation Sindoor to cover other neighbours, strategy and the atmanirbharta push.

AUGUST 27, 2023

In @leisure, Special Correspondent Anjuly Mathai covers the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and goes beyond the show itself. As branding goes, the KMBs original launch date has great recall value: 12/12/12.

This issue introduces a new column by health writer Shyla Jovitha Abraham and Dr Jame Abraham, enterprise chair of the department of hematology and medical oncology at Cleveland Clinic, the US. Medicine Beyond Borders will be a monthly column on what is shaping health care worldwide.

As General Dwivedi spoke about atmanirbharta, let me stop there. Malayala Manorama embraced atmanirbharta long before the word was popularised. As the printing press is the beating heart of a newspaper edition, publishers usually rely on time-tested suppliers for technology and consumables such as newsprint and ink.

My father, K.M. Mathew, bet on an Indian manufacturer of presses, and today that has become a longstanding and warm relationship between the Shahs of Kolhapur and us. Their Manugraph press, proudly Made in India, is central to our publishing today. Seven editions of the Malayala Manorama roll off Manugraphs every day.

There is a benefit of banking on manufacturers closer to home. When newsprint manufacturers doubled the width of their reels, we looked to the Shahs for a desi solution, and they built Indias first double-width press for us in 2012. There is another enduring Kolhapur connect that my father has. The slipper. He was its brand ambassador to the end.
Lord Elgin was wrong. Not the eighth earl whom we know as a viceroy of India, but his more famous father, the seventh who had carted away the Parthenon Marbles from Athens during 1802-1812. Elgin feared the Ottoman Turks, who had occupied Greece, might vandalise them.

I used to believe him, and spent a whole afternoon once in the British Museums Elgin Marbles rooms, thinking of and thanking him. Now, after a 10-day Christmas-New Year holiday in Turkiye, I am convinced the Ottomans would have guarded the marbles and all the Hellenic sites, relics and ruins even better.

The Turks capture of Constantinople in 1453 changed the world from medieval to modern by forcing Europe to seafare, see new lands, gain knowledge, renaissance themselves, invent machines, (colonise lesser peoples), and usher in the age of science and reason. The Turks, too, captured and conquered as their forefathers had; they too destroyed much, but preserved more, and built still more.

Ataturk's portrait on the wall of The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul's Eminonu district | Shutterstock

So much so, Turkiye has a lot to show you as their own family silver, and not of othersHellenic sites of Troy (where, like Dr Faustus, I hallucinated Helen was hanging on to my arm; it was my wife), debating halls of the pagan Greeks and champion arenas of the Romans, Hercules gate, Nikes images, Byzantine ruins including Mother Marys supposed retirement home in Ephesus with its topless towers and memories of epistles received from St Paul, and of course the crown city from where Constantine the Great lorded over Christendom, and Justinian decreed Lex Romana.

The city retains its Byzantine soul after 575 years of Muslim rule. The Byzantine walls cannonaded by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453 have been rebuilt. Basilica Cistern, the underground reservoir that supplied water to the city for 2,000 years, is still held up by Roman columns on whose bases are sculptured the fiery head of the Greek demoness Medusa. (Look away, you may turn to stone.) Old churches are still there, new were built during the zenith of Ottoman glory. A beautiful 1898 Bulgarian Orthodox church stood close to our rooms in Istanbul; an old wooden Armenian church stands at the square of a popular shopping spot.

Hagia Sophia is there, standing proud with its murals and mosaics, including the one depicting Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and a divinely-inspired fantasy of Constantine showing a model of the city to Jesus and Mary, and Justinian I a model of Hagia Sophia. The shrine remains as pristinely Christian as was the model, of course with the rebuilds done by successive Byzantine rulers.

Then what has Erdogan done? Well, he has let Turkish Muslims use a hall for prayers, without any way harming or hurting the structure, its murals or its thousands of visitors who come from across the world. He has his political reasons for that; more about it some other time.

Most Turks I met were eager to see India, meet Indians, trade with India, and cant understand the current chill in ties. They are proud of what they area member of NATO, the gateway to Europe, the guardians of the Bosphorus who can block or lock up Vladimir Putins Black Sea fleet, and a people of both culture and technology. They may like to join Pakistans newfangled alliance, so has Saudi Arabia who are our friends.

They are a happy people. Bars serve fine wine and vile arrack (raki) till 2 am (the one closest to my abode was named Erdogan Bar). They take everything with a smile or a laugh, except any vile word on Ataturk. They revere him as we do Gandhi; you see his pictures and statues everywhere, and not even one of the dictator Erdogan.

prasannan@theweek.in
The Indian Army, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir government, has established a war memorial in Rajouri to solemnly honour those who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The memorial has been erected at Gujjar Mandi Chowk, officials said on Saturday.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

The officials said the memorial serves not only as a site of remembrance but also as a reminder of the shared sacrifices of soldiers and civilians during times of conflict. It reflects the resilience of the people of Rajouri and their unwavering support for the nation's security forces.

ALSO READ | Operation Sindoor didnt wipe out anti-India terror launchpads in Pakistan; BSF says THESE MANY infiltrators 'waiting'

The location of the memorial is far from incidental, as locations surrounding Gujjar Mandi Chowk witnessed intense Pakistani shelling on civilian areas during the four-day conflict, reports pointed out. Rajouri Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Raj Kumar Thapa was among the people who lost their lives in the Pakistani shelling. Thapa breathed his last when a shell struck his official residence in the area on May 10.

A mural of Raj Kumar Thapa will feature at the memorial, along with those of Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of the Krishna Ghati Brigade and three other Army personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.

They said a separate statue depicting an Army soldier alongside a local nomad with his child and a goat has also been installed at the site, symbolising the strong bond between the armed forces and the residents of the border areas.

ALSO READ | BSFs role in Operation Sindoor: Amit Shah reminds how jawans gave Pak forces a befitting reply when border fighting erupted

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border on May 7 to hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan to avenge the killing of 26 people by terrorists in the Pahalgam attack.
Dwindling attentions and brain rot in this age of Instagram/TikTok is a real thing. It has severely affected audiences' movie-viewing habits. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck addressed this in the podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, as their latest Netflix feature, The Rip, began streaming on Friday.

Damon recalled how Netflix wanted an action sequence at the start of the movie and also required movie plots to be repeated by the characters, as people's attention spans are split between the movie they're watching and their phones.

The standard way to make an action movie that we learned was, you usually have three set pieces. One in the first act, one in the second, one in the third, Damon explained. You spend most of your money on that one in the third act. Thats your finale. And now theyre like, Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay. And it wouldnt be terrible if you reiterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue because people are on their phones while theyre watching.

Affleck, however, pointed out that Netflix also make shows like Adolescence that didn't opt for the Netflix-suggested filmmaking approach.

But then you look at Adolescence, and it didnt do any of that s***, Affleck said. And its f***** great. And its dark too. Its tragic and intense. [Its about] this guy who finds out his kid is accused of murder. There are long shots of the back of their heads. They get in the car, nobody says anything.

The Rip sees childhood friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reuniting in front of the screen after 2023's AIR. Directed by Joe Carnahan, The Rip is a crime thriller centred on an incident involving a bunch of cops working in the Miami police department, whose loyalty and trust are tested after they discover millions in cash inside a derelict stash house.

The duo is also producing it under the banner of Artists Equity, their production studio that was launched in 2022.

Carnahan is known for being a specialist in the crime genre, with credits such as Narc, The Grey, and The A-Team.

Damon and Affleck are joined in the cast by Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Sasha Calle.
Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman addressed the recent backlash he faced after his comments on facing instances of communal discrimination in Bollywood in a recent interview.

In a video posted to Instagram, he addressed how his intentions behind his remarks were misunderstood. India is my inspiration, my teacher, and I understand the intention can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music, he said in the video statement.

I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt. I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices, He continued.

He also spoke about his multicultural endeavours and the strides he was making in the music industry to make sure all voices are heard equally. From nurturing Jhalaa, presented at the Waves summit, in front of the honourable prime minister and Roohinoor, to collaborating with young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra and to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, also building Secret Mountain, Indias first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer, each journey has strengthened my purpose." he states in the video.

I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music that honours the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future. Jai hind and jai ho.

Rahman received major backlash from several BJP politicians and Bollywood names for commenting on losing work in the industry due to a power shift within the industry.

In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, when asked about discrimination against the Tamil community in Bollywood in the 1990s, he said, "Maybe I didn't get to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff (laughed). I never felt all those."

Then he continued to say, Past eight years, maybe because the power shift has happened, people who are not creative have the power now to decide things. And this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. But I would hear like Chinese whispers that this happened. And they booked you and the music company went and funded the movie and got five composers, and i said oh that's great, rest for me." He also said that Chhaava, a film he composed for, cashed in on being "divisive."

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said, Ar Rahman's comment that he is not getting support in the film music industry because of being Muslim is absolutely false. The country has supported and received him as the number one music director in the country.

Javed Akhtar and Kangana Ranaut also added to the criticism.

On her Instagram stories, Ranaut said that Rahman was prejudiced and hateful for refusing to work on what he reportedly called a propaganda film. I was told you dont want to be part of a propaganda film. I face so much prejudice and partiality in the film industry because I support a saffron party, yet I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you. Even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach, but you are blinded by your hate. I feel sorry for you, she said.

Writer lyricist Javed Akhtar, who has worked on films with Rahman, dismissed the his comments, saying I dont think there is any communal element to this. I also doubt that he would ever say something like this. People have great respect for him. Maybe they assume he is too busy with work in the west or other shows. Small producers are possibly scared to approach him."
Police in Bareilly district arrested 12 people for allegedly offering Namaz at an abandoned house without permission, officials said on Sunday.

The arrest was made after a video surfaced on social media purportedly showing people standing and praying inside the house.

Anshika Verma, SP (South) (Superintendent of Police), said that the action was taken as a precaution after locals at Mohammadganj village informed authorities that the vacant house was being used as a temporary madrassa.

Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law. Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated, Verma said.

Authorities said that the 12 detained persons were challaned under sections related to breach of peace and were later produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail.

People were offering namaz in a house in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The UP police arrested 12 people for disturbing the peace. And what about those who dance in front of the mosque? pic.twitter.com/UUcGv4WoEn  Mr Sinha Commentary (@Mr_Chhinra_) January 18, 2026

Three are reportedly absconding and are being traced, according to police.

Authorities also said that the Vacant house belonged to one Hanif and was being temporarily used to offer Friday Namaz.

Police said that the detainees could not produce any valid documents or permission when questioned.

Villagers had reportedly objected to prayers being held in the house without permission.

Police have said that the video being circulated online has been taken as part of the investigation.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will attend a leadership programme at Harvard University later this month, becoming the first serving chief minister in India to enrol in an academic programme at an Ivy League institution.

According to an official statement, Reddy will participate in the 'Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage' programme at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government from January 25 to 30. The programme is part of Harvards executive education offerings and is designed for senior leaders working in complex governance and policy environments.

Revanth Reddy will attend classes on the Kennedy School campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with participants from more than 20 countries. The cohort includes political leaders, senior government officials and policy professionals. The programme is chaired by Prof. Tim OBrien and directed by Prof. Karen Morrissey.

It involves classroom sessions, case study discussions and group-based exercises. Participants are required to complete assignments, submit written work and collaborate on group projects, which are presented during classroom sessions. The case studies are drawn from different regions and historical periods, focusing on leadership challenges during moments of conflict, institutional stress and political uncertainty.

Officials said the CM will complete the full academic schedule during the six-day programme. On completion, he will receive a certificate from Harvard University. He is scheduled to return to India after completing the programme on January 30.
Actor-politician Vijay left for Delhi on Sunday to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation on January 19 in connection with the Karur stampede case in which 41 people were killed due to a crowd crush.

Vijay left by a chartered flight for Delhi at 4.15pm, according to Chennai airport officials. Clad in a white shirt, Vijay waved to his fans and showed a little heart symbol before getting into the airport. This is the second time Vijay will be appearing before the CBI for questioning in the Karur stampede case. After seven hours of questioning on January 12, the Jana Nayagan actor was asked to come again on Monday, as he sought another date, citing Pongal festival and celebrations by his party.

According to insiders, during his first appearance, he was given a set of 90 questions in a written format and was questioned by a Dy. Superintendent-level officer. He was allowed to take assistance from a stenographer to record the answers in English, type them, and duly sign later.

The questioning, according to highly placed sources, was very structured and more intense, focusing just on the sequence of events that led to the crowd crush. Sources also said that the questions were mainly based on the depositions or statements made by the organisers from his party and his campaign bus driver. Sources said that the questions were based on a chronological order of the events on the Karur rally day, focusing mainly on the reasons for his late arrival and also on why he rushed back from the spot after the stampede.

On January 19, sources say, Vijay will be questioned based on the statements made by his party functionaries, district administration and former Tamil Nadu ADGP (Law and Order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham. Though Vijay is mentally prepared for the second round of questioning, sources close to him say that the first round of enquiry was a bit "taxing" as the actor did not expect the questions in a written booklet format.
With the mayoral race gaining momentum, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena appears to be tightening its grip on the post, fueling speculation of a rift within the Mahayuti alliance. The party, on Saturday, moved its 29 newly elected Mumbai corporators to the Taj Land's End in Bandra, fueling talks of a power struggle between the BJP and Shiv Sena.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On reports of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena Corporators moved to a hotel, Amol Ghole, Shiv Sena Corporator from Dada Ward 178 in BMC, says, "Nobody has been kept there forcibly. We have been called to discuss the strategy ahead. Shiv Sena chief Shinde pic.twitter.com/pZbi6XIeAu  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026

Also, even after Mahayuti sweeping the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the BJP seems 'unhappy' with the party's performance. Setting a record, the BJP won 89 seats--the highest tally any party has secured on its own since the 2022 civic polls.

Reportedly, the party is reviewing its performance as the target was to win at least 110 seats to get the majority.

Also, there are rumours that the BJP is not quite happy with the seat-sharing with Shiv Sena. Shinde has negotiated aggressively and secured 91 seats for his party, leaving the BJP with 137 instead of the 155 seats they had planned initially.

BJP was forced to reduce its seats to 110, but managed to win only 89. They planned to win 120-125 seats from the 155 seats they desired to contest.

After the BMC results, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reportedly, conveyed his displeasure to the Mumbai unit over the party's inability to convert its momentum into a bigger win. BJP also believes that the Thackeray brothers' appeal to woo Marathi voters made a measurable impact.

BJP state leaders also flagged the weak coordination between alliance partners. The displeasure of the seat-sharing with the Shinde faction was reflected in the campaigning in many seats.

BJP had won a majority on its own in 14 municipal corporations, including Pune, Nagpur and Nashik. While the Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, secured 29 seats.

Now, all eyes are on the mayor's seat, as during the poll campaign, Fadnavis said that the BJP leaders had announced that the mayor would be "from the Mahayuti alliance".
An Indigo Airlines flight had to be diverted to Lucknow after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper, officials said. The flight was travelling from Delhis Indira Gandhi Airport to Bagdgra when the threat was found.

The threat was allegedly found written on a tissue paper inside flight 6E-6650 at around 8:46 am. The crew alerted air traffic central and activated standard security procedures.

#WATCH | Visuals of the IndiGo Delhi to Bagdogra flight, which made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a message was found written on a tissue paper in the toilet of the flight, stating that there was a bomb on board.



(Source: ACP Rajneesh Verma) pic.twitter.com/cvgiNX8yrz  ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026

The aircraft made a safe landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 9:17 am, and all the passengers were evacuated as a precaution.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajneesh Verma, who spoke to ANI, said, "A message was found written on a tissue paper in the toilet of the flight, stating that there was a bomb on board. The flight had 238 passengers, along with the pilots and crew. The flight was en route from Delhi to Bagdogra. It made an emergency landing in Lucknow and is currently being searched."

After the plane landed, it was taken to an isolation bay at the Lucknow airport.

CISF teams and bomb disposal squads surrounded the plane and made a detailed search. Authorities also carried out security checks after passengers were evacuated. Further investigations are underway to rule out any potential risks.

The aircraft carried around 230 passengers, including 222 adults and eight infants, along with the two pilots and 5 cabin crew members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress on Sunday, accusing the Opposition party of aiding infiltrators and blocking the Union government's schemes in the state.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party's rally in Singur, the prime minister charged the Mamata Banerjee-led government hasn't been cooperating with the Centre to block infiltration. "The Trinamool Congress government is playing with the security of West Bengal and the country as well, so the youth here, in particular, need to be extremely cautious. TMC provides all kinds of facilities to infiltrators," Modi charged.

Modi charged Banerjee is conducting protests to protect infiltrators. "For the past 11 years, the Central government has been repeatedly writing letters to the TMC government that fencing needs to be installed on the Bengal border, for which land is required, but the TMC doesn't care. TMC provides patronage to such gangs that give protection to infiltrators and create fake documents for them. The time has come when infiltration must be completely stopped," he added.

The prime minister alleged the West Bengal government is blocking various development schemes of the Centre. "I am constantly striving to serve Bengal's youth, farmers, mothers, and sisters in every possible way, but the TMC government here does not even allow the central government's schemes to reach you properly," he alleged. Modi charged that the TMC was taking out its enmity towards the BJP and Modi on the people of Bengal.

Comparing TMC with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Modi said, "There was a similar government in Delhi that did not allow the central schemes to be implemented, hence, the people of Delhi showed them the door. The people of Bengal have resolved that the people here are going to teach a lesson to the ruthless TMC government so that a BJP government is formed here too and the Ayushman Bharat scheme is implemented in Bengal as well."
The arrest of a 37-year-old Russian man, Alexei Leonov, for the alleged murder of two Russian women - his live-in partner and her friend - turns murkier after police suspect he is involved in the murder of an Indian woman too.

Leonov was arrested on Friday after the body of his live-in partner, 37-year-old Elena Kasthanova, was found in their rented room in Arambol, North Goa. The woman's throat had been slit and her hands were tied behind her back with a rope. He then allegedly slit her neck with a sharp-edged weapon, the FIR states.

During interrogation, Leonov revealed that he was behind the murder of another Russian woman, Elena Vaneeva.

The Goa Police said Vaneeva was a mutual friend of the accused and Kasthanova and was found dead recently in Morjim village. They believe Vaneeva was murdered on the night of January 14 and that both murders followed a similar pattern: strangulation with their hands tied behind their back.

Now, the investigation officials are investigating Leonovs role in several other murders, including that of a 40-year-old woman from Assam. He told the police that he drugged her to death. The third case is yet to be confirmed through postmortem examination and evidence. The accused repeatedly changes his statements, prompting the officials to suspect that he could be under the influence of drugs. They are not ready to confirm the veracity of all claims for the same reason.

Leonovs arrest

The Russian nationals crime came to light after neighbors reported hearing screams from the rented place where Leonov stayed with Kasthanova. They alerted the landlord and the police. After the police arrived, Leonov jumped from the first floor in a bid to flee. But he was arrested soon. Authorities are now examining Leonovs background and whether he has a criminal background.

Leonov is a fire display performer who has been staying in India since 2023, while Kasthanova worked as a go-go dancer and usher at weddings in Goa. She arrived recently on December 24.

During thorough and sustained interrogation, the accused admitted to his involvement in both murder cases. Further investigation revealed that the accused was a close friend of both victims and the motive behind the crimes was a monetary dispute amongst them, The Indian Express quoted investigating officials.
In a bold claim that could have groundbreaking consequences if true, Sanjay Raut has claimed that Eknath Shinde's corporators are in contact with Shiv Sena (UBT) since they do not want a BJP Mayor in Mumbai. The senior leader questioned how long Eknath Shinde can hide his corporators in a hotel for fear of poaching.

Raut made the comments at a time when the Mahayuti alliance is reportedly at loggerheads over choosing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor. Eknath Shinde wants his party to hold the city's mayoralty for 2.5 years, but the BJP wants to keep it for the entirety of the tenure.

The alliance of the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) won a clear majority in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday, securing 89 and 29 seats, respectively. All corporators from Shinde's party are currently staying at Taj Lands End, and it is learnt that they will remain there for the next three days, reports had said. The Deputy CM feared the BJP managing to convince his party men to jump ship, which may further weaken his position.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) finished as the second-largest party with 65 seats, landing a major blow to the Shinde camp. Sanjay Raut said that the return of "hotel politics" is a scar on Maharashtra, and his party is currently observing how things unfold from a neutral standpoint. "Discussions have taken place between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. We are watching all developments neutrally, but many things are happening behind the scenes. We have not claimed the Mayors post. The numbers are almost equal. The BJP has secured only a slender majority," Raut was quoted as saying by Loksatta.

Will Shindes men return to Thackeray?

On Shinde's corporators getting in touch with his party, the senior leader said, "How long will they keep corporators confined? These corporators belong to the Shiv Sena. Even in their hearts, the flame of Marathi pride burns. Almost all of them have decided that a BJP Mayor should not be allowed.

"The corporators who have been elected are originally Shiv Sainiks. A Shiv Sainik carries a different sentiment in his heart towards the Shiv Sena. We have understood that they do not want a BJP Mayor. No matter how much they are confined, there are still many means of communication, and messages keep coming through," Loksatta quoted him as saying.

A Marathi media report said that Raut alleged that Amit Shah wants one of his men to be made Mayor, but Devendra Fadnavis does not agree with this. The entire situation was no less than a circus, he said.

He also cocked a snook at Shinde for being forced to lock up his own party men to avoid them deserting after having divided the Shiv Sena in the past. "If those who themselves broke away Shiv Sena MLAs are now afraid that corporators might defect, that is surprising. They kept MLAs in Surat and have confined corporators here. For them, the truly safe place is actually Surat. They are also afraid of Devendra Fadnavis rule. When the Chief Minister is from the BJP and the Deputy Chief Minister is Eknath Shinde, yet they still fear that their corporators will be broken or abducted, it is nothing but a farce in Maharashtras politics. How long will they keep corporators confined?" the news outlet quoted him as saying.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates earlier this week signed the Pax Silica Declaration, a US-led and non-binding initiative aimed at building secure and reliable supply chains for technologies that power artificial intelligence. These include critical minerals, energy, semiconductors, computing infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

The initiative was launched under the second Trump administration as a strategic effort to bring together trusted allies and partners in key technology areas. Its core objective is to reduce over-dependence on US adversaries such as China, especially in sensitive sectors like AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing, and to ensure that strategically important nations remain aligned within a US-led technology ecosystem.

So far, the declaration has been signed by Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, along with the UAE and Qatar. India is expected to join the declaration next month, according to the US State Department.

The entry of the UAE and Qatarand Indias likely participationcould significantly reshape how technology cooperation unfolds across Asia, the Middle East, and the West.

A stronger bridge between regions

The Gulf states bring major advantages to the table. They have large sovereign wealth funds, abundant and reliable energy supplies needed to power energy-hungry AI data centres, and ambitious plans to invest heavily in AI infrastructure. Their participation adds geographic diversity to the coalition and creates a natural bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.

For India, this opens the door to deeper cooperation with the US and Gulf nations through trilateral or multilateral projects. These could include joint efforts in critical minerals processing, clean and reliable energy for computing, or AI research and developmentareas where Indias strengths in software, skilled talent, and emerging manufacturing can play a central role.

Access to Gulf capital and infrastructure

The UAE and Qatar are positioning themselves as global AI hubs, with large investments in data centres, advanced chips, and digital infrastructure. By joining Pax Silica, they align more closely with US-trusted technology ecosystems. This could create new opportunities for Indian companies to partner in Gulf-based AI projects, supply chain initiatives, or co-investments.

Indian firms could contribute to, and benefit from, secure semiconductor logistics, critical mineral refining, and energy-efficient AI infrastructure in the region, strengthening Indias role in global technology value chains.

More resilient supply chains

With Gulf energy producers now part of the coalition, India stands to benefit from more diversified and reliable sources of key inputs needed for AI and semiconductor manufacturing, such as processed minerals and stable power supplies. This reduces the risk of supply disruptions and overreliance on any single country. As India builds its own semiconductor ecosystem through government incentives and production-linked schemes, closer alignment with Pax Silica partnersincluding energy- and logistics-rich Gulf nationsis expected to help create stronger end-to-end supply chains. This is expected to counter China's influence in Asia and beyond, including through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road.

Talent and jobs advantage

Gulf countries are expected to generate millions of high-skilled jobs in AI and technology by 2030, many of which match the expertise of Indian IT and AI professionals. Pax Silicas emphasis on trusted partnerships could make talent movement smoother within this US-aligned ecosystem.

This positions India as a key talent supplier, boosting remittances, improving skills, and even encouraging reverse brain drain as professionals gain experience in advanced AI environments.

A bigger role for India

The sudden entry of the UAE and Qatar shows that Pax Silica is gaining momentum in the Middle East. Indias expected entry would make the initiative truly cross-regional, spanning Asia, the Middle East, and the Westa broad silicon age consensus. By bridging the Indo-Pacific with the Middle East, Pax Silica would elevate India's strategic position in a cross-regional coalition.

For India, this elevates its standing in US-led technology diplomacy and could unlock deeper cooperation on export controls, standards for trustworthy AI, and joint research. At the same time, it supports Indias own goals of technological leadership and strategic self-reliance in the age of artificial intelligence.






Ridley Scotts Kingdom of Heaven opens in 1184 France during the time of the Crusades and follows a village blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) who is mourning the death of his wife, who committed suicide after the death of their child. His brother, a priest (Michael Sheen at his hateful best), lets him know that his presence in the village wont be tolerated by its inhabitants anymore, since his wife was deemed a sinner. This leads to a violent confrontation, resulting in Balian killing him. While trying to flee, he is rescued by Sir Godfrey (Liam Neeson), a knight who discovers that Balian is his illegitimate son. Balian finally makes his way to Jerusalem and meets up with King Baldwin (Edward Norton), the current ruler. But the king doesnt have much time left as he is suffering from leprosy and keeps his face concealed behind a mask. Baldwin entrusts him with the duty of protecting the city after his death. Balian becomes involved in an affair with Baldwins sister Sybilla (Eva Green), who is married to a knight named Guy de Lusignan (Martin Csokas).

Balian gets himself involved in the political machinations and struggles to maintain a peaceful relationship with the Saracens (a generic term for Muslims during that time), led by Prince Saladin. The most impressive aspect of Kingdom of Heaven is that Scott never tried to portray the Muslims in a negative light. There are corrupt individuals on both sides, and its their presence that triggers conflict. You cant call Saladin an antagonist because he cares more about Jerusalem than the Christians do. He is a character you actually root for. Muslims are hoping for peaceful relations as much as the Christians. There is a reason why Scott has a big fan following in the Middle East. Its the sympathetic Muslim characters that appear in this film. In fact, the one man who stands out the most (apart from Norton, of course) is Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud, who plays the Muslim ruler Saladin. And there is Norton, who can do more behind a mask than some actors can without one. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the fine contributions from Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Eva Green, Michael Sheen, Alexander Siddig, and Brendan Gleeson.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

After multiple revisits, I found Kingdom of Heaven to be a much better film than Scotts previous historical epic, the Oscar-winning Gladiator. By saying this I dont intend it as a dismissal of the Russell Crowe-starrer. However, the story of Kingdom has more depth and holds more significance in the present climate. I must also add that the film doesn't lack in terms of historical accuracy either.

David Thewlis character has a great line in the film:

I put no stock in religion. By the word religion, I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. I've seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves. And goodness - what God desires - is here [points to his head] and here [pointing to his heart] and by what you decide to do every day you will be a good man...or not.

I would, however, recommend the Directors Cut (extended version) of the film. If I have to name one film that makes a strong case for the existence of Directors Cuts, it would be Kingdom of Heaven. The theatrical cut felt like a lacklustre and half-baked attempt. The extended version, on the other hand, is a much superior film, and it's a pity that they didn't release this version in theatres. No film deserved the Directors Cut more than this one. I consider it one of Scotts best films and would even place it alongside The Duellists, Alien, Blade Runner and American Gangster.

This new version is strengthened by an additional 45 minutes of footage and is a significant improvement over the previous one. Its more coherent, the characters are more fleshed out, and some of the subplots make more sense. There is an overall expansion of scope, and certain scenes carry more emotional heft. Nothing thats been included in this version feels unnecessary, and the final result is something that's completely different from what audiences saw in the theatres.






The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump is sending out invitations to heads of government to join his new organisation, the Board of Peace, which he will be chairing. The board was initially developed as part of Trumps Compressive plan to fulfil the 20-point roadmap to establishing peace and security in Gaza.

However, the charter for the Board of peace which was sent out to potential member countries, makes no mention of Gaza anywhere.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted that the body has positioned itself as a potential rival to the United Nations without all the inefficiency, instead of the original stated purpose of managing Gaza's reconstruction.

The charter's membership requirement says that member states must contribute USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charters entry into force.

The exact purpose of the funds is also not mentioned in the charter. The finance section only says, Funding for the expenses of the Board of Peace shall be through voluntary funding from Member States, other States, organisations, or other sources.

The preamble of the charter reads, durable peace requires pragmatic judgment, common-sense solutions, and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed. Towards the end, it says Emphasising the need for a more nimble and effective international peace-building body.

The wording seems to suggest that the new body is being envisioned as an international peace-building body, similar to how the United Nations was also formed.

Despite the November UN resolution giving the board for Gaza a two-year mandate, Trumps new board has three-year terms and paid memberships.

The White House also announced its initial seven members on the organisation's operating committee, the funding executive board. Chaired by Trump, the list includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and adviser; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank; the financier Marc Rowan; Robert Gabriel, a deputy national security adviser and former Fox News producer; and Witkoff.

The board's invitation has been sent to leaders of Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada.

In the letter of invitation sent out to world leaders, Trump wrote, This board will be one of a kind; there has never been anything like it!

If the board of peace is a UN replacement, it would square with the US president's long-held contempt for the global body, the Atlantic reported. The US president has said that the UN has tremendous potential and is not living up to it. Trump has also pulled the US out of several UN bodies and cut funding to agencies like UNRWA and the World Food Programme.

The Israeli government, which has been cutting ties with the UN, has been interestingly less enthusiastic over the creation of Trumps new body, citing its failure to coordinate with them.

More announcements on the board of peace will be made at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Monday.
The Israeli government has raised a formal objection to the leadership structure unveiled by the United States to oversee the next phase of governance in Gaza, in an unusually public rebuke of its closest ally. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Washington had failed to coordinate with Israel on the composition of the proposed executive bodies and that the arrangement ran contrary to Israeli policy. He has instructed the foreign ministry to raise Israels concerns directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The dispute follows a series of announcements by President Donald Trump on Friday, naming several members of what the White House calls a founding executive board, tasked with supervising a transitional administration in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Trump himself will chair the seven-member body, which includes Rubio, the US special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank president Ajay Banga.

Along with this, the White House said a second entity, the Gaza executive board, would be established to support effective governance and the delivery of services aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Gaza. Witkoff, Kushner, and Blair will sit on this board as well, joined by Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, senior Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi and other international officials.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

The inclusion of senior figures from Turkey and Qatar has proved particularly contentious in Israel, especially since both were vocal critics of Israels military campaign in Gaza. Qatar hosts senior Hamas figures, while Turkey has long maintained close ties with the group. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has adopted an increasingly hostile posture towards Israel.

Although the committees include Israeli billionaire businessman Yakir Gabay, they notably exclude any serving Israeli government official. This omission, combined with the prominence accorded to Turkish and Qatari representatives, prompted Netanyahu to instruct Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to formally protest to Rubio. Israeli officials argue that decisions shaping Gazas future cannot credibly be taken without Israels direct involvement, particularly when countries viewed in Jerusalem as sympathetic to Hamas are given influential roles.

Israeli opposition figures were quick to seize on the issue. Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, described the announcement as a diplomatic failure, accusing the government of allowing a situation in which Turkey and Qatar could wield significant influence in Gaza while Hamas retains a substantial armed presence. Israeli military estimates suggest the group still commands tens of thousands of fighters despite the destruction of much of its infrastructure.

On the far right of Netanyahus governing coalition, the reaction was even sharper. Ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich argued that states accused of backing Hamas should have no role in replacing it, and renewed calls for Israel to resume full-scale military operations in Gaza rather than rely on an internationally brokered transition.

According to reporting in both Israeli and American media, the lack of coordination over the appointments was deliberate. US officials have indicated that Netanyahu was not informed in advance about the involvement of Turkish and Qatari officials because Washington considers post-war Gaza to be an American-led project. The message conveyed privately, according to these accounts, was that if Israel wants the Trump administration to manage the Gaza file, it will be done on US terms. Trump has described the body as the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled and said it will oversee the transfer of power away from Hamas.

The diplomatic friction comes as the ceasefire enters its second phase, focused on disarming Hamas, deploying an international security force, and beginning large-scale reconstruction. The Gaza executive board is intended to oversee and support a new National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a technocratic Palestinian body that recently held its first meeting in Cairo. The committee, led by former Palestinian Authority official Ali Shaath, is meant to manage day-to-day civilian affairs under the supervision of the international board.

The Trump administration has argued that the involvement of countries such as Turkey is essential to securing a comprehensive demilitarisation agreement, including the surrender of weapons and the dismantling of Hamass tunnel network. Yet Hamas, while agreeing to give up its governing role, has shown little inclination to disband its military wing.
The Gulf regions diplomatic push at present to prevent a spiral between the United States and Iran reflects a strategic reality that has toughened over the past decade. Even when Gulf states show apprehensions towards Iranian regional behaviour, they increasingly fear the consequences of sudden coercive escalation more than they fear the prolonged managed rivalry. The immediate backdrop is the intensified unrest in Iran and renewed American signalling for military options, where intentions are opaque, timelines are compressed, and misperception becomes a force multiplier.

Multiple Gulf states are pushing both the United States and Iran to step back from the brink, citing destabilisation in the region. This effort was coordinated, urgent, and directed at the emerging Gulf doctrine, the crisis insulation through diplomacy to reduce the probability that Gulf territory becomes the battlefield for the US-Iran confrontation.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

At the core of this is the structural vulnerability of Gulf states. The region has a significant American presence through its military bases within the range of Iranian missile systems. This underscores the density and strategic importance of bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including major command-and-control functions of missile defence systems. This geography turns Gulf states into frontline rear areas that are critical for the American operations but are also the natural targets for Iranian retaliation. The significance of this was reinforced by recent precautionary measures around Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, with official Qatari statements acknowledging personnel movements as a response to growing regional tensions. Gulf diplomacy, therefore, is not altruistic mediation but is self-preservation aimed at preventing retaliatory logic from activating against Gulf infrastructure, urban centres, and energy facilities.

In all of this, Saudi Arabias role is particularly important because it signals how Riyadhs threat perception has evolved. While SaudiIran rivalry remains a substantial threat, Saudi grand strategy is now heavily conditioned by domestic economic transformation imperatives that require regional peace and predictable risk factors. Saudi Arabia has cautioned against military escalation, while Gulf states have tried to ensure their territory is not used in any potential strike. This posture is also consistent with the China-brokered SaudiIran rapprochement in March 2023, which institutionalised a minimum framework for de-escalation even if it did not resolve the core disagreements. The strategic logic is that Riyadh can prefer an Iran that is constrained and deterred, but not an Iran that is collapsing and fragmented, which can destabilise the Gulf states economic plans.

Qatars official signalling is related to escalation being catastrophic, as it is the host of American military bases. Omans role is even more structurally embedded. Muscat has served as a discreet channel between Washington and Tehran in multiple episodes, including the backchannel diplomacy that preceded the 2015 nuclear negotiations. So, Omans enduring credibility lies in this fact because it preserves working relations with all sides. In this sense, Gulf diplomacy is not merely reactiveit relies on the fact that some states use leverage (access, basing, economic weight) and others provide mediation architecture (trusted channels, quiet facilitation).

From Washingtons perspective, the Gulf regions push to de-escalate this crisis lay bare a persistent dilemma wherein the US retains the position of an unmatched security provider in the region. So, for Gulf states, this escalation also threatens their own security and economic viability. In order to refrain from this, they seek to shape American choices through denial of enabling conditions and calls for diplomacy. This matters because even the perception of imminent conflict can move disrupt commerce, economy, aviation and shipping patterns as well as trigger defensive redeployments. The broader point is that grey zone escalation already imposes economic and reputational costs on Gulf states aspiring to be global business hubs.

Tehrans deterrence strategy has long rested on the ability to threaten the US regional assets and to raise the costs of coercion through retaliation risks. In the current environment, Iran has issued warnings about retaliation if attacked. Irans incentive structure in a high-pressure scenario is not purely strategic but also political. Internal unrest and elite cohesion pressures can encourage hardline signalling, while external threats can enable securitised crackdowns. This is why many regional actors fear that external military action may not produce the intended political outcomes and could instead deepen instabilitythe kind of experience the region associates with sudden regime shock scenarios.

For the Gulf states collectively, the crisis underscores the hedging strategy that blends security reliance on the United States with increasing insistence on autonomy. This is not neutrality between Washington and Tehran but selective alignment wherein the Gulf remains deeply tied to the American defence systems and deterrence umbrellas, but it seeks to prevent those ties from automatically converting its territory into a launchpad. There is a possibility of certain risk scenarios if the current de-escalation proves temporary. Firstly, crisis recurrence is likely because the drivers, i.e., the United States-Iran hostility, domestic instability dynamics in Iran, and regional proxy ecosystems, are structural rather than episodic. Secondly, miscalculation risk remains high because signalling is fragmented. The sanctions rhetoric can be interpreted as imminent intent even when they are meant as leverage or reassurance. Thirdly, the Gulfs own diversification ambitions becomes susceptible to volatility. Even a brief spike in perceived risk can affect and undermine the Gulf regions post-oil strategies.

So, the Gulf regions current diplomacy can be best read as a form of maintaining the regional order, which is a pragmatic attempt to shape the behaviour of stronger external actors and contain the spillover of their rivalry. It also reveals Gulf priorities, highlighting a deeper transformation, i.e., the Gulf states are no longer willing to be the theatres where great power rivalries play out. They are projecting themselves as the regional actors that attempt to script de-escalation, enforce red lines about the use of their territory, and keep dialogue channels alive even with adversaries. Whether this succeeds in the short term will depend less on rhetoric and more on the durability of crisis communication mechanisms, which will allow Gulf states to remain security partners without becoming automatic targets.

The author is an assistant professor at Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (AIDSS), Amity University, NOIDA.
The murder of 55-year-old shopkeeper Liton Chandra Ghosh on Saturday at the Kaliganj area of Bangladesh's Ghazipur has sparked widespread concerns for the safety of Hindus in the country.

Ghosh is the latest in a long list of Hindu men killed amid unrest in Bangladesh over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of the radical party Inquilab Mancha, which played an important role in the ouster of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina.

A family of threeMohammad Swapan Miah (55), his wife Majeda Khatun (45) and their son Masum Miah (28)has been arrested in connection with the murder of the shopkeeper at the Baisakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel.

The murder reportedly took place after Ghosh tried to defend a teenager working at his restaurant, who had got into an argument with Masum.

This led to the 28-year-old and his family attacking Ghosh, and allegedly ended with them hitting his head with a shovel, which reportedly killed him.

This comes just a day after the murder of 30-year-old Ripon Saha, an employee at a petrol pump in Bangladesh's Rajbari. Notably, the area has also seen the mob-led killing of 29-year-old Hindu man Amrit Mondal (alias Samrat) in December 2025.

According to a News18 report, he had filled petrol in an SUV worth Tk 5,000. After filling it, the SUV ownerallegedly a senior politiciantried to drive away without paying for the petrol.

When Saha allegedly blocked the car, the driver ran over him, which led to his death.

In the meantime, ousted ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League attacked the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government over the unrest in Bangladesh, in what is the party's first press conference since her exit.

Former ministers from the Sheikh Hasina government held a press conference in Delhi, slamming the Yunus government over alleged human rights violations.

They warned that the absence of the Awami League from Bangladeshs February elections would make the vote neither free nor pic.twitter.com/XeigABjQzo  Inquisitive S (@InquisitiveS_) January 18, 2026

Calling the upcoming February 12 elections a "well-planned farce", former Dhaka Foreign Minister and Awami League leader Hasan Mahmud declared in the Delhi presser that stability would never return to Bangladesh without Hasina's party included in the elections.

"If an election is held by banning the party that led the independence struggle of Bangladesh and ruled the country multiple times ... [it] will only increase permanent instability in Bangladesh," he said, as per an Indian Express Bengali report.

He also claimed that the party would return to power in Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina itself.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday imposed a 10 per cent tariff on European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies from February 1. This is the latest in a series of moves showing his firm desire to fully take over Greenland for "national security".

The tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will also increase to 25 per cent from June 1 onwards.

This also comes after trilateral talks between the US, Denmark, and Greenland earlier this week, which saw Washington stand firm, and a working group established to continue the negotiations and prevent the worst-case scenarioa full military takeover.

However, America's aggressive stance on taking over Greenland has sparked speculations of how the EU, NATO, and Canada might respond in the worst-case scenario.

How the EU could hit tech and trade

The two major pressure points that could help the EU pressure the US are technology and trade.

In that regard, the EU is currently mulling whether to remove a number of its import duties on US goods, as per a July 2025 trade deal, as well as to continue zero duties for US lobsters as part of a 2020 deal, a Reuters report said.

Though the idea behind the move is to reportedly protest against the Trump administration's desire for Greenland, the bloc remains unclear on its future moves, as voting on the trade changes was postponed from January 26-27.

Another move in the EU's arsenal is a 2023 legislation called the Anti-Coercion Instrument, which protects the bloc from economic coercion by third countries (non-members).

This coercion is defined as pressure from those countries that affect "trade or investment".

Experts say that the language around the law allow it to be used by the EU to impose tariffs, trade curbs, foreign investment curbs, and other such penalties on those countries.

A third option for the EU would be special fines or bans on the European operations of US tech companies, such as Google, Meta, and X.

While this would hit close to home for the US, it would likely cause the least reciprocal damage on EU nations as wellshort-term pain (some minor form of retaliation) for long-term gain ('saving Greenland').

How NATO nations could try saving the bloc

The worst-case scenario would have a worse effect on NATO, as its laws have no proper solution for the bizarre concept of a member country taking over parts of another.

In fact, it would reportedly lead to the bloc itself breaking down.

In last-ditch efforts to prevent the death of the NATO, it is speculated that the European members of the bloc could possibly limit or close US bases on their soil, in a bid to restrict its military power.

According to a Global News Canada report, Ottawa, on the other hand, would likely have to boost its defences in the Arctic to fend off Washington's economic and military pressure.

"That may include trying to decouple from NORAD, a joint northern defence network with the US, the report added, noting that this would massively increase Canada's defence spending.
Russia has openly taken potshots at European nations after US President Donald Trump threatened a 10 per cent tariff on European nations that opposed its Greenland takeover plan. Openly mocking Europe, Russian presidential envoy and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, said the EU should not provoke their daddy.

Trump slaps 10% tariffs on the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway over their 'dangerous game' of sending military to Greenland, Dmitriev wrote on US social media company X. He added that the tariffs amount to about 1% per soldier sent to Greenland.

Dmitrievs response is also in reference to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressing Trump as daddy during a NATO summit last year. Ruttes remark happened when Trump was asked about the profanity he used a day earlier to chastise both Israel and Iran for violating a recently brokered ceasefire, and his comparing them to unruly children. Theyve had a big fight, like two kids in a school yard. They fight like hell, you cant stop them. Let them fight for about two, three minutes, then its easier to stop them, Trump said. To this, Rutte had added: Daddy has to sometimes use strong language.

Dmitrievs remark also comes as EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said "China and Russia must be having a field day" on Trump's tariffs.

Experts opine that Trumps pursuit of Greenland is creating a rift between the US and other NATO allies, fracturing the alliance and playing straight into Russias hands. Trumps refusal to rule out a military takeover helps Putin achieve his longtime aim of weakening Western alliances. Putin wants a weaker NATO, said a second European government official. Trump is giving it to him.

According to Jean-Francois Belanger, assistant professor at the Institute for Military Operations at the Royal Danish Defence College, Trump is fracturing the alliance at a time where it needs to show a unitary face. We are already seeing expectations of a renewed Russian operation in Ukraine. Russia sees this as a proper time to ramp up the hurt on Ukraine. This also comes suspiciously when all the European countries are turning their attention to Greenland, Belanger said.
A shocked European Union has vowed to fight back against US President Donald Trumps 10 percent tariff on European nations that opposed his move to acquire Greenland, stating the European Union will always be very firm in defending international law.

European Council President Antonio Costa hit back at Trump's tariff plan as a threat to prosperity," and said, "We must open markets, not close them." We must create zones of economic integration, not increase tariffs."

"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, and of course, starting within the territory of the European Union's member states," Costa said, adding that he was coordinating a joint response from the European Union's member states on this issue.

Trump announced his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.K., Norway, Sweden, and Finland, thereby reopening a transatlantic trade rift.

Denmark itself expressed shock at Trumps latest move, stating it came as a surprise. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen stated in a press release that the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is intended to enhance security in the Arctic. We agree with the U.S. that we need to do more since the Arctic is no longer a low-tension area. Thats exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies," Rasmussen said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also hit back at Donald Trumps latest threats, warning that no amount of intimidation will persuade European nations to change their course on Greenland.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hit out at the new tariffs as completely wrong and said he would raise the matter with the White House.

The EU representatives also convened an emergency meeting on Sunday after Trump's announcement, which will be presided over by Cyprus.

Meanwhile, thousands of Greenlanders held a protest march across snow and ice to protest against Trump on Saturday. They waved their national flag and chanted Greenland is not for sale. Greenland's Minerals Minister Naaja H. Nathanielsen, in a post on LinkedIn, praised these demonstrations, stating it displayed unity. "We live in extraordinary times that call not only on decency but also great courage," he added.

The demonstration in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, began at 4:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), according to the organisers, who say it is "against the United States' illegal plans to take control of Greenland."
Exclusive Interview/ General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff

In his first interview with a print publication, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi speaks on a range of issues, from Operation Sindoor and border relations with China to modernisation of the Army and the need for niche technologies in modern-day warfare. Excerpts:

Our objective is to transform the Army into a fully integrated force, where platforms, sensors, commanders and soldiers function as a single, coherent system. Atmanirbharta is not a choice but a compulsion. Achieving it requires close collaboration between the troika of academia, industry and the military. Lessons learnt in information warfare are significant. These conflicts demonstrate that narratives move faster than firepower and can shape perceptions in and beyond the battlefield.

Q/ There is a lot of discussion on a new normal and the possibility of Sindoor 2.0.

A/ Operation Sindoor reflects a clear and confident evolution in Indias approach to counter terrorism. When people speak of a new normal or speculate about Sindoor 2.0, the Army views it not as a slogan, but as a strategic signal of resolve. It signifies that Indias response to terrorism will be proactive, decisive and integrated, while remaining focused and non-escalatory in its execution.

Q/ What does it really embody?

A/ This approach rests on three firm principles. First, there is zero tolerance of terrorism. Second, talks and terror cannot go together. Third, any act of terror will be treated as an act of war. In that context, the Army will not differentiate between terrorists and those who sponsor terrorism.

Operation Sindoor underscores a shift from reactive responses to proactive measures, where threats are addressed at their source rather than being allowed to mature. Our responses will not be constrained by sabre rattling.

Q/ The situation along the northern borders remains sensitive. What steps are being taken to maintain deterrence, readiness and operational superiority?

A/ The situation is stable, but needs constant vigil. In 2024-2025, we have seen a significant thaw in the bilateral relationship, reflected in ground commander interactions on the northern borders. Both sides have become more responsive and more sensitive to each others concerns, and the process of disengagement has improved stability on ground.

Renewed engagements in 2025 through diplomatic and military channels have reduced tensions and helped build mutual confidence, supporting a gradual normalisation of relations. There are positive indicators such as the formulation of an experts group for boundary delimitation and a working group for border management; the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights; consensus on resuming trade through three border passes; and a visa relaxation scheme.

Q/ And at the military level?

A/ [There is] sustained engagement. There are more than 1,100 interactions a year at the ground level between both sides. These engagements, along with patrolling and other military activities, have also facilitated grazing and religious activities along the border.

From an operational standpoint, our roadmap is clear: maintain peace, resolve local issues through military-to-military engagement, sustain stability to enable progress through the expert groups, and maintain robust deployment to deter threats. In parallel, we remain focused on infrastructure and capability development to preserve readiness and operational superiority.

United front: (From left) Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh at Rajghat | Josekutty Panackal

Q/ What are you doing to ensure peace and stability on the northeastern borders?

A/ India shares cooperative relationships with Bangladesh and Myanmar, shaped by geography and shared culture and history. Myanmar has been facing a protracted internal security situation since 2021 and this has security implications along the 1,643km Indo-Myanmar Border.

The India-Bangladesh border spans about 4,096km and traverses five Indian states. Its management is a cornerstone of Indias national security strategy, necessitating a whole-of-government approach. Bangladesh is undergoing a phase of political uncertainty with a heightened internal security situation.

The Army is closely watching developments in [both countries] in coordination with other agencies.

Besides this, the armies continue strong military-to-military engagements. These include regular communication with authorities, joint exercises, senior-level visits and training exchanges. These interactions enhance operational coordination, build trust and support effective response to security challenges.

Q/ The Army has declared 2023-2032 as the Decade of Transformation, alongside the defence ministrys Year of Reforms (2025). Could you decode these initiatives?

A/ To transform India into a developed nation by 2047, a critical prerequisite is Surakshit (safe) Bharat, which demands an integrated national security framework based on a whole-of-nation approach, led by the armed forces.

The Army has articulated its own Vision @2047: to transform into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled and self-reliant force, capable of deterring and winning wars... in synergy with the other services. Within this long-term framework, the Decade of Transformation represents the phase of rapid acceleration. It is followed by consolidation from 2033 to 2037, and excellence from 2038 to 2047.

In this decade, the Army is pursuing a multi-pronged approach across five pillars: jointness and integration; force structuring; modernisation and technology infusion; systems, processes and functions; and human resource management. The defence ministrys declaration of 2025 as the Year of Reforms reinforced this momentum. As our transformation initiatives were already underway, the Army aligned the ministrys nine focus areas with our five transformation pillars.

Stronger together: Army and Air Force troops during a drill in 2025 | PTI

Q/ Could you give more details?

A/ In the past two years, the most significant shift has been from technology induction to technology absorption. Recognising that equipment alone does not confer advantage, we declared 2024-25 as the Years of Technology Absorption, focusing on embedding drones, sensors, precision strike systems, AI-enabled tools and indigenous solutions directly into operational structures. This required selective organisational restructuring and the raising of new combat and support entities.

Force structuring reforms have strengthened multi-domain capability through Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) and Rudra All-arms Brigades. New entities such as Rudra brigades, Bhairav battalions, Shaktibaan regiments, Divyastra batteries and Ashni drone platoons have enhanced surveillance, precision and lethality. These capabilities have been validated in recent operations and exercises.

To steer the ongoing transformation, we established the Future and Transformation Cell in September 2024. This has provided a dedicated mechanism to anticipate emerging war-fighting trends and technologies. Progress on jointness and integrationwith the Navy, Air Force, CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces), civil administration and national agencieshas been reinforced by lessons from Operation Sindoor, including initiatives like drone defence committees in border areas.

The next logical step is to connect these capabilities across the force. Accordingly, 202627 will be the years of networking and data centricity.

Our objective is to transform the Army into a fully integrated force, where platforms, sensors, commanders and soldiers function as a single, coherent system. This transformation rests on three interlinked domains.

The first is data, which we now treat as a strategic resource. A unified data architecture will consolidate inputs from sensors, platforms, units and headquarters to create a common operational picture. Big data will enable indigenous AI development, while AI-enabled decision-support systems will compress decision cycles and support smarter execution of kill-chains (identifying, targeting and destroying enemy assets).

The second domain is networks. We are building secure, resilient and interoperable digital networks with reliable last-mile connectivity, capable of operating even in contested or degraded environments. AI-assisted network management, enhanced redundancy (backup systems) and quantum-resistant encryption (protection from attacks by powerful future computers) will prepare the Army for technological disruptions.

The third domain is institutional and workforce networking, which connects the human dimension. Greater internal integration, deeper jointness with the services, closer synergy with national agencies and structured involvement of veterans as mentors, advisers and crisis reserves will create strong force-multiplier effects. Collaboration with industry, academia and friendly nations will further enhance innovation, interoperability and strategic influence. This effort will be implemented through a structured two-year roadmap, divided into six-monthly objectives, each led by a three-star officer.

Staying prepared: Soldiers carry a logistics drone during a drill near the LoC in 2025 | AP

Q/ What is the current status of the theatre command initiative, and how is the Army integrating itself into this joint framework?

A/ The initiative is progressing through joint planning and coordinated implementation measures. Importantly, we are approaching theatre commands as joint war-fighting structures and not as a single service initiative. The Army is fully committed to this transformation and is an active partner in shaping it. In parallel, it is aligning internal structures to enable smooth integration when Theatre commands are notified.

Q/ What is the progress on the ground?

A/ We have begun rationalising formations, streamlining operational aspects and integrating logistics and communications architectures so that our formations can plug into the theatre framework without requiring rework from scratch.

Doctrine, training and HR are also shifting to a joint-first orientation. Our doctrines and training syllabi at institutions such as the Army War College and Defence Services Staff College have been reoriented towards joint planning, multi-domain operations and integrated logistics, while senior appointments are increasingly viewed as joint war-fighting billets that prepare officers for theatre responsibilities.

Q/ How does the Army assess the situation in Manipur?

A/ The Army is addressing the developments there through sustained vigilance, intelligence-led operations and close inter-agency coordination. Timely intervention during the initial phases of the clashes was critical in preventing large-scale violence and in providing a security blanket to stabilise the region.

The internal security situation in Manipur improved in 2025. Presidents Rule was promulgated on February 12, 2025, facilitating better inter-agency coordination and a focused approach towards ending violence.

Q/ And at the Armys operational level?

A/ Operationally, our role continues through intelligence-driven joint operations, proactive border security and people-centric initiatives in coordination with the state police and Central forces. The current focus is on recovering looted weapons, opening national highways and executing outreach programmes to build confidence among local communities.

Q/ You have said that indigenisation remains a central pillar of military modernisation. Can the Army fully transform while relying primarily on indigenous weapon systems, and is the Indian defence industry ready to meet these demands?

A/ Indigenisation is central to modernisation and the Army can transform while relying primarily on indigenous weapon systems. At the same time, we must balance immediate operational requirements with long-term goals of technology sovereignty and strategic autonomy. It is a phased approach.

Atmanirbharta is not a choice but a compulsion. Achieving it requires close collaboration between the troika of academia, industry and the military. Academia drives innovation and foundational research, industry incubates and scales these innovations into usable products, and the military provides operational context, validation and absorption. I am sure with the union of these three elements, indigenisation will translate into credible battlefield capability.

Q/ So what is the approach to atmanirbharta?

A/ It is nuanced. Where critical capabilities are required in the near term, selective imports, negotiated technology transfer and joint ventures remain important bridging mechanisms. Equally, we must use these pathways to absorb critical technologies and build indigenous depth.

Indigenous upgrades and integration on imported platforms reduce long-term dependency by progressively shifting key subsystems and capabilities into the national ecosystem. In ammunition, we have achieved indigenisation of 159 of 175 types of ammunition, which is above 90 per cent.

On whether industry is ready, the direction is positive and capability is expanding steadily. Government initiatives such as TDF (Technology Development Fund) and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) are promoting innovation and encouraging startups, while partnerships and R&D are accelerating technology absorption.

Q/ Developing niche technologies for the military is now a buzzword.

A/ The focus now is on developing niche technologies indigenously, with emphasis on armoured fighting vehicles, autonomous systems, counter UAS (unmanned aircraft systems), AI and communications. Disruptive technologies must be owned, so domains such as AI, quantum, space, communications, cyber, integrated networks, stealth, precision-guided munitions and sensors will remain priority areas for indigenisation.

Q/ What are the lessons learnt from the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia?

A/ We have studied both closely. These conflicts have not altered the fundamentals of the Army doctrine, which remain rooted in Indias unique geography, threat matrix and civilisational values. What they have done is validate our emphasis on jointness, technology-enabled operations and information dominance.

The lessons also inspire us to move faster in integrating these into our concepts, structures, training and capability development. Many of these elements were validated during the 88-hour Operation Sindoor and are being further refined. From a technology and operations perspective, the key lesson is a shift from equipment-centric thinking to a system of systems approach, where sensors, shooters and shields operate as one.

The land continues to maintain the currency of victory, which has further been complicated by the enhanced density of drones and electronic warfare. The signature management, dispersion, camouflage and redundancy, alongside hardened communications and resilient command and control, are important.

Control of airspace immediately above the land is crucial for land forces. Accordingly, our tactical doctrines, field craft and training manuals are being updated, with organisational adaptations such as Ashni platoons, Divyastra batteries and Agnibaan regiments reflecting these lessons.

Self-reliance in defence technology and production is essential for endurance in prolonged military operations. We are also accelerating partnerships with industry, startups and the DRDO to enable faster technology insertion and rapid refinement.

Q/ How important is information warfare in the entire scheme of things?

A/ Lessons learnt in information warfare are significant. These conflicts demonstrate that narratives move faster than firepower and can shape perceptions in and beyond the battlefield. We are therefore incorporating lessons on strategic communication, cyber defence, misinformation and network security into training and SOPs, with emphasis on national resilience and coordinated messaging.

In essence, we are learning from every battlefield and adapting with speed, while remaining anchored in our own operational realities.
Looking back, the past five years might go down as quite an important period in Indias military history. Not only did the country show the world that it could fight and fight well, but also that its soldiers could hold their own across the negotiating table.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi told THE WEEK that the two armies (India and China) had, on average, more than 1,100 interactions a yearthat is more than three times a day.

The two different forms of engagementparleying with the Chinese military and a full-blown military conflict with Pakistanhad their own dynamics. They added another dimension to the evolving nature of the Indian military, but also exposed gaps in the security establishment.

If the engagement with China underlined lack of intelligence information, tardy procurement process and apparent lack of modern equipmentparticularly for high-altitude warfarethe conflict with Pakistan revealed serious weaknesses in Indias electronic warfare capability, information warfare and the capacity to make its own weapons.

Engagement with China

From mid-2020, the worlds two biggest land forceswith some 20 lakh soldiers in the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and about 13.5 lakh in the Indian Armyembarked on a massive face-off. They mobilised lakhs of men, tanks, artillery guns, ammunition, supply logistics equipment, drones and other equipment, transporting them to the icy heights of the Karakoram and the Himalayas along the 3,488km Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Friendly gesture: Indian and Chinese soldiers exchange sweets on Diwali at the Karakoram Pass in 2024 | PTI

It was a delicate time for the two Asian giantsboth trying desperately to recover from the Covid-19 pandemicand the crippling economic cost of the engagement was telling.

Yet, mobilisation continued. The fact that at least 24 soldiers died in a brutal fistfight in the Galwan Valley (June 15-16, 2020) made both sides itch for violent confrontation. The reverberations were felt strongly, from the banks of the Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh to the high mountains of Tawang in Arunachal. It was important to cool tempers before the situation reached a point of no return.

What followed was a series of quiet and resolute interactionsranging from calm to stormy onesbetween the men in uniform from both sides. At times, these interactions continued for days, and the effort slowly began to pay off.

Of course, there were meetings at the top political level, but these interactions on the border, from the senior levels to the battalion and company level, were equally if not more important.

Weapon of choice: A Pralay missile being successfully test-fired by the DRDO off the Odisha coast in December 2025 | PTI

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi told THE WEEK that the two armies had, on average, more than 1,100 interactions a yearthat is more than three times a day. These meetings were mostly held in Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul-Moldo (Ladakh), Nathu La (Sikkim), and Bum La and Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh).

[Both armies] have become more responsive and more sensitive to each others concerns and the process of disengagement has contributed to improved stability on ground, said General Dwivedi.

Many a time, however, the situation was close to breaking point. In July 2023, then Army chief General Manoj Pande told THE WEEK: The events of 2020 led to the emergence of northern borders (read China) as the primary front. It was perhaps the first indication that the Indian forces now saw China as enemy number one and that the forces were being strategically re-orientated towards the northern borders.

At the same time, General Pande had also said that India did not want permanent deployment along the LAC, but that any moving back would depend on disengagement and withdrawal of forces from the other side.

As things stand now, India and China seem to have avoided a conflict that had the potential to turn into a war, with catastrophic consequences not just for South Asia, but for the world. As for the future, the behaviour of President Donald Trump could perhaps even push India and China closer together.

Engagement with Pakistan

On April 22, 2025, Pakistan-aided terrorists shot dead 26 people in the tourist spot of Baisran near Pahalgam in Kashmirs Anantnag district. India decided to hit back and hit hard. On the intervening night of May 7-8, the chief of defence staff and the three service chiefs huddled together as Operation Sindoor was launched from South Block in Delhi. Among other things, it reflected the ongoing jointness and integration effort of the three services.

Nine targets, hosting terrorists and their infrastructure, were hit in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. The farthest one was Bahawalpur in Pakistans Punjab, 100km from the Line of Control.

As a former Army chief told THE WEEK during the crisis: The key was to maintain and calibrate the level of escalation. Because we all know what an escalation means between two nuclear adversaries.

From May 7 to May 10, India foiled a series of night swarm attacks by Pakistani drones. It demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) and layered air defence systems, a top Army officer told THE WEEK.

On May 10, Pakistans DGMO requested a ceasefire. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Indias long-range firepower and precision strike capability. The circle was complete and the intent was made clear, said the officer.

In effect, Operation Sindoor gave birth to a new military doctrine. From the Cold Start Doctrine (quick but limited strikes and focus on defence), it had now become the Dynamic Response Military Doctrine, which enables execution of a range of military operations without a formal declaration of war, all within the nuclear threshold.

Perhaps more important, Operation Sindoor put several military initiatives on the fast track. In June, two additional Pinaka rocket regiments were operationalised, strengthening stand-off firepower. Indigenous rocket evolution was accelerated, including work on the 300km-class Pinaka variants for future deep-strike options.

On October 24, a demonstration in Rajasthan showcased the integrated employment of new organisations such as the Bhairav battalion and Ashni drone platoon (see graphics), alongside newly inducted technological assets. This signalled the movement from concept to deployed capability.

Said Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, director general (Infantry): About 385 infantry battalions of the Army have already been equipped with a platoon each of Bhairav as part of a mega transformative effort. Each platoon will operate 10 dronessix loitering munitions of kamikaze drones and four for surveillance.

There have been crucial developments in other verticals, too. On December 1, a BrahMos unit of the Armys Southern Command and elements of the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Command executed a missile launch that showed high-speed flight stability and terminal accuracy under simulated battle conditions. Then, the successful test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (reported range of 120km) on December 29 marked a notable step towards higher-precision deep fires.

Two days later, the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully tested a salvo launch (multiple firings) of the indigenous, multi-warhead capable Pralay missile. This is a solid propellant, quasi-ballistic (capable of manoeuvres in flight) missile with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision.

The past year also saw a variety of UAS being inducted into the Army. This includes various types of drones, including about 3,000 remotely piloted aircraft, about 150 tethered drones, swarm drones, logistics drones for high-altitude areas, and kamikaze drones. The Armys air power also got a boost in 2025, with the induction of six Apache attack helicopters.

But most important, the Indian security establishment has realised the need to adopt and adapt to changes in keeping with the changing needs of modern warfare.

All this acquires significance when seen against the backdrop of the governments position that Operation Sindoor still continues. In his special address in Parliament on July 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asserted: India will demolish terror in the terrorism nursery. Which is why Operation Sindoor hasnt ended. It will continue.

On December 13, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan reiterated: The intensity of operations may have ebbed, but Operation Sindoor continues... our strengths will lie in the ability to remain alert, agile and prepared, every hour, every day.

What India faces now is a no war, no peace scenario, which is the new normal.
Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PHB  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 25,176 shares, an increase of 76.8% from the December 15th total of 14,237 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 44,616 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days. Based on an average trading volume of 44,616 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short.

Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of PHB traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $18.70. 106,357 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 56,196. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.61 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.54. Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $17.33 and a 12-month high of $18.73.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Great Waters Wealth Management boosted its position in Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Great Waters Wealth Management now owns 48,629 shares of the companys stock valued at $905,000 after buying an additional 1,599 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 162.7% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 18,343 shares of the companys stock worth $341,000 after acquiring an additional 11,360 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Advocates LLC purchased a new position in Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at about $146,000. Tcfg Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Tcfg Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 551 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 176,457 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,280,000 after purchasing an additional 7,834 shares in the last quarter.

Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (PHB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the RAFI Bonds US High Yield 1-10 index. The fund tracks a fundamental-weighted index of high-yield US corporate bonds that must be rated between B3\u002FB- and Ba1\u002FBB+. PHB was launched on Nov 15, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.

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Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 4.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $133.34 and last traded at $130.56. 8,556,775 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 5% from the average session volume of 8,128,700 shares. The stock had previously closed at $125.09.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

ANET has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Arista Networks in a report on Monday, December 29th. Piper Sandler raised Arista Networks from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $159.00 in a report on Monday, January 5th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $183.00 target price (up previously from $179.00) on shares of Arista Networks in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Rosenblatt Securities reissued a neutral rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Arista Networks in a report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Arista Networks from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Eighteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $164.44.

Arista Networks Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $163.66 billion, a PE ratio of 49.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.41. The businesss 50 day moving average is $128.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.65.

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. Arista Networks had a net margin of 39.73% and a return on equity of 30.28%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 27.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.40 EPS. Analysts expect that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Arista Networks

In other Arista Networks news, insider Kenneth Duda sold 26,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.16, for a total value of $3,202,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 532,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $65,570,384. The trade was a 4.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jayshree Ullal sold 24,042 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.55, for a total transaction of $2,994,431.10. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 9,917 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,235,162.35. This represents a 70.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 160,464 shares of company stock valued at $20,494,988. Corporate insiders own 3.39% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Arista Networks

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Arista Networks in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,228,177,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in Arista Networks by 2,829.0% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,721,156 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $833,630,000 after acquiring an additional 5,525,828 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in Arista Networks by 193.3% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 7,065,054 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $721,342,000 after acquiring an additional 4,656,021 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in Arista Networks by 82.5% during the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 9,587,115 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,396,939,000 after purchasing an additional 4,332,659 shares during the period. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in Arista Networks in the 2nd quarter worth $247,451,000. 82.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Arista Networks Company Profile

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Arista Networks, Inc is a technology company that designs and sells cloud networking solutions for large-scale data centers and enterprise environments. The company is best known for its high-performance switching and routing platforms, which are used to build scalable, low-latency networks for cloud service providers, internet companies, financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise IT. Aristas offerings emphasize programmability, automation and telemetry to support modern, software-driven network architectures.

Central to Aristas product portfolio is its Extensible Operating System (EOS), a modular network operating system that provides consistent programmability, stateful control and advanced visibility across the companys hardware platforms.

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Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DYLG  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 8,050 shares, a growth of 81.3% from the December 15th total of 4,440 shares. Approximately 3.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,906 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,906 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Approximately 3.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF Stock Down 0.1%

DYLG stock traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $27.08. 2,113 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,683. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $27.01. Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $22.96 and a 1-year high of $28.30. The company has a market cap of $5.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.56 and a beta of 0.66.

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Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th were given a $1.4199 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 62.9%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 30th. This is a boost from Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.07.

About Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF

The Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF (DYLG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Cboe DJIA Half BuyWrite index. The fund tracks an index of DJIA stocks and sells one-month, at-the-money index call options on up to 50% of the value of the underlying portfolio. The fund aims to deliver monthly distributions. DYLG was launched on Jul 25, 2023 and is issued by Global X.

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iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EPP  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 328,108 shares, a decline of 35.3% from the December 15th total of 506,804 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 377,577 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.9 days. Approximately 0.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 0.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 377,577 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.9 days.

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA EPP traded down $0.07 during trading on Friday, hitting $51.81. 346,856 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 415,605. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $50.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.93. iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF has a 12-month low of $38.44 and a 12-month high of $52.72. The firm has a market cap of $1.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.85.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EPP. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 94.6% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 613 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 130.7% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,336 shares of the companys stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 757 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $245,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 6.2% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 6,167 shares of the companys stock worth $304,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF in the third quarter valued at $479,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.75% of the companys stock.

About iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ET (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan 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 aggregate in the Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore markets, as measured by the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index (the Index). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the underlying index.

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Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 19.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 941.50 and last traded at GBX 941.50. 3,357,217 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 213% from the average session volume of 1,072,808 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,170.

Dunelm Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Dunelm Group this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on Dunelm, providing some support from a retail broker and cushioning the sell?off. Shore Capital Reaffirmation

Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on Dunelm, providing some support from a retail broker and cushioning the sell?off. Neutral Sentiment: Berenberg trimmed its price target from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 but kept a buy rating  a mild downgrade in expected upside that tempers investor enthusiasm without changing the positive recommendation. Berenberg Target Cut

Berenberg trimmed its price target from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 but kept a buy rating  a mild downgrade in expected upside that tempers investor enthusiasm without changing the positive recommendation. Negative Sentiment: Reporting and market reaction: coverage notes Dunelm shares tumbled after management flagged that festive demand weakened and Q2 sales growth slowed, with full?year profit now expected at the low end of prior guidance  this operational update is the core reason for the downward pressure. Investors Chronicle: Festive Demand Hit

Reporting and market reaction: coverage notes Dunelm shares tumbled after management flagged that festive demand weakened and Q2 sales growth slowed, with full?year profit now expected at the low end of prior guidance  this operational update is the core reason for the downward pressure. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction piece reporting a steep intraday decline (about 19.5% in one report), reflecting investor selling after the trading statement and amplifying volatility. American Banking News: Trading Down

Market reaction piece reporting a steep intraday decline (about 19.5% in one report), reflecting investor selling after the trading statement and amplifying volatility. Negative Sentiment: Earnings/forecast coverage: a detailed note warns Q2 sales growth slowed and reiterates the warning that full?year profit will sit at the low end of expectations  this is the fundamental catalyst for the sell?off. Investing.com: Q2 Sales Slow

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on DNLM. UBS Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,360 price objective on shares of Dunelm Group in a report on Friday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Dunelm Group from GBX 1,140 to GBX 1,240 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Dunelm Group from GBX 1,755 to GBX 1,817 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Berenberg Bank reduced their price objective on Dunelm Group from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Dunelm Group to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the company from GBX 1,200 to GBX 1,300 in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Dunelm Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 1,390.25.

Dunelm Group Stock Up 0.7%

The company has a market cap of 1.91 billion, a PE ratio of 12.34, a P/E/G ratio of -10.32 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1,110.15 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,138.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 236.84.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Karen Witts acquired 10,790 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 1,104 per share, for a total transaction of 119,121.60. Also, insider Daniel Taylor bought 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 1,163 per share, for a total transaction of 46,520. In the last quarter, insiders bought 17,790 shares of company stock worth $20,056,160 and sold 61,854 shares worth $70,913,541. Corporate insiders own 34.16% of the companys stock.

Dunelm Group Company Profile

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Dunelm is the UKs market leader in homewares with a purpose to help create the joy of truly feeling at home, now and for generations to come. Its specialist customer proposition offers value, quality, choice and style across an extensive range of c.70,000 products, spanning multiple homewares and furniture categories and including services such as Made to Measure window treatments.

The business was founded in 1979 by the Adderley family, beginning as a curtains stall on Leicester market before expanding its store footprint.

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Elisa Oyj (OTCMKTS:ELMUY  Get Free Report)s share price was up 0.4% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $21.25 and last traded at $21.10. Approximately 480 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 28% from the average daily volume of 376 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.01.

Elisa Oyj Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $25.50.

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About Elisa Oyj

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Elisa Oyj is a Finland-based telecommunications and digital services company headquartered in Espoo. As one of the leading service providers in the Nordic region, Elisa offers a broad range of connectivity solutions, combining mobile and fixed-line communications with high-speed broadband networks. The company serves both consumer and business segments, focusing on reliable, secure and user-friendly services.

At its core, Elisa delivers mobile voice and data services, fixed broadband and IPTV, along with managed ICT solutions.

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Swiss Life Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SZLMY  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 1.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $53.8236 and last traded at $54.10. 16,082 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 88% from the average session volume of 8,548 shares. The stock had previously closed at $54.9155.

Swiss Life Price Performance

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $55.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $54.32.

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About Swiss Life

(Get Free Report)

Swiss Life is a leading provider of comprehensive life insurance, pension solutions and wealth management services. Founded in 1857 and headquartered in Zurich, the company has grown from its origins as Schweizerische Rentenanstalt into a diversified financial services group serving both private individuals and corporate clients. Its core offerings include life and health insurance policies, retirement planning products and tailored savings strategies designed to secure long-term financial well-being.

In addition to its traditional insurance business, Swiss Life operates an asset management arm that oversees a broad portfolio of investments ranging from equities and fixed income to real estate.

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Federal Life Group, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FLFG  Get Free Report) shares traded up 4.8% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $16.25 and last traded at $16.25. 1,100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 2,833% from the average session volume of 38 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.50.

Federal Life Group Stock Up 4.8%

The businesss 50 day moving average is $12.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.19.

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Federal Life Group Company Profile

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Federal Life Group operates as a holding company for a portfolio of insurance subsidiaries engaged in the underwriting and administration of life and health benefit products. Its core offerings include term life, whole life, universal life and final expense policies, as well as fixed annuity solutions designed for retirement income planning. In addition to traditional life insurance contracts, the company provides supplemental health coverages such as dental, vision and hospital indemnity plans to meet a broad range of individual and family protection needs.

The companys products are distributed through an independent network of agents, career agencies and broker-dealers spanning multiple U.S.

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Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:FLEE  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 37,731 shares, a growth of 48.1% from the December 15th total of 25,479 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 20,603 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Approximately 1.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 1.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 20,603 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin FTSE Europe ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Europe ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $140,000. Vident Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Franklin FTSE Europe ETF during the second quarter valued at $231,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Europe ETF by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 7,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 576 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in Franklin FTSE Europe ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $589,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in Franklin FTSE Europe ETF by 18.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 30,949 shares of the companys stock worth $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 4,905 shares in the last quarter.

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Franklin FTSE Europe ETF Trading Up 0.2%

NYSEARCA FLEE traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $37.73. 193,102 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 26,773. Franklin FTSE Europe ETF has a 52 week low of $27.41 and a 52 week high of $37.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $120.74 million, a P/E ratio of 16.76 and a beta of 0.90. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $36.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.08.

Franklin FTSE Europe ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (FLEE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Developed Europe RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed European countries. FLEE was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (NYSEARCA:IHF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 239,200 shares, a decline of 37.4% from the December 15th total of 382,043 shares. Currently, 1.5% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 278,339 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days. Based on an average trading volume of 278,339 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days. Currently, 1.5% of the companys stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF by 7.1% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 10,523 shares of the companys stock worth $556,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 124,536 shares of the companys stock worth $6,576,000 after purchasing an additional 7,393 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co. purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $563,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF during the second quarter valued at about $220,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp increased its holdings in iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF by 1.5% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 36,013 shares of the companys stock worth $1,752,000 after buying an additional 541 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF Price Performance

Shares of IHF stock traded down $0.91 on Friday, hitting $48.91. The stock had a trading volume of 425,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 313,136. The business has a 50 day moving average of $48.46 and a 200 day moving average of $47.51. iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF has a 12-month low of $40.57 and a 12-month high of $54.93. The stock has a market cap of $755.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.41 and a beta of 0.70.

iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF Company Profile

The iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in health care equity. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of US companies that provide healthcare services. IHF was launched on May 1, 2006 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:HDUS  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 9,831 shares, a decline of 27.9% from the December 15th total of 13,637 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,516 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 5,516 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Institutional Trading of Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:HDUS  Free Report) by 12.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 18,380 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,030 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 0.79% of Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF worth $1,183,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:HDUS traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $66.22. 4,450 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,914. Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF has a 52 week low of $47.41 and a 52 week high of $66.66. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $65.48 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.71. The company has a market cap of $157.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.11 and a beta of 0.95.

About Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF

The Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF (HDUS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Hartford Disciplined US Equity index. The fund is passively managed to invest in a broad portfolio of US large-cap stocks that target balanced exposures across value, momentum, and quality factors at lower volatility level, while controlling overall active risk factors. HDUS was launched on Nov 16, 2022 and is managed by Hartford.

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John Hancock Core Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JHCR  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,240 shares, a drop of 29.1% from the December 15th total of 1,750 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 423 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.9 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 423 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.9 days.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Core Bond ETF

An institutional investor recently raised its position in John Hancock Core Bond ETF stock. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Core Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JHCR  Free Report) by 298.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 35,733 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 26,768 shares during the quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC owned about 6.27% of John Hancock Core Bond ETF worth $911,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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John Hancock Core Bond ETF Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of John Hancock Core Bond ETF stock traded down $0.05 on Friday, reaching $25.44. 24 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 148. John Hancock Core Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $24.55 and a fifty-two week high of $25.90. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $25.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.46.

About John Hancock Core Bond ETF

The John Hancock Core Bond ETF (JHCR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is actively managed, investing primarily in US investment-grade bonds, maintaining a focus on sound credit quality. The fund aims to provide a high level of current income while prioritizing the preservation of capital and liquidity JHCR was launched on Dec 18, 2024 and is issued by John Hancock.

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Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $36.57 and traded as low as $34.22. Internet Initiative Japan shares last traded at $34.22, with a volume of 220 shares.

Internet Initiative Japan Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.25 and a beta of 1.15. The companys fifty day moving average is $35.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.52.

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Internet Initiative Japan (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.08. Internet Initiative Japan had a net margin of 6.76% and a return on equity of 15.55%. The company had revenue of $555.81 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $528.83 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. will post 0.37 EPS for the current year.

Internet Initiative Japan Company Profile

Internet Initiative Japan Inc (OTCMKTS: IIJIY) was founded in 1992 and is recognized as Japans first commercial Internet service provider. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company builds and operates large?scale IP networks, offering a full suite of connectivity solutions including dedicated internet access, virtual private networks (VPNs), multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) services, and high?capacity leased lines. IIJs network backbone spans major Japanese cities and is linked to international points of presence, supporting both domestic and cross-border data traffic.

In addition to core connectivity services, IIJ provides a broad portfolio of IT infrastructure offerings.

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W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE:WRB  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 17,506,059 shares, a drop of 29.6% from the December 15th total of 24,860,492 shares. Approximately 6.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,679,124 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 2,679,124 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.5 days. Approximately 6.0% of the companys shares are short sold.

W.R. Berkley Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE WRB traded down $0.86 during trading on Friday, hitting $67.85. The stock had a trading volume of 3,279,517 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,263,809. W.R. Berkley has a twelve month low of $56.86 and a twelve month high of $78.96. The company has a market capitalization of $25.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a PEG ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $71.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.18.

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W.R. Berkley (NYSE:WRB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 20th. The insurance provider reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.16 billion. W.R. Berkley had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 18.86%. The companys revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.93 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that W.R. Berkley will post 4.33 earnings per share for the current year.

W.R. Berkley Dividend Announcement

Key W.R. Berkley News

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 29th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. W.R. Berkleys dividend payout ratio is presently 7.56%.

Here are the key news stories impacting W.R. Berkley this week:

Positive Sentiment: Major shareholder Sumitomo (Mitsui) has been buying sizeable blocks of WRB across Jan. 1216, repeatedly increasing its stake with purchases at prices around the high-$60s; the purchases represent multi?million dollar commitments and act as an insider vote of confidence. Mitsui Sumitomo buys Berkley (WRB) shares

Major shareholder Sumitomo (Mitsui) has been buying sizeable blocks of WRB across Jan. 1216, repeatedly increasing its stake with purchases at prices around the high-$60s; the purchases represent multi?million dollar commitments and act as an insider vote of confidence. Neutral Sentiment: The purchases are all formally disclosed in SEC ownership filings, which confirm the trades and updated stake size but show each increase is under 1% individually; transparency reduces uncertainty but the moves are gradual. SEC ownership filing

The purchases are all formally disclosed in SEC ownership filings, which confirm the trades and updated stake size but show each increase is under 1% individually; transparency reduces uncertainty but the moves are gradual. Neutral Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald trimmed its price target modestly while keeping an overweight stance, reflecting slightly lower upside from that analyst but continued support; other shops remain mixed, leaving consensus near the low?$70s. Cantor Fitzgerald lowers expectations

Cantor Fitzgerald trimmed its price target modestly while keeping an overweight stance, reflecting slightly lower upside from that analyst but continued support; other shops remain mixed, leaving consensus near the low?$70s. Negative Sentiment: Technicals and analyst mix are headwinds: WRB is trading below its 50? and 200?day moving averages (~$72), and several analysts carry hold/underweight views or lower targets, which can cap near?term upside despite insider buying.

Insider Transactions at W.R. Berkley

In other news, major shareholder Sumitomo Insurance Co L. Mitsui acquired 325,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 13th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $68.03 per share, with a total value of $22,109,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 52,496,504 shares in the company, valued at $3,571,337,167.12. The trade was a 0.62% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 4,454,916 shares of company stock worth $309,561,870. 23.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of W.R. Berkley

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Johnson Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of W.R. Berkley by 22.3% in the third quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 756 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the period. Maridea Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in W.R. Berkley by 2.0% during the third quarter. Maridea Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,180 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in W.R. Berkley by 40.2% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 523 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in W.R. Berkley by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,788 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $367,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of W.R. Berkley by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,328 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.82% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on WRB. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of W.R. Berkley from $76.00 to $75.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their price target on W.R. Berkley from $78.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI set a $69.00 target price on W.R. Berkley and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $87.00 price objective on shares of W.R. Berkley in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $75.00 target price on W.R. Berkley in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on W.R. Berkley

About W.R. Berkley

(Get Free Report)

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) is a publicly traded insurance holding company that underwrites and sells commercial property and casualty insurance, specialty insurance products, and reinsurance. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, the company operates a portfolio of underwriting businesses that focus on niche and specialty commercial risks, offering coverage tailored to industries such as transportation, construction, professional services and other commercial lines.

The companys product mix includes primary and excess casualty, property, professional liability, environmental and other specialty lines, together with treaty and facultative reinsurance solutions.

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Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (NYSE:FINS  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 5,268 shares, a decrease of 29.2% from the December 15th total of 7,437 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 70,142 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 70,142 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE FINS traded down $0.14 during trading on Friday, reaching $13.19. 80,757 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,578. Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust has a 12-month low of $12.21 and a 12-month high of $13.64. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $13.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $13.13.

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Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.115 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 10.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th.

Institutional Trading of Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Company Profile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Choreo LLC increased its stake in shares of Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust by 3.1% during the third quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 27,381 shares of the companys stock worth $359,000 after buying an additional 816 shares during the period. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. increased its position in Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust by 33.3% in the 2nd quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. now owns 3,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 833 shares during the period. Ignite Planners LLC raised its stake in shares of Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust by 12.3% during the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 11,620 shares of the companys stock worth $150,000 after purchasing an additional 1,271 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 36,783 shares of the companys stock worth $477,000 after purchasing an additional 1,324 shares during the period. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 124,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,636,000 after purchasing an additional 3,091 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (NYSE: FINS) is a closed-end, diversified management investment trust that commenced operations in early 2023. Organized as a Delaware statutory trust, FINS is structured with a defined termination date, at which point the trust will liquidate and distribute remaining assets to shareholders. Shares of the trust trade on the New York Stock Exchange, providing investors access to a yield-oriented portfolio through a single security.

The trust seeks to generate current income principally through investments in a broad array of structured credit instruments.

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London & Associated Properties Plc (LON:LAS  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 3.47 and traded as high as GBX 3.50. London & Associated Properties shares last traded at GBX 3.50, with a volume of 1,080,385 shares changing hands.

London & Associated Properties Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 52.56. The stock has a market cap of 2.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.75 and a beta of 0.09. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 3.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 6.42.

About London & Associated Properties

(Get Free Report)

London & Associated Properties is a fully listed property investment company specialising in retail. It owns a portfolio of shopping centres and other retail property currently worth some 78m. LAP also invests in joint ventures with institutional co-owners; these have included Oaktree Capital Management, Schroders and Bank of Scotland. LAMS, LAP's directly owned subsidiary, is an property asset manager that carries out both asset management and property management for third parties. These parties have included the Lloyds Bank, NAMA, Deloittes and Grant Thornton as well as the joint ventures in which LAP has invested.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAN  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 44,296 shares, a decrease of 46.1% from the December 15th total of 82,255 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 125,473 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 125,473 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, reaching $11.40. The company had a trading volume of 63,077 shares, compared to its average volume of 79,862. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 12-month low of $10.69 and a 12-month high of $11.89. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $11.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.34.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.072 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.6%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

About Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NAN. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $116,000. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at $154,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 41.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 14,930 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $171,000 after purchasing an additional 4,361 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $251,000. Finally, PFG Investments LLC increased its holdings in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 22,178 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 1,662 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

The Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NAN) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income exempt from federal and New York State income taxes. The Fund invests principally in a portfolio of investment-grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New York and its political subdivisions. Through its focus on tax-exempt securities, NAN is designed to offer investors an attractive yield advantage relative to taxable alternatives in the New York market.

The Funds portfolio is comprised primarily of general obligation and revenue bonds issued by state and local governments, authorities, agencies and instrumentalities within New York.

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Belo Sun Mining Corp (TSE:BSX  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 22.2% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$0.40 and last traded at C$0.56. Approximately 6,299,879 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 479% from the average daily volume of 1,088,284 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.72.

Key Belo Sun Mining News

Here are the key news stories impacting Belo Sun Mining this week:

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Neutral Sentiment: Belo Sun said it received a ruling from the Federal Court of Altamira in Para; the company issued a statement and is assessing the rulings implications for its Volta Grande project and next steps. The item is factual reporting of the legal development and the company response; investors should watch for detailed court documents and the companys follow-up disclosures for clarity. Belo Sun Mining Receives Ruling From Federal Court of Altamira, Para

Belo Sun said it received a ruling from the Federal Court of Altamira in Para; the company issued a statement and is assessing the rulings implications for its Volta Grande project and next steps. The item is factual reporting of the legal development and the company response; investors should watch for detailed court documents and the companys follow-up disclosures for clarity. Negative Sentiment: Market coverage notes BSX shares dropped sharply (reported ~22%) after the court ruling, with traders citing increased uncertainty about permits, potential delays and legal risks for the Volta Grande project. Elevated volume suggests repositioning by investors; the near-term negative move appears driven by fear of project timeline setbacks or additional regulatory hurdles rather than new operational results. Belo Sun Mining (TSE:BSX) Shares Down 22.2%  Heres Why

Belo Sun Mining Trading Up 16.1%

The business has a 50 day moving average of C$0.51 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.37. The firm has a market capitalization of C$306.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -32.50, a PEG ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 4.52 and a quick ratio of 13.04.

Insider Buying and Selling

Belo Sun Mining ( TSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.00 earnings per share for the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that Belo Sun Mining Corp will post -0.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, insider La Mancha Capital Management Gp bought 119,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$0.32 per share, for a total transaction of C$38,080.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 88,322,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$28,263,298.24. This trade represents a 0.13% increase in their position. Also, insider Yousriya Loza purchased 119,000 shares of Belo Sun Mining stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$0.32 per share, for a total transaction of C$38,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 88,322,807 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$28,263,298.24. This represents a 0.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. Insiders have bought 507,000 shares of company stock valued at $162,240 in the last 90 days. 3.08% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Belo Sun Mining

(Get Free Report)

Belo Sun Mining Corp is a Canada-based gold exploration and development company. It operates in Canada where its head office is located and in Brazil where its exploration and development properties are located. The company owns and operates the Volta Grande Gold project.

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John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JHCB  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 13,283 shares, a decline of 43.9% from the December 15th total of 23,675 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 39,708 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 39,708 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 12.8% during the third quarter. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,512,592 shares of the companys stock worth $32,853,000 after buying an additional 171,565 shares during the last quarter. Legacy CG LLC purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $8,709,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 211,147 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,586,000 after acquiring an additional 1,760 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 452.7% during the 2nd quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 69,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,481,000 after acquiring an additional 56,583 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 326.4% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 65,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,384,000 after purchasing an additional 49,899 shares during the period.

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John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF Trading Down 0.1%

JHCB traded down $0.03 on Friday, hitting $21.57. 44,211 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,419. John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $20.38 and a fifty-two week high of $22.03. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $21.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.63.

About John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF

The John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (JHCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond index. The fund is actively managed to focus on investment-grade corporate bonds, of any maturity, that are perceived as undervalued. JHCB was launched on Mar 30, 2021 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE:LOB  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 Live Oak Bancshares to similar companies based on the strength of its risk, dividends, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability and institutional ownership.

Dividends

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 2.2% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors, 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 31 173 217 26 2.53

Institutional and Insider Ownership

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 3.04%. Given Live Oak Bancshares competitors higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Live Oak Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

64.0% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by institutional investors. 23.4% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Live Oak Bancshares $936.15 million $77.47 million 25.15 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors $723.51 million $95.99 million 40.24

Live Oak Bancshares has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its competitors. Live Oak Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 2.02, meaning that its share price is 102% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares competitors have a beta of 1.01, meaning that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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%

Summary

Live Oak Bancshares competitors 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.

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PCCW Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PCWLF  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 7.8% on Friday . The company traded as low as $0.65 and last traded at $0.65. 400 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 63% from the average session volume of 1,089 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.7048.

PCCW Trading Down 1.8%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $0.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.71.

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About PCCW

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PCCW Limited (OTCMKTS: PCWLF) is a Hong Kongbased telecommunications and technology services provider with a diversified portfolio spanning fixed-line and mobile communications, broadband internet, and media content. Through its flagship subsidiary, HKT, PCCW operates Hong Kongs largest fixed-line network and one of the territorys leading broadband platforms. The company also offers mobile services under the CSL brand, serving both residential and enterprise customers across the region.

Beyond traditional telecom offerings, PCCW provides a range of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, data centre services and IT consultancy.

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Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $10.50.

HLX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their price target on Helix Energy Solutions Group from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a report on Monday, December 29th. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research raised Helix Energy Solutions Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Helix Energy Solutions Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HLX

Insider Transactions at Helix Energy Solutions Group

Institutional Trading of Helix Energy Solutions Group

In other Helix Energy Solutions Group news, COO Scott Andrew Sparks sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.88, for a total value of $275,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 301,042 shares in the company, valued at $2,071,168.96. This represents a 11.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HLX. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 4.5% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 5,399,153 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $35,418,000 after buying an additional 230,668 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 109.8% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,804,147 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,515,000 after acquiring an additional 2,514,402 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 893.7% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 4,025,701 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,409,000 after acquiring an additional 3,620,563 shares in the last quarter. Gate City Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 8.5% during the 2nd quarter. Gate City Capital Management LLC now owns 3,581,525 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $22,349,000 after acquiring an additional 281,771 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 219.2% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,198,950 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $19,961,000 after purchasing an additional 2,196,916 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.33% of the companys stock.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Stock Down 1.5%

HLX opened at $7.09 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.32 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.54 and a current ratio of 2.54. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $6.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.51. Helix Energy Solutions Group has a twelve month low of $5.52 and a twelve month high of $9.18.

Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.15. The firm had revenue of $376.96 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $361.93 million. Helix Energy Solutions Group had a net margin of 3.25% and a return on equity of 2.75%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Helix Energy Solutions Group will post 0.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc (NYSE: HLX) is a Houston-based provider of offshore well intervention and robotics services to the global energy industry. The company specializes in extending the productive life of subsea wells through hydraulic workover systems, coiled tubing operations and riser-based wireline services. In addition, Helix offers remotely operated vehicle (ROV) support, inspection, maintenance and repair for subsea infrastructure.

Operating through three core business segmentsWell Intervention, Robotics & Subsea Services and Production FacilitiesHelix deploys purpose-built vessels, specialized equipment and engineering expertise to execute complex offshore projects.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:RSPU  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,913 shares, a drop of 20.7% from the December 15th total of 4,932 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 43,596 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 43,596 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RSPU. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF by 50.2% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 8,084 shares of the companys stock worth $563,000 after buying an additional 2,703 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF by 139.2% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 8,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $615,000 after acquiring an additional 5,002 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF during the first quarter worth about $2,132,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF during the second quarter worth about $73,000. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF in the second quarter worth about $220,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF Stock Down 0.0%

NYSEARCA RSPU opened at $76.65 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $515.09 million, a PE ratio of 18.42 and a beta of 0.61. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF has a fifty-two week low of $62.64 and a fifty-two week high of $80.94. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $75.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.57.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF Company Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in utilities equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of S&P 500 utilities companies. RSPU was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

Further Reading

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MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,659,256 shares, a decrease of 20.3% from the December 15th total of 2,082,677 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,076,415 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 474.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 474.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,076,415 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Price Performance

Shares of MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN stock opened at $5.56 on Friday. MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN has a 1-year low of $4.14 and a 1-year high of $27.67. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $5.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.95 million, a PE ratio of 20.31 and a beta of -3.38.

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Institutional Trading of MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 10,531 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned 3.01% of MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN as of its most recent SEC filing.

About MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN

The MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (FNGD) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FANG+ index. The fund tracks -3x the daily price movements of an index of technology and consumer discretionary companies. The note uses derivatives to achieve its -3x exposure. FNGD was launched on Jan 25, 2018 and is issued by REX Microsectors.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA trimmed its holdings in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report) by 6.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,434,385 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 793,002 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned approximately 4.39% of Agilent Technologies worth $1,595,953,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 98,400 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $11,631,000 after purchasing an additional 5,767 shares in the last quarter. TrueMark Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,999,000. Nuance Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 13.5% in the 2nd quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 80,698 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $9,523,000 after buying an additional 9,628 shares during the period. CCLA Investment Management grew its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 10.5% during the third quarter. CCLA Investment Management now owns 1,027,970 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $131,909,000 after acquiring an additional 97,312 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in Agilent Technologies by 35.5% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 68,053 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $8,017,000 after acquiring an additional 17,817 shares in the last quarter.

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Insider Activity at Agilent Technologies

In other news, VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 3,000 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.99, for a total value of $464,970.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 31,846 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,935,811.54. The trade was a 8.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 911 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.24, for a total value of $130,491.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 32,058 shares in the company, valued at $4,591,987.92. This trade represents a 2.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 16,401 shares of company stock valued at $2,468,962 over the last ninety days.

Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

Agilent Technologies stock opened at $139.68 on Friday. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.43 and a fifty-two week high of $160.27. The company has a market capitalization of $39.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.56, a PEG ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $144.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $133.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a current ratio of 1.96.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 24th. The medical research company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.01. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 25.20% and a net margin of 18.75%.The business had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.83 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.46 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Agilent Technologies has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.350-1.380 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.860-6.000 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Agilent Technologies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.255 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 6th. This is a positive change from Agilent Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Agilent Technologiess payout ratio is currently 22.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Agilent Technologies from $142.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued an overweight rating for the company. Evercore ISI raised Agilent Technologies from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $163.31.

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Agilent Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Agilent Technologies is a global provider of scientific instrumentation, consumables, software and services for laboratories across the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets. The companys product portfolio includes analytical instruments such as liquid and gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectroscopy systems, and laboratory automation solutions, together with reagents, supplies and informatics tools that support measurement, testing and data analysis workflows. Agilent also offers instrument maintenance, qualification and laboratory services designed to help customers improve productivity and comply with regulatory requirements.

Founded as a corporate spin-off from Hewlett?Packard in 1999, Agilent has evolved through a combination of strategic restructuring and acquisitions to concentrate on life sciences, diagnostics and applied laboratories.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 7.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,859,680 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,223,999 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 0.56% of Wells Fargo & Company worth $1,496,998,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 472.4% during the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 332 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 274 shares during the period. Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Aventus Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WFC opened at $88.36 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $277.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.09. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $58.42 and a twelve month high of $97.76. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $90.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $84.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $21.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.63 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.43 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is 28.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WFC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target 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. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $102.00 to $100.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup boosted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $94.87.

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Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Lodestar Private Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 125,919 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,288 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF makes up approximately 8.8% of Lodestar Private Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Lodestar Private Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $84,278,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nvwm LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 210.5% in the second quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 59 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the second quarter worth about $61,000. Rice Partnership LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 460.0% in the second quarter. Rice Partnership LLC now owns 112 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $80,000. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 33.0% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 133 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.12% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

Shares of IVV stock opened at $694.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $772.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $484.00 and a fifty-two week high of $699.17. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $684.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $664.54.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 5.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,712,397 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 602,489 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned about 2.33% of Agnico Eagle Mines worth $1,974,242,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 386.5% in the third quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 188,189 shares of the mining companys stock worth $31,703,000 after buying an additional 149,506 shares during the period. Addenda Capital Inc. grew its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 724,231 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $122,076,000 after acquiring an additional 15,965 shares during the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC grew its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 1,560.8% in the 3rd quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC now owns 48,677 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $8,205,000 after acquiring an additional 45,746 shares during the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 12.7% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 438,080 shares of the mining companys stock worth $52,101,000 after purchasing an additional 49,480 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.7% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,178,532 shares of the mining companys stock worth $140,135,000 after purchasing an additional 31,087 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on AEM. Royal Bank Of Canada cut shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $189.00 price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $198.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $209.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $211.70.

Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

NYSE AEM opened at $197.61 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $98.94 billion, a PE ratio of 28.85, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 0.63. The firms 50 day moving average price is $174.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $155.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 2.12. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 52-week low of $82.86 and a 52-week high of $201.95.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $3.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.93 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 15.64% and a net margin of 32.62%.During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) is a Canadian-based senior gold producer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold-bearing properties. Agnico Eagle pursues both greenfield and brownfield exploration to expand its resource base and operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects to generate long-life gold production.

Its core business activities span the full mining lifecycle: grassroots and advanced-stage exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, mine construction, underground and open-pit mining, ore processing and metal recovery, and post-mining reclamation and closure.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lowered its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,239,000 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 133,404 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up about 1.1% of Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned approximately 0.69% of Mastercard worth $3,548,806,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Mastercard by 55,868.1% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,541,880,000 after purchasing an additional 13,397,168 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,725,317,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $44,098,695,000 after purchasing an additional 931,132 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in Mastercard by 3,493.6% during the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 934,110 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $524,914,000 after buying an additional 908,116 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Mastercard by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after buying an additional 542,841 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Mastercard from $669.00 to $660.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Compass Point upgraded shares of Mastercard from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $620.00 to $735.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. KeyCorp reiterated an overweight rating and set a $665.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Citigroup raised Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $662.08.

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Mastercard Stock Down 0.5%

MA stock opened at $539.82 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $484.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.86. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $465.59 and a 12 month high of $601.77. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $557.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $566.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.89 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.25%.

Mastercard Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU  Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) has received a consensus rating of Buy from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have given a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $56.50.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Suncor Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $65.00 target price on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Suncor Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a research note on Friday, October 17th. They issued an equal weight rating for the company. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Suncor Energy

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Suncor Energy Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SU. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in Suncor Energy by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,584 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $292,000 after purchasing an additional 242 shares in the last quarter. Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 4.7% during the second quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 5,769 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $216,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the period. Archford Capital Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 1.2% during the third quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC now owns 23,617 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $987,000 after buying an additional 272 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Suncor Energy by 64.1% in the third quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 704 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D Orazio & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in Suncor Energy by 3.9% in the third quarter. D Orazio & Associates Inc. now owns 7,299 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NYSE:SU opened at $49.73 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $44.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $41.70. Suncor Energy has a fifty-two week low of $30.79 and a fifty-two week high of $50.24.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU  Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.22. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 13.01% and a net margin of 10.61%.The company had revenue of $9.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.48 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 EPS for the current year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 3rd were paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. This is a positive change from Suncor Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 3rd. Suncor Energys payout ratio is presently 56.07%.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suncor Energy Inc is a Canadian integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The companys operations span the full oil and gas value chain, with principal activities in oil sands development and production, conventional exploration and production, refining, distribution and retail marketing of petroleum products. Suncor supplies crude, synthetic crude and refined fuels as well as related products and services to commercial and consumer markets.

Upstream, Suncor is a major developer and operator of oil sands projects in Alberta, using both mining and in situ technologies to produce bitumen and synthetic crude.

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M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by stock analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $210.00 to $220.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 3.49% from the stocks previous close.

MTB has been the subject of a number of other reports. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of M&T Bank in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of M&T Bank in a research report on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on M&T Bank from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on M&T Bank from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on M&T Bank from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $223.55.

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M&T Bank Trading Up 0.0%

NYSE MTB opened at $212.59 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. M&T Bank has a 52 week low of $150.75 and a 52 week high of $215.71. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $199.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $195.14. The company has a market cap of $32.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.59.

M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $4.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.47 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $2.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.47 billion. M&T Bank had a return on equity of 10.62% and a net margin of 20.91%.During the same period last year, the business earned $3.77 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that M&T Bank will post 16.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at M&T Bank

In related news, Director Robert E. Sadler, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of M&T Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.06, for a total value of $1,140,360.00. Following the sale, the director owned 17,070 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,244,324.20. The trade was a 26.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christopher E. Kay sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.70, for a total value of $1,006,425.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,054,541.70. This trade represents a 48.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On M&T Bank

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Canoe Financial LP lifted its holdings in M&T Bank by 46.8% during the 3rd quarter. Canoe Financial LP now owns 433,679 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $85,704,000 after purchasing an additional 138,173 shares in the last quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI increased its position in shares of M&T Bank by 27.3% during the second quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI now owns 8,111 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,574,000 after buying an additional 1,741 shares during the period. Ethic Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 20.8% in the second quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 25,741 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,988,000 after buying an additional 4,432 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of M&T Bank by 3.1% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 463,669 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $89,947,000 after acquiring an additional 13,749 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its position in shares of M&T Bank by 6.2% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 584,438 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $113,375,000 after acquiring an additional 33,920 shares during the period. 84.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

M&T Bank News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting M&T Bank this week:

M&T Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

M&T Bank Corporation is a bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York, that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, businesses and institutions. The company operates a commercial and retail banking franchise that includes deposit-taking, lending, and payment services delivered through branch networks, digital channels and commercial banking teams. M&T serves customers across the northeastern and mid?Atlantic United States and has expanded its geographic footprint through strategic acquisitions.

Its core businesses include commercial banking for middle?market and community businesses, consumer and retail banking, mortgage origination and servicing, treasury and cash management, and wealth management and trust services.

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Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by research analysts at Scotiabank from $47.00 to $46.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the oil and gas producers stock. Scotiabanks target price would indicate a potential upside of 7.63% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Mizuho increased their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Roth Capital upped their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Occidental Petroleum has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $49.43.

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Occidental Petroleum Stock Down 1.0%

OXY stock opened at $42.74 on Friday. Occidental Petroleum has a one year low of $34.78 and a one year high of $52.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firms fifty day moving average is $41.55 and its 200 day moving average is $43.38. The firm has a market cap of $42.11 billion, a PE ratio of 31.43 and a beta of 0.38.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.16. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 7.81% and a return on equity of 12.35%. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.00 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director William R. Klesse purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $38.98 per share, for a total transaction of $194,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 218,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,533,228.74. This trade represents a 2.34% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.31% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Occidental Petroleum

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 89,201,540 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $4,214,773,000 after acquiring an additional 697,521 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 1.6% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 39,044,478 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,649,147,000 after purchasing an additional 615,566 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 22.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,089,878 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $756,796,000 after buying an additional 3,267,269 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,718,939 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $412,045,000 after buying an additional 900,677 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Can raised its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Can now owns 6,050,418 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $254,118,000 after buying an additional 30,000 shares during the period. 88.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Occidental Petroleum

(Get Free Report)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is an international energy company engaged primarily in the exploration, production and marketing of oil and natural gas. The company conducts upstream activities to discover and produce hydrocarbons and operates complementary midstream and marketing functions to transport and sell its production. Occidental also owns a chemicals business that manufactures and sells industrial chemicals and related products for a range of end markets.

Occidentals operations are concentrated in the United States, with a significant presence in the Permian Basin, and it maintains exploration and production activities in several international regions, including parts of the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,132 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $1,372,000.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in American Express by 2.2% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,267,377 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $721,525,000 after purchasing an additional 49,593 shares in the last quarter. ZEGA Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the third quarter worth about $1,080,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,598,743 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $531,038,000 after acquiring an additional 4,080 shares in the last quarter. Dempze Nancy E increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 210.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 3,459 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after acquiring an additional 2,344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC now owns 26,189 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $8,354,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total value of $1,753,650.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,709,739.98. This represents a 39.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $894,359.15. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on American Express from $360.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Express from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group set a $385.00 price target on American Express in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $352.82.

View Our Latest Stock Report on American Express

American Express Stock Up 2.1%

AXP stock opened at $365.03 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $368.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $341.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The company has a market cap of $251.45 billion, a PE ratio of 24.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.15. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.56 by ($15.41). The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.91 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%. On average, research analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 22.01%.

About American Express

(Free Report)

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and co?brand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 2.1% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $57.70 and last traded at $58.73. 21,028,310 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 3% from the average session volume of 21,591,844 shares. The stock had previously closed at $59.96.

Key Stories Impacting Freeport-McMoRan

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $68.00 price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, HSBC cut their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $54.30.

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market cap of $84.33 billion, a PE ratio of 41.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.45. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $47.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.52.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.09. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.97% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.74 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.38 EPS. Freeport-McMoRans revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is 21.13%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total transaction of $1,364,019.77. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 105,294 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,053,059.06. The trade was a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total value of $456,201.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 38,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,847,349.26. This represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.75% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan during the second quarter worth $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 1,962.9% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 722 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd purchased a new position in Freeport-McMoRan in the third quarter valued at $36,000. 80.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Freeport-McMoRan

(Get Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FBVA  Get Free Report) shares were up 2% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $18.85 and last traded at $18.81. Approximately 900 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the average daily volume of 933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.45.

Farmers Bankshares Stock Up 2.0%

The stocks fifty day moving average price is $18.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.81.

Farmers Bankshares Company Profile

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Farmers Bankshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Farmers Bank that provides various banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs primarily in southeastern Virginia. The company offers personal and business checking and savings accounts. It also provides personal loans, including residential lot, construction, vehicle, and unsecured personal loans, as well as home equity lines of credit; mortgage loans; commercial loans, such as working capital lines of credit, equipment loans, commercial mortgage loans, real estate investment loans, and standby letters of credit; and real estate development loans comprising acquisition and development loans, construction loans, agricultural loans, and operating lines of credit.

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Shares of Deutsche EuroShop AG (ETR:DEQ  Get Free Report) shot up 2.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as 19.50 and last traded at 19.50. 68,511 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average session volume of 222,238 shares. The stock had previously closed at 19.02.

Deutsche EuroShop Stock Down 2.8%

The firm has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -60.57, a PEG ratio of 24.40 and a beta of 1.50. The companys fifty day moving average is 18.65 and its 200 day moving average is 18.67.

Deutsche EuroShop Company Profile

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Deutsche EuroShop is the only public company in Germany to invest exclusively in shopping centers in prime locations. The company currently has investments in 21 shopping centers in Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The portfolio includes the Main-Taunus-Zentrum near Frankfurt, the Altmarkt-Galerie in Dresden and the Galeria Baltycka in Gdansk, among many others.

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Shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the forty-five analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have given a hold recommendation, thirty-two have issued a buy recommendation and three have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $107.1842.

UBER has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wedbush lowered their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $84.00 to $78.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 19th. Benchmark reissued a hold rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $110.00 price objective on Uber Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $122.00 target price on Uber Technologies in a report on Tuesday, November 4th.

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Key Uber Technologies News

Positive Sentiment: BNP Paribas/Exane initiated coverage and upgraded Uber to a strong?buy / began coverage  institutional attention and a bullish research view can drive demand and support the stock. TickerReport Coverage

BNP Paribas/Exane initiated coverage and upgraded Uber to a strong?buy / began coverage  institutional attention and a bullish research view can drive demand and support the stock. Positive Sentiment: Kroger partnership: nearly 2,700 Kroger stores are now available on Uber Eats, Uber and Postmates  expands grocery delivery footprint, ups take rates and order density for delivery economics. PR Newswire: Kroger Launch

Kroger partnership: nearly 2,700 Kroger stores are now available on Uber Eats, Uber and Postmates  expands grocery delivery footprint, ups take rates and order density for delivery economics. Positive Sentiment: Analyst support continues: BTIG reaffirmed a Buy with a $100 price target and other firms (Mizuho, others) remain bullish  helps near?term sentiment and can sustain buying interest. Benzinga Analyst Note

Analyst support continues: BTIG reaffirmed a Buy with a $100 price target and other firms (Mizuho, others) remain bullish  helps near?term sentiment and can sustain buying interest. Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces and bullish writeups (Zacks, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha) pitch Uber as a growth/value opportunity given recent selloffs and emerging tech tailwinds  these amplify the bull case but dont add new operational data. Zacks Growth Score

Coverage pieces and bullish writeups (Zacks, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha) pitch Uber as a growth/value opportunity given recent selloffs and emerging tech tailwinds  these amplify the bull case but dont add new operational data. Neutral Sentiment: Strategic wins abroad: reporting on Ubers Japan push (NYT feature) highlights long?term TAM expansion but benefits will accrue gradually and depend on local execution. NYT: Japan Strategy

Strategic wins abroad: reporting on Ubers Japan push (NYT feature) highlights long?term TAM expansion but benefits will accrue gradually and depend on local execution. Negative Sentiment: Labor/reputation/legal pressure: NYC alleges DoorDash/Uber shorted drivers on ~$550M in tips  potential for fines, tighter regulation and PR damage that can increase operating costs and complicate driver relations. Bloomberg Law: Tip Allegation

Labor/reputation/legal pressure: NYC alleges DoorDash/Uber shorted drivers on ~$550M in tips  potential for fines, tighter regulation and PR damage that can increase operating costs and complicate driver relations. Negative Sentiment: Criticism of ballot initiative: LA Times op?ed accuses Uber of pushing a consumer?facing ballot measure that mainly protects company economics  could complicate public perception and local regulatory fights. LA Times Opinion

Uber Technologies Stock Up 0.6%

Here are the key news stories impacting Uber Technologies this week:

Shares of NYSE UBER traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $84.90. 20,691,572 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,481,942. The company has a market cap of $176.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 1.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $85.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $91.09. Uber Technologies has a 52 week low of $60.63 and a 52 week high of $101.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.15.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $2.44. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 68.17% and a net margin of 33.54%.The business had revenue of $13.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.20 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Uber Technologies will post 2.54 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Uber Technologies

In related news, CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah sold 5,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.41, for a total value of $519,255.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 20,330 shares in the company, valued at $1,919,355.30. The trade was a 21.29% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Tony West sold 3,125 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.36, for a total transaction of $251,125.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 175,423 shares in the company, valued at $14,096,992.28. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 14,875 shares of company stock worth $1,348,818. 3.84% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Uber Technologies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 0.7% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 190,828,841 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $18,695,502,000 after purchasing an additional 1,277,322 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,859,136 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $4,258,756,000 after acquiring an additional 1,168,288 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth $2,348,319,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 334,075.7% in the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 19,973,682 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,863,545,000 after purchasing an additional 19,967,705 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Uber Technologies by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 19,509,042 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,911,301,000 after purchasing an additional 297,132 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.24% of the companys stock.

Uber Technologies Company Profile

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Uber Technologies, Inc is a technology company that operates a global platform connecting riders, drivers, couriers, restaurants and shippers. Founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick and headquartered in San Francisco, Uber developed one of the first large-scale ride-hailing marketplaces and has since expanded into a broader set of mobility and logistics services. The company completed its initial public offering in 2019 and continues to position its app-based network as a multi-modal transportation and delivery platform.

Ubers principal businesses include mobility services (ride-hailing and shared rides), delivery through Uber Eats, and freight logistics via Uber Freight.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  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 9,093,779 shares, an increase of 31.1% from the December 15th total of 6,935,780 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,617,094 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Approximately 5.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Approximately 5.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 2,617,094 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ARE has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets set a $60.00 target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $61.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating and set a $82.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $72.00 to $64.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alexandria Real Estate Equities currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.13.

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Key Alexandria Real Estate Equities News

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 1.2%

Here are the key news stories impacting Alexandria Real Estate Equities this week:

NYSE:ARE traded up $0.69 on Friday, reaching $57.95. 2,688,755 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,206,411. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $10.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -23.46, a PEG ratio of 6.99 and a beta of 1.31. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 12 month low of $44.10 and a 12 month high of $105.14. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $50.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.00.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative net margin of 13.43% and a negative return on equity of 1.89%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess revenue was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.37 EPS. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Monday, December 8th that allows the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the real estate investment trust to purchase up to 6.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is presently -116.60%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alexandria Real Estate Equities

In related news, Director Sheila K. Mcgrath bought 3,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $45.60 per share, with a total value of $141,360.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 8,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $382,675.20. This trade represents a 58.58% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.08% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Avalon Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the third quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 5,916.7% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 361 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 355 shares during the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE) is a real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, development and management of collaborative life science and technology campuses. The companys properties are designed to support research and innovation by providing specialized laboratory, office and manufacturing space tailored to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic and related industries.

Since its founding in 1994, Alexandria has cultivated a diversified portfolio of campuses across leading innovation clusters in North America and Europe.

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Westhaven Gold Corp. (OTCMKTS:WTHVF  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 4.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $0.2050 and last traded at $0.2045. Approximately 87,531 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 46% from the average daily volume of 160,721 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.1958.

Westhaven Gold Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $0.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.14.

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About Westhaven Gold

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Westhaven Gold Corp is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of precious metals properties in northern British Columbia, Canada. The company is primarily engaged in identifying and evaluating goldsilver targets through a combination of field mapping, geochemical sampling and geophysical surveys, followed by diamond drilling to delineate mineralized zones.

Its flagship asset is the 2,825-hectare Shovelnose project, situated in the prolific Golden Triangle region near the community of Smithers.

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Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by stock analysts at BNP Paribas from $170.00 to $195.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. BNP Paribas target price indicates a potential upside of 3.08% from the companys current price.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on MS. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $177.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Zacks Research raised shares of Morgan Stanley from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. HSBC restated a hold rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Morgan Stanley from $186.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $185.93.

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Morgan Stanley Stock Down 1.1%

MS stock traded down $2.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $189.17. 8,365,511 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,624,669. Morgan Stanley has a 12-month low of $94.33 and a 12-month high of $192.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $300.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $175.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $159.78.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.40. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 14.09% and a return on equity of 16.92%. The company had revenue of $17.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.69 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.22 EPS. The companys revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Edward Pick sold 100,000 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.34, for a total transaction of $16,434,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 574,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at $94,493,199.24. The trade was a 14.82% 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. 0.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its position in Morgan Stanley by 645.8% in the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley during the second quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 65.2% during the third quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. now owns 185 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about Morgan Stanley

Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and strong profitability: MS reported $2.68 EPS (above consensus) with net income and operating profit up year?over?year, driven by wealth management and a rebound in investment banking. Morgan Stanley Q4 Release

Q4 EPS beat and strong profitability: MS reported $2.68 EPS (above consensus) with net income and operating profit up year?over?year, driven by wealth management and a rebound in investment banking. Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase / cash return: The board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, a signal of confidence and an income tailwind for yield?sensitive holders. Dividend Announcement

Dividend increase / cash return: The board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, a signal of confidence and an income tailwind for yield?sensitive holders. Positive Sentiment: Analyst support and price?target lifts: Several firms (including Keefe, Bruyette & Woods) raised their targets/ratings after the print, which can underpin longer?term upside. Analyst Price Target Lift

Analyst support and price?target lifts: Several firms (including Keefe, Bruyette & Woods) raised their targets/ratings after the print, which can underpin longer?term upside. Neutral Sentiment: Market context: Morgan Stanley benefits from a hot IPO/dealmaking environment and wealth?management flows  management flagged a strong pipeline for 2026 but that outlook is already being priced in. Pipeline Comment

Market context: Morgan Stanley benefits from a hot IPO/dealmaking environment and wealth?management flows  management flagged a strong pipeline for 2026 but that outlook is already being priced in. Negative Sentiment: Operating cash flow weakness: The quarter showed a material swing to negative operating cash flow (cited ~-$3.3B), raising questions about short?term cash dynamics despite large liquidity buffers. Cash Flow Detail

Operating cash flow weakness: The quarter showed a material swing to negative operating cash flow (cited ~-$3.3B), raising questions about short?term cash dynamics despite large liquidity buffers. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Multiple senior executives have sold shares in recent months which can signal management cash?outs and adds to near?term selling pressure. Insider Activity

Insider selling: Multiple senior executives have sold shares in recent months which can signal management cash?outs and adds to near?term selling pressure. Negative Sentiment: Revenue vs. expectations and sell the news: Revenue slightly missed some consensus figures; combined with investors taking profits after the post?earnings pop, this explains downward pressure today. Revenue & Market Reaction

Morgan Stanley Company Profile

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Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1935 by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley, the company provides a broad range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to corporations, governments, institutions and individual investors. Leadership has been guided by a senior executive team and board of directors; James P. Gorman has served as the companys chief executive and chairman in recent years.

The firms primary business activities are organized around three principal businesses: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.

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Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd (NYSE:TEN  Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $22.37 and traded as high as $26.05. Tsakos Energy Navigation shares last traded at $25.5460, with a volume of 425,380 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Clarkson Capital initiated coverage on shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation in a research report on Monday, December 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $35.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Tsakos Energy Navigation presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $29.50.

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Tsakos Energy Navigation Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $769.70 million, a P/E ratio of 8.03 and a beta of -0.21. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $23.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.30.

Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TEN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $158.84 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $170.78 million. Tsakos Energy Navigation had a return on equity of 13.36% and a net margin of 15.97%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd will post 3.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Tsakos Energy Navigation Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 399.0%. Tsakos Energy Navigations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.45%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tsakos Energy Navigation

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 2nd quarter valued at $384,000. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL increased its position in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 51.2% in the third quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 77,110 shares of the companys stock worth $1,713,000 after purchasing an additional 26,097 shares during the period. FourThought Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the third quarter valued at about $328,000. Commons Capital LLC grew its stake in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 50.0% during the third quarter. Commons Capital LLC now owns 15,000 shares of the companys stock worth $333,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $328,000. 19.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Tsakos Energy Navigation Company Profile

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Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. (NYSE: TEN) is an international shipping company specializing in the transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Founded in 1993 by Nikolas P. Tsakos, the company has built a reputation for operating a modern, well-maintained fleet of double-hull tankers. Tsakos Energy Navigation is organized around both ownership and technical management of vessels, offering chartering, commercial operations and crew services under one umbrella.

The companys fleet consists primarily of very large crude carriers (VLCCs), Suezmax and Aframax tankers, as well as medium-range (MR) and Handy product carriers.

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TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $20.71 and traded as high as $24.31. TreeHouse Foods shares last traded at $24.3050, with a volume of 498,451 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on THS. William Blair lowered shares of TreeHouse Foods from an outperform rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Truist Financial increased their target price on TreeHouse Foods from $20.00 to $22.50 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Zacks Research upgraded TreeHouse Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 1st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on TreeHouse Foods from $19.00 to $22.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on TreeHouse Foods from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, TreeHouse Foods has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $24.67.

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TreeHouse Foods Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.06 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.71.

TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.10). TreeHouse Foods had a positive return on equity of 5.52% and a negative net margin of 7.25%.The firm had revenue of $841.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $853.53 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.07) EPS. The firms revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that TreeHouse Foods, Inc. will post 1.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other TreeHouse Foods news, SVP Stephen Alan Landry sold 6,097 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.79, for a total transaction of $145,047.63. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TreeHouse Foods

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Pullen Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of TreeHouse Foods by 82.2% in the 2nd quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 92,355 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,794,000 after acquiring an additional 41,680 shares in the last quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. raised its stake in TreeHouse Foods by 152.1% during the 2nd quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. now owns 287,083 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,575,000 after purchasing an additional 173,211 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TreeHouse Foods in the second quarter worth $263,000. Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of TreeHouse Foods during the second quarter valued at $676,000. Finally, S&T Bank PA raised its position in TreeHouse Foods by 21.6% during the second quarter. S&T Bank PA now owns 122,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,377,000 after buying an additional 21,779 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.81% of the companys stock.

About TreeHouse Foods

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TreeHouse Foods, Inc (NYSE: THS) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of private-label packaged food and beverage products. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, the company partners with major grocery chains, club retailers and foodservice outlets to develop, produce and distribute a diverse portfolio of items under store brands and, in select categories, under its own labels.

Since its founding in 2005 through the consolidation of several specialty food businesses, TreeHouse Foods has grown primarily through strategic acquisitions and operational integration.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$33.87 and traded as high as C$39.93. Laurentian Bank of Canada shares last traded at C$39.89, with a volume of 522,699 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial downgraded Laurentian Bank of Canada from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Scotiabank set a C$33.00 target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$31.00 to C$40.50 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. CIBC downgraded shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a neutral rating to a tender rating and increased their target price for the company from C$35.00 to C$40.50 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the stock from C$25.00 to C$40.00 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Laurentian Bank of Canada presently has a consensus rating of Strong Sell and a consensus price target of C$35.19.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of C$1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 14.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.57. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$37.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$33.89.

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported C$0.73 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$244.71 million for the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 0.20%. Equities research analysts forecast that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 earnings per share for the current year.

About Laurentian Bank of Canada

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Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. The business services segment provides financial services, commercial banking, real estate financing, and equipment and inventory financing to business clients.

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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,008,066 shares, a drop of 21.1% from the December 15th total of 1,277,059 shares. Currently, 6.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 563,432 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 563,432 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 6.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Sell.

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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:RGR traded down $0.55 during trading on Friday, reaching $37.76. 253,125 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 387,439. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has a 52-week low of $28.33 and a 52-week high of $48.21. The businesss fifty day moving average is $32.58 and its 200-day moving average is $36.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $601.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 290.46 and a beta of 0.20.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.26). The firm had revenue of $126.77 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $124.22 million. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. had a net margin of 0.48% and a return on equity of 8.76%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.28 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 123.08%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. UBS Group AG increased its stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 31.1% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 514,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,366,000 after buying an additional 122,111 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 118.7% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 198,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,648,000 after acquiring an additional 107,977 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 239.4% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 100,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,962,000 after purchasing an additional 71,128 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 2,446.1% in the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 61,031 shares of the companys stock worth $2,653,000 after purchasing an additional 58,634 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,931,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.00% of the companys stock.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc, founded in 1949 by William B. Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm, is a leading American designer and manufacturer of firearms. Headquartered in Newport, New Hampshire, the company has established a reputation for precision engineering and durable products. Its manufacturing footprint includes facilities in Newport and Mayodan, North Carolina, where it maintains a vertically integrated production model spanning metallurgy, machining, and assembly.

The companys product portfolio encompasses a broad range of small arms, including centerfire and rimfire rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, revolvers, and accessories.

Further Reading

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Meta Platforms, zSpace, The Glimpse Group, and DIH Holding US are the seven Virtual Reality stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Virtual reality stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business involves developing, manufacturing, or supporting virtual reality technologies  including headset and sensor makers, chip and component suppliers, VR software and game developers, content platforms, and related services (often overlapping with augmented or mixed reality). Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to the potential growth of immersive computing, but they tend to be speculative and volatile, with performance driven by technology adoption, product cycles, and changing consumer or enterprise demand. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Virtual Reality stocks within the last several days.

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Meta Platforms (META)

Meta Platforms, Inc. engages in the development of products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality headsets, and wearables worldwide. It operates in two segments, Family of Apps and Reality Labs. The Family of Apps segment offers Facebook, which enables people to share, discuss, discover, and connect with interests; Instagram, a community for sharing photos, videos, and private messages, as well as feed, stories, reels, video, live, and shops; Messenger, a messaging application for people to connect with friends, family, communities, and businesses across platforms and devices through text, audio, and video calls; and WhatsApp, a messaging application that is used by people and businesses to communicate and transact privately.

zSpace (ZSPC)

zSpace Technologies, Inc. is a provider of commercial augmented reality and virtual reality technology principally in the education market. The Company offers differentiated hardware along with learning software modules for K-12 science, technology, engineering, game design and mathematics applications, as well as workforce-oriented career and technical education applications.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ZSPC

The Glimpse Group (VRAR)

The Glimpse Group, Inc., a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platform company, provides enterprise-focused software, services, and solutions in the United States. It offers QReal, a software that creates and distributes photorealistic 3D interactive digital models and experiences in AR; Immersive Health Group, a VR/AR platform for evidence-based and outcome driven healthcare solutions; and Foretell Reality, a social VR platform for behavioral health, support groups, collaboration, and soft skills training.

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DIH Holding US (DHAIW)

DIH Holding US, Inc. operates as a robotics and virtual reality (VR) technology provider in the rehabilitation industry. The company's upper extremity product categories include ArmeoPower, a backbone robot for arm and hand therapy in an early stage of rehabilitation; ArmeoSpring for less severe patients that provides self-initiated repetitive arm and hand therapy in an extensive workspace; and Armeo Senso, a sensor-based solution for arm function recovery.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DHAIW

Featured Articles
Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:FLSW  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 24,334 shares, an increase of 26.9% from the December 15th total of 19,169 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,221 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 13,221 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days.

Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA FLSW traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.78. 4,445 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,677. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $40.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.67 million, a P/E ratio of 207.02 and a beta of 0.80. Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF has a one year low of $31.87 and a one year high of $42.15.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Marotta Asset Management boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF by 8.2% in the third quarter. Marotta Asset Management now owns 260,442 shares of the companys stock worth $10,094,000 after buying an additional 19,724 shares during the last quarter. SSA Swiss Advisors AG raised its position in Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF by 2.6% in the second quarter. SSA Swiss Advisors AG now owns 28,820 shares of the companys stock worth $1,121,000 after acquiring an additional 720 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 22,811 shares of the companys stock worth $865,000 after acquiring an additional 1,724 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 65,646 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,490,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF by 48.1% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 6,361 shares of the companys stock valued at $244,000 after acquiring an additional 2,065 shares during the period.

Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF (FLSW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Switzerland RIC Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Swiss equities, excluding small-caps. FLSW was launched on Feb 6, 2018 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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AMREP (NYSE:AXR  Get Free Report) and Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares AMREP and Marcus & Millichaps net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AMREP 22.86% 7.98% 7.73% Marcus & Millichap -0.89% -0.58% -0.43%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares AMREP and Marcus & Millichaps top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AMREP $45.95 million 2.52 $12.72 million $1.95 11.18 Marcus & Millichap $696.06 million 1.52 -$12.36 million ($0.16) -170.31

AMREP has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Marcus & Millichap. Marcus & Millichap is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AMREP, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility & Risk

AMREP has a beta of 1.45, meaning that its share price is 45% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Marcus & Millichap has a beta of 1.33, meaning that its share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

59.8% of AMREP shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 62.8% of Marcus & Millichap shares are held by institutional investors. 37.2% of AMREP shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 39.2% of Marcus & Millichap 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.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for AMREP and Marcus & Millichap, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AMREP 0 1 0 0 2.00 Marcus & Millichap 2 2 0 0 1.50

Marcus & Millichap has a consensus target price of $29.00, suggesting a potential upside of 6.43%. Given Marcus & Millichaps higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Marcus & Millichap is more favorable than AMREP.

Summary

AMREP beats Marcus & Millichap on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About AMREP

(Get Free Report)

AMREP Corporation, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the real estate business. The company operates through two segments, Land Development and Homebuilding. It sells developed and undeveloped lots to homebuilders, commercial and industrial property developers, and others. In addition, the company owns mineral interests covering an area of approximately 55,000 surface acres of land in Sandoval County, New Mexico; and owns oil, gas, and minerals and mineral interests covering an area of approximately 147 surface acres of land in Brighton, Colorado. Further, the company focuses on selling single-family detached homes and attached homes. As of April 30, 2023, it owned approximately 17,000 acres in Sandoval County, New Mexico. The company owns an approximately 160-acre property in Brighton, Colorado. AMREP Corporation was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

About Marcus & Millichap

(Get Free Report)

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. engages in the provision of investment real estate brokerage services. It specializes in commercial real estate investment sales, property financing, research, and advisory services. The company was founded by George M. Marcus and William A. Millichap in 1971 and is headquartered in Calabasas, CA.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,755,818 shares, an increase of 47.9% from the December 15th total of 1,187,068 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 310,403 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 310,403 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. purchased a new stake in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the second quarter worth about $36,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 398.2% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,380 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,103 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 568.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 1,768 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 219.5% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,355 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,618 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.37% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Zacks Research cut Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 20th. Truist Financial set a $28.00 target price on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $28.00.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Trading Up 1.7%

Shares of FMS stock traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $22.00. The stock had a trading volume of 1,845,082 shares, compared to its average volume of 393,797. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $23.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.07. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 52-week low of $21.02 and a 52-week high of $30.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.91 billion, a PE ratio of 16.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.72 billion. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a return on equity of 7.42% and a net margin of 3.72%. Equities analysts expect that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KGaA is the worlds largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. The companys primary business activities encompass the operation of dialysis clinics and the manufacture and distribution of dialysis equipment, dialysis machines, dialyzers, consumables and related therapies. Through its global network of clinics, Fresenius Medical Care delivers comprehensive kidney care, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, patient education and support services.

In its products segment, the company designs and produces dialysis machines, water treatment systems and disposables such as high?flux dialyzers and bloodlines.

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A Dublin-based garda who carried out a protracted assault on his then wife, also a member of the force, has walked free from court on a suspended sentence.

Trevor Bolger (48), who was previously attached to Ballymun Garda Station, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Margaret Loftus on October 25, 2012.

Judge Martina Baxter gave him a three month sentence, which she suspended in full on strict conditions.

The court heard the maximum penalty for the assault, under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act which is normally dealt with summarily in the District Court, is six months imprisonment or a fine.

Detective Garda Rioghnach OSullivan previously told the court that in October 2012, the then couple had travelled to her home county in Balla, Co Mayo for a family event.

READ MORE: Its devastating: Limerick woman who died in house fire named locally

Bolger was irate because Ms Loftus spoke to her family and did not stay by his side and he sat at the bar drinking for the night, the court was told.

When they returned home to her childhood bedroom in which they were staying, he hit her in the back and grabbed her by the hair while she begged him not to hurt her.

She described it as a protracted assault which was terrifying and she feared that if she had stayed with him she would have been killed so ended the marriage the next day.

Det Gda OSullivan told the court that the following afternoon she had her father stand beside her while she told him [Bolger] that their marriage was over.

Judge Martina Baxter heard evidence in the case last year and adjourned sentencing to allow for a probation report to be prepared.

She further adjourned the finalisation of sentencing last October for an intervention programme assessment which was mentioned in the probation report.

She heard that Bolger has now engaged with the MOVE (Men Overcoming Violent Emotions) programme, which works with domestic violence against women.

He has been assessed by MOVE and accepted to take part in a course between February and September this year.

Bolger is still a member of An Garda Siochana but was suspended in 2018, the court heard. He had been promoted to the rank of detective and was attached to Howth Garda Station in August 2018. He has no previous convictions and has not come to adverse attention since.

Sentencing Bolger, Judge Baxter noted the maximum penalty for a Section 2 assault is six months imprisonment.

The judge noted Bolger and Ms Loftus were at a family gathering in Mayo for her brothers 30th birthday party. Bolger became irate about her leaving his side to go and talk to her family in the pub.

Bolgers bad behaviour continued when he got home, when he hit her in the back and grabbed her by the hair. To her credit she ended this marriage, the judge said. She noted Ms Loftus was breastfeeding at the time of the assault.

The court heard that in 2018, Ms Loftus initiated her complaint and Bolger was interviewed in 2018 and 2019.

At this point in the hearing, Judge Baxter addressed Bolger, who was standing as the sentence was being read out.

Mr Bolger, you can take a seat, Im going to be a while, she said.

Judge Baxter said that as a garda, Bolger held a position of trust in society. He assaulted the mother of his two children, in the privacy of that family bedroom. She noted this was aggravated by his use of alcohol. At the time, he was a serving and respected member of the gardai, she added.

The judge noted Bolger is now six years alcohol-free.

Judge Baxter said Ms Loftus had been greatly affected in her professional life but has turned her life around and that is to her credit.

In mitigation, Judge Baxter noted Bolgers letter of apology and work commendations of him as someone who is committed to his role in An Garda Siochana and that he was a brave member of the force who volunteers in the community.

The judge said the probation assessment stated Bolger would benefit from its services, adding he has benefited from that and engaged with rehabilitation.

She said he had made a positive contribution to the community and she accepted his remorse is genuine and real and that he was at low risk of reoffending. She noted Bolger and his second wife suffered the traumatic loss of their child.

The judge said that outside the family home in 2012, Bolger was a respected member of the force. Ms Loftus saw another side to Mr Bolger, she said. Bolger perpetrated an egregious assault when he was held to a higher standard, she said.

The judge said the offence was at the upper range of such offences, before she set a headline sentence of six months. Custody was not warranted, she said, noting he was not recidivist.

She sentenced him to three months suspended for a period of three months on strict conditions including he engage with the MOVE programme and all other appropriate recommendations of the Probation Service.

After the terms of his bond were read out to him, the court registrar asked him if he complied with them, to which he replied: I do.

Bolger said: Thank you, judge before leaving the dock.

Additional evidence

Judge Baxter noted the case had taken time coming through the system and she thanked Ms Loftus for her forbearance. The judge said the victim impact statement had been impressive and insightful.

Judge Baxter noted they were both gardai and were aware of the process. She said Ms Loftus was a strong lady who had been proactive in indicating she was not going to accept his behaviour.

At a hearing last June, Ms Loftus read a victim impact statement to the court in which she described the effects the protracted assault had on her.

She said Bolger violently assaulted her that night. I lost everything, she said. She said she had a strong sense of truth and justice.

After this assault it also impacted personal relationships I had within the guards - there was a stigma attached to me for standing up for myself.

She said it was used against me while I tried to seek justice for myself and was as damaging as the assault itself.

Ms Loftus also thanked the members of gardai who investigated the case.

It has taken 13 years of my life to get to where we are today but truth and justice must prevail, she added.

Trevor Bolger, you have done your level best to destroy me every day you have broken me, she said.

By your own admissions here today .. you are an abuser and a perpetrator of domestic violence, she said.

She said as a victim of domestic violence she would like to encourage others to come forward.

Bolger was interviewed voluntarily in December 2018 and twice denied he had engaged in an assault on Ms Loftus.

Cathleen Noctor SC, defending, said her client had been treated for anxiety and depression and had entered a psychiatric hospital following the event. He had brought 6,000 in compensation which he handed over to the court.

The court heard that Bolger re-married in 2021. A number of testimonials were before the court including one from a retired inspector.

Counsel said Bolger had made a positive contribution to society over his 20-year career. She also asked the judge to have regard to his own circumstances and that his mental health difficulties are ongoing.

Ms Noctor asked the court to have regard to her client's apology, his expression of remorse and testimonials.

Garda statement

Chief Superintendent, Ian Lackey from the Organised and Serious Crime Bureau made the following statement in relation to the case:

"An Garda Siochana notes the conviction handed down to Trevor Bolger by the court today for domestic abuse related offences.

I want to acknowledge the professionalism of the investigation team, the legal team, the court service, and the support groups you have assisted in this case.

But most importantly, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the bravery and courage of Margaret.

Domestic abuse comes in many forms. It can be physical, on once or many occasions. Domestic abuse can also include emotional and psychological abuse.

Domestic abuse is overwhelming and can appear as an unescapable, particularly in the instances where the abuser, appears to hold a profession or a position of respect in the community, such as in this case  a member of An Garda Siochana.

An Garda Siochana has a zero tolerance for domestic abuse in society and by its own personnel.

I thank Margaret for speaking up and coming forward. Taking that first step takes personal courage. You have shown to any other person out there who is in an abusive and controlled relationship that you will be listened to, and you will be heard.

An Garda Siochana is committed to tackling domestic abuse. When you speak to An Garda Siochana, you will be dealt with, with dignity and professionalism. We will advise and support you, whatever way you want to deal with your individual case.

To anyone who has, in the past or is currently in an abusive relationship, please contact any Garda Siochana, or in an emergency situation please call 999 or 112. You have done nothing wrong and you are not alone.

Please take that first step and speak to somebody  a garda, a support helpline, a family relative or a friend. You will be believed."
It's fair to dispute the politics of his post but newsman Bill Tammeus has dutifully delivered readers a powerful perspective regarding the long-lasting impact of an American tragedy . . . Here's the word:

"False certitude in religion has led to disaster over and over from the origins of humankind  and it has arisen from many faith traditions, including Christianity. One current good example of that is Christian Nationalism in its most destructive forms, which hold tightly to the bogus idea that God has somehow uniquely blessed the United States.



"So it turns out that counting the 9/11 damage  in bodies, in buildings, in broken relationships, in our more fearful nation  now is a more extended task, and one that wont end for a long time."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This morning the angels inspire another peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines for our faithful Sunday readers . . .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Tragic Cowtown Exodus

Kansas City families forced from apartments after feds cut funding over unsafe conditions Kansas City families have been forced from their apartments after a federal agency cut funding over unsafe conditions.

Show-Me Money

Missouri's minimum wage is now $15 an hour. How does it compare to Kansas? Show Me State employers have to pay their employees twice as much as Kansas ones.

Keeping Digits Another Day

Frostbite concerns arise during weekend cold snap: How to keep yourself safe Keep these tips in mind as you navigate our current cold snap, and remember to always dress according to the wind chill.

More Deets On Tech Clap Back

Kansas City, Mo., Weighs Increased Transparency for Data Centers The Kansas City Council is beginning to rethink the city's approach to future data center construction while striving to learn more about the booming industry's impact locally.

Home Team Hope Springs Eternal

Why the Royals will break through and finally win the AL Central This is the year it happens

MAGA Loves The Angels

Donald Trump bought up to $1 million Victoria's Secret bonds last month Several bills are under consideration that would ban congressional stock trading, but they exempt the executive branch.

Progressively Holding Nose

CNN poll: Democrats are deeply motivated for the midterms despite having dismal views of party leaders | CNN Politics The Democratic Party has a deeply motivated base and a clear advantage on the generic congressional ballot ahead of this fall's midterms despite dismal impressions of its current leaders in Congress, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

Uni-Party Appeal Fades

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans wish they had options beyond the Republican and Democratic parties Democrats and Democratic leaners are more likely than Republicans and GOP leaners to say they want more parties (46% vs. 29%).

American Holy Land Takeover?!?

"Gaza is our show": U.S. pushes its plan over Netanyahu's objections "If he wants us to deal with Gaza, it will have to be our way."

Euro War Serves Cold

Drone strike cuts power supply in Russia-held parts of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region More than 200,000 consumers in the Russian-held part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region were left without electricity on Sunday, the Moscow-installed regional governor said, after a Ukrainian drone strike on Saturday.

Middle-East Justice Exposed

US Forces Eliminate Terrorist Leader Directly Linked To Deaths Of American National Guardsmen U.S. forces killed a terrorist in Syria linked to a Dec. 13 ISIS attack which killed two Iowa National Guardsmen and one U.S. civilian, CENTCOM said Saturday.

South Of Border Deals With New World Order

European Union and Mercosur bloc sign landmark free trade agreement The EU and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping more than 25 years of negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and global trade tensions.

Tech FAIL Impacts Workers

Meta lays off more than 1,000 employees from metaverse division Meta's VR-focused Reality Labs division suffered a huge set of layoffs on Tuesday.

Culture War On American Streets

Clashes erupt outside Minneapolis City Hall as Jan. 6 provocateur holds pro-ICE rally Chaos erupted outside City Hall on Saturday as hundreds of protesters confronted a right-wing provocateur who was among those pardoned for crimes tied to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S.

El Papa In Accord

A reflection on the two characteristics Pope Leo gives peace Peace can sound abstract - until Pope Leo names two simple qualities that make it deeply personal.

Local Walk For Justice

12th Annual MLK Jr Walk along Brush Creek Free public event focuses on environmental justice

Local Winter Chill . . .

Cold start today, warmer this afternoon Cold start this morning, but temperatures will be on the warmer side by the afternoon.

Monica - Angel Of Mine is the Sunday song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Special thanks to AWESOME TKC READERS for sending word all the way from Topeka regarding the desperate circumstances for the GOP in the aftermath of the Chiefs deal.

The basics . . .

AGONY OVER EPIC CASH TO STEAL KANSAS CITY CHIEFS MIGHT COST REPUBLICANS THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION!!!

In fact . . .

What our readers can check for themselves and is EASILY VERIFIABLE is that Kansas GOP Senate Prez Ty Masterson has suffered the greatest hit for his early support of the deal.

Before BILLIONS in corporate welfare was revealed . . . The State Senate Prez was amongst the front-runners, he lead fundraising at one point AND had more support from the rank & file.

In just a few short week . . .

The GOP honcho has fewer allies, his fundraising isn't as impressive as the other millionaires getting into the race and he's hoping that MAGA allegiance will dig him out of a whole he has dug with fiscal hawks.

Now here's a bit more about the political consequences that are far more interesting than newsies & plebs trying to decipher phony dox that don't tell half the story . . .

"If Guv Kelly planned this then she really might be a political genius despite most evidence to the contrary. Kansas Republicans are on the defensive over the money they're going to be paying out to Clark Hunt & The Chiefs. It's a political bomb dumped in their lap and they don't seem to be handling it well . . . LOOK AT THE POLLING!!! Masterson is taking the heat worst of all and it's getting so bad that we might see them walk back some of the terms . . . Ask around, this is not the right economic climate to be giving billions more to billionaires and some of the most diehard Republicans in rural Kansas are pushing back hard against leadership . . . It's just a fact I'm really surprised news isn't reporting, the polling shows us KANSAS ISN'T HAPPY ABOUT THE CHIEFS DEAL . . . We were bound to lose ground in 2026 anyway but this is looking more and more like a blue tsunami and not just a wave."

Feel free to challenge www.TonysKansasCity.com on this one but PLEASE EXPLAIN how giving into NFL corporate welfare hype from the "moderate" Democratic Governor is going to help the Kansas GOP attain their goals . . .

Developing . . .
It was perhaps Canadas most exclusive dance club  with a twist.

Disco music blared from eight-track players. Mirrored walls reflected revellers grooving on the dance floor.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Only this disco club required a passport to get in  and the party took place 10 kilometres up in the sky.

The year was 1971, and Air Canada had just made the audacious decision to transform the upper deck of its first three Boeing 747-100s into a dance floor and bar for first-class passengers.

Sometimes stewardesses would even dance with customers, Heather Tregaskes, a flight attendant who worked in the lounge, told the Star in 2004. It was all so gracious.

Its a far cry from todays flying experience, as passengers strain to fit into ever-shrinking seats, contend with new fees for previously included features and fight for compensation following cancelled and delayed flights.

The road here was paved by the deregulation of the airline industry and the dominance of Air Canada and WestJet over the Canadian market, aviation experts told the Star. And its a story foreshadowed by the fate of Air Canadas flying nightclubs.

Because, after just one gloriously groovy year of service, the dance floors were torn out in favour of regular seating. As Air Canada pilot Donald Quistberg told the Star in 2004: People figured they could make more money putting seats in there.

Do Air Canada and WestJet have a duopoly?

The flight experience began deteriorating after Air Canada and WestJets domination of Canadas airline industry, said John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation at Montreals McGill University.

Air Canadas flying dance club came amid an age of intense competition in the skies, after the Boeing 747 and other wide-body jets made flying accessible to the general public. But over the following decades, Canadas airline industry underwent drastic changes  beginning with the de facto deregulation of the airline industry in 1985.

What followed was a bloodbath of competition that saw most major airlines eliminated or absorbed into Air Canada, and later, upstart airline WestJet. After the two consolidated their power, they got to work crushing competitors by pricing them out of the market, Gradek said.

Without competitive pressure to maintain premium offerings or pricing, service has been declining ever since, he said.

But Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesperson for Air Canada, defended the airlines aggressive pricing strategy, saying: Competing on price is normal, all businesses do, it is the basis of an open economy and free market. Consumers like price competition.

He also denied that theres a lack of competition in the Canadian market: The fact is that competition has been increasing in Canada.

Today there are new domestic players in the industry who were not here a few years ago and they have been growing, he said. Internationally, there is a wealth of competition, so much in fact that it takes six billboards driving into Toronto Pearson to list all the carriers.

But that doesnt change the fact that Air Canada and WestJet now account for 56 to 78 per cent of all domestic passenger traffic at major airports across the country, according to a market study by the Competition Bureau last June. And despite the success of upstart airlines like Porter and Flair, the market remains highly concentrated with competition fragile, the study noted.

WestJet did not respond to the Stars questions by deadline.

Why is flying in Canada so expensive?

Its a mix between high taxes and fees, and Air Canada and WestJets duopoly, experts say.

In 2024, Air Canadas average domestic airfare was $966 ($694 US)  nearly double the $532 ($382 US) average in the States, iPolitics reported last August. A basket of domestic Canadian flights costs 25 cents per kilometre; a set of comparable flights in Europe costs just 14 cents.

However, when just one new competitor was introduced on a route in Canada, airfares went down by nine per cent on average, according to the Competition Bureau.

But Air Canada asserts that domestic flights are so expensive due to the far higher taxes and fees governments and third parties charge airports and airlines, in comparison to the U.S.

More fees, less service

Then came the rise of budget carriers in the early 2000s, boasting ultra-low costs but slimmed-down service. To keep their fares competitive, traditional airlines began unbundling services  charging an extra fee for things that were once standard, explained Gulnaz Bulbul, an associate professor specialized in airline operations research at the University of Waterloo.

This is not a Canada specific situation, but rather a global shift, she said.

Profit margins for airlines are razor thin  companies might make three to five per cent profit in a good year  and its getting worse with rising costs for fuel, labour and aircraft financing, Bulbul explained. With the crises, such as COVID-19, airlines sought new revenue streams, leading to the rise of ancillary fees.

But Fitzpatrick defended the unbundling model, saying the intention was to give choice to customers who may have different needs and willingness to pay.

The idea is you only pay for the services you want or need, he said. Importantly, this is not unique to the airline sector. We see this in all industries, companies returning choice to consumers and empowering them.

Wesley Lesosky, a long-time flight attendant with Air Canada and president of the Air Canada Component at the Canadian Union of Public Employees, saw the changes in real-time.

All the service on board has definitely deteriorated when it comes to what it used to be, Lesosky told the Star. He began working at Air Canada in 2002. When I started, there was always a snack or a full meal service. Now, its pretty much transitioned to a pay-for-service model.

Most recently, WestJet found itself embroiled in controversy after shrinking the legroom on some planes for most economy seats  before making the costly decision to reverse the reconfiguration following public backlash.

But thats not the first time airline seats have shrunk. In the economy class of Air Canadas early 747s, passengers enjoyed an estimated 33 inches of pitch  the distance between one seat and the one in front or behind it  and 19 inches of seat width, said Gregor Milne, director of AeroLOPA, a service that publicizes aircraft seating plans.

In comparison, Air Canadas modern 787s have only 31 inches of pitch and 17 inches of width.

How can we fix this?

The answer seems simple: Increase competition, improve passenger protections and reduce the fees making domestic travel more expensive, the experts say.

Hicham Ayoun, a spokesperson for Transport Canada, said Canadas Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) are already battling junk and ancillary fees by mandating airlines be transparent about the fees they charge, like providing customers with a breakdown of fees for optional services.

But Gabor Lukacs, the president and founder of Canadian non-profit Air Passenger Rights, said theres much more the government could be doing. He pointed to how EU regulators recently voted to review air passenger protections, which could introduce the right to bring aboard carry-on luggage at no additional cost and enable faster and simpler reimbursement.

As for sparking new competition, Gradek believes its time for the government to step in. He suggested implementing price floors for Air Canada and WestJet on certain routes, which could allow upstart competitors to compete with low fares without.

Canadians have been conditioned to dealing with this duopoly for years, he said. My take is that maybe its time we talk about regulation again.

Update - Jan. 21, 2026

This article was updated from a previous version.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 18. On January 18, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the Alley of Martyrs to honor the cherished memory of the 20 January martyrs, Trend reports.

The head of state laid a wreath at the "Eternal Flame" monument.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.
Central Bank of Azerbaijan calls for bids on Microsoft Windows 11 licenses

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has announced a tender for the purchase of Microsoft Windows 11 licenses. Participants are required to submit the necessary documents by the specified deadline, with the tender packages to be opened at the same time.

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The government is likely to prioritise medium-term debt consolidation while sustaining a strong push for capital expenditure in the upcoming Union Budget for 2026-27, according to pre-Budget expectations outlined by rating agency ICRA. The upcoming budget assumes significance, as it will be the first to align with the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, which will determine fiscal transfers between the Centre and states for the next five years, the rating agency has asserted. ICRA expects the Centre's fiscal deficit to be capped at around 4.3 per cent of GDP in 2026-27, marginally lower than the 4.4 per cent budgeted for 2025-26, supported by an estimated 9.8 per cent growth in nominal GDP. Based on this trajectory, the central government's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to decline from 56.1 per cent in 2025-26 to about 55.1 per cent in 2026-27, consistent with the medium-term consolidation path. Despite the marginal improvement in the deficit ratio, the absolute fiscal deficit is projected to rise to Rs 16.9 trillion in 2026-27, compared with Rs 15.7 trillion in 2025-26. This increase is expected to be driven largely by higher capital expenditure, as the government seeks to front-load infrastructure spending before fiscal rigidities intensify from 2027-28 onwards due to the anticipated implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission, which will raise salary and pension liabilities, it said. "We believe that the GoI will push up capital expenditure by ~14% (to Rs. 13.1 trillion), before fiscal rigidities in the form of higher committed expenditure set in from FY2028 on account of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations on salary/pension revisions for Central Government employees/pensioners," ICRA said. ICRA projects that capital expenditure will be increased by around 14 per cent to Rs 13.1 trillion in 2026-27, equivalent to 3.3 per cent of GDP, up from an estimated Rs 11.5 trillion in 2025-26. This continued emphasis on capex is expected to support investment activity and improve the quality of government spending. On the revenue front, gross tax revenues are projected to grow by around 7 per cent in 2026-27, led by a robust 11 per cent expansion in direct tax collections. In contrast, indirect tax growth is expected to remain muted at about 2 per cent, reflecting the impact of GST rate cuts introduced from September 2025. After accounting for central tax devolution to states, estimated at Rs 15.4 trillion, the Centre's net tax revenues are projected to grow by a modest 5.2 per cent to Rs 28.5 trillion in 2026-27. Non-tax revenues are expected to rise by about 5 per cent, although the record Rs 2.7 trillion dividend transfer from the Reserve Bank of India in 2025-26 is likely to moderate in the coming year. Revenue expenditure growth is expected to remain contained at around 4 per cent in 2026-27, supported by slower growth in interest payments and subsidies. As a result, the revenue deficit is projected to narrow to Rs 4.7 trillion, or 1.2 per cent of GDP, marking the lowest ratio in nearly two decades. However, higher capital spending and a sharp rise in debt redemptions are likely to push up borrowing requirements. Gross market borrowings are projected to rise by 15-16 per cent to Rs 16.9 trillion in 2026-27. As has been the convention, the Union Budget for 2026-27 will be presented in the Parliament on February 1, 2026. (ANI)
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 18. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Kyrgyzstan reached 184 million pounds sterling ($246 million) in the four quarters ending 2Q2025, marking an increase of 21.1% (32 million pounds sterling, $43 million) compared with the same period a year earlier.

Data obtained by Trend from the UK Trade and Investment Factsheet indicates that UK exports to Kyrgyzstan rose sharply to 101 million pounds sterling ($135 million), up 83.6% (46 million pounds sterling, $62 million), while imports from Kyrgyzstan fell 14.4% (14 million pounds sterling, $19 million) to 83 million pounds sterling ($111 million).

Kyrgyzstan ranked as the UKs 139th largest trading partner over the year to 2Q 2025, accounting for less than 0.1% of total UK trade.

At the end of 2023, data on UK foreign direct investment (FDI) in Kyrgyzstan were not available due to disclosure limitations. FDI from Kyrgyzstan in the UK stood at 402 million pounds sterling ($539 million), up 8.4% (31 million pounds sterling, $41 million) from 2022, representing less than 0.1% of the UKs total inward FDI stock.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 18. Iraqs Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein will visit Tehran, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baghaei said, Trend reports.

According to Baghaei, during this visit the Iraqi foreign minister will meet with Irans Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyed Abbas Araghchi, as well as several other senior officials of the country.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that during the visit, views will be exchanged on Iran-Iraq bilateral relations, as well as on regional and international developments.
Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam: A Scholar, Thinker and Reformer

Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) possessed a deeply compassionate heart and a vigilant mind for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah

Educational Journey and Global Recognition

Born in a small village, yet rising to global prominence, the distinguished personality Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, 13th January 2026. He was a man of profound global vision and elevated intellectual stature, known equally for his sincerity and depth of thought.

Dr Manzoor Alam was born on 9th October 1945 in Ranipur, a small village in the Madhubani district of Bihar, located near Nazra and Basaitha. This writer also has maternal roots in this very village. His fathers name was Abdul Jaleel. Among his three brothers, he was the last born.

He received his secondary education from Basaitha High School and moved to Aligarh Muslim University for higher studies. It was here that his intellectual and academic journey took a decisive new turn. From that point onward, there was no looking back.

No looking back means that he continued to advance steadily toward greater intellectual heights, crossing one milestone after another in the realms of knowledge and thought. His scholarly competence and expansive intellectual vision earned him international recognition. Yet, despite attaining such an exalted status, his bond with his village and native soil remained unbroken. He stayed deeply connected to the land with which he shared an ancestral relationship.

Educational Service and Umar Farooq Academy

Around 1990s, Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) established an educational institution named Umar Farooq Academy in his ancestral village of Ranipur. Although the institution did not achieve remarkable expansion, it is by no means insignificant that it continues to exist and serve its purpose to this day within its limited capacity. One possible reason for its modest growth may have been that Dr. Alam was simultaneously engaged in numerous large-scale academic, intellectual and social initiatives at broader levels, leaving him with limited time to devote personally to the Academy.

The writer still vividly recalls a childhood memory associated with Umar Farooq Academy: a programme organized under Dr. Alams leadership, where, for the first time, I saw and heard Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi delivering a speech. Along with him, several other distinguished and respected personalities were present at the stage. All of them had come to this small village institution at the invitation of Dr. Alam himself.

Academic and Professional Services in Saudi Arabia

After completing his education at Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) moved to Saudi Arabia.

While relocating to Saudi Arabia in itself was not unusual, serving as an Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rising to the position of Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Economics, University of Imam Mohammad-bin-Saud, Riyadh, and holding the highly significant and sensitive post of Chief Coordinator for the Translation of Meaning of the Holy Quran in different languages of the world at King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex, Madinah Munawwarah were by no means ordinary achievements.

These accomplishments, following the grace of Allah, were the practical outcome of his exceptional intellectual ability and advanced education. They established him as a respected, credible and trusted figure at the international level.

Concern for the Ummah and Return to India

Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) possessed a deeply compassionate heart and a vigilant mind for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah. He keenly felt the hardships and suffering of Indias minority communities, particularly Muslims. Consequently, despite holding prestigious and influential positions in Saudi Arabia, he made the conscious decision to return to India.

From within India, he began earnest and practical efforts to address these challenges. As a result of his sincere initiatives, numerous Madrasas and Masjids across India received financial support, and under his leadership several institutions dedicated to the welfare of the community were established. One of the most significant and enduring outcomes of his efforts was the establishment of the Institute of Objective Studies in 1986, which emerged as an influential intellectual and research-based think tank.

Services of the Institute of Objective Studies

Following the establishment of the Institute of Objective Studies, Dr. Alam formally embarked on an extensive programme of research and scholarly activity. He held scholars and intellectuals in high esteem, actively drawing upon their academic expertise. Under his patronage, hundreds of research-oriented works were authored and subsequently published by the Institute to a high academic standard.

The Institute undertook the systematic collection of reliable data on a wide range of issues concerning Muslims and other minority communities. In fact, it accomplished many important and much-needed tasks that had not previously been carried out in an organized and institutional manner. To gain a clearer understanding of the vision, objectives, principles and services of this remarkable institution, it is essential to read the following statement available on its official website:

Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) was established in the year 1986 with a view to promote empirical and conceptual research. Research is carried out on ideologies and problems relevant to Indian polity, society, economy, religion and culture.

Attention has been focused on the problems of Muslims and other minority groups. The studies include the problems of development processes, community relations, social tensions, status of women etc. Within the said period the Institute has established itself as a Centre of research and intellectual activities, which is known for its objectivity in the academic world.

Its achievements and programme have received recognition from the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The IOS is in Consultative Status (Roster) with ECOSOC of UN.

The Institute has tried to fill the academic vacuum in approaching societal issues faced by Indian people in general and Muslims in particular. It has provided a platform for serious intellectual endeavor in the areas of Social Sciences and Humanities, and became a trendsetter in the fields of conceptual and investigative research on the Quranic approach to human problems and the problems of Muslims in India.

Various survey projects, which focus on the problems of Muslims and other weaker sections of Indian society, are fulfilling a long felt need for statistical information and analysis in different areas.

Association with Qazi Sahib and the Establishment of All India Milli Council

Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) shared a close, warm and deeply respectful relationship with Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi (Rah.). Intensely conscious of the communitys collective pain, Dr. Alam presented to Qazi Sahib a proposal for establishing an organization aimed at addressing these challenges.

The core objective was to bring people together on a single platform, founded on Wahdate Kalimah and shared principles, in order to seek practical solutions to their problems. This very initiative later took organizational shape as the All India Milli Council, which was formally established in May 1992. Following the death of Qazi Sahib, he was elected the secretary general of the council. In an article written on the personality of Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi (Rah.), Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam himself writes:

I vividly recall that during those circumstances [that is, around the year 1980], when I first presented the outline of a plan to unite the community on the basis of Wahdate Kalimah before the respected Qazi Sahib, near the pulpit of the Prophets Masjid in Madinah, he offered, right at the very outset, such thoughtful and practically oriented suggestions that it seemed as though he had long been prepared to infuse life and color into this very framework. In those days, I was traveling across the country, discussing this proposal with various religious and community leaders.

The widespread appreciation the plan received gradually transformed my sense of hope into firm conviction that perhaps this humble effort of mine was beginning to register its weight on the scale of trust and credibility. In this connection, a consultative meeting was held at Surajkund, where Qazi Sahib was specifically requested not only to participate but also to present his proposals in written form before the participants, so that clarity of understanding and direction could be ensured. The Surajkund meeting proved highly successful in achieving its objectives.

By the grace of Allah, in May 1992, the formation of the Milli Council was formally announced at Mumbais well-known YMCA Ground. Although Qazi Sahib had reservations about accepting the leadership of the Milli Council due to his overwhelming commitments, he nevertheless, despite his numerous academic and intellectual engagements, devoted himself wholeheartedly and with his finest abilities to shaping and organizing the Milli Council.

This contribution has now become a shining chapter in the history of our collective community struggle. (Mahnamah Milli Ittehad, Qazi Mujahid-ul-Islam Qasmi Number, MayAugust 2002)

100 Great Muslim Leaders of the 20th Century, Landmark Scholarly Contribution

Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) was, at his core, a scholar devoted to research and intellectual inquiry. He welcomed the 21st century with a monumental research work authored in English, titled 100 Great Muslim Leaders of the 20th Century. This significant academic contribution was published by the Institute of Objective Studies to the highest scholarly standards and was formally launched at a large-scale event.

The book presents a comprehensive introduction to one hundred influential Muslim personalities from across the world, drawn from diverse fields such as politics, education, religion, social reform and movement-based activism. These figures played a decisive role in shaping the intellectual, social, and political landscape of the Muslim world during the 20th century. The work highlights their contributions to freedom struggles, social reform, intellectual and scholarly discourse, and efforts toward Islamic revival.

Among the selected personalities are renowned and impactful figures such as Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nawab Mohsinul Mulk, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, Begum Sulaatun Nisa, Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi, Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi, Jamaluddin Afghani, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, King Abdul Aziz, Sultan Abdul Hamid, Omar al-Mukhtar, Izzuddin al-Qassam, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Sayyid Qutb and others.

A Multifaceted Personality and Shining Example of Sincerity

Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam (Rah.) earned his doctorate in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University, yet his intellectual vision and mental horizon were never confined to economics alone. He approached the issues of the nation and the Muslim community with deep seriousness and sensitivity.

His intellectual engagement extended across educational, political and reformative domains, in all of which he carried out meaningful and impactful work. As a result, members of the community remember him variously as an economist, an educationist, a reformer, a researcher and the founder of several successful institutions.

However, beyond all these titles and distinctions, his most defining trait was his distance from personal fame and recognition. He was, above all, a profoundly sincere servant of Allah, who rendered countless services to the nation and the community solely for the pleasure of Allah.

These few lines are written simply as a tribute to his memory. For a more detailed study of his life and contributions, his biography Dr. Manzoor Alam: Empowering the Marginalized should be read. The renowned senior multilingual journalist, A. U. Asif has authored this book.

May Allah Almighty graciously accept all the services rendered by Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam, grant him complete forgiveness and bestow upon him an exalted place in Jannah. May Allah also grant patience and fortitude to his family and all those he has left behind! Aameen!

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ISLAM Party must unite with Shiv Sena for the larger interest of Malegaon

Asif Shaikh, his father Shaikh Rasheed, Mufti Ismael, Mustaqeem Dignity and his mentor Nehal Ahmed all leaders of Malegaon have  in some way or the other, joined hands with the BJP and Shiv Sena in the past

[(L) Shaikh Rasheed and Dada Bhuse in a file image. Dada Bhuse with Asif Shaikh at the latter's residence during a recent visit.]

The Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) Election 2026 has thrown interesting results . Former Congress MLA Asif Shaikhs Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra, abbreviated as ISLAM, has emerged as the single largest party winning 35 of the total 84 seats.

Samajwadi Party (SP), which had formed an alliance named Malegaon Secular Front with the ISLAM Party, has won 05 seats. Together, the two parties have won a total of 40 seats  03 short of the magic number needed to elect their Mayor.

This leaves the Malegaon Secular Front of needing the support of other parties to rule the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. Realizing this, Mustaqeem Dignity  President of Malegaon Samajwadi Party and co-founder of the Malegaon Secular Front, has invited local MLA and AIMIM leader Mufti Ismael Qasmi to join hands and come together for the development of Malegaon and to keep the communal forces away.

On his part, Mufti Ismael Qasmi welcomed the move and accepted the proposal of a talk to strike a deal with the Malegaon Secular Front.

Communal onslaught against Malegaon

Malegaon has always been branded as a communally sensitive city because the majority of the citys population is of Muslims. This tag changed after the 2006 and 2008 bomb blasts for which the right wing Hindu terrorists were blamed and charged.

However, the city once again faced the onslaught of the communal forces after the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections when the sitting BJP MP lost from here. Some BJP leaders frequently visited the city to incite communal tension, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself accusing the people of Malegaon of vote jihad .

A lot of hue and cry was also made with regard to the issuance of  fake birth certificates to illegal migrants . All these allegations were blown into thin air after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed the charges and found nothing.

Branding of Malegaon started once again soon after the BJP swept majority of the 29 corporations of Maharashtra where elections were held last week. Those in the mainstream media, who were angry over the people of Malegaon for voting in favour of the Congress candidate in the 2024 Parliamentary Elections, were upset again and questioned the Malegaonians for supporting the ISLAM Party while whole of the state sided with the BJP. This despite the fact that even the Hindus of Malegaon rejected the BJP as it contested from the 20 Hindu dominated wards of Malegaon, and won just 02.

Demography of Malegaon

Looking at the demography of Malegaon , the Textile City is divided into two parts. The Eastern Part of the City is dominated by Muslims whereas the Western Part has Hindus as majority. Of the total 84 members in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, the majority  60 to 62 members, come from the Muslim dominated Eastern Part of the City whereas 22 to 24 come from the Hindu majority Western Part.

Owing to the demography of the city, the political parties led by Muslims fielded candidates in the areas dominated by Muslims whereas the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and Shiv Sena (UBT) contested in the Hindu dominated areas.

The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) which is led by Dada Bhuse, Education Minister of Maharashtra, won 18 seats, the BJP 02 and the Shiv Sena (UBT) none.

The Malegaon Civic Body always had Muslim members in majority. Despite this the City had seen Hindus as the President, Deputy Mayor, Standing Committee Chairman, and on other key posts of the Civic Body, though this has happened because of the political compulsions.

A Chance for Malegaons Muslim Leadership

After the 2026 Civic Elections, Malegaon Mayor can be elected without the support of the Shiv Sena and the BJP as was the case in the past. However, to save Malegaon from the onslaught of the BJP and communal forces, the Muslim leadership of the City should invite the Shiv Sena (Dada Bhuse) for power sharing.

As against the most parts of Maharashtra and India, Muslims in Malegaon are in majority, and will set an example if they embrace the Big Brother Role and invite Shiv Sena to share power in the Malegaon Corporation in the present scenario.

Asif Shaikh, his father Shaikh Rasheed , Mufti Ismael, Mustaqeem Dignity and his mentor Nehal Ahmed all have  in some way or the other, joined hands with the BJP and Shiv Sena in the past. These leaders, despite political differences, are also on a good term with Shiv Sena leader Dada Bhuse, and have repeatedly sought his help on various matters. So this will not be the first time if they again commit such a crime.

On his part, Dada Bhuse has of late led a number of initiatives related to development of Malegaon and its textile industry. Also, as a Minister in the present government, Dada Bhuse with or without power in the Malegaon Corporation, will anyway remain one of the power centres. Hence, inviting him to share the power in Malegaon Municipal Corporation will not only help development of the City but will also leave the right wing groups with little room to play communal card.

The move is also necessary for Asif Shaikh to re-brand his  ISLAM Party  which is being maligned in the mainstream media. Interestingly, Mufti Ismail had faced a similar situation in 2008 when his Teesra Mahaz had emerged as the single largest party after the local elections.

Back then, Mufti Ismail too had two options  to align with the Congress or join hands with the Shiv Sena. Mufti Ismail had almost chosen the second option, but the Congress Central leadership, realising that Mufti-Sena alliance will sabotage its politics, thwarted his plan, and forced the local leadership led by Asif Shaikhs father Shaikh Rasheed to help Teesra Mahaz elect its Mayor. Later events revealed Mufti Ismail had planned a Political Masterstroke, but instead committed a Political Blunder.

A Political Masterstroke in the present situation is more important, and in the interest of Malegaon than 2008. Asif Shaikh is on the crux of creating history. Good or bad, he has to choose.

[The writer, Aleem Faizee, is Founder Editor of ummid.com. Aleem Faizee has also worked as a Researcher at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and with Action Aid for its research work published as BROKEN PROMISES -A study on the socio-economic status of Indian Muslims: Seven years post Sachar. His research work Mollywood: The Rise and Fall of a Subaltern Cinema is part of the book Creative Industries in India published by Routledge India of Taylor and Francis Group, London. A prolific writer, Aleem Faizee has also wrote for The Times of India as a Freelance Journalist for over 10 years.]

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Actor Stellan Skarsgard addressed the stand-off between Donald Trump and Europe over the US President's demand that Denmark handover its autonomous territory of Greenland, reported Deadline. According to the outlet, actor Stellan Skarsgard and 'Sentimental Value' director Joachim Trier, whose home countries are Denmark's closest neighbours, were asked for their thoughts on the situation during the winners' press conference at the European Film Awards 2026 in Berlin. "You want us to comment on what's happening in Greenland?" said Skarsgard, who had won the Best Actor award at the European Film Awards 2026 for his performance in the film 'Sentimental Value', as quoted by Deadline. "It's absurd, isn't it? It's a little man who got megalomania, and he's trying to take the world. He took Venezuela, suddenly, and that's for Chevron. He'll take Greenland for minerals. He's a criminal," said Skarsgard as quoted by Deadline, who also won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor last week. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasised territorial expansion and strategic dominance. Days after a US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, attention has now shifted to Greenland, with Trump once again intensifying efforts to bring the Arctic territory under American control. The renewed push has reignited anxiety across Europe and drawn sharp criticism from several US allies. For decades, Washington has viewed Greenland as strategically important, and the Trump administration has once more placed the island at the centre of its Arctic agenda by reviving discussions around altering the status of the Danish territory. Trump first publicly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland during his first term in 2019, likening a potential deal to a "large real estate purchase." Leaders in Nuuk and Copenhagen, however, rejected the proposal, stressing that Greenland was not for sale or transfer. After returning to the office following his victory in the 2024 US Presidential Election, Trump revived his offer from his first term to purchase Greenland, which was again turned down. The White House said it was considering "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating during a briefing that the use of military force was not off the table. Leavitt said President Trump had made it clear that "acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States" and was vital to deterring adversaries in the Arctic region. "President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief's disposal," Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. (ANI)
Following the announcement by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) that Irish beef market access to China has reopened, Bord Bia will commence a relaunch campaign to coincide with Chinese New Year, marking the return of Irish beef to the Chinese market after exports were suspended in October 2024.

Bord Bia CEO Jim OToole has welcomed the announcement, which was confirmed by Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

This is positive news for the Irish beef sector, offering exporters the opportunity to broaden their market options and capture returns across a range of specialist beef cuts.

"In the longer term, Bord Bia, working closely with Irish exporters, is committed to building stable, sustainable growth for Irish beef in the Chinese market.

Sinead Kennedy, Bord Bia China Manager, added: Bord Bia has continuously engaged with Chinese importers, many of whom remain committed to working with Irish suppliers to develop opportunities in both foodservice and retail.

"With the resumption of exports, we can now dial up our activities in China. This includes promotional activities under Bord Bia's 3.45 million EU-funded campaign to promote beef and lamb, which has already been launched in Japan and Singapore.

Bord Bia's office in Shanghai will officially relaunch Irish beef to the market in February for Chinese New Year (February 17 - March 3) with key customers, Irish beef companies and Chinese trade media.

Following this, the EU co-funded beef and lamb campaign will commence in Beijing in March.

In the months following, there will be industry engagements for the B2B community with chef demonstrations on how to cook Irish beef, plus the presence of Irish beef at China's largest food and drink trade fair, SIAL, in May.

Vietnamese Market

Meanwhile, Minister Heydon, along with Minister of State Noel Grealish, also welcomed the opening of the Vietnamese market for Irish beef exports. Minister Grealish is the Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion and New Market.

Announcing the news, Minister Heydon said: Vietnam was designated as a priority market for access for Irish beef and my Department has been very active in pursuit of this objective. Ongoing engagement at political, diplomatic and official levels have helped to advance the case for Irish beef. I visited Vietnam in September 2022 and met with the Agriculture Minister, while I hosted the Vice Minister the following year.

"I used these opportunities to advance the case for Irish beef to achieve access to this important market.

The Minister added: Vietnam is the worlds 14th most populous country and its economy has experienced rapid growth and development in recent years. Rising disposable income, urbanisation and a shift toward eating out are leading to increased demand for beef.

"Industry selected Vietnam as one of its priorities for beef access. It is a market with a population of over 100 million people and a growing middle class, presenting significant opportunities for Irish Agri-food exporters.

"For beef, the door has now been opened and there is a real opportunity for the industry to build on.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Grealish commented: This decision represents an endorsement by the Vietnamese Administration of Irelands high food safety standards. I was delighted to visit Vietnam for St Patricks Day where I met with the Vice Minister of Agriculture who advised me of the positive outcome of last years audit visit to Ireland.

"Since then, officials in both countries have worked together to agree the conditions under which trade can take place, culminating in this very positive outcome.

Food Vision 2030 strategy

This ongoing work is one of the key pillars of the Food Vision 2030 strategy and makes a strong contribution to the Governments Action Plan on Market Diversification," said Minister Grealish. "The expansion of markets for Irish beef is crucial for the further development of our beef sector. Vietnam brings the number of markets for Irish beef to over 70 and we are actively working on others.

"Every new international market increases the economic sustainability of our beef sector and positively impacts on family farms and employment in rural Ireland adding value sustainably into the future.

Minister Grealish added: This announcement is the culmination of a lengthy process and complements the existing access Ireland has for pigmeat. I hope the delivery of quality Irish beef opens the door for industry as we seek to build and enhance access to this very important market.

Also commenting, Bord Bia CEO Jim OToole, said: I am delighted that Irish beef has secured market access to Vietnam, which has been a priority market for access. This is an important step that underlines the importance of continuing to open markets and develop new opportunities for Irish food and drink exports.

"Vietnam represents a large and promising market, and our understanding of its potential will be further strengthened by a new Bord Bia market insight report, due for publication in the first quarter of the year.

Concluding, Minister Heydon noted the collaborative effort of all involved, including the Irish Embassy in Hanoi, Department officials, who together led this effort, along with Bord Bia, the European Commission, as well as the food industry and farmers.

It has taken a huge effort by team Ireland, over several years, to get beef market access to Vietnam across the line, and Minister Grealish and I thank everyone who has contributed to those efforts. It is great to see our hard work now bearing fruit, Minister Heydon said.
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has issued a final call for entries to the 2026 RDS Forest and Woodland Awards, with the deadline extended to Friday, January 30, 2026, encouraging Waterford farmers and community woodland groups to apply.

Waterfords success was recognised nationally in 2025 when Crough Wood, managed by the Comeragh Community Development Group, won the Community Woodland Award for its measurable environmental and social impact.

With a prize fund of 8,000 and the prestigious RDS Silver Medal for category winners, the awards recognise climate-smart forestry practices that balance economic management with biodiversity and environmental protection.

Category winners will each receive 2,000 and an RDS Silver Medal, while runners-up will receive 1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.

The Awards are divided into four main categories:

 Teagasc Farm Forestry Award  For working farmers integrating forestry into their overall farm enterprise, demonstrating active forest management that strengthens sustainability and economic benefits.

 Silvicultural Excellence and Innovation Award  For landowners demonstrating exceptional technical management in timber production (broadleaf, conifer, mixed, or coppice), setting the standard for commercial forestry in Ireland.

 Community Woodland Award  For communal ownership or management projects that establish and manage forests to deliver significant, measurable, and sustainable benefits to the local economy and environment.

 Native Woodland Conservation Award  For those achieving excellence in the conservation and sustainable management of native and long-established semi-natural woodlands, enhancing biodiversity and local economic opportunity.

Sarah Keating, Sustainability and Innovation Programme Manager at the RDS, said: "The RDS Forest and Woodland Awards shine a light on Irelands farmers and landowners who are shaping the future of our rural economy and environment through climate-smart practices.

"The categories are simple so that everyone can see themselves reflected.

"Whether you are integrating trees into your farm, producing high-quality timber, managing a woodland for your community, or conserving native woodlands, we encourage you to enter before January 30 and let us showcase your contribution."

Entry forms and further information are available at RDS Forest & Woodland Awards.

Completed entries can be emailed to forestry@rds.ie.

Winners will be announced in April 2026 at a ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall, forming part of the annual RDS Finding Common Ground Festival.

The event offers applicants the chance to network with peers, experts, and policymakers and attend talks on sustainable land use, the bioeconomy, and timber use in construction.
A Waterford man has pleaded guilty to possessing a machete in a public place.

Michael Tierney, of 94 Morrisons Road, Waterford City, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a knife in a public place.

At Waterford Circuit Court, Tierney (45) pleaded guilty to having a machete on Manor Street, Waterford City, on November 11, 2023.

Defence barrister Brian P. OShea BL asked for the preparation of a probation report and stated: This is a matter of some complexity.

The court heard that there was "no identifiable victim".

Tierney will be sentenced on April 15.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A woman has pleaded guilty to committing money-laundering on a date between February 3- 5, 2024.

Nicola Brown, of St Johns Park, Waterford, made her plea at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene OKelly.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of money-laundering contrary to Section 7.1.a and 7.1.b. She laundered 5,600 through a Revolut account.

Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL requested that a probation report be prepared pending her sentencing, noting that his client has "significant substance abuse problems".

Judge OKelly accepted the application and requested that a victim impact statement be obtained. The matter will be sentenced on April 14.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
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Whats good, whats bad, and whats in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles. See all stories .

From a noir reimagining of Little Women to a deep dive into the physics of the human body, our critics review new releases in fiction and non-fiction. Fiction Beth is Dead

Katie Bernet, Penguin, $24.99 Genre adaptations of literary classics written by women can become publishing sensations. In 2009, Jane Austen got reworked into comic survival horror with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. More recently, Tirzah Prices Austen-themed YA murder mystery series, Pride and Premeditation (2021-), saw Elizabeth Bennet turn detective. In a similar vein to Price, Katie Bernets Beth is Dead reinvents Louisa May Alcotts Little Women as contemporary crime fiction. Concord, Massachusetts: present day. Gentle, musical young Beth March appears to have been murdered (in the original novel, she dies of the lingering effects of scarlet fever), and her sisters Meg, Jo, and Amy are compelled to find the killer. Bernets lively, twist-filled mystery preserves the personalities of the characters in Alcotts coming-of-age classic, while transposing them to 21st century circumstances. Narrated by the sisters from first-person perspectives, Beth is Dead is rather brilliantly constructed. A clever metafictional homage for Little Women fans, this is YA crime that should be just as entertaining to readers unfamiliar with its literary source. Cape Fever

Nadia Davids, Scribner, $29.99

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Gothic novels and the long shadow of colonialism are eerily natural bedfellows. Nadia Davids Cape Fever creates psychological tension through unequal power dynamics in 1920s South Africa. Mrs Hattingh is a white, once-wealthy widow living in a decaying mansion who hires Soraya Matas, a woman from the citys Muslim Quarter, as a maid. Familiar gothic tropes creep into the narrative. Mrs Hattingh pines for her son, injured in the Great War, to return from London, but his arrival is constantly deferred. Meanwhile, she presumes her new maid illiterate and offers to transcribe letters to Sorayas fiance for her, in an act of kindness that soon turns manipulative. The dark history of the mansion makes itself felt as Soraya, who can sense ghostly presence and is attuned to the spirit world, falls into an increasingly close and disturbing orbit with her employer. Davids invests this haunted house story with such a sustained sense of psychological suspense and menace you could argue that the supernatural aspects are superfluous. Its a compelling and claustrophobic tale, a literary gothic woven from warped threads of colonialism, racism, and their grim legacies The Bourne Revenge

Brian Freeman, Head of Zeus, $32.99 Robert Ludlum passed away in 2001, but his fictional action-hero spy Jason Bourne simply wont die. The original Bourne trilogy has since been expanded at a frenetic pace, with Ludlums estate choosing Eric van Lustbader to pen 11 more Bourne novels between 2004 and 2017, and Brian Freeman to crank out another seven since 2020. The latest in the franchise sees Bourne up against a Chinese espionage outfit called Volt Typhoon. He has stolen ultra-powerful AI software, known as the Files, from them and the mysterious agent Bai Ze intends to find (and kill) Bourne get it back. At the same time, Bourne discovers a woman he once loved has been murdered and seeks to avenge her death, even as hes sleeping with his boss Shadow, who has immense leverage over her lover and is attempting to restore his lost memories. (As series readers know, Bournes defining characteristic is that he developed amnesia, with little sense of his identity or backstory, after being shot in the head.) Non-stop action with more than a dollop of sex awaits hardcore fans, in a franchise that delivers the escapism they want almost to the point of parody. Salt Upon the Water

Lyn Dickens, Wakefield Press, $32.95 This sweeping colonial romance features Colonel William Light, the first Surveyor-General of South Australia, responsible for choosing the site for the city of Adelaide. He was born in Penang, of mixed Asian and European descent. Lyn Dickens Salt Upon the Water tinkers with history, weaving in magical realism as Light (whose recorded romantic life did not lack variety or incident) meets and is enchanted by Clarissa Fitzroy, a woman also of mixed heritage who tracks him down in Australia a decade after memorable encounters, including a hot-air balloon ride, in England. Clarissa is the novels protagonist. Yet the dilemmas faced  dispossession by the British East India Company, erasure and exoticisation, idealism running up against brutal colonial realities, and the racial prejudice of the British Empires white ruling class  are shared by both major characters. The novel won Wakefields Unpublished Manuscript Award, and it writes into South Australias colonial history with a broad imaginative canvas, a poetic touch, and a deep empathy for the discrimination its characters face.

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The Furphy Anthology 2025

Hardie Grant, $35 The annual Furphy Literary Award has been sponsored for the last six years by Joseph Furphys descendants, with a collection of the best yarns entered in the competition published each year. Furphy himself would have appreciated the offbeat, irreverent, tragicomic tale that won in 2025. In The Eulogy Business, West Australian author Serena Moss delivers an anonymous narrator moonlighting as a freelance ghostwriter, promising eulogies of strangers: No judgement. Quick turnaround. Making up tall stories about the dearly departed soon becomes addictive, as the narrator discovers that fiction smooths the grieving process for loved ones and, in some cases at least, might be the only way to truth. But when a surprise eulogy request comes in, the ghostwriters own ghosts linger over a writing challenge close to home. Brisk, funny, with a poignant twist, its a deserving winner in a volume which, with few exceptions, contains short fiction of high quality and an enviable variety of tones, styles and subject matter. Non-Fiction Nature People

Cesar Puechmarin, Affirm Press, $49.99 Anyone can be a naturalist. Its a heartening thought. The only qualifications required are that you devote yourself whole heartedly to nature, says wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Cesar Puechmarin. In this enchanting work, he introduces us to 13 ardent Australian guardians of nature. They are academics, conservationists, urban ecologists, artists and enthusiasts like Josh Bowell who has no formal scientific training and yet has become an accomplished marsupial glider expert. Indigenous animal handler Clinton Brewer draws on the ecological knowledge imbedded in traditional stories and songs. Dreaming for me is like the mesh, the system of our cultural and emotional beliefs of the landscape and how we perceive things. Puechmarin joins this diverse array of dedicated naturalists in the field to capture how they see the world. His atmospheric photographs not only zoom in on nature in action but also the naturalists themselves in their habitat to reveal the wonder and curiosity that drives them.

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The Coast

Chris Hammer, MUP, $36.99 An air of gentle melancholy hangs over Chris Hammers immersive journey from the Torres Strait to Bass Strait to observe for himself what climate change is doing to the east coast of Australia. As he travels, this mood is deepened by grief over the death of his father. And yet the beauty of much of this seaboard, its wild creatures and what is being done to protect it acts as a countervailing force, lifting his spirits and giving him hope. Thirteen years have elapsed since The Coast was first published and it is chastening to reflect on the escalation of coral bleaching, rising sea levels and destructive weather. But perhaps Hammers optimism still holds, with increased regulation of the fishing industry and the declaration of marine parks making sustainability more than a buzz word. It is also a story of what this coast means to the people who live there and how it has shaped their lives. Love, loss and hope jostle with each other in a tale that tracks the changes remaking this populous coastline. Dear New York

Brandon Stanton, Macmillan, $65 Its a testament to Brandon Stantons people skills, as well as his talent as a photographer, that the New Yorkers who feature in this profoundly moving album were prepared to drop their guards and bare their souls to a stranger. Stanton set out with the aim of capturing the soul of New York by photographing people in the streets. Until it dawned on him that this city cannot be captured. No frame is large enough. What he does capture is a cornucopia of astounding human stories and the people who animate them. A man with a haunted, scarecrow face tells of getting out of prison and finding envelopes full of money his mother had left for him from wedding dresses she had made. A woman holding a newborn talks of the joy of seeing her partner dote on their daughter, having lost her father at an early age. A ravaged-looking woman in the subway speaks of growing up amongst junkies and thinking that the cartoon character Speedy Gonzales was on coke. As a little kid, thats what I thought. Because its all I knew.

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NationalBondi shooting Opinion Albanese loves to ban things. But PM, your prohibition fixations not working Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser January 18, 2026  2:00am

January 18, 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

One slogan summed up the spirit of the 1968 youth uprisings in France: it is forbidden to forbid. It was the essence of the 60s and 70s, which birthed protest chic and a culture of transgression. The young left demanded liberation. Then they grew up. And thought better of it. The Albanese government loves to take away freedoms. Michael Howard The Albanese government loves to take freedoms away. This week, its been trying to ban what it calls hate speech  though the draft bill was defined so broadly you may as well leave off the modifier. Last month, it banned social media for under 16s. The year before, recreational vapes. But to the prime ministers great chagrin, Australians arent letting themselves be treated like children. And that includes the children. The report card on the vapes came in last year. Amber Shuhyta, who heads up the governments fight against illegal puffing, estimates that 95.7 per cent of the e-cigarette market is now illicit. Recreational vaping remains popular. Whats more, despite millions spent on anti-smoking ads, real cigarettes are cool again. But in Australia, the price of legal cigs is through the roof due to government taxes. So now, a bit over half of all smokes consumed here are illegal. The tsarina of nicotina estimates that itll go up if smoking rates increase.

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Its a case study of government failure. Unless youre an economist looking for a real-life example of how the Laffer Curve works, in which case its pretty much perfect. The theory predicts the revenue taken in from a tax will reach a peak, after which it declines because the behaviour has been discouraged. People make different choices. Applied to income and company tax, the apex of the Laffer Curve is the point at which individuals and companies either find a way to minimise their taxes or choose not to work or produce anything further. Government revenue plummets back down. Related Article Crime Mapped: The 52 suburban tobacco shops shut down in NSW retail raids Now we know what happens when its applied to recreational substances: an illegal market. Servicing that market, organised crime. With links to international terrorism. Head of product and logistics at the Not-Your-Nannas-Winnies Co, Kazem Hamad  the kingpin of Australias multibillion-dollar illicit nicotine trade, accused of controlling a network of violent thugs who firebomb businesses and gun down rivals  was arrested in Iraq just a couple of days ago. Hamad is known for his connections to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard. So now the governments addiction to increasing doses of tobacco excise has reached a point at which its costing the state money through lost revenue, coupled with a rising law enforcement and terror-monitoring bill. Meanwhile, consumers are still satisfying their cravings. The social media ban for under 16s is proceeding with similar aplomb. On Friday, the eSafety Commission boasted that platforms had removed about 4.7 million accounts held by under 16s in order to comply with the law. The government has declined to release a breakdown of the figures. Meta, however, offered up that it has removed 544,052 accounts.

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According to Metas claims, 173,000 children had Facebook accounts, which just seems off. The place is a wasteland these days, occupied mainly by over 60s. Meanwhile, most of the 13-year-olds I know identify as 25 online and remain unaffected. When challenged, they condescendingly point out that it would be stupid to hand your real details to a big tech platform. Touche, kids, touche. Maybe the social ban has delivered us an IQ test at scale. Related Article Social media The world watched as Australia kicked under-16s off social media. The results are in The clue that all was not well with the social media ban was published a few days earlier. Digital communications academic at the University of Sydney Timothy Koskie wrote a tortured defence of the policy for the ABC website, claiming the ban could be said to be working even if its found not to be actually working. The article is full of caveats and squishy language. The age restrictions rollout has been cautious rather than dramatic. It has relied on standard-setting and public communication rather than hard enforcement (that is, its up to parents to set boundaries for their kids  same as it ever was). But, and heres the rub, the hardest question to answer after one month is whether the ban is improving safety or simply moving risk elsewhere. The greatest success of the ban, according to Koskie and the government, is that its started a conversation and sparked the interest of other ban-fetishists. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is said to be interested in trying it himself. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has lavished it with praise. One thing we know it cant, and hasnt, done is stop kids from being exposed to online algorithms. Doomscrolling is still doable, even without an account.

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Which reveals the real flaw in Al-ban-eses ban-happy approach. Rather than set out with a clear objective, his government likes to reach straight for the bluntest tool in the bureaucracy. Instead of reducing the harms associated with smoking or vaping, making them more expensive and inaccessible has simply shifted consumption to illegal replacements of questionable quality and strength. Instead of making social media a less harmful place  for kids and adults alike  by demanding social media companies allow us to opt out of the algorithm or by making its workings more transparent, the government is rewarding workarounds. Parents who pay attention know this; who knows in what wildernesses unsupervised tweens are meandering? Now the prime minister is wielding his banning cudgel again, trying to ram through a hate speech law so poorly drafted that its created (oh, delicious irony!) a moment of the unity and social cohesion hes been hoping for, as all sides of politics gang up to defeat it. It is time Albaneses closest advisers took him aside and reminded him of the wisdom of the 1968 rebellion. Prime minister, the bans arent working for either you or the nation. Pull on an old band T-shirt to remind yourself that it is forbidden to forbid. Parnell Palme McGuinness is an independent insights and advocacy strategist. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Kate Whiteman did not live to see her day in court. Last month, lawyers for the 45-year-old Australian agreed to pause her civil case before the New York Supreme Court, which alleged she had been raped and kidnapped by two well-known and highly successful brothers, twins Alon and Oren Alexander. Kate Whiteman was found dead in Central West NSW last month. The 45-year-old had accused the Alexander brothers of raping her. Monique Westermann Along with his older brother Tal, Oren was behind some of the biggest home sales in American history, with clients including Kim Kardashian and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. The pair set records for real estate sales across America, entrenching them in the New York party scene and making them regulars at lavish events across the country, including at Sir Ivans, a castle in the Hamptons. The allegations Whiteman first made in March 2024 produced a cascade of other reports from more than 60 alleged victims, leading to an FBI investigation and a criminal trial set to take place in New York this month.

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Prosecutors are expected to argue that for over a decade, all three brothers had used their wealth and power to repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of female victims. Whitemans legal team agreed to let the prosecution take precedence over her own claims. Tal Alexander, right, and his younger brother Oren Alexander outside their home on Miami Beach in 2019. TNS But late last year, she was found dead at Cowra in Central West NSW. The NSW Coroner said in a statement Whitemans death was not being treated as suspicious. The news of her death, first reported by The New York Times on Friday, has become a global story.

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Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for the Alexander brothers, questioned the timing of the release of the news of her death, just over a week before the criminal trial is set to begin. The decision to release this information publicly on the eve of trial invites obvious questions, he said in a statement. We were unaware that Kate Whiteman passed away last month until we learned about it from the media today. Her attorney and the federal prosecutors were in court with us earlier this week and made no mention of it. Another alleged victim, who asked not to be identified due to the impending trial, told this masthead that Whitemans death was her worst nightmare. She said the pair last spoke after Whiteman moved home to Australia.

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I feel really heartbroken, the woman said, describing the ongoing trauma of her own alleged attack. I really relate to feeling like someone who was scared. Related Article Crime Woman who accused NY party circuit twins of sexual assault found dead in NSW Engelmayer did not respond to the alleged victims claims and accused the media of manipulative coverage on the eve of a pivotal trial. Australian authorities have confirmed and will confirm that her death, while tragic, was not suspicious, he said. Little is known of Whitemans life in Australia, before or after her time in New York. She died in Cowra, but spent time living in Queensland.

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On Friday, a middle-aged man who identified as her brother answered the door of a Sunshine Coast flat. Oren Alexander, co-founder of Official Partners, left, and Alon Alexander brother of Tal and Oren Alexander, during a bond hearing in Miami. Bloomberg Leaving the security chain latched and speaking cautiously through the opening, he said his family was attempting to get her laptop released for their own investigation. Well have to recover some data first, the man said, declining to comment further. In the complaint filed in the New York Supreme Court in March 2024, lawyers for Whiteman claimed she first met the twins in 2008 and rejected their persistent advances.

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In 2012, during a weekend at the Hamptons, the twins allegedly pulled Whiteman into a car, took her to a party at a remote property and led her to a bedroom. She was then sexually assaulted, abused, raped, pinned, groped, harassed, battered, and fondled by defendants Alon and Oren, her lawyers claimed. For months afterwards, she stayed in bed and very rarely left her home due to extreme depression, anxiety, and fear for her own safety. Oren Alexander, Tal Alexander and Alon Alexander in 2014. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The Alexander brothers have rejected the account as shockingly false and designed to concoct a specific narrative. This narrative was then fed to the media and ultimately provided a roadmap for an onslaught of copycat accusations to follow, lawyers for the pair argued in a motion to dismiss Whitemans complaint. The motion argued Whiteman did not go to a hospital or police station, confide in a friend or family member or confront the twins privately. It accused her of deleting Facebook messages relevant to the case.

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The Alexander brothers also relied on a series of friendly, and at times, sexually explicit messages, which they said Whiteman sent in the months after she was allegedly raped and kidnapped. One message contained an invitation to a party at the same property at which Whiteman said the attack took place. The twins legal team described the messages as completely and inexplicably inconsistent with Whitemans account of horrific abuse. Sir Ivans Castle in Long Island. Getty Images In turn, Whitemans lawyers accused the Alexanders of cherry-picking and showing no understanding of sexual assault trauma, which often involved victims carrying on relationships with their abusers.

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They also pointed to another alleged victim who said Alon Alexander had raped her, then forced her to unlock her phone to send himself an Instagram message from her device saying hey babe. The judge in Whitemans case ultimately rejected the Alexanders bid to throw the case out, ruling that the Facebook messages had not been shown to be unambiguous, authentic and undeniable. The Alexander brothers set a record $357 million sale for a penthouse apartment in the 220 Central Park South building. On December 1, the parties agreed to postpone their civil proceedings until after the Alexanders criminal trial, at which Whiteman was not scheduled to testify. The three brothers, who have denied all the allegations, have been held for more than a year in the same Brooklyn prison as accused United Healthcare CEO murderer Luigi Mangione, and more recently, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

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The prison is a far cry from Sir Ivans castle in the Hamptons, the faux-medieval fortress in Long Island frequented by the brothers. Whiteman was one of the first two women to take the brothers to court under New Yorks Adult Survivors Act in 2024, which triggered a rush of claims against the trio, including from women who say they were drugged with cocaine, mushrooms and GHB. The alleged abuse took place as Tal and Oren built their reputations with massive real estate deals, including Hilfigers Plaza Hotel penthouse and a Miami apartment for Kardashian and her then-husband Kanye West. The Alexander brothers sold Tommy Hilfigers apartment for $88 million in 2016. In 2019, they set a new sales record for a $357 million New York apartment at the 220 Central Park South building.

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Whitemans claims were initially reported by The Real Deal, a real estate publication, which is now facing a $700 million defamation suit from the Alexander brothers. The Department of Justice trial, which will hear claims from several alleged victims, is set to begin on January 26. Miami Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer is seen via video presiding over the first court appearance of Alon Alexander. AP Kate knew exactly what she was risking when she filed this case, her lawyers said in court documents in July. She knew that the Alexanders would try to discredit, smear, and intimidate her. She filed it anyway. And that act of courage opened the door for countless women who recount eerily similar stories of abuse. 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.
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NationalWATobacco WA Police veteran appointed as states tobacco tsar as work begins on new laws Cameron Myles January 18, 2026  1:10pm 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 senior WA Police officer who played a leading role in the forces pandemic response has been appointed as the states illicit tobacco tsar as violent attacks on shops linked to the illegal cigarette and vape trade escalate. WA Premier Roger Cook announced on Sunday that Superintendent Steve Post would join the Department of Healths Tobacco Compliance Unit, while also revealing changes to the states Tobacco Products Control Act were being drafted. WA Police Superintendent Steve Post has been appointed as the states tobacco tsar. 9News Perth Post has more than four decades of policing experience and helped lead WA Polices pandemic response effort Operation Tide. Top of his priority list is to increase the departments compliance enforcement at illicit tobacco shops, and to prepare WA Health for the looming bolstered tobacco laws.

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This is about keeping our community safe, and most importantly, its about keeping our kids safe because they are being exposed to, and have access to, harmful and addictive products in our communities, Post said. Related Article Opinion

Tobacco Why are law-abiding WA citizens turning a blind eye to organised crime? Rebecca Peppiatt Journalist I have a message for those that are involved in this illicit activity: get out while you can, because we will be strengthening our enforcement, we will be strengthening the compliance, and we will use the new laws to great effect. Cook said WA did not want to see tobacco thugs terrorising the community. The move comes on the back of another week of tobacco violence, with a shop in Huntingdale destroyed by fire and a Ballajura convenience store targeted for the fourth time in 12 months.

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Locals are fed up, with the owner of a pub neighbouring the Ballajura store demanding to know when the government was going to take action. Youve got kids going in there buying vapes. It needs to go. Its not good. Its not good for the Ballajura community or its local residents, or the businesses that operate out of here, Harshal Patel told media on Thursday. Cook did not put a timeframe on the beefed-up laws passage through parliament on Sunday  theyre complex laws, and we need to get them right  but revealed more staff would also be appointed to WA Healths tobacco enforcement unit, more than doubling its inspector capacity. Police Minister Reece Whitby said Post was a veteran WA Police officer, who had spent 25 years in the organised and crime gangs operations. He is the ideal person to be our tobacco tsar here in Western Australia, Whitby said.

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On Monday, WAtoday revealed almost a dozen shops targeted by firebombs and shootings over the past year were back open and blatantly selling illegal cigarettes and vapes. Taskforce Maverick, the WA Police operation set up to combat illegal tobacco crime groups in the face of the escalating violence, has so far charged 12 people with 59 offences since it was established in November last year. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir on Sunday condemned the roadblock situation in Beldanga, West Bengal, amid the ongoing protests after the alleged lynching of a migrant worker from West Bengal in Jharkhand. "This shouldn't have happened. The centre should take action on the matter. The common man should have trust in the administration... Yesterday, some people again blocked the roads for 4-5 hours. I also met them and tried to understand them. But they did not listen to me... I tried to warn them that doing all this won't help you in any way, but they didn't listen..." Kabir said. His remarks came amid continued unrest in the Beldanga area of Murshidabad district, where protests broke out over the alleged murder of Alauddin Sheikh, a Bengali migrant worker, in Jharkhand. On Friday, Sheikh's family members and residents blocked National Highway 12. They disrupted rail traffic by setting tyres ablaze on tracks under the Sealdah railway division at Beldanga as part of the protest. Violence continued on Saturday, with protesters from the Beldanga Block Road blocking roads and demanding justice for the deceased labourer. Security forces were deployed in the area to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation. Earlier, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP's "double-engine government" of fostering violence against migrant workers in states ruled by the party. Meanwhile, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said he had spoken to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren soon after learning about Alauddin Sheikh's death and was assured that necessary action would be taken. He also announced Rs 2 lakh in financial assistance for the victim's family and said Sheikh's wife had been provided a government job. (ANI)
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Updated WorldEuropeTragedy How gap in track could have caused horror Spanish train crash Updated January 20, 2026  5:18am ,first published January 19, 2026  6:14am 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

Madrid: Spanish officials said at least 40 people have been confirmed dead in a high-speed rail collision in the countrys south when the tail end of a train jumped the track, causing another train speeding past in the opposite direction to derail. Juanma Moreno, the president of Andalusia, the southern Spanish region where the accident happened, confirmed the new death toll in a press conference on Monday afternoon (Spain time). Efforts to recover the bodies from the two wrecked train cars continued, he said. The impact tossed the second trains lead carriages off the track, sending them plummeting down a four-metre slope. Some bodies were found hundreds of metres from the crash site, Moreno said. He described the wreckage as a mass of twisted metal with bodies likely still to be found inside.

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Experts said a faulty rail joint might be key to determining the cause of the crash, Reuters reported, citing a source briefed on initial investigations Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the crash. Today is a day of pain for all of Spain, he said on a visit to Adamuz, where many locals helped emergency services handle the influx of distraught and hurt passengers. Emergency crews at the site of the train collision near in Adamuz, in southern Spain, on Monday. AP Broken windows of a crashed train. AP People reported climbing out of smashed windows, with some using emergency hammers to break the glass.

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Andalusias regional emergency services said 41 people remained hospitalised, 12 of whom were in intensive care units. Another 81 passengers were discharged by late Monday. Officials believe it could take weeks to work out how the collision between two trains happened on a straight stretch of track between Malaga and Madrid that was renovated in May. Spain has the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, with trains that travel at more than 250km/h. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente called it a truly strange incident that could take a month to unpick. He said the back carriages of a Madrid-bound train, with about 300 people on board, had derailed about 7.45pm on Sunday (Spain time) and crashed into an oncoming train heading for Huevla, with 200 people on board. The Madrid-bound train was four years old and operated by private company Iryo, while the other train was run by public company Renfe.

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The first two carriages of the Renfe train were knocked off the track by the collision and down the slope. Puente said the worst damage was to the front section of that train. Renfe president Alvaro Fernandez told Spanish public radio RNE that both trains were well under the speed limit of 250km/h. One was going 205km/h, the other 210km/h. He also said that human error could be ruled out. Rail operator Renfe ruled out human error as a cause of the crash. AP Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning for the victims. AP Experts studying the crash site found a broken joint on the rails, which created a gap between the rail sections that widened as trains continued to travel on the track, according to a Reuters.

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That faulty joint could prove important in identifying the cause of the accident, the source said. Adamuz Mayor Rafael Moreno told El Pais newspaper that he had been among the first to arrive at the scene alongside police, and saw what he believed to be a badly lacerated body several metres from the accident site. The scene is horrific, he said. Loading Cordoba fire chief Francisco Carmona told Spanish national radio that one of the trains was badly mangled. Social media footage showed a section of one train lying tilted at an angle, with emergency workers attempting to rescue passengers through broken windows. In comments to Spanish national TV, Carmona said rescuers were focusing on finding survivors and evacuating people from narrow areas of the wreckage. We have to remove the bodies to reach anyone who is still alive. It is proving to be a complicated task.

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Puente said that all survivors had been removed from the train by midnight. Regional Civil Protection chief Maria Belen Moya Rojas told television network Canal Sur the accident happened in an area that was difficult to reach, and local people took blankets and water to the scene to help the victims. Spains military emergency relief units joined other rescue units at the scene, and the Red Cross provided support to healthcare officials. View post on X A woman named Carmen posted on X that she had been on board the Iryo train to Madrid. Ten minutes after departing [from Cordoba], the train started to shake a lot, and it derailed from coach 6 behind us. The lights went out. Social media footage posted by another Iryo passenger showed a staff member in a fluorescent jacket instructing passengers to remain in their seats in the darkened carriages, and those with first aid training to keep watch over fellow passengers. He also urged people to maintain their mobile phone batteries to be able to use their torches when they disembarked.

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Iryo issued a statement saying it deeply lamented what has happened and that it was working with authorities to manage the situation. Renfe did not respond to a request for comment. Australian officials were making enquiries with local authorities to determine whether any Australians have been impacted. Passengers wait for updates in Madrid as services were suspended after the collision. AP Iryo is majority-owned by Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato. The train involved was a Freccia 1000 train, a spokesperson for Ferrovie dello Stato said. Tonight is one of deep sadness for our country, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X. I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims.

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Spains King Felipe VI said he and Queen Letizia were following the situation with great concern. Related Article Updated

Thailand Dozens killed after crane falls on Thai passenger train We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead, as well as our love and wishes for a swift recovery to the injured, the royal palace said on social media. Salvador Jimenez, a journalist for broadcaster RTVE who was on board the Iryo train, shared images showing the nose of the rear carriage of the train lying on its side, with evacuated passengers sitting on the side of the carriage facing upwards. Reuters, 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.

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Analysis WorldEuropeGreenland The four reasons Trumps tariff threats wont hand Greenland to him David Crowe January 18, 2026  4:55am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: There is a glimmer of blue sky in the snowstorm Donald Trump is unleashing over Europe in the hope it will give him control of Greenland. The US president is using his standard form of coercion by threatening to impose tariffs with an imminent deadline to get his way. Donald Trump has made it clear he wants Greenland to become part of the US. Marija Ercegovac The good news is that he is not pushing the newer, and shinier, button on the Oval Office desk: sending in troops like he did in Venezuela. Trump may escalate the pressure, of course, because he makes a point of being unpredictable. He is capricious by temperament, but also for a purpose. As his latest threat shows, he thinks he wins when he takes people by surprise.

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At this stage, however, the tough talk about Greenland uses the slow pressure of tariff threats and social media posts, not the fast and reckless option of a military deployment. Related Article Trump's White House Trump 2.0 is all about power. His biggest move may be just days away This pressure is unlikely to work. Trump resorts to his usual bombast to convey the false impression of an immediate crisis. World peace is at stake, he declared. It is important to point out the obvious: there is no such crisis. Nothing is at risk if the US works with Greenland without annexation. There is more, of course. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security and Survival of our Planet, he said. Get real. The actual danger comes if he wrecks the NATO alliance with his territorial ambitions.

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Greenlanders know this. Many follow the news in Danish, English and their Inuit language. They are remote, but connected. Thank the internet for that. They can see through Trumps fake claims, just as others can. It doesnt make sense saying that he needs Greenland, Kristian Bernhardtsen, a crane operator, told me in Nuuk last week. People protest against Trumps policy towards Greenland in front of US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, at the weekend. AP He can have bases. We have a base up north, and if he wants to expand it or make other military installations, hes allowed to. Theres nothing stopping him. Everyone can see this truth except Trump and his courtiers.

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The US could expand its existing base at Pituffik, formerly known as Thule, in the far north of the island, and build others if it needs. The central fact is that bases in the far north are essential for American missile defence, but it does not follow that buying or annexing Greenland is just as necessary. Trumps approach is wild and damaging. He is punishing allies for a disagreement over their mutual security under the NATO pact. We all know who will be chuckling from the sidelines: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Once again, Trump proves that he brings more conflict and less prosperity to the world. The commonsense solution would be for Trump to negotiate greater US control over the territory needed for US bases in Greenland, and greater investment in those bases  strengthening the NATO alliance rather than clashing over sovereignty. Loading There are four main reasons the tariff threat is unlikely to give Trump the Greenland purchase he so clearly seeks in the hope of matching earlier American deals on Louisiana and Alaska.

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Firstly, the threats lose their menace when they are repeated so often. Trump has tried to wield tariffs against Russia to end the war in Ukraine and against China to get an economic deal. He has threatened them against Europe over its regulation of digital services. He announced tariffs on Britain and the European Union last year, then struck deals. Now he pulls the same lever  and makes a mockery of those trade settlements last year. The first response from the European leaders, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, was to hold firm. Logic surely tells them that giving in to a tariff threat only encourages Trump to use it again in a later dispute. Related Article Mining Trump has big hopes for Greenland  Australia just gave him a reality check The second factor is that the tariffs hurt American consumers, not just European producers. When last years threat was analysed by economists at Bruegel, a think tank in Brussels, the data suggested US output would shrink by 0.7 per cent while the EU would lose 0.3 per cent. The cost of a trade war is significant, but it is incurred by both sides. Trump and his MAGA movement will have more success at the mid-term elections in November if they can campaign on higher growth and lower prices, not the ownership of the icy north.

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Thirdly, Greenland is incredibly difficult to own, whatever the purchase price. It is enmeshed in the Danish realm after two centuries of colonisation. Its people oppose American ownership by an overwhelming majority of 85 per cent. Denmark funds its essential services. The annual block grant from Copenhagen is 3.9 billion Danish krone, or about $900 million. How does Trump control his fractious MAGA supporters when they discover the annual bill to maintain Greenland rather than helping voters at home? The fourth factor is nakedly political. Trump wants his forces to win an election on November 3, but his Danish nemesis has a deadline as well. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a social democrat who has sparred with Trump for years, has to go to an election no later than October 31  Halloween. Rather than cave in to Trump, she will want to paint him as a monstrous threat to Denmarks future. Nobody can be sure what Trump will do next on Greenland. He is more dangerous than he was in his first term: less constrained, more confident and newly emboldened by his use of missiles, bombs and special forces.

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There is even a chance he could force a rupture in the NATO alliance, which has preserved peace for decades. The best outcome right now would be a protracted discussion about tariffs, with the usual shifting deadlines, and an agreement between allies. This would avoid turning a confected crisis into a real one. 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.
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WorldNorth AmericaTrump's America New derisive term for white women spreads after Renee Good killing Clyde McGrady January 18, 2026  1:08pm 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: In the days since a federal agent killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, Republican officials and conservative commentators have called the 37-year-old white woman very violent, a deranged lunatic woman and a domestic terrorist. Some right-wing influencers have latched onto a different word  or rather an acronym: Good, they have said, was AWFUL. Renee Good in her car, moments before she was shot dead. Alpha News/X An AWFUL (Affluent White Female Urban Liberal) is dead after running her car into an ICE agent who opened fire on her, conservative commentator Erik Erickson posted on social media. Progressive whites are turning violent. ICE agents have the right to defend themselves. From Pierce Outlaw, a cohost on an AM radio show in Orlando, Florida, to an army of internet trolls, the acronym has taken off. Outlaw called AWFULs the scourge of polite society. The term popped up on the internet Wiktionary this month as AWFL, without the U.

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Beyond labels and name-calling, the death of Good and the protests and anger in its wake have sparked a response from many on the right that is particularly targeted at white women in the streets, even though men have been just as involved. Most college-educated women, including white women, have long been sceptical of US President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again movement, and that scepticism has been growing, according to exit polls after the 2024 election. And for months now, such women are attracting the ire of the presidents supporters. Liberal white women are only the latest group to be on the receiving end of right-wing animus. In late October and November, as Tucker Carlson offered a friendly interview to Holocaust-denying white nationalist Nick Fuentes, the fear among some conservatives was that attacking Jews was inching towards the mainstream of the Republican Party. Last month, Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy entrepreneur who is a Republican candidate for governor in Ohio, was calling out a surge of bigotry directed at Indian Americans, like himself. Loading Trump administration officials say they are focused on immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, not the taunts of a few of their supporters. Im more concerned with facts on the ground than I am about acronyms, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a text message.

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But for the broader core of Trumps followers, the description of white, urban women as violent radicals obstructing mass deportations seems to reflect older anxieties around race, gender and immigration among the white, non-college educated men who make up the core of Trumps movement and perceive their place in society slipping, said political scientist Shauna Shames, who co-edited the book The Right Women: Republican Party Activists, Candidates, and Legislators. The notion of white replacement is not new. Far-right protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, were chanting Jews will not replace us in 2017. But the presidents mass deportation effort has crystallised battle lines. And gender is rising in that divide, along with race and ethnicity. People rally in New York to demand an end to immigration deployments after the fatal shooting of Renee Good. Getty Images Its all come to a head here, Shames said of Goods killing. White, educated women may indeed be a threat to Trump, at least in the electorate. Some 17 per cent of voters last year were white women with college degrees, nearly matching the 18 per cent who were non-college-educated white men.

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And in an election in which Trump cut into Democratic advantages among Black, Latino and Asian American voters, Kamala Harris expanded the Democratic lead among college-educated white women, winning 58 per cent of their vote compared with Joe Bidens 54 per cent in 2020, according to the Centre for Women and American Politics at Rutgers University. Trumps support from non-college-educated white women held steady at 63 per cent. Related Article Updated

Immigration Authoritarian tactic: Justice Department launches criminal probe into Minnesota governor The term AWFUL is not the first derisive name targeting white women. People across the political spectrum once gleefully targeted so-called Karens, a term meant to denigrate women  usually white and middle-aged  caught using their privilege to bend the world in their direction. The use of AWFUL emerged well before Good was killed. Conservative critics began attaching it to female protesters at least as far back as last northern summer. Conservatives say there is good reason to key in on such women. Erickson, in a lengthy Substack post on Thursday, called Goods death a tragedy, but one that Good and her lesbian partner had brought on themselves. Good had been harassing ICE agents much of the day, he wrote. Good had been involved in a progressive activist group called ICE Watch that encouraged not just obstruction of ICE, but also something they call de-arrest, which means helping detained illegal immigrants escape.

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It is not clear how deeply Good or her partner were involved in the organised protests that have greeted immigration agents in Minnesota. And while administration officials have said she was violent or mentally ill, that description bears no resemblance to the person relatives and neighbours said they knew. Liberal academics have been diagnosing what they see as the problem. Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right author Laura Field said social, demographic and economic changes had left men with a sense that they have lost status. Women are, for many of them, the placeholder for their stolen status, she said. Protesters outside the Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday. AP If liberal academics have their theories, Naomi Wolf, who was once a liberal writer but moved rightward after the COVID-19 pandemic, has hers. Writing on social media, Wolf said liberal men, disproportionately oestrogenised and physically passive, had left liberal women sexually frustrated and eager for a fight.

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The smiles you see on their faces now say it all: white women long for all out combat with ICE  who tend to be strong, physically confident, masculine men  because the conflict is a form of physical release for them, she wrote. On Thursday, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media site X, jumped in, amplifying a post to his 232 million followers that said: Liberal women will divorce their husband and only let him see his children once a month, then cry about how ICE hurts families. White men have been prominent in Minneapolis streets as well. But critics of the onslaught of attacks on women say male protesters are not being singled out as a cohort. Protesters shout at federal law enforcement in Minneapolis on Saturday. AP To be sure, white women who fit a traditional mould do enjoy status in American society, Field said. But that mould is not what the Trump administration and its supporters are responding to in Minneapolis.

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Trump and this administration are heavily misogynist, and thats always a big part of what he does, said former Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock, a fierce critic of the president. Comstock pointed to polling that shows that strong majorities now disapprove of the presidents handling of immigration, but public opinion is not tempering the administrations tactics or rhetoric. I think the problem is these guys all talk to themselves, and they are in their own bubble, Comstock said. A photo of Renee Good at a protest and rally in Seattle last weekend. AP When Trump was told in an interview with CBS News that Goods father was a supporter of his, the president responded: I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person. But, you know, her actions were pretty tough.

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Related Article Trump's White House Trump 2.0 is all about power. His biggest move may be just days away There are signs that the categorisation of Good as a radical may not be taking hold among the broader public. Joe Rogan, the influential podcaster who endorsed the president in 2024, said he was horrified watching video of Goods killing. Its complicated, obviously, but its also very ugly to watch someone shoot a US citizen, especially a woman, in the face, Rogan said on his podcast, which has more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube. In all of this, race is at play, for critics of the white women in the streets and for their sympathisers. The idea that you could lose your life, that you too are at risk in the way that black people have been for centuries, I do think thats different, Shames said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. 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.
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WorldNorth AmericaTrump diplomacy Blackmail: Europe lashes out at Trump over latest move to get Greenland Michael Koziol Updated January 18, 2026  9:16am ,first published January 18, 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

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced escalating tariffs on eight European nations until Greenland is sold to the US, in a major escalation of his long-running attempts to acquire the Arctic territory from Denmark. In a 434-word social media post, Trump said a 10 per cent tariff would be imposed on any goods sent to the US from Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Finland, starting February 1. A poll last year found 85 per cent of Greenlanders opposed becoming part of the United States. Getty Images The tariff would increase to 25 per cent on June 1 and would be payable until a deal was struck for the complete and total purchase of Greenland by the US. Trumps threat provides for two weeks of negotiations  one of his favourite timeframes when trying to win concessions from other countries  before the additional tariffs begin.

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The US president was aggrieved by several European nations  the eight he singled out for new tariffs  sending small numbers of troops to Greenland last week in solidarity and to begin a larger permanent military presence on the worlds largest non-continental island. The European effort involving joint military exercises is called Operation Arctic Endurance. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to dispatch further land, air and sea assets to Greenland in the coming days. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the European leaders who sent military assets to Greenland last week. AP This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet, Trump said of the moves. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Macron said he stood by his decision to join the operation and called Trumps latest tariff threat unacceptable, promising Europe would respond in a united fashion.

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No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, Macron said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Greenland was part of Denmark and its future was a matter for Greenlanders and Danes. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says hitting allies with tariffs for protecting the security of NATO is completely wrong. Bloomberg We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO, and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic, Starmer said. Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.

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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also rejected Trumps pressure. We will not let ourselves be blackmailed, he posted on X. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. The European Union has called on emergency meeting of its national ambassadors to decide on a course of action. It said it stood behind Denmark and Greenland. Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt (left) and Danish counterpart Lars Lkke Rasmussen in Washington last week. AP Trumps announcement came days after a tense meeting in Washington between US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. Trump did not attend. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen, a former prime minister, emerged from the frank but constructive discussion saying that it would be totally unacceptable for the US to disrespect Denmarks territorial integrity or the Greenlandic peoples right to self-determination.

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The parties agreed to form a working group to try to break the impasse, but the fundamental disagreement remained, Rasmussen said. Conservative Danish politician Rasmus Jarlov, chair of the parliaments Defence, Resilience and Preparedness Committee, said in response to Trumps latest threat that Denmark would never hand over Greenland. Thousands demonstrated against a US takeover of Greenland in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Getty Images Every insult, threat, tariff and lie that we receive strengthens our resolve, Jarlov said on X. We pray that our true allies will stand with us because we are going to need it. A poll last year found 85 per cent of Greenlanders opposed joining the US. The territorys population is about 56,000, but its location as a northern gateway to North America, and its rich stocks of critical minerals, make it strategically significant.

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Thousands of protesters marched in Copenhagen and Greenlands capital, Nuuk, on Saturday to reject Trumps attempts to acquire the territory. In Copenhagen, they chanted Greenland is not for sale and held up slogans such as No means No and Hands off Greenland alongside the territorys red-and-white flag as they marched to the US embassy. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen led protests in the territorys capital, Nuuk, on Saturday. AP One protester carried a sign that said: Yankee go home, while some attendees wore red, Make America Great Again-style caps that instead read: Make America Go Away. In Nuuk, crowds led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen carried flags and similar banners as they headed for the US consulate, chanting Kalaallit Nunaat  the islands name in Greenlandic.

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Ive come here today because I think its important to show that Greenland is not for sale, civil servant Naja Holm told Reuters. It is not a toy. This is our home. The US has made several attempts to buy Greenland since the 19th century. Trump talked about it in his first term, but has made it a bigger priority in his second, especially since Christmas. On Sunday (AEDT), he claimed the US had subsidised Denmark and Europe for decades by failing to charge tariffs, and it was time for Denmark to give back. US President Donald Trump says Greenland is vital for US national security. AP World Peace is at stake! he wrote. China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!

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Trump said the US was open to negotiation with Denmark and the rest of Europe. The USs need to acquire Greenland was especially important due to his plans for a Golden Dome, he said, referring to the proposed missile defence system that could also include Canada. Related Article Mining Trump has big hopes for Greenland  Australia just gave him a reality check Retiring Republican senator Thom Tillis, who was among several US lawmakers who met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen this week, said Trumps response to the European military exercises in Greenland damaged the NATO alliance. Its great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see NATO divided, he said on X. The fact that a small handful of advisers are actively pushing for coercive action to seize territory of an ally is beyond stupid.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam, during which he will launch key development initiatives on Sunday. The visit includes the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project and the flagging off of new Amrit Bharat Express trains, aimed at boosting regional connectivity in the Northeast. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2012721417851375676?s=20 In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Looking forward to being in Kaliabor, Assam today for the Bhoomi Poojan of key development works, including the 35 km elevated corridor across Kaziranga. This will go a long way in safeguarding animals, particularly in the monsoon season. During the programme, Amrit Bharat trains will be flagged off, which will improve connectivity for the people of Assam." Today, at around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will perform Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs 6,950 crore and will flag off 2 new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor, Nagaon district. The 86 km long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature a 35 km Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, a 21 km Bypass section, and a 30 km widening of the existing NH-715 highway section from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park's rich biodiversity. The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure the uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict. It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic. As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also flag off 2 New Amrit Bharat Express trains - Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express. These new train services will strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and Northern India, enabling safer, more convenient travel for people. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader CR Kesavan on Sunday criticised the Congress over MLA Phool Singh Baraiya's recent controversial remarks on the reasons behind rape, saying such statements reflect a "diseased" mindset among party leaders. Questioning the Congress leadership, Kesavan asked why the party has failed to expel leaders despite such remarks. "These remarks by the Congress leader only go on to expose their diseased mind. But the question remains, why do the Congress Party fail to expel such leaders from their party," CR Kesavan told ANI. Kesavan's remarks came in response to Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya's alleged comments on the reasons behind rape cases. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya issued a clarification, saying the statement attributed to him was not his own. In a video posted on Facebook, he said he had quoted a statement written by a former Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar, only as a reference. Baraiya added that he personally does not agree with or support the statement. "Greetings. The statement for which allegations are being made against me is not my own. That statement was written by Hari Mohan Jha, who was the Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar, and I quoted it in a particular context. I do not personally agree with this statement, nor do I support it, but I quoted it only as a reference," Phool Singh Baraiya said in a self-made video on Facebook. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticised Baraiya's remarks, saying such inappropriate statements should never be made. He stressed that daughters should not be divided along caste or community lines and described them as goddesses. "Daughters are like goddesses to me. We cannot divide daughters on the basis of caste or community. In our tradition, it is believed that daughters are the embodiment of Maa Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. So, whether it is a leader or any other person, daughters belong to every caste and community--how much will we divide society, will we divide daughters too? Such inappropriate remarks should never be made," Chouhan told reporters on Saturday. (ANI)
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Darragh Mc Donagh

Allegations of sexual abuse, physical assaults and racial discrimination were among more than 335 complaints made by residents of IPAS centres about their accommodation last year.

A roof collapsed in the bedroom of an IPAS centre in Wexford last July, while there were reports of a shortage of drinking water at a centre in Dublin during the same month, according to a record of complaints.

A resident complained about video footage being recorded in a bedroom at a centre in Monaghan last September, while several complaints were received about infestations of rats and cockroaches in Kildare and Donegal.

A woman was attacked at an IPAS facility in Limerick in September, according to one complaint, and a report of sexual abuse was made by a resident in Dublin on November 5th.

A member of the public allegedly assaulted an IPAS resident in Dublin last June, while another individual in Longford lodged a complaint about being asked for money by a fellow resident during the following month.

Last September, there was a complaint about alleged discrimination by the management of an IPAS centre in Donegal, and a report of staff being racist at a facility in Dublin during the following month.

There were multiple complaints of assaults at centres across the country, and 11 complaints specifically about IPAS centre management in Sligo. There were also several complaints about food and the removal of fridges from rooms.

During a six-month period from June to November 2025, 29 per cent of complaints were made by residents of IPAS centres in Dublin, 17 in Donegal, and nine in Galway.

Out of 113 complaints received during this period, 46 were about management and staff, 38 were about living conditions and facilities, and 30 related to other residents and safety.

The details were contained in records released by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration under the Freedom of Information Act.

The IPAS complaint procedure requires that residents seek to resolve issues with centre management in the first instance, after which issues can be formally referred to IPAS for investigation.

Where residents are not satisfied with the outcome of their complaints, they may refer the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, according to the departments website.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark cannot be violated, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin also warned that any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1st, increased to 25 per cent from June 1st, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and that they had journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

File photo dated 18/9/2025 of US President Donald Trump.

Mr Martin called for dialogue.

The territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated, he said in a post on the social media network X.

Any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world, damaging to United States, damaging to Europe.

Dialogue has to happen to prevent that from occurring.

The territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated.



Any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world, damaging to United States, damaging to Europe.



Dialogue has to happen to prevent that from occurring. pic.twitter.com/yD0Umk4EBw  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 18, 2026

He also told RTE that it is extraordinary, unacceptable.

We have a trade agreement with the United States, Europe has, he said.

That agreement was entered into in good faith by the European Union and the United States government.

That should be the framework that governs trade between our two countries, and every effort should be made to ensure that it remains the framework that underpins trade between Europe and the United States.

Any deviation from that or any trade war that essentially would flow from the collapse of such a deal would be very damaging to everybody in the world.

The situation in Greenland is very clear from our perspective, the territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated.

Earlier, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee said: Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law.

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable.

It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland of course have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.

Sinn Fein vice president, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill described the tariffs plan as deeply concerning.

The economies of Ireland and the United States are closely linked, and for many years that relationship has positively supported jobs, investment, and prosperity on both sides, she said.

However, when world leaders make dangerous decisions in the pursuit of land and resources, it is often ordinary people who pay the price.

In the time ahead, I will work with political and business leaders at home and internationally to protect our local businesses, our all-island economy, and peoples livelihoods.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday slammed the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, accusing it of being complicit in crimes against women and minors across the state. He alleged that the administration protects criminals and criticised the Chief Minister's silence on recent heinous incidents against women in Madhepura, Khagaria, and Patna. https://x.com/yadavtejashwi/status/2012762363129389143?s=20 In a post on X, Yadav wrote, "The corrupt system and machine-made double-engine NDA government has become a reliable tool for oppressors, corrupt individuals, criminals, and rapists. The insensitive Nitish government in Bihar, formed through vote-buying, is perpetrating atrocities on minor girls, female students, daughters, and women across the entire state. Because these are atrocities sustained by those in power, the government's key figures are maintaining a hypocritical silence on these spine-chilling horrific incidents while pretending to be saints. In Madhepura, the gang rape and murder of a widow woman; in Khagaria, the heinous gang rape and murder of a 4-year-old minor girl; in Patna, the rape of a NEET aspirant from Jehanabad, followed by a brutal murder and a cover-up protected by those in power, these incidents show that this government has become ruthless, cruel, and inhuman." Yadav accused the Bihar police of using force against protesters while protecting criminals involved in crimes against women and children. He condemned the state government's silence over the incidents in Patna and Khagaria, calling it a failure of law and order, and warned that public outrage will intensify if the administration does not act. "In Patna and Khagaria, when protests erupt to register opposition to these events, the incompetent police resorts to lathi charges against the demonstrators and sends them to jail. On the other hand, it treats criminals and rapists as its "guests," going all out to protect and honor them with heart and soul. Let the corrupt police explain: Why were RJD leaders and workers beaten and cases filed against them for demanding the arrest of the criminals who raped and murdered the 4-year-old girl in Patna and Khagaria? Is it a crime to share the pain and suffering of victims and fight for their rights?" the post read. "The funeral procession of Bihar's law and order has already taken place. The honorable Chief Minister's silence is criminal. Even media professionals might not recall when the Chief Minister last engaged in dialogue with the media. The atrocities and exploitation by this machinery-driven government are increasing day by day. If the power-sponsored and power-protected criminals, along with their directors sitting in the government, do not stop their oppression, the public will demonstrate exactly how the people's fight is waged," the post further read. (ANI)
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of sidelining allies and "swallowing" partners. His remarks came in the wake of the sweep of the Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP and the Shiv Sena, in the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The Mahayuti has come to power in 25 out of 29 civic bodies across Maharashtra. Tiwari alleged that BJP's tactics, character, face, and history are all about deceit and betrayal. "The BJP's tactics, character, face, and history are all about deceit and betrayal. Those who side with them, they end up swallowing them whole. That's exactly what happened in Mumbai... Now they want to swallow them (Shiv Sena) too," Pramod Tiwari told ANI. He further termed the election victory and the alliance as "fake," claiming that the BJP's "palace of sin" would eventually collapse. "This palace of sin that the BJP has built, when it crumbles, everyone will be seen standing apart from them... I declare this election victory fake... After a fake election, a fake alliance has been formed," the Congress leader said. His remarks came after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister reportedly moved his corporators to a hotel and is likely to stake a claim to the mayor's post. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the Mahayuti will form Mayors in 25 of the state's 29 civic bodies. Among all winning candidates in the BMC polls, the BJP's vote share stands at 45.22 per cent, making it the single largest party in the civic body. Its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena, secured 29 seats with 2,73,326 votes, translating into five per cent of the total vote share. On the other side, the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the MNS, won 65 seats. The UBT-led Sena polled 7,17,736 votes, accounting for 13.13 per cent of the total votes cast. The MNS added 6 seats to the alliance tally, with 74,946 votes and a 1.37 per cent vote share. The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 24 seats, polling 2,42,646 votes, which represents 4.44 per cent of the total vote share. (ANI)
Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao has said that a large number of doctors from Hyderabad have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Sai Malladi, which, according to him, expressed strong faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance and the BJP's vision. Further, he said that the doctors have pledged their full support to the BJP in the upcoming GHMC and municipal elections in Hyderabad. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, he said, "Today large number of doctors have joined Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Sai Malladi, and the doctors have expressed faith in Modi's rule and also in the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ahead of the upcoming GHMC and municipal elections in Hyderabad, doctors have expressed full support for the BJP and its candidates. " Rao stated that professionals, including doctors, lawyers, and engineers, are increasingly aligning with the BJP, describing it as a positive shift among the "intellectual community" in Telangana. He appealed to the state's intelligentsia to join the party, saying that doing so would help "save Telangana and save India." In reference to the Telangana Cabinet's decision to hold a meeting in Mulugu, Rao said, "The BJP has no objection but urged the government to focus on improving facilities for devotees visiting the Sammakka-Saralamma tribal festival." He said that the roads remain incomplete and the infrastructure is inadequate, despite the government's claims of spending large sums of money. He further urged the state to develop Mulugu as a model tribal district, especially after the Centre sanctioned a Central University there. Taking a political swipe, Rao alleged that the Congress and AIMIM are working together to retain power in Telangana. He claimed that "The people of Telangana have already seen through this alliance and will reject both parties in the next elections". He asserted that the BJP will not allow AIMIM to rule Hyderabad or Telangana and predicted that even the Hyderabad Mayor would be from the BJP in future. (ANI)
The Gist

Audrey Hepburn was an Oscar-winning British actress who graced the screen from the 1950s to the late 1980s.

Through her decades-long career, audiences revered the actress for her sartorial choiceswhich largely skewed minimal and remain classic today.

Hepburn's most iconic looks come from her most famous film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, as well as her everyday fashion. The latter includes capri pants, ballet flats, and statement coats.

There is no aesthetic that achieves more Old Hollywood aura than Audrey Hepburn's fashion. The three-time BAFTA winner was as much a fashion icon as she was a legend of the silver screen, and her most famous looks work just as well today as they did when she debuted them. Audreys aesthetic was timeless, minimalist, and modern, says expert Meghan Friedlander. From her hair to her toes, Audrey Hepburn set the stage for timeless beauty.

While Hepburn always had an innate sense of style, Friedlander cites the stars relationship with one equally famous designer as the catalyst for her legendary aesthetic. When [Hepburn] was teamed with Hubert de Givenchy in 1953 for the film Sabrina, together, they were able to create the 'Hepburn Look,' she says. They had the same appreciation for art and fashion, preferring clean lines, solid colors, and interesting details. They were perfect collaborators.

Meet Our Expert

Meghan Friedlander is the author of Audrey Hepburn in Paris from HarperCollins. She is also the curator of Rare Audrey Hepburn, a website that archives Hepburn's style and career and can be found across all social media platforms @rareaudreyhepburn.

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While classic and minimal, Hepburn's tastes were anything but one-note. As fashion advanced, so did Audreys style, explains Friedlander. She was never afraid to experiment with new trends. In the '60s, she embraced mod fashion, wore shorter hemlines, and played with bright colors." Friedlander adds that Hepburn's style undergoes a "radical transformation" in How to Steal a Million and Two for the Road. "By the '70s, semi-retired and living in Rome, she traded in her French haute couture for designs by Valentino and boutique lines.

While Hepburns style remains a cornerstone of her legacy, reflecting the style of the times back into the world like a looking glass, it would be a mistake to attribute her fashion It- Girl status to trend-chasing. Hepburns true aesthetic was her authenticity, Friedlander notes. So much of fashion is instinct and her greatest secret was her intuition.

Looking back at Audrey Hepburns most iconic looks is an exercise in anachronism. Many of her sartorial achievements feel at home in a modern, minimalist wardrobe, but a trip through her fashion archives also reveals a signature aesthetic, timestamped with a bygone era. Audrey Hepburn paved the way for the actresses people know and love todayincluding Zendaya and Emma Watson, who both named the Oscar-winning actress as a source of inspiration.

Ahead, find a dozen of Audrey Hepburns most beloved and notable looks, including how to style them for your very own Breakfast at Tiffanys fashion moment.

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01 of 12

Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress

Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in a publicity still on the set of Breakfast at Tiffany's in NYC in 1961. Audrey Hepburn in a publicity still on the set of Breakfast at Tiffany's in NYC in 1961.

The Givenchy dress Hepburn wore in the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's is likely her most well-known and oft-emulated look. Accessorized with oversized sunglasses, opera gloves, and a decadent yellow diamond and pearl Tiffany necklace, the sheath dress with its cinched waist has become one of the most iconic 'fits in cinema.

CBS via Getty Images Audrey Hepburn on the set of Breakfast at Tiffany's in NYC in 1961. Audrey Hepburn on the set of Breakfast at Tiffany's in NYC in 1961.

While there's much to love about this legendary look, die-hard fashion and Hepburn fans are especially enamored with its lesser-known details. "What makes the dress distinctive is the back," explains Friedlander. "The backline is designed in the shape of a crescent moon, which adds drama and surprise to an otherwise minimalist design, embodying Hepburns style with its marriage of a simple design and a single striking detail." Of course, the sunglasses and long, black gloves also deserve attention. In fact, it's details like these that make Hepburn's style so thoughtful and timeless.

02 of 12

Capri Pants and Ballet Flats

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in a black long-sleeve top, black capri slacks, and ballet flats. Audrey Hepburn in a black long-sleeve top, black capri slacks, and ballet flats.

Hepburn knew how to style separates, imbuing even the most basic pieces with a sense of effortless elegance. Among her essentials were black capri pants and ballet flats, two of the pieces Friedlander cites as Audrey Hepburn fashion staples. "Audrey is synonymous with the ballet flat," she says. "She had a pair in practically every color...[and they] were custom-made in Italy by Salvatore Ferragamo." Today, ballet flats still reign supreme, proving Hepburn's everlasting influence.

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03 of 12

26th Annual Academy Awards

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in a white lace Givenchy dress at the 1954 Oscars in NYC. Audrey Hepburn in a white lace Givenchy dress at the 1954 Oscars in NYC.

At the 26th Annual Academy Awards, the five-time Best Actress Nominee cinched a win for her role in Roman Holiday wearing an altered version of the floral dress she'd worn in the film's final scene. "The gown was originally designed by Edith Head, but Audrey asked Hubert de Givenchy if he could modify it for the Academy Awards," Friedlander reveals, adding that the designer "removed the sleeves and added a decollete Sabrina." The dress featured intricate floral applique and lacework throughout. An instant modern classic, Friedlander reports that the dress sold for over $130,000 at auction in 2011.

04 of 12

Gingham Capris

Archive Photos/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in red checked gingham pants and a white sleeveless turtleneck top in Italy in 1955. Audrey Hepburn in red checked gingham pants and a white sleeveless turtleneck top in Italy in 1955.

This quintessential Hepburn closet staple wouldn't appear out of place today and serves as a perfect example of how Hepburn stayed true to her personal style while taking fashion risks. While she styled the red checked gingham pants in question with a sleeveless turtleneck top in this 1955 photo with husband Mel Ferrer, they could easily be worn with her other go-to'slike a button-down shirt or stylish statement coat.

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05 of 12

Sabrina Ballgown

Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in her "Sabrina" dress for a publicity shoot in 1954. Audrey Hepburn in her "Sabrina" dress for a publicity shoot in 1954.

One of Hepburn's most decadent gowns, and a personal favorite of Friedlander's, is a black and white Givenchy ballgown, dubbed the Inez de Castro gown, the actor wore in Sabrina. "That dress fit her like a dream," Friedlander, "and I love how the skirt is detachable, another unique feature by the Gentleman Couturier."

06 of 12

Sabrina LBD

From left: Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images, Bettmann An original sketch of Audrey Hepburn's "Sabrina" LBD and the final look from the film. An original sketch of Audrey Hepburn's "Sabrina" LBD and the final look from the film.

If ever an LBD changed the fashion world as we know it, it was the one Hepburn wore in the opening scene of Sabrina. "Audrey wasnt fond of the original design and requested that Givenchy change the neckline to hide her collarbones," explains Friedlander. "Givenchy obliged and that small request changed the course of fashion history. The neckline, which was once called the decollete bateau, is now forever known as the decollete Sabrina." Fashion experts everywhere know how impactful this dress was, perhaps even more so than her look in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

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07 of 12

Crisp, White Button-Down

Leo Fuchs/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn in a white button-down shirt and white pants in Congo in 1958. Audrey Hepburn in a white button-down shirt and white pants in Congo in 1958.

Another Hepburn wardrobe staple: a white button-down shirt. "Off-screen, Audrey was often described as running around the studio lot in a pair of capri pants and a white button-down shirt," says Friedlander. "Whether she was in Hollywood filming Sabrina or in Paris filming Charade, it was her unofficial uniform." This is where you see Hepburn championing the capsule wardrobe, which uses a few tried-and-true staples that you can easily mix and match.

08 of 12

White Dancing Dress

Bettmann/Getty Images Aubrey Hepburn wearing a white dress belted at the waist and white ballet flats in August 1955. Aubrey Hepburn wearing a white dress belted at the waist and white ballet flats in August 1955.

Another moment for ballet flats? Taking an actual dancing class, as Audrey Hepburn did in August 1955. For her film War and Peace, the actress had to leave gavottewhich is a French folk dance. Naturally, she selected this little white number to fully give her turns the drama they deserved. A true fashion aficionado, Hepburn cinched her dress at the waist with a teeny-tiny belt that adds just the right amount of contrast.

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09 of 12

Statement Coat

Getty Images

"Never underestimate the importance of a signature coat," says Friedlander. "Givenchy was the master of coats. [Case in point:] Holly Golightlys double-breasted, orange coat with the funnel neckline and tie at the waist." It's so chic and effortlessthere really aren't any bells or whistles on itbut, thanks to its buttons, collar, and color, it still makes a big statement.

InStyle Tip

When styling a statement coat Audrey Hepburn style, Friedlander recommends keeping the silhouette simple, suggesting "you can wear it casually with a T-shirt and jeans or over a sheath dress with a pair of oversized sunglasses."

10 of 12

Roman Holiday Style

Paramount/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn holds hands with Gregory Peck in a scene from the film Roman Holiday in 1953. Audrey Hepburn holds hands with Gregory Peck in a scene from the film Roman Holiday in 1953.

While not as flashy as her iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's wardrobe, Hepburn's outfits in the 1953 film Roman Holiday do a great job at romanticizing a getaway. The belted skirt and collared blouse look above is iconic thanks to its clean lines and waist-cinching silhouette, but each 'fit Hepburn wore as Princess Ann delivered the same level of polished and effortless sophistication. The vibe was so immaculate that the looks were deemed too good to be relegated to the silver screen. "After production wrapped," Friedlander shares, "Paramount Studios gifted Audrey her entire Roman Holiday wardrobe as a wedding gift." Although she never wed her then-fiance, James Hanson, she probably still got plenty of wear out of the gifted ensembles.

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11 of 12

Floral Dress

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn wearing a sun hat and structured floral dress in 1955. Audrey Hepburn wearing a sun hat and structured floral dress in 1955.

A sun hat, a floral day dress, and light tan kitten heels were Audrey Hepburn's best friend on this day in 1955. There is so much about this outfit that catches the eye, including the delicately placed flowers on the actress's ear. She even moves her face slightly to the side to show off the detail. Moving downward, you can't help but love the light yellow gloves. They're stylish and practical, considering it kept her hands protected from the sun.

12 of 12

Wedding Set

Bettmann/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn on her wedding day wearing a light pink dress and white ballet flats. Audrey Hepburn on her wedding day wearing a light pink dress and white ballet flats.

The mother of two chose the unconventional route during her wedding to Andrea Dotti. She didn't wear white, nor did she wear a gown or heels. Instead, she paved her own way in a light pink dress with a stunning collar and matching headscarf. To keep her gams covered and warm, she opted for white pantyhose. Not a lot of people are familiar with this look, butthanks to sheer rebellion, pun intendedit's definitely one of Audrey Hepburn's most iconic fashion moments.

Read the original article on InStyle
Elizabeth Hurley is looking youthful as ever as she kicks off 2026 with a bang.

The English model and actress shared a carousel of new Instagram photos on Saturday, Jan. 17, where she once again proved that age really is just a number.

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In the new pics, Hurley, 60, was seen sporting a cheetah-print bikini while lounging out on the beach during a recent island getaway. The array of photos also included shots of the Austin Powers alum taking a bubble bath, leaving little to the imagination as she posed without any clothes on for one particularly racy shot.

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Plus, the Instagram post also featured more shots of Hurley's island wardrobe throughout her luxurious vacation to Maldives.

In one of the pics, Hurley was accompanied by her 23-year-old son, Damian. Her boyfriend, Billy Ray Cyrus, didn't appear to be in any of the photos, but he did support Hurley by "liking" the post.

"Oh my I adore the #Maldives and was thrilled to be one of the first guests on the brand new, private island @_.herebaaatoll " Hurley captioned her post on Saturday. "We landed by sea plane straight to our villas own jetty - thank you @transmaldivian - and were spoilt rotten by the brilliant staff "

"What a perfect way to kick off 2026 " she wrote.

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Hurley's fans were not only filled with vacation envy over the dreamy snaps, but tons of her followers were stunned by Hurley's continued ability to defy age in each one of the photos.

"Gorgeous as EVER!" one of her fans gushed in the comments, while another said Hurley seems to be "frozen" in time.

"Youre not aging " someone else added.

Another awestruck fan wondered, "How the hell is she 60," while more commenters called Hurley "beautiful as always" and "eternally in her prime."

Related: '90s Supermodel Is Declared 'Forever Gorgeous' in Dreamy New Photos at 50: 'You Don't Age'

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Gene Hackmans sprawling Santa Fe estate, where he, his wife and a pet dog were found dead nearly a year ago, has been listed for $6.25 million.

The 95-year-old French Connection star and his wife of 34 years, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, had lived at the 13,000-square-foot, gated property for decades before their bodies were discovered there by a maintenance worker in February 2025.

In police video footage of the couples home, taken during an initial walk-through, it appeared to be in complete disarray, strewn with loose items and food. Authorities also found dead rats, rat feces and nests throughout the estate, making their home a potential breeding ground for hantavirus, the rare rodent-borne disease that killed Arakawa, 65. It was ruled that Hackman had survived a week on his own, potentially unaware of his wifes death, before dying from heart disease complicated by Alzheimers.

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The 6-bed, 10-bath compound has since been cleared of the couples personal effects and professionally staged, the listing agents, Tara S. Earley and Ricky Allen of Sothebys International Realty, told The Wall Street Journal.

Typically, a home associated with such a notable actor would come with a celebrity premium; however, Earley noted that we just priced it based on what we felt was the fair market value.

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their Santa Fe home in February 2025 (AP)

Authorities found dead rats, rat feces and nests throughout the estate where Hackman and Arakawa were found (AP)

There will be some buyers that are just adverse to purchasing a property where a death has occurred, she said.

There are other buyers for whom that doesnt matter. We are selling the property on its virtues and all of the positives.

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According to the listing, the 53-acre compound consists of multiple distinct structures, each made of glass, stone, and steel.

The custom three-bedroom main residence showcases the signature style of Boniface, with flowing spaces that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, highlighting stunning, expansive views from the Jemez Mountains all the way to Colorado. It boasts a large open concept kitchen, a grand living room and a large dining area, while the primary suite features a sitting area and an attached office, which offers separate closets and spa-like baths.

Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico (AP)

Special features include a library, gym, game room, media room, wine cellar, a secluded putting green, lap pool and hot tub.

Separate from the main residence are a three-bedroom guest house and a studio space, added in 1997, Earley said.

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Hackman and Arakawa originally purchased the property in the 1990s and significantly reconstructed it, building the primary residence in 1997.

To prevent people from viewing the property solely out of morbid curiosity, the agents have said that all interested buyers will need to show proof of funds before any showings.
The Brief

Gene Hackmans 53-acre Santa Fe estate is being listed for $6.25 million, nearly one year after the legendary actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on the property.

The home is priced at without a "celebrity premium" due to its tragic history, which included Arakawa dying of hantavirus and Hackman of heart disease a week later.

Sothebys International Realty will strictly vet all potential buyers to prevent "morbid curiosity" seekers from touring the 13,000-square-foot compound.

SANTA FE, N.M. - Nearly one year after the legendary actor and his wife were found deceased in their New Mexico home, Gene Hackmans sprawling 53-acre Santa Fe compound is officially heading to the market for $6.25 million, according to Realtor.com.

What we know

The estate, located in the gated Summit neighborhood, consists of a 13,000-square-foot primary residence, a three-bedroom guesthouse, a studio, and amenities including a lap pool and putting green.

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The couples deaths in February 2025 were determined to be of natural and environmental causes.

Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndromea rare disease linked to rodent exposureon or around Feb. 11. Hackman, 95, died roughly a week later on Feb. 18 from heart disease and Alzheimers complications.

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Their personal belongings have been removed, and the home has been professionally staged for sale.

The backstory

Hackman purchased the property in the 1990s and spent years meticulously renovating the 1950s-era structure.

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Straying from the traditional pueblo architecture, the couple worked with local architects to create a space that felt like a "converted barn"massive yet cozy.

Hackman told Architectural Digest that he had quickly fallen in love with Santa Fe, describing the area as having "a kind of magic in it."

What they're saying

"There will be some buyers that are just averse to purchasing a property where a death has occurred," listing agent Tara Earley with Sotheby's told the Wall Street Journal. "We are selling the property on its virtues and all of the positives."

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Neighbors recalled the couple as "not treated as celebrities" in Santa Fe, noting that Hackman was frequently seen at local art stores purchasing supplies for his painting and creative projects.

What we don't know

It remains unclear if Hackmans three children will inherit a portion of the $6.25 million sale price or other estate assets.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.

The Source

This report is based on information from the Santa Fe Sheriffs Department, the Associated Press, Realtor.com and an interview with listing agents from Sothebys International Realty originally published in the Wall Street Journal.
Vogue Greece doesnt command the attention it once did, here at theFashionSpot. Appointed in July 2024, Elis Kiss now serves as editor-in-chief, having succeeded Thaleia Karafyllidou. Over recent months, the magazine (which relaunched in 2019 with the help of Bella Hadid) has welcomed names like Nora Attal, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Naomi Watts, and Kimberly Guilfoyle as cover stars. Up next on the cover of Vogue Greece is Leighton Meester, who fronts the December 2025 edition of the magazine. Via the lens of the photographic duo Domen & Van De Velde, the American actress is splashed across a wonderland of two covers (one print and one digital). Styled by Law Roach, Leighton evokes a fashion fantasy dressed in looks from Louis Vuitton and McQueen.

Leighton Meester for Vogue Greece December 2025

IMAGE | VOGUE.GR

Read below the reactions of theFashionSpots forum members:

Another random cover, from this random magazine, voiced mepps upon first glance.

A pleasant surprise after last months issue, thenewclassic confessed.

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I like the composition, and Im happy to see Leighton Meester. My teenage self, who watched Gossip Girl, is happy right now, but I never thought Leighton photographed very well, chimed in DK92.

AFWQ shared the same sentiments. My inner teen who watched Gossip Girl just screamed! I think I need to find a way to buy this magazine, they shared.

So unexpected! I hope this is a sign of a career resurgence, enthused forum member Hchloe.

Gorgeous! She looks like Grace Coddington on that cover, crmsn pointed out.

IMAGE | VOGUE.GR

See more of Leighton Meester from the Vogue Greece December 2025 cover shoot and click here to join the conversation.

The post Leighton Meester Makes for Vogue Greeces Unexpected Cover Star appeared first on theFashionSpot.
Walking along a remote beach in Papua New Guinea, Shad Ellis found himself having a heart-to-heart with Will Smith, one of the most recognisable faces on the planet.

The twist? The face the London tube driver's gaze alighted on looked uncannily like his own.

The 47-year-old has made a career out of being a Will Smith lookalike and tribute artist since he was 18.

But after three decades of "getting jiggy with it" for fans across the globe, he was finally telling the Hollywood star how much that resemblance had changed his life.

'A story all about how'

Although he now lives in Bedford, Ellis was born and raised in the capital.

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While the Fresh Prince famously began his story on a playground in West Philadelphia, Ellis's unfolded deep within the Underground in east London.

It was 1997 and posters for Men In Black were plastered across the tube network.

At Shadwell, the resemblance between the Hollywood star on the walls and the then station assistant behind the barrier was impossible for commuters to ignore.

"I had regular customers coming through the station saying 'oh my god, you look like Will Smith'," Shad recalls.

"They'd call me 'Will' jokingly and I thought nothing of it. OK, there's a little similarity, that's all it is."

Shad Ellis has been working as a lookalike for most of his life [Shad Ellis]

One day a stranger approached him with a life-changing tip  he had a friend making money as a lookalike and Ellis should give it a go.

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As this was pre-social media and selfie sticks, Ellis had to take photos of himself with a film camera as he recreated Will's magazine poses.

He sent those to an agency he found in a newspaper and two weeks later they wrote to him saying he had the right look, but they warned that only royal family lookalikes make any real money.

"Within a week I had my first job which was the front cover of an electrical magazine as they were kind of re-enacting the Men in Black posters except we were holding these electronic wind-up torches.

"From there I started meeting people, networking, then I'd have jobs and I'd meet more people and it just grew."

Shad Ellis attends events around the world in character as Will Smith [Shad Ellis]

At a karaoke night, some years later, Ellis's friends convinced him to perform the star's 90s hit single Miami. They liked it so much they made him do it three times.

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After that his agent started booking him tribute artist slots at clubs like Jumping Jacks and Envy across the country.

He said: "I do anything that you want Will Smith to do that you couldn't afford to get Will Smith to do.

"So I do a lot of corporate events, end-of-year work parties, weddings, private birthday functions, bar mitzvahs."

His first gig as Will Smith was for a magazine cover [Shad Ellis]

He also does magazine covers and global marketing campaigns that fly him everywhere from Dubai to Singapore.

Occasionally offers come in that Shad is not comfortable with, such as events pretending it's the real Will Smith, stunts designed to make a joke out of the actor and occasionally adult films.

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"I turn down so much work because I'm quite protective of him and his brand, they have to kind of respect the boundaries and stuff," he insists.

After the actor infamously slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, Ellis was inundated with offers which he turned down.

He refused to be "the guy that's been cashing in" as he felt that one day he would have to look the star in the face.

'Friend like me'

Also in 2022, the doppelganger's life was turned upside down.

He was hired to be a body double for Pole To Pole, a National Geographic series where Will Smith journeys across seven continent in 100 days.

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Ellis was flown to locations like Botswana, Norway and Papua New Guinea so crews could prepare shots and lighting before Smith's arrival, to make the best use of the actor's time.

Occasionally he was used in place of the busy star for aerial shots where you cannot clearly see his face.

Eventually both men crossed paths on set and the lookalike was embraced with a handshake and a shoulder bump.

Shad Ellis worked with Will Smith at locations around the world for his series Pole to Pole [Shad Ellis]

They ran into each other a few times during filming and Ellis described Smith as "very humble and very appreciative" of the work he was doing.

The star would often offer a "good job" or an "I appreciate you man", at one point he took the time to wish Ellis a happy birthday on set.

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After befriending one of Smith's managers Ellis made a request: "Can you get me five minutes with Will, but just me and him? I don't want the cameras."

Then on the last day of shooting in Papua New Guinea the tube driver and the movie star took a walk along a remote beach.

He was not trying to become "best friends" with the actor, he just wanted to use that time to express a gratitude decades in the making.

He told Smith: "I just want to say how thankful I am and how grateful I am to you just for being you, because you've enabled me  a person that you had no idea probably exists  to do some amazing things."

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The Bad Boys actor responded with joy, describing the lookalike's work as "genius" and embracing him in a hug.

When Ellis mentioned he performs as a tribute artist the star joked: "Shad, imagine you were doing a show and I came out! We would shut down the internet."

Shad performs musically as a Will Smith tribute artist [Shad Ellis]

Despite his glamorous brush with fame, Ellis has not given up the day job, he is still in the driver's seat on a London Underground train.

The memory of shooting Pole to Pole is still fresh in his mind: "The sun was beating down, it was hot and I'm sitting there thinking 'this is boring as hell' but then 'yeah, but you could be driving a train'."

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After running into the actor again this week at a crew screening of the series, Ellis is hoping to work with him again in the future, keeping in touch with the production teams he met overseas.

He says: "Every year I wake up and I'm like, am I going to keep going with this?

"Then it's like, you know what? I'm going to keep doing this until I don't look like him or all my hair falls out."

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Credit: Instagram/@meghan

As the 2016 throwback social media trend gains popularity, even members of the Royal Family have started taking part. While sharing a previously unseen snap taken with Prince Harry 10 years ago, Meghan Markle also revealed her daughter Princess Lilibet's one secret skill.

"When 2026 feels just like 2016...you had to be there," Duchess Meghan captioned the Instagram post, which showed a photo of her hugging Harry on vacation a decade ago. She also shared a video captured more recently. As for the video's credit, the Duchess of Sussex revealed that "our daughter"Princess Lilibetcaptured the special moment showing Meghan and Harry dancing together in their backyard.

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Basically, 10 years after the sweet picture was taken, Meghan and Harry's relationship is better than ever, and their children appear to be thriving in Montecito, California.

During their official engagement interview in 2017, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they'd vacationed in Botswana together soon after they started dating.

"[W]e met once and then twice, back to back, two dates in London, last July [2016]," Prince Harry explained to the BBC (via People). He continued, "The beginning of July. And then it was, I think, about three, maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. And wewe camped out with each other under the stars, we spentshe came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose in a previously unseen 2016 snap. | Credit: Instagram/@meghan

Meghan responded by saying the trip allowed them to "take the time to be able to go on long country walks and just talk." And now, a decade later, their 4-year-old daughter is capturing videos of romantic moments between the two royals at home.
NEED TO KNOW

Timothy Busfields lawyers claim that the parents of the twin boys he is accused of sexually abusing have a "well-documented history of fraud and dishonesty"

Busfields lawyers made the claims in a new court filing obtained by PEOPLE on Jan. 17

The same filing alleges that the twins' mother was heard stating that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield' "

While requesting Timothy Busfields release as he awaits trial for child sex abuse allegations, the director-actor's lawyers argued that the parents of his underage accusers are motivated by money and revenge, citing their extraordinarily checkered pasts.

The West Wing alum, 68, was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse in New Mexico on Tuesday, Jan. 13, after surrendering to Albuquerque police. The warrant for his arrest alleged that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys who were child actors on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director.

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Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, has denied all child sex abuse crimes and said in a video obtained by TMZ that he plans to confront these lies and fight."

In a new opposition court filing submitted on Friday, Jan. 16, Busfields lawyers opposed the state's motion for pretrial detention by, in part, taking aim at the parents of the accusers, Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis, citing their disturbing histories of alleged fraud, scamming and more. The filing also claims LaSalle was previously heard stating that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield. 

In the filing obtained by PEOPLE on Saturday, Jan. 17, Busfields lawyers argue that the State offers no reliable proof  only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation, contradicted by a comprehensive studio investigation, and refuted by witnesses and objective risk assessments.

The states case against Busfield, the actors lawyers argue in the filing, rests almost entirely on the accounts of the two stage parents, who are not neutral observers.

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Their allegations emerged only after the loss of the twins role  and only after consultation with civil counsel  creating an obvious financial and retaliatory motive, the filing states, referring to the child actors alleged 2024 recasting in The Cleaning Lady, which ran from January 2022 until June 2025.

Noam Galai/Getty Timothy Busfield in 2020 Timothy Busfield in 2020

That motive must be evaluated against the couples well-documented history of fraud and dishonesty, the filing states.

First taking aim at the twins father, Rodis, the filing claims that his alleged past conduct points to his willingness to manipulate narratives when money is at stake, and argues that Rodis is leveraging a crisis to generate personal financial gain.

The filing states that Rodis is a former attorney who was convicted of federal conspiracy and wire fraud and was later disbarred following that prosecution for a multi-million-dollar scheme in which he used his law license to deceive vulnerable victims for profit.

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Rodis previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after the scheme, which defrauded more than 1,500 homeowners of approximately $6 million, was brought to light, according to the filing.

The filing also included testimony from a director of photography on The Cleaning Lady set, who described Rodis as pushy and manipulative and said that he would frequently encourage and tell the children to hug people on set, including Mr. Busfield.

The accusers mother, LaSalle, has an equally disturbing history, the filing states, citing that she has had multiple civil judgments entered against her for fraudulent and dishonest behavior. She was sued for various claims including fraud, conversion, and fraudulent transfer, including allegedly unlawfully repossessing a Bentley car after selling it and writing bad checks to Las Vegas casinos, according to the filing.

The fact of the matter is that the parents driving the allegations against Mr. Busfield have an extraordinarily checkered past that casts enormous doubt on the truthfulness of their statements, the filing states.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Timothy Busfield in 2019 Timothy Busfield in 2019

Busfields lawyers also argue that the parents are motivated by revenge, in addition to money.

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PEOPLE was unable to reach attorneys for Rodis and LaSalle.

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.

An investigation into Busfield previously began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police about alleged sexual abuse. According to the filing, a different, independent investigation conducted by Warner Bros. Television Studios in 2025 found not only that allegations against Mr. Busfield were unfounded, but also that Angele LaSalle, after hearing that her children might not be returning for a fourth season, stated to the shows lead actor that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield. 

In a statement to PEOPLE, a Warner Bros. representative previously said, "The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. 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."



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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
Zachery Ty Bryan's ex-fiancee, Johnnie Cartwright, may want to have a rethink about running someone over next time!

The actor's former partner has now reportedly been sentenced for her attempt to run him over last November and will also pay a hefty fine for her actions.

Zachery Ty Bryan's ex-fiancee, Johnnie Cartwright, was rearrested in December for failing to follow the terms of her pretrial release after she was initially released last November.

Inside Zachery Ty Bryan's Ex-Fiancee's Sentencing

Zachery Ty Bryan  known as the child star from Home Improvement  was arrested again after his fiancee allegedly tried to run him over with their children in the car. pic.twitter.com/4TFQYOb56m  Wire Falls (@wirefalls) December 2, 2025

Cartwright reportedly pled guilty to DUI and reckless driving misdemeanors on her court appearance in Oregon on Wednesday. While one of her charges was dismissed, she was sentenced to 24 months of probation for her two guilty pleas, followed by an order to pay a $1,500 fine.

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Cartwright's driving license also earned a 1-year suspension, and she was told to use an ignition interlock device once the suspension is lifted. Bryan's ex was also instructed to complete a Quantitative Risk Assessment program, or she would risk facing 20 days of jail time for her DUI and 10 days for her reckless driving charge.

As reported by US Weekly, she will also pay a DUI conviction fee of $255 with a payment schedule set to begin by March 1. Cartwright was barred from owning or consuming alcohol or visiting any outlet that sells or keeps any alcoholic drinks.

Johnnie Cartwright's Attorney Spotlights Her Sobriety In Sentence Hearing

The lawyer representing the 32-year-old stated that Bryan and Cartwright are no longer together, and she is currently financially dependent on him. Cartwright's lawyer explained that she currently depends on the actor to carry her financial expenses, while living with her mother and still taking care of her kids.

"She's looking forward to continuing on the progress that she's been able to make while she's been on a free trial. She's not drinking alcohol at this time either, so she wants to continue with her sobriety," the attorney emphasized.

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Right before her sentencing, Cartwright reportedly admitted to the court that she was there to take accountability for her actions, adding that everything happens for a reason.

She affirmed that she and their baby girls are absolutely doing okay, while she hopes to stay on track with the separation process from Bryan. The actor and his former fiancee got engaged in November 2021 and welcomed three kids.

Why Was Zachery Bryan's Ex-Fiancee Arrested?

Former "Home Improvement" star Zachery Ty Bryan faces jail after being arrested for the sixth time in five years, reportedly violating probation linked to a domestic violence case. https://t.co/bg1upij9I1 pic.twitter.com/dQux5y6rZY  Seth Quantion (@seth_quant) December 2, 2025

The actor and his former partner both got detained last November at the Big Fall Creek area in Oregon and were booked on several charges. As noted by The Blast, the Lane County Sheriff's Office shared that law enforcement agents had responded to a panic call of reckless conduct near a camping site last November.

According to witnesses at the scene, Bryan and Cartwright were driving in their pickup truck with their three children when the actor hopped out of the car and stormed off. His enraged partner at the time took over the wheel and attempted to run the actor over.

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Fortunately for the actor, he was able to move out of the way just in time for the truck to crash into a ditch, leaving no one injured, including their three kids, who were seated in the backseat.

Following the intervention of cops on the scene, it was discovered that Bryan was not supposed to be around Cartwright at that moment, leading to his arrest on the grounds of probation violation.

The 'Home Improvement' Star's Arrest Opened Another Can Of Worms

MEGA

Bryan's appearance in court by November brought him closer to his woes, especially after he admitted to violating the terms of his probation three times. His visit to court came weeks after he was released from the Lane County Community Corrections on December 10.

The Blast stated that his confession took the case to a higher dimension because his probation officer recommended a more drastic punishment for his accumulation of offenses.

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The officer suggested that the actor serve out his whole 19 to 20 months prison sentence, which was connected to his second domestic violence conviction from three years ago in 2023.

He was then scheduled for sentencing on February 17, 2026. Bryan had previously pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges in 2021.

Zachery Ty Bryan Expressed Deep Regret For Domestic Violence In The Past

MEGA

Last November, Bryan's former partner secured a five-year restraining order against the actor who allegedly punched her in the head while issuing painful death threats.

The TV personality addressed the issue in a statement to TMZ, where he noted his regrets about engaging in such behavior and reiterated that domestic violence of any type remained unacceptable.

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He also attributed his unruly episodes to the experiences that surrounded his time on television, especially after he hit a show on ABC. In the statement, Bryan came clean about battling with the effects of early fame, which was marred by terrible decision-making, which left so many people he cared about very hurt.

Bryan emphasized that the arrests, unending legal issues, serious accusations, and the latest restraining order have served as a "painful wake-up call" for him to put his life in order and begin to take accountability.

"Being labeled a 'bad dad' cuts deep because my children are my world, and I know I've fallen short," Bryan continued before concluding that he has started seeking professional help and attending anger management programs to change his life.

What is next for Zachery Ty Bryan?
The Seduction star Anamaria Vartolomei is lining up a polyglot year, with projects spanning English, French and Romanian.

Born in Bacau, Romania, and raised in Paris, Vartolomei won the Cesar for Most Promising Actress for her breakout performance in Audrey Diwans Venice Golden Lion winner Happening. She has since maintained a steady presence in French cinema  balancing blockbusters like The Count of Monte-Cristo with auteur-driven projects including Bruno Dumonts The Empire and last years Cannes Critics Week opener Adams Sake  all while steadily expanding her international footprint with English- and Romanian-language debuts in Bong Joon-hos Mickey 17 and Teodora Mihais Traffic.

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Shell press ahead on all fronts this year, promoting her French-language turns in Pathes two-part historical epic De Gaulle and Fanny Liatard and Jeremy Trouilhs arthouse fantasy Les Yeux Verts, before filming the U.S. period romance Miles & Juliette. Vartolomei is also circling an as-yet-untitled Romanian project, currently in final negotiations and eyeing a late 2026 shoot. While Vartolomei could not yet disclose the director of that project, she cited Cristian Mungiu and Emanuel Parvu among her favorite contemporary Romanian filmmakers.

(Mungiu, notably, wrote and produced Mihais Traffic and has just completed Fjord with Sebastian Stan  another immigrant-turned-international star remaining closely connected to Romanian cinema. Stan is next attached to a feature from Berlin Golden Bear winner Radu Jude. On the arthouse circuit, all roads lead to Romania.)

Back in France, Vartolomei will play a fictionalized French Resistance fighter in Antonin Baudrys two-part drama De Gaulle  a project she describes less as a conventional biopic than as a sprawling and very political war saga.

What interested me most was the global scope and artistic ambition, she says. Its a huge-budget, ambitious film, and I wanted French cinema to take those risks. The project has a Christopher Nolan-like visual sweep, while the theme of liberation today can resonate with young people in many countries.

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She also compliments the more artisanal visual aesthetic of Fanny Liatard and Jeremy Trouilhs Les Yeux Verts, in which Vartolomei plays a young woman traveling through her brothers subconscious in order to rouse him from a comatose state. Their films mix fantasy and dreams, requiring a lot of effects and post-production work, she says. But those elements all complement another  making for something very abstract in their approach.

Vartolomei will next star opposite Damson Idris and Xavier Dolan in Miles & Juliette. Directed by Bill Pohlad and produced by Mick Jagger, the film reimagines the 1949 romance between chanteuse Juliette Greco and jazz legend Miles Davis, with production expected to begin later this year.

Their love story is very little known, Vartolomei says. Putting a mixed-race couple on screen is still rare, even though the story is very universal and continues to resonate today.

Its also about showing the emergence of two icons, she continues. Today theyre legends, but at the time they were just starting out, both in their twenties. Its about portraying an era and making it a true romance  full of promise, something wonderful, something that makes you dream.

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Coming on the heels of Mickey 17, Vartolomei is looking forward to working in English again and hopes her role as Juliette Greco will give her the chance to sing. Still, she stops short of dreaming of a Hollywood career  though she is signed with CAA, which packaged the film.

Doing American projects is a bonus, she says. When youre foreign, its generally hard to land a first lead role or to avoid parts that are too cliched. But if its something you want, you work toward it. And then it happens  or it doesnt, and thats okay. After all, the U.S. is not my home country.

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On the 30th death anniversary of legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), former minister E Peddi Reddy paid tribute to the iconic leader, recalling his enduring influence on governance and welfare in the state. Remembering NTR's legacy, Peddi Reddy said the policies introduced by the former Chief Minister continue to shape administrations even decades after his tenure. "We worked under him, and the policies he introduced during his term are still being followed by successive governments. For the poor, he worked tirelessly to provide education and food security... He was a great leader and will always remain in people's hearts," Peddi Reddy said to ANI. Earlier today, Andhra Pradesh MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna paid tribute to his father, NT Rama Rao, at NTR Ghat on his death anniversary. BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari also paid tribute to her late father, recalling his legacy in the Telugu film industry and in politics. "He might not be physically amongst us, but he is definitely ever living in the hearts of the Telugu people. He not only ruled the Telugu film industry but also won the people's hearts, not only as a hero figure but also in a negative role," she said. Speaking about his role as a politician, the BJP MP said that NTR brought several development schemes to the state, which continue to help people to this day. "After he entered politics, he brought in a sea of change in the political arena. He has proven that politics is not simply about grasping power, but can be used to serve the people. The various programs he brought in when he was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, be it the Rs. 2 per kg of rice or the Pakka Grah construction, or the support that he gave to the women in the state of Andhra Pradesh, they might have changed a little bit, but they continue as welfare measures implemented across the country," she stated. "This only proves that his commitment to the people and the state is very strong. He may not be present physically with us, but he is definitely forever living in the hearts of the Telugu people," she added. Earlier in the day, Nara Lokesh also paid floral tributes to NTR at NTR Ghat. Furthermore, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to NTR in a post on X, calling him a towering figure who transformed both cinema and politics in the state. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, fondly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, editor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years. He received three National Film Awards for co-producing 'Thodu Dongalu' (1954) and 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1960) and directing 'Varakatnam' (1970). NTR also received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in films like 'Raju Peda' (1954) and 'Lava Kusa' (1963). He acted in over 300 films and was known for doing the role of mythological characters. At the age of 72, NTR passed away from a heart attack on January 18, 1996, at his home in Hyderabad. (ANI)
Landman leaves a lasting impression, but there are similar shows that deliver just as interesting tales.

The series follows the wild, competitive world of Americas modern-day oil boom in Texas, which is filled with drama, backstabbing and even a little lawlessness. But on top of that, Landman also showcases the complicated personal relationships of the Norris family, adding a deeper level of emotion and complexity to the storylines.

The show spotlights Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a jack-of-all-trades for M-Tex Oil, who serves numerous roles, including as a landman, a crisis manager, a VP  and eventually, the companys president. But with a broken family, crippling debt and substance abuse issues, Norris is far from perfect, which ends up getting him and the company into trouble.

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In addition to Thornton, Landman features an ensemble cast, including Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter and Sam Elliot, among others. With season 2 concluding, fans can toward other drama series that have many of the same themes as Landman, from inter-family conflicts to run-ins with cartels, building a business empire, and more.

Here are nine shows like Landman to watch next.

Succession

Graeme Hunter/HBO 'Succession.' 'Succession.'

For those who love the gritty, cutthroat business world of Landman, HBOs Succession is a must-watch.

The show follows the Roy family, who run a global media empire. When the family patriarch starts to get sick, his kids see a chance to take his place and rise to power. What ensues is four seasons of greed, corruption and complicated family dynamics as everyone fights to be the next leader.

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Throughout its run, Succession earned 75 Emmy nominations and took home 19 awards, including three consecutive wins for Outstanding Drama Series. The series features a talented cast, including Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Jeremy Strong.

Watch Succession on HBO Max

Dallas

Collection Christophel/Cyntax Productions/Warner Horizon Television via Alamy 'Dallas.' 'Dallas.'

Before Landman, there was Dallas.

The 2012 series is a revival of the long-running primetime soap of the same name from 1978 that centers around the Ewing family in Dallas, who own various corporations in the oil and ranching industries. With power and generational wealth comes drama, betrayal and manipulation.

The revival series starred actors like Jordana Brewster and Brenda Strong, as well as returning cast members from the original series, like Patrick Duffy.

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Watch Dallas on Tubi

Yellowstone

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock 'Yellowstone.' 'Yellowstone.'

As Landman fans may know, the series is created by Taylor Sheridan, who is known for his collection of series that all have a certain je ne sais quoi, which makes them all feel cohesive despite having different settings and premises.

Hes best known for his Yellowstone, which follows the Dutton family and their ranch in Montana. Like most of Sheridans shows, it features themes like family legacy, deceit and conflicting personal interests.

Kevin Costner led the cast, with him earning a Golden Globe win for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2023.

Watch Yellowstone on Peacock

The Waterfront

Dana Hawley/Netflix 2025 'The Waterfront.' 'The Waterfront.'

Landman shows Norris trying to run a company while also making numerous mistakes along the way, like getting involved with drug smuggling.

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Netflixs The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats. Naturally, it all goes wrong and the family finds themselves in the middle of dueling cartels, putting their lives in danger.

Watch The Waterfront on Netflix

Dynasty

Mark Hill/The CW 'Dynasty.'

A reboot of the 1981 series of the same name, Dynasty is about two dueling tycoon families and the complexities of their business and personal affairs  sometimes pooling resources and other times getting into bitter competition.

For fans who love Landmans high-stakes business drama combined with its vulnerable look at generational trauma and family dysfunction, Dynasty is worth watch.

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Watch Dynasty on Netflix

The Righteous Gemstones

Jake Giles Netter/HBO 'The Righteous Gemstones.' 'The Righteous Gemstones.'

Just as Landman pulls back the curtain and shows the ruthless wheelings and dealings of the oil industry, The Righteous Gemstones does the same for evangelical megachurches.

Led by patriarch Eli Gemstone, the Gemstones build their ministry empire and squander much of the churchs money in the process.

While The Righteous Gemstones is much funnier and sillier than Landman, it features a notable cast, comprised of John Goodman, Danny McBride and Adam Devine. There are also recurring characters played by Bradley Cooper, Walton Goggins, and Dermot Mulroney, among many others.

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Watch The Righteous Gemstones on HBO Max

Tulsa King

Brian Douglas/Paramount+ 'Tulsa King.' 'Tulsa King.'

Another Sheridan show, Tulsa King sees a mobster known as The General get exiled to Tulsa, Okla., where he sets up a new criminal enterprise.

Whereas Landman sees Norris get caught up with cartels, Tulsa King depicts the story from the opposite side, where viewers follow the mafia kingpin as he extorts business owners whom he thinks he can benefit from.

The General finds himself mixed up with the drug industry, and Tulsa King features a dysfunctional family and themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power. The characters are brought to the screen by actors like Sylvester Stallone, Garrett Hedlund, Robert Patrick and Kevin Pollack.

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Watch Tulsa King on Paramount+

Blood & Oil

Fred Hayes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty 'Blood & Oil.' 'Blood & Oil.'

Blood & Oil follows the Briggs and LeFever families who arrive in rural North Dakota after the largest oil discovery in American history turns it into a bustling boomtown.

The show, which only has one season, focuses on building an oil empire, family conflicts and heated rivalries. The cast includes Don Johnson and Chace Crawford.

Rent Blood & Oil on Prime Video

Goliath

Greg Lewis/Amazon Studios 'Goliath.' 'Goliath.'

In Goliath, Thornton plays a troubled lawyer who lives in a self-imposed exile after he helped a murderer win a court trial. As an added twist, the murderer begins another killing spree once he's free again.

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Now, living in despair and regret, he gets a chance at redemption when he picks up a court case against a corrupt corporation. In both Landman and Goliath, Thorntons characters are flawed anti-heroes who struggle with substance abuse and the moral quandaries of doing whats right.

Goliath also stars William Hurt, J.K. Simmons and Maria Bello, among others.

Watch Goliath on Prime Video

Read the original article on People
Excitement is once again running high in the One Piece fandom as the story sails toward Chapter 1172. Eiichiro Odas long-running epic manga shows no signs of slowing down, with every new chapter delivering fresh twists that leave readers eager for more.

To help fans stay prepared, heres a complete look at when One Piece Chapter 1172 is set to release, including its global release timings and the official platforms where you can read the chapter as soon as it drops.

When is the One Piece Chapter 1172 release date and time?

One Piece Chapter 1172 is set to officially release on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 10 AM ET.

The release times across various international time zones are as follows:

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7 AM PT

9 AM CT

10 AM ET

However, readers in Japan can expect Chapter 1172 to be available on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 12 AM JST.

Where to read the One Piece Manga with Chapter 1172?

Fans eager to read One Piece Chapter 1172 have multiple official options available, ensuring a smooth and legal reading experience. The latest chapter will be released across trusted platforms such as MANGA Plus by Shueisha, Viz Media, and Shonen Jump+.

Viz Media continues to be a popular option outside Japan, offering free access to the three most recent chapters. Readers who want to explore the series further can unlock the full catalog with a low-cost subscription.

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Meanwhile, MANGA Plus is especially popular among international readers, as it releases new chapters simultaneously with their Japanese counterparts. This allows fans worldwide to follow the story without delays or spoilers.

For readers in Japan, Shonen Jump+ provides access to the entire One Piece catalog, making it ideal for longtime followers catching up or revisiting key arcs.

Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows the high-spirited pirate Monkey D. Luffy as he sails the seas in search of the ultimate treasure. The manga blends humor and high-stakes adventure in a way few series can match. Decades after its debut, One Piece continues to dominate the manga world and captivate readers with each new chapter.
Amybeth McNulty became a Stranger Things fan-favorite while playing Robin Buckley's girlfriend Vickie Dunne on the hit Netflix drama, but the show holds an extra special place in the 24-year-old's heart because it was the final audition she told her parents about before they both died.

Related: How Comedy Helped Mel Brooks Heal Following the Death of His Beloved Wife

"So, my parents passed away. I know, very sad. But it's okay," she told Patrick Kielty on Ireland's The Late Late Show on Jan. 16. "[Stranger Things] was the last audition that they knew that I did. So, there was something quite exciting."

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McNulty's mother, Siobhan McNulty, died following a battle with cancer in November 2021, and her dad, Liam McNulty, died two years later on December 2023. They both "said they had a good feeling about" the Stranger Things audition, which made finally getting the role after they both died even more special for the Irish actress. "They were right, and that was that was quite nice for me," she said.

McNulty's parents were a huge source of support for her, even packing up and leaving Ireland to bring her to Canada to she could chase her dreams. She got her big break in Netflix's Anne with an E in 2017, followed by Stranger Things in 2022.

"They did everything [for me]," McNulty said of her parents. "From the age of 10, they're like driving me everywhere I need to go. They moved with me to Canada, lived in Toronto with me, which is mental. I was very, very lucky that they were retired and they were able to do that for me."

Related: Carol Burnett Reveals Touching Final Memory of Lucille Ball 37 Years After The TV Legends Death

"They they said they would do anything for me, and they did," said the actress. "It was really really kind. I'll always appreciate it."

The Netflix star has honored both of her parents with posts on social media. On Nov. 18, 2021, she shared a sweet tribute to her mother, writing, "Mum, I love you. I dont have many words, but I want the world to see how wonderful you were and how proud I am to be your daughter."

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She shared a touching message for her father in December 2025, two years after his death, calling him "everything a human being could wish to be."

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"Kind, generous, loving, a keen listener with wicked humour... and above all else, a true friend," she wrote about her father. "I would be nothing of the person I am today had I not been raised by such a quietly powerful and consistent man... Every beach has your shadow, and every performance has your voice."

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Owning a car in retirement can add a number of charges to a retirees fixed budget. Specifically, the average retiree pays $3,989 annually for car insurance, repairs and maintenance, vehicle financing and gas. While $4,000 may not seem like much over the course of a year, across a 20-year retirement thats approximately $100,000 in spending.

As such, a carless retirement can save you a great deal of money, but to do so would require living in a walkable city that supports carless citizens.

Recently, GOBankingRates held a study to find the 50 best places in America to retire without out a car. In order to craft that list, GOBankingRates found a number of cities in which at least 20% of the population was of retirement age. From that matrix of cities, GOBankingRates then found the locations that scored highly on the Environmental Protection Agencys National Walkability Index  cities with scores of 10.51 to 15.25 are of above-average walkability, and those with scores of 15.26 to 20 are the most walkable cities. GOBankingRates then broke the list down by region and even by state  including Arizona.

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The Grand Canyon State is a hot retirement destination, thanks to its warm weather, no taxes on Social Security and gorgeous scenery. Knowing where to go carless in Arizona can lead to an easily affordable retirement.

Kingman

Kingman boasts a Walkability Index score of 14.3, meaning its walkability is very above-average. Further, its total cost of living annually is only $42,360.

Find Out: This Boring Investment Could Be the Secret To Never Running Out of Retirement Income

Read Next: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home

Prescott

While Prescotts cost of living is a bit higher than Kingmans (it costs $65,939 annually to live and retire there), its Walkability Index score of 17.0 makes Prescott one of Americas most walkable cities.

Fountain Hills

A retirement in Fountain Hills comes with a Walkability Index of 15.8, making it one of Arizonas most walkable cities, and a place where you could easily retire carless  offsetting the $74,940 annual cost of living.

Oro Valley

While Oro Valley only has a Walkability Index score of 11 (the lowest among these five cities, but still above-average), it also has a rather healthy annual cost of living at $58,876.

Cottonwood

Retired living in Cottonwood only costs $52,112 yearly, and it comes with a Walkability Index score of 11.2, making it a city of above-average walkability for your carless golden years.

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Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed retirement hotspots to find the best places to retire without a car. Using the U.S. Census 2024 one-year American Community Survey, the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, median household income and mean household income were all sourced for this study. In order to qualify for this study, the city had to have a percentage of the population ages 65 and over or at least 20%. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces and by using the national average expenditure costs for retired consumer units as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for retired consumer units, the average expenditure costs can be calculated for each location. Using the transportation cost-of-living index for each city as well as the national average costs for various transportation-related expenses, the average cost of those services can be calculated for each city, showcasing an example of the savings someone can expect by not owning and driving a vehicle. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index and by assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities can be calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and used to determine the quality of life. The walkability index was sourced from the Environmental Protection Agencys National Walkability Index and used to determine the ability to live without driving a car. The livability was scored and weighted at 1.00, the walkability was scored and weighted at 1.00. The scores were summed and sorted to show the best places in America to retire without a car. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 20, 2025.

Editors note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Best Arizona Cities To Retire Without a Car
Calpico (called Calpis in Japan) is a popular Japanese fermented drink with a light, refreshing sweetness. The cultured milk beverage was created more than a century ago by businessman Kaiun Mishima, who discovered a similar drink while traveling in Mongolia. Plagued with digestive issues, he was given the local drink to help soothe his stomach. Upon returning to Japan, he created his version and, in 1919, launched Calpico as Japan's first lactic acid beverage, touting its hydration and digestive benefits.

Today, Calpico is sold in various forms: a non-carbonated beverage, a soda, and a make-at-home concentrate. I've been a fan of the brand's non-carbonated beverage for years, though I've stuck to one flavor (when I find something I like, I stick with it). So it's high time I give Calpico's other non-carbonated beverage a taste, too. Currently, there are seven flavors available. I sampled all of them, ranking each to see which one stands out, which are worthy contenders, and which ones aren't worth your money. A more specific methodology is at the end of the ranking, but I judged each flavor on taste, first and foremost, followed by balance of tanginess and sweetness. Check out my findings below so you'll know which to grab on your next grocery store run.

Read more: The 30 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

7. White Peach

bottle of Calpico White Peach beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

Any peach lover knows there are real differences between white and yellow peaches. White peaches are prized for their delicate, floral sweetness, soft white flesh, and great flavor when eaten fresh. On the other hand, yellow peaches are bolder, sweeter, and tangier, and ideal for baking, with their signature fuzzy skin and yellow flesh.

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I love white peaches, so I had high hopes before even taking a sip of Calpico's take on white peach. I expected a fragrant, delicately sweet, floral taste  like biting into a juicy, sun-ripened summer peach. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

White Peach Calpico was a disappointment. The first sip was refreshing, but it quickly turned into an artificial sweetness that left an unpleasant coating on the tongue with a lingering aftertaste. The actual level of sweetness was overpowering, and the aroma was unappealing  more reminiscent of a body lotion than a beverage. I was so looking forward to this one, but it ended up as the clear last-place finisher.

6. Mango

bottle of Calpico Mango beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

Mango is such a naturally refreshing flavor that it instantly brought a cool mango lassi recipe to my mind. I was excited by the idea of a lightly creamy, tangy beverage with ripe mango flavor. The color of the drink only added to the anticipation  a beautiful, authentic mango-yellow that led me to expect something true to the flavor I love.

But yet again, the experience didn't fully deliver. That same artificial aftertaste I experienced with Calpico White Peach made an unwelcome reappearance, though it wasn't as strong. And while hints of mango flavor were present, they were flat and muted. Sadly, the juicy, ripe mango flavor I had hoped for was not met. Still, of all the flavors in the tasting, this one felt the creamiest on the palate, so it definitely won points for that. It ultimately ranked higher than White Peach because it had a nice aroma and a sweetness that was more restrained and far less cloying.

5. Mandarin Orange

bottle of Calpico Mandarin Orange beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

There are many types of oranges with varying tastes, shapes, and sizes. On the smaller side is the mandarin orange with its easy-to-peel skin and sweet flavor. I love eating them fresh, but I don't ever juice them because their small size doesn't yield much juice. So, when a beverage promises to capture the wonderful flavor of mandarin orange, I'm there for it.

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Calpico's Mandarin Orange has a vibrant, appealing pastel orange color and a delightful aroma. My verdict? This one is pretty good. It has a nice balance of sweetness and citrus, with just enough intensity. It actually tasted like Tang to me, and as someone who grew up with the powdered drink, I became unexpectedly nostalgic while sipping it. One thing to note: Calpico Mandarin Orange has a moderately high amount of sodium  160 milligrams per 12-ounce serving (the same as Gatorade Lemon-Line)  compared to the other flavors, which hover between 50 milligrams and 95 milligrams. But sodium level aside, what ultimately keeps this drink from ranking higher is that, while enjoyable, it's not especially memorable.

4. Strawberry

bottle of Calpico Strawberry beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

I don't think it's a stretch to say that strawberries are universally loved. There are so many ways to use up fresh strawberries, everything from salads and desserts to ice cream and jams. But sometimes you need a break from eating them fresh and crave something that simply tastes strawberry  like a drink.

Enter Calpico Strawberry, which ranks fourth on our list. This strawberry drink has a muted pink color that's quite pretty, and the flavor delivers. It has a nice balance of sweetness and really does taste like fresh strawberries. It's refreshing, easy to drink, and feels especially kid-friendly  one I can easily imagine becoming a household favorite. But while Calpico Strawberry is refreshing and familiar, it doesn't quite have the distinctiveness or complexity of the flavors ranked above it.

One thing to note: From fourth place on up, I'd happily buy any of these flavors again. They are all delicious, refreshing, and enjoyable, and the top four may arguably come down to personal preference.

3. Original

bottle of Calpico Original beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

The label on Calpico Original notes a "citrusy flavor," and it lives up to that description. The drink has a cloudy, milky appearance, and it's incredibly pleasant to drink, with a clean, mild taste that's refreshing without being overpowering. Admittedly, I'm very familiar with this one as it's my eight-year-old's go-to after-school beverage.

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Calpico Original is a bit of a safe choice, as its citrus notes and tanginess are pretty subtle and well-balanced. It's an excellent choice for those with sensitive palates or anyone who prefers a drink that isn't overly sweet or aggressively fruit-forward. What makes it stand out is its unique taste, closely followed by an impressive balance of sweetness and tanginess. The Original flavor is easy to enjoy on any day, and it's a flavor I would happily keep stocked in my fridge  in fact, I already do.

2. Lychee

bottle of Calpico Lychee beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

Lychee is a tropical stone fruit native to Southeast Asia. It's easy to recognize with its pink-red, brittle skin that encases juicy, translucent flesh surrounding a single seed. It's a fragrant fruit that I've always loved, so I was really excited to try Calpico Lychee. That said, capturing the flavor of this delicate, fragrant fruit in a drink can be challenging. I've had my share of disappointments with lychee-flavored drinks  be it tasting too artificial or weak  so I kept my expectations low.

To my pleasant surprise, Calpico Lychee exceeded my expectations. Despite having artificial flavoring (along with natural flavors), there was none of the unpleasant aftertaste that I noticed with White Peach or Mango. Its sweet, floral, lightly tropical flavor shone through and kept me going back for more sips. I would buy this again, and honestly, it's time to stock up. For anyone who is a fan of lychee, this drink is a flavor that should be tried.

1. Melon

bottle of Calpico Melon beside a half-filled glass - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

Taking the top spot on the list is Calpico Melon. This flavor is, without a doubt, the most refreshing of them all, and it made me realize why Calpico is often included on lists of the most refreshing drinks around the world. I imagined it as the perfect drink for rejuvenation, the kind you'd crave after a long, exhausting journey  like when founder Kaiun Mishima traveled through Mongolia, weary and tired. It has a creamy, yellow-green color, reminiscent of honeydew flesh, and, in fact, it very much tastes like it. Sweet, mellow, and unmistakable melon, it's a taste that is natural and craveable.

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What really earns Calpico Melon the top spot is its perfect balance of fruitiness, sweetness, and tang  along with how well it captures the taste of melon. It's highly drinkable and embodies a smooth, pleasant melon taste that lingers without any artificially sweet aftertaste (despite containing both natural and artificial flavorings.) If you're seeking a bright, fruity drink that's easy to enjoy and absolutely satisfying, Calpico Melon is the clear choice.

Methodology

row of Calpico bottles beside half-filled glasses - Lei Shishak/Tasting Table

I picked up all seven flavors, which were luckily all available at my local Asian grocery store. To ensure a fair comparison, I tasted each one chilled and on the same day, back-to-back, with only a quick rinse of water between sips to reset my palate.

I evaluated each flavor based on balance, authenticity, taste, and overall drinkability. The top-ranking flavors shared a clean, pure taste that closely matched the flavor listed on the label. Each stood out for being refreshing, with a well-balanced sweetness that didn't feel overpowering. The lower-ranked flavors mainly faulted from an artificially sweet aftertaste or compromised flavor.

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Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Mark Patrick has seen the cost of his homeowners insurance fluctuate  and not in a good way.

In the past six years, he has changed insurers three times. Before his last change, his premium had increased by roughly 40% though he hadnt filed a single claim.

And hes not alone. Hampton Roads homeowners faced premium increases averaging 33%, or $835 per year, from 2021 to 24, according to the Consumer Federation of America. That reflects an average increase from $2,509 to $3,344 in those three years.

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The nonprofit consumer advocacy organization found premiums increased in 95% of U.S. ZIP codes because of rising building costs, an increase in extreme weather events and climate change risk factors, and weak regulatory oversight.

The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press asked readers to share their experiences.

Patrick lives in a three-story townhome-style condominium in Virginia Beachs North End and said he proactively attempts to mitigate insurance increases. With the help of a broker, he shops coverage among the limited number of companies that will underwrite coverage along the coast.

His strategy has worked in that his premium is only 16%  or $436  above what it was in 2020. But it took vigilance and effort.

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I think Im at where Im at, which isnt absolutely awful, because Ive really worked at it, Patrick said. I feel for people that dont really take the time to try to shop it. Im sure theres people paying 40, 50, 60% more than what were paying now for similar coverage.

Six years ago, Patrick was paying $2,655 with Universal Property and Casualty. The following year, his premium increased to $2,706. And by 2022, he was quoted $3,042  an increase of 12.4%  before he switched to Narragansett Bay.

He was paying $2,501 with Narragansett, but in 2023, that increased by 10% to $2,739. A year later, Narragansett quoted Patrick $4,111  a more than 50% jump  before they settled at a renewal of $3,799  an increase of 38.7%.

I just felt like, boy, this is where the markets gone, he said. We just had to keep our fingers crossed that the following year wouldnt be so bad.

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But then Patrick received a proposed 19% increase from Narragansett with a quote of $4,516. The Pilot reached out to Narragansett Bays media line, but the number routed to an agent instead. The company did not respond to emails sent to its media department, and Patricks independent agent said she was not permitted to speak with the media.

Patrick then chose to switch to SageSure in 2025. His premium was $3,506.

But just when Patrick thought hed settled in with his insurance, he received a renewal quote from SageSure for 2026. They proposed a renewal premium of $5,110  a 46% increase, Patrick said in a text message. Needless to say, I am shopping this around again.

And shop he did.

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Thanks to his persistence, Patrick received a recent quote with similar coverage from Amwins: $3,091. That was roughly $2,000 less than SageSures and a year-to-year reduction of 12%. He took it.

Volpe Boykin, of the Carrsville area of Isle of Wight County, remains increasingly frustrated with the quotes hes received throughout the years.

These companies know most people must have their product and take full advantage of it, he said.

Its been about 19 years since he built the inland log/log-sided home about 20 miles west of Suffolk.

I am the perfect type of homeowner to insure, Boykin said. He bundles insurance for his vehicles and home for the discount and has security systems, cameras and fire alarms monitoring 24/7.

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He started with Nationwide before switching to State Farm and then to Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance.

I was told my homeowners insurance would be going up by 20%, Boykin said. But then it increased by over 100%.

Despite carrying the highest deductible allowed and reporting no claims or changes to his living situation, Boykin said he never received a straight answer from Farm Bureau to justify the increase. In 2024, Boykin paid $2,148. In 2025, it more than doubled to $4,620.

Even my insurance agent was shocked, Boykin said.

The Pilot reached out to Virginia Farm Bureau. After an internal investigation, Shail Depura, vice president of product management for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, said in an email that the amount was due to a miscalculation specific to his policy.

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We realize that Mr. Boykin has obtained replacement coverage, Depura said. However, if he would like to explore coverage with Virginia Farm Bureau, we would welcome the opportunity to requote him and serve his insurance needs.

Following the exorbitant increase, Boykin switched back to State Farm. He pays $2,470 per year after all of his discounts  at least for now.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com
A Wyoming ranch bigger than the state of Rhode Island has a new owner, ending months of speculation over the mystery buyer.

Christopher Robinson, a local elected official, purchased the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches through his family-owned company, The Ensign Group L.C., according to KPCW.

The deal closed January 14 for the sprawling property that was listed last summer for $79.5 million. The final purchase price was not disclosed.

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Stretching across four counties in Wyoming, Pathfinder Ranches encompasses roughly 1 percent of the states total land mass, according to KPCW. At 1,431 square miles, it is nearly the size of Delaware. By comparison, New York City spans about 300 square miles, while Rhode Island covers just over 1,000 sq miles.

The property even eclipses the fictional Dutton Ranch from the wildly popular TV series Yellowstone, which was depicted as between 775,000 and 825,000 acres.

Stretching across four counties in Wyoming, the sprawling ranch is bigger than the state of Rhode Island (Google)

Americas largest private landowner in 2026 is Stan Kroenke, according to Land 100. Kroenke controls an estimated 2,700,000 acres across the country.

CNN founder Ted Turner is also in the top five largest private landowners with two million acres spanning the Southeast, the Great Plains, and the American West.

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Robinson, a Summit County Council member who already controls roughly one million acres of land, acquired Pathfinder just four years after buying the neighboring 86,000-acre Stone Ranch.

The ranch, named for 19th-century explorer John C. Fremont, is made up of four main properties spread across the Rocky Mountain region, and surrounds much of Pathfinder Reservoir, according to the Swan Land Company website. It contains over 20 miles of the Sweetwater River, and includes portions of the Pedro, Ferris, Seminoe, and Green Mountain ranges.

One of the most notable landmarks is Independence Rock, which is located along the historic Oregon, Mormon, Pony Express, and California Trails. Portions of the trails, which were trekked by early pioneers, weave through the ranch.

The family from whom we bought the Stone Ranch used to own the heart of the Pathfinder, and they sold it in, say, 1975. And so were kind of reuniting it, Robinson, CEO of The Ensign Group, told KPCW. Its now one big landscape.

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According to the Summit County website, Robinson is on the Summit County Council, a seat he has held since his election in 2008. In December, Robinson announced that he would not run for reelection.

Christopher Robinson, a local elected official, purchased the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches through his family-owned company (Summit County Utah)

The ranch is made up of four main properties spread across the Rocky Mountain region (Google)

Robinson said the Stone Ranch will serve as a key connector between the eastern and western sections of Pathfinder, allowing Ensign to operate the land as a single, self-sustaining livestock range, according to Cowboy State Daily.

So, were kind of reuniting that, and we intend to, were operators, Robinson told the outlet. Were not generally landlords. Were going to, over time, grow into it, where were mostly running our own livestock on it.

Robinson said the deal reflects both business interests and long-term conservation goals.

We love land and water, Robinson added. We think its a good long-term investment, and we like the opportunities it affords us to be stewards over a piece of Gods creation.
The Alps are one of Europe's most spectacular landscapes, a world of soaring, jagged peaks covered in untouched snow, wide-open mountain meadows filled with wildflowers, and awesome trails and ski slopes crying out for adventurous travelers. While the biggest names in the Swiss and French Alps are often a little too popular for their own good and almost always overrun by crowds during high season, the Italian Alps are a little different. The valleys and passes on the Italian side of this famed mountain range are filled with exquisite small towns that offer peace, relaxation, and stunning Alpine views, along with the food, history, and culture that Italy is famous for. One of the most enjoyable places to discover in the Italian Alps that remains curiously under the radar is the small town of Tirano.

Often seen as just the terminus for the famous Red Train that crosses the Alps from Italy to St. Moritz in Switzerland, Tirano is actually a delightful destination in its own right. A cultural and historic crossroads between mountainous Switzerland and Mediterranean Italy, it is a delightful hidden gem of a town, filled with old-world charm and beautiful Renaissance architecture.

Tirano is located in the commune of Valtellina in Lombardy in northern Italy, right on the border with Switzerland. It is at the mouth of the Bernina Pass, one of the most famous routes through the Alps. Most travelers arrive or depart by that famous Red Train, aka the Bernina Express, one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. The nearest major city to Tirano is Milan, around 100 miles away, and the most convenient airport is Milan Bergamo, 80 miles away and about 2 and a half hours by car.

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Read more: Rick Steves Recommends Cinque Terre's Only Resort Town For A Vibrant Italian Getaway

One of the greatest train rides in the world

Aerial view of modern red train on Landwasser viaduct in alpine mountains - Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock

There are actually two key train lines that leave from the neighboring stations in the center of Tirano. One, the Bernina Express or Red Train heads north, winding its way on the breathtaking route from Switzerland to Italy, through deep ravines and gorges, past frosty mountain summits, to St. Moritz on the other side of the Alps. It is an awe-inspiring journey, one of the world's greatest railway routes, and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed experience. It crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels, and hits its highest point as it traverses the Bernina Pass at 7,392 feet above sea level. The other route is less celebrated but still a wonderful ride, swooping down from the dizzying heights of the Alpine foothills to Milan via glittering Lake Como.

Although most people come to Tirano with the express purpose of leaving it, the town itself is a treasure, and well worth exploring in more depth. At the east end lies the historic center, a stunning mess of winding cobbled alleyways, gorgeous churches, and Renaissance palazzi, built by the powerful Sforza family. The Palazzo Salis is a highlight, with magnificent interior decor, as well as the Palazzo Merizzi, which boasts a wonderful collection of art and furniture. The imposing Chiesetta di Santa Perpetua has been the defining feature of the town for over a millennium, as well as being a popular destination for pilgrims, and its 12th-century frescos and remarkable scenic views both offer beauty. Another excellent attraction is the Museo Etnografico Tiranese, housed in an 18th-century palazzo. It is a fascinating exploration of ordinary life throughout the history of the Valtellina region, with intriguing artifacts and fantastic recreations.

Delicious, sustainable food and comfortable lodgings

Tourists eating on the street in Tirano - DragonWen/Shutterstock

While most travelers are just in Tirano as a transit from train to train, staying a night in this scenic Italian town between journeys is a wonderful experience. There are some beautiful hotels and guesthouses to choose from, which let you enjoy the calm tranquility and old-world charm of the town as it wakes up, before anyone else arrives. The Hotel Ristorante Bernina Tirano is often recommended and boasts a great restaurant that serves wood-fired pizzas, as well as being close to the train stations if you are arriving late or leaving early. The Ostello del Castello Tirano offers a uniquely rustic and charming stay in an converted old farmhouse with incredibly friendly staff.

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Of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without some excellent dining options, and Tirano doesn't disappoint. The Ristorante Parravicini gets superb reviews for its hearty food, including the local pizzoccheri, a flat pasta made with buckwheat and wheat flour, and wonderful affordable wine list, while the ice cream at Gelateria Lollipop Di Del Simone Bruno is exceptional. Valtellina was once seen as offering only "peasant food", but has been celebrated in recent years thanks to its authentic, local ingredients, farm-to-table philosophy, and dedication to reducing food miles. Finding the best authentic restaurants in Italy is often just a case of following the crowds and eating where the locals eat, and there are plenty of great trattorias in Tirano that will ensure you enjoy a delicious culinary experience.

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If you want to visit one of Southeast Asia's most underrated countrieswhere the U.S. dollar goes furthest, Laos is not only affordable, but full of low-cost, adventurous attractions for thrill-seekers. For adrenaline-junkies, there's an array of affordable, action-packed activities scattered throughout this somewhat overlooked country, from paramotoring in central Laos to ziplining in the south at a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere. The country has definitely earned a spot on the list of best hot air balloon rides around the world, especially when it costs three times less in Laos than in more well-known spots, like Dubai.

According to a study from HelloSafe, a financial website, Laos was ranked the most affordable travel destination in the world in 2025. By examining data like accommodation costs, food prices, domestic transportation expenses, and attraction fees, the average traveler would likely spend about $16 a day in Laos, according to the study. While most travelers head to Thailand, with over 32 million tourists that visited last year, Laos receives a fraction of that with around 4 million. But, if it's adventure you are seeking, Laos does not disappoint. Not only in the range of activities the country offers, but the affordable prices associated with them.

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Wattay International Airport in Vientiane is the main airport for international travelers heading to Laos. Getting around the country is affordable too. From Vientiane, you can hop aboard the high-speed trains on the Laos-China Railway that connect major tourism cities in the north to the border of China in Boten. Download the official LCR Ticket app to book a seat, which includes a QR code that acts as your ticket. It's recommended to buy your ticket in advance, within three days of your departure date, in the early morning, as tickets tend to sell out fast. To reach cities in the south, you can book an overnight sleeping bus for about $15, saving you money on accommodation, but not by much, as most hostels start at $4 per night, including breakfast.

Read more: The Most Dangerous Spots To Swim In The World

Enjoy blue lagoons and panoramic views from above

Paragliding over Vang Vieng, Laos - DragonWen/Shutterstock

It's recommended to spend at least a week in sports-centric Vang Vieng, which can be reached in about two hours from the capital on a $5 mini-bus. The lively backpacker-packed town offers a wide range of activities, from discovering the area's numerous crystal-clear blue lagoons, kayaking or tubing down the Nam Song River for just about $4 per person, or tubing through Tham Nam cave. Full-day to half-day tours of the area start at $50 per person, depending on the number of activities you want to experience. However, the most cost-effective way is a DIY approach, by renting a scooter or a dune buggy to explore it at your own pace. That way, you can pay entrance fees directly at each activity you choose, avoiding the often overpriced entrance fees regularly included in tours.

The standard price for renting a scooter is usually around $7 for eight hours, and a dune buggy that fits two to four people usually starts as low as $32, with pricing based on hourly rates. Most lagoons charge $1 to enter. Escape the heat in the refreshing Blue Lagoon 3, which also provides a free zip line that you can use to your heart's content, with treks to caves and viewpoints, an on-site restaurant, bamboo rafts, and even a pool table.

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For the ultimate experience, book a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride or a paramotor experience for incredible views of the city and the karst limestone cliffs and mountains that surround it. The paramotoring starts at $45, while the hot-air balloons are around $70, both extremely affordable and unforgettable. Instead of booking in advance, wait until you are in town to visit the local, independent operators that will quote you half the price of what is usually advertised online.

Head south for aquatic and sky-high adventures

Ziplining over Tad Fane waterfall near Pakse, Laos - SaiJeed/Shutterstock

In Southern Laos, the Bolaven Plateau is dotted with numerous striking waterfalls, zipline experiences, and water-based sports. The city of Pakse is the main gateway to these outdoor activities. You can rent a motorbike for cheap, but if you don't drive, the most cost-effective option is to take a tuk-tuk tour. Tour agencies can be on the expensive side, usually charging in the hundreds of dollars per person, depending on the group size. The most affordable way to go is to visit Sanga Hostel, which can arrange a group tour for you. Even if you aren't a guest there, you can join other travelers on a full-day tour to the most impressive waterfalls in the area, along with a visit to a coffee plantation. For groups of six or more, it's around $9 a person, excluding entrance and zipline fees.

The most striking waterfall in the area is Tad Fane (Fane Waterfall), which includes twin cascading, gushing falls that are about 400 feet high. To view the falls, the entrance fee is about $1.50. Inside, you'll find a coffee shop and lots of viewpoint platforms to admire the falls. The zipline is incredible and a budget-friendly must-do. It includes multiple scenic ziplines that go near the falls, and over several valleys for just $40, and for an additional $8, you can get it recorded. For a unique experience, sip a cup of coffee while on a zipline "table" or even chill out in a hammock over the falls for $60.

Head to Don Det for more water-fueled action. Known in Laos as the "4,000 islands," the area boasts Southeast Asia's largest waterfall in terms of water volume: the powerful Khone Phapheng Waterfall. Here, the laidback area is a backpacker favorite, popular for its low-cost riverside bungalows, bikeable islands, and full-day Mekong kayaking tours that cost around $20 including lunch.

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Some 1,500 active-duty soldiers have been placed on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a defense official confirmed to CBS News, as tensions in the city have mounted after a woman was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

Deploying the soldiers, from the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, is one option for which the military is planning in case President Trump decides to use active-duty military personnel to respond to the ongoing demonstrations, the official said. No decision has been made on whether to deploy the soldiers.

Asked about the preparations, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, "The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon."

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ABC News was first to report that the soldiers were on standby.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also mobilized the state's National Guard on Saturday, although guard members had not yet been deployed to city streets, CBS News Minnesota reported. Walz had issued a warning order earlier this month to prepare guard members for mobilization, after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7.

"We are doing the work to keep people safe in our city, and, specifically, it is our local police officers, it is the state of Minnesota and our governor," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday. "We are doing everything possible to keep the peace, notwithstanding this occupying force that has quite literally invaded our city."

In addition to the recent surge of immigration agents, Mr. Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a law dating back to the 1790s that would allow him to send federal troops into Minneapolis. The president said he would invoke the act if Minnesota politicians "don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job."

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That move could catalyze a major escalation in the tensions between Minnesota officials and the federal government, which had already sent thousands of federal law enforcement agents to the state in recent weeks as part of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Mr. Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act before, during his first term and previously during his current one, but he has never actually used it.

The Minneapolis Police Department said Saturday that demonstrators had remained peaceful and lawful in the presence of federal immigration agents, CBS Minnesota reported.

"Today, when crowds blocked roadways, vehicles were used to block roadways, MPD deployed resources and made public announcements for people move to the sidewalk or out of the area. This occurred several times. In general, crowds were responsive to those directives," the department said in a statement, urging community members involved in the protests to continue to demonstrate peacefully.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday stated firmly that a wide majority of corporators in Mumbai are backing a non-BJP mayor, asserting that the party's "Shiv Sainiks" do not want a BJP candidate to hold the post. Speaking to the media, Raut said that several new faces among the corporators are vouching for a non-BJP leader. "Everyone has decided that a BJP mayor should not be allowed. Let's see what happens next. Among the corporators, there are many new faces. They are Shiv Sainiks, and they do not want a BJP mayor. No matter how much they are kept confined, there are many means of communication today; the message can reach somewhere or the other. If it is God's will, a Shiv Sena mayor can be elected... I will tell you a historical truth--no matter how large the majority, it is fickle; it keeps shifting..." he said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of acting like a "puppet" of the BJP, questioning whether he would accept a mayor from Amit Shah's party. "Will Fadnavis accept that a mayor from Amit Shah's party should be elected? Fadnavis is behaving like a puppet," Raut added. On investments discussed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Raut expressed scepticism, saying that such announcements rarely materialise, particularly during election periods. "They do go there, but no investment comes in. The investment during election time is different," he said. Raut further emphasised that the mayor belongs to the Shiv Sena, not the "duplicate" Shiv Sena, criticising the alleged confinement of 29 corporators. "The state is theirs, yet the corporators are being kept confined. Eknath Shinde, who calls himself "Bhai," is the one who has kept the corporators confined. The mayor belongs to the Shiv Sena, not the duplicate Shiv Sena. That's Amit Shah's army. On Balasaheb's birth centenary, we want and should have a Shiv Sena mayor--we will see to that. But Shinde has handed Mumbai over to the BJP. Confining 29 corporators is strangling Marathi pride. Nobody will care about this except Eknath Shinde," he said. On the vote division due to Congress, Raut expressed confidence that the party would align with Shiv Sena (UBT) in the future. Calling Congress a "national party," he said, "Congress is a national party; it takes independent decisions. This benefited the BJP, but Congress will be with us in the future. Congratulations to them, they got seats. They have strength in Mumbai. Their seats are with us--for the fight against the BJP," he added. (ANI)
OAK PARK, Ill.  One person was killed and another person was injured in a two-vehicle crash overnight on the outbound Eisenhower Expressway in west suburban Oak Park.

According to Illinois State Police, the crash happened between a Jeep and a Saturn passenger vehicle just before 3 a.m. Sunday on westbound I-290 near Home Avenue. One person was ejected from their vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, and another person was taken to an area hospital with injuries.

Woman killed, 4 others injured in overnight crash on South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, according to Chicago police

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All outbound lanes on the Eisenhower Expressway at the crash scene reopened just after 9:30 a.m. after they were closed for several hours. ISP says no more information is available, and the crash remains under investigation.

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NEED TO KNOW

A body has been found among the debris of the Indonesia Air Transport plane that went missing on Saturday, Jan. 17

The ATR 42-500 aircraft had been flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar when it vanished from radars

Officials are searching an area of Mount Bulusaraung, Indonesia, for the remaining victims since discovering the plane wreckage



A body has been found among the debris of the Indonesia Air Transport plane that went missing with 11 people on board.

At around 1:17 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 17, the Indonesia Air Transport turboplane from Yogyakarta to Makassar lost contact with air traffic control between Maros and Pangkep Regions in South Sulawesi, according to Basarnas (SAR), Indonesias national search-and-rescue agency.

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The plane was carrying eight crew members and three passengers at the time.

The body of one of the people who was onboard has since been found on Bulusaraung mountain among the plane's wreckage, SAR confirmed in an Instagram post on Sunday, Jan. 18.

One victim of the ATR 42-500 plane was found on the slope of the top of Bulusaraung mountain, the joint SAR is still evacuating, SAR said in the translated post. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS)/Instagram Debris found after plane carrying 11 people goes missing in Indonesia Debris found after plane carrying 11 people goes missing in Indonesia

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Footage from the scene of the wreckage shows debris of the plane scattered across the ground as rescue team members search for victims.

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Hikers on Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi reported having seen scattered debris, including what appeared to be an Indonesia Air logo and small fires burning in the area, according to the Associated Press. Rescue teams then embarked on a search mission in the area.

"Our helicopter crews have seen the debris of the plane's window at 7:46 a.m.," Mr Sultan, an official at South Sulawesi's rescue agency, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "And around 7:49 a.m., we discovered large parts of the aircraft, suspected to be the fuselage of the plane.

The aircraft was reportedly chartered by Indonesia's Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to carry out a maritime surveillance operation, per the Metro and ABC.

Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS)/Instagram Rescue team members search for victims following the Indonesia Air plane crash Rescue team members search for victims following the Indonesia Air plane crash

Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee head Soerjanto Tjahjono said that based on initial findings, it is believed that the plane crashed into the slope of the mountain, per ABC.

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"We call this controlled flight into terrain. The pilot was able to control the plane and the crash was not intentional," said Soerjanto.

The cause of the crash has yet to be officially determined.

Indonesia Air Transport and Basarnas did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.



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Seattle police arrested a 12-year-old boy accused of attacking a woman with a screwdriver and stealing her purse.

It happened Saturday in the Central District.

Police say the boy attacked the 43-year-old at the Amazon Fresh store on 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street.

Officers say the boy ran up to the woman, wearing a hot pink ski mask, and poked her in the face several times with the screwdriver.

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The boy is accused of rifling through the womans belongings in the parking garage and then attacking her a second time before running off.

Based on his age, unique clothing description, and previous interactions with law enforcement, officers recognized the suspect and knew where he lived.

Police went to his familys house and got a search warrant for his arrest. They found the screwdriver on him and booked him into the juvenile detention center.
Some of the worlds most extraordinary places are vanishing. Climate change, overtourism, rising seas, political instability, and unchecked development are erasing landscapes, cultures, and cities at a pace thats shocking even experts. Destinations that once felt timeless are now racing against the clock, with scientists and locals warning that what exists today may be gone within a generation.

These arent distant hypotheticals or vague environmental fears. In many cases, the damage is visible, measurable, and accelerating. From sinking islands to melting glaciers and historic cities under threat, these destinations are disappearing faster than almost anyone expected.

1. The Maldives

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Maldives sits just a few feet above sea level, making it one of the most vulnerable countries on Earth. Rising oceans and coastal erosion are already swallowing beaches and contaminating freshwater supplies. Entire islands have begun relocating residents as a matter of survival.

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What makes the situation especially urgent is the pace. Scientists once predicted serious loss by the end of the century, but some islands are already struggling to remain habitable. Luxury resorts may survive a little longer, but local communities are facing a very different reality.

2. Venice, Italy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Venice has been sinking for centuries, but climate change has dramatically accelerated the problem. Higher tides and stronger storm surges now flood the city dozens of times each year, damaging historic buildings and infrastructure. The famous acqua alta events are no longer rare anomalies.

Mass tourism has only worsened the situation by stressing fragile foundations and ecosystems. While flood barriers offer temporary relief, experts agree they are not a permanent solution. Venice isnt disappearing overnight, but its long-term survival is deeply uncertain.

3. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

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Once considered resilient, the Great Barrier Reef is now in rapid decline. Rising ocean temperatures have caused repeated mass bleaching events, killing vast sections of coral. Some areas have already lost more than half their living reef.

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Whats alarming is how quickly recovery windows have vanished. Before reefs could regenerate, new heatwaves struck again. Scientists now warn that much of the reef could become unrecognizable within decades if warming continues.

4. Glacier National Park, USA

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Despite its name, Glacier National Park is losing its glaciers at a stunning pace. In the early 1900s, the park had around 150 glaciers. Today, fewer than 25 remain.

Researchers estimate most could disappear entirely within the next decade or two. The park will still exist, but its defining feature, the glaciers themselves, may soon be gone, transforming ecosystems and water systems across the region.

5. The Dead Sea

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Dead Sea is shrinking at an astonishing rate, losing more than a meter of water each year. Water diversion from the Jordan River and mineral extraction have caused the shoreline to recede dramatically.

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As the water disappears, sinkholes form, roads collapse, and resorts are abandoned. What was once a vast, iconic body of water is fragmenting into smaller pools, changing the landscape faster than predicted.

6. Kiribati

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Kiribati, a low-lying Pacific island nation, is slowly being claimed by the ocean. Saltwater intrusion is poisoning crops and drinking water, while rising seas eat away at coastlines.

The government has already purchased land abroad as a potential relocation option. Kiribati may become one of the first countries in modern history to lose its territory almost entirely to climate change.

7. Machu Picchu, Peru

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Machu Picchu isnt sinking into the sea, but its under immense pressure from human impact. Heavy foot traffic, erosion, and landslides threaten the structural stability of the ancient site.

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Strict visitor limits have slowed the damage, but the risk remains. Scientists warn that without continued controls, irreversible harm could occur far sooner than previously expected.

8. The Arctic

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The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet. Sea ice is disappearing, glaciers are retreating, and entire ecosystems are shifting northward.

What was once a stable frozen world is becoming unpredictable. Indigenous communities, wildlife, and even global weather systems are being affected by changes happening faster than models anticipated.

9. The Sundarbans, India and Bangladesh

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The worlds largest mangrove forest is being steadily eaten away by rising seas and stronger cyclones. Islands have already vanished, displacing thousands of residents.

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The Sundarbans also protect inland areas from storms. As they disappear, both human communities and wildlife like the Bengal tiger face growing danger.

10. Easter Island, Chile

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Easter Islands iconic stone statues are under threat from coastal erosion and rising seas. Waves are increasingly battering the cliffs where many moai stand.

Conservation efforts are racing against time. While preservation can slow damage, experts worry that some statues may be lost within decades.

11. Tuvalu

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tuvalu faces a future similar to the Maldives, but with far fewer resources. Flooding is becoming routine, and habitable land is shrinking.

International discussions now include Tuvalu in conversations about digital nationhood, preserving identity even if physical territory disappears. Its a stark sign of how fast the situation is unfolding.

12. Alaskas Coastal Villages

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Several Alaskan villages are already planning relocation as permafrost melts and coastlines erode. Homes, schools, and roads are collapsing as the ground beneath them destabilizes.

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These changes were once projected far into the future. Instead, entire communities are being forced to move within a single generation.

13. The Amazon Rainforest

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Deforestation and climate stress are pushing parts of the Amazon toward a tipping point. Scientists warn large sections could shift from rainforest to dry savanna.

Such a transformation would fundamentally alter global climate systems. The speed of deforestation has shocked researchers who once believed the Amazon was more resilient.

14. Jakarta, Indonesia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Jakarta is sinking faster than almost any major city on Earth due to groundwater extraction and rising seas. Some areas subside by several inches each year.

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The government has already announced plans to relocate the capital. While Jakarta wont vanish overnight, parts of it may become unlivable far sooner than expected.

15. The Alps

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Glaciers across the Alps are retreating at record speed. Iconic snowy peaks are losing their ice, altering landscapes that defined European travel for centuries.

Ski seasons are shortening, water supplies are shifting, and alpine ecosystems are under stress. The Alps will remain, but the version people know is disappearing rapidly.
CHICAGO  An 18-year-old man died after crashing a Jeep into a home in the Grand Crossing neighborhood on the citys South Side early Sunday morning, according to Chicago police.

Additionally, police say two guns were recovered from the vehicle.

1 killed, 1 injured in 2-vehicle crash on outbound Eisenhower Expressway overnight, police say

According to police, a white Jeep Cherokee was going west in the 0-100 block of East Marquette Road just before 5:30 a.m. when it lost control and hit multiple properties before crashing into a home in the 6600 block of South Wabash Avenue.

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The 18-year-old driver sustained fatal injuries, police say. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two passengers in the Jeep were also injured, an unidentified male and a 14-year-old boy, according to police.

Woman killed, 4 others injured in overnight crash on South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, according to Chicago police

Both were taken to Comer Childrens Hospital in critical condition.

The crash was caught on surveillance cameras from a business behind the home. A review of the footage shows the Jeep had no lights on and was traveling so fast that it couldnt be seen on camera.

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Debris damaged the home next door, a tire ended up in the neighbors backyard and parts of the brake system ended up on the back porch of another house.

The demolished home has been passed down through generations.

Its just absolutely devastating, said Malik Lobbins, a relative of the homeowner. This is a house weve had for years and years and years almost 70 years that weve been in this house.

Lobbins also lived in the home at one point. His aunt and 80-year-old grandmother were inside at the time of the crash.

Its just crazy how horrible it is, and I totally understand everybody living life, but you have to be conscious of the decisions you make, said Malik Lobbins, a relative of the homeowner. I am just so grateful, a testament to Chicago, that the house stood, and Im grateful that everybody is alive and thats all we can be thankful for.

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No other information is available, and police say Major Accidents is investigating. A GoFundMe has been created to cover damage costs for the homeowner.

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 WGN-TV.
NEW YORK  New York City is expected to get up to 3 inches of snow ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NYC Emergency Management said Saturday.

New Yorkers are being urged to stay off the roads and travel with caution as snow, slush and rain are expected to cause slippery conditions. One inch of snow was expected to fall on Saturday, but not stick.

The Big Apple will see most of the messy weather early Sunday morning as around 1 to 3 inches of snow is forecast citywide, with a possibility of 4 inches of powder in parts of eastern Queens and southeastern Brooklyn.

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New York City: Snow is here. Weve already seen 12 inches across the city, with more on the way tomorrowheaviest between 8 a.m. and noon, and again from 47 p.m. If you can, stay off the roads. If you need to travel, give yourself extra time and move with care, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said early Saturday afternoon on X.

Amid low temperatures, snow accumulation on Sunday is expected to stick. Flakes are anticipated to start falling around 8 a.m. and last until noon, then start back up at 4 p.m. and last until 7 p.m., NYCEM said.

Salt spreaders were active across the city, with plows ready to go if needed, according to the Department of Sanitation. DSNY said it has roughly 700 million pounds of salt on hand and plans to activate its GPS Room, which features a new Bladerunner 2.0 tracking operation to help keep on top of their salting operations.

Flights at New York City at LaGuardia Airport and JFK faced slight delays and halts Saturday afternoon.
A Friday afternoon, Jan. 16, crash on southbound Interstate 75 in Ogemaw County killed one person, the Michigan State Police said on Sunday morning.

A 37-year-old man from the Upper Peninsula town of Rock, Michigan, was injured and later died at a hospital, the MSP Third District said in a post on X.

Two dogs were removed from the man's vehicle and transported to the the Ogemaw County Humane Society Rea Family Animal Shelter.

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Troopers from the West Branch post were dispatched to southbound I-75 in Horton Township, near Greenwood Road, at about 4:10 p.m. Friday, the MSP said.

The Rock man was driving a pickup in the southbound lanes and attempted to change lanes. He lost control in slush and went off the highway, striking a tree, MSP said.

The driver was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, MSP said.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Ogemaw Fire Department, Ogemaw County EMS, Ogemaw County Animal Control, and D&N Towing.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Ogemaw County crash leaves 1 dead on I-75. What MSP says happened
On a cold, gray, and drizzly morning in Richmond, thousands of Virginians gathered on the steps of the state capitol to witness a moment more than two centuries in the making: the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as Virginias 75th governor and the first woman ever elected to the office.

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Shortly before noon, Spanberger arrived at the Virginia State Capitol in a motorcade, pulling in behind the building, out of view of the crowds that had gathered in Capitol Square. Joined by her husband, the Democrat wore a brilliant blue-purple pantsuit. Most supporters never saw her arrival. Moments later, she emerged onto the dais to sustained applause, beaming, dressed in a striking white coat with a gold brooch, a bright contrast against the gray sky and rain-darkened stone.

abigail spanberger with her children

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger views her inaugural parade with her daughters in Richmond on January 17, 2026. Christopher Wiggins for The Advocate

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Related: Newly elected Virginia lieutenant governor appoints LGBTQ+ advocate to transition team

Organizers anticipated the cold and wet, handing out plastic ponchos, hand warmers, seat cushions, hot chocolate, and water as people arrived early and waited through intermittent light rain. The discomfort only sharpened the sense of purpose that defined the day  a peaceful transfer of power in the state that Spanberger herself would describe as a cornerstone of our American democratic experiment, one begun by Virginian George Washington.

Just moments before Spanberger took the oath, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi was sworn in as Virginias lieutenant governor, and Democrat Jay Jones was sworn in as attorney general, completing a Democratic sweep of the Commonwealths top statewide offices. Hashmi is the first Muslim woman elected to state office in the U.S., and Jones is the first Black man to serve as Virginia's attorney general.

Related: LGBTQ+ ally Abigail Spanberger trounces anti-trans Republican to win Virginia governors race

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The crowd reflected the political and historical weight of the occasion. U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner attended, alongside a bipartisan lineup of former governors. Democrats Ralph Northam, Terry McAuliffe, and L. Douglas Wilder were present, as was former Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell. Wilder, the first Black governor elected in Virginia and in the nation, drew sustained applause when Spanberger acknowledged that he was celebrating his 95th birthday. State Sen. Danica Roem, the first transgender person elected to state office in Virginia, was among the attendees, in her official capacity as part of the joint assembly.

progress pride flag with abigail spanberger

Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride marched at Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Virginia. Christopher Wiggins for The Advocate

Standing at that intersection of past and present, Spanberger delivered an address that functioned as both an inaugural speech and a guided history lesson, deliberately walking the crowd through Virginias outsized role in shaping American democracy. Seventy-five times in Virginias storied history, we have witnessed this transfer from one governor to the next, she said. It is the honor of my life to stand before you and take the oath today. The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me.

She invoked Patrick Henrys warning against factionalism, recalled the suffragists who returned to those steps year after year seeking the vote, noted Virginias long delay in ratifying the 19th Amendment, and cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s 1960 address in Richmond, urging compliance with Brown v. Board of Education. The through line was unmistakable: Progress in Virginia has come through persistence, coalition-building, and the gradual expansion of who is included in the promise of democracy.

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From history, Spanberger pivoted sharply to the present, voicing what she said many Virginians are feeling amid turmoil in Washington.

Related: Virginia LGBTQ+ groups thrilled to march in inaugural parade celebrating the state's new Dem governor

I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington, she said, pointing to federal policies she said are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, and hollowing out rural hospitals, while closing off markets, hurting innovation in private industry, and attacking those who have devoted their lives to public service. She warned of an administration she said was gilding buildings while schools crumble, breaking the social safety net, and sowing fear across our communities, betraying the values of who we are as Americans.

pride flag

LGBTQ+ people and allies marched with a giant Pride flag at Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Virginia, on January 17, 2026. Christopher Wiggins for The Advocate

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She tied those concerns directly to daily life in Virginia. Across the Commonwealth, everything keeps getting a bit more expensive, Spanberger said, listing groceries, medicine, child care, electricity, rent, and mortgages. Families, she said, are strained, and so much seems to be getting harder and harder.

Still, she struck a note of guarded unity. Acknowledging disagreement in the crowd and beyond it, Spanberger said differing perspectives need not preclude cooperation. Your perspective may differ from mine, she said, but that does not preclude us from working together where we may find common cause.

Spanberger framed Virginia as a commonwealth whose government exists to serve the common good and whose strength depends on embracing the full diversity of its people. She spoke of inclusive educational experiences, respect for immigrant neighbors, and the need to ensure that every Virginian, regardless of background, has a stake in the states future. Inclusion and diversity, she argued, are not abstract ideals but foundational to unity and prosperity.

At the same time, she addressed the anxieties weighing on families across the state. Across the Commonwealth, everything keeps getting a bit more expensive, she said, naming groceries, rent, health care, and energy bills. Her answer, she promised, would be pragmatic governance focused on affordability, stability, and results rather than ideological theater.

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Those priorities were already visible in her first hours as governor. On her first day as governor, Spanberger signed a slate of executive orders aimed at lowering the cost of living, strengthening public education, protecting workers, and reversing select policies of her Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin. She rescinded Youngkins directive encouraging state and local law enforcement to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, while leaving other late-term directives intact for now.

As the oath concluded, the atmosphere shifted. The rain stopped. The clouds lifted. And as the inaugural parade stepped off, sunlight broke through, turning the sky a clear, defiant blue.

ghazala hashmi and the spanbergers

Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (left) with Gov. Abigail Spanberger (right) and First Gentleman Adam Spanberger. Christopher Wiggins for The Advocate

Thousands remained to watch, cheering as marching bands, unions, community groups, and advocacy organizations passed the reviewing stand. Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride were among those represented, painting the area in rainbow colors under the banner We belong here as more than 50 LGBTQ+ people and allies carrying Progress Pride and trans Pride flags walked together. The crowd erupted in cheers. From the reviewing stand, Spanberger smiled broadly and blew kisses as the flags passed.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: Abigail Spanberger becomes VA's first woman governor, honoring history and diversity in inaugural speech

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Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers are standing by for a potential Minneapolis deployment, multiple media outlets reported over the weekend.

The 11th Airborne Division troops, now stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, are poised to respond to protests in the city following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis Jan. 7.

Good was an activist who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent as she tried to leave the scene in her vehicle.

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Her death, along with a surge of ICE agents, have sparked demonstrations in the city.

On Wednesday, an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan man who tried fleeing amid a targeted traffic stop.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz mobilized the National Guard Saturday in an effort to support local officials.

"Minnesota National Guardsmen live, work and serve in our state, and are focused on protecting life, preserving property and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights," officials said, per NPR.

President Donald Trump has not yet sent the troops to the city, and it is unclear when that decision will be made. He has also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act.
A vicar who only started going to church as a teenager because he had a crush on his future wife is preparing to leave the city he has served for a new adventure.

The Right Reverend Andy Bowerman will fly to Australia the same day he gives his final service as Dean of Bradford.

Friends, parishioners and community leaders will join him at Bradford Cathedral, where he has worked and lived in the grounds since 2022.

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He told the BBC how much he has enjoyed his time in the "very special" city where he was first ordained as a Church of England priest 24 years ago.

Bowerman has accepted a role in Melbourne as a dean at a group of Christian schools with 3,500 students and staff.

He said: "It was more the role. I keep telling people, I never had any sense that we'd go and live in Australia.

"But this just seemed like a really exciting opportunity to try and help pupils stay curious about faith and learn about faith.

"I'll take my last service and then in the evening we'll hop on a plane.

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"We stop over in Dubai and will go and see our granddaughter. And then by the Wednesday, I'll be starting."

Dean Bowerman will take his final service in Bradford Cathedral then fly to Melbourne on the same day [BBC]

The 57-year-old was ordained in Bradford back in 2002 and spent eight years "learning to be a vicar", serving first as a curate at St Augustine's in Undercliffe.

During this time he also set up the not-for-profit Vicars Cafe Bistro in Saltaire and was the chaplain to Bradford City FC between 2004 and 2009.

He moved to parishes elsewhere in England and had a spell in Dubai in 2018, when he worked with the Mission to Seafarers charity before returning to Bradford.

Bowerman and his wife Ali have fostered 24 children across 15 years, and had four of their own after meeting as teenagers.

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"I started to go to church when I was 17, and I have to confess it was mainly because I was very interested in a young lady who'd joined our school.

"The only way was to go along to her church youth group.

"Anyway it worked in lots of ways because I found faith, but I also ended up finding a wife."

They married in their early 20s, and worked with AIDS patients and refugees in Pakistan in the 1990s. The couple now have two grandchildren.

As part of the City of Culture celebrations, Bowerman was a member of the BBC Radio Leeds Bantam of the Opera choir, and met the King when they sang for the monarch during a royal visit in May.

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He said: "It will be very difficult to say farewell to the very special community here at Bradford as well as to colleagues and friends in the wider district and diocese.

"We'll definitely be back for regular visits as our eldest daughter, and our grandson, still live in Bradford."

The Reverend Canon Jonathan Triffitt, who grew up in the city, has been appointed as interim Dean of Bradford for a period of three years.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More on this story
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived at the Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi after cancelling his scheduled visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum 2026. Addressing reporters at the Karnataka Bhavan, Shivakumar remarked that the media has become the new "high command," claiming it discusses, follows and judges everything. "See, when I am in Delhi, I am here with you. You in the media have now become the high command (media), you discuss everything, follow everything and judge everything," Shivakumar told reporters. Amid renewed speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, the Deputy CM said he does not disclose or discuss such matters. He added that he prefers not to speak even when there is "good news." "When there is good news, we don't talk about it. It's Sunday, a good day. We are people who work for the people and wish well for them. We do not disclose or discuss anything related to such matters, including leadership change," Shivakumar said. Speculation about a leadership change resurfaced after Shivakumar travelled to the national capital, cancelling his scheduled visit to Davos. Earlier on January 16, Shivakumar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. When questioned about the intent of his visit, the Karnataka Deputy CM told the media that he is not in a position to disclose any plans, as his meeting with AICC is not an issue to be discussed in public. He said it is upon the "General Secretary to disclose any plan". In response to a question about whether any chief ministerial position talks occurred during the latest meeting between him and Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday at the Mysuru (Mandakalli) airport. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "I can't disclose all these things. It is not an issue to be discussed in public. It is between me, the party High Command, and my Chief Minister." He further said that he has come here only to meet his party leaders. The media further asked whether DK Shivakumar has any plans to meet any Union Minister. In response to the question, the Deputy Chief Minister said, " Yes, I have some meetings, I have an important legal issue connected to irrigation projects, and some big cases are there. I will also be meeting some Union Ministers." The latest developments come against the backdrop of speculation about a possible change in the state's leadership after the Congress government in Karnataka completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. (ANI)
Amish barns and solar panels are probably not two things most people think of as going together, but times are changing. Anabaptist World recently reported that Amish communities are starting to adopt solar as their source of power.

It's a long-held misconception that the Amish use no electricity at all. Instead, most of them simply believe that relying heavily on electricity or access to public power grids will tie them too closely to the rest of the world.

Some Amish people have used gas and diesel generators to produce electricity and candles or kerosene lamps to light their homes. However, as solar panel technology improves and prices drop, these generators and lamps are becoming less attractive.

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For the Amish, solar power allows access to clean, renewable energy while remaining off-grid. The shift benefits the environment as well.

Burning kerosene, like burning all dirty energy, releases carbon dioxide. Kerosene lamps also produce black carbon, which absorbs light and heats its surroundings.

According to the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, mass black carbon has a per-unit warming impact on climate that can be up to 1,500 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Burning kerosene also comes with severe health risks and can damage the lungs and increase asthma and cancer risks. Exposure to diesel exhaust can also cause serious health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses and can worsen existing heart and lung disease.

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Switching to solar eliminates all of this, although the trend is still fairly recent in Amish communities.

"We really didn't see a lot of adoption until 2015 or maybe even later  In the last four years, it's really taken off," Mark Horst, the owner of King Solar in Kansas, told Anabaptist World.

But many believe the technology will continue to gain popularity.

"For a commercial scale  say a chicken house with feed lines or power tools in a shop  15 years ago, technology wasn't there to power that  It's changing faster than ever now," James Mast, founder of ARK Battery in Ohio, told Anabaptist World.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
A monument depicts the Little Rock Nine outside the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas on Monday, January 12, 2026 (Photo by Andrew DeMillo/Arkansas Advocate)

Its one of the most famous moments to happen on the front steps of Arkansas Capitol: In 1968, Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller was the only Southern governor to hold a public memorial following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination.

The indelible image of a white governor joining hands with Black mourners to sing We Shall Overcome was needed to heal a city that was just a couple hours away from where King was killed.

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The moment was also a reminder of how Arkansas shines the best when its leaders find ways to highlight the importance of civil rights rather than shy away. Arkansas needs to find more avenues to do so, even in a hyperpartisan environment.

The states move nearly a decade ago to remove Robert E. Lees name from the state holiday honoring King was a step in the right direction. The joint holiday honoring the civil rights icon alongside the Confederate general had become an embarrassment for the state, especially as pictures of the state notices about the joint holiday gained traction on social media.

That embarrassment was enough for Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson to add the issue to his legislative agenda and take the rare step of testifying before a legislative committee in favor of it.

The state has made other signs of progress, at least symbolically.

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The decision to replace one of the states statues in the U.S. Capitol with one of Daisy Bates, the civil rights leader who mentored the nine students who integrated Central High School, was a necessary statement to be made in a building where statues of Confederate leaders can still be found.

A statue depicting Arkansas civil rights leader Daisy Bates on display at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Andrew DeMillo/Arkansas Advocate)

A lesser but still significant step was taken by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signing legislation creating a specialty license plate honoring the Central High historic site.

But elsewhere there have been stumbles and missed opportunities. That includes the effort to no longer honor the Confederacy with one of the stars on Arkansas flag, a proposal that failed before a legislative committee. Similarly, a bid to end the states commemoration of Confederate Flag Day passed the House in 2021 but failed before a Senate panel.

The current political climate isnt encouraging for another attempt at these measures. President Donald Trump has defended Confederate figures and symbols, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken moves to restore the names of Confederate generals to military bases.

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Sanders has echoed Trumps rhetoric complaining about indoctrination in the classroom, with a law she signed prohibiting critical race theory from being taught in public schools thats sparked a legal fight. The prohibition has also drawn criticism from civil rights groups who say the restriction threatens to whitewash history. A federal appeals court panel last year allowed the law to be enforced in the state.

Arkansas is running out of opportunities to properly honor that history instead of engaging in fights over it. Many of the leaders and key figures of the Civil Rights Movement are gone, including Claudette Colvin, who died last week. Two of the Little Rock Nine have died, leaving only seven of those civil rights icons left.

Next year marks 70 years since the Little Rock desegregation crisis, and it may be one of the last times that an anniversary can be commemorated with most of the Little Rock Nine on hand. The sad truth is that despite the symbolic progress thats been made, Arkansas remains a state where symbols and monuments of the Confederacy significantly outnumber tributes to the states civil rights icons.

Its easy to echo talking points about heritage and much harder to admit that true patriotism requires embracing a full history. It requires elevating civil rights heroes, and acknowledging a country and states shameful past.

Finding a way to do so in this environment might be the best monument.

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Soldiers are on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a US defence official has told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

The official said the 1,500 soldiers, currently in Alaska, are an option for US President Donald Trump if he decided to use active duty military personnel, as anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations continued in the city on Saturday.

No decision has yet been made on whether to deploy the soldiers from Alaska, the official said.

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Minnesota officials have urged protesters to stay orderly and peaceful during demonstrations after an ICE agent shot dead US citizen Renee Good earlier this month.

The soldiers are part of the 11th Airborne Division in Fort Wainwright, the official added.

In a Sunday interview on CBS Face the Nation, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned Trump's threat to send more troops into the city, saying the existing presence of federal ICE agents is already an "occupying force that has quite literally invaded our city".

"You can go through whatever rhetorical flourish you want, but when you have 3,000 ICE agents and border control come to the city, when you've got this supposed threat of 1,500 military coming to the city, yeah, that's very much what it feels like," Frey said.

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Last week, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used law that allows active-duty military personnel to be deployed for law enforcement duties inside the US.

It comes as a US federal judge issued an order limiting the crowd control tactics that can be used by ICE agents towards "peaceful and unobstructive" protesters in Minneapolis.

On Friday, Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that federal agents cannot arrest or pepper spray peaceful demonstrations, including those monitoring or observing ICE agents.

But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a Sunday interview on CBS's Face the Nation that the judge's ruling is "a little ridiculous" because it "didn't change anything".

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"We only use those chemical agents when there's violence happening and perpetuating and you need to be able to establish law and order to keep people safe," Noem said. "So that judge's order didn't change anything for how we're operating on the ground, because it's basically telling us to do what we've already been doing."

The state's National Guard has been mobilised and placed on alert by Governor Tim Walz, and other law enforcement officers were deployed to Minneapolis ahead of the anti-ICE demonstrations.

Recent protests in the city were sparked by widespread action by ICE in the city, and follow Good's death on 7 January.

City leaders said Good was there as a legal observer of ICE activity.

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But the Trump administration has called her a "domestic terrorist".

Good's death sparked protests across the country, with many people holding signs that read "Justice for Renee".
Pennsylvania State Police are opening a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead at an assisted living facility Saturday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police Troop E out of Franklin arrested 48-year-old Dylan Diven of Polk.

According to a police report, Venango County 911 got a call just before 9 a.m. that a patient at Sugar Valley Lodge, an assisted living facility located in the 100 block of church street in Polk, was stabbed several times by another patient.

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Parents, boyfriend charged for 2024 death of Erie child

The victim, identified as 60-year-old Mary Gruphofer, was found deceased in her room and Diven was taken into custody.

Diven was denied bail and remains in the Venango County jail as police continue their investigation.

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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Nasa's mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

Over almost 12 hours, the 98m-tall Space Launch System was carried vertically from the Vehicle Assembly Building on the 4-mile (6.5km) journey to the pad.

Now it is in position, the final tests, checks - and a dress rehearsal - will take place, before the go-ahead is given for the 10-day Artemis II mission that will see four astronauts travel around the Moon.

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Nasa says the earliest the rocket can blast off is 6 February, but there are also more launch windows later that month, as well as in March and April.

The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will fly the Artemis II mission to the Moon [Reuters]

The rocket began moving at 07:04 local time (12:04 GMT) and arrived at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center at 18:41 local time (23:42 GMT).

The rocket was carried by a huge machine called a crawler-transporter, travelling at a top speed of 0.82 mph (1.3 km/h) as it trundled along. Live coverage captured the slow-moving spectacle.

Nasa said the rocket will be prepared over the next few days for what it calls a "wet dress rehearsal" - a test for fuel operations and countdown procedures.

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The Artemis II crew - Nasa's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen - were at the Kennedy Space Center watching the rocket as it was moved.

In just a few weeks, the four astronauts will be strapped into a spacecraft, perched on the top of the rocket, ready to blast off to the Moon.

It will be the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 landed on its surface in December 1972.

From left to right the Artemis crew is Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen [NASA]

Nasa said the mission could take its astronauts further into space than anyone has been before.

Artemis II is not scheduled to land on the Moon, but will instead lay the groundwork for a future lunar landing led by the Artemis III mission.

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Nasa said the launch of Artemis III will take place "no earlier than" 2027. But, experts believe 2028 is the earliest possible date.

Koch said it was an amazing feeling to see the rocket.

"Astronauts are the calmest people on launch day. And I think... it feels that way because we're just so ready to fulfil the mission that we came here to do, that we've trained to do," she said.

Hansen said he hoped the mission would inspire the world.

"The Moon is something that I've taken for granted. I've looked at it my whole life, but then you just glance at it and glance away," he said.

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"But now I've been staring at it a lot more, and I think others will be joining us and staring at the Moon a lot more as there will be humans flying around the far side and that is just good for humanity."

Before Artemis II heads to the Moon, the first two days of their mission will be spent in orbit around the Earth.

"We're going to be going into an orbit almost right away that is 40,000 miles out - like a fifth of the way of the Moon," Koch told BBC News.

"We will have the Earth out the window as a single ball, something none of us have seen in that perspective.

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"And then we're going to travel a quarter of a million miles away we're going to do a lot of science and operations along the way."

While they fly around the far side of the Moon, the crew will have three hours dedicated to lunar observation - to gaze, take images and to study its geology, which will help plan and prepare for a future landing at the Moon's south pole.

The European Service Module provides power and propulsion and life support systems [NASA]

A key part of the Orion spacecraft that the astronauts will be flying in was made in Bremen in Germany.

The European Service Module, which sits behind the crew capsule, is the European Space Agency's contribution to the mission and has been built by Airbus.

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"The European Service Module is so important - we basically can't get to the Moon without it," says Sian Cleaver, a spacecraft engineer at Airbus.

"It provides the propulsion that Orion needs to get us to the Moon."

Its large solar arrays will generate all the electrical power for the craft, she adds.

"We've also got these big tanks full of oxygen and nitrogen, which are mixed to make air, and also water, so that we can provide everything that the astronauts need in the crew module to keep them alive on their journey."

Sian Cleaver from Airbus says the safety of the astronauts is the top priority [Kevin Church/ BBC News]

Inside their cleanroom, the team is busy building more modules for future Artemis missions. Each one takes about 18 months to put together but has taken thousands of engineering hours to design. Everything on board has to work perfectly.

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"We've got to get those astronauts to the Moon and then back again, completely safely," says Cleaver.

With the rocket now on launchpad 39B, the Artemis team is working around the clock to get it ready for lift off.

The mission has already faced years of delays, and Nasa is under pressure to get the astronauts on their way as soon as possible. However, the US space agency said it would not compromise on safety.

John Honeycutt, chair of the Artemis mission management team, said: "I've got one job, and it's the safe return of Reid and Victor and Christina and Jeremy.

"We're going to fly when we're ready... crew safety is going to be our number one priority."
An attorney for former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Devin Horton released a statement addressing the administrators Saturday arrest.

Hortons attorney, Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell, called the argument that led to Hortons arrest a personal matter between husband and wife.

He also said the dispute had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument, except for their being home during the dispute.

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Hortons wife also doesnt want charges pursued, Campbell said.

The former DeKalb superintendent was booked into the DeKalb County Jail Saturday afternoon on third degree child cruelty charges and aggravated assault/strangulation charges, according to jail records.

Horton resigned late last year after the feds charged him with fraud for allegedly stealing money from his last school district in Illinois.

Hes also now under investigation in DeKalb for decisions he made during his two years as superintendent.

Dr. Horton and his wife got into an argument at their home yesterday, and he was arrested as a result. Because headlines can be misleading, everyone should know that this incident had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument in any way, other than the mere fact that they were at home when it occurred. Dr. Horton is a loving and devoted father to his children. This is really a personal matter between husband and wife, and Dr. Hortons wife is fully supportive of him and does not want charges pursued. Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell

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Authorities recovered drugs, cash and stolen guns during a search in Uniontown.

According to the Fayette County District Attorneys Office, the Allegany County, Md., narcotics task force investigation on Thursday led to multiple arrests.

One of those arrested was David Coffey, 63, of Uniontown, the DAs office says.

Based on newly received information, Fayette County officials obtained and executed a search warrant at Coffeys home on Walnut Street.

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Authorities recovered 10 grams of crack cocaine, evidence of drug distribution, $4,200 in cash and 14 guns, two of which were reported stolen, the DAs office says.

Coffey, who is prohibited from owning guns in Pennsylvania, is incarcerated in Maryland and will face additional charges in Fayette County, the DAs office says.

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A West Yarmouth man has pleaded guilty after he was caught stealing funds from a labor union.

67-year-old Kenneth Mattoon pleaded guilty to embezzlement of labor union assets in federal court on Thursday.

Mattoon served as an officer of the labor union of the Barnstable Massachusetts Department of Public Works Employees Local Number 3003 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. From May 2020 to May 2025, its reported that Mattoon embezzled money.

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The charge of embezzlement from a labor union provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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An Oregonian invited fellow Redditors to play a surprisingly challenging game of "I spy" with collected debris from a coastal beach.

They shared the striking collection of plastic waste they gathered at the beach in an image posted to the r/Anticonsumption community.

Photo Credit: Reddit



"Some are obvious but some I can't figure out what they are 'supposed' to be," they assessed.

In the column of things they could figure out, they identified "a plastic fork, a cork, a toothbrush handle, shotgun shell, dog collar link, plastic bottle caps galore, fishing plastics, and a coat hanger hook."

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While the OP's exercise provided a little bit of levity to the situation, the scenario on the ground is grave for the planet.

Each year, approximately 11 million tons of plastic enter the ocean, according to Surfers Against Sewage. That is extremely dangerous for marine life like fish, sea turtles, and more. They can inadvertently ingest plastic, mistake it for food, or get trapped in it. The World Wildlife Fund estimates 100,000 marine mammals die every year from those causes.

The pace and severity of the plastic crisis in the oceans are also worsening. Studies reveal microplastic pollution is going deeper and lasting for decades on end in oceans. There are predictions, like one by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, that plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish by 2050.

More responsible behavior by visitors at beaches or in nearby areas can help slow the speed of the plastic takeover. Cleanup efforts by organizations and individuals are another way to block the litter from getting out of our reach.

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Of course, any strategy against plastic pollution starts with using less plastic to begin with. Items the OP picked up, like plastic bottle caps and forks, are among those that consumers can look to avoid, and certainly dispose of properly if they do use them.

The OP did such a commendable job of picking out items that they'd collected that the community was more predisposed to applaud their efforts than solve for any of the mystery items.

How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"Thanks for picking up all that crap," a user wrote.

"Make it into art or something," a different Redditor suggested.

A viewer marveled at the amount of plastic fishing waste: "Egads, an unholy haul!"

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Naval history has always been a story of innovation colliding with ambition. From massive battleships that symbolized national pride to stealthy submarines and nuclear-powered carriers that quietly changed warfare, engineering brilliance has often defined who holds the advantage at sea.

These vessels were floating experiments in design, technology, and human ingenuity. Some dominated their era, while others became symbols of lessons learned. Taken together, they form a fascinating journey through time, showing how each generation of naval architects sought to outdo the last in scale, power, and vision.

Bismarck (Germany, 1940)

Image Credit: Bundesarchiv - CC-BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Bismarck became the warship everyone in the Atlantic talked about, not just because of its guns but because of how it tied engineering into a single balanced package. Its designers blended high speed, heavy protection, and a long cruising range in a hull that could handle rough seas.

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The ships compartmentalization and damage-control layouts reflected meticulous German planning. Even its fire-control systems, while not revolutionary, worked seamlessly with the rest of the design.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Balanced speed, armor, and range in one hull.

 Advanced compartmentalization for survivability.

 Demonstrated how a single ship could alter global strategy.

Yamato (Japan, 1941)

Image Credit: Hasuya Hirohata - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Yamato was engineering audacity taken to sea, a statement that size and survivability could still dominate. Its designers pursued a 'bigger solves everything' philosophy, then found ways to make that mass move and fight.

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Onboard systems, armor distribution, and shock protection pushed the limits of wartime metallurgy. The ships vast power plant was built to travel across the Pacific with confidence. Yet Yamato arrived just as naval airpower was rewriting the rules. Its fate underscored that even brilliant engineering can be overtaken by a change in doctrine. Still, the ship showcased incredible craftsmanship in structural strength and compartment layout.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Largest battleship ever built, with record-setting guns.

 Armor and structural strength that redefined metallurgy.

 An unmatched symbol of scale and ambition.

USS Essex (CV-9, United States, 1942)

Image Credit: PHCS Jackman - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Essex won battles at sea through smart design. The class standardized features that made carriers easier to build, fix, and upgrade while the fight raged. Its efficient elevator arrangement and hangar workflow made air operations faster and safer.

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Essex proved that engineering brilliance sometimes looks like efficiency rather than spectacle. The ships kept flying even after battle damage because systems were laid out with redundancy and repair in mind. Commanders trusted them, aircrews loved them, and shipyards could turn them out reliably. Essex carriers adapted to new aircraft and new electronics without a fundamental redesign. That flexibility extended their utility into the Cold War era.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Streamlined for mass wartime production.

 Deck-edge elevators sped up flight operations.

 Flexible design extended service life for decades.

USS Missouri (BB-63, United States, 1944)

Image Credit: Official U.S. Navy Photograph - U.S. National Archives, Online Public Access/Wiki Commons.

The Mighty Mo represented the peak of American fast-battleship ethos. Engineers balanced armor, speed, and long-range gunnery with radar-directed fire control that was ahead of its time.

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Missouri could sprint, take hits, and keep shooting in rough seas. The ships electrical systems and internal protection reflected lessons learned the hard way earlier in the war. Serving in Korea and later conflicts, it became a tech platform that stayed relevant well past the battleship era. The design tolerated new electronics and upgraded defenses without losing its core strengths.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Perfected the fast-battleship concept.

 Radar fire control advanced long-range gunnery.

 Stayed relevant in combat well past WWII.

USS Midway (CV-41, United States, 1945)

Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Midway bridged eras by marrying heavy protection with the flexibility that carriers required. Its structural strength and flight deck design, heftier than earlier U.S. carriers, anticipated bigger, faster postwar aircraft. Engineers built in room for growth, which turned out to be the smartest decision of all.

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Over a service life that spanned the jet age, Midway absorbed angled decks, new arresting gear, and modern sensors. The ship became a testbed for how to modernize without starting from scratch. Its power plant and hull form gave it endurance and sea-keeping suited for global operations. Crews could reconfigure spaces to support new missions without crippling downtime.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Built to handle the transition to jet aircraft.

 Adapted easily to angled decks and modern systems.

 Service life of about 47 years thanks to design foresight.

USS Nautilus (SSN-571, United States, 1954)

Image Credit: John Kristoffersen - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Nautilus changed submarines from endurance-limited stalkers into true ocean rovers. Nuclear propulsion freed the boat from the tyranny of snorkeling and battery cycles.

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That single change demanded a rethinking of hull strength, heat management, and crew safety. Engineers built shielding, redundancies, and controls that set the safety culture for nuclear navies. Nautilus could sprint underwater for long distances, turning vast oceans into tactical space. Systems integration mattered as much as the reactor, from quieting measures to navigation. The hull and internal layouts were tuned to a new kind of sustained high-speed submerged life.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 First nuclear-powered submarine.

 Unlimited underwater endurance revolutionized tactics.

 Set the safety and design standards for future nuclear fleets.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65, United States, 1961)

Image Credit: Airman Rob Gaston - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Enterprise, the worlds first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, scaled the Nautilus idea into a floating air base. Eight reactors gave the ship remarkable endurance and electrical headroom for evolving air wings and sensors.

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That power also demanded an engineering culture that could handle complexity without losing reliability. Enterprise pioneered the logistics, training, and procedures America still uses for nuclear carriers. Its gigantic deck operations benefited from the ships speed and stability in heavy seas. Across decades, the ship adapted to new aircraft, new missions, and new defensive systems. It became a platform where innovation felt normal rather than exceptional.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 First nuclear-powered carrier with eight reactors.

 Adapted to changing aircraft and missions for decades.

 Created the blueprint for nuclear carrier operations.

Kirov-class (Russia, 1980)

Image Credit: JOHN KRISTOFFERSEN - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Kirov demonstrated that the other superpower could deploy nuclear power to the surface fleet in a distinct manner. Instead of a floating airfield, the Soviets built a missile battlecruiser with staggering magazine depth.

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The class combined nuclear and steam plants to drive a very large, very fast hull. Engineers focused on developing long-range anti-ship and air-defense missiles that are integrated with powerful sensors. It was an air-denial concept made manifest in steel and electronics. The ships size allowed heavy armor for vital spaces and layers of redundancy.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Hybrid nuclear/steam propulsion for speed and range.

 Designed as a missile battleship with heavy firepower.

 Bold alternative to Western carrier-centric doctrine.

USS Ohio (SSBN/SSGN-726, United States, 1981)

Image Credit: Destiny Dempsey/U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Ohio took the submarine-based nuclear deterrent and made it both quieter and more sustainable. The design emphasized reliability, habitability, and patrol endurance as much as raw stealth.

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Engineers built systems to keep noise down, maintenance predictable, and crews effective months at a time. The navigation, propulsion, and auxiliary systems were arranged for routine excellence rather than spectacle. Later conversions to guided-missile roles showed the hulls adaptability. That ability to change missions without changing identities is engineering maturity.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Designed for long, quiet nuclear deterrent patrols.

 Prioritized crew habitability and reliability.

 Flexible enough for conversion to new missions.

USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51, United States, 1991)

Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Arleigh Burke is the Swiss Army knife of modern surface warfare, and thats not an accident. Designers prioritized survivability, steel hull, careful compartmentation, and damage control from day one.

The ships Aegis combat system and vertical launch cells made it a flexible missile truck. Just as important, the hull, power, and cooling margins supported relentless upgrades over decades. Engineers built a ship that could continually absorb new radars, weapons, and computing systems without breaking. Multiple Flights of the class prove the architectures staying power.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Designed for survivability and toughness.

 Aegis system + VLS gave unmatched flexibility.

 Architecture that remains upgradeable after 30+ years.

USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000, United States, 2016)

Image Credit: National Museum of the U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Zumwalt is a risk-taking lab wrapped in a stealth destroyers silhouette. Its tumblehome hull reduces radar signature and forces new thinking about stability and control.

The integrated power system turns the entire ship into an electrical plant, enabling high-demand sensors and future weapons. Advanced automation promised smaller crews and tighter systems management. Some original ideas, like the gun system, didnt pan out as planned, and thats part of innovation, too.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Stealth-focused hull with reduced radar signature.

 Integrated power plant built for future weapons.

 Served as a floating prototype for next-gen naval design.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78, United States, 2017)

Image Credit: Jackson Adkins - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Ford pushes the supercarrier concept into the 21st century with power to spare. Its electromagnetic catapults and advanced arresting gear are more than flashy acronyms; they reduce stress on aircraft and promise quicker turnarounds.

A redesigned flight deck streamlines the choreography of moving, fueling, and arming jets. Elevators and magazines were rethought for both safety and tempo. The reactors provide massive electrical capacity for sensors and future systems that havent even been fielded yet. Yes, the ship worked through early reliability headaches, as any first-of-class does.

Engineering Brilliance Highlights:

 Electromagnetic launch and recovery systems.

 Redesigned flight deck for faster jet operations.

 Built for future adaptability with surplus power.

Where the Waves Meet Innovation

Image Credit: PH1 Harold Gerwien - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

From steel giants that shook the oceans to silent submarines patrolling unseen, these vessels tell the story of how human ambition constantly pushes the boundaries of technology. Each ship represents a moment when naval engineering took a bold step forward, often changing the future of warfare in the process. While the details of their careers vary, some legendary, some tragic, the common thread is innovation.

Looking ahead, the seas will no doubt host even more radical designs, from autonomous warships to hybrid vessels powered by futuristic energy systems. But as we chart that course, its worth remembering the lineage of brilliance that brought us here.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday welcomed devotees and members of the Gayatri Family from across the country and beyond, as he graced the centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Family at Shantikunj, Haridwar. "Today is the birth centenary of the revered Mata Ji, and it is also the day marking the completion of 100 years of Gurudev's penance and spiritual practice. More than 40,000 devotees and members of the Gayatri Family are arriving here from the country and around the world. I welcome everyone..." CM Dhami said. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was also present at the event, emphasised Gayatri Family's role in spreading India's civilisation and cultural consciousness on a global scale. "On this sacred day of Mauni Amavasya, we have all gathered here on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the revered Mata Ji. The Gayatri Family, based on the consciousness ignited by Gurudev and the organisational mantra given by him, has worked not only in India but across the entire world to expand India's civilisational consciousness rooted in India's civilisation and cultural values," he said. Earlier today, CM Dhami participated in the 'Dhwaj Vandan Ceremony' organised by Dev Sanskriti University at Shantikunj, Haridwar, on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations-2026. On Wednesday, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, in Uttarakhand, Dr Chinmay Pandya, outlined the schedule and scale of the centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Pariwar. "On January 18, the first program is the flag hoisting ceremony," Chinmay Pandya told ANI, adding, "On the day of the flag hoisting ceremony, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, central ministers, and many distinguished personalities from various fields, including writers and educationists, will be present." He said spiritual leaders and volunteers will also participate in large numbers. "Spiritual saints will also be there, along with thousands of Gayatri Family workers," he stated. Pandya said the celebrations will focus on national development and education. "The programme begins with the flag-hoisting ceremony and a pledge to contribute to nation-building," he added. Outlining the subsequent events, he said, "The following day, there will be the seventh convocation ceremony of Dev Sanskriti University and also the tribal conference." He further said several senior Union leaders are scheduled to attend. "The Home Minister is arriving; the Defence Minister, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, the Governor of Uttarakhand, and several Union Ministers, such as Shivraj Singh, JP Nadda, and many other Union Ministers, are arriving here," Pandya said. (ANI)
The Shoppes at North Brunswick, a retail center along one of the townships busiest corridors has been sold to a local private investor.

JLL facilitated the leasehold sale of the Route 1 property on behalf of Shoppes at North Brunswick, L.L.C., an affiliate of The Azarian Group.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the investors name was withheld, according to a statement on Thursday from JLL.

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The nearly 147,000-square-foot shopping center is located on 15.8 acres at 650 Shoppes Blvd., North Brunswick.

Built in 2007, the property includes 42 retail stores and five small office tenants across three buildings.

Current occupancy stands at 86.7%, with national brands including Starbucks, Chipotle, Bath & Body Works, Mens Wearhouse, Crumbl Cookies, Banana Republic, Big Blue Swim School and Orange Theory Fitness among the tenant roster.

According to Jose Cruz, senior managing director with JLLs Investment Sales and Advisory team, the property offered multiple advantages for the buyer.

The propertys strong tenant mix, robust demographics and multiple avenues for value creation made it an attractive investment, Cruz said in a statement.

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The property has nearly 20,000 square feet of vacant space.

Kevin OHearn, a senior managing director with JLL, said in the statement that the property offered excellent potential for the new owner to make further upgrades and attract trending tenancy.

Senior Director J.B. Bruno also served on JLLs transaction team.

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Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A new museum exhibit at the Library of Michigan is putting Chicano and Latino history in the spotlight through a vivid, often-overlooked medium: black velvet painting.

Black velvet paintings basically are a painting where instead of being acrylic paint being painted on canvas, its actually painted on velvetlike the fabric, said Jillian Reese, curator of exhibits. Well, we have velvet paintings.

Titled Black Velvet: A Rasquache Aesthetic, the exhibit features more than 100 works collected over the past decade by curators in Lansing and Detroit. It traces how the art form traveled from its roots in Mexico to the United States, and why it matters to Michigans Latino communities.

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

The collection ranges widely in subject matterfrom Mexican folklore and landscapes to animals and religious figuresalongside pop icons like Elvis Presley, reflecting what appealed to tourists as the art surged in popularity during the 1960s and 70s. Most of the paintings were created in workshops throughout Mexico and the southwest, often intended for the tourist trade, and some works arrived in Michigan with families who moved from California and Texas in the 1950s and 60s.

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Guest curators emphasize the exhibits cultural significance and its accessibility.

The importance of black velvet must be understood as an instinct: the right to appreciate beauty in all its forms, said Elena Herrada. Love of velvet is a class statement. We grew up with velvets in our homes.

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

The term rasquache refers to making art and beauty from everyday materials, an approach the exhibit embraces both in subject and design. On the back wall, a staged black velvet workshop demonstrates the process: artists stretch velvet over a wooden frame and apply color layer by layer. Carpentry frames echo traditional velvet presentation, and for the first time, the museum provides bilingual labels throughout in English and Spanish.

Reese said the museum aims to underscore that Latino cultural touchstones belong in Michigans state institutions.

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To understand that things are important culturally to certain communities in Michigan still belong in our museum, should be on display, and we should all be really interested in learning about them, she said.

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

A section of the exhibit spotlights Michigan artists inspired by the guest curators collections, and design choicesfrom color palettes to typographydraw on Mexican American culture and the paintings themselves.

The museums 2026 yearlong sharing of the velvets addresses the historical gaps in our Chicanx and Latinx representation in a significant State of Michigan institution while demonstrating their commitment to equity, educational inclusion and cultural stewardship, guest creator Diana Rivera wrote in a news release. Latinx and Chicanx are gender-neutral terms used at Riveras request.

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Guest curator Minerva Martinez said the exhibit is vital to the Latino community and said its presence at a state institution is significant.

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The exhibit can be seen at the Michigan History Museum within the Library of Michigan complex, designed and fabricated by the Michigan History Center exhibits team with guidance from guest creators.

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

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Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

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Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

Library of Michigan Black Velvet exhibit (WLNS)

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
A crash occurred early yesterday morning on I-95 near Melbourne, involving patrol cars of Brevard County deputies and Florida Highway Patrol. No serious injuries were reported as a result of the collision.

The incident occurred while law enforcement officers were responding to another crash on the highway. The Brevard County Sheriffs Office reported that the deputies injuries are not life-threatening.

Authorities reported that the crash involved patrol cars being sideswiped, although specific details about the circumstances are not yet available.

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All deputies involved are said to be recovering without serious complications.

The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the sideswipe incident to determine its cause and details.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
For years, to enter Brockton City Hall you had to know to walk around to the backdoor. Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues, in one of his first official acts, opened all the doors.

The City of Brockton Inaugural Ball honoring Mayor Moises Rodrigues was held Saturday, Jan. 10. See red carpet moments from Brockton's inaugural ball.

North Street Sweets in Middleboro is a magical fairy tale greenhouse. It's cozy. It's warm. Its interior blossoms with sweet treats. Electric lighting beckons you in. It really feels like something you might stumble into, were you to be magically transported into the world of "Frozen."

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Brockton Public Schools Police arrested a custodian for allegedly possessing a firearm while in a vehicle on school grounds at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a message sent to families by the principal on Jan. 15. The employee was allegedly caught "engaged in inappropriate behavior with another adult" in the Raymond School parking lot, the principal said.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is one step closer to moving to Brockton's west side. When will it open?

In case you missed it, here are five stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area that resonated with our readers.

New Mayor Moises Rodrigues unlocks all doors at Brockton City Hall

For years, to enter Brockton City Hall you had to know to walk around to the backdoor. Those big, welcoming double-doors under the stone archways on three sides? Locked. Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues, in one of his first official acts, opened all the doors.

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Doors unlocked at Brockton City Hall: New Mayor Moises Rodrigues unlocks all doors at Brockton City Hall

Screen capture from video by Office of Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues announcing that all Brockton City Hall doors are now unlocked. Here, Brockton Police Officer Franck Coulanges shows one of the newly re-opened double doors the public may now use.

Mayor Moises Rodrigues, left, has fun at Brockton's Inaugural at Venue 727 on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

Look inside Middleboro's brand new cozy cottage bakery

It's a magical fairy tale greenhouse. It's cozy. It's warm. Its interior blossoms with sweet treats. Electric lighting beckons you in. It really feels like something you might stumble into, were you to be magically transported into the world of "Frozen." But you aren't. This is real life. This is North Street Sweets in Middleboro.

Look inside cozy cottage bakery: Look inside Middleboro's brand new cozy cottage bakery

Photos: Step inside bakery: Step inside North St. Sweets, Middleboro's newest bakery

Gianni Perea-Nunez, his mother North Street Sweets owner Aleida Nunez, and Aleida's fiance Paul Celia, stand in the kitchen with Devil's Food Cake with icing in the middle and on top on Thursdaay, Jan. 8, 2026.

East Bridgewater man accused in rape, kidnap case held without bail

An East Bridgewater man accused of raping an 18-year-old woman five times between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31, 2025, was ordered held without bail at his detention hearing Thursday. Mohamed S. Jalloh, 25, of East Bridgewater was arrested Jan. 2 and charged with five counts of rape, two counts of threatening to commit a crime, two counts of selling or delivering liquor to a person under 21, one count of kidnapping and one count of assaulting a family or household member, court records show.

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East Bridgewater man held without bail: East Bridgewater man accused in rape, kidnap case held without bail

East Bridgewater man arrested:: East Bridgewater man arrested in alleged kidnapping, rape

Exterior shot of Brockton District Court building, on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Brockton schools employee charged with carrying gun on school grounds

Brockton Public Schools Police arrested a custodian for allegedly possessing a firearm while in a vehicle on school grounds at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, according to a message sent to families by the principal on Jan. 15. Bryce E. Hatch, 60, of Brockton was arraigned Thursday, Jan. 15 in Brockton District Court on one count of carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds, according to court records. The employee was allegedly caught "engaged in inappropriate behavior with another adult" in the Raymond School parking lot, the principal said.

Brockton schools employee charged: Brockton schools employee charged with carrying gun on school grounds

Emergency personnel were behind Raymond School in Brockton on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in an unrelated incident.

New Brockton Chipotle one step closer to reality. When will it open?

Chipotle Mexican Grill is one step closer to moving to Brockton's west side.

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On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Brockton Planning Board unanimously approved a site plan review for a proposed new Chipotle location at 651 Belmont St. in Shaw's Westside Plaza on the corner of Belmont and West streets.

Thursday, Sept 11, 2025: Corner of the Shaw's parking lot on Belmont Street in Brockton where a proposed Chipotle restaurant is earmarked to go.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Last weeks top stories include inaugural ball, custodian arrested
People around the world are grappling with worries about the future, as AI continues disrupting (or in some cases eliminating) labor markets. Add to that growing fears of global economic collapse, and it becomes easy for many to feel paralyzed and unsure how to move forward.

Within this challenging economic atmosphere as a backdrop, its striking to observe how BYU-Pathway is reaching people in objectively difficult conditions, and  one by one  providing practical education oriented toward a better future.

Viva Bartkus, business professor emerita at Notre Dame, and an expert on helping build impoverished communities, said earlier this year that whats really, really unique about BYU-Pathway is it is the only organization that I know of that essentially, under the same umbrella, is both an academic institution and an economic development engine.

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Bartkus explained to me in an interview that for most universities, the education and development of the mind are (in the ideal) the ends of the institution.

But what BYU-Pathway is doing here is unique, she said. BYU-Pathway thinks of education as a means towards ends, a means to look after your family, better means to have the space and time and energy to live your faith, a way to better serve the Lord in your community.

This represents a view of education attentive to the means by which you can learn skills that are valuable in an economy and pull yourself out of poverty, according to this scholar.

At BYU-Pathway, this all takes place at the individual level, one by one around the world.

Individual focus, while reaching many?

As BYU-Pathway continues to grow and redefine what an education is, a paradox emerges. For most universities, the more the institution expands, the more the individual student is lost in the bloating barrage of administrative overload. But with BYU-Pathway, something unique appears to be happening.

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According to available interviews and data, the more this institution scales across the world, the greater its reach to lift the one. But this is about more than mere metrics and benchmarks. President Brian K. Ashton, President of BYU-Pathway, said we are motivated, of course, by our religious belief that were all sons and daughters of God, and He loves us, and He wants us to become like Him.

So education not only makes us better parents and family members, sons, daughters, parents. It makes us better in the community and our nations. And on top of that, it helps us become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. So its really important for us to be able to make education available to not just members of the church, but people throughout the world.

BYUPathway President Brian K. Ashton and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, speak during a devotional broadcast on Friday, May 16, 2025. | Screenshot, byupathway.edu

President Ashton continued, BYU-Pathway is emerging at really a divinely guided time. Labor markets are changing drastically. One reason was the pandemic where we realized you dont have to be in an office all the time. The second thing is AI, which is changing how we do things and who can do them. And the third thing is that theres a need for people who live outside the United States to do work for companies in the developed world.

So what BYU-Pathway provides is this U.S.-educated workforce thats outside the U.S., that is relatively low cost and its all over the world. Were in over 180 countries and so it doesnt matter where you need to go in the world. Our students are well trained. Theyre good with English. They work across borders. Theyre honest, and we are seeing people all over the world say I want to hire these students.

BYUPathway Worldwide students and other young single adults and their friends gather for YSA summit in Lagos, Nigeria, Oct. 31, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The BYU-Pathway economic development strategy

Bartkus explained that the BYU-Pathway endeavor, to both educate and enable the one, starts with the students. Weve got trustworthy, terrific employees. Test them all you want, but we vouch for these students and if you place them for 60 or 90 days, we think youre going to be really thrilled with the result.

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This approach ultimately requires a strategy that is essentially a three-legged stool, she said. The three legs are local jobs, remote jobs, and entrepreneurial activity. And all three legs coordinate.

Among the many endeavors to economically build BYU-Pathway students around the world, Bartkus highlighted one in particular under the local employment leg of Pathways strategy. One of the things thats really missing in many emerging markets, she said, is good quality data for decision-making. That could be good quality data for business decision-making, for governments, for NGOs, etc. But theres just a lack of quality data.

To solve this problem, Bartkus and Briton Moffitt, a director of business development at BYU-Pathway, started a global enumerator project to employ Pathway students and meet this need. The project began by trying to gather higher-quality data for BYU-Pathway and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around standard living wages relative to specific countries, Moffitt said.

The students were able to gather just under 8,000 interviews in 12 weeks in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda that were typically glossed over because of how inaccessible the data has been.

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Dickson Daniel Korley, a BYU-Pathway student in Accra Ghana, said of working on this project, this experience has deepened my understanding of how to support others in meaningful ways. The lessons learned have strengthened my problem-solving skills and commitment to service, greatly benefiting my future endeavors.

BYU-Pathway working with Gallup

The Church Living Wage project led to a second project working with Gallup to gather quality data for their annual World Poll. Our students working on the fieldwork initiative for Gallup in Uganda and Ghana have successfully completed 1,000 interviews, Moffitt said.

And these are interviews quality-controlled by Gallup, so the interviews were very highly audited. The people at Gallup have told me there is a real talent opportunity here, he said, in reference to the capability of the BYU-Pathway students.

Dan Foy, principal and global research leader at Gallup, explained in an interview about the project that Gallup typically works with firms that are already well-established in the markets where they want to work.

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So its interesting going straight to the source with some of these students, he said. Oftentimes you dont necessarily have as motivated of a workforce in some of these roles. But whats unique with the Pathway students is that theyre not just doing this as a job  as an economic opportunity  but theyre also doing this as part of their education.

So theyve got this extra motivation that you get from students who know that theyre getting something out of it beyond just a paycheck, which I think makes it really unique. And we saw that in some of the data weve gotten back.

Foy added, Weve done two countries so far. Were going to continue into another four countries over the course of the next year. And some of the comments from Gallups field teams that have been working with these folks that really stood out is just the willingness and enthusiasm.

Matt Eyring, BYUPathway Worldwide vice president of advancement, and his wife, Amy Eyring, help job seekers in Kiribati register for BYUPathway in July 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Human data in the age of AI

The theme of Pathways Gallup project is human data in the age of AI, a business approach that favors, and oftentimes depends upon human labor and ingenuity, as opposed to moving towards total reliance on AI.

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We should be concerned about AI and impoverished nations that are under the development curve getting left behind, Moffitt said. But what I am seeing is you will always have to go to the individual that is not connected, that has no smartphone and no internet. And their voices need to be heard.

Foy remarked that you really cant go do an online study in a lot of these countries because youre excluding significant portions of the population, either because they dont have access to the appropriate technologies or networks or smartphones or computers.

We really think of ourselves as providing this service of elevating voices from people around the world. And thats the kind of work that the Pathway students are working on, Foy said.

A student smiles for the camera in Ashaiman, Ghana, at a BYU-Pathway graduation on July 30, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

These are the places where AI and online research, its just really not viable. Im really glad that the work the Pathway team is doing is getting the kind of attention that they really deserve.

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Moffitt explained that the project is about generating insights and data and analysis that you couldnt do from behind the screen, all while lifting individual Pathway students through gainful employment.

Were concerned about economic development, he said, but it has to be economic development that supports the individual and families. And it cant be work for works sake, it has to be sustainable, something people can rely on to build leaders and families and communities one by one around the world.

President Ashton said in an interview that this enumerator project fits really well with what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is doing. We are in the process of starting a medical school which has an international focus, and all of that requires data. Its interesting that theres opportunities here that didnt exist a long time ago.

And referring to the project with Gallup, Ashton described the research firm as the best there is when it comes to market research and its really unique that BYU-Pathway students from Uganda and other places like that are working with Gallup.
San Luis Obispo County businesses are suffering serious economic strain due to the Trump administrations tariff policies, according to Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal.

During a Friday facility tour of SLO Roasted Coffee, a Los Osos-based coffee roastery, he met with owners Chris and Julie Galloway to discuss how the company is faring in the wake of steep tariffs imposed on coffee producers nationwide.

The local coffee roasters said their costs had skyrocketed by up to $75,000 since tariffs were imposed in 2025.

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That kind of increase, you have to give that, some of that to the customer, Chris Galloway told the Tribune. It has to flow down. Unfortunately, thats just a huge, huge price increase in our margins.

Recently, Carbajal has met with restaurant owners, small businesses and agricultural leaders across the Central Coast. He said they all share a similar story of economic strain, rising costs and increased prices since tariff policies were instituted.

The erratic nature of things have just put a tailspin on our economy and our businesses, he said during the visit. Its certainly costing a lot more and hurting most businesses in a very significant way.

Chris Galloway and sister Julie Galloway talk to Rep. Salud Carbajal. The co-owners of SLO Roasted Coffee answered questions from the congressman about how they were impacted by Trump tariffs on Jan. 16, 2026. (David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com)

Tariffs force Los Osos coffee producer to raise prices

Husband-and-wife duo Norman and Gail Galloway launched SLO Roasted Coffee in 1984 with a mission to churn out high grade coffee beans full of flavor.

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Now, their children, Julie and Chris Galloway, helm the family-owned and operated roastery that sells everything from organic fair trade coffee to single serve K-cups and coffee-infused treats.

The owners said their company has struggled ever since President Donald Trump imposed 10% to 50% tariffs on a slew of countries that grow coffee beans, ranging from Vietnam to Colombia and Brazil.

The prices went up for the coffee beans, utilities went up, insurance went up, Chris Galloway said, listing their business challenges over the past year. As far as business within California, they all kind of go together.

The 42-year-old company only survived months of higher costs by passing on some of the tariff to customers, according to Chris Galloway. That looked like a 40% uptick in prices across the board, Julie Galloway said.

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Carbajal said tariffs have exacerbated the affordability crisis afflicting millions of Americans across the country.

We drink a lot of coffee as Americans, and certainly this contributes to prices being increased and the affordability of working, middle class, all families, Carbajal said.

Rep. Salud Carbajal visited SLO Roasted Coffee and asked how they were impacted by Trump tariffs. Roasted Colombian supremo coffee beans, seen on Jan. 16, 2026. (David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com)

SLO County congressman advocates against misguided tariffs

Carbajal told The Tribune he will continue to advocate against Trumps misguided tariff policies when he returns to Washington.

Im hoping the Supreme Court renders a very strong decision on the illegality of this administration pursuing these tariffs without cooperation and collaboration with Congress, Carbajal said.

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In September, Carbajal co-sponsored Rep. Ro Khannas bill, the No Coffee Tax Act, to ban additional tariffs on coffee imports from counties that have normal trade relations with the U.S., according to the bills text.

Most recently, in an October letter to the President, Carbajal urged Trump to eliminate tariff policies that act as hidden tax on businesses and families alike. The Congressman said Americans were facing intense financial strain from rising prices on goods like coffee.

The United States produces less than 1% of coffee beans globally, Carbajal wrote in the letter. In this case, the only possible outcome of these tariffs is increased prices for the American people, whether they are making coffee at home or buying it from a small business.

In November, Trump erased import tariffs on coffee beans from most producers around the globe, but Brazil  the worlds largest coffee growers  still has a 40% duty on its beans, Reuters reported.

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Chris Galloway said SLO Roasted Coffee has shifted away from getting beans from Brazil, resorting to Colombian coffee or other cheaper Latin American producers instead.

He said its been a constant challenge over the past year to switch between coffee farms and continue to find top grade beans at a sustainable price point. But they have still been able to prosper due to the communitys support, he added.

Rep. Salud Carbajal visited SLO Roasted Coffee and asked how they were impacted by Trump tariffs. Unroasted Colombian supremo coffee beans, seen here on Jan. 16, 2026. (David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com)

Central Coast congressman condemns ICE actions

Following the tour, Carbajal also denounced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its ridiculous tactics that resulted in an agent shooting and killing U.S. citizen Renee Good in a residential Minneapolis neighborhood on Jan. 7.

Carbajal said Congress needed to complete more oversight into ICEs hiring practices and discuss limiting appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security.

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They are implementing tactics, brutal tactics, without impunity, he said. Certainly, we need to do everything possible to make sure that they dont continue with those tactics.

So far, federal officials have defended the ICE agent. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said during a news conference on Jan. 7 that Good attempted to hit the agent with her vehicle, so he shot her in an act of self-defense.

Carbajal also slammed the Trump administration for continuing to deport Central Coast residents with no criminal records.

During the past 13 months, federal immigration agents have taken more than 100 people into custody from San Luis Obispo County, according to data from 805 UndocuFund, a nonprofit that supports immigrants and monitors ICE activity.

This administration initially said they were going to go after criminals  which nobody can argue against, I certainly dont  but they are going after hardworking people that are helping stand up our economy, our businesses, construction, hospitality, farmworkers, Carbajal said. It has been very tragic.
A 21-year-old college student who said he was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a Southern California protest said he faces a drastically different life now.

Kaden Rummler said in an interview that he was in agonizing pain and underwent an extensive six-hour surgery to his left eye after he was injured at a Jan. 9 protest over the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. Rummler said he has no depth perception and can no longer drive. Shards of metal and a nickel-sized piece of plastic remain lodged in his skull, his attorney said, and he is considering suing.

Its going to affect every aspect of my life, said Rummler, who hopes to pursue a career in forestry.

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A second demonstrator at the same protest outside a federal immigration building in Orange County told the Los Angeles Times he was also blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by federal agents. Britain Rodriguez, 31, said he was standing on steps outside the immigration building when he was struck in the face.

I remember hitting the ground and feeling like my eye exploded in my head, Rodriguez told the newspaper.

The Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to questions from The Associated Press about what type of projectile was used. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the agency, said in an emailed statement this week that the protesters were violent and that two officers were injured but didnt specify the extent of their injuries. DHS said one demonstrator was taken to the hospital with a cut. McLaughlin confirmed to the Times that was a reference to Rummler and called his injury claims absurd.

Rummler has been charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. One of his fellow protesters was jailed for several days and has been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer.

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Rummler's attorney John Washington said doctors want to know whether the materials in the projectile could be toxic but have been unable to get answers from DHS. Washington said based on their preliminary investigation they believe it was a capsule made from metal and plastic containing pepper spray.

The injuries in California are the latest in a growing number of violent encounters between federal agents and community members during protests over the Trump administrations immigration crackdown.

Federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis have used aggressive crowd-control tactics that have become a dominant concern after the deadly shooting of Renee Good.

In Santa Ana, California, hundreds of people marched in the streets on Jan. 9 to protest Good's killing. A smaller group later congregated outside the federal immigration building, shouting expletives through megaphones about ICE, according to video taken by OC Hawk, a group that films breaking news in Orange County.

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The video shows a handful of officers in riot gear standing guard and urging demonstrators to move back. An orange cone is later seen rolling onto a plaza outside the building, and authorities begin firing crowd-control projectiles as they walk toward the crowd.

In the video, an officer is seen grabbing a protester by the arm and Rummler and a few others are seen stepping forward shouting in response. An officer then fires a crowd-control weapon, striking Rummler from several feet away. Rummler grabs his face and falls to the ground, and an officer grabs him by the shirt and drags him backward across the ground toward the building, the video shows. Later, video appears to show him face down on the ground being handcuffed.

Rummler said he joined the protest against immigration authorities because he cant stand seeing families torn from their homes. Despite his injuries, he said he would do it again.

I refuse to sit around idly and watch that happen, and in 50 years, I would absolutely regret not trying to make a change," he said.

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Washington, a civil rights lawyer, said his client could have been killed.

Any officers with just the most basic training would know you dont shoot someone ever in the face with this, but let alone at point-blank range, and thats because it is a lethal weapon when used like that, and it very nearly was, Washington said.

Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at University of South Carolina, said a thorough investigation is needed into the reason for using a high level of force in that situation.

I dont know of any projectile where you train to shoot at that close range, Alpert said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says while hes accepted Donald Trumps invitation on principle to join the presidents Board of Peace to oversee next steps in Gaza, its just unclear now what the $1 billion permanent membership fee is for.

The president raised it with me a few weeks ago, he told reporters in Doha, Qatar on Sunday, adding he has yet to absorb all its details including how the Trump-led initiative will be structured and how financing would work.

Canada wants money to have maximum impact, Carney said, laying out a condition for Canadian involvement. We still do not have unimpeded aid flows, humanitarian aid flows at scale to the people in Gaza.  That is a precondition for moving forward on this.

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A Canadian government official clarified to POLITICO that Canada will not pay for a seat on the board  and the U.S. has not asked for money. They were granted anonymity to discuss ongoing discussions about the proposal.

The proposed Charter is still a document under discussion and many terms and conditions are still being worked out, said the official, adding Carney signaled his intent to accept the invitation to join because it is important to have a seat at the table to shape this process from within.

The White House announced Friday a cadre of leaders who will be led by Trump, the boards inaugural chair, to oversee the transitional governance of Gaza.

Carney said Trumps Board of Peace came up in his conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani where the pair had an exchange of views on the topic.

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I found that we were very aligned about what needs to happen, how it needs to work in order for this to be consistent with a positive outcome, he said.

Carney is the first sitting Canadian leader to visit Qatar  marking a shift in Canadian foreign policy to deepen trade and defense relations in the Gulf, prompted by an ongoing trade war with the United States that escalated in the past year.

The aggression and unpredictability of Trump 2.0s global agenda has forced Americas allies to turn to rewrite their foreign policies as the president continues to wield tariffs as a cudgel to push his America First agenda on world leaders.

Trump announced new sanctions against eight of Americas closest European allies on Saturday in a bid to use economic coercion to acquire Greenland.

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Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will face a 10-percent levy on Feb. 1 on any and all goods sent to the United States of America, Trump said in a Truth Social post. The rate increases to 25 percent on June 1 if Greenland is not in American hands by then.

This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland, said Trump.

Carney called the escalation a serious situation that has Canada concerned.

The Canadian leader is in Doha, fresh off a trip to Beijing to visit Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi and Carney made waves in Washington by signing a preliminary deal to de-escalate a simmering trade war between their two countries.

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Xi hailed the meeting as a milestone  a turnaround of ties.

Their deal included major cuts to Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola and the introduction of an initial import cap of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles allowed into Canada annually  marking a break in a 100-percent tariff policy adopted in lockstep with the United States.

The EV policy shift opens the door to future Chinese joint-venture investments in Canadas auto sector, Carney said.

Several Trump administration officials have been irked by the Canada-China trade detente including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, as well as members of the House Select Committee on China  but the president doesn't seem bothered.

Its work Carney should be doing for Canada, Trump told reporters on Friday. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that.
Tony Dokoupil has been the anchor of CBS Evening News for less than two weeks, and hes already been threatened with a lawsuit by the White Houseon camera.

Moments after President Donald Trump finished taping an interview with Dokoupil at a Ford truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Jan. 13, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt approached the CBS News crew with a message from her boss, according to an audio recording obtained by The New York Times.

He said, Make sure you guys dont cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full, Leavitt said.

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Yeah, were doing it, yeah, Dokoupil responded.

Then came the kicker.

He said, If its not out in full, well sue your a-- off, Leavitt replied.

She wasnt laughing.

 NEW AUDIO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivers WARNING direct from President Trump to CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil and the network: Air the full, unedited 13-minute interview without cuts or we'll sue your ass off.



LEAVITT: Trump said make sure you pic.twitter.com/65r26vHcdz  TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) January 17, 2026

The Times reported that some CBS staffers took the remark as a joke. But when Dokoupil, 45, tried to defuse the momentHe always says that!Leavitt did not join in.

CBS has already forked over a hefty sum to the president once before. In 2024, Trump sued the network over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, his opponent in the presidential election. Paramount, the networks parent company, paid $16 million to settle the lawsuit in July 2025, despite widespread skepticism from legal experts over its merits.

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ABC paid the same amount in December 2024 to resolve a separate Trump lawsuit over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Those settlements altered the calculus for major news organizations. A lawsuit from the Trump White House isnt bluster; its a promise with receipts.

Shortly after the 60 Minutes settlement, the Trump administration approved the sale of Paramount to Skydance Media, the studio run by Trump ally David Ellison.

Ellison then installed conservative-leaning opinion columnist Bari Weiss, who has no broadcast news experience, as editor-in-chief of CBS News.

Critics both inside and outside the network have questioned whether the move signaled a shift toward more MAGA-friendly coverage, a claim Weiss has denied.

Tony Dokoupil interviews President Donald Trump at a Ford Factory in Dearborn, Michigan. / CBS Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

The pressure is not confined to CBS. Trump and his allies have pursued or threatened litigation against multiple news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, ABC News, and the Daily Beast, signaling that legal action is increasingly used as a tool to deter unfavorable coverage.

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CBS ultimately aired Dokoupils 13-minute Trump interview unedited that evening, which took up nearly half of the programs 30-minute running time (not including commercials).

During the broadcast, Dokoupil questioned the president on grocery prices, Iran, and the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Trump boasted about his economic record and told the anchor he wouldnt have a job right now if Harris had won the 2024 election.

Dokoupil pushed back. For the record, I do think Id have this job even if the other guys won.

Trump, however, got the final word.

Yeah, Trump replied. But at a lesser salary.

The Daily Beast reached out to both the White House and CBS for comment.
A day after missing the Jan. 15 deadline to close on a financing package to buy Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, the Georgia-based Centurion Foundation sent the governor, the attorney general and legislative leaders a written request for $18 million in state dollars to augment the financing it has raised on its own.

The "financing update" that Ben Mingle, CEO of the Centurion Foundation, sent state leaders on Jan. 16 said his nonprofit had "secured verbal commitments from four investors at an aggregate amount sufficient to facilitate the closing of our proposed acquisition of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital (and related assets) from Prospect Medical Holdings in accordance with state requirements."

"Each investor has clearly stated that their investment is subject to, and conditioned upon, having a state-funded bond reserve fund in the amount of $18 Million."

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Mingle's letter continued: "Centurion Foundation respectfully requests that legislation be introduced at the earliest possible time to allow for the approval and implementation of this bond reserve fund.

"Subject to the timing of enactment of the legislation establishing and funding the bond reserve fund, Centurion is working diligently to close this transaction not later than February 28, 2026," Mingle's letter said.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson have not yet signaled what, if anything, they would be willing to do to help Centurion obtain the final piece of financing it needs to buy the hospitals from an owner that is currently in bankruptcy proceedings.

But they issued this joint statement: "We have reviewed the letter from the Centurion Foundation and will be gathering additional details regarding the funding commitments they have secured. We will conduct our due diligence and are committed to a course of action that stabilizes these hospitals in the best interests of patients, hospital workers, and all Rhode Islanders.

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Gov. Dan McKee told WPRI at an unrelated event over the long holiday weekend that the state needs to see that Centurion has its financing lined up before it can offer support.

They need to show us the money, because thats what its going to take, he said. We need to make sure that if theyre not able to get the financing, were going to have to look at other options at the same time.

In a statement shared on Tuesday, Jan. 20, by Brad Dufault, a spokesperson for the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP), which represents almost 1,200 employees at the hospitals and other health facilities owned by same health system, the union urged lawmakers to secure the funds Centurion has requested.

This is the quickest and possibly only way to get this deal done in the next six weeks. We are calling on state leaders to move quickly, pass this legislation, and save these important community hospitals, the statement said.

How did the state get here?

Atlanta-based Centurion missed the court-ordered Jan. 15 deadline to close on the purchase of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

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Centurion is free to continue to try to close but we now have work to do and a deadline by which to do it which my office is working hard on in consultation with other state leaders, Neronha told The Providence Journal in a text message late last week.

Centurion, which helps finance transactions but does not operate any hospitals itself, had, until now, unsuccessfully attempted to secure funds to close the deal for more than a year. Last month, Neronhas office gave the nonprofit yet another extension to do so by covering the expenses of the hospitals with funds from an escrow account Neronha secured from bankrupt Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns CharterCARE, the health system over them.

Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence.

In a statement to The Journal and other news outlets, Mingle, the Centurion CEO, said the nonprofit was keenly aware of the bankruptcy court timetable but that he remained optimistic.

Our financing team, led by Bank of America and [the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp.], has had daily interactions with potential investors over the last several weeks with significant progress, Mingle said in the statement provided to The Journal on Saturday, Jan. 17.

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This includes site visits by new, industry-leading investment groups just this week with very encouraging results. At the same time, we have been briefing State leaders almost daily on the status of these efforts and our plans to meet the bond sale target," he said.

Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., which provides financing for nonprofits and other institutions in Rhode Island, was still marketing the transaction as of Friday, Jan. 16, according to Dylan Zelazo, the executive director.

What happens next?

According to the court order entered on Dec. 8, if Centurion did not close on the hospitals' sale by Jan. 15, then effective immediately on January 30, 2026 (the Transfer Date), the RI Hospitals shall be transferred out of the Debtors Estates in a manner to be agreed between the RI Attorney General and the Debtors.

The transfer will free Prospect from obligations or liabilities for the operations or disposition of the hospitals, the order states. All rights, title and interests, as well as funds from the escrow account and a hospital fund, will be granted to the transferee, who will become liable for wages, benefits and other administrative responsibilities.

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At that point, Roger Williams and Fatima seemed destined for state receivership, but Rhode Island leaders have expressed little appetite for running them, even though they insist that closing them would be catastrophic.

Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence.

Asked his own view of the latest development, Neronha told The Journal on Monday, Jan. 19:

"If what they set forth in their letter in terms of taxpayer support is what they need to close by the end of next month, then the Governor and the General Assembly have to decide whether to grant and/or negotiate their request. That is not my role or responsibility.

"That said, the Bankruptcy Courts deadline for closing the transaction has come and gone and they are going to need the Courts permission to extend the window for closing, and then someone is going to have to come up with the money to run the hospitals beyond the end of the month until they do close.

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"Its possible to accomplish this, and I think some clarity will come early to the middle of this week. There is also the possibility of pivoting in an entirely different direction. But time is running short for certain.

In an earlier interview with The Journal, Neronha said he'd had a meeting about the hospitals before Christmas with the governor and the Senates majority leader (Senate President Lawson was traveling and couldnt make the meeting, according to Neronha).

We discussed both Centurion and what might need to happen if Centurion didn't close their deal. And so there have been discussions about that, Neronha said. I know to keep these hospitals open is going to require public money, and it's not going to be cheap.

Where the public funds for running the hospitals would come from is unclear. Running them over the last month would have cost about $16 million, according to an estimate Neronha gave in December.

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In the case of Steward Health Care, a private equity firm that went bankrupt in 2024, sending hospitals it owned in Massachusetts into a financial spiral, state leaders there had to offer tens of millions of dollars to entice a buyer to save the facilities.

Until two hospitals close, all I've been saying about healthcare for the last three or four years isn't going to register, a frustrated Neronha said. I can say it until I'm blue in the face and I still get from some quarters the blank looks and the unconcerned smiles, and I think to myself, Well, I can't fix it alone. And spectacular failure is going to be what changes healthcare, maybe.

Roger Williams and Fatima are two safety-net hospitals in Providence that account for about 50,000 emergency room visits per year.

Both Neronha and Mingle said they expect that the public will hear more about the hospitals' situation this week.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Prospective Roger Williams, Fatima hospital buyer misses deadline, seeks $18 million from state
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday stated that "India is culturally reinventing itself" and attributed it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. CM Dhami inaugurated the Dhwaj Vandan Ceremony organised by Dev Sanskriti University at Shantikunj, Haridwar, on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations 2026 of Param Vandaniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma Ji and the Akhand Deep Centenary Year (1926-2026). Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Dhami said that "India is now in its Amrit Kaal of its cultural reinvention." "Today, under Prime Minister Modi's strong leadership, India is reinventing itself culturally... Once trapped in a slave mindset, India is now proud of its cultural values and heritage. India is reconnecting with its roots and is headed on the path to being the Vishwa Guru once again..." Uttarakhand CM Dhami said. Speaking to the media after the event, Dhami highlighted the cultural significance of the ceremony and lauded the organisers. "Today is the birth centenary of the revered Mata Ji, and it is also the day marking the completion of 100 years of Gurudev's penance and spiritual practice. More than 40,000 devotees and members of the Gayatri Family are arriving here from the country and around the world. I welcome everyone to the Devbhoomi. I appreciate the organisers of this grand event. The knowledge to be imparted in this event will surely prove beneficial for the Sanatan Dharma and Bharat," he said. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpalji Maharaj and Chinmay Pandya, Pro Vice Chancellor, DVVS, were also present at the ceremony. Earlier on Wednesday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Uttarayani Kauthig organised by the Parvatiya Mahaparishad in Lucknow. Addressing the gathering on the inaugural occasion of the event, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings on Uttarayani, Makar Sankranti, and the Ghughutiya festival. Welcoming mothers, sisters, elders, and youth from different regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he said that Uttarayani is not merely a folk festival but a powerful symbol of Uttarakhand's cultural identity and deep-rooted traditions, a release said. He said that the Kauthig, organised in Lucknow, is a wonderful platform for preserving the shared cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The display of folk songs, dances, traditional attire, handicrafts, and cottage industries not only keeps traditions alive but also strengthens local artisans and the rural economy. He described the event as a strong example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Vocal for Local" vision being implemented on the ground. (ANI)
CHARDON, Ohio (WJW)  Officials are investigating the cause of a garage fire that happened at a home in Chardon on Saturday morning.

According to a press release from the Chardon Fire Department, firefighters were called to a reported attached garage fire on Auburn Rd. in Chardon Township around 8:05 a.m.

Priceless relics stolen from church in Tremont: Theyre sacrosanct

While heading to the location of the fire, additional resources were requested from other fire departments in the area.

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At the scene, the crew found heavy fire going through the roof of the garage and going into the residence, the release said.

Chardon house fire starts in attached garage, moves into home (Credit: Chardon Fire Department) Chardon house fire starts in attached garage, moves into home (Credit: Chardon Fire Department) Chardon house fire starts in attached garage, moves into home (Credit: Chardon Fire Department)

According to the release, firefighters also learned that all occupants and pets had already exited the home safely.

One person was evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation but was not taken to the hospital, the release said.

Crews initiated an aggressive offensive fire attack and were able to bring the fire under control in a timely manner, the release said.

Man killed in overnight hit-skip: Cleveland police

The American Red Cross was contacted to help the three people and four pets with temporary housing and clothing.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the release 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson's trans lover, Lance Twiggs, is no longer being protected by the FBI.

The 22-year-old was thrust into the spotlight following his partner's alleged killing of the right-wing activist last year.

Lance Twiggs is now said to be living with his parents as the trial for his lover nears, and it remains unclear whether he has had any contact with the accused since last year's arrest.

The FBI Didn't Give Any Public Reason For Pulling The Protection From Tyler Robinson's Trans Partner

Facebook | Amy Twiggs

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event on September 10, Tyler Robinson was arrested in connection with the murder and is currently awaiting trial.

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As a fallout of the incident, Robinson's boyfriend came under investigation, given their romantic connection and the fact that the accused allegedly confessed to assassinating Kirk in a note left behind at the pair's shared apartment.

While he wasn't charged with any crime, a four-person security detail from the FBI was attached to him, seemingly for protection.

Now, according to Fox News Digital, the agency has withdrawn protective services previously assigned to the 22-year-old.

Currently, the reason for the decision remains unknown, as the FBI has not provided a public explanation. The agency also didn't clarify whether the security detail had been replaced by one from the local law enforcement.

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However, the protection was likely removed because the agency felt that with Robinson in custody and no credible threats against Twiggs, it was no longer necessary.

How Tyler Robinson And His Trans Lover, Lance Twiggs, Met

Facebook | Amber Robinson

Previously, a relative of Twiggs also shared with the outlet the circumstances that led to Twiggs meeting Robinson.

According to the individual, it all began with Twiggs moving into a townhome in St. George, Utah, with several college roommates during his gender transition. He had previously been kicked out by his parents at the age of 18 and had spent the years before the move living with his grandparents.

"The real reason he was acting out was because he was using drugs and alcohol, and was addicted to gaming," the relative said about Twiggs' decision to move. "He had always tried to put on the act that he had changed."

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At some point, the roommates Twiggs had been living with moved out, and Robinson later moved in. The two eventually developed a romantic relationship, which appeared to be going strong at the time of Robinson's arrest.

The Duo Had An 'Antisocial' Lifestyle But Were 'Super Smart'

TikTok | Lance Twiggs

More insight into Robinson and Twiggs was shared by a relative who spoke with News Nation.

The relative claimed that the duo had "antisocial" traits, which seemingly stemmed from their bizarre gaming lifestyle.

"Being as antisocial as they were, from my understanding  you know, playing these games and being part of this, this Discord group  they didn't seem like they were in a real world," the relative remarked.

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They also noted that the duo did not previously have this habit and were excelling in other areas before the change.

"Both of them are super smart[Lance] was a concert pianist  he has talent for piano. [His] music was off the charts  not normal, it was very impressive," added the family source, per the New York Post.

"And that's kind of what I heard about Tyler is that he was just so smart," the insider further remarked. "It's just a shame that these kids had so much potential and so, such a bright future."

Has Tyler Robinson's Lover Contacted Him?

Facebook | Amber Robinson

At the moment, Twiggs is said to be residing with his family as his lover awaits trial.

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It is unclear whether he has had any physical contact with Robinson, who is being held in a special housing unit at the Utah County Jail, or whether he intends to attend court proceedings.

A trial date has yet to be set for Robinson, as the case is still in its initial stages. He has already made his first in-person court appearance in December and is expected to appear again on January 16 and January 30.

Charlie Kirk's Alleged Killer Could Get The Death Penalty

Ron Sachs - CNP / MEGA

The alleged killer of the right-wing activist is charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Robinson has also been charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of witness tampering.

If found guilty at trial, he faces life in prison or possibly the death penalty, as prosecutors intend to seek capital punishment.
A Charlotte murder suspect on the FBIs 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list for nearly a decade was captured in Mexico on Friday, the FBI in Charlotte said Saturday.

Alejandro Alex Rosales Castillo was wanted in the 2016 killing of 23-year-old Sandy Ly, a coworker at a Charlotte Showmars restaurant, The Charlotte Observer reported at the time.

Lys body was found in Cabarrus County woods on Aug. 17, 2016. Shed been shot in the head, according to Castillos wanted poster on FBI.gov.

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Two days earlier, her car was found at a bus station in Phoenix, Arizona, the FBI said.

On its website, the FBI posted U.S. Customs and Border Protection surveillance video of Castillo and an accomplice crossing the border from Nogales, Arizona, into Mexico just after 9 p.m. Aug. 16, 2016.

Castillo, 18 at the time, was shown wearing a gray shirt and black hat. The other person wore a black and white top, and shorts.

Three suspects were coworkers, FBI said

A second suspect, Ahmia Feaster, turned herself in to authorities in Aguas Calientes, Mexico, not long after the killing and was extradited to North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. Feaster, who was 20 years old at the time, was charged with accessory after the fact of murder and other offenses. Her case is still pending, court records show.

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In March 2017, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested a third suspect. Humberto Ulloa-Esteban, who was 18 at the time of his arrest, also was charged with accessory after the fact of murder, The Observer reported at the time. His court information couldnt be found Saturday.

All three suspects worked with Ly at the restaurant, authorities said. Police said Ly was killed for refusing to give money to the shooter.

In 2020, a true-crime show on the Investigation Discovery channel broadcast its search in Mexico for Castillo. On In Pursuit with John Walsh, Walsh was shown joining authorities in the hunt.

The FBI offered a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading directly to Castillos arrest.

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Castillo was captured in Pachuca, the FBI said on social media Saturday. Pachuca is the capital of the state of Hidalgo in east-central Mexico.

Delivering long-awaited justice

The FBI provided no details about how agents found Castillo.

Alejandro Castillos arrest is the fifth 10 Most Wanted Fugitive captured under this administration and this FBI since last year  more than the entire previous four years combined, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.

This was outstanding work by our Charlotte team, FBI Legat Mexico, local and federal partners, and partners in Mexico, Patel said. We can now begin the process of delivering long-awaited justice to Sandy Lys family.

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For nearly nine years, Castillo lived a normal life, likely believing he would never be captured, said James Barnacle, FBI Charlotte special agent in charge. But our experienced investigators never gave up the hunt for justice.
On the evening of Jan. 9, 2025, people form a line at a Pennington County office in Rapid City just prior to 6 p.m., the beginning of testing hours for the 24-7 Sobriety program. Participants in the program submit to monitoring, such as urinalyses or breath tests, as part of their release from jail while awaiting trial or as part of their sentence. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakotas second most populous county has agreed it will no longer jail people who cant afford to pay the daily fees attached to the states signature sobriety program.

Pennington Countys settlement in a federal class action lawsuit could impact the way counties operate the 24-7 program, which originated in South Dakota and has since spread to other states.

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People accused of crimes involving drugs or alcohol can be assigned to the program and released as they await trial, or as part of their sentence, on the condition they submit to sobriety monitoring and pay for it.

The participation price varies based on the type of monitoring involved and how long a person takes part. Some people pay $2 a day for breath testing, while others pay $30-$42 a week for urinalysis drug testing or alcohol monitoring bracelets. Judges also permit participants to shift from one method to another along the way to better suit their financial or life circumstances.

Some people remain on the program for weeks or months, and occasionally for a year or more, depending on how long it takes for their case to work its way through the court system.

The Pennington County settlement comes in a lawsuit filed in 2023 by a Rapid City man named Ricky Lookingback, whod been ordered to participate in drug testing.

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He was jailed for failure to pay a 24-7 fee, which he argued was a violation of constitutional prohibitions on jailing people for debt. He also alleged that he belonged to a class of individuals whod been jailed for the same reason in Pennington County, and asked for a judgment on behalf of all class members.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lookingback and 37 others jailed for inability to pay program fees are members of the class and are each eligible for cash payments, with Lookingback in line for $10,000 and the others for $1,000 each. The settlement also dictates that no one can be jailed or threatened with jail time for their inability to pay program fees.

Class members will have the opportunity to object to the terms of the settlement at a hearing in February. A federal judge can then accept or reject the agreement, which has been signed by Lookingback and county officials.

Jim Leach, Lookingbacks Rapid City lawyer, said the settlement should put all South Dakota counties on notice that jailing the indigent is a civil rights violation and could draw a legal challenge.

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Ive got nothing against the 24-7 program, Leach said in an interview with South Dakota Searchlight. From everything I can gather, its a really good program that has helped a lot of people. But nonetheless, the basic constitutional law in this country is that we cannot jail people for poverty.

24-7 built on frequent testing, participant fees

Under the 24-7 program, testing fees are due at the time of testing or in advance.

In the cheapest and most common form of 24-7, people appear twice daily at a local jail to take breath tests for alcohol, at a cost of $1 per test. Those who fail a test or fail to show up can be put in jail, after which a judge decides whether to release them again.

More than 90,000 people have been on some version of the program since its launch, and hundreds participate every day. Its rollout began as a three-county pilot project in 2005 under the guidance of former Attorney General Larry Long, whod tried it decades earlier as Bennett Countys states attorney.

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In testimony before the Legislature in 2022, Long called it the most efficient tool to reduce DUIs ever enacted in South Dakota.

Driving under the influence arrests have not dropped dramatically since the program launched, but they also havent grown in line with the states population, which is 20% higher today than in 2005.

DUI arrests hit 11,612 in 2024, the last full year reported in the Department of Public Safetys annual summary. That was the highest tally since 2007, the year the 24-7 program went statewide, when there were 11,756 DUI arrests.

Long stepped down as attorney general in 2009 to become a circuit court judge. In an interview with South Dakota Searchlight, he said DUIs holding more or less steady is a sign that the program works.

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The bigger impact, Long said, has been on felony drunken driving charges and alcohol-related traffic crashes.

In 2007, when the program went statewide, there were 1,092 felony DUI charges, each representing a third or subsequent offense. By 2017, the year he retired as a judge, that number had fallen to 699. In the last fiscal year, there were 468 charges for such repeat offenses, according to the Unified Judicial System.

Alcohol-related crashes, meanwhile, hit a record high of 630 in 2006, according to the Department of Public Safety. The highest tally since then was 535, recorded in 2021. In 2024, there were 458 such crashes.

Since its start in South Dakota, versions of the 24-7 program have spread to other states, including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Utah.

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Constitutional concerns about jailing the programs poorest participants have always been a sticking point, Long said, even for people whove generally supported the concept.

The price point for breath tests was set low intentionally, he said, in hopes of making the program accessible to the widest range of people.

From the start, Long advised the county sheriffs who run the programs that an inability to pay shouldnt be enough to draw immediate sanctions.

What I used to say during my presentations was if you skip or if you fail, you go to jail, said Long. You dont go to jail for not paying.

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Long acknowledged, however, that local officials may not have always followed that guidance.

There are no statewide statistics on how many people may have been jailed for failure to pay 24-7 fees, according to the Attorneys Generals Office, since counties manage their own programs. During debate on a bill to alter the program in 2022, administrators said punishment for failure to pay alone is a rarity, based on reports from counties.

Fees still too much for some

The 24-7 fees may be fairly low, but theyre still more than some people have, said Leach.

Lookingback was and remains homeless, Leach said, and he was placed in a version of 24-7 that required him to take three drug tests each week, at a cost of $10 per test.

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Court documents in the case, filed by Pennington County, say Lookingback was released from jail and ordered to sign in to the program and did not on multiple occasions in 2023. On those occasions, the county said, he was sanctioned for failure to appear for testing.

In the fall of that year, he was again ordered into the program. On Sept. 23, 2023, he showed up but didnt have the $10 needed to pay the fees. As a result, Leach said, Lookingback found himself again incarcerated at the Pennington County Jail.

If a judge accepts the settlement agreement, Pennington County will pay Lookingback $10,000 for that incarceration, and will set aside another $37,000 for the 37 other people who were found to have been jailed for their inability to pay.

Leach will be required to make reasonable efforts to contact the 37 people, who were identified in county records obtained over the course of the lawsuit. Any money that goes uncollected, the settlement says, will be given to the Debtors Prison Project, an initiative from a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization called Public Justice. The project is dedicated to fighting the criminalization of poverty nationwide at every stage of the criminal legal process, from arrest through the imposition and collection of fines and fees, according to its website.

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Leach can ask the judge to order Pennington County to pay attorneys fees, but the settlement says hes entitled to none of the money the countys already promised to pay through the agreement.

Helene Duhamel, spokeswoman for the Pennington County Sheriffs Department, said in a statement the settlement clarifies that 24-7 Sobriety Program participants who have not paid the court-ordered fees wont be incarcerated.

Instead, individuals who have not paid the 24-7 Program fees may be reported to the courts or supervising authority, Duhamel said. Any sanction decisions for nonpayment would be set by the court.

A judge can look at each case individually to determine if the person who didnt pay on a given day truly could not afford to, or if they were able to pay and didnt. Participants can be sanctioned under the latter circumstance, under the terms of the settlement, but not for a legitimate lack of funds.

The settlement applies to the 37 known members of the class, Leach said, but the class also includes any people who have been or will in the future be incarcerated in Pennington County, threatened with incarceration or sanctions, based in whole or in part on inability to pay the fees required to participate in the 24-7 Program.

The county currently has 352 people in the program.

Other counties, statewide impacts

Lucas Oyler, the programs former state coordinator, told lawmakers in 2022 that an inability to threaten jail for failure to pay might cause county sheriffs, who administer 24-7 tests, to opt out of participating in the program.

Leach said he doubts that. He said the majority of people who wind up involved in the criminal justice system, even those deemed income-eligible for a court-appointed lawyer, are able to pay $2 a day.

But at the same time, theres a certain group of people who are just poor, Leach said, in ways that are far beyond anything most people have experienced.

Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead was among the first sheriffs to use 24-7, and hes been following the Pennington County lawsuit closely.

The policy for 24-7 participants in Minnehaha County, he said, is built around an understanding that an inability to pay doesnt justify an immediate jail stay.

If a person has been released from jail and ordered by a judge to comply with the 24-7 program as a condition of release but cannot pay, Milstead wrote in an email to South Dakota Searchlight, then it is up to the judge to decide whether bond should be revoked, modified, or remain.

In response to questions from South Dakota Searchlight on how counties ought to proceed in the face of the successful class action lawsuit, Attorney General Marty Jackley issued a statement saying his office intends to let counties decide the right approach.

While we cannot dictate how an agency operates its program, Jackley wrote, we are committed to supporting them in ensuring compliance with state statutes and administrative rules.

Long, the former attorney general who launched the program, said a case can be made that counties  or even community organizations  would benefit in the long run if they decide to pay 24-7 fees for the indigent, who might be among the ones whod most benefit from it.

Keeping habitual drinkers or drug users sober can reduce visits to the emergency room, Long said, as well as business losses from theft.

There is some community benefit to keeping these folks sober, Long said.

EDITORS NOTE: South Dakota Searchlight has engaged attorney Jim Leach, who is quoted in this story, in a past legal matter.

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Cleveland County celebrated a new addition to the front of the courthouse earlier this week, nearly 15 years after the passing of a corresponding resolution.

The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners held a dedication ceremony Monday to celebrate the addition of new signage on the courthouse that reads In God We Trust. The signage was installed this past fall but dedicated last week.

Commissioner Rod Cleveland was on the board when a resolution was approved May 31, 2011, affirming In God We Trust as the national motto and allowing for the phrase to be displayed in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room and in other public buildings.

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The phrase became the national motto in 1956 after it was adopted by Congress, with the words also displayed on U.S. currency.

Cleveland said when Jacob McHughes was elected to the board, he requested the motto be displayed on the front of the courthouse, adding that McHughes knew a business leader who could donate funds to have it installed.

 This isnt just a OK, well lets just do it like a fad, I mean (there was) serious thought behind it, Cleveland said. A lot of historical meanings and how our country was formed.

The idea for the resolution came from a letter Cleveland received from Dee Wampler, an attorney from Missouri who advocated for the motto to be displayed in nearly 100 government buildings.

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Wampler wrote a book titled One Nation Under God: A Trail Layer Exposes the Myth of the Separation between Church and State, sending a copy to Cleveland along with a letter.

Wampler helped Cleveland and the commissioners draft language for the May 31, 2011, resolution.

 It just gives  our Founding Fathers and how One Nation Under God and In God We Trust was threaded throughout our history, Cleveland told The Transcript.

Its a historical statement that we have and we recognize our historical statements  and thats what we wanted to do here.

Cleveland said the dedication ceremony was held last week instead of last fall to correspond with the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Congress adopting the national motto. State Sen. Lisa Standridge, state Rep. Kevin West, District Judge Thad Balkman and other county and state officials attended the ceremony.

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We celebrate today an awakening. A look back at the past so that we may continue forward, Standridge said at Mondays ceremony.

It is our turn to make sure our democracy lives on and today, I am proud to live in a city with others that acknowledged that.




A man believed to have sexually assaulted seven women in multiple states over a 14-year period was arrested this week in Texas, according to the Berkeley Police Department.

Lashay Durisseau, 56, of Richmond, Texas, was arrested Tuesday, Berkeley police said in a news release. Authorities believe he was responsible for kidnapping and raping seven women from 1994 to 2008, including two Alameda County women in the fall of 2002.

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The crimes were never solved, ultimately designated as cold cases. But Alameda County investigators had evidence from a Berkeley assault tested in 2015 linking the DNA to several other cases.

Five years later, detectives used a state grant to process hundreds of unsolved sex assault cases, including the Berkeley case tied to this series. Investigators tied cases in the East Bay city of Richmond, Oakland and Beaumont, Texas, to DNA from the same person.

Investigators' next step was to use a DNA familial search to hone in on the suspect, authorities said, at which point FBI agents obtained a DNA sample from the man - now identified as Durisseau. The technique involves testing suspects' DNA against others in governmental forensic databases to identify potential relatives of a suspect, and comes as advanced DNA testing has helped close thousands of cold cases that would have once been unsolvable.

Berkeley detectives then traveled to Texas and arrested Durisseau on Jan. 13, with help from local authorities, Berkeley police said.

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Alameda County authorities have charged him with two counts of forcible rape and one count of forced oral copulation, according to the Berkeley Scanner, which first reported the news.

One of the first cases police tied to Durisseau was a 17-year-old girl who investigators believe he accosted and raped after she left high school one morning in 1994, the Scanner reported.

The assaults in Alameda took place in 2002. Police believe Durisseau - then 32 - assaulted a woman on Oct. 3, 2002, punching her, threatening her with a gun, and forcing her to have sex with him at the Berkeley Marina, according to the Scanner.

In early November of that year, Durisseau attacked a 19-year-old woman at an Oakland bus stop, then forced her into his car and sexually assaulted her repeatedly, according to the Scanner.

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Little other information about Durisseau was immediately available. Relatives could not be located or did not respond to requests for comment. On Durisseau's Facebook page, he listed his hometown as Oakland but included pictures from a trip to Houston last year. Public records also tie a business with a similar name to the church to Stafford, Texas, not far from where police arrested him.

On LinkedIn, Durisseau wrote that he was a senior pastor at a Pentecostal church called the Yoke Destroying Ministries International in Missouri. He appears in multiple YouTube videos from 2012 preaching in Oakland, at a local Baptist church.

This article originally published at Cold case serial rapist behind Berkeley assault arrested in Texas after DNA match, police say.
With single-digit cold wind chills forecast for Cincinnati, the city is opening a daytime warming shelter in Over-the-Rhine for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Those in need of services or warmth may visit the St. Anthony Center at 1615 Republic St. from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, according to a city news release.

The National Weather Service projects cold temperatures to settle into Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for the next several days. The coldest expected wind chill on Jan. 19 is 8 degrees in Cincinnati, the weather service says.

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The St. Anthony Center, run by St. Francis Seraph Ministries, provides several services to people and regularly serves as a winter shelter.

[6:15 AM] Cold temperatures settle into the region and continue for the next several days. pic.twitter.com/5FigPTtvCN  NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) January 18, 2026

The shelter will provide free bus transportation to and from the overnight winter shelter, as well as food and blankets during the hours of operation, according to the city.

Additional warming centers are available at any of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library locations and Cincinnati Recreation Centers during their hours of operation.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Winter warming shelter to open for MLK Jr. Day in Over-the-Rhine
The hiring trend for new graduates resembles recruiting practices before the pandemic.  Most now recruit only at up to 30 American colleges out of about 4,000, starting with top-ranked schools and then looking at local universities, according to William Chichester III, a director of entry-level recruiting for companies including Target and Peloton.

A recent Wall St. Journal article, Elite Colleges Are Back at the Top of the List for Company Recruiters, cited a 2025 survey of more than 150 companies. The results indicated that 26% of the companies were exclusively recruiting from a shortlist of schools. As white-collar hiring slows down and corporate DEI goals vanish, where you went to college matters again, reported the Wall St. Journal.

The reasons entry-level recruiters are narrowing their search include the diminished focus on diversity, the preference for in-person interviews rather than virtual, and the fact that companies are flooded with ChatGPT-generated resumes that look identical. The distinguishing factor for recruiters currently is often the prestige of the university and/or its location near company headquarters.

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More: Well-regarded colleges with high acceptance rates | College Connection

Many recruiters during the height of the pandemic, which was also the zenith of virtual job recruiting, no longer come to the campus, according to the head of the career center at the University of Louisville. Rather, its graduating students who generate interest from local companies, including Yum Brands, which owns KFC and Taco Bell, and GE Appliances, which hires 30 to 50 interns per year.

According to the Wall St. Journal, McKinsey, the white-shoe consulting firm that expanded its recruitment efforts well beyond the Ivy League in the wake of George Floyds murder, recently removed inclusive language from its career page that said, We hire people, not degrees. While McKinsey reportedly focuses its recruitment on 20 key campuses, it ultimately hired from about 80 universities last year.

More: Advantages of staying in New Jersey for college | College Connection

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What does this mean for New Jerseys college-bound students? Basically, they need to look beyond the amenities offered by individual colleges and focus on the career prospects after graduation. Attending a top college for ones specific field is always preferable, as employers seek graduates from schools with a strong reputation in a specific major.

Also, while its impossible to know what life may hold in the future, students should consider attending college in the vicinity where they hope to live and launch their careers when their college days draw to a close. Then, they can seek internships and engage in networking opportunities during their undergraduate days which can later be invaluable in their job search.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT preparation & private college advising by Ivy League-educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Colleges companies hire from are changing again | Opinion
Jan. 18Sitting in the dining room of what was once her grandmother's home, Sue Cummings reminisced about the childhood days she spent there.

Whenever her social-butterfly parents were out on the town, usually attending square dances, they would drop her off at the house on Fifth Avenue East. There, Cummings had the freedom to entertain herself.

"My grandmother was a real open-minded kind of person," Cummings said. "She just turned me loose in the house, and I went and explored every nook and cranny."

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She remembered perching in the attic, listening to records on a wind-up Edison disc phonograph.

Like others in the neighborhood, the more than a century-old home was fitted with an expansive front porch for relaxing and conversing with neighbors who passed by. Grand windows allow sunlight to pour into the dining and living rooms of the craftsman-style house.

The house wasn't just enjoyed by Cummings; it had served as a small hub for community gatherings and parties. When Cumming's mother was growing up, her and her sister would often put on plays or devise activities to involve the neighborhood kids.

Built in 1905 by Arthur Hollensteiner, Cummings' grandfather, the house had become foundational to the family and was the host to Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. The property eventually fell under new ownership decades down the road. But after nearly 60 years, Cummings bought it in February, returning the house to the family who built it.

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Cummings' son, David Cummings, now lives there with his wife.

"It gives me warm, fuzzy feelings to know that my family is back in this house," Sue said.

TRAVELING FROM Missoula, Sue's grandfather made his way to Demersville before it became a ghost town in 1891. After Kalispell was established that same year, he opened a shoe store on Main Street with Tom Bogart.

The Eagle Shoe Co. got its name from a customer looking for new boots but had no money to spare. Instead, he traded a pair of stuffed bald eagles for the new shoes. The birds are considered the oldest mounted bald eagles in the world. One is displayed at the Northwest Montana History Museum.

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Hollensteiner married Jennie Hollensteiner in 1900. Jennie's maiden name was Stahl. Her family established a brickyard that helped build some of Kalispell's first brick buildings.

Arthur died in 1951 when Sue was around a year old. But Jennie continued to live in the house that Sue would spend much of her childhood visiting.

Sue said the house always seemed to be bustling with family or neighbors coming and going. On Saturday nights, her grandmother would have friends over to watch accordionist Lawrence Welk.

"She had cable TV, which is a biggie. That meant she got three channels from Spokane," Sue said.

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She could also indulge in food she didn't eat anywhere else, like mashed avocado on toast for breakfast. The most memorable dish was her grandmother's cobbler made from cherries plucked from a pair of cherry trees growing in the backyard.

By 1967, the house was sold to a non-relative. When Sue moved from Seattle back to Kalispell in 1981, she tried to buy the house back, but the owner refused.

Although David didn't grow up visiting the house, the many stories his mom shared about it helped him understand its importance. When he and his wife moved back to Kalispell in 2001, they would stroll around the east side of town to keep an eye out for a "For Sale" sign in the front yard.

Over Christmas in 2024, David's wife and daughter were walking around the neighborhood to admire the light decorations when they noticed the sign they had been waiting for.

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That night at dinner, they brought up the news to the rest of the family. Despite competing offers, Sue was able to nab the house months later. The family got to spend their first Thanksgiving there since 1967.

"I'm the only person alive, still, who remembers what it was like to have family in this house," Cummings said.

Despite some renovations made over the years, Sue found the house looked the same as it did when she was a child. Even the piano her grandmother played was returned after residing at another relative's house in Idaho.

"Almost 60 years later, this piano has done a round trip of right back where it came," David said.

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Sue and her son hunched over the dining table, sifting through old photos of past birthday parties and holiday dinners. One showed Sue's mother and aunt as children standing on chairs as they decorate the same fireplace that remains in the living room.

Despite having never lived there before, David said the house felt familiar.

"I don't get too deep into things like that, but it feels like it was meant to be," David said.

"Sometimes when I'm leaving town and heading home," Sue said. "I drive down the street just so that I can look at the house and smile."

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Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].

The Cummings residence on Fifth Avenue East in Kalispell on Friday, Nov. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey Kreider

The Cummings residence on Fifth Avenue East in Kalispell on Friday, Nov. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey Kreider

Photo of Sue Cummings' mother and aunt, somewhere between 1917 and 1919, inside the family home on Fifth Avenue East. (Courtesy of Sue Cummings)

An undated photo of 116 Fifth Avenue East. (Courtesy of Sue Cummings)




Connecticut is expected to see more snow on Sunday, which has caused some religious services to close or delay their openings along with towns to issue parking bans.

The National Weather Service said the state could get 3 to 5 inches of snow in a winter weather advisory. The NWS said some places, like greater Hartford, could see 2 to 5 inches. Forecasters said Sunday also will be very cold and temperatures are expected to remain frigid for several days.

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The snow is expected to fall the most in the morning and taper off as the day progresses.

Here are some parking bans, and places that are closed or will have delayed openings on Sunday:

Bristol: Parking ban from 11 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday

Center Congregational Church, Torrington: Online service at 10 a.m. only

Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven: Closed

Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, Hamden: Closed

East Lyme: Parking ban starting noon Sunday

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hartford: Closed

Enfield: Parking ban until 1 p.m. Monday

Fairfield: Parking ban starting at 10 a.m. Sunday

First Congregational Church, Canterbury: Closed

First Congregational Church, West Haven: Closed

Groton Congregational Church, Groton: Closed

Hamden: Parking ban starting noon Sunday until further notice

Iglesia Cristiana Estrella Resplandeciente de Jacob, New Haven: 9 a.m. service canceled

Jewett City: Parking ban until midnight

Killingly: Parking ban from noon Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday

Ledyard: Parking ban from 8:30 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday

Manchester: Parking ban from 2 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday

Middletown: Parking ban starting at 3 p.m. Sunday

Montville: Parking ban from 8 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday

Moosup United Methodist Church, Plainfield: Online service only

New Britain: Parking ban starting noon Sunday

Newington: Parking ban from 8 a.m. on Sunday through 8 a.m. Monday

Nichols United Methodist Church, Trumbull: 8:30 a.m. service canceled

North Guilford Congregational Church, Guilford: Closed

North Haven: Parking ban from 7 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday

Norwalk: Parking ban starting 11 a.m. Sunday

Norwich: Parking ban from 8 a.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday

Plainville: Parking ban until 10 p.m. Sunday

Plymouth: Parking ban until 9 a.m. Monday

Rocky Hill: Parking ban from 9 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday

Round Hill Community Church, Greenwich: Closed

St. Catherine Of Siena, Trumbull: 9 a.m. service canceled

St. John's Episcopal Church, Waterbury: Closed

Torrington: Parking ban until 7 a.m. Monday.

Trinity Church, Woodbridge: Closed

Waterford: Parking ban starting at 9 a.m. Sunday

Watertown: Parking ban from 7 a.m. Sunday through midnight

Wethersfield: Parking ban from 10 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday

Westport Library, Westport: Closed

Willimantic: Parking ban from 10 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday

Wilton Library, Wilton: Closed

Woodbridge: Parking ban from 10 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday

Unitarian Society Of New Haven, Hamden: Closed

Vernon: Parking ban from noon Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday

Vertical Church, West Haven: Online services online

This article originally published at Connecticut snowstorm prompts closures and parking bans on Sunday.
Calling the Bharatiya Janata Party's demand to hand over the Ballari violence case to the CBI a matter of concern, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday accused the BJP of not believing in democracy. Questioning the BJP's stand, Siddaramaiah asked which cases the party had ever referred to the CBI when it was in power and what moral authority it had to make such demands. The Chief Minister said he had himself referred eight cases to the CBI in the past, including the George and Soujanya cases. "The BJP's statement that the Ballari case should be given to the CBI is a matter of concern. Let the BJP tell us which cases it has given to the CBI before. Which cases did it give when it was in power? What moral right does it have?... I have given 8 cases to the CBI before. I gave the George case and the Soujanya case to the CBI. Which case did the BJP give?... BJP does not believe in democracy, they believe in dictatorship," Siddaramaiah told reporters. A Congress worker named Rajshekar was killed on January 1 amid violence which erupted in Ballari during preparations for the unveiling of the Maharishi Valmiki statue at SP Circle. BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy has claimed that the party worker was killed at the direction of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy. He further alleged that there is an attempt to pin the murder on him and the party. "With thousands of people and this innocent boy, who came along with Bharath Reddy only. With his direction, only he has been killed. We demand his arrest. Nara Bharat Reddy has to be arrested immediately. After fifteen days also, they have arrested two gunmen. These private gunmen belong only to Bharat Reddy, not to Satish Reddy (BJP MLA). When they came around 9 o'clock to my home, along with Bharat Reddy only, they fired intentionally at a Congress Karyakarta," the BJP leader told ANI. The BJP had also planned a padyatra on January 20 to protest against the Congress-led government, which was later postponed. Janardhana Reddy has called for the arrest of the Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy representing the Ballari assembly constituency, and a CBI inquiry, adding, "They want to shift the murder incident on the BJP and me. Now, the government and the police have come to know. They already arrested two private gunmen. We demand Bharat Reddy's arrest, and we demand a CBI inquiry." (ANI)
When Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 promising to end woke censorship and transform the platform into a right-leaning haven of free speech, conservatives almost universally rejoiced. The rights expectations for the Musk-era platform were sky-high: Many predicted that it would end the liberal medias supposed stranglehold on information . Others hailed it as an epochal moment in the history of American conservatism .



Three years later, Musks control of the platform, now re-branded as X, has delivered its fair share of benefits for conservatives  not least of which was Musks successful full-court press to elect Donald Trump in 2024 . But as the elite echelons of the MAGA movement slowly descend into obscure online disagreements and testy turf wars between rival influencers , conservatives are starting to confront an unpleasant possibility: that the rights domination of X is doing more to divide the MAGA movement than unite it.



Its an ironic inversion from the days of pre-Musk Twitter, when liberals and progressives bemoaned the platforms tendency to stoke petty intramural disputes while conservatives watched gleefully on the sidelines. Now, its the conservatives who are doing the bulk of the bemoaning. In a recent op-ed for The Wall Street Journal , Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy announced his plans to log off of X, citing its warped projection of reality. And Ramaswamy isnt alone in heading for the digital exits. During a recent appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast , the conservative commentator and former Breitbart editor Raheem Kassam bleakly proclaimed that he was deleting the app from his phone.

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X is a post-apocalyptic cesspool of bots, pedophilia and political illiteracy, Kassam wrote in a text message when asked about his decision. I deleted it from my phone because it was making me dumber.



As anyone whos spent time on X during the Musk era well knows, Kassam has a point. Since Musk took over the platform and promptly relaxed its content moderation rules , researchers have found a notable uptick in both hate speech and activity from bots  or fake accounts  especially during high-profile political events like presidential debates. Musks efforts to combat bot activity have in turn backfired on conservatives: A new feature rolled out earlier this year displaying the country where an account is based inadvertently revealed that many of the most active pro-Trump and MAGA accounts are based abroad .



And Musks trouble doesnt end there. In the past week, he has been embroiled in a controversy over the lack of guardrails on the platforms AI chatbot , called Grok, which allows user to digitally undress people  including children  without their consent.



Yet conservatives gripes with the platform run deeper than its less-than-scholarly level of discourse. Increasingly, some big names on the right are coming to worry that Xs algorithm  which elevates short-form video and audio clips over links to articles or essays  is undermining the rights political cohesion by promoting the most outlandish and conspiracy-minded members of Trumps coalition.

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When you take away linking to articles or essays and you reward short video clips, youre going to move toward a kind of Jerry Springer conspiracy theory podcast slop, said the conservative activist Christopher Rufo. Thats a troublesome trend for the right in particular, because you have actual lunatics like Candace Owens  the far-right podcaster who has built a massive audience peddling conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirks killing  that have garnered the biggest audiences in the business. (Owens did not respond to a request for comment though a representative.)



Rufo, of course, is no squishy moderate himself, having spearheaded the now-government-wide campaign against critical race theory and successfully agitated for the firing of prominent liberals like former Harvard President Claudine Gay. But from his vantage point, the problem with the current X algorithm is not that it rewards radical voices so much as it elevates figures who appear more interested in generating political spectacle than in driving real-world results.



They have political effects, but theyre not actually orienting what theyre doing toward political outcomes, Rufo said, citing Owens as well as the white-nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes and the far-right manosphere influencer Andrew Tate. This is a problem because you cannot build a successful political movement on Candace Owens schizo-posting  it cant be done.



The problem is not confined to the online far-right, Rufo said. At a recent conservative fundraising event, he said, he was buttonholed by a well-connected Republican donor who held forth on the Israeli and French governments role in the Kirk killing  an unsubstantiated theory that Owens has pushed aggressively on her podcast. Its not just random basement incels that are listening to this material, Rufo said. Its creeping up into the actual political world that distorts our perceptions and makes us less effective.

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The turmoil and division generated on X is becoming a problem for elected Republicans, too. Even as MAGA voters remain largely united behind Trump and his agenda , Republicans are being forced to spend time and political capital addressing squabbling among MAGAs elite activists and influencers. Rufo pointed in particular to Vice President JD Vances recent speech at Turning Point USAs annual AmericaFest gathering in December, where the vice president dedicated the majority of his remarks to tamping down the intra-MAGA feuds between populist-nationalist conservatives like Tucker Carlson and more conventional figures like Ben Shapiro that had dominated the early days of the conference.



Its a problem for someone like JD Vance, who is having to figure out a way to deal with it, Rufo said. And Im not sure that he's figured it out yet.



Liberals, for their part, have largely responded to conservatives takeover of the platform by fleeing for less noxious  or at least more ideologically simpatico  digital pastures like Bluesky. But for those who have stayed on the platform, the uptick in conservative infighting is inspiring more than a little schadenfreude. That feeling has been especially strong among liberal posters who lived through the height of progressive dominance of Twitter in the pre-Musk era, when the platform routinely descended into internecine fights between competing factions of liberals and leftists.



For the first time, the right is also having to do politics in public in [the] weird way that the left did in an earlier era of Twitter, said Jerusalem Demsas, the editor of the center-left Substack publication The Argument and a frequent participant in intra-left internet skirmishes. In the pre-Musk era, Demsas explained, the preponderance of liberals and progressives on Twitter prompted Democrats to carry out their coalition arguments online, while Republicans were largely able to settle intra-party squabbles behind closed doors. But thanks to the newfound dominance of conservatives on X, the roles have reversed, with Democrats conducting their ideological spats in airless conference rooms while Republicans hammer out their coalition kinks online, for all the world to follow.

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The downsides of that are pretty big, said Demsas. Its kind of weird to talk about how you should pretend to hold opinions you dont really hold in public, [and] it kind of defeats the purpose [of those discussions] if its, like, obvious that you're just doing politics.



Demsas added that Democrats learned the hard way that social media tends to elevate an extreme and generally unrepresentative slice of public opinion  and that catering too directly to that online constituency carries real electoral dangers for elected officials. In the lefts case, that dynamic prompted Democrats to adopt politically damaging stances on issues like policing and crime. With the right now in control of both X and the government, Demsas said, its not hard to imagine Republicans heading down a similar path on a divisive issue like immigration.



With immigration, the true ideologues are still cheering on Stephen Miller, but we see now that the majority of Americans are upset with ICE and think that its going too far, she said. Its very, very hard to correct and to track public opinion if the way that you track public opinion is through Twitter.



And just like progressives who belatedly learned the downsides of adopting the jargon of overly online activists and academics, some conservatives are confronting the possibility that the language of the online right  which is saturated with obscure memes and self-referential jokes  may not be the best way to speak to the independent voters who bolstered Trumps slim electoral majority in 2024.

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[The question is] will the right, broadly speaking, adopt the kind of mannerisms and habits of communication that are exemplified in the fever swamp of the internet, and thereby alienate ordinary voters who find that distasteful or just dont understand it, said Jonathan Keeperman, the head of the far-right publishing house Passage Press and prolific poster under his online pseudonym L0m3z.



All signs suggest that the GOP under Trump is headed in that direction: On X, government agencies and elected Republicans have embraced the patois of the online right, incorporating right-coded memes and far-right internet slang into their day-to-day messaging. But as Keeperman pointed out, these digital easter eggs delight online conservatives and raise the hackles of liberals, but its not yet clear that they make a difference with average voters who dont spend their days parsing government agencies posts for coded messages.



Still, one might expect the online right to be unreservedly giddy about its unrivaled control of X, yet even Keeperman expressed a little bit of nostalgia for the old days of progressive dominance, when an outlandish comment from a liberal account would become a rallying cry for the conservative minority.



This was the glue for the right  opposition to this leftist excess that was articulated on places like Twitter, Keeperman said. And you dont have that anymore. You dont have this consensus articulation of whatever the lefts beliefs are, and therefore there isnt a common shelling point for all these different coalitions on the right to rally around and understand themselves in opposition.

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Without that shared target, Keeperman added, conservatives are increasingly turning on each other. In the absence of like people on the left, you create these sorts of factional arguments in their place, and you go after people who are otherwise on your own side, he said. People want to mix it up and have some arguments and debate, and if not the left, its just the guy standing next to you. Thats how you end up with, say, a vicious, multi-day feud between two conservative podcaster s who otherwise agree on the majority of issues.



Even accounting for these downsides, Rufo and Keeperman agreed that that Musk-era X has, on the whole, been a beneficial force for the MAGA movement. Aside from helping elect Trump in 2024, the platform now gives conservative activists and commentators a direct line to senior Trump administration officials, many of whom have made a habit of engaging directly with users on the platform. (Vance came up frequently as the most terminally online member of Trumps inner circle.)



That dynamic all but guarantees that ideas and controversies that germinate on X often end up being reflected more or less directly in administration policy  as was the case with a recent viral video about welfare fraud allegations in Minnesota, which resulted days later in the creation of a new anti-fraud position at the Justice Department .



But Rufo and Keeperman also acknowledged that the downsides of conservative dominance are very real and could become more acute as the jockeying for the 2028 presidential nomination intensifies.



The assessment is pretty obvious: Its better to be in power than not to be in power, but now we have new challenges, were in a new era, and the online right is in a moment where some will have to adapt, said Rufo. Thats going to be the defining path for the next three years and for the rest of this Trump term.
Over the past couple decades, one West African nation has become the world's largest producer of raw cashew nuts. The Ivory Coast, also known as Cote d'Ivoire, supplies a significant share of the cashews that so many of us love. Cashews thrive in the northern part of Cote d'Ivoire, where the dry, tropical climate is suited to cashew trees (their native habitat is Brazil). The Ivory Coast has long been known as the world's biggest cocoa producer, but cashew trees were first planted in the latter part of the 20th century to combat soil erosion. They've since grown into a major agricultural industry that produced 1.5 million tons of raw cashews in 2025. For many rural households, cashews became an attractive option for farmers who were exhausted from volatile cocoa prices and climate pressure.

Ivory Coast's rise to the nutty top didn't happen out of nowhere. As global demand for cashews surged, the Ivorian government began offering tax incentives to expand cashew cultivation and attract outside investors. Thanks to plant-based eating trends and the nut's reputation as a healthy, versatile ingredient, the cashew became more popular, especially with many American consumers looking for alternatives to cow milk. By the mid-2010s, the Ivory Coast had overtaken India and Vietnam in raw cashew production, exporting hundreds of thousands of cashews annually and becoming the backbone of the global supply.

Read more: 15 Store-Bought Pasta Sauce Brands, Ranked

Cashews bring complications to Ivory Coast

raw cashew nuts in green yellow fruits on tree - Elena Berd/Shutterstock

Like many agricultural crops, processing cashews is complex and hazardous, particularly because it involves removing shells, which contain oils that can burn your hands. Because of this, the Ivory Coast still exports most of its harvest in its unprocessed form to Vietnam and India, where large-scale processing industries were already established. But that relationship meant that while Ivory Coast farmers did the hard labor of growing and gathering the cashews, other countries got most of the profit. That balance has slowly begun to shift. More recently, new Ivorian processing plants have opened, and export rules increasingly favor semi-processed or finished kernels. While many challenges remain, more cashews are now being processed within the country than ever before.

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Unfortunately, the cashew craze comes at a cost. Large portions of the country's savanna and forest have been eradicated in favor of the monoculture crop. Similar to mowing down the rainforest for versatile cacao fruit to make chocolate and other products, orchards of cashew trees not only lack biodiversity but also force the country to rely heavily on a single crop. When cashew sales hit a slump in 2023, the economy of the Ivory Coast almost collapsed.

For now, the cashew boom remains a double-edged sword. Yes, the crop has brought income, stability, and global relevance, but it also placed a potentially dangerous dependence on a single crop that requires labor-intensive harvesting and processing. So the next time you wonder why cashews are some of the most expensive nuts at the store, you'll know why.

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Read the original article on Foodie.
CANYON  More than 80 residents gathered Saturday, Jan. 17 outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, braving temperatures near 30 degrees, for a community rally urging that the landmark remain open and stay in Canyon.

Founded in 1921 by West Texas State Teachers College faculty, students and regional supporters, the museum is Texas largest history museum and the states first. It has housed more than 2 million artifacts on the West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) campus for more than 90 years.

The Panhandle-Plains Historical Society owns and manages the collection, while WTAMU has long owned and maintained the building under a 1932 agreement. The institution preserves the regions pioneer life, natural history, Native American heritage, oil boom era and more, drawing generations of schoolchildren and visitors.

Supporters gather along the sidewalk outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon during a Jan. 17 rally calling for the museum to remain open and stay in the city.

The rally brought together students, longtime residents, families, educators and local leaders who said the museum is central to the regions identity, education and cultural history. Several speakers, including Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders, addressed the crowd and stressed that time is running short to reach a decision before the collection risks being permanently moved. Many attendees held handmade signs, while passing drivers honked in support along Fourth Avenue.

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We cannot let our history and what we are in the Panhandle be overlooked any longer, Hinders said. This is not just a Canyon issue. This is a Panhandle issue.

The museum closed indefinitely in March 2025 after a Texas State Fire Marshal inspection cited numerous safety violations, including fire code issues that made the aging building unsafe for staff and visitors. Efforts to secure funding for renovations  estimated in the tens of millions  fell short.

In late 2025, WTAMU informed the Historical Society it could no longer provide long-term funding for the facility, citing rising costs, declining state support and the lack of a dedicated budget stream. University officials have since requested a relocation plan for the collection by early February 2026, sparking fears it could move to Amarillo, Lubbock or elsewhere.

Since the closure, the society has continued outreach through off-site exhibits, digitization projects and community events, but uncertainty about the museums future has fueled regional frustration.

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For many in attendance, the issue is deeply personal.

It feels like part of who we are

Sarah Reagan, a lifelong Canyon resident, said the museum shaped her childhood.

I always went to the museum as a kid, Reagan said. When I heard they were talking about closing it, it really hurt. It feels like part of who we are.

Ayla Tyree, who attended wearing dinosaur-themed accessories in support of the museum, said the building represents more than just exhibits.

It represents both the good and the bad of our history, she said. By losing it, we lose our ability to understand who we are.

Supporters hold signs along the sidewalk during a Jan. 17 rally outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, calling for the museum to remain open and stay in the city.

Jennifer Landrum said she feels misled by shifting public messaging about the museums future.

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Its a gut punch, Landrum said. There was even a newspaper article last year saying the president supported revamping the building so it could stay. Now the story is completely different. We want it here, in Canyon.

Several attendees echoed concerns about communication from leadership and said the closure felt abrupt to the public.

Cullin Knutson, a Democrat running for Texas House District 86, said the museum played a formative role in his early education.

Supporters line the sidewalk outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon during a Jan. 17 rally calling for the museum to remain open and stay in the city.

This was a staple for our schools growing up, Knutson said. Its where I was first introduced to the history of this region, and I hate the idea of losing that for future kids.

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Knutson said he believes preserving the museum should remain a priority.

There are big costs involved, no question, he said. But this is part of our cultural history, and its worth the effort to find a way to keep it here.

Funding questions at the center of debate

Much of the public concern centers on funding  both for renovations, with estimates ranging from $40 million to higher figures for full code compliance, and for ongoing operations, which university officials have said cost about $100,000 per month.

Id like to see the accounting, Landrum said. Maybe it really does cost that much, but the community deserves transparency so we understand whats actually needed.

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Hinders said the issue is complex and involves more than safety concerns.

I dont believe this is ultimately a safety challenge, he said. Its a funding challenge  facilities, ongoing operations and sustainability.

Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders speaks during a community rally outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon on Jan. 17.

He said solutions will likely require cooperation between multiple parties, including the university and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society.

This has always been a complicated relationship because youve got two organizations with shared responsibility, Hinders said. But I believe both sides care about the museum, and I believe there is still a path forward if everyone stays at the table.

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Hinders said he has spoken recently with WTAMU President Walter Wendler and believes Wendler understands the museums importance to the region.

If this collection leaves this campus, I dont think it ever comes back, Hinders said. Thats why the time pressure is real.

Organizers say rally is only the beginning

Lisa Jackson, who helped organize the rally, said the turnout demonstrated the depth of community commitment.

Were here to keep the museum here, no matter what it takes, Jackson said. We want people to see were dedicated. And if we need to have another rally, we will.

She said the goal is to maintain visibility and pressure on decision-makers.

Ayla Tyree, left, and Sarah Reagan hold signs during a community rally outside the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon on Jan. 17.

This isnt going away, Jackson said. People care too much.

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The rally is part of a growing grassroots effort that has expanded beyond Canyon.

A GoFundMe has raised 87% of its $4,000 goal, and a change.org petition has more than 500 signatures.

Tessa Weston, who launched a Facebook group advocating for the museums preservation, said membership has grown to more than 16,000.

This is a show of force, Weston said. Its a visual presence that our community is standing together and growing. We want our museum here, on the WT campus, where it belongs. Weve got a great museum here.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Canyon rally draws crowd to support Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
KYIV, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic is set to provide Ukraine with combat planes shortly that can shoot down incoming drones, President Petr Pavel told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Friday.

He did not give specifics but two years ago said Czech-made subsonic L-159 fighter jets could be transferred to Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion for almost four years.

"The Czech Republic can in relatively short time provide several medium combat planes, which are highly effective in fighting drones, and I believe we will manage to quickly and successfully conclude this issue," Pavel told a news conference with Zelenskiy.

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He said Prague might also supply early-warning systems such as passive radars.

Pavel, a former army general and head of NATO's Military Committee, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and a Czech-led initiative supplying Kyiv with large-calibre ammunition paid for by Western donors.

A new Czech government led by populist Andrej Babis has agreed to continue the initiative but pledged not to provide any national funding for aid to Ukraine.

The Czech army has 24 L-159 planes in one- and two-seat configurations, used for training and support for ground forces. Its main fighter jets are 14 Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripens, but it has ordered 24 American F-35 fighters for delivery after 2030.

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Under its previous government, the Czech Republic gave Ukraine heavy equipment including tanks and helicopters from army stocks and received compensation from NATO allies as it rearms with Western weaponry.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
A group of the United States' closest European allies stood firm on Jan. 18 against a new round of threats from President Donald Trump in his campaign to try to seize control of Greenland.

Eight NATO nations  including Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory  slammed Trump's latest tariffs as "dangerous" to transatlantic relations in a statement. In a Truth Social post on Jan. 17, Trump said the countries will soon have a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, effective Feb. 1.

The tariff is set to increase to 25% on June 1, Trump said, unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

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"Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," the countries said, responding in the joint statement. "We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty."

A French diplomat close to the Elysee told USA TODAY that French President Emmanuel Macron floated using the European Union's anti-coercion instrument against the U.S. as part of numerous exchanges with European leaders. The diplomat said Macron reaffirmed to his counterparts the importance of a firm and coordinated European response.

The anti-coercion instrument allows the European Union to curb imports of goods and services from the bloc, according to France24, and has been dubbed a trade "bazooka."

Still, the countries said in their public statement that they "stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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'Greenland is not for sale': Massive protests in Denmark to tell US to keep 'Hands off Greenland'

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland signed the statement. Representatives of governments from the group are set to attend an emergency European Union meeting on Jan. 18, as Trump's focus on the Arctic island has strained the 76-year-old NATO alliance.

Trump also criticized the nations' recent move of sending military personnel to Greenland, at the request of Danish officials, in the face of Trump's increasing calls to take over the autonomous territory.

Trump has said the United States needs Greenland because its strategic location and vast stores of minerals make it strategically important, casting the island as being at risk from Russia and China. Denmark and many of its NATO and European Union allies have pushed back on this claim, repeating their own commitment to security in the Arctic region.

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In his social media post, the president said the nations' presence in Greenland is a "very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet," and that they are playing a "very dangerous game."

The group of European nations appeared to respond to the allegations in their statement.

People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the United States, calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland.

"As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest," they said. "The pre-coordinated Danish exercise 'Arctic Endurance' conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone."

On the same day as Trump's announcement, people in Denmark protested against the U.S. president's plan and rallied in support of its predominantly Indigenous residents' rights to self-determination. Many European leaders also expressed their outrage.

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Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, defended the pre-coordinated military exercise with Denmark, echoing the language in the eight nations' statement.

The leaders of two of the United States' closest allies, France and the United Kingdom, also targeted Trump's additional tariff plan.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an X post. "We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Macron called the latest tariffs "unacceptable" in a statement on social media posted a few hours after Trump's, and said Europeans will "respond in a united and coordinated manner" should they be enacted.

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"No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," Macron said.

Contributing: James Powel, Eduardo Cuevas and Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Trump want Greenland? NATO allies slam latest tariffs
Doraville Police Department confirmed that they are investigating a body found off of Buford Highway.

Two suspects have been taken into custody.

Doraville PD says the victim is believed to be 68-year-old Shaowei Zhou, a person reported missing in December. They are investigating the death as a homicide.

The identity of the two taken into custody have not been disclosed by authorities.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they are assisting the investigation.

This is a developing story.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Monday, Jan. 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring the prominent civil rights leader, but, thanks to President Donald Trump's administration, national park visitors won't get a free visit to sites because of new federal guidelines.

Although the Trump administration can't cancel or end the holiday, the administration changed the lineup for National Park Service free entry days and eliminated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, from list. The federal holiday previously was among dates national parks and other sites offered a free visit, recognizing a key figure in African American history.

For 2026, eight free entry days  which are now limited to U.S. citizens and residents  will begin with Presidents Day, Feb. 16.

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Here's what to know before heading to a local National Park Service site.

When is MLK Day 2026?

This year, the federal holiday is Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is always scheduled to take place on the third Monday in January.

King was born on Jan. 15, 1929.

More: Are schools open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? What's open and closed

Is it a federal holiday?

Yes. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill creating the holiday into federal law in 1983. It was first observed in 1986. It would take an actual act of Congress to change it.

What did Trump change?

Trump can issue executive orders, effective for a year, that change the way federal holidays are administered.

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This year, Trump used his powers to change the observance of MLK Day and Juneteenth. The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the cancellation of fee-free days at all national parks for MLK Day and Juneteenth.

Will national parks offer free entry on MLK Day?

No, a visit to the national parks will no longer be free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as the Trump administration eliminated free entry for the federal holiday in 2026.

The park service eliminated free entry on Juneteenth, a second federal holidays honoring African Americans, representing a reduced emphasis on Black American history.

When are the free entry days in 2026?

The NPS said free entry days in 2026 include:

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Presidents' Day: Feb. 16

Memorial Day: May 25

Donald Trump's birthday/Flag Day : June 14

Independence Day Weekend: July 3-5

National Park Service's 110th Birthday: Aug. 25

Constitution Day: Sept. 17

President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday: Oct. 27

Veterans Day: Nov. 11

In 2025, free entry days included Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week (April 19), Juneteenth, the Bureau of Land Management's birthday (July 16), Great American Outdoors Day (Aug. 4), National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27), first day of National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 12) and Veterans Day.

What does free entrance day mean?

U.S. citizens and residents will be able to visit National Park Service sites across Michigan free of charge, the typical entrance fee waived for the day, the park service said. Activities at the national parks and other sites may require fees and reservations.

Regular park entrance fees can be found on the NPS website.

What are the national sites in Michigan?

Michigan features the following national sites:

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shores of Lake Michigan features miles of sand beach, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna, towering bluffs, an island lighthouse, coastal villages, picturesque farmsteads and more.

Isle Royale National Park encompasses all of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The one of the nation's least-visited parks is closed through April 15. The rugged islands offer opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling and diving.

Keweenaw National Historic Park encompasses public and private sites throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula and features heritage sites connected to the area's copper mining history. It's headquartered in Calumet; check with individual sites regarding entry fees.

North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states, including more than 1,100 miles in Michigan through urban and rural areas in the upper and lower peninsulas.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features the sandstone cliffs along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula from Munising to Grand Marais, along with sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forests, waterfalls, beaches and wild shoreline. There are opportunities for camping, hiking, sightseeing and more.

River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe honors the history of the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. There are opportunities to visit historical sites, a museum, walking and biking trails and more.

What is the National Park Service?

The U.S. National Park Service is a federal government agency that manages national parks, monuments, lakeshores and preserves throughout the United States.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: No more free entry to national parks. How Trump changed MLK Day
Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem lambasted Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan for naming the ICE agent Jonathan Ross on-air Sunday.

Ross shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month. The Trump administration maintains that Ross feared for his life as Good weaponized her vehicle and rammed the agent. Video evidence appears show Good attempting to flee a tense scene, with Ross continuing to fire into her car after he is clear of her vehicle.

Brennan began to ask if Ross was back on the street and working in Minneapolis when Noem got her hackles up.

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Let me talk to you about the officer, Jonathan Ross, Brennan said.

Well, dont say his name. For heavens sakes, Noem cut in. We shouldnt have people continue to dox law enforcement.

When Brennan countered that his name is public information, Noem dug in her heels.

I know but that doesnt mean it should continue to be said, she said. He got attacked with a car that was trying to take his life. People have attacked him and his family.

BRENNAN: Tell me about the officer, Jonathan Ross KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement BRENNAN: His name is public NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said pic.twitter.com/ut0YrcOJUY  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 18, 2026

Noem refused to share whether Ross was back at work.

Elsewhere in the interview, Noem refused to apologize for the detention of Aliya Rahman and the tear-gassing of a family that had an infant in the car.

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Do any of these tactics seemheavy-handed? Brennan asked.

That family was caught up in that situation because of violent protesters that were impeding law enforcement operations, she said. That family would have never been in that situation if protestors were acting peacefully.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Noem went on to blame Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for the violent interactions between ICE and residents.

Its a terrible situation that that family had to go through, and I hope it never happens again, she said. The mayor and the governor have allowed this kind of violence to be perpetuated across Minneapolis.

Watch the entire interview below via YouTube:

The post Dont say his name: Noem lashes out at anchor for doxxing ICE agent appeared first on Salon.com.
Dozens of concerned citizens, community advocates and elected officials gathered at Pensacola Beach Saturday for a press conference opposing the Trump administration's new oil drilling plan, which includes a huge swath of the Eastern Gulf.

A map released Nov. 20, 2025 by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management includes a proposal to extend oil exploration and drilling opportunities east from the Alabama line across waters extending the length of the entire Panhandle of Florida.

The Eastern Gulf, which was long considered off-limits to offshore drilling, includes an important military aquatic test range. Christian Wagley, a Healthy Gulf representative for Florida, told the crowd this is the greatest threat to the Florida Gulf Coast from offshore drilling in the last 30 years.

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Drilling threatens our tourism industry, it threatens military testing and training and the thousands of jobs that support it," Wagley said. "It threatens the health of the Gulf and its marine life, and it threatens our local quality of life that includes being able to come down to the Gulf and take a swim along a beach thats clean and healthy.

The area, if exploited, would bring drilling rigs to about 100 miles offshore of coastal Florida. If the plan survives as written, the Eastern Gulf would be opened to offshore lease sales in 2029 and 2030.

At the state level, Florida's congressional delegation has united to call on President Donald Trump to reject the plan to open drilling off the coast of Florida.

Reps. and Dems. show rare unity: Oppose plan to drill off Florida coast

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The delegation has joined forces to sign a letter sent to Trump, calling on him to honor a 2020 moratorium he signed banning drilling in the Eastern Gulf and to extend the prohibition into perpetuity to protect the military training conducted there and the state's tourism industry.

The letter was written following the release of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management map, which called for opening millions of acres of previously protected offshore areas to oil and gas exploration. The strategy includes expanding offshore drilling to 19.88 million acres in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, which the U.S. government renamed the Gulf of America.

Local government has also voiced their opposition. Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright introduced a resolution opposing offshore drilling that was passed unanimously by the Santa Rosa County Commission. A resolution proposed by Pensacola City Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier of District 1 opposing offshore drilling was passed unanimously by the Pensacola City Council.

The new planning area, labeled the South Central Gulf of America, would allow for new wells to be drilled at about 100 miles off the coast of Northwest Florida's beaches, known for their pristine white sand, and within approximately 200 miles of coastal destinations on the west side of the state such as Tampa and St. Petersburg.

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While oil and gas lease sales would be conducted in the Eastern Gulf region in 2029 and 2030, drilling would be prohibited until the expiration of the Trump-ordered moratorium in 2032.

Delegation members also relayed the devastating impact a drilling mishap could have on Florida's tourism-based economy, reminding the president of the economic havoc created by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Even though the spill occurred well off the coast of Louisiana, it spewed millions of gallons of oil that traveled more than 100 miles to stain the coast of Florida.

Wagley was joined on Saturday by a cross section of government, tourism and the community. Speakers had plenty to say about the impact that drilling could have on Pensacolas destination beaches.

Ted Ent, the president and CEO of Innisfree Hotels, has seen firsthand the consequences of what oil spills can do, first growing up in Texas, where oil tar balls, or blobs of petroleum, would wash ashore.

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The same thing happened throughout the Florida Panhandle after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

When I was a child, my parents would line the floorboard of our car with plastic bags so we wouldnt stain the carpet in the car with tar balls that got stuck to our feet on the beach, Ent said. Those tar balls still exist today, because what people dont realize is offshore drilling is not a closed system.

After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Ent dealt with the consequences for years after, including the loss of visitors during the spill and the uphill battle to get them to return once it was cleared.

It was so devastating to our business at Innisfree that we still reference it at least once or twice a week in our strategy meetings that we have, and talk about what we had to do to keep our business alive, Ent said. Unlike a hurricane that passes, and our visitors come back relatively quickly, it took years for us to get people to be attracted to Pensacola Beach again after the BP Oil Spill.

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Gulf Breeze resident Susan Bleiler remembers her emotions after seeing her beloved beach destroyed and smelling the dirty water.

I grieved, Bleiler said. The beaches were blackened.

Not only did the water change in appearance, but it also impacted marine life, with an estimated 4,900 to 7,600 large juvenile and adult sea turtles and between 56,000 to 166,000 juvenile sea turtles killed in the spill, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Since moving to the area in 1974, the potential for drilling has always been a concern and Bleiler knows she must pay attention each time the issue is raised. She's hoping more everyday people lend their support and lend their voices to protect the beaches in their own backyard.

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Col. Jim Heald, USAF (Ret.), a 26-year military veteran, focused on keeping drilling away from Florida to protect military testing in the eastern Gulf, noting the move could jeopardize national security preparedness.

The drilling plan includes reducing the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range, the largest military range in the continental United States.

Heald said if approved, this could interfere with necessary weapon testing.

The Gulf is a important national resource, and the national security implications of losing part of the Gulf means that we would not be able to test the new developmental weapons that we need to be able to go against near-peer threats that we have, Heald said. The weapons that we need no longer are the ones that just drop due to gravity. Now we have weapons that go hundreds, if not thousands of miles, are independently navigated to the targets that they need to go to. If we dont test those, we will not have the weapons that we need. Ill tell you, the public safety is the most paramount thing that we have in the military.

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The time to act is now, before it's too late, said Ent.

When we think of what happened with the BP oil spill, and we think of the devastating impact that offshore drilling can have on our community, we think of oil spills as a 'when,' not an 'if' scenario," Ent said. "This community has already survived onewe know if they expand offshore drilling to our shores, another oil spill is imminent. We need to stand up and make sure that everybody in the country understands that this state is against offshore drilling on its shores.

Public comments are being accepted until Jan. 23. Those looking to comment can access the official federal portal at http://bit.ly/45kg33b.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Offshore drilling in Gulf draws opposition at Pensacola Beach
Dr. Tom Kim, a longtime Knoxville physician and founder of Free Medical Clinic of America, has died.

Kim's legacy is preserved in his free clinics for uninsured community members, which were renamed in his honor when he retired in 2019. Kim spent decades offering free care to tens of thousands of patients who couldn't access it elsewhere.

"It is with deep sadness that we learned of Dr. Tom Kim's passing last night. He was, and will remain, an inspiration. We will miss his visits at the clinic and his stories of his incredible life. We are honored to continue his mission and legacy of service to the community," the health center wrote in a statement Jan. 17.

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The Kim Health Center has offices on Chapman Highway and Magnolia Avenue.

Kim had a fascinating personal history. He fled North Korea at age 6, grew up in California, attended medical school in Korea and trained in hematology and oncology at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, according to Knox News archives.

Kim had a practice in a small building on Chapman Highway when he read about the difficulty Tennessees working poor faced getting care. He set aside a few evenings a week to see these patients, who he required to show proof of employment, according to Knox News archives.

In 2005, when TennCare was drastically cut, he retired from his regular practice to open the Free Medical Clinic of America. Volunteers, including other physicians, helped make it possible.

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His dream was always to care for vulnerable populations.

"Dr. Kim was a successful oncologist who felt inspired by his Christian upbringing to give back to the community that had given him so much," the Kim Health Center website explains.

He was named a Knox News Health Care Hero in 2012 for his dedication to his patients and his vision to offer free care.

Outside of his medical work, he helped place a Korean War Memorial at the East Tennessee Veterans' Cemetery in 2005.

Dr. Tom Kim, Health Care Heroes Community Outreach honoree, works in his clinic on Chapman Highway.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dr. Tom Kim, Knoxville doctor and founder of free clinics, has died
The leader of the Opposition at the Rajasthan Assembly, Tika Ram Jully, on Sunday described Congress as a "very large family," noting that many former members are eager to return to the fold. His remarks come as former minister Mahendrajit Singh Malviya rejoined the party after he left the BJP. The Congress leader further alleged a conspiracy to weaken the rights of MLAs. Referring to a recently issued bulletin that allegedly restricts members from raising questions related to their own districts or the state, Jully stated that MLAs have been instructed to continue raising issues according to established old procedures. "The Congress family is a very large family, and many of our workers want to come back; they are welcome... There are many senior leaders who have been MLAs and MPs and want to return; they are welcome..." said Jully. "When any MLA comes to the Assembly, he represents the entire state... The bulletin that has been issued says that you cannot raise questions related to your district and the state, which is wrong. This is a conspiracy to weaken the rights of MLAs. We have told all our MLAs that we will raise our questions only according to the old established procedure..." he said. On February 19, 2024, former Rajasthan Cabinet Minister and Congress' tribal leader, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, joined the Bhartiya Janata Party, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the former Rajasthan minister has returned to the Congress following the party's top leadership's approval of his re-induction. A letter from the Congress, undersigned by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on January 16, stated that Party President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the proposal of Malviya rejoining the party. "This is to inform you that the Congress President has approved the proposal for the rejoining of Mahendra Jeet Malviya to the party. This is for your kind information and perusal," the letter stated. Malviya also expressed gratitude to the party leaders and posted on social media, "We express our gratitude to the top leadership and congratulate all the supporters. Jai Congress, Victory to Congress!" (ANI)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian drone strikes damaged energy networks in Russia-occupied parts of southern Ukraine, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power on Sunday, according to Kremlin-installed authorities there.

Meanwhile, Moscow has kept up its hammering of Ukraines energy grid in overnight attacks that killed at least two people, according to Ukrainian officials.

More than 200,000 households in the Russia-held part of Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region had no electricity on Sunday, according to the Kremlin-installed local governor.

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In a Telegram post, Yevgeny Balitsky said that nearly 400 settlements have had their supply cut, because of damage to power networks from Ukrainian drone strikes.

Russia has hammered Ukraines power grid, especially in winter, throughout the nearly four-year war. The strikes aim to weaken Ukrainians will to resist in a strategy that Kyiv officials call weaponizing winter.

Russia targeted energy infrastructure in Odesa region overnight on Sunday, according to Ukraines Emergency Service. A fire broke out and was promptly extinguished.

At least six people were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region from Russian attacks, the emergency service said.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that repairing the countrys energy system remains challenging, but we are doing everything we can to restore everything as quickly as possible.

He said that two people were killed in overnight attacks across the country that struck Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa.

In total, more than 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types were used by Russia to strike Ukraine this week, Zelenskyy said.

U.S. talks

If Russia deliberately delays the diplomatic process, the worlds response should be decisive: more help for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor," Zelenskyy said.

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He spoke the day after a Ukrainian delegation arrived in the United States for talks on a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the war.

On Friday, Zelenskyy said that the delegation would try to finalize with U.S. officials documents for a proposed peace settlement that relate to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

If American officials approve the proposals, the U.S. and Ukraine could sign the documents next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said at a Kyiv news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel. Trump plans to be in Davos, according to organizers.

Russia would still need to be consulted on the proposals.

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Drones strike Russian Caucasus

Separately, in Russias Caucasus mountains, two children and an adult were wounded overnight as debris from a Ukrainian drone fell on a five-story residential building in North Ossetia, according to the regional governor.

Seventy people had to be evacuated from the building, in the town of Beslan, and there was damage to its roof and windows, Gov. Sergei Menyaylo said in a Telegram post on Sunday morning.

Russias Defense Ministry said that its forces shot down or suppressed 63 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula. One person was hospitalized in Russias Krasnodar region east of Crimea following a drone strike, local authorities said.

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Nuclear plant repairs

Ukrainian crews have started repair works on the backup power line connecting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the power grid, under a ceasefire brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based U.N. organization said in an X post on Sunday.

The fate of the plant, occupied by Russia and the largest in Europe, is a central issue in ongoing U.S.-brokered peace talks.

Crucial repair works on the essential back up Ferosplavna-1 330 kV power line connecting Ukraines ZNPP to the grid have begun under another IAEA-brokered ceasefire, the agency said in the post.

The 330-kilovolt power line, which was damaged and disconnected because of fighting, is crucial to supplying the plant with electricity.
The CMCC was established in October 2025 to shift responsibility for managing the ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and planning for the future of the Gaza Strip.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) published footage from throughout January showing Egyptian soldiers at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported on Sunday.

According to KAN, this marks the third delegation from an Arab country to currently be present at the CMCC base, alongside representatives from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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The CMCC was established in October 2025 to shift responsibility for managing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and planning for the future of the Gaza Strip into allied hands following the acceptance of US President Donald Trumps 20-point plan.

Israel reportedly surveilled, recorded CMCC base

In early December 2025, The Guardian reported that Israel had carried out widespread surveillance on military forces stationed at the CMCC, citing sources briefed on the matter.

The base was reportedly under such heavy surveillance that Lt.-Gen. Patrick Frank, the base's commander, summoned his Israeli counterpart to insist recording has to stop here.

Staff were allegedly instructed to avoid sharing sensitive information within the CMCC, over fears that Jerusalem was collecting the data to later exploit it.

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The IDF documents and summarizes meetings in which it is present through protocols, as any professional organization of this nature does in a transparent and agreed-upon manner, the IDF said in a statement at the time. The claim that the IDF is gathering intelligence on its partners in meetings in which the IDF is an active participant is absurd.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Elon Musk just dropped a bombshell tweet that's got everyone from politicians to everyday folks fired up. Just yesterday, the tech billionaire accused Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar of fraud, citing her husbands massive wealth increase from $51,000 in 2023 to over $30 million today.

Musk quoted a Fox News clip shared by comedian Tim Young, adding his own twist: "Whoa! @willcain showed how Ilhan Omars husband went from being worth $51,000 in 2023 to now more than $30 million. She claims to not be a millionaire so we can probably guess where all that sweet Somali daycare money slides to"

The post quickly racked up millions of views, thousands of likes, and a storm of replies. Critics are calling Musk's claim reckless, while supporters are demanding investigations. Lets see the details.

The Tweet That Lit the Fuse

Musk's accusation came straight out of a Fox & Friends segment hosted by Will Cain, who highlighted Omar and Mynett's financial disclosures.

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According to 2025 financial disclosure estimates, assets tied to Mynetts businesses range from roughly $6 million to $30 million, representing a significant increase from the $1$1,000 valuation reported in 2023.

Omar has pushed back hard against similar claims in the past. In a February 2025 interview with Business Insider, Ilhan Omar described claims that she personally is a millionaire as "categorically false" and part of a "disinformation campaign."

Ilhan Omar committed fraud https://t.co/c8GJvMkAcU  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2026

Musk's reference to "Somali daycare money" appears to allude to the Feeding Our Future scandal in Minnesota, in which federal prosecutors charged dozens of people with defrauding child nutrition programs of over $250 million.

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The tweet exploded online, garnering over 5 million views in a matter of hours.

Digging Into the Wealth Jump

Tim Mynett, a political consultant, married Omar in 2020 after both divorced previous spouses. His firm, Rose Lake Capital, focuses on venture investments, but details are scarce.

Reports say the company quietly removed officer information from its website amid growing scrutiny. This move came as Minnesota's welfare fraud investigations heated up. Since 2018, Omars campaign has paid more than $2.8 million to E Street Group, a firm where Mynett previously worked, for digital and consulting services.

While legal, critics argue it appears to be funneling money. Omar insists all payments were above board and disclosed.

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The couple's 2025 financial filing shows the surge tied mostly to Mynett's businesses. Omar's congressional salary is about $174,000, so the math points to his ventures as the source. But with no clear explanation for the rapid growth, questions linger.

Past Scandals Resurface

This isn't Omar's first financial controversy. In 2019, her ex-husband's sister accused her of immigration fraud over her marriage timeline, claims Omar denied.

Then came the campaign payment stories, which led to FEC complaints but no charges. The "Somali daycare money" line ties back to the Feeding Our Future scandal, where 70 people were charged with defrauding child meal programs.

Omar's district overlaps with affected areas, and she's defended the community against broad-brush accusations. Musk's tweet revives these, with some seeing it as dog-whistle politics.

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Omar hasn't responded directly to Musk yet, but her team has called similar reports "baseless smears." Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a fellow Democrat, has stayed quiet, but GOP figures like JD Vance retweeted the clip.

Reactions Pour In From All Sides

Social media is divided. Musk's fans cheered, with replies like "Arrest Ilhan Omar!" and memes calling for deportation. One viral post said, "Sure did," agreeing with the fraud claim. Critics blasted Musk for hypocrisy, noting his own wealth ties to government contracts.

Brian Krassenstein replied, "Wait, so if you ever get married and your wife is instantly worth $700 billion, would that mean that your wife is a fraud?"

Photo Credit: Elon Musk's post/X

Photo Credit: Elon Musk's post/X

Photo Credit: Elon Musk's post/X

Progressives defended Omar, calling the attack racist and sexist. One user said, "So her net worth goes up by a few million by marrying a wealthy man and you think its fraud.

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Donald Trumps net worth goes up by $5 billion in a year and you think its all on the up and up?"

As outrage builds, calls for probes grow. House Republicans may push for an ethics review, but with a slim majority, it's unclear. Omar remains a vocal Trump critic, so this feud could drag on.

What do you think?
A New York City artist who said Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell shopped her around to men is among the survivors claiming that Epstein used the lure of a university education to ensnare her in their sexual abuse network.

Rina Oh was a 21-year-old art student when she was introduced to Epstein in 2000 by Lisa Phillips, a model and Epstein survivor who has since emerged as a powerful voice in the survivors network pressuring for full accountability in the long-running money, sex and power scandal.

He told me: Youre really talented. I think you should be in school, Oh recalled.

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Related: Epstein disclosures raise key question: why wasnt he stopped earlier?

Epstein invited her to come sit down next to him. He explained that he was a philanthropist, known by so many people, a very generous man, and had sent so many young people to university, often the kids of women hed been at school with. I completely believed him.

Oh says Epstein told her she need a bachelor of fine arts degree to make it in the art world and was offering her a scholarship to New Yorks School of Visual Arts with no strings attached. But, Oh said: He attached a lot of strings to that scholarship. When I wouldnt do all that he wanted he took it away.

Oh, who spent roughly two years in Epsteins network, is one of a number of survivors coming forward to detail how Epstein used offers to help enrol and sometimes pay for tuition at prestigious universities to maintain his sway over them.

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Other similar stories aired last week via victim interviews with Democrats on the House judiciary committee. It also comes as a new, perhaps voluminous tranche of Epstein-related documents is expected to be released by the justice department in the coming days.

Mr Epstein repeatedly lured young women into his network by promising to help them gain admission into colleges and universities, said the Maryland Democrat congressman Jamie Raskin in letters sent to Columbia University and New York University asking for more information on this aspect of the scandal.

Epstein, Raskin added, not only lured young women who he and his co-conspirators would come to sexually abuse and rape, he also ensured his victims were indebted to him and less likely to come forward to report crimes to law enforcement.

For Oh it sounds like her experience. He was very much obsessed with infiltrating the minds of young people, Oh says. He didnt just want to infiltrate for physical abuse, he wanted to infiltrate their brains because he was a cerebral beast.

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In her case, Oh says, the promise of a scholarship was replaced by a few lessons at the school and a painting commission. It was an awful painting. He was obsessed with female body parts. He didnt want a whole person. He didnt want an abstract. Epstein wanted a crotch. He just said keep it real.

Phillips, who, like Oh, was in her 20s when she met Epstein, told the Wall Street Journal this week that Epstein dangled an education at New York University, arranged for her to visit the campus and she eventually took classes. Phillips and Oh say another woman who was also being sexually exploited by Epstein was also studying at NYU.

Another woman told the Journal that Epstein sexually exploited her and that he had made her feel indebted to him by implying she had got in via his connections at the university. He framed it to me as if he is the one who got me in, and he told the other girls that he got me in, she said.

According to the committee, Epstein paid for a survivor, whom he abused from 2002 to 2005, to attend NYU between 2000 and 2002 and arranged a scholarship for her. Another survivor, then in high school, was repeatedly promised by Epstein he would get her admitted and pay for her to go to NYU. A third said he helped pay for her to attend Columbia between 2004 and 2007. A fourth said she was promised a visa and admission to NYU by an associate of Epstein but did not accept the offer.

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A spokesperson for NYU told the Guardian in an email it was reviewing Raskins letter and that it was fully committed to cooperating with this inquiry. The spokesperson added: We also support efforts to bring transparency to Epsteins horrific conduct. A Columbia official said the university had received the letter and was reviewing it.

Raskins reaching out to Columbia and NYU is probably part of an effort to better understand Epsteins financial operation and  potentially  connections at the universities. The enrolments and tuition payments were directed by Epstein and managed by Epstein lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. Both men are co-executors of Epsteins estate and have been subpoenaed to testify before the oversight committee.

Epsteins connections to other universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and high-level faculty members, became apparent after he died in custody in 2019. Many university officials maintained their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty to solicitation of a minor in 2008. MITs director, Joi Ito, resigned in 2019 over his extensive financial ties to Epstein.

In November, the former Harvard president Larry Summers announced he was stepping away from public life after emails between him and Epstein revealing a close relationship were released. Epstein had an office at Harvard, where Summers wife Elisa New ran an Epstein-supported non-profit called Poetry in America.

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Its pretty creepy, says Oh. There seems to be a larger scheme and pattern. Epstein wasnt just sending students to school, I think he was infiltrating the schools. His reach seems to have been wide and deep across state borders through many educational institutions.

Epstein-related documents released last month as part of the justice departments obligation to the Epstein Files Transparency Act revealed a lawsuit that claimed he met his first known victim at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a Michigan fine arts summer camp, in 1994.

The lawsuit claimed that the victim, named as Jane Doe, met Epstein and Maxwell at the camp when she was 13. Epstein allegedly bragged to her about being a patron of the arts and giving scholarships to talented young artists. The complaint also alleges that Doe was used as a guinea pig for their grooming scheme and subjected to years of escalating sexual abuse.

Epsteins ties to academia and his offers of education created financial dependence that could then be withdrawn, creating a form of dependence and control masked as generosity.

He definitely wanted access to young students  high schoolers bring other high schoolers, and college girls to bring other college girls  but he also had ties to professors at prestigious universities, Oh says. He wanted to collect these people so that he could own them. He had this whole thing about ownership. Nothing with Epstein came for free.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) vowed that if he becomes Californias next governor he will revoke the drivers licenses of any ICE agents  or a**holes as he put it  who wear masks while driving.

Swalwell shared his plan during a summit hosted by the Empowerment Congress in Los Angeles on Saturday. The nonprofit group aims to fight racial and economic disparities, using tools like annual summits, partnerships, and community training programs to educate, engage, and empower residents, according to its website.

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Here is what the Democratic rep said after being asked how he will protect Californians from ICE:

Theyre going to lose their immunity, theyre not gonna be able to drive. I will take your drivers license. Good luck walking to work, a**holes.

Swalwell continued, saying I will direct law enforcement to use every power to prosecute them for battery, false imprisonment, and murder. You know me, Im not shy.

He pointed to teaming up with Sen. Adam Schiff (D) to push the claim President Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election as one example he is not bashful.

Clip maven Acyn Torabi captured Swalwells remarks, which you can see below:

Eric Swalwell answering a question on how the next governor of California will protect Californians from ICE.They're going to lose their immunity. They're not going to be able to drive. I will take your driver's license. Good luck walking to work, assholes. pic.twitter.com/dTbTN06xmB  Acyn (@Acyn) January 17, 2026

Swalwell has made it clear in recent weeks that he loathes ICE and President Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration.

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The Hill reported Swalwell is working with Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) to introduce a bill that would strip ICE agents of their qualified immunity protections. Their plan comes after Democratic politicians have condemned ICE and anti-ICE protests have erupted across the country following the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Trumps ICE thugs inflict cruelty on our communities every day. Enough. Im fighting to end impunity for ICE and hold them accountable for their actions, Swalwell posted on Facebook earlier this week.

Swalwell told the Empowerment Congress crowd on Saturday there is only one side of the ball to be on on behalf of Californians when it comes to ICE, and its offense. He is vying to follow Gavin Newsom as Californias next governor when the state votes later this year.

The post Eric Swalwell Promises to Yank ICEs Drivers Licenses If He Becomes California Governor: Good Luck Walking to Work, A**holes first appeared on Mediaite.
Donald Trumps imposition of a 10 per cent levy on exports from eight Nato countries that oppose a US takeover of Greenland has not been received lightly.

On Sunday, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, urged the European Union to issue a trade bazooka in response to the tariffs.

Meanwhile, a joint statement issued by the eight nations affected  Britain, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden  supported Denmarks claim to Greenland and warned Mr Trump that tariffs risked a dangerous downwards spiral.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, says Europe should respond to US economic threats with a trade bazooka - Yoan Valat/Reuters

The impacted European nations are preparing to hit back with their own measures against the US. Even if retaliatory swipes are just a gesture, they represent a decisive shift in the relationship between Europes leaders and the US president.

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Here, The Telegraph examines how European leaders might respond.

Military bases

One way affected countries might respond is by exploiting US dependency on its European military bases, which it uses for proximity to Africa and the Middle East.

While sources denied that the US would be sent packing from its German bases, an option could be for Germany to significantly increase the rent it charges for these military sites.

Trade deal

There is growing support amongst MEPs for a counter-measure to block the one-sided trade deal struck between the EU and the US last summer.

Europeans agreed to 15 per cent US tariffs, without levying any of their own, while facing a threat from Mr Trump of a 30 per cent tariff.

Targeted taxes and reciprocal tariffs

Reciprocal tariffs to mirror the US can be adjusted to specifically target exports that will hurt Trumps base the most.

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On Sunday, the French president requested that the EU deploy its anti-coercion instrument, the blocs most powerful retaliatory tool originally designed for use against China. These would be a last resort series of tariffs and drastic trade measures against the US.

European nations could also levy export taxes on specialised machinery and products for which the US might struggle to find alternatives. However, this is a risky move that could significantly harm European industry.

Exclusions of US products and informal boycotts of goods by European citizens could help put pressure on the US.

Social media

The EU has already begun to use its advanced technology and data regulations against the US, fining X 120m (104m) for various breaches of the Digital Services Act.

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Brussels could wreak havoc on US-based social media, technology and finance companies abilities to operate in Europe, with the ability to ban services and even cease data transfers.

Oil and gas

Leveraging tariffs on US natural gas and crude oil would be a painful solution, given that the EU purchases approximately half of US exports in this category.

The EU could impose retaliatory trade tariffs on US oil and gas exports - Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg

However, it would be devastating for the US and could rebalance Europes energy supply chains in the longer term.

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European leaders were angered and dismayed on Saturday when US President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight countries from February 1, citing disagreements over Greenland.

Trump said the tariff would apply to all goods sent to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.

The levy would rise to 25% from June 1 and will remain in place "until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," he said in his post on Truth Social.

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EU Council President Antonio Costa criticized Trump's threat. "If we want prosperity, we must open markets, not close them. We must create zones of economic integration, not raise tariffs," he said as he signed a free trade agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur in Paraguay.

"The EU has always been very determined in defending international law  and, of course, especially in the territory of a member state," he said when asked about Trump's planned tariffs.

Washington wants Greenland

Trump has repeatedly said he seeks to own Greenland in order to guarantee security in the Arctic, justifying his plans with security concerns about threats from China and Russia in the region.

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Largely autonomous Greenland is part of the territory of Denmark, a NATO member. With a population of just under 57,000, Greenland has said it does not wish to become part of the United States.

NATO allies also say that Greenland does not need to be taken over by the US to protect the Arctic.

Europe assesses current tariffs, regulations

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Costa warned of the consequences after Trump's threatened levies.

"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty," the two said in posts on social media.

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The EU had actually agreed on a deal with the US last year in the customs dispute, which still has to be approved by the European Parliament. The deal foresaw the US customs duty of 15% set to apply to most European products.

Meanwhile customs duties on US industrial goods would be completely abolished and barriers to the import of certain foods would be removed.

The leader of the European People's Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, said that his group supports the tariff deal, but that approval is not possible at this time in view of Trump's threats. "The 0% tariffs on US products must be suspended," he said.

European leaders plan to meet

Representatives of the EU member states are set to meet on Sunday for a special session after Trump's threat.

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The Cypriot presidency said an extraordinary meeting at ambassadorial level was convened for the afternoon in response to the latest announcements by the US.

It remains unclear whether possible countermeasures will be discussed at Sunday's gathering.

The EU has an instrument to defend itself against trade pressure, a regulation applying in situations where a third country attempts to use trade measures to force the EU or a member state to make a certain decision.

The regulation allows for counter-tariffs and many other measures, though the instrument is only to be used as a last resort.

The threatened tariffs affect countries that recently sent soldiers on an exploratory mission to the Arctic island at the heart of the dispute.

Anger at Greenland military exercise

Trump was angered by the European NATO members that have sent soldiers to the Arctic island for a reconnaissance mission ahead of a military exercise.

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In Saturday's post, the US president strongly criticized the deployment.

"Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," he wrote, describing this as "a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet."

But von der Leyen and Costa said the exercise was in line with the need to strengthen security in the Arctic and did not pose a threat to anyone.

"The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US," they said in posts on X.

Exercise set to continue for months

Earlier, the head of the Arctic Command Sren Andersen told dpa that the military exercise in Greenland was set to continue for several more months.

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"What we are currently doing is planning a longer-term exercise, which will continue throughout 2026 and perhaps into 2027," he said.

"The Germans, as well as the Swedes and Norwegians, among others, are up here to explore the possibilities for joint training here," Andersen said.

The US was also invited to "train up here" as were all NATO members, Andersen told dpa.
European leaders on Sunday hit back at US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, with far-right Italian leader Giorgia Meloni urging Washington against making a "mistake".

Trump has made no secret of his desire to seize the vast Arctic island, an autonomous territory of Denmark, since returning to the White House for a second term, and a ramping up of this claim in recent weeks has deeply shaken transatlantic relations.

He again upped the ante on Saturday, threatening to punish eight European countries with tariffs after they sent a few dozen troops to Greenland as part of a military drill.

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Meloni, who has a good relationship with Trump, said she had told him it was a "mistake" to punish Europe economically.

"I believe that imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake," she told journalists during a trip to Seoul, adding that "I spoke to Donald Trump a few hours ago and told him what I think."

However, Meloni also sought to downplay the conflict, telling journalists "there has been a problem of understanding and communication" between Europe and the United States on Greenland.

She said it was up to NATO to take an active role in the growing crisis.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to discuss the situation with Trump "at the earliest opportunity", UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy told the BBC, calling the president's tariff threat "wrong".

"We believe it's deeply unhelpful, and we believe it's counterproductive, and the prime minister has not shied away from making that clear," she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile called on the European Union to combat the threatened tariffs by deploying its powerful "anti-coercion instrument".

- Bring out the 'bazooka'? -

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That weapon -- never used before and dubbed the EU's trade "bazooka" -- allows for curbing imports of goods and services.

Trump has threatened to impose a 10-percent tariff from February 1 on all goods sent to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.

That levy would then be increased to 25 percent on June 1 "until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland", the US president said.

The EU, which clinched a deal in July for most EU exports to face a 15-percent US levy, has called an extraordinary meeting of its ambassadors in Brussels on Sunday.

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EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, warned Saturday that tariffs would "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral".

- 'Blackmail' -

Thousands of people in Greenland's capital Nuuk, Copenhagen and other Danish cities protested against the prospect of US annexation on Saturday.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced Sunday he would visit fellow NATO members Norway, the UK and Sweden in the coming days to discuss the alliance's Arctic security policy.

France's Agricultural Minister Annie Genevard warned that tariffs would hurt Washington, too.

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"In this escalation of tariffs, (Trump) has a lot to lose as well, as do his own farmers and industrialists," she told broadcasters Europe 1 and CNews.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel meanwhile called Trump's threat an "inexplicable" form of "blackmail".

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LONDON -- European leaders hit back at U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he would impose sanctions on nations that deployed small numbers of military forces to Greenland last week, as the president continues his push to acquire the Arctic territory.

Trump said Saturday that a 10% tariff would be imposed on all goods sent to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Finland.

Trump said the new tariffs will come into force on Feb. 1, and will increase to 25% on June 1. The president said the measures would remain in place until the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland.

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Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump first raised the prospect of acquiring the minerals-rich island in his first term. Danish and Greenlandic politicians have repeatedly rebuffed such proposals.

Mads Schmidt Rasmussen/Arctic Creative/AFP via Getty - PHOTO: This aerial view shows people as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

US talks pose 'conundrum' for Greenland, Denmark: Analysts

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said the bloc's members will meet Trump's pressure as a united front.

"We have consistently underlined our shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO," she wrote in a post to X. "The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone."

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"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to upholding its sovereignty," von der Leyen said.

European Council President Antonio Costa said Sunday that he has "decided to convene an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in the coming days" due to the "significance of recent developments" regarding Greenland.

The statement further said Costa's "consultations with member states on the latest tensions over Greenland reconfirm our strong commitment" to "unity in support of and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland," as well as working with NATO regarding "shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic," a "shared assessment that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and are incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement," and a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion" and to "continue engaging constructively with the U.S. on all issues of common interest."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief, suggested in a post to X that the escalating tensions between the U.S. and its European allies is a boon for Moscow and Beijing.

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"China and Russia must be having a field day," she wrote. "They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies. If Greenland's security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO."

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: Soldiers of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, arrive at Nuuk Airport, January 16, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.

Trump announces tariffs on NATO allies for opposing US control of Greenland

"Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity," Kallas wrote, suggesting the furor was distracting from allied efforts to support Ukraine against Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion.

The eight countries -- all NATO members -- threatened with the tariffs issued a joint statement on Sunday saying they "stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland."

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The statement says tariffs "undermine transatlantic relations and carry the risk of a dangerous downward spiral." The signatories added that they are "committed to strengthening security in the Arctic region as a shared transatlantic interest," and in this context, the planned military exercise in Greenland, "poses a threat to no one."

EU pushback against Trump came alongside criticism from national leaders.

"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement Saturday, adding that "no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations."

"Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty," Macron said.

Evgeniy Maloletka/AP - PHOTO: Danish servicemen walk in front of Joint Arctic Command center in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 16, 2026.

France, other NATO countries send troops to Greenland for exercises after meeting with Vance and Rubio

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong."

"Our position on Greenland is very clear -- it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he said.

Later Sunday, Starmer spoke with Trump, after speaking with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

"In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland. He said that security in the High North is a priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests," the statement said, adding that Starmer "also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong."

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Rutte also posted Sunday that he spoke with Trump "regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week."

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said discussions are ongoing between the affected nations to build a coordinated response.

"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," he said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday that Trump's decision to impose new tariffs was "a mistake and I do not agree with it."

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"The intention of some European countries to send troops, to take part in greater security, should have been understood not as an initiative directed against the United States but rather against other actors," Meloni said.

Meloni said she spoke with Trump "a few hours ago" and "told him what I think."

"A core meeting of the European Union has been organized but I believe that at this stage it is very important to talk to one another and that it is very important to avoid an escalation," she added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also posted a statement, writing in part that "Canada supports the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity universally, including as they apply to Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark," adding, "as we have consistently stated, the future of Greenland is for Greenland and Denmark alone to determine."

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Trump has repeatedly suggested that U.S. sovereignty over the world's largest island is necessary to ensure American security and blunt Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic region.

Ebrahim Noroozi/AP, Files - PHOTO: Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in the Arctic Ocean in Nuuk, Greenland, Sept. 15, 2025.

Trump again says 'we need Greenland' after Danish officials outline 'fundamental disagreement'

"This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump posted on social media on Saturday, referring to deployment of small contingents of troops by European allies.

"Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!" he said in the post.

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As a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland is covered by NATO's collective defense clause. Greenland hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base and around 150 American troops, the U.S. having significantly downgraded its footprint from its high point during the Cold War.

A 1951 defense agreement grants the U.S. military access to Greenland. Danish politicians have repeatedly expressed willingness to work with Washington to expand the American and NATO presence there.

Danish officials have also sought to head off concerns about the supposed vulnerability of the Arctic. Last year, Copenhagen announced a $6.5 billion Arctic defense package in response to U.S. criticism that it had failed to adequately protect Greenland.

But such steps do not appear to have deterred Trump, who has said he would consider taking Greenland by force if other means to acquire the land fail.

Evgeniy Maloletka/AP - PHOTO: A woman pulls her children on a sled during a protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026.

US military is 'always an option' for Trump to acquire Greenland, White House official says

A meeting in Washington, D.C., last week between U.S., Danish and Greenlandic representatives seemingly failed to de-escalate the standoff.

"It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen told reporters after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rasmussen said that outcome was "totally unacceptable."

Rasmussen said Saturday that the president's threat came as a surprise, citing his "constructive meeting" with Vance and Rubio last week.

Rasmussen said in a statement that the purpose of last week's military deployments to Greenland "is to enhance security in the Arctic."

The continued U.S. focus on Greenland prompted protests there this weekend, with crowds of people turning out for a "Stop Trump" march through the capital Nuuk. Greenlandic politicians have collectively and repeatedly said they do not wish to join the U.S.

Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Protesters hold a banner reading "Yankee Go Home" during a march to the US consulate during a demonstration, under the slogan 'Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people', in Nuuk, Greenland, March 15, 2025.

Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland

Trump's efforts have also prompted congressional resistance. On Friday, a bipartisan group of House members and senators traveled to Greenland and said they had "constructive" conversations with members of Denmark's parliament.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who were part of the delegation, released a statement Saturday warning that the tariff threat will hurt the U.S.'s relationships with its European counterparts.

"There is no need, or desire, for a costly acquisition or hostile military takeover of Greenland when our Danish and Greenlandic allies are eager to work with us on Arctic security, critical minerals and other priorities under the framework of long-standing treaties," the lawmakers said in the statement.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday that Democrats will introduce legislation to block tariffs against countries who oppose a takeover of Greenland.

ABC News' Victoria Beaule, Chris Boccia, Rashid Haddou, Isabella Murray and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
European powers on Sunday warned that US President Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland risk a "dangerous downward spiral" as they weighed a response to the growing crisis.

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement that the trade threats tied to Trumps bid to take control of Greenland "undermine trans-Atlantic relations."

The eight countries, all of them NATO members, reiterated their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and said dialogue was the way to resolve differences.

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"We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty," they said in the joint statement.

Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from the countries from February 1, rising to 25% from June 1 if no resolution is reached to his satisfaction, which would be the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

Troops from those countries had sent troops to Greenland in recent days for a Danish-led reconnaissance mission aimed at strengthening security around Greenland, although Berlin said on Sunday that its soldiers had left.

Trump reacted angrily to the deployments, writing in the same Truth Social post announcing the tariffs that the troops had "journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown."

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Trump has often said that Washington needed to control Greenland in order to better protect from Chinese and Russian threats.

"As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared trans-Atlantic interest," the eight countries said in their joint statement.

Denmark stands firm

The Arctic island is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and therefore also part of NATO.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sharply criticized Trump on Sunday, saying Europe would not yield to pressure. "We are not the ones seeking this conflict," Frederiksen told Danish news agency Ritzau.

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"Europe cannot be blackmailed," she said.

The Kingdom of Denmark is receiving great support, Frederiksen said. At the same time, it is becoming even clearer that this is a matter that extends far beyond our own borders.

Representatives of the EUs 27 member states were due to meet later on Sunday in an emergency session.

Denmark, meanwhile, is intensifying diplomatic talks with European allies. Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen will travel to Oslo on Sunday, followed by visits to London and Stockholm this week, with Arctic security and the Greenland dispute high on the agenda.

Macron readies countermeasures

In France, President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to pursue a tough European response, French presidential sources said.

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Macron is in contact with his European counterparts and will formally seek to trigger the European Unions Anti-Coercion Instrument, which allows the bloc to impose countermeasures when economic pressure is used to force political decisions.

Macron is coordinating a European response to what Paris described as Trumps "unacceptable threats," and believes Washingtons approach also calls into question the validity of a provisional EU-US tariff deal reached last year, the sources said.

That agreement, which still requires approval by the European Parliament, would see most European goods face a 15% US tariff, while tariffs on US industrial products would be scrapped.

Germany's Wadephul says tariffs won't impact NATO

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a television interview on Sunday, said he sees no impact from the current tariff dispute with the United States on NATO's military cohesion.

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"There is absolutely no doubt that the United States of America is fully committed to the alliance, to NATO and to the defence of Europe," Wadephul told the public broadcaster programme "Report from Berlin."

"No one in Washington has questioned that so far."

He added that in Europe people should not start discussing such questions but work together on a strong alliance.

Rutte to meet with Trump in Davos

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke with US President Donald Trump about the escalating dispute between the US and Europe over Greenland, Rutte said in a post on X on Sunday.

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The two spoke about "the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic," the NATO chief wrote.

"We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week," he added.

The World Economic Forum opens on Monday in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Trump is expected to attend on Wednesday.

Italy's Meloni as mediator?

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned on Sunday against an escalation of tensions.

Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Meloni described the dispute as a communication problem and said the NATO mission should not be interpreted as "anti-American."

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Meloni, regarded by European leaders as having relatively good access to Trump, said she had spoken directly with him by phone. "At this stage, it is very important to talk to one another," she said.

Italy is not directly affected by the tariff threat and is not participating in the Danish-led mission.

But Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sees a role for his country.

"I believe that Italy, due to its nature, its mediating skills and its ability to talk to everyone, can play a positive role in

finding agreements," he said on Sunday, while warning about trade wars.

"There is absolutely no need for trade wars or conflicts. We need dialogue and must find solutions that do not disadvantage anyone," he said.

Germany backs coordinated European response

In Germany, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said Berlin would not be intimidated.

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"We will not be intimidated  not by tariffs, not by words, not by threats. We must be clear about that, calm but clear," said Klingbeil, adding that Europe was being "blackmailed."

"We are currently coordinating very closely with our European partners. And there will be a European response to this threat and to yesterdays announcement," he added. "This is where we draw the line."
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Gopal Italia on Sunday accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing a scheduled private event for his party in Gujarat by threatening the owner of the plot they had booked, which led to the cancellation of the program. He claimed that the BJP was turning to dictatorship in the state. Speaking to mediapersons here, Italia stated that today's program was to be attended by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and several party workers, and they have been making efforts to make this event a success. Detailing their preparations, he said, "We booked a private party plot, even informed the police of the same, and informed the party workers." Italia further alleged that the BJP pressured the owner not to lend the plot for the program, saying that the latter had "resorted to draconian tactics". "All our arrangements were in place, but since last night, the BJP resorted to its draconian tactics. They threatened the owner of the venue we had booked, against renting it to us" He shared the alleged copy of the receipt they received after booking the plot as evidence that the interactive program was going to take place. Along with that, Italia announced that a private farmhouse belonging to a party worker has been selected as the new venue for the event, and all discussions will take place there. Taking his accusations further, he said, "BJP is resorting to dictatorship in Gujarat." The AAP national convener is on a three-day visit to Gujarat. During the visit, he also targeted BJP, alleging, "For the last 30 years, the BJP has been ruling Gujarat. In these 30 years, the BJP pushed Gujarat into a ditch. There is fear and corruption everywhere. They scare and threaten people who raise their voices against them, against injustice; they are jailed. They do corruption openly. Nobody can raise a voice against their corruption." "People are looking at AAP with great hope. In the last 6-7 months, AAP has been conducting rallies across the entire state of Gujarat. People are turning up in large numbers. We don't even have money; ours is a poor party. But people are coming to AAP rallies at their own expense...I am here on a 3-day visit. I will speak with volunteers and form a strategy," he added. (ANI)
BERLIN (AP)  The eight European countries targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 10% tariff for opposing American control of Greenland blasted the move Sunday, warning that his threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

The joint statement by some of Americas closest allies signaled a possible turning point in the recent tensions over sovereignty and security nearly 24 hours after Trumps threat.

It was also the most forceful rebuke of Trump from the European allies since he returned to the White House almost a year ago. In recent months, Europeans have mostly opted for diplomacy and flattery around him, even when seeking an end to the war in Ukraine. Sundays statement, as well as some European countries sending troops to Greenland for a Danish military training exercise, appeared to be a step away from that strategy.

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The unusually strong joint statement from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland said troops sent to Greenland for operation Arctic Endurance pose no threat to anyone.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen told reporters in Oslo that a dialogue was opened with the U.S. last week and we will not give up on that. ... So we will stay on track  unless U.S. decides differently."

Added Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the same news conference: "We will not allow ourselves to be put under pressure, and those types of threats (of U.S. tariffs) are unacceptable between close allies,

Six of the countries targeted are part of the 27-member European Union, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trade.

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Following emergency talks among the EU's national envoys Sunday, EU Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc's leaders agree that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and are incompatible with the EU-U.S. trade agreement.

They expressed readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion, Costa said in a statement. He is expected to convene a summit of the bloc's leaders later this week.

Solidarity with Denmark and Greenland

Trump's Saturday announcement sets up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. He appeared to indicate that he was using the tariffs as leverage to force talks over the status of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he regards as critical to U.S. national security.

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Late Sunday, Trump posted on his social media platform that NATO has warned Denmark for two decades of the Russian threat to Greenland. He said Denmark hasnt acted and Now it is time, and it will be done!!!

We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland," the group said. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

There are immediate questions about how the White House could implement tariffs against the EU. It was unclear, too, how Trump could act under U.S. law, though he could cite emergency economic powers that are currently subject to a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said China and Russia will benefit from divisions between the U.S. and Europe. She added on social media: If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.."

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Europe has been trying to keep Trump on its side to ensure U.S. support for Ukraine, including Washington sharing intelligence with Kyiv and its involvement in security guarantees if a peace agreement is reached with Russia.

Rasmus Sndergaard, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, called Trumps announcement unprecedented because tariff threats normally stem from trade disagreements, not territorial disputes between allies.

Thats of course why were seeing the response from European countries saying enough is enough, he told The Associated Press. I think theres in part probably a strategic calculation, of course, from the governments in these countries that if you give in to Trump on this, what will be the next thing? And at some point you have to sort of push back.

Sndergaard also said Trump leveled the playing field for Europe with the tariff threat. Europeans cannot compete militarily, but the EU can wield an economic weapon through reciprocal tariffs.

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wrote on social media Sunday that hed spoken with Trump. Rutte has been criticized in recent days for largely sidestepping questions about Trump and Greenland and any NATO tensions over the island.

We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week, Rutte said.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke to Trump and told him that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. That call followed conversations with Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Trump's move was also panned domestically.

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U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, said Trumps threatened tariffs on U.S. allies would make Americans pay more to try to get territory we dont need.

Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in, Kelly said on social media. The damage this President is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesnt change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction.

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said he supports the United States ultimately owning Greenland, but not how Trump is trying to accomplish it.

He said he had concerns whether Trump had the constitutional authority to impose unilateral tariffs on NATO allies, as well as about a threat of a military invasion. Trumps current position threatens to fracture that strong relationship, not just with Denmark, but with all of our NATO allies, Pence said on CNNs State of the Union.

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Trump's populist allies criticize the tariff threat

The tariff announcement also drew blowback from Trump's populist allies in Europe.

Italys right-wing premier, Giorgia Meloni, considered one of Trumps closest allies on the continent, said she had spoken to him about the tariffs, which she described as a mistake.

The deployment to Greenland of small numbers of troops by some European countries was misunderstood by Washington, Meloni said, adding it was not a move against the U.S. but aimed to provide security against other actors that she didnt identify.

Jordan Bardella, president of Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party in France and a European Parliament lawmaker, posted that the EU should suspend last years tariff deal with the U.S., describing Trumps threats as commercial blackmail.

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Trump also achieved the rare feat of uniting Britains main political parties  including the hard-right Reform UK party  all of whom criticized the tariff threat.

Also in London on Sunday, a heckler yelled leave Greenland alone! while Vanessa Williams sang The Star-Spangled Banner before an NBA game between Memphis and Orlando. The outburst drew scattered laughs and applause.

__

Lawless reported from London and Burrows reported from Nuuk, Greenland. John Leicester in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, Aamer Madhani in Washington, Edith M. Lederer in New York, and Josh Boak in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed.
By Erin Banco, Sarah Kinosian and Matt Spetalnick

NEW YORK/MIAMI/WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Trump administration officials had been in discussions with Venezuela's hardline interior minister Diosdado Cabello months before the U.S. operation to seize President Nicolas Maduro, and have been in communication with him since then, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The officials warned Cabello, 62, against using the security services or militant ruling-party supporters he oversees to target the country's opposition, four sources said. That security apparatus, which includes the intelligence services, police and the armed forces, remains largely intact after the January 3 U.S. raid that captured Maduro.

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Cabello is named in the same U.S. drug-trafficking indictment that the Trump administration used as justification to arrest Maduro, but was not taken as part of the operation.

The communication with Cabello, which has also touched on sanctions the U.S. has imposed on him and the indictment he faces, dates back to the early days of the current Trump administration and continued in the weeks just prior to the U.S. ouster of Maduro, two sources familiar with the discussions said. The administration has also been in touch with Cabello since Maduro's ouster, four of the people said.

The communications, which have not been previously reported, are critical to the Trump administration's efforts to control the situation inside Venezuela. If Cabello decides to unleash the forces that he controls, it could foment the kind of chaos that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to avoid and threaten interim President Delcy Rodriguez's grip on power, according to a source briefed on U.S. concerns.

It is not clear if the Trump administration's discussions with Cabello extended to questions about the future governance of Venezuela. Also unclear is whether Cabello has heeded the U.S. warnings. He has publicly pledged unity with Rodriguez, whom Trump has so far praised.

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While Rodriguez has been seen by the U.S. as the linchpin for Trump's strategy for post-Maduro Venezuela, Cabello is widely believed to have the power to keep those plans on track or upend them.

The Venezuelan minister has been in contact with the Trump administration both directly and via intermediaries, one person familiar with the conversations said.

All of the sources were granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive internal government communications with Cabello.

Following the publication of this story, Venezuela's government said in a statement: "We categorically deny the malicious information published on social media about alleged secret conspiratorial conversations aimed at dividing the country's political high command and seeking to undermine the prestige and revolutionary integrity of Diosdado Cabello."

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The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

CABELLO HAS BEEN MADURO LOYALIST

Long seen as Venezuela's second-most powerful figure, Cabello was a close aide of late former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor, and went on to become a long-time Maduro loyalist, feared as his main enforcer of repression. Rodriguez and Cabello have both operated at the heart of the government, legislature and ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela for years, but have never been considered close allies of each other.

A former military officer, Cabello has exerted influence over the country's military and civilian counterintelligence agencies, which conduct widespread domestic espionage. He has also been closely associated with pro-government militias, notably the colectivos, groups of motorcycle-riding armed civilians who have been deployed to attack protesters.

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Cabello is one of a handful of Maduro loyalists Washington has relied on as temporary rulers to maintain stability while it accesses the OPEC nation's oil reserves during an unspecified transition period.

But U.S. officials are concerned that Cabello - given his record of repression and history of rivalry with Rodriguez - could play the spoiler, according to a source briefed on the administration's thinking.

Rodriguez has been working to consolidate her own power, installing loyalists in key positions to protect herself from internal threats while meeting U.S. demands to boost oil production, Reuters interviews with sources in Venezuela have shown.

Elliott Abrams, who served as Trump's special representative on Venezuela in his first term, said many Venezuelans would expect Cabello to be removed at some point if a democratic transition is to advance.

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"If and when he goes, Venezuelans will know that the regime has really begun to change," said Abrams, now at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

US SANCTIONS AND INDICTMENT

Cabello has long been under U.S. sanctions for alleged drug trafficking.

In 2020, the U.S. issued a $10 million bounty for Cabello and indicted him as a key figure in the "Cartel de los Soles," a group the U.S. has said is a Venezuelan drug-trafficking network led by members of the country's government.

The U.S. has since raised the award to $25 million. Cabello has publicly denied any links to drug trafficking.

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In the hours after Maduro's ouster, some analysts and politicians in Washington questioned why the U.S. didn't also grab Cabello - listed second in the Department of Justice indictment of Maduro.

"I know that just Diosdado is probably worse than Maduro and worse than Delcy," Republican U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar said in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" program on January 11.

In the days following, Cabello denounced U.S. intervention in the country, saying in a speech that "Venezuela will not surrender."

But media reports of residents being searched at checkpoints - sometimes by uniformed members of the security forces and sometimes by people in plain clothes - have become less frequent in recent days.

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And both Trump and the Venezuelan government have said many detainees who are considered by the opposition and rights groups to be political prisoners will be released.

The government has said Cabello, in his role as interior minister, is overseeing that effort. Rights groups say the liberations are proceeding extremely slowly and hundreds remain unjustly detained.

(Reporting by Erin Banco in New York, Sarah Kinosian in Miami and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee, Rosalba O'Brien and Paul Simao)
No criminal charges will be filed in the shooting deaths of two brothers at a Fayetteville restaurant earlier this month, the Fayetteville Police Department said Jan. 18.

A shooting was reported just before 7 p.m. Jan. 3 at Mac's Speed Shop on North McPherson Church Road. A police spokesman previously told the Observer that a dispute inside the busy restaurant and bar preceded the shooting.

Daniel Nakamoto, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene, and his brother Timothy Nakamoto, 43, died at the hospital, police said earlier this month.

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More: Fayetteville police identify brothers killed at Macs Speed Shop

Police said in the Sunday news release that "after reviewing forensic evidence, witness statements, video surveillance, and in close consultation with the Cumberland County District Attorneys Office," it was determined that the person who shot the brothers acted in self-defense.

The Police Department stated that it would not identify the person since they have not been charged with a crime.

"First and foremost, our department acknowledges the gravity of this event. Any loss of life in our city is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families affected by this outcome," the release stated. "While the legal investigation concludes that the use of force was justified under North Carolina law, the Fayetteville Police Department recognizes that this was an avoidable tragedy. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that arise when disputes escalate into violence, which has permanent consequences. We are asking the community to call for help before a dispute turns into a tragedy. The loss of any life is a weight on our entire city."

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: No charges in fatal shooting of Nakamoto brothers in Fayetteville
BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) -Agape  often considered the highest form of love  was part of todays sermon, officiated by Dr. Mark Kemp, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Copperas Cove.

It speaks of a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love  The defining quality that shined through in Elijah Monroe Garretson  And what made him extraordinary.

He didnt just take the oath to protect and serve. He lived it. He embraced it. And he died for it. This was his sacrifice.

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Under The Weight of the Badge, a song by George Strait echoing through the walls today with the lyrics 

Duty calls each time. He knows hes got to answer.

While holding back tears, his father, Roger Garretson, shared memories of his son. A curious and intelligent young man. A prolific reader whose ultimate reward as a boy was a trip to Barnes and Noble, and who studied Latin in high school Just for fun.

The Copperas Cove Police Chief, Eddie Wilson, described Garretson as a man of quiet strength, who lived with courage and purpose. He was also a man of compassion with a soft spot for quote: Any human being in pain Especially those struggling with mental health with a goal of one day serving as a mental health officer.

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But Elijah was more than his accolades. More than his titles of police officer and Sergeant in the U.S. Army. And more than a beloved father, husband, or son.

Dr. Kemp read from scripture John 15:13 to drive it all home. Jesus tells his disciples: Greater love has no one than this: To lay down ones life for ones friends. His actions told the world who he truly was, and he defended his community; those he knew, and those he did not yet know until his very last breath.

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.
Get ready to see a lot more of the Republican candidates for Texas attorney general. The leading contenders all have significant money in the bank, with state Sen. Mayes Middleton and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy leading the pack.

Its the first open primary for Texas top lawyer in more than a decade, as four Republicans vie to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is forgoing reelection to challenge GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

Middleton, a Republican from Galveston, stands alone with $11.8 million raised during the last six months of last year  but more than 90% of that comes from himself, rather than individual donors, as the oil and gas executive is proudly self-supporting his campaign. Middleton is burning through that money, spending $6 million on mailers and ad buys, but he still has $5 million in the bank, according to his campaign finance report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission this week.

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Middletons largest donor other than himself was William Oberndorf, a California billionaire who supports school vouchers, who gave him $50,000.

Roy, an Austin Republican who so far is polling as the frontrunner, has $4.2 million in the bank, fueled by a $2 million transfer from his congressional campaign. That made up nearly half of the $4.5 million he took in from July through December. His campaign noted that 85% of the donations from the period were amounts less than $100.

Roy also garnered $250,000 each from Douglas Scharbauer, a Midland rancher and horse breeder who has also been a major Paxton donor over the years, Houston investor Robert Hank Seale, and the Texas Republican Leadership Fund, a political action committee started by Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly.

The dark horse in fundraising is Aaron Reitz, a former Department of Justice official and right-hand man to Paxton, who has endorsed Reitz to succeed him. While the other candidates had reserves from previous campaigns, Reitz, a relative political newcomer, raised the entirety of the $3 million he has in the bank since launching his campaign in June.

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Despite having less cash on hand than Middleton and Roy, Reitz touted that he has received more individual donations than the other candidates combined. He brought in just two donations over $100,000, from Houston media executive Jonathan Knutz and Austin energy executive Matthew Calhoun.

This is a true grassroots campaign powered by the People, Reitz said in a statement. Texans want a Paxton-endorsed, Trump-trusted champion who has spent his career leading legal troops into legal combat to deliver legal victories for our state, our nation, and conservative Republican values.

State Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston, trails the other three candidates in both new donations and cash on hand. One of the longest-serving members of the state Senate, Huffman is a former prosecutor and judge who is running as a law-and-order candidate. She brought in donations from longtime Republican donors, like Ross Perot Jr., who are seen as members of the establishment old guard in an increasingly right-leaning party.

The GOP candidates easily outpaced the fundraising reported on the Democratic side. State Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas led the three-person field, raising about $650,000 during the filing period, bringing him to $750,000 cash on hand. Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, who unsuccessfully ran for the nomination in 2022, raised almost $220,000 and had $250,000 in the bank, while Dallas attorney and first-time candidate Tony Box raised $137,000 and reported nearly $28,000 cash on hand.

A December poll from Texas Southern University showed Johnson and Jaworski in a statistical tie, with 57% of Democratic voters unsure of who they would be voting for and the vast majority saying they needed to know more about the candidates to decide.
Florida voters may soon have the authority to determine property tax cuts statewide, as a major proposal is likely to be on the 2026 ballot.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is supporting a property tax reduction proposal that recently gained traction in the legislature.

The House State Affairs Committee approved a plan to increase the homestead exemption by $100,000 annually for the next decade, aiming to eliminate non-school property taxes entirely by 2037.

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Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has been vocal about the need to reduce local government spending, stating, Taxpayers are sick and tired of their local governments taxing and spending, crying poor, saying they dont have the money and then come back to you as an endless ATM asking for more, more, more.

This sense of frustration among taxpayers has become a central theme in the discussion surrounding this tax proposal.

As plans progress, the Senate has not yet finalized its approach to reducing property taxes. Discussions are likely to extend beyond the current legislative session as local governments assess their financial needs.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
CHEYENNE  Even now, more than a month after being deported and waiting weeks to be reunited with the family he left behind in Cheyenne, Carlos Montes-Calderon has hopes for returning to the U.S. from Nicaragua.

The barber and former Cheyenne resident was arrested by the Laramie County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 26 for not having his drivers license or car insurance, according to LCSO Public Information Officer Brandon Warner.

An officer pulled him over after observing an inoperable headlight. After finding he had no license and no insurance, the officer ran his information through an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database.

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His pregnant partner and 5-year-old child were in the car with him at the time of his arrest.

Like many immigrants, Montes-Calderon had come to the U.S. after facing hardships in his home country of Nicaragua. Due to politics, he feared personal harm if he didnt leave.

Hes never lived in any other states, he told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle via a translator. He got to Cheyenne in 2020, and liked the people so much he never left until he was put in ICE custody.

In the days following the arrest, the owners of Drews Barbershop on East Pershing Boulevard, Drew Weston and Andrea Shipley, organized a GoFundMe, asking their community for financial help for the family.

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One of the hardest parts, Weston said, was watching Montes-Calderons 5-year-old try to comprehend what had happened.

He asked me: Can you help bring my dad back? Weston recalled.

Montes-Calderon is a skilled barber with a fairly substantial clientele in Cheyenne, Weston said. He started renting a booth at the barbershop in April 2025, but has known Weston since he moved to Cheyenne a few years ago. His barbers license went through the Wyoming Attorney General, and he had all the paperwork he needed to rent a booth.

Weston and Shipley helped raise funds that financially supported Montes-Calderons family while he was in custody, and informed donors when Montes-Calderons partner made the difficult choice to join him in Nicaragua so that she could have his support during the birth of their child.

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Montes-Calderon told the WTE that he loved Cheyenne, and that he didnt blame local law enforcement for doing their job. He said he has every intention of returning when he can.

While Weston and Shipley were raising funds and trying to make contact with Montes-Calderon, he was being bounced between ICE facilities.

The way he was treated in custody changed when he was turned over to ICE custody on Nov. 29, and transferred to Aurora, Colorado, before being moved to three additional ICE holding facilities across the United States, he said.

No te dejan hacer ni movimiento, te meten todo en una sola celda ahi donde no podia dormir, Montes-Calderon said. Which roughly translates to, They dont let you even move, they put everyone in a single cell where I couldnt sleep.

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Montes-Calderon described harsh policies that limited his ability to move or sleep.

At some point, he was asked if he wanted to get out. Though Montes-Calderon speaks some English, he is not proficient enough to read and understand legal documents without the assistance of a translator. When asked if he wanted to get out, he believed was signing paperwork to return to Cheyenne; instead, he signed self-deportation papers.

By the time his partner was able to contact him and tell him not to sign anything, it was too late.

For this reason, it is unlikely that he will be able to return to the United States for approximately the next five to 10 years, he told the WTE.

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ICE did not respond to information requests regarding Montes-Calderon in time for the publication of this article.

Reunited

Back in Cheyenne, Weston, Shipley and other local community members worked to contact Montes-Calderon, raise funds and bring him back to the States.

Their efforts provided rent funds and supplies for the family, eventually helping his partner relocate back to Nicaragua.

Thanks to these donations, Carlos partner and his son were able to join him in Nicaragua so they can welcome their baby earth side together, Shipley wrote in an email update donors Jan. 7. Unfortunately, this family is unable to return to the U.S. for some time, but it is still the familys dream to return. Your donations insured medical care for the birth, enough money to ship all of the necessities from the U.S., and get the family set up in a home.

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Weston and Shipleys efforts didnt come without pushback. They received several threats online, and even received a written letter. One person told them that Weston should be arrested for hiring Montes-Calderon in the first place.

He has a barbers license issued through the state of Wyoming that went through the attorney general, Weston said. All of his paperwork had to be transcribed professionally. It cost him a lot of money to get his license and set up here.

Losing such a skilled contractor for the small business has also put a financial strain on the barbershop. There are few licensed barbers in the state of Wyoming, and most have their clientele and booths set.

Speaking with other local business owners, Weston said he knows theyre not the only ones being affected. A handful of Cheyenne businesses have also lost good employees to new efforts to crack down on immigration enforcement.

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Regardless of the personal impact, the couple are most concerned with Montes-Calderon and families like his, that are being forced to make these impossible decisions to stay together.

We got lucky that the family could be reunited, Shipley said. Many families are not reunited, nor are they in a community like ours.

Montes-Calderon is living with his parents, and though it is OK, he says it is much more difficult than living in Cheyenne.




A man who once resided in Connecticut, and legally bought a firearm while living in the state, shot and killed a Delaware State Police trooper last month, police said.

Rahman Rose, who was staying in the Wilmington area, snuck behind Cpl. Matthew "Ty" Snook at the Karen L. Johnson Division of Motor Vehicles facility on Dec. 23 before fatally shooting him, Delaware State Police said. Rose had no known interaction with Snook, and police believe the slaying "was a deliberate and targeted attack on law enforcement."

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"Leading up to the incident, Rose told those who knew him that he believed the police were targeting him and that he was concerned law enforcement was coming after him," police said in a release. "He had also recently posted anti-police content on social media and expressed that he was the victim of "gang stalking," a personal belief that someone is being constantly surveilled and harassed by the government and/or law enforcement entities."

Police said Snook also shielded an employee working at the DMV when Rose fired shots. Police added that Rose let people inside the building leave before law enforcement personnel responded to the scene.

Rose ended up dying after he was fatally shot by a responding officer through a window of the DMV, police said.

"The handgun used in the murder was legally purchased by Rose in 2021 while he was in Connecticut," police said. "At the time of the purchase and prior to the incident, Rose was not prohibited from purchasing or possessing weapons, and he had a limited criminal record."

This article originally published at Former Connecticut man shot, killed Delaware state trooper during December ambush, police say.
A former Douglas County probate judge who was arrested in June 2024 has filed a lawsuit against the City of Atlanta and the officer who arrested her, seeking $50 million.

Christina Peterson was arrested outside the Red Martini nightclub in Atlanta after an altercation in the parking lot. Most of the charges against her were dismissed in November.

Channel 2 Action News reported on the arrest back in 2024, when police released hours of bodycam footage from the incident.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The incident started when Peterson reportedly tried to stop a man from attacking another woman at the Red Martini.

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Bodycam footage released by the Atlanta Police Department show Peterson shoving an officer, but the former judge said at the time it was an accident.

Petersons lawsuit accuses Officer Keith Wadsworth of using excessive force while arresting her and acting with actual malice and intent to injure.

RELATED STORIES:

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She also accused the city of releasing false and misleading arrest narratives and body camera video that portrayed her as having committed violent felony offenses.

The stigmatizing statements and visual depictions disseminated by the City were false and were published with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit goes on to call for a jury trial and to be awarded damages in excess of $50 million.

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Christina J. Peterson v. City of Atlanta, Keith Wadsworth by Jennifer Smith
The Brief

A Fort Worth City Council member has been arrested.

He's charged with driving while intoxicated.

The circumstances around his arrest are not known.

FORT WORTH, Texas - A sitting councilmember for the City of Fort Worth has been arrested and accused of driving while intoxicated.

Michael Crain arrested

What we know

Michael D. Crain, who represents Fort Worth District 3, was booked into the Tarrant County Jail Saturday on his DWI charge, according to the jail's booking information.

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Records show Crain was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

At the time of publishing, he was still being held on a $750 bond.

What they're saying

The city released the following statement to FOX 4 upon request:

"The City is aware of the arrest by the Texas Department of Public Safety. This is a legal matter; we will not comment further."

What we don't know

The circumstances surrounding Crain's arrest have not been commented on.

Details were limited at the time of publishing.

The Source

Information in this article comes from the Tarrant County Jail website.
Odisha Fisheries and Livestock Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik on Sunday stated that raids were conducted in five districts of the State after reports of an organised cattle smuggling network in the State, leading to several arrests and seizure of property and cash. Speaking to ANI, the minister further said, "Over Rs 50 crore worth of property and cash have also been seized." Mallik said that he ensured strict action against the perpetrators and warned of the repercussions of such crimes. "People associated with the cattle smuggling racket will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against them. I warn anyone involved to immediately put an end to this; otherwise, there will be severe repercussions," he said. Mallik further affirmed the state government's strong commitment to protecting cows. "Our government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is taking effective steps for the protection of cows," the Minister emphasised. In this regard, approximately 80,000 farmers in the state have availed the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojna, and nearly 12,000-15,000 high-yielding cows have been distributed. Through this scheme, substantial income and employment opportunities are provided to farmers, and the safety of the cows is also ensured," he added. Earlier last month, Chief Minister Majhi launched 86 development projects worth Rs 545 crore for the Koraput district on the fourth day of the National Level Tribal Festival Parva-2025, according to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Among the 86 developmental projects, 16 projects worth Rs 24 crore were inaugurated, and the foundation stones of 70 projects worth Rs. 521 crore were laid. These projects included irrigation, health centres, small industries, urban hostels, bridges, roads, Mission Shakti Bhawan, Forest Protection Committee Building, additional classrooms, etc. The Chief Minister said that all these projects would help lead the development of Koraput. The Chief Minister said that the mantra of his government is development and heritage. He emphasised that his government is committed to strengthening the social and economic development of the Koraput region. He advised the district's farmers to engage in allied agricultural activities, such as fish, poultry, and duck farming, alongside traditional agriculture. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mallick said that the tribal culture of Koraput is very rich. It is the duty of all of them to bring the rich culture and traditions of the district to the people. (ANI)
Bundled-up residents and visitors gathered Saturday to celebrate Benjamin Franklins 320th birthday and to welcome a new statue of the towns namesake to its permanent home Jan. 17.

Franklin, founded in 1799, was named for the nation's founding father at the recommendation of Abram Maury Jr., a close friend of Franklins.

Today, it is the second-oldest city named Franklin in the United States, and the most populous.

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"Benjamin Franklin may well be the most renowned, influential founding father, said Bradley Boshers, director of Williamson Countys Archives and Museum. "His contribution to American society is difficult to match."

The celebration included reenactors, families and longtime residents waving miniature American flags as they sang Happy Birthday and watched the unveiling of the new bronze sculpture. The statue now sits in front of the Williamson County Archives and Museum.

Sculptor George Lundeen crafting the statue of Ben Franklin which will be placed in Downtown Franklin on Jan. 17.

Buffie Baril, founder of Lovely Franklin, thanked local philanthropist Pamela Lewis for making the installation possible. Your generous donation of this magnificent sculpture has allowed both children and adults to learn the remarkable story of this city, she said.

Lewis, who is a preservationist, historian and community philanthropist, donated the sculpture after realizing Franklin lacked a monument to the man it was named for.

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"Putting down roots in Williamson County, I have come to love and have been embraced by this community, she said. My life here has been a gift, and, in turn, the statue is my gift to the community.

Created by Colorado sculptor George Lundeen, the piece depicts Franklin seated on a park bench, reading the Constitution as small birds gather around him.

After the unveiling, historical reenactors fired bayonets into the air, and Tony Rollo  portraying Benjamin Franklin  led the crowd in a jubilant Huzzah! Guests later moved indoors for a ceremonial cake cutting to cap the event.

"For months, Buffie and I worked on something we hoped would matter to our community. Along the way, our Old Glory Regent and chapter members came alongside us and embraced an outreach project grounded in history, education, and patriotism,"said Lisa Kenney, honorary regent of the Old Glory Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

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"America is the greatest country in the world," Baril said. "Thanks to one of the greatest Founding Fathers in our nations history, Benjamin Franklin. Our city is proud to be named after him."

The new Ben on the Bench statue is located at 611 W. Main St.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin, TN unveils Ben Franklin statue on founder's 320th birthday
Gov. Gavin Newsom was criticized as an out-of-touch "Davos Democrat" while mayor of San Francisco.

Newsom announced Friday he would return to Davos this week to rebuke Trump.

Newsom plans to argue that Trump's economic agenda has been a failure.

A tiny Swiss ski town with a population of just over 10,000 will play host this week to a clash between two American politicians, President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and their radically different visions of the future of capitalism.

Newsom announced on Friday that he will travel more than 6,000 miles to make his return to Davos, Switzerland, to speak this week at the World Economic Forum.

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Opponents criticized Newsom for being an out-of-touch "Davos Democrat" for attending the elite gathering of business and world leaders at least five times while he was mayor of San Francisco between 2004 and 2011.

Newsom's return to the annual gathering of business and political elites is all about displaying a forceful rebuke to President Donald Trump on the world stage as Newsom potentially prepares a run for president, political experts told Business Insider.

"Newsom's arrival at Davos confirms his desire to be seen as the Democratic Party leader and go-to guy for world leaders wanting an alternative to President Trump," Sally Susman, a longtime democratic fundraiser, said.

In speeches and meetings, Newsom plans to argue that Trump's economic agenda has been a failure that other leaders should not be part of, Izzy Gardon, a Newsom spokesperson, said.

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"The Governor will be bringing an extra suitcase of kneepads for anyone lining up to bend the knee to Donald Trump," Gardon said.

Newsom himself did not shy away from the main reason he is returning: to counterpunch Trump. The president will speak on Wednesday, a day before Newsom.

"Trump's economic agenda betrays our nation: it is not 'America First' but 'Trump First'  rewarding the favored, punishing the dissenters, and burdening the rest," Newsom said in a statement. "At the World Economic Forum, I will forcefully confront these abuses and resolutely defend the principles to which California owes its economic strength: disciplined governance, world-leading universities, boundless innovation, and an open embrace of global cultures."

Newsom, who has yet to officially announce his candidacy, looks more presidential rubbing shoulders at a gathering of world leaders than he would staying in Sacramento, according to Ambassador Derek Shearer, the Chevalier Professor of Diplomacy at Occidental College.

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"By coming to Davos, he can combine his role as the leading Democratic critic of Trump and as a serious contender to replace him as president," Shearer said. "Of course, it's a high-stakes game, but so far, he is playing it well."

Newsom will be rubbing shoulders with some of the richest people in the world at a time when some billionaires are fleeing California ahead of a ballot proposal that would impose a one-time 5% tax on residents with a net worth of more than $1 billion.

Newsom has said he opposes the measure. It is yet to be seen if he will address the matter at Davos.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The upcoming visit of Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to Berlin has drawn both cautious welcome and sharp criticism from Germany's Syrian diaspora.

Al-Sharaa, who assumed power after the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, is set to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other government officials on Tuesday.

While some of the roughly 1.22 million people in Germany with Syrian roots have welcomed the visit, others have voiced strong objections, especially as Merz is to raise migrant returns in talks with al-Sharaa.

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The worries have come in particular from Kurdish groups and representatives of the Yezidi community.

Syrias army has been battling to extend the governments control over large parts of the countrys north by dislodging Kurdish-led forces, with deadly violence flaring in recent weeks. The fighting erupted after talks to integrate Kurdish forces into the state stalled, raising questions in some quarters about al-Sharaa's commitment to protecting the rights of the Kurdish minority.

The Congress of Yezidis in Diaspora said al-Sharaa's arrival "raises fundamental questions about the coherence of state action and the protection of the interests of victim communities who have found protection in Germany."

According to the German government, almost 100,000 members of the Yezidi religious group from Iraq and almost 15,000 Yezidis from Syria have fled to Germany since 2014.

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Three years ago, Germany recognized the crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia against the Yezidis as genocide.

Meanwhile, the number of people with Syrian citizenship living in Germany is declining, largely due to naturalization rather than emigration.

According to a German government response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party, 940,401 Syrians were living in Germany at the end of November, with more than half - 512,348 - holding some form of a protected legal status.

A year earlier, around 974,000 Syrian citizens were still registered.

Over the past three years, Syria has been one of the main countries of origin for people who have been naturalized in Germany.

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Domestically, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was heavily criticized by his own conservative party in October after he doubted that large numbers of people would return voluntarily during a visit to Syria.

The minister later said that he stood by his assessment that returning to destroyed places would only be possible to a very limited extent in the short term.

With financial support from government agencies, 3,707 people had voluntarily left Syria by the end of November.

The German government said that the current humanitarian situation remains dire, with nearly 70% of the population is dependent on aid.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a television interview on Sunday, said he sees no impact from the current tariff dispute with the United States on NATO's military cohesion.

"There is absolutely no doubt that the United States of America is fully committed to the alliance, to NATO and to the defence of Europe," Wadephul told the public broadcaster programme "Report from Berlin"

"No one in Washington has questioned that so far."

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He added that in Europe people should not start discussing such questions but work together on a strong alliance.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries from February 1, rising to 25% from June 1 if no resolution is reached to his satisfaction, which would be the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

Wadephul expects consequences

Given Trump's tariff move Wadephul is sceptical that the EU tariff agreement negotiated months ago with the US would be ratified by the European Parliament.

"I do not think that in this current situation this agreement is possible," the foreign minister said.

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Asked about possible EU counter-tariffs if Trump's special tariffs take effect on February 1 as announced, he said that if the US took further measures, "then there will have to be a European response" noting that Europe can act.

"Europe is politically and economically much stronger than some had thought so far, and I think we should make that count now," Wadephul said.

But he said tariffs would be "poison for transatlantic relations" and that there would now be intensive talks with Washington.

Asked whether there would be an extraordinary EU summit at short notice, Wadephul said he could not say that now.
A Republican lawmaker has warned that the GOP could impeach President Donald Trump if he does one thing.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said that the Republican party could seek to remove him from office should he attempt to take Greenland by force, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Ill be candid with you: Theres so many Republicans mad about this, Bacon told the Omaha World-Herald. If he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency.

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Bacon, who voted against impeaching Trump twice during his first term, said an invasion of the self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and NATO ally would be catastrophic and the worst idea ever.

He needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans arent going to tolerate this and hes going to have to back off, he continued. He hates being told no, but in this case, I think Republicans need to be firm.

Trump has said that the U.S. needs to take control of Greenland as a matter of national security. This week, the president said that anything less than full U.S. control of Greenland is unacceptable.

Greenlandic officials, meanwhile, have made it clear that the country will remain a part of Denmark. On Thursday, European countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, sent military troops to Greenland to support Denmark, according to Reuters.

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Bacon, who is not seeking re-election, did not make it clear whether he would vote to impeach Trump over Greenland, but he said hed strongly consider it, according to Omaha World-Herald.

I dont want to give you a definite yes or no, but I would lean that way, he said. It would be a total mistake to invade an ally. It would be catastrophic to our allies and everything. Its just the worst idea ever in my view.

Public opinion remains largely against Trumps goal to control Greenland. A CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that 75% of U.S. adults oppose the idea of taking control of the territory.

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The government told Israels High Court of Justice it has no authority to compel a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures, citing separation of powers.

The government on Sunday told the High Court of Justice that it has no legal authority to compel the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding Hamass October 7 massacre, saying that such a move would constitute an unprecedented breach of the separation of powers.

In a response filed following a court order that was issued earlier this month, the government said the decision whether to establish a state commission  and when  lies exclusively with the government under the Commissions of Inquiry Law, and cannot be dictated by the judiciary, even in the wake of a national catastrophe.

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The filing frames the dispute first and foremost as a constitutional question, asserting that judicial intervention would strip the executive branch of a power explicitly reserved to it by law.

According to the government, the High Court may review the legality of its decisions, but it cannot substitute its own judgment for that of the cabinet by ordering the creation of a commission.

Only after laying out that threshold argument did the government turn to respond to questions of timing and circumstance. It said that Israel remains in the midst of a multifront war, with senior political and security officials deeply engaged in ongoing operations, hostage negotiations, and strategic decision-making.

Matanyahu Englman (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Forcing them into a formal commission process now, the government argued, would risk harming national security and impairing the governments ability to function.

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The government stressed that its position does not amount to opposition to an inquiry in principle. Rather, it said, the issue is who decides  and under what legal authority.

In its response, the government said it wished to emphasize that Israeli law does not impose a deadline for establishing a state commission of inquiry, and noted that previous commissions examining wartime failures were formed only after hostilities had concluded.

Simultaneously, the government pointed to ongoing internal investigations being conducted by the IDF, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and other security bodies, as well as oversight by the State Comptrollers Office, as evidence that lessons are already being examined through existing mechanisms.

These processes, the filing argued, allow for operational learning without the sweeping disruption associated with a full public commission.

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Petitioners challenging the governments position argue that such internal probes lack independence and public legitimacy, particularly given that many of the officials whose decisions are under scrutiny remain in office.

They maintain that only a state commission of inquiry  with subpoena powers and public transparency  can credibly examine the political, military, and intelligence failures that led to the deadliest attack in Israels history.

The High Courts decision to order the government to explain why it wont establish a state commission of inquiry signaled concern with the governments open-ended refusal to commit to any framework or timetable for accountability.

During earlier hearings, justices questioned whether the governments stance risks turning postponement into permanence, and whether meaningful responsibility can be established absent an independent body.

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The dispute has become one of the most emotionally charged legal and political battles since October 7. Families of the fallen and of hostages, reservists, and civil society groups have taken to the streets demanding a state commission now, while polls show broad public support for an independent inquiry.

October Council criticises decision

The Sunday position drew sharp criticism from the October Council, a coalition representing bereaved families, survivors of the October 7 attack, former hostages, families of hostages, wounded soldiers, and residents of Gaza border communities.

It accused the cabinet of deliberately obstructing efforts to uncover the truth about the failures that led to the attack.

From the founding of the state until today, no Israeli government has done so much to prevent, by every possible means, the investigation of the truth, the council said. Instead of safeguarding Israels future, an entire government is occupied day and night with concealment, whitewashing, pitting bereaved families against one another, and fleeing responsibility.

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We  the bereaved families, wounded soldiers, Nova survivors, captivity survivors, families of hostages, and residents of the Gaza border communities  say to the Israeli government: You do not have the authority to refuse to establish a state commission of inquiry into October 7, the statement continued.

This is an extreme, egregious act that risks bringing about the next massacre, and, in the pages of history, the blood of the victims will be recorded as being on your hands.

At its core, the case is no longer only about timing or procedure. Instead, it is about where authority lies after a national failure  and whether accountability for October 7 will be determined by the government that presided over it, or by an independent body empowered to examine its actions.

The High Court is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to accept the governments constitutional argument, issue further directives, or set parameters that could force the issue back onto the agenda  all while the coalition continues to push for a political state commission of inquiry, and elections loom.
As protests in Minnesota continue amid ongoing tension between demonstrators and federal agents in the area, Gov. Tim Walz and local safety officials announced Jan. 17 that the Minnesota National Guard has been "mobilized" and is on standby if needed.

In a Facebook post Jan. 17, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said that at "Gov. Walz's direction," the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized and was "staging to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies."

The department further clarified in the post that troops had not been deployed.

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Minnesota National Guard members "are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully," officials said in the post.

National Guard vehicles along a road, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 17, 2026.

ICE shooting updates: Trump threatens Insurrection Act in Minnesota

The order from Walz comes after President Donald Trump threatened on Jan. 15 to invoke the Insurrection Act, effectively giving him authority to deploy U.S. armed forces domestically. Minnesota has been in turmoil since the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was fatally shot Jan. 7 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross.

Good's killing led to a news conference, where Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE, Get the [expletive] out of Minneapolis. The Justice Department has since launched an investigation into Frey and Walz, as federal officials suspect the two of conspiring to impede federal immigration enforcement in the state.

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Clashes between federal agents and Minnesotans have taken place across the state. On Jan. 14, a second ICE-involved shooting took place in Minneapolis, where a man was shot in the leg after three men reportedly hit an agent with broom sticks and shovels.

Here's what to know as the Minnesota National Guard remains on standby to assist amid the growing protests and clashes with federal agents.

More: Walz to Minnesota: Use your phones to record ICE injustices

A federal agent shot a person in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 14 after being assaulted during an arrest, the Department of Homeland Security said, sparking further protests in a city on edge after the deadly shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent earlier this month. Protesters stand in front of members of law enforcement, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A federal agent walks through tear gas smoke after it was used on protesting community members, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Protesters react near tear gas after it was deployed against them by law enforcement, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Remnants of a pepper ball after law enforcement deployed tear gas and munitions against protestors, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A member of the community gestures towards members of law enforcement riding in a vehicle, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A member of the community walks near rising tear gas smoke as federal agents (not pictured) employ munitions and tear gas against protesters, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Members of law enforcement gather, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A protester walks amidst tear gas next to vehicles, after law enforcement deployed tear gas and munitions against them, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A protester walks amidst tear gas after law enforcement deployed tear gas and munitions against them, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A member of law enforcement stands guard, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A foam tipped non-lethal munition lies on the ground, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A law enforcement official sprays a chemical agent towards a protester, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A member of law enforcement gestures near protesters, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Law enforcement officials stand near a protester wearing a black ski mask who is recording them, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Protesters react after munitions and tear gas were deployed against them by law enforcement, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. A member of federal law enforcement looks on while standing guard, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 14, 2026. Second shooting incident in Minneapolis amid ICE protests. See the scene 1 of 17 A federal agent shot a person in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 14 after being assaulted during an arrest, the Department of Homeland Security said, sparking further protests in a city on edge after the deadly shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent earlier this month.

Minnesota National Guard to wear reflective vests if deployed

The Minnesota National Guard said in an X post on Jan. 17: "Members of the Minnesota National Guard are on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies. If our members are activated, they will be wearing reflective vests  to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms."

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"These Minnesota National Guardsmen live, work, and serve in our state, and are focused on protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights," a second post said.

According to the Minnesota National Guard's 2024 annual report, the organization includes nearly 13,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen.

USA TODAY contacted the Minnesota National Guard on Jan. 17 but has not received a response.

More: Trump's feud with Walz reaches new heights after Minnesota ICE shooting

'March Against Minnesota Fraud' draws counterprotesters

Conservative influencer Jake Lang, who has nearly 74,000 followers on Facebook and who organized the March Against Minnesota Fraud on Jan. 17 outside Minneapolis City Hall, was met by counterprotesters, some of whom sprayed him with Silly String and water.

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Lang stood in front of Minneapolis City Hall around 1 p.m., where he made a fist bump in the air. A counter-protester was next to him and attempted to block Lang with a trash can cover with a fist painted on it. At one point, Lang grabbed the trash can lid and bent it. The counterprotester bent it back into shape. Such interactions led Anderson to call counterprotesters aggressive.

The counterprotest, organized by Peoples Action Coalition Against Trump, rallied about 150 people across the street at the federal courthouse in downtown Minneapolis, which is different from the federal immigration courthouse at Fort Snelling where anti-ICE protests have consistently taken place this month.

The protest comes after former First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said that since 2018 at least half of the $9 billion paid through Minnesota's Medicaid waiver programs could be fraudulent.

Counterprotesters voiced frustrations about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the North Star State. On Jan. 4, days before Good was fatally shot in south Minneapolis, more than 2,000 ICE agents were deployed to the state. The Department of Homeland Security has since said it plans to send hundreds more.

Contributing: Corey Schmidt, St. Cloud Times

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota National Guard 'mobilized' at Walz's direction amid protests
Protests took place in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday following President Donald J. Trumps announcement that the United States would impose tariffs on several European countries unless a deal is reached for the purchase of Greenland, Reuters reported.

The protests followed Trumps tariff announcement earlier Saturday, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

Demonstrations were held in the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, where residents opposed U.S. efforts to acquire the semi-autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland has a population of approximately 57,000.

HAPPENING NOW: Massive crowds are marching in Nuuk, Greenland to protest the Trump administration. One sign says it all: NO MEANS NO. Greenland is not for sale.  pic.twitter.com/LWt9AXYnEM  Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 17, 2026

The protests followed Trumps public post earlier Saturday announcing a 10% tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland beginning February 1, 2026, with the tariff scheduled to increase to 25% on June 1, 2026, unless a deal is reached for Greenlands purchase.

Greenland Leadership Addresses Demonstrations

According to Reuters, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined demonstrators in Nuuk and addressed the crowd outside the U.S. consulate.

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Ive come here today because I think its important to show that Greenland is not for sale. It is not a toy. This is our home, Nielsen said.

Greenland governs its domestic affairs under a self-rule system, while Denmark retains authority over foreign policy, defense, and currency.

All political parties represented in Greenlands parliament support eventual independence, though they differ on timing and have said they would prefer to remain part of Denmark rather than become part of the United States, Reuters reported.

European Officials React

The demonstrations came as European officials responded to Trumps tariff announcement.

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French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the tariff threat and said Europe would respond collectively if the measures were implemented, Reuters reported.

Officials in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom also issued statements reaffirming Greenlands status within the Kingdom of Denmark and rejecting the use of tariffs tied to Arctic security cooperation.

Strategic Context

Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security because of its Arctic location and has cited concerns about China and Russia seeking influence in the region. He has said U.S. control of Greenland would strengthen Western security.

As of publication, neither the White House nor the Danish government had issued additional statements responding to the protests.
COPENHAGEN, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Greenland thanked European nations on Sunday for maintaining their support for the Arctic island despite being targeted by punitive tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump who wants to annex the Danish-ruled territory.

France, Germany, Britain and other European countries this week sent small groups of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark's request, prompting Trump to threaten trade tariffs on eight European allies until the U.S. is allowed to buy the island.

European leaders on Saturday warned of a "dangerous downward spiral" over Trump's tariff threat, vowing to uphold their backing for Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty. Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries will convene on Sunday to discuss their response to the tariff threat.

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"We live in extraordinary times that calls not only on decency but also great courage," Greenland cabinet minister Naaja Nathanielsen, responsible for the island's business, energy and minerals, said in a statement.

PRESSURE ON EUROPEAN NATO ALLIES

Trump says Greenland is vital to U.S. security because of its strategic location and mineral deposits, and has not ruled out using force to take it, raising alarm in Europe at the prospect of direct confrontation between NATO states.

Greenland's own companies were unlikely to see a significant impact from the U.S. tariffs, said Christian Keldsen, the head of the Greenland Business Association.

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"The goal therefore does not seem to be Greenland, but to put pressure on our allied European NATO countries," Keldsen wrote on LinkedIn, thanking governments for standing firm.

Thousands of protesters in Denmark and Greenland demonstrated on Saturday and called for Trump to leave the Arctic island to determine its own future.

Denmark's foreign minister said he will visit Oslo on Sunday followed by London and Stockholm in the coming days to discuss the need for NATO countries to boost their coordination, presence and deterrence in the Arctic.

"What our countries have in common is that we all agree that NATO's role in the Arctic must be strengthened, and I look forward to discussing how," Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement.

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FELLOW NORDIC NATIONS BACK DENMARK

Sweden on Saturday began intensive discussions with other EU countries as well as Britain and Norway to work out a coordinated response, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.

"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed," Kristersson said.

Finland's president said the Danish-led effort to reinforce Greenland's defence was an important part of boosting the overall security in the Arctic, and that allies must resolve their differences through discussion, not pressure.

"Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral," President Alexander Stubb said in a statement.

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Norway's prime minister said there was broad agreement in NATO to strengthen security in the Arctic.

"Threats have no place among allies. Norway's position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Terje Solsvik in Oslo;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Hundreds of people lined up outside The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House Saturday afternoon, some waiting in the cold for hours, to see a celebrity like none other in Pennsylvania  Punxsutawney Phil.

Phil, the internationally famous groundhog from Punxsutawney, is tasked each Feb. 2 with predicting whether there will be an early spring or six more weeks of winter, depending on if he sees his shadow. Groundhog Day is also a renowned attraction, drawing thousands each year to Gobblers Knob.

But instead of making that Feb. 2 trek, students, families and community members wrapped around Hiester Street and East College Avenue on Saturday and patiently waited to meet and take photos with the groundhog.

The line to enter The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House and take photos with Punxsutawney Phil is seen wrapping around the opposite end of the block on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in State College. (Esteban Marenco/esteban.marenco@centredaily.com)

I think its a bucket list item for a lot of people, certainly a lot of Pennsylvanians, to go to Groundhog Day, State College resident Amansa Holyk, 34, said.

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Holyk and her friend Michael Rohrbeck, 30, said they waited for about two hours to meet Phil. She said they also wanted to try The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House, which just opened in the fall, and this was a way to knock out two birds with one stone.

Rohrbeck said he was shocked about the turnout and wasnt expecting the amount of people that were so enthusiastic about meeting Phil.

From kids, to college kids, to locals, I mean, Phil has an appeal to everybody, it seems. So its really awesome, Rohrbeck said.

The line to enter The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House and take photos with Punxsutawney Phil is seen wrapping around the opposite end of the block on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in State College. (Esteban Marenco)

The Press four co-owners are all originally from Punxsutawney, and one of the co-owners sisters belongs to the top hat-wearing club, who are responsible for carrying on the Groundhog Day tradition each year. When one co-owner raised the idea of bringing Phil to State College, the others immediately jumped on board, co-owner Kory Blose previously told the CDT.

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Other members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club were at The Press on Saturday, dressed in their traditional attire of a top hat and suit. That included club president Tom Dunkel, who proudly carried Phil as people stood next to him and took photos.

He said that he expected the turnout and was not surprised by the consistent swarms of people inside the taphouse, where the 1993 movie Groundhog Day was playing.

Its so much fun to be a part of the people that are coming to Groundhog Day, because they are so happy, Dunkel said. Phil coming out and making this connection, just gives you goose bumps to be a part of it.

Penn State students get a close-up view of Punxsutawney Phil inside The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in State College. (Esteban Marenco)

Molly Jacobson and her husband, both California residents who are traveling on a sabbatical, said that seeing Phil was something she wanted to accomplish during her time in Pennsylvania.

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We were thinking about going to Punxsutawney to see him, but since he came to State College, we figured we should see him here, she said.

Butch Phillber, also known as Iceman, handed out Phil tokens to those waiting in line and took pictures with those who requested them.

Butch Iceman Philliber greets guest as they wait in line to see Punxsutawney Phil on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in State College. (Esteban Marenco/esteban.marenco@centredaily.com)

As the historian and oldest member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Phillber said it was important to acknowledge the history of Groundhog Day, which stems from German immigrants who brought their folklore to Pennsylvania.

Phil is loved worldwide. And any time we do an event, it brings out people who just want to put a smile on your face, Phillber said.

Those eager for Phils spring weather prediction can join him on Gobblers Knob on Feb. 2, or watch the official livestream of his prediction at www.visitpa.com/live-stream-phils-prediction/.
According to the Delhi Police, the arrested accused have been identified as Monu Tomar @ Vipin Kumar and Sohan @ Sonu Tomar. Both had been declared Proclaimed Offenders (POs) in a case related to physical assault and criminal intimidation.

A special team of the Anti-Narcotics Cell intensified efforts to trace the fugitives using sustained technical analysis, local intelligence inputs, and manual surveillance. Repeated raids at their residences revealed that the accused were deliberately staying underground to avoid arrest.

On January 17, 2026, the team received specific and credible information regarding the presence of both absconding brothers in the Shiv Vihar area of Delhi. Acting swiftly, a trap was laid, and a raid was conducted, leading to the successful apprehension of both accused, the police said.

Verification of records revealed that both accused were declared Proclaimed Offenders in FIR No. 495/2018 under sections 323/341/506/34 of the Indian Penal Code, registered at Police Station Karawal Nagar, by the Court at Karkardooma Courts on January 16, 2026.

Police further stated that both accused are also involved in multiple previous criminal cases, reflecting their persistent criminal conduct.

With their arrest, the Central District Police has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against absconders and habitual offenders. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
Seven police officers in Guatemala have been killed in gang-related violence, authorities have said, hours after police regained control of a maximum-security prison that was overtaken by rioting prisoners.

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda told reporters on Sunday that the attacks took place in and around the capital, Guatemala City, resulting in the deaths of seven officers and one gang member. Ten more police officers have been injured.

The education ministry cancelled school across the country on Monday in light of the violence, while capital officials called off recreational and cultural activities scheduled for Sunday.

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We have spoken with President Bernardo Arevalo, and joint operations with the army will be launched to secure urban centers and guarantee public safety, Villeda said, reiterating that he was not making pacts with gangs.

The National Civil Police said at least 10 attacks on police unfolded Sunday. Five people involved in the attacks were arrested, Police Director David Custodio Boteo said.

In a message posted to social media platform X, Boteo wrote that authorities would increase security protections for officers and police stations and encouraged police to stand together.

We will not allow fear to dictate our actions; on the contrary, these attacks only reaffirm our commitment to protect and serve, he said.

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In the early hours of Sunday, hundreds of police swept into the the Renovacion 1 maximum security prison to release hostages from prisoners. They also subdued Aldo Duppie, a top Barrio 18 gang leader also known as El Lobo.

Images from the civil police showed authorities leading Duppie out of the facility with a bloodied shoulder. He is currently serving a sentence totalling some 2,000 years.

Thirty-seven hostages remain held at two other facilities, however.

Riots overtake three prisons

Officials said at least 46 workers were taken captive in riots across the three detention centres, which began on Saturday and continued into Sunday. They said the riots appeared to be coordinated by Barrio 18 members in response to their leader seeking a transfer to another facility with better conditions.

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There were no reported deaths or injuries among the hostages, Villeda said at a previous news conference.

The Ministry of Interior described the unrest as a direct reaction to its moves to revoke privileges from gang leaders.

I am not going to make any deals with any terrorist group. I will not give in to this blackmail, and I will not restore their privileges in exchange for them stopping their actions, Villeda said.

The hostages are mostly guards but also include a psychologist, a prison official said.





Earlier, at the Renovacion 1 prison in Escuintla in southern Guatemala, police and soldiers formed a perimeter around the prison as ambulances and firetrucks were standing by to intervene if necessary.

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Inmates, some wearing jumpsuits but most in tank tops and shorts with their faces covered by masks improvised with pieces of clothing, watched from above, perched in the prisons patrol towers.

One masked inmate, speaking from behind barbed wire, said they were not safe at the prison and were demanding to be moved.

They cant even guarantee their own security, so how are they supposed to guarantee ours? he said, referring to prison authorities.





Guatemala has struggled to control its prison population in recent years amid rampant gang influence. Inmates, meanwhile, have reported harsh and dangerous conditions.

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In October, Arevalo accepted the resignations of three top security officials after 20 gang members escaped.

The link between the prison system and the criminality outside has to be cut, Arevalo said in an interview with The Associated Press news agency this week.

Thats why all this effort to regain control of the prison system is very important.
Kevin Haran, an artist and professor at the University of Central Florida's School of Visual Arts and Design, will exhibit his military-themed work at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City from Jan. 20 to Feb. 20.

The exhibition "Engines of Dominion" offers a timely reflection on how military power is projected and perceived amid U.S. talk of possible involvement in Iran, Greenland and Venezuela.

A battleship sculpture made out of food boxes. Kevin Haran's "Engines of Dominion" will be shown at Gulf Coast State College for one month: January 20 - February 20. (Photo provided by Gulf Coast State College)

Haran's drawings and cardboard sculptures have been showcased in more than 80 national and international juried exhibitions, Gulf Coast State's news release stated. Creative influences range from family stories of service in World War II and Vietnam, and the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Ron Cobb, the influential cinematic cartoonist.

Event details

The exhibit runs from Jan. 20 to Feb. 20, with a closing reception Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. Haran will give a gallery talk during the closing reception.

The work will be on display in the Amelia Center Gallery (Room 112) on the GCSC Panama City Campus.

Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free.

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For more information, contact Pavel Amromin at pamromin@gulfcoast.edu, or call 850-872-3886.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Art and war collide in 'Engines of Dominion' at Gulf Coast State College
Haitian security forces are conducting a large-scale operation in gang-controlled areas, with a strike targeting the home of a major gang kingpin, the Haitian National Police told AFP on Saturday.

A drone attack in the capital Port-au-Prince targeted one of the homes of Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue," who is leader of the Viv Ansanm criminal gang coalition, the communications officer for the national police said.

"The targeted operation allowed us to destroy his house and minimize any possibility of his group returning to the area," Frantz Lerebours told AFP.

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Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has not held elections in nine years, and is plagued by political instability and rampant gang violence.

Gangs, which frequently commit murders, rapes, robberies and kidnappings, control around 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, according to UN estimates.

Haitian police carry out daily operations in downtown Port-au-Prince, with the support of an international anti-gang security force and a private security company.

Drone explosions could be heard throughout the day, an AFP journalist on the scene reported.

Haitian police say they hope to "regain control of the capital in the short term" thanks to a series of "intensive operations" carried out since the end of December.

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"We are working to restore public order," said Lerebours. "We are conducting security patrols in these areas. This has not been possible for several years."

- 1.4 million displaced -

Haiti's security situation has worsened since early 2024, when then-prime minister Ariel Henry was forced out of power by armed criminal groups.

Eighteen countries have pledged to provide security forces to the anti-gang unit that is replacing a UN multinational mission.

It will consist of up to 5,500 soldiers, Albert Ramdin, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), confirmed in mid-December.

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If all goes to plan, the first half of the new multinational force should be deployed by April 1, the date when a UN support office will be established, Ramdin said.

According to a recent report by Unicef, approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced within the country due to violence in the capital, representing more than 10 percent of the population.

That number includes more than 740,000 children.

An estimated 5.7 million people face acute food insecurity, including 1.2 million children under the age of five.

Haiti is currently ruled by transitional authorities, who have announced that legislative and presidential elections will be held in the summer of 2026.

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Ofer emphasized that Grahams remarks represent a sharp shift in the usual approach to dealing with Arab states.

In an interview with Maariv, Eyal Ofer, an expert on Hamass economy, addressed unusually blunt remarks made by US Senator Lindsey Graham, warning that they could carry significant regional and Israeli implications.

In an interview before his visit to Israel, Graham addressed media reports claiming that "Arab leaders support the ayatollahs remaining in power", telling journalists that "the era in which [Arab leaders] tell us one thing behind closed doors while publicly making opposing statements must end."

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Ofer emphasized that Grahams remarks represent a sharp shift in the usual approach to dealing with Arab states.

"Graham, who for 30 years has supported the US having close ties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, acknowledged what even some of Israels best intelligence professionals have been misled by: the gap between what Arab leaders say and do publicly and the calming messages they convey in diplomatic discussions that are always held in secret," Ofer explained.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/BRIAN SNYDER)

'Ignored what Arab leaders said publicly'

Ofer went on, noting that while Israel and the West hold what is said behind closed doors to a high standard, in the Arab world, public declarations are what hold significant weight.

"We have always convinced ourselves of the opposite: that Arabs do not mean what they say publicly, and their assurances in secret represent the true agreement," he said.

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Ofer linked this mindset directly to the October 7 massacre, claiming that "we [Israel] ignored what Arab leaders said publicly."

He brings the example of Yahya Sinwar, who "promised to return his people to occupied Palestine," and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi, who repeatedly threatened to cancel the Israel-Egypt peace treaty and "denounces us on every possible international stage (in English and Arabic) as Egypt moves forces into Sinai, allows weapons smuggling into the Negev and Gaza, and refuses to absorb Gazans while accusing Israel of imprisoning them.

If, thanks to Senator Graham, the IDF General Staff also begins to understand that the drones being smuggled into the Negev and Gaza are not coming, as the IDF Spokesperson describes it, from the western border, but from Egypt, and that we should listen to public declarations, perhaps one day we will finally learn that Arabs mean what they say, and not what we tell ourselves was said behind closed doors," Ofer concluded.
When immigration enforcement agents came on to her Minneapolis high schools grounds on 7 January, Lila Dominguez was in the schools basement working on an article about an ICE agent shooting Renee Good earlier that day.

The high school junior was glued to her phone watching videos from outside the school.

I was kind of pacing around. My hands were really shaky, she said. I was just very overstimulated, and not really sure what to do in that moment for the people that I was with, or the people outside or my family.

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Dominguez is one of the citys tens of thousands of students living in the middle of ICEs surge into their communities. Soon after agents came on to school grounds at Roosevelt, Minneapolis Public Schools announced it would cancel school for two days and give students the option to attend virtually through mid-February.

Dominguez started Roosevelt high schools digital newspaper a few months back. Her instinct after ICE came to campus on the same day as the shooting: write about it, tell her classmates what was happening. Agents had used chemical irritants outside the school and detained a staffer. The school had locked the doors to protect those inside during the chaos, but staff and students saw agents in action.

ICE Needs To Get Out Of Minneapolis read the headline of a column Dominguez wrote that day, which pinged around the internet, far beyond her school community and her expectations. She called for ICE agents to leave town, a frequent refrain in the Twin Cities where thousands of federal agents now roam.

Its hard to process these things, especially when they are happening at our front doors, she wrote on 7 January. The second I got home from Roosevelt today at 5[pm] the first thing I did was hug my dad tight. It is so important to be with the people you love during this time.

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As ICE agents have moved further into the suburban communities surrounding Minneapolis, their presence has affected more young people. A parent was detained at a bus stop in the suburb of Crystal, Minnesota while waiting to get their child on the bus. The Robbinsdale school district confirmed the detention and said all students, including the student involved, were able to safely get on the school bus and get to school.

We recognize this news can create fear, confusion, and anxiety for students and for adults across the district, not just at the school this incident involved, the school said in a statement.

Schools districts throughout the metro area have reported lower attendance. Some are allowing remote learning. Theyre working on protocols for what to do when ICE comes on campus. One public charter school in another suburb, Richfield, said it would temporarily move to remote learning after its attendance had dropped below 40%.

Collin Beachy, the chair of the Minneapolis Public School Board, said at a press conference on Wednesday that the district has been focused on providing support for students, staff and families affected by the fear and anxiety of ICEs enforcement.

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Schools and school districts exist within communities, and what happens in the community affects our learning environment, he said. He called for ICE to leave our kids alone.

Students at Roosevelt were among the many schools that held walkouts to protest ICE in the days after Goods killing. Dominguez said that some of her classes have been missing a lot of students. Its difficult to focus on learning when the community is going through a crisis.

It doesnt feel normal at all at school right now, she said, though she noted that the schools leaders and staff have been great at helping students at this time. During the two days school was closed, no new work was assigned, but it was still difficult to go about daily tasks without getting preoccupied with ICE, she said.

Being a student in Minneapolis right now can be really scary, because going to school is something that kids are so lucky to have, she said. The fact that our own government is keeping us from the schools that they provide and they want us to be at is scary, and its sad and its angering.
It might feel as though we're back in familiar territory - the Duke of Sussex about to make claims in a London court alleging that newspapers used unlawful methods to gather information.

But in many ways, Prince Harry appears to be in a different place in his life. He now seems to be more about reconciliation with his family rather than recrimination.

When the case against the Daily Mail's publisher begins on Monday, Prince Harry will be energetically fighting his corner against the press, yet he no longer seems to be fighting the rest of the world too.

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This is Prince Harry's third major court battle accusing newspaper groups of unlawful behaviour, appearing as a witness in this civil case against Associated Newspapers, alongside other claimants including Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley and Baroness Lawrence., campaigning mother of murdered Stephen Lawrence.

The publishers of the Daily Mail have rejected the allegations as "preposterous" and are ready for a strong defence of their journalism.

But the backdrop for Prince Harry feels different from when he gave evidence against the Mirror group in 2023. That was the same year as his no-holds-barred memoir Spare and a year after the Harry and Meghan Netflix documentary, both bristling with controversial views on the Royal Family.

His successful court battle against the Mirror was huge news in itself, as the biggest royal appearance in a witness box of modern times.

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He didn't have problems with the questions, but he cut an isolated figure, with no company in the courtroom except his legal team and security.

But, ahead of his latest court case, the mood music feels different: he's now building bridges rather than blowing them up.

In his BBC interview last May, Prince Harry talked about wanting to end the rift with this his family, saying: "There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious."

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And in September, he met his father, King Charles, for their first face-to-face time together in 19 months. It was a sign of improving relationships.

There's also a review of his security when he's in the UK, which could resolve another barrier to Harry's visits. Next year will bring his Invictus Games to Birmingham, his biggest event in the UK since his acrimonious departure in 2020.

Prince Harry (pictured with the then Prince Charles in London in 2019) is not expected to meet the King on this visit [Getty Images]

Alongside this sense of a growing rapprochement with his family is the unspoken expectation that Harry is keeping his head down for a while, avoiding bombshell interviews, not rocking the royal boat.

So he won't be meeting his father during this court case, with the King wanting to keep a distance from such high-profile legal proceedings. And his brother Prince William has engagements in Scotland.

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Royal commentator Richard Palmer describes this as "Harry's final tilt at the national newspapers he blames for ruining his life".

"His father and the Royal Household would clearly have preferred this trial not to go ahead and are distancing themselves. They'll be hoping Harry doesn't try to drag the King or other family members into the evidence.

"His hopes of a reconciliation may be hit if he says the wrong thing so I'm sure that will be weighing on his mind."

But he adds: "It's interesting that, as far as we know, he's not planning to do any interviews to publicise this case. He is in a different place now, not so angry and eager to try to mend fences with his family."

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Royal commentator Prof Pauline Maclaran also thinks Harry is likely to keep a low profile "given his wish to rebuild bridges, certainly with his father and with reports that he is hoping to have him at the opening of the Invictus Games".

"He might have learnt that less is more where the royals are concerned.

"So while he will still be pursuing his quest against Associated Newspapers, I think he will keep out of the limelight," she adds.

Monday's trial may be his last court campaign against the papers, but Prince Harry must know it is not going to be his easiest.

Unlike other newspaper groups, The Mail and Mail on Sunday were never caught up in the phone-hacking scandal, or the investigation of illegal payments to public officials, more than a decade ago.

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The Mail's editor, Paul Dacre, told the Leveson Inquiry into press standards in 2012 he had carried out a "major internal inquiry" and was "confident" there were no cases of phone hacking by his newspapers.

Yes, his journalists had used private investigators with databases to legally obtain phone numbers, so they didn't have to leaf through phone books. That ended, he told the inquiry, when one of the investigators admitted breaches of data protection.

Liz Hurley, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Sir Elton John are among the claimaints [Reuters/Getty]

Fast forward to October 2022 and, out of the blue, six very well-known people accused Associated Newspapers of not just accessing their voicemail messages and using private investigators to "blag" their personal information, but also bugging phones and aggressive surveillance techniques.

To cap it all, one of them was Baroness Doreen Lawrence. The Mail had strongly backed her campaign in the 1990s to bring her son Stephen's killers to justice.

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Now, she claimed a senior reporter had tasked investigators with phone-tapping and bugging to get information for stories.

It was, in the lengthening history of allegations against the press, a bombshell.

In this trial, the claimants - Baroness Lawrence, Prince Harry, the actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost Law, Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, and the former Liberal Democrat minister Sir Simon Hughes, who joined the action at a later stage - must prove their privacy was breached by journalists working for Associated Newspapers.

The first challenge: there is a six-year time limit for claiming breaches of privacy, starting from when it happened, and some of the allegations go back decades. To get around this rule, they have to show they didn't know they had a potential case until more recently.

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Associated alleges that to achieve this, friendly journalists published articles on fringe news websites to create artificial "watershed moments" when it could be claimed the victims had "discovered" the truth about what the papers had done. The other side strongly denies that. The judge will decide.

Some of the evidence they hoped to deploy has come from the private investigators themselves. Some have been paid for information. Not a deal-breaker in the civil courts, but the judge will have to consider whether it damages the credibility of their evidence.

There have also been dramatic rows behind the scenes between researchers working for the claimants, and the private investigators they hoped to turn into star witnesses.

One, Gavin Burrows, appeared to have signed a long statement detailing what he knew about the use of illegal methods, but later claimed his signature had been forged. He is expected to give evidence.

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Prince Harry's legal team had also hoped to prove the general claim that unlawful methods had been "widespread or habitual" at the Associated newspapers, partly because reporters had joined from other publications where it was also routine and were using the same private investigators.

After all, what were the chances the competitive Mail and Mail on Sunday hadn't used unlawful techniques for getting information which were widely practised by the Sun, the News of the World, the Mirror and the Sunday Mirror?

But the no-nonsense judge presiding over these often ill-tempered proceedings is desperate to stop them turning into a "public inquiry". Last year, he ruled that he wouldn't accept these "generic" claims.

In short, the big seven must make their case, allegation by allegation. Team Harry begins this trial with one hand tied behind its back.

Unless a settlement is reached, as happened in the case against News Group Newspapers, Prince Harry will be in the High Court pursuing his claim against what he sees as the unfair and dishonest excesses of press intrusion. It's a cause that is close to his heart.

Once the case is over, sources close to Harry suggest his priority will be supporting his charitable causes and there are currently no more court cases against the media in the pipeline.

[BBC]

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A war veteran is using his experiences to build trust and understanding for ex-servicemen seeking mental health support or navigating the criminal justice system.

Andrew Sharp served in the Gulf War and in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus and now works as a veteran liaison support officer at the Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust.

The 55-year-old from Gravesend says one of the biggest challenges in his role is encouraging veterans to open up about their struggles and accept they need help.

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"Soldiers are trained to be resilient, so seeking support does not come naturally to them," he said.

The former soldier joined the Army when he was 16.

"I was bullied at school and I wanted to do something to build my confidence," he said.

After more than four years, he left the service.

"It wasn't easy adapting to life outside the Army, it was like a different world," he added.

Andrew said in his first job after the Army, he worked at a warehouse and witnessed a colleague swearing at the manager.

"That really startled me," he recalled. "I had never seen anything like that in the Army. We were taught to respect our seniors."

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Andrew said every veteran faced different challenges.

"Some joined the Army hoping it could help them cope with their mental health issues," he said.

"When they leave the Army, some can manage their problems while some can't.

"There are situations where veterans develop erratic behaviour, splitting from family and end up homeless.

"Some are more likely to take risks, they gamble and incur debts, become addicted to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism."

'Treating everyone with dignity'

Andrew works with veterans in custody, advocating for them in court, supporting people leaving prison, and linking veterans to the NHS mental health specialist service.

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Other support includes housing, benefits, employment and healthcare.

The NHS trust said it had achieved a 0% reoffending rate over three years for veterans engaging with its support services.

Dr Afifa Qazi, chief medical officer for the trust, said: "Andrew's work demonstrates how lived experience can build trust and create safer communities.

"He stays in regular contact with veterans and treats every person with dignity regardless of their background or offence.

"The 0% reoffending rate is an outstanding achievement and reflects our commitment to delivering truly inclusive care to our veterans."

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A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was investing more than 25m each year into physical and mental health services.

"We are addressing veterans' concerns about fragmented support services through the new 50m Valour programme, which will improve veterans' access to essential care by improving enhanced coordination of support," they said.

"We're determined no veteran falls through the cracks, and through Veterans Services, we're supporting personnel to move successfully into civilian life."

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In recent years Jenner has been active in political commentary and public advocacy, including vocal statements about Israel.

Reality television star Caitlyn Jenner told the Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Summit on Friday that visiting October 7 sites in Israel brought her back to the images her father showed her as a child from Buchenwald, a comparison she said has shaped her public support for Israel.

It started when I was about 10 years old, Jenner said, describing how her father, a World War II veteran, showed her photos from the liberation of the Nazi camp.

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The fifth Ranger Battalion was the first troops to walk into Buchenwald, she said. My dad was 22 years old at the time. Of all his wartime photos, she added, the only pictures he showed anybody was the pictures from inside Buchenwald when they walked in.

I, as a 10-year-old I couldnt believe what I was seeing, Jenner said. And it really greatly affected me.

Jenner spoke in conversation with Regev Gur, Founder at Narrative Group, who opened by recalling that the two traveled together to Israel months earlier, ahead of Tel Aviv Pride. Gur said they ended up in the bomb shelter, and told the audience that people kept asking him afterward how Jenner reacted.

People pay tribute at a bomb shelter near Reim, as they commemorate the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, southern Israel, October 7, 2025. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Jenner is a former Olympic gold medalist who won the decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Games, and later became a prominent US television personality and public figure. In recent years she has also been active in political commentary and public advocacy, including vocal statements about Israel.

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Jenner is also widely known for her role in the Kardashian-Jenner familys reality TV franchise, appearing for years on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and related spinoffs after her marriage to Kris Jenner. She is the father of Kendall and Kylie Jenner and became one of the most recognizable celebrity figures in US pop culture long after her 1976 Olympic win.

'The true Israeli experience'

On stage in Florida, Jenner said the Israel trip surprised her in ways she did not anticipate. I didnt know it would end up in a safe room but thats where I wound up, she said. I got the true Israeli experience.

She then described the moment she said connected her childhood memories to what she saw in Israel.

We went the site of October 7, Jenner said. To go there and see the inhumanity it really greatly affected me.

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For me, it was my Holocaust, she said. I could see what my father saw back in Buchenwald many, many, many years ago.

Jenner added that the impact of October 7 also fit into a longer personal timeline. She pointed to the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by terrorists, describing the proximity to where she was staying.

Munich, Germany, we all know what happened there, she said. It happened in the building right next to me We lost 11 Israeli athletes.

Later in the conversation, she returned to the shelter experience in Israel, describing sirens interrupting a Friday night dinner.

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All of a sudden, sirens start going off, she said. Everybody at the table says, Oh, weve gotta go to the safe room bunker. She recalled someone telling her, Grab your glass of wine and lets go down to the bunker.

A photo of Jenner holding a glass of wine in the shelter circulated widely online, she said. Somebody got a picture of me with a glass of wine at a bunker, and it went viral.

She stressed that the moment was misunderstood. Honestly, it was very serious, Jenner said. People die in these things and were certainly not down there celebrating.

I felt safe, she said, but you could hear off in the distance you could hear bombs going off.

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Thats your number one concern, she added. Loss of life.

Jenner said the group dealt with repeated alerts over several nights. I think three nights in a row, four nights, three or four nights in a row, we did it, she said, describing being woken up and having to move quickly to protected spaces.

With flights disrupted, Jenner said she eventually left via Jordan. We hopped in a car, went across the Israel-Jordan border, she said, adding, No problem whatsoever.

She also said a travel agent helped other Americans leave as well. I think we got like 20 people American citizens out, because of her, she said.

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Jenner also used the appearance to praise Israels openness, describing how people in the US reacted when she told them she was traveling to Tel Aviv for Pride work.

Im helping with the marketing for the second largest pride event in the world, she said. New Yorks number one. Second is Tel Aviv. She added that she often found herself explaining Israel to skeptical friends: People dont realize how open Israel is.

Near the end, Gur asked for her message to Israelis and Jews amid rising antisemitism since October 7. Jenner urged resilience and focus.

We have to stay strong. We have to stay focused, she said. We have to stay on the side of freedom.

Gur closed by thanking Jenner for her support and friendship. My pleasure, Jenner replied.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 21-year-old Hood River man was hospitalized after police said he was shot multiple times early Saturday morning.

Around 2:15 a.m., officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 1600 block of Oak Street, just off Highway 30.

Fourth arrest made in connection with Portland Uber driver murder in 2022

Arriving at the scene, police said they found a man  identified as Yahir Castillo-Alvarez  who was shot multiple times.

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Castillo-Alvarez was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and his current condition is unknown at this time, the Hood River Police Department said in a press release.

Any possible suspect or suspects had left the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with further information on this incident is encouraged to contact Hood River police.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
According to the military, activity in the area is currently ongoing and it is in contact with with the relevant authorities to provide updates on the situation as it develops.

The IDF deployed soldiers following the identification of a suspect who approached the border fence between southwestern Lebanon and Israel, the military said in a Sunday evening statement.

Once identified, the IDF "maintained continuous surveillance of the suspect," the statement noted, before calling in a tank and attack helicopter to "remove the threat."

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According to the military, activity in the area is currently ongoing, and it is in contact with the relevant authorities to provide updates on the situation as it develops.

Multidimensional 'Refaim' unit finishes deployment in Lebanon

Separately, the IDF's special operation task force, the multidimensional Unit 888, under the command of the IDF's 91st Division, has completed its operation in southern Lebanon, where it has prevented the reestablishment of Hezbollah in the region over the past two months, the military stated earlier in the day.

During its operations, the unit gathered intelligence, located, and destroyed Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, and killed the terror organization's operatives, the IDF stated.
The Uttar Pradesh police have registered eight separate cases at Chowk Police Station in Varanasi against AI-generated images and misleading information on the development work at Manikarnika Ghat. According to the police, these cases have been registered against eight individuals and others who retweeted or made objectionable comments, under sections 196, 298, 299, and 353 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). On the matter, ACP Dashaswamedh, Varanasi, Atul Anjan Tripathi said, "Misleading posts regarding Manikarnika Ghat were posted on social media, following which the project manager and other concerned officials filed a complaint with the police. Based on that complaint, action was taken." These posts allegedly shared images of Hindu deities contrary to the actual facts, deceiving and misleading people of the Hindu faith, creating anger in society, and disrupting social harmony. According to a complaint filed by Mano, a resident of V. Sethurajapuram, Perunala Police Station, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, his company commenced the work of strengthening and beautifying the facilities at Manikarnika Ghat on November 15, 2025. They have come to know through the social media platform X that on January 16, an X user shared photographs, describing the ongoing beautification work at Manikarnika Ghat. These posts allegedly contained false, baseless, and misleading information, contrary to the actual facts. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the issue yesterday, providing clarity on the development projects in Kashi and targeting those involved in the case, accusing them of "defaming India's heritage and creating obstacles." Speaking to the media about development projects in Varanasi, he highlighted challenges with cremations at Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat, emphasising that cremation is a sacred ritual that requires respect and cleanliness. He underscored the difficulties of cremations during the monsoon season, including half-burnt bodies, pollution, and the struggle to maintain dignity and environmental safety during the cremation process. "Manikarnika Ghat and Maharaja Harishchandra Ghat are the two main ghats where cremations take place... You can see the conditions in which cremations are performed at Manikarnika Ghat... Cremation is one of the 16 rituals of Sanatana Dharma, and it should be performed with respect and in a clean environment," said the UP CM. Adityanath further added that the government's project aims to modernise the facilities while upholding tradition. "The government is committed to helping facilitate the smooth conduct of these rituals, and therefore some projects have been initiated... Cremations become very difficult during the monsoon season, and sometimes bodies are left half-burnt; imagine what the grieving families have to endure...," he added. Responding to Congress's criticism, the UP CM mentioned initiatives aimed at preserving its religious and cultural significance, initially funded by the government, countering opposition criticism. Facilities include cremation platforms, waiting areas, wood storage, toilets, ramps, drainage, and waste management."When a project is started for this purpose, and that too without government funding, they (the opposition) begin their agenda of defaming it...," he added. He also spoke about pollution, highlighting Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), the amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), a measure of the capacity of water to consume oxygen during the decomposition of organic matter and the oxidation of inorganic chemicals. "Certain practices can increase biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrates, and fluorides in the Ganga's water... Moreover, many families cannot afford sufficient wood for complete cremations; as a result, incomplete cremations occur and, at times, whole bodies are immersed in the river...," said CM Yogi. He assured support for Doms, who've performed rites for thousands of years, to continue traditions smoothly. "Arrangements have also been made to ensure that the Dom community, which has performed these rites for thousands of years with respect and continuity, can continue to conduct cremations without difficulty and with their traditions upheld...," said the UP CM. This comes after controversy erupted over the demolition drive in Varanasi. Heavy machinery and bulldozers were used to clear encroachments and old structures. During the drive, several ancient idols and artefacts were discovered. Local authorities state these have been secured by the culture department for reinstallation after construction. It is worth noting that the Manikarnika Ghat, the great cremation ground of Kashi, holds immense religious significance. According to religious beliefs, after death in Kashi, Lord Shiva himself whispers the Taraka Mantra into the ear of the deceased, granting them salvation. This is the only cremation ground in the world that burns pyres 24 hours a day, earning it the name Mahashmashan (Great Cremation Ground), and people from around the world visit the sacred site. (ANI)
The IDF has been active east of the Yellow Line in northern Gaza throughout the month of January, dismantling terrorist infrastructure and targeting known terrorists.

The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on Saturday named three Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists who were killed in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Those named on Saturday were Muhammad Hamed Muhammad Khuli, Ashraf Adnan Muhammad al-Khatib, and Saeed Khaled Ali Abd al-Rahman.

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According to the IDF, Khuli was the commander of Hamas's Central Camps Operations Department and played a significant role in the preparations for the October 7 massacre.

Khuli was also involved in planning the attack at the Nahal Oz checkpoint on February 6, 1995, in which Yevgeny Gromov was murdered, the IDF said.

Al-Khatib was the commander of the PIJ's rocket and missile array, and Abd al-Rahman was head of sniping in Hamas's Deir al-Balah Battalion in the Central Camps brigade, the military added.

IDF activity in Gaza throughout the month of January

Seperately, the IDF killed two other Hamas terrorists working to rebuild the terror organization's infrastructure.

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The strikes were made in response to reported violations of the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, in which terrorists emerged from underground tunnels and tried toambush IDF soldiers in western Rafah.

IDF strikes kill Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza on January 15, 2026 (IDF/TELEGRAM)

The IDF's 16th Brigade, under the command of the 252nd Division, has dismantled hundreds of "terrorist infrastructure sites," including weapons, shafts, and underground tunnels east of the Yellow Line throughout the month of January, the military said in a Friday statement.

According to the statement, "dozens" of terrorists have also been killed.

Two foreign residents expelled after attack on shepherd

Two foreign residents were expelled from Israel after being arrested over the weekend for attacking a shepherd in the West Bank, police announced.

According to the police, four suspects were arrested after the attack. The other two have been released following the investigation, under restrictive conditions including being distanced from the West Bank for 15 days.
Rescuers found debris and one body on Sunday from a small plane that crashed in eastern Indonesia with 10 people on board, officials said.

The Indonesian Air Transport turboprop plane lost contact with the air traffic controller on Saturday afternoon while en route from Yogyakarta to the city of Makassar on Sulawesi island.

Among the debris, the joint search and rescue team found what is believed to be "the fuselage, the tail section, and the windows", local official Muhammad Arif Anwar told a press briefing.

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The body of one victim was found on a steep mountain slope in the same area, said Arif, head of the Makassar search and rescue agency.

"One male victim was found... at a depth of roughly 200 meters (656 feet) in the ravine and near aircraft debris," he said.

Another local rescue official, Andi Sultan, confirmed a body had been recovered, saying the remains would be evacuated on Monday due to poor weather conditions.

A unit was also deployed by air to search for the missing passengers, according to Arif.

The plane crashed into Mount Bulusaraung in Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, which borders the city of Makassar, Arif said.

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Three government workers from the ministry of marine affairs and fisheries were on board the plane along with seven crew members.

Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the employees were on a mission to conduct aerial monitoring of resources in the area.

The search on land and by air involved more than 1,000 people including members of the air force, police and volunteers.

Local military chief Bangun Nawoko told reporters that the search was hindered by harsh terrain and fog.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago in Southeast Asia, relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands. The country has a poor aviation safety record, with several fatal crashes in recent years.

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In September, a helicopter carrying six passengers and two crew members crashed shortly after taking off from South Kalimantan province, killing everybody on board.

Less than two weeks after the September crash, four people were killed when their helicopter crashed in the remote Papua district of Ilaga.

str-dsa/ami
The December 16 debate inside the council chamber in Oakland, California, was fierce, and stretched from lunchtime into the evening.

"You are doing more to advance Trumps agenda in Oakland than anyone," one citizen admonished the council.

"My parents were Holocaust survivors. They were hunted like animals by an authoritarian, white supremacist regime, said another. "We're seeing a frighteningly similar playbook in the US today... a yes vote on the flock contract will make you complicit.

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"Too many crimes in Oakland go unresolved because there is not enough evidence to hold offenders accountable!" preached a speaker with the opposite view. "Communities deserve safety, evidence, and justice!"

At issue was a fast-growing Atlanta-based tech start-up called Flock Safety, which operates tens of thousands of AI-enabled number plate recognition cameras in more than 5,000 communities across 49 U.S. states. These cameras have rapidly spread throughout the country based on a pitch many local leaders find irresistible: dramatically cut crime by making it easier for cops to track missing persons and dangerous criminals.

The company trumpets its role in busting theft rings and bank robbers, catching alleged child kidnappers and even tracking down the gunman who killed three and wounded nine at Brown University last month.

But now many cities are cancelling or suspending their subscriptions after a string of scandals over Flock's data being accessed by immigration authorities racing to fulfill Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda  a concern only made more urgent by the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by ICE agents.

A Flock automated license plate recognition camera watches an intersection near the campus of the University of California-San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital. The data from the cameras is now being fed to ICE (Io Dodds for The Independent)

Among the cities that have ended or paused their relationships with Flock are Austin, Texas, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Olympia, Washington, Santa Cruz, California, Eugene, Oregon, Oak Park, Illinois, Staunton, Virginia, Flagstaff, Arizona, and Hillsborough, North Carolina.

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"They didnt just mislead us; it's coming out that they theyve misled a lot of people," alleged William Paige, a city council member in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, who previously voted yes to working with Flock, in a September meeting.

"I feel like Ive been played. And it doesnt feel good."

How local police share Flock data with ICE

Flock was founded in 2017 in the Atlanta metro area by three George Tech alumni, starting with handmade cameras built around the dining room table. After a local detective credited the tech with solving a burglary, CEO Garrett Langley advised his co-founders to quit their jobs.

"I think we run a risk today as a country that a generation of people will not believe America works for them because they dont feel safe," Langley told CNN last month. "Its too easy to get away with crime in America."

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Using a technology known as automated license late recognition, Flock's cameras can track cars around the country, continually logging their location. Law enforcement clients can search not only by plates but by color or brand of vehicle.

In many places, courts have ruled that this does not require a warrant. Even some retail chains, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, have reportedly embraced Flock's products.

The company sells AI-powered video cameras designed to track and analyze human figures (Flock Safety)

Crucially, Flock says the resulting data is owned and controlled by clients, not by the company. Each customer decides who else can see their data and how it gets used. But Langley himself has said that data sharing between different agencies is critical to his vision.

Indeed, the company told Congress in August that 75 percent of its customers were enrolled in its "national lookup" network, which lets every member search every other member's data. The result is a vast pool of information on Americans' everyday movements that has often found its way into federal hands, officially or unofficially.

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In May, an investigation by the tech news site 404 Media found that cops from across the country had used this network to perform thousands of immigration-related searches on behalf of federal agencies. While some might have been about serious crimes committed by immigrants, many searches gave extremely vague reasons such as "immigration" or "ICE."

That pattern has repeated across the country, even in places with immigration sanctuary laws. Cities have been forced to cut off access to federal agencies that used their Flock data for immigration enforcement, or discipline officers who shared their login details with federal agents.

In August, Flock admitted that it had been secretly running a pilot program to give direct access to the Department of Homeland Security  despite previously denying any federal contracts. Due to internal miscommunication, customers were inaccurately informed that Flock did not have any relationship with DHS," the company told Congress.

Houstonite Alek Schott, who is suing Texas authorities for violating his constitutional rights via indiscriminate surveillance, stands in the infrared beam of a Flock scanner in Houston, October 2025 (AP Photo/David Goldman)

To privacy advocates, it effectively amounts to a massive nationwide surveillance system that logs the movements of criminals and law-abiding citizens alike.

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According to AP, the U.S. Border Patrol is mass-monitoring millions of American drivers via unspecified license plate systems, then stopping and questioning any deemed to have shown "suspicious" travel patterns. Authorities have also reportedly used Flock data to investigate people at No Kings and anti-ICE protests.

'Spin the facts and shift the blame'

Over the past year, Flock says it has worked hard to tighten its rules. It has "paused" all federal pilot programs, banned feds from nationwide and statewide searches and banned them from accessing data from sanctuary states.

It now lets customers block any outside searches relating to civil immigration enforcement, abortion or transgender healthcare, while requiring all searchers to specify a criminal offense category rather than just a vague reason like investigation or crime.

Critics, however, argue that the company has already shown it cannot be trusted. In one chilling example last year, Texas cops searched Flock for a woman who'd "had an abortion." When this was exposed, the sheriffs insisted this was actually just a missing persons case to ensure the woman's safety. Flock loudly echoed his claim, decrying "activist journalists" for spreading "clickbait.

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But public records revealed that in fact the sheriffs were investigating the death of the woman's fetus, and discussed whether she could be criminally charged. Reportedly, the documents never mentioned her "safety" until after the story came out.

"Flock has not taken responsibility for the harms it has enabled, and has instead attempted to spin the facts and shift the blame to others," wrote Democratic senator Ron Wyden in a scorching letter to the company. "I now believe that abuses of your product are not only likely but inevitable, and that Flock is unable and uninterested in preventing them."

In response to detailed questions from The Independent, a Flock spokesperson said: "Feel free to see our website. We have no additional comment."

In Oakland, at least, the city council ultimately opted to extend their contract with Flock, albeit with numerous new safeguards. The police force said Flock had been responsible for 10 percent of arrests and was "one of the most effective crime-fighting technologies" it had.

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Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Chicago, residents reportedly caught Flock workers reinstalling cameras that the city had ordered to be taken down, without any official authorization, leading officials to manually cover up their lenses.

"We disagree, respectfully, with any assertions that we have broken the law," the company said.
By Parisa Hafezi

Jan 18 (Reuters) - Iran's president warned on Sunday that any U.S. strike would trigger a "harsh response" from Tehran after an Iranian official in the region said at least 5,000 people  including about 500 security personnel  had been killed in nationwide protests.

Iran's protests, sparked last month in Tehran's Grand Bazaar over economic grievances, swiftly turned political and spread nationwide, drawing participants from across generations and income groups - shopkeepers, students, men and women, the poor and the welloff - calling for the end of clerical rule.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene if protesters continued to be killed on the streets or were executed. He said in an interview with Politico on Saturday: "it's time to look for new leadership in Iran".

Iran indicated on Sunday it might go ahead with execution of people detained during the unrest, and with its clerical rulers facing mounting international pressure over the bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution, is seeking to deter Trump from stepping in.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on X warned that Tehran's response "to any unjust aggression will be harsh and regrettable", adding that any attack on the country's supreme leader is "tantamount to an all-out war against the nation".

RIGHTS GROUP REPORTS 24,000 ARRESTS

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Protests dwindled last week following a violent crackdown.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said on Saturday the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review. It said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.

On Friday, Trump thanked Tehran's leaders in a social media post, saying they had called off scheduled executions of 800 people. He has moved U.S. military assets into the region but has not specified what he might do.

A day later, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei branded Trump a "criminal", acknowledging "several thousand deaths" that he blamed on "terrorists and rioters" linked to the U.S. and Israel.

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Iran's judiciary indicated that executions may go ahead.

"A series of actions have been identified as Mohareb, which is among the most severe Islamic punishments," Iranian judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir told a press conference on Sunday.

Mohareb, an Islamic legal term meaning to wage war against God, is punishable by death under Iranian law.

The Iranian official told Reuters that the verified death toll was unlikely to "increase sharply", adding "Israel and armed groups abroad" had supported and equipped those taking to the streets.

The clerical establishment regularly blames unrest on foreign enemies, including the U.S. and Israel, an arch foe of the Islamic Republic which launched military strikes in June.

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Internet blackouts were partly lifted for a few hours on Saturday but internet monitoring group NetBlocks said they later resumed.

One resident in Tehran said that last week he had witnessed riot police directly shooting at a group of protesters, who were mostly young men and women. Videos circulating on social media, some of which have been verified by Reuters, have shown security forces crushing demonstrations across the country.

HIGHEST DEATH TOLL IN KURDISH AREAS

The Iranian official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, also said some of the heaviest clashes and highest number of deaths were in the Iranian Kurdish areas in the country's northwest.

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Kurdish separatists have been active there and flare-ups have been among the most violent in past periods of unrest.

Three sources told Reuters on January 14 that armed Kurdish separatist groups sought to cross the border into Iran from Iraq in a sign of foreign entities potentially seeking to take advantage of instability.

Faizan Ali, a 40-year-old medical doctor from Lahore, said he had to cut short his trip to Iran to visit his Iranian wife in the central city of Isfahan as "there was no internet or communication with my family in Pakistan".

"I saw a violent mob burning buildings, banks and cars. I also witnessed an individual stab a passer-by," he told Reuters upon his arrival back in Lahore.

(Additional reporting by Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore,Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Alexander Smith and Philippa Fletcher)
Palestinian Ambassador to Iran, Salam al-Zawawi (R) at a swearing-in ceremony hosted by PA President Mahmoud Abbas (L) at the president

Around 200 protesters stormed the residence of the Palestinian Authoritys ambassador in Tehran, injuring Salam al-Zawawi and embassy staff and causing extensive damage, Iranian media reported.

Hundreds of protesters attacked the Palestinian Authority ambassador's residence in Tehran, chanting slogans, throwing Molotov cocktails, and forcing entry into the residence, causing injuries to the ambassador and some embassy staff, Asr Iran reported on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred amid widespread protests on January 8, the outlet noted.

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"The rioters, who numbered about 200, attacked the residence," it added.

The ambassador, Salam al-Zawawi, was suffocated during the incident and transferred to the hospital for medical treatment, the report stated.

In addition, the ambassador, her family, and members of the embassy staff sheltered in the residence's basement while waiting for the regime's security forces to rescue them, Asr Iran reported.

Palestinian Ambassador to Iran, Salam al-Zawawi in this undated picture. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Police reportedly entered the residence, rescuing those sheltering and "confronting the attackers."

Further, "extensive damage" was reportedly caused to the residence due to the incident.

A practically hereditary ambassadorial posting?

Salam al-Zawawi was sworn in as Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in January 2022.

Her father, Salah, was the ambassador to Tehran from February 1981 until his daughter succeeded him in the posting.
People gather during protest on January 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. (photo credit: Anonymous/Getty Images)

Its possible Iran has used foreign groups to suppress protesters. Because they are foreigners, they have no allegiance to average Iranians and likely dont mind harming them.

New accounts from Iran appear to increasingly indicate that Iranian-backed militias in Iraq may be helping Irans regime suppress protests in Iran.

In the past, these groups, called Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Forces, have suppressed protests in Iran.

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In past years, there have also been claims that Iraqi militias entered Iran to help the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) suppress protests.

Tahmineh Dehbozorgi, an attorney, posted on X that I just spoke to a friend in Iran who just got back online. He said the Islamic Republic hired terrorist militias  Hashd al-Shaabi and Fatemiyoun Division  professional killers shooting people indiscriminately in the streets and in front of their homes. The death toll is far higher than 20,000. Body bags everywhere. Families cant even bury their dead. Now theyre bracing for the next wave of executions.

Academic Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert noted on X that Iraqi Shia popular mobilisation forces and an Afghan division trained by Iran to fight in Syria, respectively.

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities (credit: MAHSA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

An overlooked aspect of the Islamic Republics Axis of Resistance strategy so far has been the role these proxies could play in securing the Iranian regime itself from domestic threats inside the country (ie, training foreign proxies to defend the regime from the democratic aspirations of its own people).

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CNN reported on January 15 that Iraqi militiamen have crossed into Iran over the past weeks to help Tehran suppress ongoing protests, according to a European military source and an Iraqi security source familiar with the matter.

The Iraqi security source said nearly 5,000 fighters from powerful Iraqi militias entered Iran from two border crossings in southern Iraq: the Shaib border crossing in Maysan province and the Zurbatiya border crossing in Wasit province.

Iran International has also reported on foreign fighters coming to Iran. According to the information, Afghanistans Fatemiyoun Brigade, Pakistans Zainebiyoun Brigade and Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces carried out a significant part of the killings, a report on January 17 noted.

It is difficult to verify these reports. The PMF is a group of militias in Iraq that was formed in 2014 to help Iraq fight ISIS. They were formed after a fatwa by Ayatollah Ali Sisteni, a Iraqi Shia cleric. Some of the militias were based on previous pro-Iranian groups that existed in Iraq, such as the Badr Organization and Kataib Hezbollah.

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These groups have links to the IRGC. For instance, Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was a close associate of Quds Force IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani.

They were both killed by a US drone strike in 2020. Many of these Iranian-backed Iraqis have links to Iran from the 1980s, when they backed Iran in the Iran-Iraq war. Many of them are also designated terrorists by the US.

For instance, the group Asaib Ahl al Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba are both members of the PMF and are also terrorist groups. There have been increasing calls to disarm the groups in Iraq. However, since 2018, they have also received salaries from the Iraqi government as paramilitary forces.

Iranian-backed Iraqi terrorist groups

They are an attempt to create a kind of IRGC in Iraq. The groups serve Irans interests, and its plausible some may have gone to Iran to help in the crackdown. They are Arabic-speaking Sunnis, so they wont easily be able to operate everywhere in Iran.

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The Iranians also recruited via the IRGC, Shiites from Afghanistan and Pakistan. These men were recruited to fight in Syria. However, when the Assad regime fell, the Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun had to leave Iraq, and they are stuck in Iran.

Its possible Iran has used them to suppress protesters, and because they are foreigners, they have no allegiance to the average Iranian and likely dont mind harming them. Nevertheless, the full story about Iran using these foreign groups still requires additional investigation to prove their role.
Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister has vowed that its position on Greenland will not change after a tariff threat by US President Donald Trump.

The US president said the UK will be charged a 10 per cent tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, which will increase to 25 per cent from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and that they had journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

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Helen McEntee said the decision that comes amid talks over the future of Greenland is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law, she said.

The US president said tariffs would apply to the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland (PA)

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable.

It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

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She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

Protests were held in Greenland after President Donald Trump expressed his intent to acquire the autonomous territory (Getty)

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland, of course, have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

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The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.
Saar said Latin America is undergoing major political change and framed Asfuras visit as an opportunity to reset ties.

Honduran President-elect Nasry Tito Asfura met Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Jerusalem during a pre-inauguration visit, where Saar congratulated him and invited deeper cooperation between the countries, the Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday.

The meeting, held before Asfura assumes office on January 27, was also attended by incoming Honduran foreign minister Maria Dolores Aguero. Saar said Israel would do all that we can to assist Honduras, while praising the president-elects historic victory and decision to visit Israel before taking office.

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Saar told Asfura that the result in Honduras will be a major turning point and that Israel views the Central American nation as a close friend and ally.

He thanked Asfura for agreeing to receive Israels ambassadors credentials immediately after the inauguration and emphasized that Israel is standing together with those freedom-loving nations, like Honduras.

Asfuras visit follows Saars call on the day of the election victory in December, when he congratulated the president-elect and invited him to Israel. The Foreign Ministry said the sides discussed expanding cooperation and rebuilding momentum in bilateral ties after recent regional shifts.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar hosts Honduran President-elect Nasry Tito Asfura in Jerusalem, January 18, 2026. (CREDIT: Yossi Phunes, GPO)

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After meeting with Saar, President Isaac Herzog hosted Asfura in his residence to congratulate him on his victory and thanked him for his commitment to deepening relations between Israel and Honduras.

Herzog and Asfura also met with US Senator Lindsey Graham in an unofficial meeting.

"We welcome you, dear friend, and we wish you great success as the next President of Honduras. Honduras has a special meaning in our hearts, Herzog said.

Israelis have a huge affinity and affection for Honduras, and they want to advance the relationship and develop it to new heights. That is why this visit means so much to us.

Honduras moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2021

Honduras moved its embassy to Jerusalem in June 2021 under then-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, joining a small group of countries with missions in the city. Then-prime minister Naftali Bennett and Hernandez inaugurated the embassy in Jerusalem that month.

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Under Hernandezs successor, Honduras weighed reversing the move and later recalled its ambassador amid the Gaza war, straining relations. Israel criticized the recall at the time, while stressing the historic friendship between the nations.

Saar said Latin America is undergoing major political change and framed Asfuras visit as an opportunity to reset ties. I look forward to a new chapter of close cooperation between our nations, he said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday said his city will not be "intimidated" by President Donald Trump as troops gear up to potentially head to the Midwestern city.

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, according to reports. The move comes after President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell the ongoing social unrest in the aftermath of the ICE shooting of Renee Good.

In an interview with CNNs State of the Union, Frey said the Pentagons order is clearly meant to intimidate the people of Minneapolis.

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"We will not counter Donald Trump's chaos with our own brand of chaos here, the Democrat said. We're not going to give them an excuse to do the thing that clearly they're trying to set up to do right now, which is these 1,500 troops."

Frey told ABCs This Week that there are already five times as many ICE agents in Minneapolis as there are police officers, but Trump is looking for an excuse to send in more federal personnel.

I never thought in a million years that we would be invaded by our own federal government, Frey told CNNs Jake Tapper.

Tensions between the White House and Frey and his fellow Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have been fraught ever since Goods death on Jan. 7. In the aftermath, the administration has traded barbs with the Minnesota Democrats, now culminating in a reported Justice Department investigation into the two leaders.

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As the politicians have continued their critiques of each other, Minnesota residents have continued to pile into the streets despite the frigid temperatures to protest the presence of immigration officials.

Walz has mobilized the states National Guard, though no troops have been deployed as of yet.

But Frey on Sunday expressed concerns about a clash between state and federal law enforcement.

We cannot be at a place right now in America where we have two governmental entities that are literally fighting one another, he said.

The "very clear antidote" to the ongoing unrest, Frey added, is for ICE to leave Minneapolis.

"Let us live in peace, he said.
Gov. Jeff Landry now has to balance his duties as Louisiana's governor with his new role as President Donald Trump's special envoy to Greenland. (Photo by Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

Most of Jeff Landrys predecessors as Louisiana governor never saw the need for a side hustle. For them, running the state was more than enough of a job.

But Landry has made it clear he doesnt want to be like other governors. His chutzpah might have been why the governor felt comfortable asking President Donald Trump to name him special envoy to Greenland on top of his duties overseeing Louisiana.

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Trump has made increasingly charged remarks in recent days about the United States taking control of Greenland, a self-ruling territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. In response, several European countries have announced their support for Greenland, with some launching military exercises to back up their stance.



To what extent it is practical for the governor of Louisiana to be involved with the sensitive, international negotiations over Greenland that have much of Europe on edge while also managing one of the neediest states in the country remains to be seen.

Most of us in Louisiana would think he is supposed to have a full-time job already, said Terry Ryder, who served as general counsel for former Govs. Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco and worked for former Govs. Buddy Roemer and Bobby Jindal.



Having been with multiple administrations, four administrations, there is always way more to do than any one governor can do, Ryder said.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Foreign affairs experts agreed it could be challenging for Landry to hold both roles at the same time. Special envoys, particularly ones handling high-profile issues for the White House, are often expected to devote their full attention to their assignment, they said.

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Anytime you have two jobs, you are probably not doing either of them very well, said Barbara Bodine, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen who is now the director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

It is going to take a lot of his time out of state, Bodine said of the envoy position. There is no way you can be governor of Louisiana by Zoom.

Landrys staff declined to answer almost all questions emailed to them last week about the governors role as special envoy, including one regarding concerns the position could distract from his job as governor.

Multi-colored traditional Greenlandic homes in Nuuk, Greenland, are seen from the water on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

How much time will Landry spend on Greenland? His staff wont say.

Landry isnt being paid for his work as special envoy, his state staff said. But how much energy he will spend on Greenland isnt clear.

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Landry went to Washington, D.C., Thursday to participate in discussions that included the Trump administration, members of Congress and emissaries from Greenland and Denmark. He has also appeared in person on national television shows to talk about Greenland during a New York trip earlier this month.

The governors office would not provide an estimate for how many hours Landry expects to spend per month on his Greenland role or to what extent he would be traveling for those duties.

Questions about whether Landry will receive federal staff or a D.C. office for his envoy role went unanswered by the governors staff. The U.S. Department of State and the White House press offices also didnt answer questions about the federal resources Landry might receive.

Foreign diplomacy experts said there are no set rules for an envoy, including whether the role is done on a part- or full-time basis. Historically, presidents have used special envoys because the positions allow for that type of flexibility.

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It can be full time for a while, and then there is a pause in negotiations, and the envoy goes back to whatever they were doing before and just keeps a watchful eye on the matter, James Bishop, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Liberia and Somalia, said in an interview.

Given Trumps intense focus on Greenland, however, foreign policy experts said Landry, as special envoy, would normally receive some federal staff support at the U.S. State Department on a temporary basis.



Landry would also be expected to make negotiations over Greenland his top priority while the discussions are taking place, the experts said.



A sitting governor who intends to keep his day job is unusual, to say the least, because one of the reasons that you have a special envoy is that you have an issue that is meddlesome, and you need to find somebody who can focus on that issue to try to resolve it, said Bodine, who teaches about the role of special envoys in one of her classes at Georgetown.



In recent history, Bill Richardson is the only other governor who had a strong hand in foreign affairs while holding his state office. The Democrat worked as a freelance diplomat to get American hostages released while leading New Mexico from 2003-11, although he was never designated a special envoy for the president during that time.



Unlike Landry, Richardson had significant experience in foreign relations before he became governor. He first helped free an American hostage in 1994 during a trip to North Korea that he took as a New Mexico congressman, and he served as President Bill Clintons ambassador to the United Nations in 1997-98.

Landry says he wants Greenland deals for Louisiana

While no connection between Greenland and Louisiana is apparent, it hasnt stopped Landry from trying to make one with the arctic island.



They tell me they like to hunt, they like to fish, they like to have a good time. Im like, Yall belong in Louisiana, Landry said on the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio this month.



The governor has also taken great pains, even on national broadcasts, to say he will use his role as special envoy to Greenland to create business investment for Louisiana.



I cant wait to have discussions with Greenland about the opportunities that we can do in Louisiana, Landry said during an appearance on CNBC Squawk Box.

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The Louisiana Economic Development agency, which is run by a Landry appointee, is not actively working on business deals in Greenland but would welcome those types of projects, according to a spokeswoman.

[W]e are excited about the future opportunities that Governor Landrys new role brings, Emma Wagner said for the agency in a written statement.

Talk of mixing Louisianas business with his special envoy duties alarmed foreign policy experts interviewed for this story. They said the governor using a diplomatic role abroad to gin up investment for the state would create ethical concerns and possibly run afoul of federal law.

It could get messy if, for example, any company that has an office, much less a headquarters, in Louisiana that would benefit from mining, refining or shipping, Bodine said.

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There have also been questions about whether Landry might be violating a Louisiana constitutional law that prohibits public officials from holding federal and state jobs at the same time. But Ryder, who worked for four governors as an attorney, said he doubts Landrys unpaid role will raise concerns.



I would say the less formal it is, the safer it is for him, Ryder said. There is nothing wrong with a governor helping the president of the United States.

Whether Landrys Greenland assignment will be popular with Louisiana voters is another matter. Former Gov. Bobby Jindal saw his polling numbers tank while he started traveling frequently to raise money and generate support for his 2016 presidential campaign.



Bernie Pinsonat, a Louisiana political consultant and polling expert, doubts Louisiana voters have paid much attention to the governors Greenland job. Landrys approval ratings are already low, standing at 39% according to one recent poll, but wont necessarily sink further because of the special envoy job, he said.



Ill guarantee you that if [Louisiana voters] think hes too involved in national politics versus what hes doing here, believe me, hell suffer, the pollster said. But I dont think hes anywhere near that.

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Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead a high-level delegation of the Gujarat government to the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Davos, Switzerland. According to the Gujarat Government Information Department, the delegation's participation aims to position Gujarat prominently on the global development map and to present the vision of "Developed Gujarat @2047" on an international platform. The visit underlines the state government's commitment to international collaboration and accelerated economic growth. The annual WEF meeting will take place from January 19 to 23, during which Gujarat's active engagement will reflect its openness to global partnerships and sustainable development. During the visit, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will hold extensive deliberations to boost employment generation and industrial growth in Gujarat. According to the Gujarat Government, he will conduct around 58 high-level one-to-one meetings with top global industrialists and business leaders to attract investments in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, textiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, chemicals, shipping and logistics, and aerospace. As the state's Industry Minister, Sanghavi's primary objective is to further strengthen Gujarat's industrial ecosystem and create large-scale employment opportunities for the youth. The Gujarat delegation will also hold direct discussions with heads of leading global companies, including AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, and Tillman Global. These interactions will focus on bringing new technologies to Gujarat, promoting innovation, and building long-term international partnerships. The state government aims to position Gujarat as a key partner in the global value chain. Beyond investment promotion, Gujarat will also play an active role in global policy discussions at WEF. Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi will participate as a keynote speaker in several prestigious sessions, presenting Gujarat's development vision. He will speak on themes such as "India in the New Geo-economic Order," "The Power of Sports: From Spectacle to Legacy," energy transition under the "Call to Clean Initiative," water security through "Mission Water," and sustainability, highlighting Gujarat's successful development model on the global stage. With the clear message "Gujarat - Ready for the World, Where Vision Meets Action," the state government is moving forward with a focused approach to build a strong, future-ready economy through innovation and investment. According to the Gujarat Government, the World Economic Forum is a crucial platform that shapes the direction of the global economy. Prime Minister PM Modi has also effectively used this platform to establish India as a strong and influential global power. (ANI)
CAIRO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Jordan's foreign ministry said on Sunday that King Abdullah received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the so-called "Board of Peace" for Gaza.

The foreign ministry said it was currently reviewing related documents within the country's internal legal procedures.

The board is set to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a shaky ceasefire since October.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Muhammad Al Gebaly;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
CHICAGO  Former Vice President Kamala Harris tapped into local resentment against the White House on Friday during a brief speech in Chicago, her latest postelection stop as she seeks to stay in the national spotlight while mulling whether to make another run for the Oval Office in two years.

Speaking at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast downtown, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024 called upon the room of politicos and religious leaders to continue the fight against President Donald Trump but stayed away from her own political future. It was Harris first return to Chicago since an October visit to promote her book, 107 Days, a memoir she wrote recapping her truncated campaign against President Donald Trump.

During her 10-minute speech, Harris touched upon the slaying of Renee Good, the Minneapolis woman shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

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When families are separated, and a mother of three is shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, people are sick and tired of being sick and tired, Harris said. She returned to that refrain as she condemned a litany of actions from the Trump administration.

Goods death on Jan. 7 catalyzed ongoing tense demonstrations in Minneapolis and came after months of aggressive deportation operations in Chicago and other Democratic strongholds.

Harris did not betray her plans for the 2028 race during the made-for-TV event, though her recent announcement that she will not be running for California governor this year on top of last years book promotion signal she is keeping that option open. She kept her speech focused on the late Dr. Kings call for peaceful resistance, saying that on Thursday evening she had visited the historic Memphis motel where he was assassinated in1968.

I will tell you standing on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel yesterday, I thought about what Dr. King would see if he looked at America then, and what would he think, and what would he say, Harris said. And I do believe he would see that people today are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

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She said she planned to meet with the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., another civil rights icon, later Friday. Then she closed with, I know the people of Chicago, well, you uniquely understand that the fight ... requires us to show up even when we are sick and tired, because we are sick and tired.

Should Harris run again, she would likely face a crowded primary as other potential hopefuls  including Illinoisans Gov. JB Pritzker and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel  are wasting no time in the national media circuits as well. Pritzker was not scheduled to attend Harris event, per his Friday public schedule.

Harris keynote address was followed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who sought to shore up his bona fides as defender of Chicago against Trumps repeated attacks on the deep-blue city.

Let me make something absolutely clear: As long as I am in this seat, we will not accept the occupation of our city by the military, and we will use any means necessary to defend the rights of the people of this great city, Johnson said, to applause.

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Johnson  one of the first Illinois politicians to endorse Harris after then-President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race  began his remarks by reminding the crowd of her campaign warnings that Trump would undermine the rule of law. The mayor then invoked Trumps recent, but failed, attempt to deploy the National Guard in Chicago.

Listen, because shes such a classy woman, and incredibly humble, and probably too good to actually say it herself  that she told us. Let me just tell you, she tried to tell us, Johnson said. Whatever she decides to do, whatever she says, in the words of a great organizer: You better listen.

The organizer Johnson was alluding to was Wallace Gator Bradley, a former gang enforcer who became involved in Chicago politics after his release from prison.

And in line with his recent public remarks, Johnson brushed off early chatter over next years mayoral election. While some people in this city are looking at an election in 2027, Im looking today to make sure that people can put food on their table, he said.

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The theme of this years MLK Interfaith Breakfast  a 40-year tradition in Chicago, started under Mayor Harold Washington  is Defending Our Democracy, Protecting Our Rights.

Chicago was also host city to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where Harris made history as the partys first Black woman to be nominated for president. The freshman mayor delivered the opening speech at the United Center, where he sought to connect Chicagos rich Black history with Harris historic, but ultimately doomed, presidential run.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt threatened CBS News that President Donald Trump would sue the network if it cut his recent interview, according to a report.

In the moments after Trump finished taping a 13-minute interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil in Michigan on Tuesday, Leavitt issued a warning to him.

He said, Make sure you guys dont cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full, Leavitt said in reference to the president, according to audio of the exchange obtained by The New York Times.

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Yeah, were doing it, yeah, Dokoupil replied.

He said, If its not out in full, well sue your ass off, Leavitt added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned CBS News employees that President Donald Trump would sue if they did not air his most recent interview in full (AFP via Getty Images)

Leavitt confirmed the remarks, saying in a statement, The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Several CBS News employees who witnessed Leavitt make the comments thought she was joking, one source told the Times.

Audio of the interaction revealed the group of employees sounding surprised by Leavitts comments. Kim Harvey, CBS Evening News executive producer, reportedly replied: Oh, great, OK!

Dokoupil seemed to try to lighten the mood, saying:He always says that! according to the report.

Leavitt did not laugh in response, according to the report.

CBS News told The Independent that it had already planned to air the interview in full. The moment we booked this interview, we made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety, a network spokesperson said.

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Leavitt confirmed the Times report. The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full, she said.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump previously sued CBS over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of deceptive editing in an attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic nominee.

In the moments after Trump finished taping a 13-minute interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil in Michigan on Tuesday, Leavitt issued a stern warning to him (White House via X)

Paramount, CBS News corporate parent at the time of the lawsuit, agreed to a $16 million settlement, drawing sharp criticism from both in and outside of the newsroom. Soon after the settlement, Trump approved a deal for Paramount to be sold to Skydance, led by CEO David Ellison.

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Ellison later hired opinion journalist Bari Weiss, who founded the neoconservative site The Free Press, to lead the newsroom as editor-in-chief, alarming many of the networks journalists due to her lack of broadcast news experience.

Weisss editorial judgment has been called into question, as critics wonder if she is trying to make CBSs news division more Trump-friendly, a claim she has rejected.

Weiss recently courted controversy for pushing a story about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross alleged injuries following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, despite concern from journalists.

CBS News was the first to report last Wednesday that Trump officials said Ross suffered internal bleeding in his torso, citing two unnamed sources.

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The report about his injuries sparked internal skepticism at the network according to internal emails obtained by The Guardian. However, Weiss expressed a high level of interest in the story, and the publication went forward with the story.

Trump hailed Weiss as the great new leader when he appeared on 60 Minutes last year. Weiss was on location for the interview and approached Trump afterward to introduce herself, sources told The Independent.

He was so happy to see her and she was so excited to meet him, they both leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek, one source said.
Sir Keir Starmer has lashed out at Donald Trumps decision to hit the UK and other European countries with a 10 per cent tariff if they continue their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.

The US president threatened to increase the tariff to 25 per cent from 1 June, until a deal is reached to buy Greenland from Denmark. It applies to the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.

Sir Keir said the government will take this up directly with the Trump administration, after the US president warned world peace is at stake if the US is not permitted to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

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"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong, the prime minister said in a statement. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Sir Keir criticised the move in a statement on Saturday evening (PA Wire)

The UKs position on Greenland is very clear, he said: It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries will convene on Sunday for an emergency meeting, after EU Council president Antonio Costa and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the move risks causing a dangerous downward spiral and undermining relations across the Atlantic.

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Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty," the pair said in a statement on X.

Cyprus, which holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said late on Saturday that it had called the meeting. EU diplomats said it was set to start at 5pm local time.

In the long-winded Truth Social post on Saturday, Mr Trump warned that China and Russia both want to control Greenland, which he says only the US can prevent.

Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!

Hundreds have protested against Trumps desires to control Greenland in the territorys town of Nuuk (REUTERS)

Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.

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He also accused all eight countries of having journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

Earlier this week, Downing Street confirmed one UK military officer had been sent at Denmark's request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a "deployment".

Mr Trump added: This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.

Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.

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French president Emmanuel Macron has issued the fiercest response thus far, declaring that no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland.

Thousands took to the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday to protest against Trumps threats (Getty)

Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context, he added in a post on X. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty.

Officials from Norway, Sweden, France and Germany reiterated support for Denmark on Saturday and said tariffs should not be part of Greenland discussions. "We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson posted on X.

The EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, disputed Trumps claim that the US could protect Greenland from China and Russia.

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China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies, she said.

If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside Nato. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russias war against Ukraine.

Mr Trump has long had his eye on Greenland, first proposing US control over the territory in 2019. At the time, the idea was turned down and described as absurd by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.

In his renewed plan for control, he said it was "time for Denmark to give back", adding: "China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it."

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Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defence of North America since the Second World War.

Donald Trumps latest move has been widely criticised (PA)

Thousands took to the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday to protest against Mr Trumps threats. Demonstrators were seen holding banners that read: Greenland is not for sale and "No means No" alongside the territory's red-and-white flag as they marched towards the US embassy.

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage were among the senior politicians to criticise the move. The Conservative leader wrote on social media: A terrible idea. President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and US will face higher costs.

These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.

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The Reform UK leader said these tariffs will hurt us, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Trump was "punishing" the UK.

William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: "The biggest danger, it seems to me, is his decision to treat some EU countries different from others. I'm not surprised  It may well convince the European Parliament that it is pointless to approve the trade agreement with the US, since Trump is already bypassing it."

Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said: Self-determination is a fundamental right for the people of Greenland, and this is a bizarre and dangerous move by the president against US allies at a time we should be united.
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn said the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) needs to revisit its expresslanes strategy during the Ship Canal Bridge construction work.

The express lanes will operate only northbound for the next five months, pushing some southbound commutes past 90 minutes.

Dunn sent a letter to Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith, urging WSDOT to open the southbound express lanes for at least part of the morning commute.

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I am requesting that your department explore the option of reopening the express lanes to southbound traffic for a portion of the morning commute as outlined in todays Seattle Times article, Dunn wrote. Even if express lanes were opened to southbound only in early morning hours, there remains a real possibility that commuters may be able to more realistically change behavior and help the flow of traffic throughout the region while this critical work is completed.

These impacts to southbound I-5 traffic have created debilitating conditions, Dunn added. This is simply an untenable and unacceptable new norm for commuters.

KIRO Newsradio has reached out to WSDOT for comment.

WSDOT cites safety concerns, wont change course

Earlier this week, KIRO Newsradio traffic reporter Chris Sullivan looked into why WSDOT had decided not to open the southbound express lanes.

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This was WSDOTs response:

WSDOT is not considering any changes at this time, the agency stated. Were constantly evaluating and re-evaluating the entire system, but we also know that during the work last summer with this traffic configuration, we had much greater volume in the express lanes after four weeks than we had during the first few days. Part of that may be that people traveling north of downtown are not used to having the option to use the express in the morning.

Also, there is a safety component  with only two lanes open on the northbound I-5 mainline, a single collision could block a significant portion of the roadway, or even both lanes, with no way to go north through the city. We need to maintain some northbound capacity at all times.

We will continue with the traffic control strategy we have in place at this time. We understand peoples frustrations and wanting us to do something different, but today, two days into this work, we are not going to flip the express lanes.

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Its not as easy as flipping a switch to switch them, and so we found that it operates better if we maintain a consistent system rather than take them out of service in order to do the flip the switch back and forth, Meredith recently told KIRO Newsradio. So, its a better system while we have the closures in place.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his storieshere.
North Dakota House lawmakers meet May 2, 2025. The Legislature will reconvene for a three-day special session on Wednesday. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota lawmakers plan to hold a three-day special session starting Wednesday, but its still unclear if theyll discuss any bills other than five focused on the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

Legislative leaders will decide Tuesday afternoon if additional bills will be allowed. That means the public will have a tight window to provide input on potential legislation. Gov. Kelly Armstrong will deliver a State of the State address at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

What we know

At least five bills will be introduced, focused on the federal rural health care funding, the reason Armstrong called the special session. One is an appropriations bill to approve spending $199 million of federal funding this year and authorizing $200 million anticipated for next year. A hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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Four health policy bills also will be introduced. The one likely to get the most debate would expand the prescriptive authority of pharmacists, which proponents say could make it easier for rural North Dakotans to get treated for common conditions. A hearing for that bill is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday.

North Dakota Monitor special session coverage

Lawmakers also will consider a bill that would require K-12 students to take the presidential fitness test; a bill to require one-hour of continuing education for doctors related to healthy eating; and a bill to include physician assistants in a state licensure compact.

Hearings on those policy bills are scheduled between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday. For specific information, including links to submit written testimony, visit the committee hearing schedule. Some written testimony is due as early as 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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Lawmakers also will accept public testimony in person and online, though they prioritize in-person testimony.

Lawmakers are proposing the policy bills in order to fulfill criteria for additional federal funding through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaids grant application process. Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, warned any substantial modifications to those bills come with the risk of losing some of the states $199 million grant.

If any of those four policy bills do not pass in the form that we have them, or if theyre significantly changed from the form that CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) wanted us to draft as policies, then we could see reductions in funding or clawbacks of that funding, said Bekkedahl, who will co-chair a joint Appropriations Committee during the special session.

What we dont know

The Legislative Management committee will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday to hear pitches from lawmakers about other legislation for the special session. Lawmakers will have five minutes to explain their bill draft and why its an emergency that cant wait until 2027.

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We dont know all of the topics that could be addressed. Those bill drafts are expected to become public on the legislative website on Monday on the Legislative Management meeting agenda.

One bill that will be pitched during that meeting is a proposal to provide free school meals to all K-12 students, similar to a ballot measure thats circulating. It will be up to the bipartisan committee of legislative leaders to decide if the bill advances to the full Legislature on Wednesday.

If the committee does not advance a bill, a lawmaker could still attempt to introduce it from the Senate or House floor. The bill would need support from at least two-thirds of the members to be introduced.

How the public can participate

All legislative proceedings, including the governors speech, are open to the public and livestreamed on the legislative website.

Some helpful websites:

Special session information

How to find your lawmakers

Members of Legislative Management

Committee hearing schedule
Vladimir Putins Ukraine negotiator has taunted Sir Keir Starmer over Donald Trumps Greenland tariffs, hailing the US presidents threats as an end to transatlantic unity.

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund and the Kremlins envoy in talks with Washington, suggested the Prime Ministers response to the threatened trade levies had been panicked.

Panicking Starmer calls Daddys tariffs completely wrong, the Russian wrote on X in response to Sir Keirs statement on the tariffs.

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Putins right-hand man also claimed the levies illustrated that the Leftist, globalist EU/UK elites failed.

He went on to say the UK had interfered in the US 2016 and 2024 US presidential elections, suggesting that had resulted in the tariffs.

Panicking Starmer calls Daddy's tariffs "completely wrong."  https://t.co/lTbVNSBbLa  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) January 17, 2026

The social media tirade demonstrates that the Kremlin is attempting to capitalise on the latest downturn in relations between Washington and Europe.

Russia has long attempted to drive a wedge between Mr Trump and Europe in the hope of securing a more favourable end to Putins war on Ukraine, including the seizure of swathes of territory not yet militarily conquered by his forces or through any ceasefire deal.

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Dmitriev often uses X, which is banned in Russia, to goad European leaders.

He often refers to Mr Trump as the Continents daddy because Mark Rutte, Natos secretary general, once used the phrase to describe the US presidents handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Dmitriev frequently laments Europes figureheads as warmongers because of their diplomatic and military backing of Ukraine.

Kirill Dmitriev is Vladimir Putins trusted lieutenant - Shutterstock /Maxim Shipenkov

Late on Saturday, Mr Trump hit Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK with 10 per cent tariffs.

The levies will enter into force on Feb 1, and could increase to 25 per cent on June 1 should Copenhagen not agree to a deal for the US acquisition of Greenland.

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The US president did this in response to each of the nations, all of which are Nato allies, sending troops to the Arctic island as part of a Danish-led military exercise to boost security in the region.

Trump slaps 10 per cent tariffs on the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway over their dangerous game of sending military to Greenland, Dmitriev wrote on X.

He added the levies amounted to about 1 per cent per soldier sent to Greenland.

Trump slaps 10% tariffs on UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway over their "dangerous game" of sending military to Greenland. Rising to 25% on June 1.



This is a ~1% tariff for every soldier sent to Greenland. Europe should not provoke their Daddy. https://t.co/zvNg2SmUp6  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) January 17, 2026

Meanwhile, Sir Keir faced mounting pressure to respond to the US presidents threats, including a suggestion that he should cancel Mr Trumps forthcoming state visit.

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The upcoming state visit of HM The King to the US must now be cancelled, Simon Hoare, a Conservative MP, wrote on X. The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate.

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Sir Keir should tell Trump in no uncertain terms: if he goes ahead with these outrageous tariffs and keeps bullying Greenland, therell be no [UK] state visit to the US in April.

The UK must not be a doormat for an extortionist, or reward Trumps behaviour with the pageantry he craves.

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.
During a heated interview with CBS Margaret Brennan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday offered limited insight into a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

Throughout the "Face the Nation" interview, Brennan pressed Noem for information regarding the number of immigrants with a history of violent crime, the health of ICE agent Jonathan Ross and the status of the investigation into the shooting of Renee Good. But Noem repeatedly pushed back, at one point accusing Brennan of lying to the public.

We wouldn't be in this situation if Joe Biden hadn't allowed our open border policies to be in place and allowed up to 20 million people unvetted into this country, Noem said. When Brennan asked for the breakdown those in custody who have actually committed a criminal offense, Noem said every single individual has committed a crime  and 70 percent have committed or have charges against them on violent crimes.

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Its not 70 percent, Brennan responded, pointing to CBS own reporting that shows only 47 percent have criminal convictions. Brennan added that that number was based on the Homeland Security Departments own data.

You keep changing your percentage," Noem said. "You pick and choose what numbers you think work, but that is the fact, that 70 percent of the people that we have detained have charges against them or have been convicted of charges and they need to be brought to justice, and we're going to keep doing that no matter how much you guys keep lying and don't tell the public the truth.

Brennan eventually moved on to ask Noem about the shooting of Good by Ross. But as she asked about Rosss condition, Noem cut her off.

Don't say his name, for heaven's sakes, said Noem. We shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement.

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His name is published, Brennan replied.

I know but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said, Noem said. She added that Ross and his family have faced attacks, though she did not specify from whom.

Ross has repeatedly been identified and named as the agent who opened fire into Goods car following a verbal altercation between Good and another agent. The name of law enforcement officers involved in shootings are typically a matter of public record and court proceedings, but administration officials have expressed outrage on multiple occasions over federal agents allegedly being doxxed by anti-ICE protesters.

Noem and other officials have said Ross followed appropriate procedures on Jan. 7 when he shot Good, though others have questioned the justification for the shooting. Officials also said that Ross was injured from being hit by Goods car.

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When Brennan asked what Rosss status was, Noem replied: I'm not going to talk about his medical records.

The tension between the two continued when Brennan pivoted to ask about the investigation into the shooting.

Is he back at work? Did you give him his three days of suspension  three days of administrative leave? Brennan asked. This is in question because the governor of Minnesota said the only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her. Is he correct that the federal agent is not being investigated in any way? Is there any review of protocol here?

Noem said DHS and ICE are following the same protocol that the Biden administration followed.

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So his actions are being reviewed? Brennan asked.

We haven't changed any of that. I wouldn't listen to Governor [Tim] Walz. He has a very bad track record, Noem replied, referencing an ongoing investigation into fraud in Minnesota.

So there is some review of his actions, is what I understand you saying there? Brennan asked.

Noem answered: There always is.
Kyrsten Sinema was heckled by two men who claimed they had affairs with the former U.S. senator after the ex-wife of her former bodyguard sued her for allegedly breaking up their marriage.

The former Arizona Senator and Utah Governor Spencer Cox were interrupted during a panel discussion on the economy, tech sector and politics Friday hosted by the Utah Chamber of Commerce and the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported.

Sinema is graduate of Utahs Brigham Young University, whose mascot is the cougar. I get called that a lot, the 49-year-old former senator from Arizona joked to the audience.

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Moments later, a man stood up from the crowd and declared: Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make. I am actually having an affair with Kyrsten Sinema.

The man continued to yell as he was removed by event staff from the room. Soon after the panel got back on track, another man stood up and yelled out a similar message, the Tribune reported.

Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, pictured in 2023, was interrupted twice during a panel talk by men claiming to have an affair with her (Getty Images)

The second heckler was also grabbed by security and escorted out of the room.

It was not immediately clear whether the hecklers were performing a prank.

Neither were cited or arrested, according to the report.

I promise I didnt plan that, Sinema said.

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The outbursts followed a blockbuster lawsuit filed by the ex-wife of a member of Sinemas former Senate security team, alleging that Sinema had a romantic relationship with her husband that led to the breakdown of their marriage.

Heather Ammel is seeking at least $75,000 in damages from Sinema.

Simena changed her party affiliation from Democratic to independent before leaving office in January 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

The complaint was initially filed in September in a North Carolina court but gained national attention after Sinemas attorney asked to move the case to federal court last week.

Ammel claimed in the filing that she and Matthew Ammel shared a good and loving marriage marked by genuine love and affection until Sinema allegedly pursued Matthew, who worked as her bodyguard.

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The lawsuit alleges that Ammel accompanied Sinema on various trips, including to Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, while Sinema was still in office, Heather Ammel reportedly uncovered romantic and lascivious messages exchanged between her then-husband and Sinema through Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

North Carolina, where the lawsuit was filed, is one of a handful of states that allow spouses to sue for alienation of affection, allowing abandoned spouses to seek damages from a third party responsible for breaking up a marriage.

The centrist senator changed her party affiliation from Democratic to independent in 2022, though she continued to caucus with Democratic lawmakers on committee assignments.

She resigned after the 2024 election, and she ended her six-year tenure in office in January 2025.

The Independent has requested comment from an attorney for Sinema.
A coalition of groups is organizing a protest outside the Michigan state capitol Sunday, Jan. 18, to bring attention to such issues as U.S. international policy and ICE raids.

Peoples organizations of Lansing announced the "NO PASARAN! Hands Off Venezuela" protest, scheduled for noon Sunday, Jan. 18, on the east lawn of the capitol building.

"The event aims to denounce recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela and advocate for the sovereignty of nations," the organizers said in a press release. "The protest seeks to unite Lansing and Michigan communities in opposition to U.S. interventionist policies, highlighting concerns over war crimes, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, detention centers, and both domestic and international militarization."

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The rally will feature guest speakers addressing these issues. Congressional candidate for Michigans 7th District, Will Lawrence, will be speaking at the event.

The event is co-organized and co-sponsored by CODEPINK Lansing, the Greater Lansing Communist Party USA, No Detention Centers Michigan, Michigan Coalition Against Genocide, Michigan State University Sunrise, Rent is Too Damn High Lansing, MSU Young Communist League, the Hurriya Coalition, the Lansing Peace Education Center, and Lansing Democratic Socialists of America.

Protests about controversial issues always bring the risk of confrontations with counter protests, and sometimes police. Here's what to know about your rights when protesting in Michigan, according to the ACLU:

What does NO PASARAN! mean?

The slogan "They shall not pass!" (in Spanish, No pasaran!) became well-known as a slogan of resistance when it was taken up by those Spanish people who fought to defend the legitimately elected left-wing coalition government of Spain (Republicans) against the uprisings of right-wing fascist forces (Nationalists) in the 1930s, according to the University of Bristol.

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When the Spanish Civil War broke out in July 1936, Republican forces were composed of diverse socialand political groupings and the slogan struck a chord with people and served to unite them in the fight against the Nationalist fascists.

When is the Lansing NO PASARAN! protest?

The protest is slated for noon on Sunday, Jan. 18, on the east lawn of the Michigan capitol building.

Where is it legal to protest?

Public areas, like streets, sidewalks and in front of government buildings, are open to protests as long as you are not blocking access or interfering with operations, the ACLU website says.

What to know in Michigan: What are my rights when I'm pulled over by police?

What if the police tell you to disperse?

Shutting down a protest is often law enforcement's last resort. They normally disperse a protest when there is clear danger of a riot, disorder, interference with traffic or immediate threat to public safety, the ACLU says.

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Protests must receive a clear and detailed dispersal order that includes:

How much time do you have to disperse

The exit routes can you follow before being arrested or charged with a crime

Can I take photos at a protest? Can I record ICE agents?

In any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, the ACLU says.

Police officers need a warrant to confiscate or view photographs and videos. Additionally, they cannot delete data from your phone.

Officers can, however, order citizens to "cease activities," including recording when protestors are interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations. To avoid such orders, consider recording from a safe distance.

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"The First Amendment protects the right to record and disseminate footage of law enforcement officers carrying out their official duties in public  that includes ICE, CBP and any other officers engaged in immigration enforcement activity. Yet in an apparent attempt to cover up their abuses, DHS is systematically attacking the right to record their agents at work," The American Civil Liberties Union's Byul Yoon wrote in a recent article.

The Cato Institute's Walter Olson wrote that while the Supreme Court itself hasnt yet faced the issue squarely, the seven federal circuits that have done so  the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th  all agree that the First Amendment protects the right to record police performing their duties in public.

More: Can I record ICE agents in Michigan? What's legal

How should I prepare for a demonstration or protest?

Human Rights Campaign offers a list of ways those taking part can be prepared.

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Maintain 360 situational awareness  know what is going on all around you at all times.

Be alert to anything that seems suspicious; this could be a persons behavior, unclaimed packages, unusual activity, and vehicles.

Stay calm, focused, and peaceful. Your goal is to make a point, not provoke.

Dont engage with agitators. Step away and de-escalate if possible.

Respect other protestors space and safety.

Bring any needed supplies, including water, medicines, and cash.

Fully charge your cell phone and bring a battery extender if possible.

Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).

Obey lawful orders.

The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a useful framework to stay calm and make decisions during high-stress situations: Observe: Identify the source of danger and your surroundings Orient: Determine where you are and where you need to go Decide: Choose a course of action that minimizes risk Act: Implement your decision and stay aware of changes in the environment



What other rights should you be aware of?

Everyone has several constitutionally protected rights they can invoke in any encounter with police.

If arrested, you should be advised of your Miranda rights. Specifically, suspects must receive express warnings of their right to remain silent; that anything they say may be used as evidence against them; that they have a right to counsel; and that, if they cannot afford counsel, they are entitled to an appointed attorney.

More: Michigan Native American tribes warn about ICE. What they're saying

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Protests against ICE, Venezuela war. What are your rights in Michigan?
In a major action against drug trafficking, Doda Police have arrested a drug peddler and recovered a substantial quantity of contraband, reinforcing their zero-tolerance stance on the narcotics menace in the district. According to police officials, the arrest was made following the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda as part of a sustained crackdown on drug peddling. The accused has been identified as Sharwan Kumar, a resident of Chilly Pain, Gundow area of Doda district. Acting on specific and credible intelligence inputs, a police team led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Doda, along with the In-Charge Police Post Pull Doda, carried out a swift and well-coordinated operation. The action was conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Headquarters, Doda. During the search operation, police recovered 578 grams of a charas-like substance from the possession of the accused. Following the recovery, a case under FIR No. 18/2026 has been registered at Police Station Doda under Sections 8 and 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the seized contraband and to identify other individuals who may be part of the drug trafficking network operating in the region. Doda Police reiterated their firm resolve to eliminate drug trafficking and substance abuse from the district and appealed to the public to actively cooperate by sharing information related to narcotics activities. Police assured that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential and that stringent legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in the drug trade. Meanwhile, highlighting parallel efforts toward community welfare in the district, Indian Army personnel recently organised a blood donation camp in Doda on New Year's Eve. The camp was organised by the Rashtriya Rifles' RR10 Regiment, with a large number of Army jawans voluntarily donating blood to support patients in need. (ANI)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying two suspects involved in an armed robbery near East Sahara Avenue.

LVMPD is seeking the publics help in identifying two suspects in an armed robbery (Credit: LVMPD)

The incident occurred on Dec. 6, 2025, around 7:40 p.m., when a man and woman entered a business in the 600 block of East Sahara and carried out a robbery that included violence against an employee before fleeing the scene.

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Investigators describe the female suspect as a Black woman between 30 and 40 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a medium build. She was last seen wearing a shoulder-length red wig, a blue and white jacket, black pants, black-and-red shoes, and glasses. The male suspect is described as a Black adult male, though further details were not available.

Anyone with information about the identities or whereabouts of the suspects is urged to contact the LVMPD Commercial Robbery Section at (702) 828-3591. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A winter storm with the potential to drop a few inches on northern Delaware has not materialized as forecasted as of Sunday morning, Jan. 18.

The National Weather Service forecast called for a chance of 2 to 3 inches of snow in Wilmington and northern New Castle County from early Sunday morning through the afternoon. The snow forecasts have fluctuated throughout the week.

A report from the NWS from 9:10 a.m. on Jan. 18 only measured a trace of snowfall. The rest of the state's observations from the last 24 hours were less than an inch. A report from 10:00 a.m. from Bethel Township, PA, which is just north of Brandywine Hundred, to the NWS came in at one inch.

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New forecasts show northern New Castle County only getting a half-inch to 2 inches of snow by Sunday evening. A trace to an inch of snow is expected anywhere south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

Snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, NJ, on Jan. 18, 2026.

Temperatures are due to plummet after this storm system moves through, with temperatures in in the region only reaching the teens through the early part of next week.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How much snow are we getting? Here's the Delaware weather forecast
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) is on the scene of a serious house fire and possible explosion on Saturday afternoon.

Early morning shooting at popular Lawrence bar leaves one dead, one injured

Around 4:20 p.m., units were sent to a home near Sycamore Avenue on East 48th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri on a reported house fire.

Three people were inside the house at the time of the fire. KCFD confirmed that all three were able to get out under their own accord. However, one person was taken to the hospital with burns. The extent of those injuries is currently unknown.

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KCFD said that pets were possibly in the house at the time of the fire as well. Those pets are yet to be located.

KCFD Battalion Chief Riley Nolan confirmed the fire was brought under control in under 20 minutes. The possibility of an explosion is currently unknown, and the KCFD Bomb and Arson Squad will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

City planning and dangerous buildings were also requested at the scene.

FOX4 spoke with neighbors in the surrounding area, who said that the fire didnt seem like an explosion. KCFD didnt rule it out, though.

I heard a bunch of sirens and stuff, and my dogs were going crazy, so I looked on my ring camera, and I saw smoke and my kids they came outside and saw all of it, neighbor Ivry Inbody said.

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So we were just standing outside seeing what was going on because we didnt hear anything.

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.
Almost every little boy, and of course some little girls, go through a train phase at some point during childhood. There's just something about trains, especially the steam engines of bygone years. The steady chugging sounds, the way they move across a track, and that sense of adventure captivate many. Some children eventually outgrow their interest in trains, but many don't. Tourist railroads and steam excursions are very popular and now, some lucky steam aficionados may get to experience the world's largest operating steam locomotive  the Big Boy.

Of the eight Big Boy locomotives that live on today, only number 4014 is still in operation. These steam engines, which were built to move heavy equipment during World War II, are absolute behemoths. No. 4014 retired in 1961 and spent decades as a museum piece before being restored to service in 2019. Running limitations due to its size have kept it mainly in the Midwest and on the West coast, but now the Big Boy is embarking on an historic cross-country operation.

To celebrate America's 250 anniversary this year, Union Pacific, which owns Big Boy No. 4014, announced that it will take its first coast-to-coast tour, making stops that celebrate "where we came from and where we are headed." At the time of writing, the company had not yet disclosed a schedule, but trainspotters can keep an eye on its website. The 1.2 million-pound engine is somewhat limited due to its immense size. Some tracks and bridges can't hold its weight, and despite its articulated design, some curves are just too tight for its 31-foot length.

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Read more: 8 Of The Worst Places To Put A TV, And Why

The Big Boy's big history

Big Boy No. 4014 under steam - Alan W Cole/Getty Images

Big Boy No. 4014 was one of 25 such engines that were commissioned by Union Pacific to help with the war effort. They have a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which means they have four pilot or leading wheels in front, two sets of eight driving wheels, and four wheels in the rear. Because these engines are so long, the frames are articulated, or hinged, to help them get around narrow curves. These locomotives were built specifically to move freight over the steep Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah and across Wyoming. They could do the work of three smaller steam engines, pulling up to 120 freight cars at 40 mph.

Only eight of these massive engines survive today, and 4014 is the only one in running condition. The other seven are on display in museums across the country. After No. 4014 was retired in 1961, she ended up at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California. Many steam engines that land in museums are never again operational, but luckily, RailGiants had the foresight to maintain No. 4014 with the help of grants from companies like ExxonMobil and Boeing. It was no small feat  this giant engine requires giant tools, and employees often had to borrow equipment used in other industries. Union Pacific, which never fully abandoned steam, acquired No. 4014 from the museum in 2013.

A massive restoration project

A close-up of a Big Bog locomotive on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming - Faina Gurevich/Getty Images

In July 2013, Union Pacific announced plans to restore Big Boy No. 4014, something that many steam fans thought they'd never see. Before settling on 4014, Union Pacific toured the country to take a look at the remaining eight locomotives to determine which would be the best choice for restoration. Finally, they settled on No. 4014 due to the museum's dedication in maintaining the huge locomotive, which included lubricating its running gear for decades.

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It took a team of nine full-time employees more than two years to restore No. 4014. Its boiler was less corroded than the other surviving locomotives, but it was still a massive job. The shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming where it was restored had long ago been converted for newer diesel locomotives, so it had to be reconfigured. The team also had to locate or remanufacture many of the original tools needed for the Big Boy locomotives, and many parts were made from scratch rather than restored, for the sake of safety.

The Big Boy was originally a coal-burning engine, but the locomotive required massive amounts of coal (and water), eating through the supply carried in the tender in about two hours. In order to be able to make longer excursions, the restoration team converted the system to burn oil instead. And in a truly modern twist, you can track 4014's current location, and join Union Pacific's Steam Club to get the latest news and scheduling information.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
There are parallels to what is unfolding in Venezuela right now with the American war in Vietnam, which ended 50 years ago. The conflicts are different. But what sustained both is what is now known as disinformation, which is merely a modern-day form of the age-old tool of propaganda.

Todays spin from the Trump administration is about oil, and how our nations oil industry must regain its role in exploiting in Venezuela the largest remaining reserve of oil in the world. The Vietnam propaganda was based on fear. It was a war maintained by U.S. propaganda for two decades, creating widespread fear that there would be a bloodbath, that all Americans who stayed and millions of Vietnamese would be murdered if the communists won.

American propaganda

That bloodbath propaganda is my area of expertise, since I was one of a handful of Americans working in Vietnam who stayed after the rest of the Americans left in 1975. We  the wars losers  claimed victory, and the bloodbath story is still the dominant narrative, though it did not happen. Such is the power of propaganda.

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There were anti-American Vietnamese throughout South Vietnam even while our government supported the South Vietnamese government. They were mostly hidden, but connected at every level of society, paying attention, gaining knowledge and sharing information. They won not with bombs, but largely by being aware, demonstrating and resisting.

During the Vietnam War, there were anti-war demonstrations in both countries, and they grew in size and anger as the war went on. There was a military draft in both the United States and South Vietnam, making the war very personal for many people in both countries. Our current situation is also becoming personal as more and more people are being affected by illegal military actions, authoritarian edicts, rising prices, job loss, health care loss and deportation without due process, and much more.

By 1975, there were many Vietnamese who wanted the U.S. government to leave Vietnam, but most of them kept quiet, frightened to be identified as sympathizers. Now, here in the U.S., many Americans are scared of losing their own freedoms.

What can a frightened and subjugated population do when there is personal intimidation? Consider resisting like the Vietnamese individuals who won the war.

A lesson of resistance

The best weapon against propaganda is wisdom through knowledge and communication. The first step is to make talking about politics not just acceptable but an important part of daily conversation with anyone and everyone. There are still areas of agreement: According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of Americans believe the Trump administrations deportation efforts are too much. And a majority of Americans support birthright citizenship, according to NPR.

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Finding common ground just doesnt happen on its own. For every-day citizens, it takes phone calls, participation at local meetings or letters to congressional representatives. A high volume of calls indicates urgency and has influence.

Activism never goes out of style, whether it is by sending emails, attending town halls and joining grassroots organizations. Battling any form of propaganda requires a rising number of voices for change.

Refuse the lies

The Vietnam War only ended when enough Americans resisted and made themselves seen and heard. At some point, just as in Vietnam 50 years ago, all of us will be involved whether we want to be or not.

Where the Venezuela conflict goes, at this early moment, is anyones guess. But this does not feel like the end of what this administration is up to. It feels like the beginning.

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We must learn from history and see government propaganda for what it is: lies and deceit.

Claudia Krich is the author of the book Those Who Stayed: A Vietnam Diary, which was released in April, 2025. She directed a medical relief program in Vietnam from 1973 to 1975.
Last week, Minnesota-based faith leaders, unions, and other community groups called for a strike and economic blackout on Jan. 23 in response to the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge.

That operation has led to thousands of federal agents, including ICE, entering the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, as well as the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent, on Jan. 7.

"We are asking every single person, every family member, every teacher, every bus driver, every childcare worker, to come together, to be a community, to stand with one another," JaNae Bates Imari, Auxiliary Minister at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Paul, said during a Jan. 13 press conference announcing what organizers call The Day of Truth and Freedom. "What we have seen and what we have witnessed, what we have all gone through, is not normal."

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As part of the economic blackout, organizers are planning a march in downtown Minneapolis.

A poster for the Jan. 23 protest on a light pole in Minneapolis.Dustin Nelson | Bring Me The News (Dustin Nelson | Bring Me The News)

Along with the faith leaders who spearheaded the announcement, the action has been endorsed by some Minnesota labor unions, including the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, St. Paul Federation of Educators, Unite Here Local 17, SEIU Local 26, Unidos MN, and ATU transit union. Additionally, the Minnesota Nurses Association backed the event in an announcement on Jan. 17.

Around the Twin Cities, a growing number of businesses have begun to announce plans to close in solidarity with the Day of Truth and Freedom.

"We love this community and this city. We love our team. We love making good things for you and taking care of you and this is something that we talked about together and decided to do," reads an Instagram post from Meteor, a bar in Minneapolis, announcing that it will close on Jan. 23.

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"We hope that other places join and the impact can be felt," the post continues. "There are many places that are already shutting down or will need to because their team members are terrified to leave their home, or they have already been taken and shipped off. For this to be effective, we need the people who aren't living it day to day to feel it."

Businesses closing on Jan. 23

Bring Me The News is maintaining a running list of Minnesota businesses that have publicly announced plans to close for the Jan. 23 action, as well as businesses that are making significant donations to local organizations.

This list will be updated as more businesses announce.

Other businesses taking action on Jan. 23

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Know of other businesses participating? Send an email with link to news@bringmethenews.com.

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Jan 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Massachusetts is facing a dual challenge in the housing marketa shortage of supply with a shrinking construction workforce. The state has announced a couple of programs to help boost trade programs, but a local builder says a few more changes to need to happen to entice workers.

We typically we do a lot of like the full height backsplash, said Vinny Silva, as he showed off a new home his company just built.

28-year-old Vinny Silva is the owner of his construction business, VS Construction, building luxury homes in the greater Boston area.

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We like to like make it look like the cabinet, added Silva.

Instead of going to college after graduating from Malden High School, Vinny started working for a construction company where he got hands on experience.

I learned the lot, but. Just enough of each thing I needed to know to get me into a position that I could then start my business.

Silva now has his own employees and hires sub-contractors for his large renovations and new home construction.

With many homeowners locked in at low rates, Silva says many people arent looking to sell and instead are taking on big renovation projects.

So the demand for construction is so high right now that it feels like most people just cant really, it really feels like we cant keep up because we dont have, you know, a qualified workforce, said Silva.

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We painted it in this beautiful, deep black, said Marcos Azevedo, owner of Azevedo Group.

Marcos Azevedos employees painted the home. Azevedo also didnt go to college after graduating from Somerville High Schoolbut knew he didnt want to become a painter like his dad.

I never wanted to go into that because I remember seeing him get home and he looked tired and dirty and I was like, I dont need to do that, right?, said Azevedo.

But after meeting Silva and seeing his success, Azevedo started his own painting company. His biggest challenge isnt finding the workits finding quality employees.

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This past year I cant count the amount of times that I had to delay projects, or I had not take some projects just because of a lack of labor and being able to find good workers.

Both say the lack of labor coupled with the crackdown on immigration has made it difficult to fill jobsbut there is help on the way. Governor Maura Healey announced a $2.1 million investment to expand apprenticeship programs in the Home for Everyone initiative.

The governor also announced $24.2 million in grants to expand career and technical training programsand there is also a plan to add 3,000 new vocational school seats over the next three years.

Going against the norm at the time was a big thing and I think thats a big thing that we should be changing, said Silva. What the norm actually is.

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Silva and Azevedo say there is plenty of opportunity and job security in the trades. Theyre looking for workers who not only want to do a good jobbut also feel like they are making a difference.

And one day youre going to get to look back and say, hey, what I did was important, said Azevedo. I got do something that forever changed this persons life forever because this is now their home. And you know how important a home is for every family.

Silva says one of his goals for this year is to speak at some tech schools and bring on some internsto change the narrative around the trades and show firsthand how important they are.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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One farmer is standing up against AI and big tech in his town.

Dr. Tim Grosser owns a 250-acre plot of land in Maysville, Kentucky. He lives, farms, and hunts on the land, but someone else has their eye on the space.

According to Local 12, an "engineering consultant for what we're told is one of the largest AI companies in the world" announced the company's plan to "buy Dr. Grosser's land and a lot more surrounding it to build a massive AI data center."

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The construction and operation of the 2,000-acre data center could create hundreds of jobs for the community, and the company offered millions of dollars for the land  but residents like Dr. Grosser insist it isn't worth it.

First, the offer was $4 million. Then it was $8 million. However, Dr. Grosser just won't budge.

"That money can't buy happiness," Dr. Grosser said, per Local 12.

A data center is a large facility that hosts online infrastructure, like servers and computers. Data centers are extremely energy-intensive, as the always-on hardware produces a significant amount of heat and needs constant cooling.

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Not only do they use massive amounts of electricity and water, but they also produce a ton of carbon pollution.

A Reuters analysis found that data centers are "expected to produce about 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions globally through the end of the decade."

Data centers aren't a new issue, but the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and increased need for cloud services has sent them into the spotlight.

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.

Some companies are working on making their centers more sustainable by using solar panels and batteries or using excess heat to warm homes.

Still, an enormous energy-intensive, water-using, carbon-producing data center could be disastrous for local farmers like Dr. Grosser.

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Mason County, which includes Maysville and Dr. Grosser's land, is just one of many potential sites for the data center, and the county expects a final decision by June of 2026, per Local 12.

But, regardless of their choice, Dr. Grosser is set on keeping his land.

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.








U.S. Senator Ed Markey joined protestors speaking out against ICE on Saturday outside of the Tesla dealership in Dedham.

Im out here in solidarity with all of those people who are standing up and fighting against tyranny, fighting against the occupation of our cities, Sen. Markey said.

While one protest against federal immigration enforcement was going on, another was happening in solidarity with ICE in Burlington.

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Around two dozen protestors holding American flags and flags in support of President Donald Trump marched outside of the Burlington ICE facility Saturday.

I wanted to come out here and show my support, show that America is behind ICE and we are very grateful for everything they are doing, one protestor in Burlington said.

I hate the way ICE agents are being treated, he continued. We cant have nation without law and order so Im very proud to be here.

The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, which the Trump administration has labeled an act of self-defense, has brought more people to the same location in Dedham where protestors have been gathering for the past year.

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Its because ICE is going to become a more obvious presence in our state and we are adamantly opposed to them, just in the same way Minneapolis is opposed to them coming into our city for no good reason, said a protestor.

Markey said hell continue to back those who dont want to see ICE agents in Massachusetts neighborhoods.

American people dont want to have an occupation force in our cities that makes Donald trump and Kristi Noem feel good but is terrorizing the citizens of our country, Market said.

Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Friday that the U.S. border is the most secure its ever been.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Former ABC7 News reporter Jim Vargas has died, his family announced. He was 78 years old.

His family said in a press release to ABC7, he died on January 14. The cause of death is unknown.

A Bay Area native, Vargas' journalism career spanned more than 40 years.

He worked for 20 years at ABC7 covering politics and public affairs until 1993.

Jim Vargas

Vargas covered many big stories of the 1970s and 80s including the Patty Hearst kidnapping for which he shared an Emmy award with the late Steve Davis and Bob Marshall, the Moscone-Milk assassinations, and was a part of the Peabody Award winning team coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

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His work has also been recognized by the California, San Francisco, and Oakland Teachers Associations, according to his family.

Vargas also worked at KRON and KTVU.

He graduated from Archbishop Riordan High School in 1965, then attended City College of San Francisco. He transferred to UC Berkeley and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in political science. He was managing editor of the campus newspaper, The Daily Californian.

Vargas' family said it was covering the political action and riots of the late 1960s and early 1970s that cemented his goal of becoming a journalist.

He retired in 2011 and was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Science's Silver Circle shortly after his retirement.

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Jim Vargas is survived by his sister, Mali Trower, sister-in-law Bobbie Vargas, and eleven nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. at St. Brendan's Church, located at 29 Rockaway Ave. in San Francisco.

There will be a funeral mass at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb.6, also at St. Brendan's Church.

Former KGO-TV staff remembers Jim Vargas

David Louie, former KGO-TV reporter

"Paul Jeschke described him well as the ultimate all-around reporter. While he made his mark at several stations, Jim in my mind will always be remembered for being part of the team from the early to mid-70's that propelled "News Scene" from an also-ran into a formidable, legendary news operation. That team includes so many of you old-timers. Jim's legacy includes his tenure as East Bay bureau chief with Lou Calderon and as the Sacramento bureau chief with Mike Clark. He knew how to work his contacts. He delivered substance."

TThis is a photo dated from the 1970s of Jim Vargas, left, and longtime former ABC7 News reporter, David Louie, right, in the former ABC7 building in San Francisco, California. David Louie

Wayne Freedman, former KGO-TV reporter

"We have so many wonderful former colleagues. They're frozen in our memories as being young, energetic, and vital, just as we were. But...life's conveyor belt keeps moving. That reminder is always sobering."

Frank Kracher, former KGO-TV reporter

"I shared one of those crammed cubicles with Jim at 277 Golden Gate. He was kind to this new kid on the block.. helping me settle in and feel at home. His solid work ethic was one to be admired. I learned a lot. And I'll never forget the collection of bad ties he kept at his desk. Lorne Morrison and I joked about those.. using a Jordache fashion commercial of that era.. "You've got the look I want to know better.. it's the Vargas look." There were lots of laughs and forever fond memories. May the fours winds blow him safely home."

Lisa Stark, former KGO-TV reporter

"Jim was a wonderful person and a great reporter. Very sad."

Paul Jeschke, former KGO-TV reporter

"Jim was the ultimate all-round reporter. He could, and did, cover everything with professionalism and style. We worked together from1970 onward. He was always a reliable reporter, colleague and friend. He will be missed."

Carol Ivy and Ed Leslie, former KGO-TV reporters

"Jim was one of our best friends ... in fact, best man at our wedding. We had been in touch with him until the end and will miss him greatly."

Shelley (Gerson) Kilburn, assignment editor

"I'll always remember Jim's wonderful witty dry sense of humor, and how he treated me with respect and dignity, although I was one of the newer generation kids on the block. He trusted me with assignments, news gathering, and directions, to make sure I didn't get him and the crew lost in the field. I could feel that trust. He was the absolute professional news man and incredibly helpful in putting together all the needed elements for a story. But he also knew how to have a good time and let his hair down... as did the rest of us back in those days. My time with him was in the mid to late 80's. That was some BIG hair to let down!"
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday refrained from discussing his meeting with the Congress high command in New Delhi. Shivakumar, who is in New Delhi after cancelling his scheduled visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum 2026, asked the media "not make a big deal" out of his visit, stating he came to the national capital for government and party work. Maintaining that he would not disclose anything regarding the meeting, he said, "I cannot disclose it. Time will answer everything... We are all politicians; politicians do whatever politics they want. There is nothing wrong with that. We have met. Why do you make a big deal out of it? We come here for government work, for party work. We come here for politics." His visit comes in the backdrop of a speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka. As the state government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in November 2025, a speculated tussle for the CM post began with CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara in the fray. Earlier today, the Deputy CM said that he prefers not to speak even when there is "good news." "When there is good news, we don't talk about it. It's Sunday, a good day. We are people who work for the people and wish well for them. We do not disclose or discuss anything related to such matters, including leadership change," Shivakumar said. Earlier on January 16, Shivakumar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. In response to a question about whether any chief ministerial position talks occurred during the latest meeting between him and Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday at the Mysuru (Mandakalli) airport. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "I can't disclose all these things. It is not an issue to be discussed in public. It is between me, the party High Command, and my Chief Minister." He further said that he has come here only to meet his party leaders. The media further asked whether DK Shivakumar has any plans to meet any Union Minister. In response to the question, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Yes, I have some meetings, I have an important legal issue connected to irrigation projects, and some big cases are there. I will also be meeting some Union Ministers." (ANI)
Officers with Louisiana State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement escort a man arrested March 13, 2025, at the Port of Lake Charles. The Louisiana Republican Party fully endorsed President Donald Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown during its quarterly meeting Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy of ICE)

The Louisiana Republican Party voted overwhelmingly Saturday to endorse President Donald Trumps aggressive and controversial immigration enforcement efforts, even as Minnesota officials warn Minneapolis is descending into chaos as a result of a dramatic federal immigration crackdown.

The Republican State Central Committee approved a resolution saying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are performing vital work that upholds national sovereignty and ensures public safety. The vote took place during the groups quarterly meeting held this weekend in Baton Rouge.

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An initial draft of the resolution also rebuked Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the second-highest ranking Republican in state government, for questioning Trumps immigration strategy. Late last year, Nungesser told reporters he wondered whether the surge in federal border patrol agents who descended upon south Louisiana in December had hurt New Orleans tourism industry.

But state Rep. Mike Bayham, R-Chalmette, convinced other members of the Republican committee to remove the comments about Nungesser from the resolution before the vote. Bayham said Nungesser is a popular elected official who regularly supports GOP causes by making donations to Republican womens groups around the state.



This isnt the time to pick a fight with the lieutenant governor, Bayham said in an interview after the resolution passed.



As lieutenant governor, Nungesser oversees the states tourism and marketing efforts. He said several business leaders in the hotel and restaurant industries had called him to say their employees had stopped showing up to their jobs during Louisianas immigration crackdown. Immigrants with legal work permits were scared they could get swept up in the federal raids if they went to work, he said.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Federal agents said they were targeting immigrants who werent in the country legally and who criminal backgrounds. But records show several people arrested during the Louisiana sweeps have no criminal history beyond traffic tickets, according to the Associated Press.

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Louisiana is also no longer a target from federal immigration enforcement. Border Patrol officers also abruptly pulled out of the state earlier this month so they could be redeployed to Minnesota, the Associated Press reported.

For a few State Central Committee members Saturday, the frustration with Nungesser appeared to extend beyond his immigration comments.



Charlie Buckels of Lafayette said he was upset with Nungesser because the lieutenant governor had trashed Gov. Jeff Landry and criticized the new closed party primary system Landry helped implement.



Nungesser has traveled the state campaigning against the new primary system, which he believes weakens moderate voters influence and empowers extremists in both political parties.



Still, GOP activists at Saturdays meeting said it would make the party leaders look foolish to criticize one of the states highest-profile Republicans.



What happens here is the media is going to talk about it, and thats going to make us look like children, committee member Heidi Parker Martin of New Iberia said, arguing against the formal criticism of Nungesser. I would rather handle this in more of a private situation.



Reached by phone Saturday, Nungesser said state GOP leaders should have invited him to their meeting so he could defend himself against the criticism. Republicans should also be able to have a difference of opinion without facing a punishment for it, he added.

I speak out when something is wrong, and everybody should be able to do that, Nungesser said.

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Rep. Julia Letlow is preparing to jump into the Louisiana Senate race against GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy after President Donald Trump publicly endorsed her, according to three people granted anonymity to disclose a yet-to-be-announced bid.

Letlow is expected to announce her decision as soon as Monday, according to two of the people, though the date isnt set in stone.

The move comes after Trump upended Cassidys reelection bid on Saturday night, posting on Truth Social that Letlow, if she ran, would have his endorsement. Trump officials have privately encouraged her to run, but Letlow previously told Trump officials she would need the presidents public endorsement to get into the already crowded Republican primary field.

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Letlow didnt explicitly declare her candidacy in the wake of Trumps endorsement, but signaled in a post on X that she was likely to get into the race.

Im honored to have President Trumps endorsement and trust, she wrote. My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger. This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver.

Trumps decision to endorse Letlow ends months of speculation among Republicans about if he would get into the race against Cassidy.

People close to Letlow last week were expecting a public endorsement from Trump in the coming days, according to two people.

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But as the filing deadline drew closer, some fellow GOP lawmakers believed she would ultimately not get in. Cassidy has been telling fellow Republicans for months that senior White House officials had pledged to him that the president would stay neutral in his race  a promise first reported by POLITICO last year.

Yet even some fellow GOP senators were skeptical of that given Trumps mercurial moods. Trump had also privately temperature checked some GOP lawmakers on their views about Letlow, according to one person with knowledge of the outreach.

Trump also called Majority Leader John Thune on Friday and told him that while he had not made a final decision, he was likely to endorse Letlow, according to two people with knowledge of the conversation. Thune encouraged Trump during the call to support Cassidy, the two people said, pointing to the president needing his vote this year and Cassidys role as HELP chair, which gives him a role in advancing Trumps health care push.

Senate GOP leaderships and the Senate GOP campaign arm are supporting Cassidy, with Thune campaigning with him in Louisiana late last week.

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Trump didnt directly mention Cassidy in his Truth Social post, instead making it clear that Letlow would have his backing if she gets in.

Should she decide to enter this RACE, Trump wrote on Truth Social, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!

Cassidy is seeking his third term in the Senate. He has drawn criticism from Trump at times, particularly over his 2021 vote to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. But Cassidy has touted his working relationship with Trump over the past year, including supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to lead HHS and vowing last week to help enact part of Trumps health care framework.

I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win, Cassidy posted on X after Trump endorsed Letlow.

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Republicans for months have already been privately looking at candidates to replace Letlow in the House, with state Sen. Rick Edmonds at the top of the list, according to three people.

David Cohen contributed to this report.
French President Emmanuel Macron is moving to activate European countermeasures after US President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs against several EU states in a dispute over the fate of Greenland, French presidential sources said on Sunday.

Macron is in contact with his European counterparts and will formally seek to trigger the European Unions Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), the sources said. The mechanism allows the EU to impose countermeasures when economic pressure is used to force political decisions.

Macron is coordinating a European response to what Paris described as Trumps "unacceptable threats" to acquire the Arctic island.

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The French president believes Washingtons approach to the dispute also calls into question the validity of the tariff deal reached between the EU and the United States last year, the sources said.

Under that provisional agreement  which still requires approval by the European Parliament  most European goods would face a US tariff of 15%, while tariffs on US industrial products would be scrapped and barriers to certain food imports lifted.

Trump has insisted that the US must take control of semi-autonomous territory of Greenland, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark, and announced additional tariffs against eight European countries that recently sent personnel to the island as part of a NATO reconnaissance mission.

The president said on Saturday that the US would impose a 10% tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland beginning February 1, "on any and all goods sent to the United States of America."

He said the tariff will increase to 25% on June 1 if no resolution had been reached to his satisfaction by then.
The European Union threatened to start a trade war with Donald Trump after the US president was accused of blackmail over his Greenland tariffs.

A diplomatic source told The Telegraph on Sunday night that the EU was readying 93bn (80.6bn) in retaliatory tariffs against US exports to the bloc.

Mr Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on exports from Britain and European nations until a deal was reached for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

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In emergency talks between EU envoys in Brussels on Sunday night, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, urged member states to activate the blocs trade bazooka to restrict US firms access to the single market in response to the threats.

On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer told Mr Trump that he should not punish Britain for opposing his attempt to acquire Greenland and said putting tariffs on European countries for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong.

European leaders are expected to meet Mr Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. It is unclear whether Sir Keir will attend.

Emmanuel Macron called on his EU colleagues to activate the blocs anti-coercion instrument - Yoan Valat

At a Downing Street press conference on Monday, the Prime Minister will emphasise the importance of the special relationship and pledge to negotiate further with Mr Trump.

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But he will probably stop short of threatening specific measures in response. Instead, he is expected to say that his priority remains keeping bills lower for British families, and recognise the threat that a 10 per cent tariff poses to them.

The response is at odds with other European allies and UK politicians. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister and Trump ally, said the tariffs were a mistake, while Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, accused the White House of blackmail.

Alongside seven Nato allies on Sunday, the UK warned that Mr Trumps tariff threat risked a dangerous downward spiral in transatlantic relations.

The UKs car industry, which is worth 10bn and is the countrys biggest export to the US, was warned on Sunday night that it could see thousands of job losses. The sector had already sunk to its lowest level in 75 years in 2025.

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Carmakers already face tariffs of 10 per cent on exports to the US, which could now rise to 35 per cent. The Institute for Public Policy Research said 25,000 jobs could be at risk across the UKs automotive sector if Mr Trump did not back down.

Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, held emergency meetings over the weekend with car and steel manufacturers who may be worst affected by the tariffs. He is expected to continue the crisis talks on Monday.

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, and Simon Hoare, a Conservative MP, called on the Prime Minister to cancel the Royal familys planned state visit to the US in April.

But Washington showed no signs of backing down, with Scott Bessent, Mr Trumps treasury secretary, telling NBC: Europeans project weakness, US projects strength. The president believes enhanced security is not possible without Greenland being part of the US.

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The US president has been ramping up his threats to seize the Arctic island either through force or a deal, saying Europe has insufficiently defended the strategic territory, which he claims is coveted by China and Russia.

The UK, alongside Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland were hit by tariffs after dispatching dozens of troops to Greenland for a military exercise  despite the move being designed to address Mr Trumps concerns over the islands security.

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On Sunday night, according to Bild, Germany pulled its 14 soldiers back without any announcement.

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The US levies will come into force on Feb 1 and could increase to 25 per cent on June 1 if no deal for Greenland is reached. Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly said that the territory is not for sale.

Danish soldiers arrive at Nuuk, in Greenland, for military exercises on Sunday - Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

Following Mr Trumps announcement on Saturday, the Prime Minister described the move as completely wrong and said he would be pursuing this directly with the US administration.

This prompted Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putins Ukraine negotiator, to taunt Sir Keir in a post on X that read:

Panicking Starmer calls Daddy's tariffs "completely wrong."  https://t.co/lTbVNSBbLa  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) January 17, 2026

On Sunday, a Downing Street spokesman said that as well as talking to Mr Trump, Sir Keir had spoken to Ms Frederiksen, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general.

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The spokesman added: In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland. He said that security in the High North is a priority for all Nato allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.

He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong.

Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, told the BBC there had to be an adult conversation with the US, adding: Often, with this particular US administration, the president will express a very strong view. He will then encourage a dialogue.

He welcomes differences of opinion, and we will never shy away from standing up for what we believe is right or asserting British interests. And what often happens is a negotiation.

Demonstrations against Mr Trumps Greenland demands were held in Denmark on Saturday - Nichlas Pollier//Bloomberg

Meanwhile in Europe, sources close to Mr Macron said he would ring his EU colleagues, asking them to activate the blocs anti-coercion instrument.

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This could see Brussels limit business by American technology firms, which pay little tax to operate on the Continent despite generating huge profits. It is understood that a number of other EU capitals backed Mr Macrons stance.

An EU diplomat said: At present, there is no question of deploying the anti-coercion instrument or any other trade instrument against the US.

The EUs 93bn in rebalancing measures have been suspended until Feb 6. The EU will only decide after Feb 1 whether to extend that suspension.

Meanwhile, the European parliaments three main political groups said they would suspend the implementation of a US-EU trade deal that was brokered last July.

Ursula von der Leyen and Mr Trump agreed the EU-US trade deal last summer - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

In Seoul, South Korea, Ms Meloni told reporters she had spoken to Mr Trump and Mr Rutte, adding: I believe that imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake.

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Ms Frederiksen said her country was receiving great support from its allies, adding: I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the Continent. Europe will not be blackmailed.

At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.

Global stock markets will probably come under pressure on Monday.

The FTSE100, which hit a record high last week, is predicted to fall by almost one per cent based on weekend trading.

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 26-year-old man was fatally shot around the corner from his Brooklyn home, police said Sunday.

Elquan Tillman was shot multiple times in the torso under sidewalk scaffolding on Stockton St. near Tompkins Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant at about 10:55 p.m. Saturday, cops said.

Medics rushed him to Kings County Hospital, but he couldnt be saved. Police have made no arrests.

Tillman was just around the corner from his home in NYCHAs Tompkins Houses when he was killed, according to cops.

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One man who lives near the crime scene and asked to remain anonymous said he saw a man run down Stockton St. toward Marcy Ave. after hearing a burst of gunfire.

I just heard shots for a moment and then saw a guy running down the street.

The man heard about 10 shots, he said.

Police arrived at the scene about two minutes after the shooting, according to the man.

After hearing the gunfire, the man said he ran back into his apartment building.

I came out, I heard the boom, boom, I ran into the building, he said. I was afraid.

Another neighborhood resident said his wife heard several shots. The man said he didnt witness the shooting, but saw the aftermath.

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The ambulance came, and they took [Tillman] out on the stretcher, he said.

The resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said the violence was shocking, definitely.

Its a very calm neighborhood, he said. Actually, this block is very calm and peaceful.

He said he doesnt remember anything similar happening in the eight years he and his wife have lived in the area.

We hope its gonna not happen again, he added.

Another anonymous resident had a different take. This is the hood. Im so used to hearing shooting. I dont even pay attention to it anymore, he said.

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The shooting marks the second homicide this year in Brooklyns 79th Precinct. On Tuesday, 22-year-old Jackson King allegedly stabbed his grandmother, Julia Boomer, 85, to death in her Throop Ave. home.

The 79th Precinct saw eight slayings in 2025, according to NYPD statistics.
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE)  A man facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor is dead. In early January, Roswell police had asked for the publics help in finding Travis Osserman, who was accused of inappropriately touching an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old in 2021.

Santa Fe man sentenced for deadly hit and run crash

According to a social media post made by the Roswell Police Department, Osserman was located at a home in Kentucky by the FBI. They said he ran out the back door and shot himself, and he died.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
NEED TO KNOW

Two missing girls, who were allegedly lured from their home in Mexico by a man on Roblox, have been found alive

Mary Beabey and Sabine Yohumi were located at a bus terminal in Mexico City after being missing for about a week

An investigation revealed that a man allegedly contacted the two minors through the online game Roblox



Two missing girls, who were allegedly lured from their home in Mexico by a man using online game Robloxs chat feature, have been found alive.

Nezahualcoyotl residents Mary Beabey, 16, and Sabine Yohumi, 10, were located at a major bus terminal in Mexico City after being missing for about a week, according to a statement shared by the Municipal Government of Nezahualcoyotl on Saturday, Jan. 17.

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An investigation found that a man allegedly chatted with the minors via Roblox, which prompted them to leave their home in Nezahualcoyotl.

PEOPLE reached out to the General Police Station of Civil Security of Nezahualcoyotl for comment about the mans identity and charges on Sunday, Jan. 18, but did not receive an immediate response.

Comisaria General de Seguridad Ciudadana/Facebook A missing girl found at a bus terminal in Mexico City A missing girl found at a bus terminal in Mexico City

Officials initially went to an address in Campeche related to the case, but didn't locate the girls.

After receiving information from a family member, police found Beabey and Yohumi at the East Passenger Bus Terminal (TAPO) in Mexico City. They were believed to have traveled there from Campeche.

Comisaria General de Seguridad Ciudadana/Facebook A missing girl found at a bus terminal in Mexico City with a police official A missing girl found at a bus terminal in Mexico City with a police official

"According to the information gathered, it is presumed that their absence was voluntary," police said.

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The girls were taken care of by specialized personnel once located.

The post included photos of the rescue, including one of the two girls surrounded by officials. A taller girl was pictured in jeans and sneakers with a black sweatshirt. The other girl wore a black jacket, a pink shirt, pink sweatpants with a zebra pattern down the side and sneakers.

In another picture, the taller girl appeared to be carrying a black purse and a light pink Labubu doll. Others show the shorter girl with a gray backpack and the outside of the bus terminal.

Police in Campeche, the Commission of Searching Persons of the State of Mexico and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office assisted with the investigation.

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Mexican newspaper El Universal reported that Beabey and Yohumi were sisters. Their parents obtained security footage that showed them leaving their home on Jan. 9 with suitcases.

The girls were walking alone in the footage.

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.

At the time, the outlet reported that the parents believed the girls were lured from their home.

Missing persons reports were active during their absences.



Read the original article on People
MEDINA COUNTY, Ohio (WJW)  A 26-year-old Garfield Heights man is jailed and facing charges in connection with a reported sex offense at a local Walmart.

According to the Medina Township Police Department, Tyler Jones is accused of using his phone to record images of a juvenile employee in the store bathroom. Police said Jones recoded the juvenile from an adjacent stall. Hes also accused of making inappropriate sexual advances.

Priceless relics stolen from church in Tremont: Theyre sacrosanct

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The incident happened at the Walmart located at 4141 Pearl Rd. in Medina Township on Jan. 8, police said.

Additional evidence collection remains ongoing to determine whether there may be additional victims, the police department shared in a social media post.

Credit: Medina County Jail

Jones, who was identified through surveillance footage and license-plate-reader technology, was arrested Jan. 16 following an extensive investigation. Hes been booked on the following charges, according to Medina Township police:

Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance  Felony of the Second Degree

Voyeurism  Felony of the Fifth Degree

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Explosive lawsuit filed against Shaker Heights police chief: I-Team

The Medina Township Police Department takes offenses involving minors very seriously and remains committed to protecting the safety and well-being of the community, the post reads.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Medina Township Police

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 8 Cleveland WJW.
Jan. 16Photos of the late Taos Pueblo artist DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo and some of her paintings displayed inside U.S. District Court in Santa Fe, where Suazo's killer and former partner, Santiago Martinez, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Thursday in connection with her killing in 2021.

Courtesy U.S. Attorneys Office

SANTA FE  A Taos Pueblo man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty to using a car in 2021 to run over his longtime girlfriend.The career of DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, a 29-year-old Dine and Taos Pueblo artist, was just beginning to blossom when her life was cut short during the domestic violence incident.Santiago Martinez, 33, pleaded guilty last March to voluntary manslaughter as part of an agreement exposing him to 10 to 15 years in prison. Judge Martha Vazquez on Thursday handed down the minimum sentence of 10 years to be followed by three years of supervised release, creating an emotional scene in the courtroom, where several of Suazo's family members were present.Vazquez also granted Martinez's request to turn himself in a week from Thursday, rather than being taken into custody immediately, so that he could pay off a loan and qualify for a lower-security inmate classification, according to court records.Martinez read a five-minute statement before the court during the sentencing hearing, according to his attorney, but Suazo's family was inconsolable and expressed publicly their dissatisfaction with the sentence imposed by the judge.Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Martinez's attorney, federal public defender Devon Fooks, called the case "just tragic all the way around.""Clearly, DeAnna Suazo was a very special individual and a great New Mexican," he said. "I hope that the sentence can bring some bit of solace to her family."The Suazos did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Nora Marjorie Wilson, lead prosecutor on Martinez's case, could also not be reached.According to court records, Martinez ran over and killed Suazo with his car during an argument on Nov. 13, 2021, outside a home they shared on Taos Pueblo.The couple had been listening to music and drinking in Suazo's car that day when she "expressed her long-stated desire" to end their romantic relationship, a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Mexico summarized on Friday.

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The argument escalated into a physical altercation, in which Martinez ripped an earring from Suazo's ear and pushed her out of her SUV. Martinez got into the driver's seat and ran the up-and-coming artist over.He then called his family as Suazo succumbed to mechanical asphyxia and blunt trauma, the Office of the Medical Investigator determined during an autopsy.Despite consuming alcohol, Martinez told authorities that he was cognizant of what he was doing when he ran Suazo over with the vehicle and knew it was wrong.Before her death, Suazo had been building notoriety in the contemporary Native American art world as a young artist filled with promise.The daughter of Navajo artist Geraldine Tso and Taos Pueblo painter David Gary Suazo, Suazo's best-known work blended traditional Plains Indians ledger art with figures inspired by Japanese manga. Her drawings were exhibited nationwide, including at the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, which established the DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo Memorial Fund to support Indigenous women artists in 2022 following her death."We are deeply saddened to acknowledge the loss of DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo (Dine/Taos Pueblo), who tragically passed away last weekend," an Institute of American Indian Arts statement on Facebook read at the time.John Miller is the Albuquerque Journal's northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
A King County man accused of repeatedly shoplifting from Ulta Beauty stores has been formally charged following a months-long investigation.

Prosecutors claim David Joseph Gama stole thousands of dollars in merchandise from stores between North Seattle and Federal Way.

Court documents obtained by KIRO 7 detail over 20 incidents between November and January.

Most incidents in the court documents state that Gama would target the fragrance department of the stores, stealing between hundreds and thousands of dollars in products each time.

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Investigators say Gama is responsible for $ 18,426.80 in stolen merchandise; however, only $1,678.80 worth was recovered during his arrest.

Gama has an extensive criminal history, according to the court documents. Washington courts have issued 56 misdemeanor warrants and 19 superior court warrants for him since 1989. That includes 2 warrants from Edmonds Municipal Court that were active at the time of his arrest.

According to the court documents, Gama was convicted of everything from theft and driving under the influence to stalking and rape.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday to stealing from Ulta. Hes charged with three counts of first-degree organized retail theft.
Delhi Police has solved two cases of robbery committed at gunpoint, detaining two accused, including a juvenile (CCL), on Sunday. According to the Delhi Police, they received the information about the robbery on the morning of December 29, 2025. Upon reaching the spot near Kabootar Market in the Welcome area, the complainant, a tea shop owner, stated that three persons riding a motorcycle showed a pistol and robbed him of Rs 8,000, after which they fled from the spot. Later, another incident of firing was reported from the same area, where culprits Aman and Arman allegedly fired shots and robbed Rs 1,500 in cash. In connection with these incidents, an FIR was registered at the police station under Sections 309(4), 311, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 27 of the Arms Act. Based on clues from various sources, the police identified the suspects involved. Following sustained raids, two individuals, including a juvenile (CCL), were apprehended. One suspect was identified as Zaib, alias Paati. During the arrest, police recovered one semi-automatic pistol with a live cartridge, one revolver, one knife, Rs 1,500 in robbed cash, and 19 packets of stolen cigarettes from their possession. During sustained interrogation, the accused admitted to their involvement. Further investigation revealed they were linked to three other cases of attempted murder and robbery in the Jafrabad area, along with a gunpoint robbery in New Usmanpur. It was also found that Zaib was allegedly involved in a previous robbery case, too, the police said. Further investigation is in progress. In another incident, the PS Vasant Vihar, South-West District, team has arrested two hardened robbers, namely Mohd. Nadeem and Ravinder. The accused were previously involved in a total of 13 cases of theft, robbery, attempt to murder and the Arms Act. Following their arrest, four bags containing Rs. 1,12,000 in cash, one iPad, one pair of AirPods, and the Honda Amaze car used in the offence were recovered. (ANI)
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a car theft in Queens on Saturday.

A 34-year-old parked his car near 44 Drive and 23rd Street in Hunters Point to go into a commercial establishment just after 7 p.m. while his father, 72, was in the backseat, police said.

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While the engine was idling and the son had gone inside, an unidentified individual entered the 2016 Subaru and drove off with the 72-year-old still inside.

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A member of the family said the man is partially blind.

Some time later, the car and the 72-year-old were found in the area of 53rd Avenue and 44th Street unharmed.

Photo of man wanted in connection with Queens car theft on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Credit: NYPD)

The unidentified man fled the location, according to police.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KARACHI, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Firefighters in Karachi searched on Sunday for more than 65 missing people after a massive fire tore through a shopping mall in the historic downtown district, killing six and reducing parts of the building to rubble.

Videos showed flames rising from the building as firefighters laboured through the night to stop the blaze, which started on Saturday night, from spreading in the dense business district. After fighting the flames for over 24 hours, firefighters began cooling the steaming rubble of the nearly collapsed structure.

Firefighters told Pakistan's local television station Geo News that the lack of ventilation in the mall, which houses over 1,200 shops, caused the building to fill with smoke and slowed rescue efforts.

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"It appears to have been caused by a circuit breaker, Sindh police chief Javed Alam Odho told reporters at the site, according to Dawn News.

The layout and construction of this market was such, and secondly, the nature of the items in it  such as carpets, blankets and other objects made of resins  so the fire is still simmering because of these.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab told reporters at the scene that 65 people were still missing.

Rescue officials said six people had been killed and 20 others were wounded.

According to media reports, people chanted slogans criticising the mayor who came to the site after 23 hours.

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Hundreds of people had gathered around the building, including distraught store owners whose businesses had turned to ash.

"We've been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone," shopowner Yasmeen Bano said.

The fire erupted on Saturday night, with rescue services receiving a call at 10:38 p.m. (1738 GMT) reporting that ground-floor shops at the multi-storey Gul Plaza shopping centre were ablaze.

"When we arrived, the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames," Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan told Reuters.

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Images of the mall's interior revealed the charred remains of stores and a bright orange glow as flames continued to rise throughout the building.

By Sunday evening, the blackened and broken metal frame of the building was strewn on the street alongside fallen air conditioners and some store signboards.

Rescue workers said that parts of the building had started to collapse and that the whole structure could come down.

(Reporting by Mohammed Waseem and Ariba Shahid; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Tom Hogue and Diane Craft)
Jacksonville police say a McDonald's employee was shot in the neck when "a physical altercation" between two co-workers escalated into gunfire at the fast food restaurant in Oceanway.

The victim  described as a man in his early 20s  was hospitalized in critical but stable condition, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

The suspected shooter and a second person fled the McDonald's after the Jan. 17 shooting but were taken into custody a short time later, according to the Sheriff's Office.

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No customers were reported injured in the shooting about 2:10 p.m. at McDonald's, 12311 N Main St. near New Berlin Road in the city's Oceanway neighborhood.

A sign towers over a McDonald's restaurant on May 13, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.

The Sheriff's Office hadn't released the names of the victim or the people in custody as of mid-morning Jan. 18.

McDonald's officials told the Times-Union that the suspect "is no longer employed at our restaurant."

The restaurant was open for business as of 9:30 a.m. Jan. 18. An employee who answered the restaurant's telephone told the Times-Union that no one was available for comment.

About 1 p.m., in response to Times-Union questions, McDonald's corporate officials emailed to the newspaper a statement attributed to the local owner/operator of the Jacksonville restaurant.

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Were deeply saddened by this violent attack at our restaurant. Were keeping the victim and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers and offering our full support to local law enforcement, Tom Lisante said in the statement.

In addition to saying the suspect is no longer employed at the restaurant, Lisante explained the McDonald's policy regarding weapons.

"My organization has a strict no-weapons policy, and the individual being charged in this incident is no longer employed at our restaurant," he said in the statement.

The Sheriff's Office said its initial investigation showed "two co-workers who work for McDonald's got into a physical altercation in the back of the business. During the altercation, the suspect brandished a firearm and shot the victim one time in the neck."

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Both the suspect and the second person ran away from the restaurant but were "apprehended by police a short time later," according to the Sheriff's Office news release.

Sheriff's Office detectives were talking to multiple witnesses and reviewing evidence collected at the scene.

"We believe this to be an isolated incident, and police currently have two people detained," the Sheriff's Office said in the news release.

Deadly toll: Jacksonville finishes with 115 homicides in 2025, here's what we know

Historic year: Jacksonville sees lowest number of homicides this century

The McDonald's shooting is the second at a Jacksonville fast-food restaurant in less than two months.

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On Nov. 22, an 18-year-old Burger King employee was shot to death and a 33-year-old man was injured at that restaurant  7900 Blanding Blvd. near Collins Road  on the city's Westside.

Matthew Jacob Jackson was killed. He was in the process of joining the Marine Corps, his mother told the Times-Union via a message on Facebook.

"My son was loved and loved others.  My son was a great kid," Natasha Shonta Jackson said in the message.

The second man hurt in the Burger King shooting was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries but was expected to recover. The Times-Union is not naming him for his privacy.

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The Sheriff's Office arrested 28-year-old Dawud Saffe Burritt following the Burger King double shooting. He matched the description of the Burger King shooter and was taken into custody near a retention pond a short distance away from the restaurant.

Burritt remained jailed Jan. 18 on first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and armed burglary stemming from the Burger King double shooting, according to Sheriff's Office inmate records.

In the McDonald's shooting, the Sheriff's Office said anyone who has information about this incident can contact investigators by calling (904) 630-0500. People who want to remain anonymous can utilize Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS or email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org.

This article was updated to include statements from McDonald's restaurant officials.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville police: McDonald's employee shot during fight at restaurant
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  A jury found a New Mexico man guilty of sexually abusing two children for years. On Friday afternoon, Lucas Miltenberger was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including eight counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child.

Man sentenced for role in murder of teenager in Santa Fe County

Court documents show that between 2016 and 2023, Miltenberger raped two boys for years. He is facing up to 91 and a half years in prison.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
An "unprecedented" oversupply of milk is driving prices down for dairy farmers in the West, making "life very difficult".

Major dairy buyers like Arla and Muller have now cut the amount they pay farmers to around 35p per litre. The average price this time last year was 46p.

Chair of Somerset's NFU Mark Humphreys, a dairy farmer himself, said: "We had a very severe draught, it's made life very difficult for us. We're now going into a situation where a lot of exports are coming to this country, competing with our milk price. It's well below our cost of production."

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A spokesperson for Arla has said the milk production volume has increased so there is "significantly more milk around the world".

For the first time, UK milk production is expected to exceed 13 billion litres this year.

Arla has cut the price they pay farmers to about 35.73p per litre, which is more than 12p lower than last January, while Muller has reduced the price to 38.5p per litre, compared to 42.25p in 2025.

Glastonbury and Somerton MP and farmer Sarah Dyke is currently trying to get her Dairy Farming and Dairy Products bill through parliament.

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The aim is to protect farmers further from these kind of price fluctuations.

"The farm gate price of milk is dropping like a stone. This is a bill ensuring fairness for our farmers," Dyke said.

"There is so much pressure in the market at the moment as the UK is competing against imports from New Zealand and the US."

Humphreys added: "Not all farmers were in favour of leaving the EU. We lost the support other European farmers have had. Perhaps we're still in that transitional phase."

'Ensuring fairness is key'

Richard Collins, agriculture director at Muller Milk & Ingredients, said: "Our daily milk collection volumes are still much higher than this time last year and we're seeing further market price reductions.

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"Supply and demand is continuing to be monitored closely."

A spokesperson for Arla added: ''Global milk production has increased so there is significantly more milk around the world. This is therefore impacting negatively on the global commodity markets, resulting in lower prices."

A Defra spokesperson said: "This government backs our hard-working dairy farmers and wants to see fair supply chains and transparent dairy contracts.

"Ensuring fairness in supply chains is key for UK dairy farmers and in supporting the sustainability of the sector."

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said his city is being invaded by the federal government amid reports that 1,500 active-duty soldiers were being readied for deployment to Minnesota and President Donald Trumps threats of invoking the Insurrection Act to quell protests.

"I never thought in a million years that we would be invaded by our own federal government, the Democratic mayor told CNN Sunday. Theyve got 3,000 or so ICE agents and Border Patrol. That they are now talking about deploying 1,500 military this is, well its ridiculous.

Protests have continued for a second week in Minneapolis after Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot dead in her car by an ICE agent. Trump administration officials, including the president, have defended the agents conduct, claiming that his life was at risk.

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In the wake of Goods shooting, several thousand more ICE and Border Patrol agents have been deployed to the city. Some 1,500 active-duty soldiers are also reportedly preparing for possible deployment in Minnesota, The Washington Post citing defense officials, reported late Saturday.

This act was clearly designed to intimidate the people of Minneapolis. Here's the thing, we are not going to be intimidated, Frey said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the massive federal law enforcement presence in his city following the shooting to death of Renee Good by an ICE agent (CNN - State of the Union)

The best way to get safety is not to have an influx of even more agents and in this case, military, to Minneapolis, he continued.

Frey, and the state's Democratic governor, Tim Walz, are reportedly facing a Department of Justice investigation for allegedly obstructing the efforts of federal immigration authorities in the state, according to the Associated Press.

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Frey told CNN Sunday that both he and Walz had not been officially informed.

"We have not received anything. I am not aware of specific allegations. But if it were true, the targeting would be the product would be of performing one of the most basic responsibilities and obligations I have as Mayor which is to speak on behalf of our great city, he said.

Federal agents stand guard outside a building in Minneapolis Saturday amid ongoing protests in the city over the shooting death of Renee Good (AP)

Minnesota has been the target of ramped-up immigration enforcement since the start of the year following reports of an alleged fraud ring involving day-cares, often operated by Somali-Americans, that has been seized on by Trump and his MAGA allies.

The White House has cracked down on visa applications, terminated Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals, and agents are going door-to-door looking for undocumented immigrants, according to some Minnesota officials.

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The Department of Homeland Security said more than 2,500 arrests have taken place.

January 6 rioter Jake Lang confronted protesters in Minneapolis on Saturday (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Trump responded to the continuing protests and resistance from Minnesota officials, who have sued to stop the federal law enforcement surge, in a post on Truth Social Sunday.

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? he wrote. The thugs that are protesting include many highly paid professional agitators and anarchists. Is this really what Minnesota wants?
NEED TO KNOW

A 14-year-old North Carolina boy has been found alive after being missing for more than two days

On Jan. 17, the Iredell County Sheriff's Office announced that Gideon Ferguson had been found safe and was being evaluated by medical personnel

Ferguson was reported missing from his home in Cleveland, N.C., on Jan. 14

A 14-year-old North Carolina boy has been found alive after being missing for more than two days  but authorities say the investigation into his disappearance is not over yet.

On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Iredell County Sheriff's Office announced that Gideon Ferguson had been found safe and was being evaluated by medical personnel after an "around-the-clock" search that involved hundreds of law enforcement officers, search and rescue personnel, as well as the FBI.

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According to the FBI, Ferguson was reported missing from his home in Cleveland, N.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

His grandmother dropped him off at home after school at around 3:30 p.m. local time, and his mother reported him missing about one hour later, the agency said.

Officials said during a press conference on Saturday, Jan. 17, that the teen was found just a mile and a half from his home after days of searching.

FBI Gideon Ferguson Gideon Ferguson

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Although an investigation is still ongoing, officials said the teen seemingly left the home by himself  though it's still unknown if another person is involved in this incident.

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"During the course of this investigation, we [found] there was indications at the home, not of a forced entry, but a person that had left a lot of things such as his phone and other technology that you would assume people would take with them if they left," Sheriff Darren Campbell said during the press conference.

"Through the course of investigation, we did figure out that Gideon did purposely leave his phone there," Campbell added, noting that Ferguson seemingly attempted to evade authorities from finding him by hiding in nearby wooded areas, which were outside of law enforcement's search radius.

He re-entered the search radius earlier on Saturday, the sheriff said.

Campbell also said that the teen was still recovering after spending more than two days outside, as temperatures dropped to around 15 degrees with wind chill.

FBI Gideon Ferguson Gideon Ferguson

Campbell said that the 14-year-old seemingly "just wanted to be alone" on Wednesday afternoon  but officials are still looking into why he was away from home for such an extended period of time.

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"He just didn't want to be found," the sheriff said. "There had been some issues that had happened earlier that day ... not including the family. This was another issue, and I think in his way of thinking, he just wanted to be alone at that point."

In a statement shared on Facebook, the sheriff's office said that the investigation is continuing, and Campbell said Saturday that anyone with information about Ferguson's whereabouts during the two days he was missing should contact authorities.

"Our investigation does not end with his safe recovery. We will continue to help bring answers to what type of situation this child has encountered since he was discovered missing on January 14, 2026," the sheriff's office concluded its statement. "Right now, most importantly, he is safe."



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The body of one of 11 people on board a plane that crashed in eastern Indonesia was found on Sunday with the debris of the aircraft.

The Indonesia Air Transport passenger plane went missing in mid-flight on Saturday after losing contact with air traffic control in the South Sulawesi province. It had been flying from Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, to Makassar, on Sulawesi island.

Search and rescue workers found the body in a steep mountain ravine, but poor weather conditions, including fog, and harsh terrain forced them to delay its recovery until Monday.

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The team also found wreckage believed to be the fuselage, tail and windows of the ATR 42-500 turboprop, according to Muhammad Arif Anwar, a local official. Other wreckage, including the planes engine and passenger seats, has also been found.

Wreckage was found on the mountainside during the operation led by Basarnas, the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency - Basarnas/Handout/EPA/Shutterstock

Three government workers and eight crew members were believed to be on board the plane as part of an aerial monitoring mission for Indonesias ministry of marine affairs and fisheries.

The plane crashed into Mount Bulusaraung in Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, which borders the city of Makassar, Mr Anwar said. The crash site is approximately 1,500km north east of Jakarta, Indonesias capital city.

The official added that a unit had been deployed by air to search for the 10 remaining passengers and crew.

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The search mission on land and air has involved more than 1,000 people, including members of the air force, police and volunteers.

The cause of the crash remains to be determined. In a statement, IAT said the aircraft had had technical problems but was declared safe before flying to Makassar.

Rescuers look for the wreckage from a helicopter and, below, climb towards the crash site - Basarnas/Handout/EPA/Shutterstock

Muchtamir/AFP via Getty Images

Indonesia is heavily reliant on air transport to connect the thousands of islands making up the archipelago. The country has a poor record of aviation safety, with several fatal crashes in recent years.

In 2015, all 54 people on board an ATR 42-300 died after it crashed into a mountain in the Papua region.

In September, a helicopter crash killed all eight people on board in the South Kalimantan province. Less than two weeks later, four people had died in a helicopter crash in Papua.

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On the eve of the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Eyewitness News reflects on his enduring legacy. For many, the day is more than a break from work or school, it's a time for reflection and service.

At St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, a special Sunday service focused on social justice, a cause the church has long championed.

"My hope is that we continue to set that moral compass. And the people who make up the church that they continue to cry loud and spare and that they continue to stand for the weak and the vulnerable," said Dr. Abdue Knox, St. Joseph AME Senior Pastor.

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Serving as the keynote speaker, Honorable Justice Anita Earls has spent her career ensuring that citizens are treated equitably. Since 2019, she has served on the North Carolina Supreme Court and previously led the Southern Coalition of Social Justice in Durham.

"Each individual has the power in a democracy, to make a difference. My hope is that we return to a democracy in North Carolina." she said.

"The state of our union is a mess. I believe that King would be his heart would be hurt, that he would be discouraged about the state of our nation today. We are divided politically and racially," said Dr. Knox.

King's legacy is important now more than ever.

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"God has blessed me with a ministry that's concerned with all people and equal access to all things for all people," added Dr. Knox.

"His vision was one of brotherhood for everyone in this country, of justice for everyone in this country. And his message of love while at the same time strong focus and determined ability to try to change what is keeping people oppressed in this country," said Justice Earls.

SEE ALSO: Triangle region honors MLK Jr. with events and celebrations
NEED TO KNOW

More than 100 people have died in catastrophic flooding due to torrential rains in southern Africa

The destruction has largely occurred across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe

The severe weather is expected to continue through the weekend

More than 100 people are dead due to massive flooding in three countries across southern Africa  and the severe weather threat isnt over yet.

The destruction, which is occurring across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, is the result of weeks of heavy rain, according to the Associated Press.

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Mozambique has been hit the hardest by the devastation, with more than 200,000 people affected and tens of thousands of people facing evacuations. More than 100 people in the country have died due to the extreme weather conditions since late 2025, per the countrys Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, according to AP.

Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua via Gett Flooding in Mozambique Flooding in Mozambique

In South Africa, the death toll has risen to at least 30 people, and the South African army has been deployed to rescue people via helicopter, per the outlet.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited one of the flood-stricken areas on Thursday, Jan. 15. During the visit, he told press that the region had received more than 15 inches of rain in a single week, noting that 36 houses have just been wiped away from the face of the Earth.

Orlando Chauke / AFP via Getty Structure submerged in floodwater in South Africa Structure submerged in floodwater in South Africa

About 600 people were additionally evacuated from South Africa's Kruger National Park, one of Africas largest and most famous wildlife reserves.

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I am still terrified that the rains will return as these were the worst rains I have seen in this area, Nkomazi resident Josephina Mashaba said while speaking to AP.

Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua via Getty Residents wading through floodwater in Mozambique on Jan. 12, 2026 Residents wading through floodwater in Mozambique on Jan. 12, 2026

There have additionally been 70 fatalities in Zimbabwe since the beginning of the year, and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed, according to the countrys disaster management agency, the Civil Protection Unit, per AP. The agency further stated that key infrastructure, including roads and schools, had been decimated.

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The rain is resulting from a slow-moving low-pressure system over the region, which repeatedly draws in moisture, causing intense downpours, per The Guardian. More heavy rain is expected throughout the weekend, according to the outlet.



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Asserting that "change is necessary" and no one can stop it, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is working like a "speed breaker" in West Bengal. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar hailed PM Modi and said that without fixing law and order, investment cannot be done in Bengal. He added that after winning the 2026 assembly election, the prime minister will work for development, and industry will also be set up. "Today, Prime Minister Modi has laid out everything before the people of West Bengal--that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is working like a speed breaker in Bengal. He said that investment in Bengal will happen only when law and order are in place. Without fixing law and order, investment cannot be done. Change is necessary, and no one can stop it," the Union Minister said. Earlier today, while addressing a massive public rally in Singur in Hooghly district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at CM Mamata Banerjee, asserting that West Bengal is ready for "paltano dorkar" (needed change) and to bid farewell to the TMC's "mega-Jungle Raj". Recalling the NDA's landslide victory in the Bihar assembly elections last year, again stoping return of RJD's "Jungle Raj", the Prime Minister expressed confidence that West Bengal would be next. PM Modi said," The BJP and NDA have once again stopped the return of Jungle Raj in Bihar, and West Bengal is also ready to bid farewell to TMC's mega-Jungle Raj. This massive public tide in Singur, this energy and enthusiasm of all of you, is telling the new story of West Bengal. Everyone has come with the same feeling, the same hope that we want real change. Every single person wants to end the 15-year jungle raj." Calling for an end to "utter lawlessness" under the TMC government, PM Modi said, "It is very necessary for TMC's reign of jungle raj to end in Bengal and for BJP's good governance to come. For this, we will have to follow the path shown by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar." The Prime Minister also accused the TMC of compromising national security by facilitating infiltration. "The TMC government is playing with the security of West Bengal and the country as well. TMC provides all kinds of facilities to infiltrators here. It holds protests to protect infiltrators," he said, adding that despite repeated letters from the Centre over the past 11 years seeking land for border fencing, the TMC government had failed to act. Stressing the need for a "double-engine" government, Modi said West Bengal could achieve rapid development only if the BJP is in power in the state as well. "Wherever there is a double-engine BJP government, remarkable progress is being made. Let me highlight the success of the Har Ghar Jal Scheme. In Tripura, under the previous government, only 4 out of every 100 households had piped water. Today, under the BJP government, 85 households out of 100 receive piped water," he said. Before addressing the rally, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of, and flagged off development projects worth more than Rs 830 crore, including the Extended Port Gate System and the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur rail line at Singur in Hooghly district. (ANI)
More than 60 Labour MPs have called on the prime minister to impose a ban on under-16s access to social media platforms.

In a open letter to Sir Keir Starmer on Sunday, the 61 MPs said "successive governments" had done "too little to protect young people from... unregulated, addictive social media platforms".

They urged him to follow the example of Australia, which brought in a ban in December. Several other countries are said to be considering similar laws.

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Sir Keir has not ruled out introducing a ban, saying "all options are on the table". The House of Lords is likely to vote this week on a cross-party amendment that would implement an Australia-style ban in the UK.

The amendment has backing from Baroness Benjamin, the Liberal Democrat peer and former children's TV presenter; Conservative former education minister Lord Nash; the Labour peer Baroness Berger and Baroness Cass, an independent member of the House of Lords, who is a paediatrician.

Separately, the Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment which would introduce film-style age ratings, meaning some social media platforms would be restricted based on the type of content they were hosting.

The letter from Labour MPs, which includes the signatures of a number of committee chairs and former frontbenchers, said many constituents had contacted the MPs to express concerns about the effects of social media on young people.

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It read: "Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy and unable to focus on learning. They are not building the social skills needed to thrive, nor having the experience that will prepare them for adulthood."

The MPs said that "around the world, government are recognising the severity of the crisis and taking action", noting Australia's ban and that "Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece are expected to follow suit.

The UK "risks being left behind" on the issue, they wrote.

The letter, thought to be organised by Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas, was signed by education select committee chair Helen Hayes, former whip Vicky Foxcroft, former education minister Catherine McKinnell, and former shadow cabinet minister Richard Burgon, among others.

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It is the latest example of political pressure on the government to propose a social media ban.

Last week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would introduce an under-16s ban if her party won the next election.

Under the Liberal Democrats' plan, platforms using addictive algorithmic feeds or hosting "inappropriate content" would be restricted to users aged over 16, while sites with "graphic violence or pornography" would become adult-only.

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Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey described his approach as "a ban but a more sophisticated ban".

He said it would ensure "the best approach to make sure the benefits of the internet can be enjoyed by our children but they can be fully protected from the addictive harm of some of these social media platforms".

Asked if he thought social media should be restricted for younger people, Sir Keir told a news conference: "I think we need to do more to protect children and that's why we're looking at a range of options."

He said "no options are off the table" and the government was looking at the situation in Australia, where under-16s were recently banned from social media.

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However, he added that the issue was wider than just social media, for example the government was "particularly concerned about screen time for under-5s".

Several children's charities and online safety organisations have voiced opposition to a blanket social media ban for under-16s.

The NSPCC, Childnet, and suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation were among 42 individuals and bodies to argue a ban would be the "wrong solution" on Saturday.

"It would create a false sense of safety that would see children - but also the threats to them - migrate to other areas online," they wrote in a joint statement.

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"Though well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need."

Existing law should be "robustly enforced" to ensure social media sites, personalised games and AI chatbots were not accessible to under-13s, they urged, while all social media platforms should have evidence-based blocks for features that are considered risky for children of different ages.

Ian Russell, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content online, said the government should enforce existing laws rather than "implementing sledgehammer techniques".

The online safety campaigner - who established the Molly Rose Foundation in his daughter's honour - told the BBC's Newscast that a ban could have "unintended consequences" and "cause more problems".

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line.
Shortly after Museveni took power in 1986, ending years of bloodshed and chaos under tyrannical rulers, the young president mused that leaders overstaying their welcome lay at the heart of Africa's problems.

But four decades later, the introspection is gone and Museveni  once hailed in the West as a model African leader committed to good governance  has joined the ranks of those he once criticised.

His genial demeanour and penchant for folksy parables belie a past as a wily guerrilla fighter and ruthless political survivor.

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During his 40-year reign, Museveni has fused state and party, and crushed political opposition, to such an extent that any real outside challenge to him or his National Resistance Movement (NRM) has become impossible.

At 81  though some opponents say he is older  Museveni says he is fighting fit.

Having once promised to retire and tend to his cherished long-horned Ankole cows, he has instead outlasted every ruler on the continent bar Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and Paul Biya of Cameroon.

Museveni was born on 15 September 1944, into a cattle-keeping family of the Hima community in Ntungamo District of south-western Uganda.

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He studied at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in the 1960s, then a kind of finishing school for anti-colonialists, where his thesis was on the revolutionary violence promoted by French philosopher Frantz Fanon.

British journalist William Pike, who interviewed Museveni in 1984, described him as having the "faraway look... of a dreamer, a revolutionary" who was "intensely serious but showed flashes of humour".

Challenger within

After returning to Uganda, he was forced back to Tanzania as an exile during the regime of Idi Amin.

Museveni helped form the Front for National Salvation, which played a part in Amin's overthrow in 1979.

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Museveni took up arms after a rigged election in 1980 and led a guerrilla insurgency known as the Ugandan Bush War that finally captured Kampala in 1986.

A new constitution led to his victory in elections the following year, which he repeated in 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and now 2026.

He had the constitution changed twice to remove term and age limits. Rights groups have criticised the increasingly violent repression of any challengers.

Despite his radical past, Museveni proved a pragmatic leader, bending to Western demands that he impose stringent neoliberal reforms to stabilise the economy.

He made himself a useful military partner to the West at moments when they questioned his crushing of democratic rights, not least when he contributed significant troops to fight against Islamist insurgents in Somalia in the 2000s.

There was renewed criticism in 2023 over an anti-gay law seen as one of the world's harshest but Museveni showed his knack for weathering the storm.

(AFP)
In the shimmering blue waters off Japan's Yonaguni Island lies a geological wonder.

With its top peaking just 6 meters (20 feet) below sea level, extending down to a depth of 24 meters, the Yonaguni Monument looks, for all the world, like a vast, ruined citadel, a remnant of an ancient civilization drowned by the waves.

According to most geologists, of course, it's no such thing; its stepped sandstone and mudstone form is understood as a natural creation, shaped along fractures and bedding planes by tectonic stresses and relentless erosion.

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Related: Scientists Found a 'Yellow Brick Road' at The Bottom of The Ocean

The formation was discovered in 1987 by diving instructor Kihachiro Aratake, and quickly attracted the attention of geologists. It was, in a nutshell, unlike many other geological formations familiar to scientists, especially in its scale and unusually ordered appearance.

It consists of large slabs of stone, arranged in a way that resembles steps or terraces, with crisply squared edges and corners  shapes that are uncommon in natural settings at this scale, which have invited comparisons to stepped pyramids or ziggurats.

So striking was the appearance up close that geologist Masaaki Kimura of the University of the Ryukyus spent several years compiling a detailed argument that the structure had been modified or constructed by human hands, before being submerged by rising seas around 10,000 years ago.

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This view is highly controversial among his fellow geologists.

While relatively few peer-reviewed studies have focused directly on the Yonaguni formation, a broader body of geological evidence suggests that its strange, structured appearance can be explained by natural processes acting over thousands of years.

A render of the Yonaguni formation. ( /YouTube

We know that our planet can make some remarkably geometric rocks.

The hexagonal columns of Ireland's Giant's Causeway and Scotland's Fingal's Cave are, literally, the stuff of legend.

The Tessellated Pavement of Tasmania, Australia, looks like neatly laid paving stones at the edge of the ocean, while the Al Naslaa rock of Saudi Arabia is split by an astonishingly clean, straight fracture.

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Meanwhile, Preikestolen in Norway  Pulpit Rock  is famed for its sheer, flat geometry.

There are several natural geological features and processes relevant to the Yonaguni formation.

A bedding plane is a natural layer in sedimentary rocks like sandstone and mudstone, the boundary where two deposition epochs meet, separating layers of rock with different properties. These are often flat planes and a natural point of weakness in a rock formation.

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Perpendicular to these, rock formations can develop joint sets. These are fractures in the formation, often parallel to one another, that split open when the rock is stressed  under tremors, for example  separating the rock into surprisingly neat blocks.

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As noted by geologist Robert Schoch of Boston University, who dived at the site in 1997, "Yonaguni lies in an earthquake-prone region; such earthquakes tend to fracture the rocks in a regular manner."

Because Yonaguni lies in a fault zone, it experiences significant tremor activity that could easily explain both the regularity of the fractures and the stepped formation.

When the ground shakes under the formation, the rocks break and slip away from each other at these natural weakness points  activity that can produce the shape of the Yonaguni Monument.

Meanwhile, the constantly moving ocean currents erode the fractures, separating the rocks from each other and scouring the surfaces flat.

Schoch also noted that nearby rock formations on Yonaguni Island, although rounded and more strongly eroded, were arranged in a similar manner to the underwater formation.

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"Though the slope itself, now a tumult of ragged, fractured planes," wrote the late author John Anthony West, who explored with Schoch, "did not much look like the underwater formation we'd been studying, it was clear enough that it was basically the same geomorphology  just that the slope, exposed only to wind and rain, had taken on a very different and ragged appearance over thousands of years."

Related: 'Lost City' Deep Beneath The Ocean Is Unlike Anything We've Seen Before on Earth

Because underwater geology is difficult and expensive, and everything about the Yonaguni Monument and its surrounding geology can be explained by natural processes, more detailed surveys of the site are yet to be undertaken.

However, "While these formations were once thought to be artificial, no archaeological remains or traces of human activity have been found," noted a team of geologists led by Hironobu Suga of Kyushu University at the 2024 Association of Japanese Geographers Spring Academic Conference.

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"Through underwater observations, we were able to observe erosion processes, such as bedrock detachment, abrasion, and gravel generation, as well as the ongoing formation of erosional formations, such as potholes of various shapes and sizes.

"These findings suggest that the ruin-like formations are being created through the continuous weathering and erosion of sandstone on the seafloor."

And honestly? The fact that Earth can create such dazzling structures just through time and jiggling is fascinating enough.

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The mysterious buyer of a Wyoming ranch four times larger than New York City and bigger than the state of Rhode Island has been identified as a chief executive officer and local politician who already owns a million acres of land.

Christopher Robinson, the CEO of Ensign Group L.C., scooped up the massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches on behalf of the landholding company and closed the deal on Jan. 14, according to KPCW.

Robinson purchased the land for an undisclosed amount, only four years after he bought the neighboring Stone Ranch.

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The massive property, which rolls across 1,431-square-miles, was listed over the summer by Swan Land Company broker Scott Williams for a whopping $79.5 million. New York City spans across 300.4 square miles, while Rhode Island spans 1,033.9.

Christopher Robinson, the CEO of landholding company Ensign Group L.C., scooped up the massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches and closed the deal on Jan. 14. Summit County Utah

Spreading across four counties in the Rocky Mountains, the Pathfinder Ranches is made up of four separate properties and encompasses over 1% of the land in the Cowboy State.

Actual deedage acreage of the historic purchase added up to 99,188 acres with the additional land coming from leases, according to the Cowboy State Daily.

The Park City, Utah resident is using the smaller ranch to bridge together the Pathfinder Ranches properties and create a self-sustainable livestock range.

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So, were kind of reuniting that, and we intend to, were operators, Robinson told the outlet. Were not generally landlords. Were going to, over time, grow into it, where were mostly running our own livestock on it.

Spreading across four counties in the Rocky Mountains, the Pathfinder Ranches is made up of four separate properties and encompasses over 1% of the land in the Cowboy State. SwanLandCompany/Youtube

Robinson plans to work the propertys livestock to become self-sufficient rather than buying from outside the ranch.

The land was estimated to have a capacity of 90,444 Animal Unit Months, the amount of livestock a rangeland can support.

With cattle prices as high as they are, were not going to be buying any mother cows to stock, he said. We keep a lot of heifers back anyway, so were going to grow internally.

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If things get really tough, well get rid of yearlings, he said. But we dont get rid of mother cows. There have been droughts and things in the past, but weve got enough scale and flexibility that we can sell the yearlings.

The Ensign Group, co-owned by Robinson and his siblings Alexander and Victoria Robinson, has acquired over 1 million acres of private and public lands throughout Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming under the Ensign Ranches moniker.

Before the massive purchase, the Robinson and Freed portfolio ranked at number 31 on Land Report Magazines Top 100 Landowner List.

Pathfinder Ranches may push the groups portfolio to over 470,000 acres up 10 spots on the list and surpassing billionaire Jeff Bezos own impressive 462,000 acres, according to KPCW.

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We love land and water. We think its a good long-term investment, and we like the opportunities it affords us to be stewards over a piece of Gods creation, Robinson said.

Pathfinder Ranches is four-times larger than New York City and bigger than the state of Rhode Island. Merrill Sherman / NY Post Design

Robinson, a graduate from the University of Utah, is one of the five members of the Summit County Council, a seat he has held since his election in 2008, according to the countys website.

He has extensive experience in production agriculture, local government, mineral and resource development, public lands, renewable energy and conservation efforts.

In December, Robinson announced that he would not run for reelection.

Robinson is also on the board of several conservation and land groups in the Utah area.

The land was estimated to have a capacity of 90,444 Animal Unit Months, the amount of livestock a rangeland can support. SwanLandCompany/Youtube

The newly purchased land is also home to a diverse ecosystem of wildlife including housing the USs first sage-grouse conservation bank.

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Its a statewide bank that, if theres any damage to, disturbance to, core habitat for greater sage-grouse, one option for mitigation would be to buy credits from the Pathfinder, Robinson told the outlet. [The property has] got a lot of sage grouse on it, a lot of antelope, pronghorn, deer and elk. Its teeming with life.

The property, named after rolling foothills, high plains and broad river valleys, is a cowboys dream and one of Swan Lands largest sales in Wyoming.

This is what we specialize in are the large complicated transactions, Williams told the Cowboy State Daily. And the beauty of this is the buyers are excellent ranchers, but theyre also conservation-minded operators as well.

Thats a plan that will take some time to realize, Robinson said.
Every week, Native News Online brings you the latest Indian Country news and moves from Washington, D.C.

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Selected as New FAA Drone Test Site

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has been chosen as one of two new test sites for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

The Choctaw Nation is one of the first new UAS testing grounds in nearly a decade.

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In 2017, the FAA launched the UAS Integration Pilot Program, giving additional state, local and tribal governments the opportunity to partner with private companies and the agency to advance drone policy and support more complex operations.

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Congress built on that effort in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 by creating the Section 44803(c) waiver, known as the Charlie Waiver. The Choctaw Nation received one of the waivers that to its selection for the new test site.

HHS Repeals Provisions of the Nursing Home Staffing Rule to Expand Access to Rural and Tribal Healthcare

The Department of Health and Human Services said the move follows a determination that a final rule issued by the previous administration placed disproportionate burdens on facilities, particularly those serving rural and tribal communities, and threatened patients access to care.

The change repeals federal minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes and long-term care facilities that had required 3.48 hours of nursing care per resident per day, including at least 0.55 hours from a registered nurse and 2.45 hours from a nurse aide. It also removes the requirement that facilities have a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while leaving in place facility assessment and Medicaid transparency requirements.

Safe, high-quality care is essential, but rigid, one-size-fits-all mandates fail patients, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said.

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Tribes are encouraged to submit comments during the public comment period for the interim final rule, which closes Feb. 2, 2026, according to the Federal Register.

Senator Mullin Appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors

U.S. Sen, Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, along with Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ted Budd (R-NC). Mullin is a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Senator Mullin joins the Board at a critical time as it prepares to deliver its comprehensive report to the Secretary of War in the coming weeks.

It is both an honor and a privilege to join the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. As our nation faces unprecedented challenges from our adversaries, it is critically important that our Airmen have the utmost elite training and tools needed to meet those threats head-on, said Senator Mullin. I am looking forward to working with the board to ensure our Air Force Academy Cadets are prepared to enter the most lethal and #1 fighting force in the world.

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North Carolina is positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence.

College students shared their experiences with ABC11 on the rapidly evolving technology.

Noah Campbell, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, recalled his early exposure to AI around 2019, describing it as "machine learning, basic image recognition, or text-to-speech."

Duke graduate Hannah Ford remembered a winter course on image recognition in 2021.

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"Just feeling a weird sense, like something big was coming," she said. "Like this could be a transformative technology, and we are all sort of on the cutting edge of something."

AI has since become a daily tool for young adults, used for tasks such as nutrition tracking, online tutoring, and platforms like ChatGPT.

WATCH: Why some schools use AI in the college admissions process

The college admissions application process is changing thanks to artificial intelligence. Some universities are starting to incorporate the tool in the application screening process.

Campbell highlighted its ability to "take in lots of information and paraphrase it," particularly useful for creating study quizzes during exams. He is also part of a project introducing AI literacy into English courses and hosting syllabus workshops to modernize curricula.

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Ford said they had the opportunity to participate in an OpenAI ChatGPT lab at Duke with students from across the country.

"This is a personalized learning assistant, a way to simplify tasks and even act as a decision-making aid," said Ford.

According to the most recent Pew Research Center data, about 20 percent of U.S. workers report using AI for at least some of their work, and 61 percent of Americans want more control over how AI is used in their lives.

While acknowledging concerns about the high volume of AI-generated content, Campbell compared the technology to fire, noting its potential for both benefit and harm.

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State leaders are working to adapt and implement strong guardrails.

Campbell believes regulation will emerge through trial and error, saying, "We can begin to create policy and think about what rules we want in place."

Ford emphasized the importance of education.

"A new curriculum where every student across the country is required to take an AI literacy course-not just to briefly understand how the models work so they can use them better, but also to learn what to be cautious of and what to be wary of," she said.


Five tigers rescued in Central America have a new home in North Carolina.

Carolina Tiger Rescue is proud to announce that all five tigers rescued from a facility in Honduras have safely arrived at our GFAS-accredited sanctuary in Pittsboro, sanctuary officials said on social media Friday. GFAS is short for Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

The rescue of eight big cats, including lions, was called Operation Flight to Sanctuary. The Little French Key sanctuary in Honduras cared for the animals for several years but wanted to get them to centers that could provide the best care possible, Carolina Tiger Rescue officials said.

A worker feeds a lion rescued as part of Operation Flight to Sanctuary.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas welcomed three lions as part of the rescue.

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All eight big cats will receive exceptional veterinary care, species-specific enrichment, thoughtful nutrition, and access to large, naturalistic habitats that only true sanctuaries can provide, according to Carolina Tiger Rescue.

Stay tuned as we share behind-the-scenes looks at the rescue, updates throughout their quarantine periods, and the next steps as they prepare to be introduced to their new habitats, officials said.
From his tent in Gaza City, Mahmoud Abdel Aal said residents were frustrated and worried because nothing had changed in the Palestinian territory since the start of the US-brokered ceasefire's second phase.

In a post-apocalyptic landscape of bombed-out buildings and makeshift camps devastated by recent winter rains, Palestinians who spoke to AFP mostly expressed bitterness.

Though Israeli strikes have been less intense since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began in October 2025, bombs still fall every day.

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After US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza on Wednesday, more than 14 people were killed in the tiny coastal territory, according to the Gaza civil defence agency.

Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire's terms.

"There is no difference between the war and the ceasefire, nor between the first and second phase of the deal: strikes continue every day," Abdel Aal said.

"Everyone is worried and frustrated because nothing's changed."

On Friday, an AFP photographer saw members of the Houli family walk through rubble after five of their relatives were killed in an air strike on their house in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah.

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- 'All over the media' -

Hamas announced the death of Mahmud al-Houli, described as a military officer of the movement, while Israel's military said it carried out strikes on Thursday against members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad's armed wings in response to what it considers violations of the ceasefire.

Houli family neighbour Ahmad Suleiman said the announcement of the ceasefire's second phase was "all over the media, but the reality is different".

"There is no ceasefire, otherwise look at what the ceasefire has brought," he told AFP, pointing to the destroyed building.

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Most residents interviewed by AFP said they were skeptical about recent announcements regarding the formation of the so-called "Board of Peace", an entity chaired by Trump and supposed to oversee reconstruction, and a Palestinian technocratic committee with which it is to work.

"No one is concerned for us," said Hossam Majed, who is living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City.

"The whole world meets in Cairo to talk about Gaza, but they can't even enter it," he told AFP.

"Israel will use the pretext of handing over the last body (of a hostage), then the weapons (of Hamas), and the second phase will stretch over additional years," he said.

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Hamas returned 47 of 48 hostages it was supposed to hand over under the terms of the first phase, and has yet to commit to disarming as is planned under the second phase.

- 'Hope and patience' -

Day-to-day living conditions for the vast majority of Gaza residents remain extremely precarious, with more than 80 percent of infrastructure destroyed, according to the United Nations.

Several humanitarian and UN workers told AFP that while the situation has improved in some areas since the ceasefire, the humanitarian response remains insufficient due to access restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities -- who deny these claims.

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Water and electricity networks, as well as waste management, no longer function.

Hospitals operate at minimal capacity when still open, and schools exist only as sporadic or marginal initiatives. All children in the Gaza Strip need psychological support after more than two years of war, according to UNICEF.

Nivine Ahmad, a 47-year-old woman living in a camp for the displaced in south Gaza's Al-Mawasi area, said: "We miss real life."

She said the announcement of the formation of the technocratic committee led her to imagine returning to Gaza City.

"I pictured living with my family in a prefabricated unit, with electricity and water instead of our bombed home," she said.

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"Only then will I feel that the war is over," she added.

In the meantime, she urged the world to put itself in Gazans' shoes.

"We only have hope and patience," she said.

bur-my/crb/mj/lba/amj
A 46-year-old man was arrested in Springfield Township on Friday night after a traffic stop led to officers finding 41.14 grams of methamphetamine.

Around 6:30 p.m., an officer with the Springfield Township Police Department had noticed a truck had pulled into the Office Motel on Massillon Road, according to a social media post.

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The officer then witnessed the truck leave five minutes later and headed northbound on Massillon Road.

Due to the truck being in a location known for drug activity, the officer decided to follow the truck, according to the post.

The officer watched the truck commit a traffic violation and followed the truck into a gas station parking lot to initiate a traffic stop.

The truck pulled up next to a gas pump, and a male exited the vehicle.

The officer told the driver why he had pulled him over and asked the driver where he was coming from.

The man said that he had allegedly picked up a female from a friends house and was taking her home.

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The officer told the man that he had followed him, and said that his statement was untrue and that the driver had just come from the Office Motel.

The driver was identified as 46-year-old Darrell Mancuso.

Mancuso was asked if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, to which he replied that he didnt know.

Mancuso had denied a car search, according to the post, so the officer deployed K9 Rex for an open-air sniff test.

K9 Rex gave a positive alert on the vehicle, and the officer then searched the vehicle.

Located inside the vehicle, there was allegedly a blue bag that was filled with eight individually wrapped bags that contained a crystal-like substance.

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A red bag that allegedly contained white and green mushroom-like substances, several empty plastic baggies, and a scale were also found inside the car.

Mancuso was arrested, and his vehicle was towed. During questioning at the police station, he allegedly admitted that the eight bags had contained methamphetamine and that the red bag had contained psilocybin mushrooms.

The methamphetamine was weighed separately, and combined with all the bags, there were 41.14 grams in total, according to the post.

The bag that contained the mushrooms weighed about 1.20 grams.

Mancuso was charged with:

Trafficking in Drugs- F2

Possession of Drugs- F2

Possession of Drugs- F5

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia- M4

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Pacific island nations are preparing to run their entire region on renewable energy alone, making it the planet's first region to do so.

As The Conversation observed, the plan tackles an enormous expense problem. These countries spend between 10% and 25% of their entire economic output purchasing imported dirty fuel. That money goes toward power generation equipment, vehicle fuel, and boat motors.

Transitioning to renewables would require an initial investment of approximately $3 billion to $4 billion. However, Pacific nations would save an estimated $610 million to $840 million annually afterward. Those savings could fund schools, hospitals, roads, and storm protection infrastructure.

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Transformations are underway already. Fishing vessels powered by electric motors have arrived in Solomon Islands waters. Large-scale battery installations keep electricity flowing consistently for Cook Islands residents. Remote highland communities in Papua New Guinea received solar equipment, bringing illumination to structures that previously had none.

Fiji aims to operate entirely on renewables by 2035. Tuvalu targets an earlier deadline of 2030. A detailed roadmap for regional clean energy debuted at COP30 in Brazil.

"If we can manage the rapid transition of our energy systems in the Pacific Islands, it can be a beacon for the rest of the globe," said Vanuatu climate and energy minister Ralph Regenvanu, per The Conversation. "Our survival depends on it."

If you're interested in making the switch to cleaner energy at home, solar panels offer one of the best solutions. They can reduce your electricity costs to nearly nothing. The Cool Down's Solar Explorer helps you connect with trusted installation companies and save up to $10,000 by comparing multiple quotes.

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You can also explore subscription options through the Solar Explorer that require no money down and can cut your utility rates by up to 20%. One example is the LightReach solar panel leasing program from Palmetto, which secures affordable energy pricing for you.

EnergySage is another partner available through the Solar Explorer. The company can help you access rebates, compare installer pricing, and find the right company for your project.

Adding an improved HVAC system alongside solar can slash your heating and cooling bills in half. The Cool Down's HVAC Explorer helps you locate budget-friendly systems.

You can also earn up to $5,000 in credits for home improvements by completing everyday tasks through the no-cost Palmetto Home app.

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 high-level delegation from the Government of Gujarat will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the release from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office said.

The WEF Annual Meeting will be held from January 19 to 23 at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The State's participation reflects Gujarat's bold, future-ready approach towards international collaboration and accelerated economic transformation.

At WEF 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will undertake an intensive programme of over 58 high-level meetings with global leaders and investors across key sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Textiles, Semiconductors, Emerging Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Food Processing, Chemicals, Shipping and Logistics, Electronics, and Aerospace. Proposed interactions include leading global companies such as AP Moller Maersk, Engie, EDF, Johnson Controls, Sumitomo Group, Linde, SEALSQ, Tillman Global, and others, the release said.

These engagements aim to strengthen Gujarat's industrial ecosystem, enable technology and innovation partnerships, attract global investments, generate large-scale employment opportunities for youth, and build long-term international institutional linkages.

According to the release, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will also speak at prominent global sessions, including India in the New Geo-Economic Order, The Power of Sports: Turning Spectacle to Legacy, Coal to Clean Initiative: Technological Innovations to Drive the Transition, Mission Water: A Water-Secure Future for One Billion People, and Delivering Sustainability at Scale: Pathways for Global Transformation. Through these platforms, Gujarat will showcase its development blueprint aligned with the vision of Viksit Gujarat @2047.

With the message "Gujarat - Ready for the World, Where Vision Meets Action," the State's participation at WEF 2026 underscores its ambition to emerge as a key partner in global value chains. The Government of Gujarat remains firmly committed to accelerating industrial development, fostering innovation-led growth, attracting transformative investments, and building a resilient and future-ready economy.

Gujarat's presence at WEF 2026 marks not just participation but leadership in shaping the global growth narrative. (ANI)
An 83-year-old Ohio man faces sentencing on Tuesday after being convicted of murder in the shooting of an Uber driver who he wrongly thought was trying to rob him.

William J Brock fatally shot the driver after wrongly assuming she was in on a plot involving scam phone calls that deceived them both to get $12,000 in supposed bond money for a relative, authorities said.

The 61-year-old driver, Lo-Letha Toland-Hall fell victim to the same scammer, driving to Brocks home between Dayton and Columbus to pick up a package for delivery, according to investigators.

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Brock shot Toland-Hall, of the Columbus suburb of Dublin, six times when she showed up at his home in March 2024, authorities said.

Toland-Halls case was one in a string of cases of Black Americans being shot while doing mundane things. Brock  of South Charleston, Ohio  is white.

He was convicted of murder, felonious assault and kidnapping Wednesday. He is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison at his sentencing hearing.

A message seeking comment was left with his attorney.

Brocks attorney said the shooting was in self-defense and the scammer had made threats against him and his family. Brock testified during the trial that he felt threatened when the driver arrived at his house.

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But prosecutors said Hall was unarmed and posed no threat when Brock shot her. Investigators said the driver was unaware of the scam call that Brock had received with threats and demands for money.

Clark county prosecutor Daniel Driscoll told reporters after the verdict that both families lost loved ones because of the scam.

The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there, he said. We know that the scammers, the folks who started this, havent been brought to justice.
ELKHART  Steve Cripe, 81, grew up about three blocks from the old Middlebury School, which is being renovated into an apartment building.

The old Middlebury School, located on 222 Middlebury St., holds many memories for the children who attended elementary school there. Cripe, a city resident, grew up without a father, so the male principals and teachers were role models for him, he said. He attended fourth, fifth and sixth grades at the school in the mid- to late 1950s.

I can just distinctly remember the layout of the building, Cripe said. I havent been in it for 50 years, but it had a big, open central floor area and then all the rooms were in the corners of the building.

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Ray Enfield, a retired architect who worked on the renovation of the building at one time, said the building was built well. Enfield said there were about 12 classrooms that the previous owner wanted to make into apartments.

Bradley Norman, CEO of GoGo Real Estate LLC., said he bought the building for about $100,000 in November. The previous owner of the building could not come up with the money to renovate it, Norman said.

I think everyone in the city wanted us to do it because our reputation of buying old buildings and following through to getting them done, Norman said. Were going to convert it into 16 two-bedroom apartments.

Norman and GoGo Real Estate have bought other historic buildings in the city, including the 112 Club, located on 112 S. Second St., and the old Elkhart Truth building, now known as the Enterprise Building, at 421 S. 2nd St. He has been developing in the city for about eight years, he said. The first building he bought was an apartment building in an auction.

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Norman started property development in England by buying and flipping houses. He moved to the United States about 10 years ago and started developing in different states. He settled on Elkhart because he said the city has something going for it.

I used to do development all across the U.S., Norman said. And I have places in Indiana and I really liked working with the city of Elkhart. I feel like Elkharts going places.

Norman pointed to the Jackson Rooftop, the River District and the young people moving to and working in the city as indicators that the community is thriving.

Norman said the construction on the old Middlebury School will start this spring and he thinks it will take about a year to finish up. He said the apartments will be high-end apartments.

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The old Middlebury School property has historic value, he said. Before the school was built, a cemetery was established at the site shortly after the city was founded on April 30, 1832. According to historical records from the Elkhart County Historical Museum, the cemetery was in use until about 1895.

When the old cemetery became full, the stones and remains were moved to a new location, which is now Grace Lawn Cemetery, 920 Middlebury St. In November 1903, the Elkhart School Board decided to build a new school that would go on the land where the old cemetery was located. In October 1905, the school opened for use.

The school remained in use until 1969, when it closed. The building was vacant for about five years, until it reopened as Middlebury Manor in 1975. Middlebury Manor had business offices and several occupants at one time.

The building was fully vacated by 2009. The building had multiple owners over the past 15 years. The nonprofit organization Lacasa expressed interest in turning the old building into apartments in 2012, but that project never materialized.

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Its been dormant for a couple of years now, said Cripe, the former student. Everybody kind of dropped the ball. They even started replacing all the roof, one half of the roof is all brand new and the other half of the roof isnt.

Enfield, the architect, said there was some damage to the roof and damage to the floors in a couple rooms, but the repairs were easy. There was a fire at one point as well and homeless people were living in the building, but the building is boarded up now, he said. He said he planned on having good quality materials in the building when he was working on it.

Enfield said he worked on the project about four years ago and worked on the building for several months. He said the drawings he had were approved by the state of Indiana and were ready to proceed with construction.

Enfield maintained contact with the previous owner of the building until about four months ago, he said. He did not know the previous owner sold it to Norman until recently, he said.

I think the apartments would be very nice, Enfield said. They had good function to them and theyre good-sized, and I think it would be very nice ... I think there is going to be a nice area in the future.
Jan. 17A woman has been charged with evidence tampering in the death and disappearance of the brother-in-law of Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Pena.Jaylene Lewark, 39, is facing one count of tampering with evidence in the death of 67-year-old Albert Pena, whose body was found one week after he was reported missing. The criminal complaint charging Lewark also named three others who helped dump Pena's body, which was found Jan. 9 in the Sacramento Mountains. The accomplices, according to the complaint filed in Torrance County Magistrate Court, included a man who allegedly told the others he killed Pena and asked for help disposing of the body.The Journal is not identifying the accomplices because they have not been charged in the case. The Torrance County Sheriff's Office has not detailed any arrests in the case and was unable to be reached Friday. Pena's body was discovered in the area of High Rolls, west of Cloudcroft. A cause of death was not specified in court records.Deputies were first notified Jan. 1 that Pena was missing after his older brother called the Torrance County Sheriff's Office and said nobody had heard from him and that his phone was not working, according to the criminal complaint.Pena's brother told deputies Albert Pena had last been seen at the Willard Cantina, near Estancia, on Dec. 30 with a man identified as an accomplice of Lewark, the complaint states.Deputies tried to locate Lewark and the man but were unsuccessful, according to the complaint. "It was clear during his time in Mountainair that word

had spread quickly that (the man) was one of the last people seen with Albert," the complaint states.When reached by phone, both Lewark and the man told deputies that they had not been involved in the disappearance and the man said he had not seen Pena since that night at the bar, according to the complaint.

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A friend of Pena's reached out to deputies and said Pena and the other man had come to his camper after leaving the bar and were drunk and arguing, according to the complaint. On Jan. 5, the Torrance County Sheriff's Office used phone location data to find the last known area of Pena's phone and discovered his abandoned vehicle, the complaint states. Deputies found blood stains on the front passenger seat, along with dried blood under the door."The amount

of suspected blood inside the vehicle suggested a violent encounter and further

supported our concerns of foul play regarding Pena's disappearance," according to the complaint. On Jan. 7, the man last seen with Pena was arrested after fleeing from a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer during a traffic stop, the complaint states. The BIA officers searched him and found Pena's credit cards and driver's license. Deputies spoke with the man, who told them he had Pena's ID because Pena had given the man his jacket to wear, according to the complaint. The man declined to answer any additional questions and remains in custody at the Lincoln County Detention Center on unrelated charges.On Jan. 9, the Torrance County Sheriff's Office received a call from the Otero County Sheriff's Office that they discovered a body had been dumped in the Sacramento Mountains, the complaint states. Two people who were believed to have been involved were detained by law enforcement.Deputies spoke to the two, identified as the brother and sister-in-law of the man who had been last seen with Pena. They told deputies that on Jan. 3 they received a call from the man and he told them "that he was in trouble and that he had just killed

someone," according to the complaint.The two said they met the man and Lewark and the group went to a property belonging to Lewark's, where they saw a man's body in a "doghouse," the complaint states. The pair said the body was moved into their vehicle before they drove to the mountains and disposed of it."Later the body was located and confirmed to be Albert Pena," according to the complaint.Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
A homeless person is dead, and another was arrested on Thursday after the first homicide of 2026 in Alexandria, according to police.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Magnolia Street, an area near train tracks and Interstate 49 between Jackson and Elliott streets, around 8:50 a.m. because a dead body had been found, reads a news release.

Police Chief Chad Gremillion said the arrest was made within three hours of the call about the body and credited "the swift and coordinated response of our officers and investigators."

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Areon Delshawn Jones, 33, was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center #1 on a charge of second-degree murder. Bail was set at $1 million.

The identity of the victim has not been released, pending notification of next of kin, it reads. The release states both Jones and the victim were homeless.

Although police described Jones as homeless, he listed a Texas Avenue home as his residence in jail records.

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The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the first homicide of 2026, that of an unidentified homeless person. One man has been arrested.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria Police arrest one man after body found on Magnolia Street
Mike Pence on Sunday said Delcy Rodriguez is not the right leader for Venezuela in the aftermath of the United States' capture of Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking with Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union, the former vice president said he supported President Donald Trumps capture of Maduro but broke with the president over his support of Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president.

Delcy Rodriguez is not the right leader for Venezuela going forward, Pence said. I think it should be the objective of the United States to move forward as quickly as possible to restore basic liberties, to restore free market principles. Do that through free and fair elections.

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Rodriguez, a strong supporter of Maduro, has been serving as the Venezuela president since Jan. 3. Following Maduros capture, Trump threw his support behind her, referring to Rodriguez as a terrific person" and saying the interim president will make Venezuela great again.

Pences criticism of Rodriguez comes shortly after the Associated Press reported that Rodriguez has been labeled a priority target of the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2022 and just days after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with Trump.

Though the White House has said its goal is to establish fair elections in Venezuela, it is unclear when the next election will occur. Administration officials have repeatedly said it is too soon to know as the country continues to reel from Maduros capture.

Still, Sen. John Cornyn told "Fox News Sunday" that Trump has multiple levers to use with Delcy Rodriguez.

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The president said that we've learned the lessons from Iraq that collapsing the existing governing regime and creating an insurgency can result in a long war that they are trying to avoid in Venezuela, the Texas Republican said.

Pences criticism of the president also extended to his strategy for controlling Greenland.

Though there is an "absolute" national security interest in controlling and ultimately owning the Denmark-owned territory, Pence said, he is concerned about how Trump plans to go about achieving that control.

I have concerns about using what I think is a questionable constitutional authority, imposing unilateral tariffs on NATO allies, to achieve this objective," Pence said, referring to a 10 percent tariff imposed on eight European countries opposing Trumps attempts to gain control of Greenland.

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"I do think that the current posture, which I hope will change and abate, does threaten to fracture that strong relationship not just with Denmark, but with all of our NATO allies," Pence added.

Cornyn said that while Greenland is strategically located, he believes any military action is not in the cards at this time.

Greenland and the Danes have been our allies for a long time now, Cornyn told "Fox News Sunday." President Trump is the dealmaker, and I expect him to make a deal.
Last week brought some good news for the East Coasts struggling offshore wind industry.

Federal courts ruled three times for developers of northeast projects  one of them being New London-based Revolution Wind  which so far have succeeded, barely, in fighting back against the Trump administrations continuing effort to shut them down.

Trump has long opposed offshore wind turbines, dismissing them as ugly threats to bird and marine life that, if completed, will produce unreliable and prohibitively expensive electricity.

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But the administrations latest stop work order  turned back at last temporarily in court by Revolution, New Yorks Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind  is based on the claim that a classified Pentagon report, one too secret to discuss, has identified offshore wind turbines as a threat to national security.

The security claim has met skepticism not only in court, but in Congress and elsewhere. The administration and Pentagon have so far refused to elaborate, but there is widespread belief that the claim is based on concern that enormous, revolving windmill blades interfere with military radar by producing unwanted images known as clutter.

If that is the claim, the wind industry and its supporters say the potential problem was identified by the Pentagon and resolved to its satisfaction years ago.

In multiple reports and other records, the U.S. Department of Interior bureau in charge of offshore energy leases, acknowledges it has consulted continuously with a variety of U.S. military agencies and that their concerns about equipment, training and operation have been mitigated.

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A 2023 report notes that Revolution Winds developers paid tens of thousands of dollars at one point for a software patch to alleviate U.S. Air Force radar issues. A letter the following year from the Department of Defense to the Revolution developers said the project would not have adverse impacts to DoD missions in the area.

Whatever the reason for its latest concern, the Pentagon wont talk about it, even when pressed by powerful members of Congress with seats on committees that control the defense budget and weapons procurement.

The Pentagon politely brushed off a request for information from U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, D-2. The Navy regularly briefs Courtney on classified matters in his position as ranking member of the House Armed Services Committees Seapower subcommittee, which oversees the countrys top defense priority, the Columba ballistic missile submarines built by Electric Boat in Groton.

Defense staff told Courtneys office last week that they are unable to discuss whatever the problem may be with offshore windmills  while emphasizing their continuing respect for the House armed services committees oversight responsibilities.

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On Thursday, four senior House Democrats with ranking committee assignments wrote to both the Defense Department and Interior Department asking for briefings on the security risks of offshore wind.

The Department of Defense said this has to be handled by the Department of the Interior, which is crazy if it is a national security issue, Courtney said. And by the way, we deal with classified information and get classified briefings all the time.

There is a lot at stake on the future of the northeast offshore wind industry, in particular for Courtney, whose district includes down-at-the-heels New London, which is starting to look like the historically important seaport it once was as a result of billions of dollars being spent by the offshore wind industry.

Norwegian multinational Orsted, which is building Revolution Wind, was a substantial investor in the $300 million rebuild that turned the decrepit State Pier in New London into a state-of-the-art supply hub for construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms including Revolution Wind, which is going up about 25 miles to the southeast.

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Orsted has signed a 10-year lease on the pier, across the harbor from Electric Boat, for millions more. For more than a year, the pier has been packed with massive turbine components, some standing nearly as high as the nearby Gold Star Memorial Bridge, awaiting ferrying by hi-tech ships for erection on the continental shelf.

Orsted said in court that it has spent at least $5 billion on offshore wind development and has hired 2,000 people for construction, many associated with New London pier operations. It said it plans to create hundreds more jobs in operations and maintenance  if it is permitted to continue working.

Revolution Wind is the only offshore wind project in which Connecticut has a stake. In late 2024, Gov. Ned Lamont unexpectedly pulled out of an agreement with Massachusetts and Rhode Island to buy electricity from a second wind project, saying the price of the energy on that deal was too high.

Revolution, a cluster of wind turbines south of Block Island, is supposed to help Connecticut meet an aggressive legislative mandate to obtain 2,000 megawatts of energy from offshore wind by 2030. The project is supposed to inject 880 megawatts of power into the New England electric grid. Of that, Connecticut is committed under two contracts drawn in 2019 to buying 304 megawatts, enough to power more than 100,000 homes.

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The Trump administration has tried and so far failed twice to shut down Revolution and other projects, in August and again in December. The December order, according to a court filing, was to suspend all ongoing activities related to the Revolution Wind Project on the Outer Continental Shelf for the next 90 days for reasons of national security.

Orsted said that Revolution Wind is 87 percent complete. Faced with the second suspension in four months, the company argued in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. last week that, because of power delivery and ship leasing commitments, Revolution Wind now once again faces enterprise-level threats.

Ruling from the bench in favor of Orsted, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth said that in order for the administration to prevail in its order to shut down work on Revolution it needed to show a national emergency and demonstrated findings of particularized harm that cannot be averted short of a total stop to project activity.

Im not persuaded that any such emergency exists in this case, he said.

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Revolution Wind, already has had to clear myriad federal permitting requirements, over a decade or more of planning and construction. Courtney said the extensive project record shows the Pentagon has been involved throughout and any concerns it had about military planning, training, equipment or operations have been satisfied.

Orsted and the Navy and the Department of Defense have been working on this for years, Courtney said. The Air Force was involved.

Over those years, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Interior Department agency in charge of offshore energy leasing, at least a dozen federal agencies were consulted on the plans, including the Department of Defense; the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard; the Federal Aviation Administration; and the North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said in an August 2023 report that at each stage of the regulatory process involving the Revolution project it has consulted with the Department of Defense for the purposes of assessing national security considerations in its decision-making processes.

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The reports reference, among other things, Air Force defensive radar installations designed to detect incoming air attacks. Impediments to U.S. Navy training also was a consideration. Submarines stationed at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton pass close to the Revolution lease area while heading to and returning from sea.

There is an open ended agreement for Orsted to continue to work with the government if there are new issues that arise, Courtney said. The problem is, halt work orders go out and Orsted gets no clue as to what the problem is.

The question is, does this justify a halt work order? This is where the judge, I think, has been on target. The project involves billions of dollars of investment and all the permitting approvals. There is no justification to just shut it down. If there is some new question, its not like they cant get Orsted to sit down and talk. The judge gave the government a chance to justify this thing and there was nothing there.
The Pentagon ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota as protests continue over the federal government's immigration operation, multiple media outlets are reporting.

Two Department of Defense officials told ABC News the soldiers are from the 11th Airborne Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

"We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces," one official said. "This doesn't mean they will deploy; we are preparing options."

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In a statement to The Washington Post, The White House said it's typical for the Pentagon "to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make."

During an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said this action by the Pentagon "was clearly designed to intimidate the people of Minneapolis."

"Here's the thing - we're not going to be intimidated. If the goal here is safety, we've got many mechanisms to achieve safety," Frey said. "And, the best way to get safety is not to have an influx of even more agents, and in this case, military, in Minneapolis."

Trump and the Insurrection Act

President Donald Trump, on Thursday, threatened that he might invoke the Insurrection Act amid demonstrations that broke out after Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers fatally shot a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, Renee Good, and shot and injured another person, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, in the same city just one week later.

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"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Speaking to reporters the next day, though, Trump said he doesn't see "any reason right now" to use the Insurrection Act, "but if I needed it I'd use it."

"It's very powerful," he added.

On Saturday, CBS News wrote that The Department of Justice is investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Frey, as well as other officials in the state, over allegations they conspired to slow federal immigration agents. Walz and Frey called the DOJ's investigation an attempt to weaponize the federal government and intimidate them.

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State officials, such as Walz, implored protestors to keep demonstrations peaceful as the federal presence continues in Minnesota. Walz directed Minnesota's National Guard to be on standby to assist local law enforcement in "keeping the peace," though they have not been deployed.

The state of Minnesota, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month against the Department of Homeland Security to end what officials called the "unprecedented surge" of almost 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents in their areas.

"The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota," Attorney General Andrew Ellison said in a statement. "People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close. Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end."

The post Pentagon tells 1,500 soldiers to be ready for possible Minnesota deployment appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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Police argued that the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court erred when it canceled restrictions, including restrictions on Urichs employment and broad no-contact orders.

Israel Police on Sunday filed appeals to the Lod District Court seeking to overturn a magistrates court decision that lifted most restrictive conditions imposed on Yonatan Urich, Omer Mantzur, and Tzachi Braverman, senior aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with the Bild classified documents leak case.

A hearing has been set for Tuesday.

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The appeals challenge a ruling by Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court President Judge Menachem Mizrahi, who sharply criticized the police investigation and ordered most of the restrictive measures against the three lifted. Mizrahi left in place only financial guarantees and limited no-contact orders with Eli Feldstein and Israel Einhorn for a period of 60 days.

In their filings, police argued that the magistrates court erred when it canceled restrictions including bans on employment at the Prime Ministers Office, broad no-contact orders, and, in Bravermans case, a prohibition on leaving the country.

Investigators also requested a stay of execution, warning that the immediate removal of the conditions poses a concrete risk to the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Attorney Amit Hadad arrives for a court hearing of Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein who were arrested in the so-called Qatargate investigation, at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion, April 1, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Urich, Mantzur, and Braverman suspected of serious security offenses

Police maintain that Urich, Mantzur, and Braverman are suspected of serious security-related offenses, including the delivery, possession, and destruction of classified information, some allegedly carried out with intent to harm state security.

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According to investigators, the evidentiary foundation against the three remains substantial and was wrongly discounted by the magistrates court at this preliminary procedural stage.

With respect to Urich, police argued that Mizrahi improperly assessed evidence in isolation rather than as part of a cumulative picture.

The appeal cites encrypted Signal correspondence between Urich and Feldstein prior to the publication of the classified material in Bild, in which Feldstein allegedly referenced a source within military intelligence and discussed ways of circumventing military censorship.

Regarding Braverman, police contend that there is reasonable suspicion he sought to obstruct the investigation during an early meeting with Feldstein, shortly after the affair became public. Investigators also argued that Bravermans extended stay abroad following a televised interview in which Feldstein described the alleged meeting delayed key investigative steps, strengthening the need for restrictive measures, including a temporary travel ban.

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The appeals further argue that Mizrahi improperly weighed the credibility of Feldstein - a central figure whose statements underpin the prosecutions case - and discounted the investigative risk posed by lifting employment bans. Police warned that allowing the suspects to return to sensitive government environments creates a heightened danger of obstruction, given their senior positions and the alleged relevance of those settings to the underlying events.

Investigators also challenged the decision to cancel broad no-contact orders, arguing that at this stage of the investigation it is not yet possible to identify all potential witnesses or suspects. According to the appeals, imposing narrower, named-only restrictions undermines the ability to prevent coordination or interference.

Mizrahis ruling relied in part on the formal separation between the Bild affair and the so-called Qatargate investigation, which probes alleged ties between Netanyahu associates and Qatari-linked influence efforts. Police argued in their appeals that while the investigations are procedurally distinct, factual overlap remains and must be considered when assessing the risk posed by lifting restrictions.

The appeals assert that references to material connected to Qatargate were not intended to improperly expand the scope of the case, but rather to provide contextual background relevant to evaluating the risk of obstruction and the seriousness of the suspicions.

Police asked the district court to reinstate the restrictive conditions pending a full hearing on the appeals, warning that without immediate intervention the magistrates court decision will take effect and be difficult to reverse. The Lod District Court is expected to rule first on the request to stay execution, before addressing the merits of the appeals themselves.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Departments Crime Reduction Team has arrested two suspects in connection to multiple robberies in the citys Southside area.

According to the BPD, these incidents took place on Jan. 15 in the 1000 block of 32nd Street South and the 1200 block of 28th Street South.

Alabama man found dead in Coosa River

24-year-old Kequan Walker and 22-year-old James Austin, both of Birmingham, were arrested and charged with two counts of first degree robbery. Walker was also charged with second degree assault. The BPD says more charges are possible as the investigation continues.

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Both suspects will be taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Police arrested a man accused of shooting and killing 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster in east Phoenix, according to officials.

The suspect, 25-year-old Deondre Franklin, was arrested and booked into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of one count of murder, Phoenix police announced on Jan. 17.

Police said Kaster was shot around 7:45 a.m. on Jan. 16 near 44th and Oak streets. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.

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Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Silent Witness to provide an anonymous tip at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suspect arrested in east Phoenix shooting death of Danny Kaster
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday inaugurated development works worth approximately Rs 100 crore in the RK Puram Assembly constituency and said that development activities in the national capital had remained stalled for years under the previous government. According to the Chief Minister's Office, under these projects, roads in the area will be constructed and repaired, old and dilapidated community platforms (chaupals) will be renovated, community centres will be upgraded, and parks will be beautified. "To promote public health, open gym equipment will be installed in parks, and boundary walls will be constructed at locations where required. These initiatives will provide residents with better connectivity, safer public spaces, modern community facilities and a cleaner environment," Gupta said. Addressing the gathering, Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government has assured all public representatives that there will be no shortage of funds for development works. She noted that earlier, Members of Parliament and MLAs had access to limited funds, due to which local development projects remained stalled for years. "However, for the first time in Delhi, under the leadership and blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi Government has assured all public representatives that there will be no shortage of funds for development works," she added. The Chief Minister said that development activities in Delhi had remained stalled for years. "Areas like R.K. Puram have a large number of jhuggi clusters, where previous governments failed to pay adequate attention to basic amenities. The present government is committed not to removing jhuggis but to ensuring a dignified life for their residents by providing permanent housing, toilets, bathing facilities, roads, drains, parks and play facilities for children," CM Gupta said. She informed that immediately after assuming office, the government released a budget of nearly Rs 700 crore to ensure development works worth Rs 10 crore in each Assembly constituency. "The objective is to provide modern facilities equally to the poor, the middle class and the affluent alike," she added. The Chief Minister further stated that the Delhi Government has restarted pension schemes that had been shut for years. "New ration cards are being issued, electricity is being provided to properties that were earlier without connections, the Yamuna cleaning campaign has been launched, garbage mountains are being removed, and concrete steps have been taken to reduce pollution through electric buses," the Chief Minister said. She reaffirmed that the government is fully committed to developing Delhi into a clean, green, modern and all-round developed capital. She added that, although the government has been in power for only 11 months, the coming years will witness a completely transformed Delhi. Expressing gratitude to the residents of the area, the Chief Minister said that the new beginning in Delhi's development has been possible only due to the blessings of the people. "The government is firmly resolved to fulfil every promise it has made. The programme was attended by MP Ms Bansuri Swaraj, R.K. Puram MLA Anil Sharma, Municipal Councillor Dharamveer Singh, District President Ravindra Chaudhary, and several other distinguished citizens," she added. (ANI)
The Green Township Police Department is searching for two suspects who stole money from an ATM outside of Kroger.

The incident happened at the Kroger on Harrison Avenue on Jan. 16, according to a social media post.

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The two suspects got into an older model Buick and fled the scene.

While still in the Kroger parking lot, the two suspects and the driver of the Buick got out of the car and entered a white Ford F150 before fleeing the lot.

Both vehicles have been recovered by the police.

The suspects were last seen in the area of Westwood Northern Boulevard and Wardell Avenue in Cincinnati.

If anyone has information on the two suspects, reach out to the Green Township Police Department at 513-574-0007.

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Police are looking for clues after three people were found dead in an Oklahoma City apartment.

Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Rob Robertson said police were called about 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 to an apartment in the 6600 block of NW 10, where they found the bodies of three adults.

Robertson said the cause of death for the three people is unknown, and an investigation is underway to determine what happened. The names of the people killed have not been made public.

More: Two people shot and killed after separate arguments, OKC police say

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Police investigating after three bodies found in Oklahoma City apartment
Officials have taken extra precautions to prevent human-wildlife conflicts after a couple of uninvited guests crashed a popular picnic spot in India.

What's happening?

The Sikharchandi hilltop in the city of Bhubaneswar was closed to visitors after two elephants were spotted in the area, according to the Orissa Post. Forest officials were deployed to keep an eye out for the animals.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and working to drive the elephants away as quickly as possible," one forest ranger said.

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Per the Orissa Post, tourists and locals were turned away from Sikharchandi due to the elephant sightings. Officials said the area would reopen after relocating the elephants safely.

This isn't the first elephant sighting in the region. According to The Times of India, elephant herds wandered into human-populated areas multiple times in 2025.

Why is human-wildlife conflict concerning?

Human-animal encounters are occurring more frequently due to factors such as a shifting climate and population growth.

According to University of Washington researchers, the human-wildlife overlap is expected to increase across more than half of Earth's land in less than fifty years.

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There were no reported injuries from the elephant encounter at Sikharchandi, but similar conflicts have resulted in fatalities. In 2021, CNN reported that about 500 people die every year during encounters with elephants in India.

India isn't the only place where dangerous animals enter human-inhabited areas. In Lake Tahoe, Nevada, a couple were hospitalized after an encounter with a bear in their garage. Elsewhere, a mountain lion took a dog from its owner's backyard in Erie, Colorado.

Per the BBC, there were more than 5,000 large carnivore attacks between 1950 and 2019 around the world. Nearly one-third of those incidents turned deadly for humans.

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.

What's being done about human-wildlife conflict?

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specialist told the BBC that preventing conflicts with wildlife starts with respecting animals and setting boundaries. However, it's also important to know how to react to wild animals in order to avoid injury.

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Researchers have continued to issue warnings about the rise in conflicts. Changing weather patterns are consistently named as a significant factor.

Reducing your carbon footprint can help mitigate the changing climate and potentially lower the amount of human-wildlife conflicts. Switching to an electric vehicle or installing energy-efficient appliances are great ways to make eco-friendly changes at home  and save money in the long run.

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 Jan. 7, 2026, killing of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis sparked a wave of online claims about what the law allows when officers confront moving vehicles. Text shared in multiple social media posts appeared to cite Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 as justification for the killing, claiming that accelerating a car toward an officer automatically "creates an immediate, life-threatening danger" and the officer "doesn't need to wait until impact" before using deadly force.

Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 is a real law that outlines when officers can use deadly force, but it doesn't mention cars. Rather than a direct quote from the law, the text shared in social media posts appeared to be an internet user's interpretation of the law in the context of the Good killing. We've reached out to the user who appeared to have first shared the text to ask whether they meant it as commentary or intended to suggest that the law literally contained this language.

Some posts that shared the text also claimed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had signed the law into effect. Walz did, in 2020, sign a police reform package that included tightening the criteria for the use of deadly force outlined in Section 609.066, but he did not create the law, which has been in effect since 1978.

Section 609.066 specifically concerns Minnesota peace officers. Because the officer who shot Good is a federal agent, the Minnesota peace officer statute does not apply to his actions.

The Jan. 7, 2026, killing of Renee Nicole Good in her car by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis sparked a wave of online claims about what the law allows when officers confront moving vehicles after federal authorities said the agent fatally shot Good, who was in her car, in an act of self-defense.

In the days that followed the shooting, one widely shared piece of text appeared to cite Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 as justification for the killing. According to the posts, that law asserts that if a driver accelerates toward an officer standing in front of a car, that automatically creates an "immediate, life-threatening danger" and the officer "doesn't need to wait until impact" before using deadly force.

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One X post (archived) making the claim that the officer acted legally under Minnesota law read:

Minnesota Statutes  609.066

If a driver accelerates toward an officer standing in front of the vehicle, this creates an immediate, life-threatening danger. The officer doesn't need to wait until impact; they can act based on the apparent intent and proximity.

(X user @jersey_puzzykat)

The purported law spread across social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook, with some users posting the text in comment threads under news coverage about the shooting.

Some versions paired the same text with an additional claim that it was "signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on July 23, 2020," after "a special legislative session."

(X user @mickitiki)

However, the alleged paragraph was not a direct quote from Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066. The real statute sets a case-by-case standard requiring an objectively reasonable belief, based on the totality of the circumstances, that deadly force is necessary. It doesn't directly address the scenario of a car driving toward an officer  in other words, the text shared in social media posts appeared to be an internet user's interpretation of the law in the context of Good's killing.

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Moreover, while Walz did, on July 23, 2020, sign a police reform package that amended Minnesota's existing use-of-force laws, those changes did not add the wording being shared online.

Finally, the law mentioned in the post was a state law  it wouldn't govern a federal agent such as the ICE officer who shot Good.

How the rumor spread

The claim circulated in two main versions. The first was as a legal-sounding passage presented as either a quote or a summary of Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 and the second version claimed the "bill was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on July 23, 2020."

The earliest instance of the text we found dates to Jan. 7, 2026, when the X account @ScummyMummy511 posted it along with an image seeming to show Good's car about to hit the officer.

(X user @ScummyMummy511)

As we previously reported, the user admitted the image featured in the post was generated using artificial intelligence. While federal officials described the shooting as self-defense and said Good used her vehicle to strike or threaten an ICE agent, multiple independent analyses of the available video found the SUV's front wheels turned to the right as it began moving forward and the shots were fired as the vehicle moved past the agent.

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The earliest example we found linking the claim to Walz's signature was a Facebook post by Eric Chance Stone (archived). The account's description read, "Destroyer of False Narratives." Other users shared the same text, often as a screenshot of that post.

We contacted both users to ask for the source of their information and whether they meant the posts as commentary rather than a literal reflection of Minnesota law, and we'll update this article if they respond. It's worth noting that the @ScummyMummy511 X user's account had a label reading "Parody account"; it was unclear whether they meant the text in the post satirically.

What Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 actually says

The wording that spread across social media posts does not appear in Minnesota law.

Section 609.066 of the Minnesota Statutes, titled "Authorized use of deadly force by peace officers," defines "deadly force" as force used to cause, or that creates a substantial risk of causing, death or great bodily harm, and it treats the intentional discharge of a firearm "at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be" as deadly force.

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However, the statute doesn't literally say that a vehicle moving toward an officer automatically makes deadly force lawful, like the paragraph shared on social media suggests. Rather, it states the use of deadly force is justified only if an objectively reasonable officer would believe it is necessary to protect against death or great bodily harm, emphasizing the "totality of the circumstances."

Subdivision 2 of Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066, titled "Use of deadly force," states in full:

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 609.06 or 609.065, the use of deadly force by a peace officer in the line of duty is justified only if an objectively reasonable officer would believe, based on the totality of the circumstances known to the officer at the time and without the benefit of hindsight, that such force is necessary: (1) to protect the peace officer or another from death or great bodily harm, provided that the threat: (i) can be articulated with specificity; (ii) is reasonably likely to occur absent action by the law enforcement officer; and (iii) must be addressed through the use of deadly force without unreasonable delay; or (2) to effect the arrest or capture, or prevent the escape, of a person whom the peace officer knows or has reasonable grounds to believe has committed or attempted to commit a felony and the officer reasonably believes that the person will cause death or great bodily harm to another person under the threat criteria in clause (1), items (i) to (iii), unless immediately apprehended. (b) A peace officer shall not use deadly force against a person based on the danger the person poses to self if an objectively reasonable officer would believe, based on the totality of the circumstances known to the officer at the time and without the benefit of hindsight, that the person does not pose a threat of death or great bodily harm to the peace officer or to another under the threat criteria in paragraph (a), clause (1), items (i) to (iii).

Moreover, Minnesota Statutes Section 609.066 governs the use of deadly force by Minnesota peace officers. Minnesota's Peace Officer Standards & Training Board notes it regulates Minnesota peace officers, but "does not license or regulate standards for federal officers" such as U.S. Marshals, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents, Border Patrol "or others employed by the federal government." In other words, the quoted law wouldn't be the rule governing an ICE agent such as the federal officer who killed Good.

Finally, Walz did sign a real police reform package on July 23, 2020  the Minnesota Police Accountability Act. Among other changes, the law amended Minnesota Statute Section 609.066, Subdivision 2 ("Use of deadly force"), first passed in 1978, tightening the standard to emphasize that deadly force is justified only when an "objectively reasonable" officer would believe it is necessary, based on the totality of the circumstances and without the benefit of hindsight, and adding specific threat criteria. Those revisions took effect March 1, 2021.

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A screenshot showing how the text changed is embedded below:

(www.revisor.mn.gov)

Therefore, the reform didn't insert the phrasing shared in the posts. It revised Section 609.066 to stress an objectively reasonable standard based on the totality of the circumstances and added specific threat criteria  a framework that could apply some vehicle-related cases, although the law doesn't directly mention that scenario.

For further reading, Snopes has investigated many rumors involving Good's death, including a claim that video showed a federal officer defacing a memorial to her.

Sources:

"Anger and Outrage Spills onto Minneapolis Streets after ICE Officer's Fatal Shooting of Renee Good." AP News, 8 Jan. 2026, https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03.

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Chapter 1 - MN Laws. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2020/2/1/#laws.0.9.0:~:text=Sec.%2010.,March%201%2C%202021. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

Deng, Rae. "ICE Shooting of Renee Good Was 1st Recorded Minneapolis Homicide of 2026." Snopes, 9 Jan. 2026, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/renee-good-ice-shooting-2026-minneapolis-homicides/.

. "Image Claiming to Show Renee Nicole Good's Car Aimed at ICE Officer Isn't What It Seems." Snopes, 10 Jan. 2026, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/renee-good-car-ice-image/.

Duster, Chandelis. "Nationwide Anti-ICE Protests Call for Accountability after Renee Good's Death." NPR, 11 Jan. 2026. National. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2026/01/10/nx-s1-5673229/ice-protests-minneapolis-portland-renee-good.

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Lum, Devon, et al. "Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis." The New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026. U.S. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010631041/minneapolis-ice-shooting-video.html.

News, A. B. C. "Minneapolis ICE Shooting: A Minute-by-Minute Timeline of How Renee Nicole Good Died." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/minneapolis-ice-shooting-minute-minute-timeline-renee-nicole/story?id=129021809. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

. "Minneapolis ICE Shooting: A Minute-by-Minute Timeline of How Renee Nicole Good Died." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/minneapolis-ice-shooting-minute-minute-timeline-renee-nicole/story?id=129021809. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

Radware Bot Manager Captcha. http://validate.perfdrive.com/d5bd5333eafe8b0ccd6023ba818d1aa6/?ssa=18dacda1-ca4e-4f2c-8e4c-4ab32729c1ef&ssb=95492228460&ssc=https%3A%2F%2Fmn.gov%2Fpost%2Fapplicants%2Fgeneralinformation%2F&ssi=db85f5c0-bf56-47c1-9680-2a545f63b2a7&ssk=support@shieldsquare.com&ssm=51425321647101115108428922830539&ssn=1ad63a635e7ab36c46dc8fc69e0e4171509c479099ce-2802-41c9-8689b8&sso=5853eaf0-6e8999d0be60d4dd28c98aad17188daad111d1891c86ccea&ssp=61162489161768448486176848509146826&ssq=55190441642032121151516420462228006127653&ssr=NTIuOTAuMjMwLjExOA==&sst=Mozilla/5.0%20(Macintosh;%20Intel%20Mac%20OS%20X%2010_15_7)%20AppleWebKit/537.36%20(KHTML,%20like%20Gecko)%20Chrome/120.0.0.0%20Safari/537.36&ssu=&ssv=&ssw=&ssx=W10=. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

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Radware Bot Manager Captcha. http://validate.perfdrive.com/d5bd5333eafe8b0ccd6023ba818d1aa6/?ssa=dca21894-861e-4cf4-87ca-2bff18aa08d5&ssb=81826233932&ssc=https%3A%2F%2Fmn.gov%2Fgovernor%2Fnewsroom%2Fpress-releases%2F%3Fid%3D1055-441356&ssi=12060332-bf56-4a86-8ead-bed929b0afe8&ssk=support@shieldsquare.com&ssm=13876068800549080106699849442817&ssn=e54d706bb66d783cd4652954761e4cc9260918ade7c3-c58e-42bf-b1c029&sso=bda57e4a-4fdbf6c1c11d35b6af8c4c3d4901f92ff3459902406224a1&ssp=09419697061768499514176842751508925&ssq=28660951640841115187816408194025378271543&ssr=MzUuMTczLjEzOS4xMDA=&sst=Mozilla/5.0%20(Macintosh;%20Intel%20Mac%20OS%20X%2010_15_7)%20AppleWebKit/537.36%20(KHTML,%20like%20Gecko)%20Chrome/120.0.0.0%20Safari/537.36&ssu=&ssv=&ssw=&ssx=W10=. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Renee Good Articles | Snopes.Com. https://www.snopes.com/tag/renee_good/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Sec. 609.066 MN Statutes. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.066. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
WATCH ABOVE: Clemency vs. pardons | Whats the difference?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KNWA/KFTA)  President Donald Trump has commuted the remaining federal prison sentence of James Phillip Womack, son of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (RArk.), according to a clemency order issued this week by the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice.

In May 2024, James Womack, 38, was sentenced in federal court to 96 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a $1,900 fine, for distribution of more than five grams of actual methamphetamine.

James Phillip Womack, 38, in a prior mugshot. President Donald Trump commuted the remainder of his federal drug sentence on Jan. 17. (COURTESY: Benton County Sheriffs Office)

The clemency order signed by President Trump reduces the remainder of James Womacks federal prison term but does not eliminate or shorten his supervised release.

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While the prison sentence was reduced, the order leaves all conditions of supervised release unchanged.

Court records show James Womack has a lengthy criminal history involving drug- and firearm-related offenses dating back several years.

His first arrest occurred in Sept. 2018, when he was taken into custody in Benton County on multiple charges after police recovered methamphetamine, a firearm and drug paraphernalia from a vehicle connected to him. He later entered a plea agreement in that case and, in April 2019, was sentenced in state court to nine years in prison on several felony charges.

These Northwest Arkansas cities are forecasted to have 100K residents by 2050: report

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James Womack was considered for early release in 2020 as part of the Arkansas Department of Corrections COVID-19 response and was later released. He was arrested again in July 2022 in Rogers and then once more in Jan. 2023 following a police pursuit in Tontitown that ended with officers locating him hiding near a residence.

Separate from the state cases, federal prosecutors indicted James Womack on April 26, 2023. The indictment charged him with distributing more than five grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womacks (RArk.) office released the following statement to KNWA/FOX24:

I am grateful to President Trump for this gracious and thoughtful action. The commutation has allowed my son to be with his family during a profoundly difficult time, and the Presidents phone conversation with my wife and her care team made an impression that Ill cherish forever.

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The full executive grant of clemency is publicly available through the Department of Justice.

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.
There were calls for freedom for Iranians in downtown Raleigh this evening.

This comes as ABC News is learning from human rights groups that thousands of protestors in Iran have been killed.

Unrest in the country against the government has grown in recent weeks.

More than 100 people gathered outside the Wake County Courthouse for this rally.

The current regime in Iran shut off internet access in the country and closed the borders.

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The D.C. based Human Rights Activists News Agency tells ABC News close to 3,000 protesters have been killed by the regime since the unrest began.

Back here at home, Iranians in the Triangle say the rally serves as a call to action for more foreign intervention.

"If they want to act, they need to act now. Every second is equal to killing thousands of people," said Mozhjan Kiani who fled Iran in 2006.

"The basic demands of the people are basic human rights, ability to roam around the country without persecution. They want freedom of speech. They want freedom of expression and so forth, which this regime is incapable of offering," said Shahram Mazhari.

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ABC News has not been able to independently identify the total number of civilian deaths on the ground in Iran.

Organizers tell us there are more than 15,000 Iranians who live here in North Carolina.

More of these rallies are planned across NC including here at home and others planned in Charlotte.

SEE ALSO: Sen. Thom Tillis takes on the White House, but not Trump
Reports indicated that Israel may have been taken by surprise that Trump had been aloof at first, but was suddenly contemplating an attack on Wednesday.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called US President Donald Trump last week, the Iran attack was delayed.

Part of the reason that Netanyahu asked for a delay was that Israel was caught off guard at the speed at which Washington suddenly seemed ready to attack, according to foreign reports.

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As of Tuesday, those foreign reports said, there was still significant uncertainty about what Trump would do.

At the time, top Israeli officials understood that the regime had already killed at least between 2,000 and 3,000 of their own people, mostly on Thursday and Friday, January 8-9, a big jump from the death totals until then, which were estimated in the 400-500 range.

They were also aware that around one million protesters had come out during those days, a skyrocketing total compared to earlier protests, with most foreign reports indicating that on most of the other days, the volume had not surpassed 100,000.

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities (credit: MAHSA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

There had been an evolution regarding Trumps public statements about what the American military, cyber, or covert forces could do against the Islamic Republic, and there was also a much-discussed Netanyahu and Trump phone call last week.

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But after all of that, Israeli officials had not expected that Trump would thrust forward and attack as early as Wednesday without additional coordination. Meanwhile, the full gamut of American naval and air forces had moved, placed in the region as they were during the prior three rounds of fighting between Israel and Iran between 2024 and 2025.

Taken by surprise that Trump had been aloof at first, seemingly slow-moving and deliberate in his consideration of the issue, then suddenly shifted his position to being attack-ready on Wednesday itself, the prime minister, foreign reports have indicated, felt pressed into the unusual position of needing to ask the US president to hold off.

Israeli, American military preparedness

There were likely various reasons for the pause, including questions about Israeli air defense readiness, American readiness to help defend Israel, whether the US attack being contemplated would have the desired effect of truly bringing about a regime downfall, or a waste of bluster due to lack of planning or improper timing. These reasons were probably why an assortment of Israeli officials did not think the timing was right.

But it is possible that the act of directly asking for a delay in the attack, as opposed to just ongoing consultations and the sharing of strategies and tactics, came about in no small part because, foreign reports have said, Israeli officials were caught flat-footed.

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Given that the climax for the protests so far was between January 8 and 9, and neither the US nor Israel acted in anyway on those days to prevent the slaughter of thousands of Iranians, thereby allowing the regime a significant boost in its struggle to retain power, it appears that both Israeli and American officials have generally been behind on keeping up with developing events in the Islamic Republic.

One reason for that could be the sudden jump in the size of the protests, from tens of thousands to one million in a matter of days, after nearly two weeks in which the demonstrations remained relatively small.

But whatever the reasons, foreign reports have indicated that Israeli officials did not anticipate the speed or the extent of some of the ups and downs of the protests to date, despite Israeli officials having extensive information about the economic and water crisis confronting the country for an extended period due to the global nuclear sanctions, which kicked in late in August.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko are set to join a growing list of global politicians, leaders and businesspeople on Donald Trumps Board of Peace to oversee the reconstruction and governance of Gaza.

Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Pope and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are considering invitations to join  potentially making the board one of the most extraordinary gatherings of world leaders ever.

A White House official said about 30 countries were expected to join, and about 50 had been invited.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to decline, and Norway and Sweden already have.

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India, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union's executive arm said they had also received invitations.

Mr Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed he had agreed to join, despite his earlier criticisms of the committee, which will supervise implementation of US presidents plan for the strip following its bombardment by Israel.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner will be key members of the board.

The US president, who will serve as chair, called it the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place.

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The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community to achieve the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan, he said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump will serve as chair of the new board (PA Wire)

A national committee for the administration of Gaza (Ncag), a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, has also been appointed. The committees job will be to run the daily affairs of Gaza following Israeli bombardments, overseen by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.

The President calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the NCAG [National Committee for the Administration of Gaza], the Board of Peace, and the International Stabilization Force to ensure the swift and successful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, a White House statement said.

The board names do not include any Palestinians. The White House said more members would be announced over the coming weeks.

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The White House also named an 11-member Gaza Executive Board that will include Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Sigrid Kaag, the United Arab Emirates minister for international cooperation, Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, along with some members of the executive board.

Many rights experts and advocates have previously said that Trump overseeing a board to supervise a foreign territory's governance resembled a colonial structure.

Here are the members of President Trumps new board:

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister  whose response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on his country has been widely condemned  has been suspected of acting slowly to implement President Trumps 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza.

Israels war in Gaza has led to the death of more than 70,000 Palestinians and the displacement of almost all of the territorys 2.3 million population.

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An arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been issued against Mr Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

His office had criticised the make-up of the executive committee of the new Board of Peace, saying it was not coordinated with Israel and ran contrary to its policy.

Sir Tony Blair

The former PM remains a divisive figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He later became a representative of the Quartet, a group seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians made up of the U.S., E.U., Russia and the United Nations, but stepped down after being deemed too close to Israel.

Sir Tony said in a statement: "I thank President Trump for his leadership in establishing the Board of Peace and am honoured to be appointed to its executive board.

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"It's been a real privilege to work with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their outstanding team.

"I look forward to working with them and other colleagues in line with the president's vision to promote peace and prosperity."

He said the president's 20-point plan for Gaza was an "extraordinary achievement" and that implementing it will take "enormous commitment and hard work".

Sir Tonys name was listed alongside high-profile Trump administration officials (PA Wire)

Steve Witkoff

The US special envoy to the Middle East has also been part of Trumps delegation leading the efforts to end the war in Ukraine though the US peace proposal.

Earlier this month, Mr Witkoff announced Trumps phase two of ending the war in Gaza which included the reconstruction and demilitarisation of the besieged strip.

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He has travelled to Israel frequently for talks and was present in the country when the ceasefire with Hamas was announced last October.

Steve Witkoff is the US special envoy to the Middle East ((Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP))

Jared Kushner

Mr Trumps son-in-law has played a key role in foreign policy in his current and former administration.

In November, he met with Netanyahu to discuss the sticking points in a peace agreement with Hamas.

But he sparked criticism in 2024 after saying "Gaza's waterfront property could be very valuable... if people would focus on building up livelihoods."

More recently, he has played a crucial role in the US-led peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner is also on the board (AP)

Marco Rubio

The US Secretary of State is central to Mr Trumps foreign policy.

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In October, he took part in negotiations with Israel to broker a ceasefire with Hamas.

He is also the acting administrator of the US Agency for International Development, the acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration and Trumps interim national security adviser.

Marco Rubio secured his spot on the new board (AP)

Marc Rowan and others

Also on the board are billionaire Marc Rowan - the CEO of Apollo Global Management, an American asset management firm.

Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, is also on the board. Mr Banga has advised several US politicians in his career.

Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser, is also on the board having worked with the US president since his 2016 campaign.

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Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, has been tasked with being the board's representative on the ground in Gaza.

Turkeys president Tayyip Erdogan was sent a letter from Trump inviting him to join the board, the Turkish presidency announced.

Egypt is also reviewing an invitation for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to join the board, the countrys foreign minister said.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations in Gaza, where more than 450 Palestinians, including over 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed during the truce.

Israel's assault on Gaza since October 2023 has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis and internally displaced Gaza's entire population. Multiple rights experts, scholars and a UN inquiry say this amounts to genocide.
North Carolina Rep. Carla Cunningham (D) is defending her seat as her opponents say she sides with Republicans too often.

ALSO READ: Petition to remove Mecklenburg County sheriff dismissed

Last year, Cunningham made headlines for voting in favor of a bill that requires sheriff departments to honor ICE detainers. Governor Josh Stein vetoed it. Cunningham was the swing vote that gave Republicans the supermajority necessary to override it. That drew backlash. But some Democrats were even more upset with her floor speech before the vote.

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Reverend Rodney Sadler and Vermanno Bowman are challenging Cunningham in House District 106.

>> In the video at the top of the page, hear from all three candidates in an interview with The Political Beats Joe Bruno.

(WATCH BELOW: NAACP demands transparency in Gastonia officer-involved shooting)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon ranked 19th in the United Health Foundations Americas Health Rankings 2025 Annual Report, released earlier this week.

The report analyzes 99 measures of health and wellbeing across state and national levels, including areas such as physical and behavioral health, nutrition and physical activity, sexual health, housing, climate risks, access to care and more.

Federal judge sides with Oregon as DOJ seeks sensitive Oregon voter data

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Nationwide, researchers found improvement in national mortality rates, including the first decline in drug-related deaths since 2018.

Researchers highlighted Oregons high prevalence of high school completion, its low rate of uninsured people and its high voter participate as some of the strengths contributing to its score. However, they also noted the state continues to struggle with a high prevalence of mental distress, a high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions and a high prevalence of non-medical drug use.

Despite the nationwide improvements, Oregon ranked 44th for its high concentration of adults engaging in non-medical drug use. It ranked 46th for its high share of adults who experience frequent mental distress.

Oregon also ranked 48th out of 50 for the share of its population experiencing homelessness. It placed 40th for the percent of households who are burdened by housing costs. It also placed among the worst for its severe housing problems, determined by the percent of unoccupied housing units.

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The state also ranked 19th for its overall health in last years report, but in 2023 it was slightly lower, in the 21st spot.

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Washington ranked as the seventh healthiest state, according to the report. Researchers highlighted low rates of economic hardship, high voter participation and physical activity as some of the strengths that contributed to the high ranking. They also noted that Washington continues to struggle with both a high prevalence of frequent mental distress as well as non-medical drug use and a low prevalence of cancer screenings.

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Further down the West Coast, California ranked 24th. The state had a particularly low prevalence of cigarette smokers and a low prevalence of people with multiple chronic conditions, as well as a high number of mental health providers. On the other hand, California struggled with high levels of air pollution, a low number of primary care providers and a low prevalence of high school completion.

In fact, when looking at air pollution alone, California ranked worse than any other state. It also scored particularly low on housing, landing in 46th its high share of residents experiencing homelessness and 50th for the high share of households burdened by housing costs. It also landed in the 49th spot for its high occurrence of severe housing problems, defined by the percent of occupied housing units.

According to the report, the healthiest state was New Hampshire, followed by Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Utah.

The least healthy state was Louisiana, followed by Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
An elderly man lost his life, and at least 27 others sustained injuries during a bull race organised as part of Pongal festival celebrations at Govinda Reddipalayam village in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. The incident occurred during Eruthuvittal Vizha, a traditional bull race held in connection with Pongal festivities, during which raging bulls charged through the arena amid a large crowd of spectators. According to officials, the deceased has been identified as Thilagar (65), a resident of Kattukanur village near Kannamangalam in Tiruvannamalai district. He had come to Govinda Reddipalayam to visit his daughter, Bhuvaneswari, for the Pongal festival, and was standing near the finishing area when a bull gored him. He died on the spot due to the impact. The bull race was organised at Govinda Reddipalayam near Ariyur, with more than 100 bulls taking part in the event. Over 5,000 spectators from Vellore district and neighbouring areas had gathered to witness the traditional festival. Police said that 27 persons, including Sathuvachari Police Inspector Vijayabhaskaran, who was on duty at the finishing point, sustained minor injuries after being hit by the bulls. All the injured were administered first aid at a temporary medical camp set up at the venue. The body of the deceased has been sent to the Vellore Government Medical College Hospital at Adukkamparai for post-mortem examination. Ariyur police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing Pongal festival celebrations, a grand Jallikattu event was organised at Vadamalapuram near Pudukkottai, drawing large crowds from surrounding areas. The event was held at the Pidari Amman and Karuppar temples and jointly organised by the villages of Rajavayal, Vadamalapuram and Gurukalaiyapatti. Jallikattu, a centuries-old traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, is observed on the third day of Pongal. The term is derived from the Tamil words 'Jalli', meaning silver and gold coins, and 'Kattu', meaning tied. During the event, a bull is released into a crowd, and participants attempt to tame it by holding its hump to retrieve the coins tied to its horns. Pulikkulam or Kangayam breeds are commonly used for the sport. Bulls that perform well during the festival are in high demand and often fetch high prices in the market. (ANI)
Countries in US President Donald Trump's newly created Board of Peace can secure a seat for an indefinite period if they contribute $1 billion to the budget within a year, according to the draft charter published by the Times of Israel.

The Israeli daily published the draft charter in full on Sunday.

The 13 chapters also show that the US government wants to greatly expand the board's mandate beyond its current focus on pacifying and rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

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According to the draft, the Council is to deal with crises and conflicts around the globe.

Critics are therefore already talking about possible competition with the United Nations, which Trump repeatedly criticizes as dysfunctional.

This criticism is also echoed in the preamble, which states that "durable peace requires pragmatic judgement common-sense solutions, and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed."

The document also emphasizes the need for "a more nimble and effective international peace-building body."

According to the current concept, the board will initially focus on the Gaza conflict.

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The body is part of the second phase of Trump's peace plan for the Gaza Strip, which envisages a permanent end to the war and the disarmament of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, which Hamas rejects. The body is to oversee the new transitional government of the coastal strip.

Several heads of state and prime ministers have recently been invited by Trump to participate in the so-called Board of Peace.

Invitations were sent to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian Head of State Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Argentine President Javier Milei and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, among others.

The draft charter stipulates that Trump will chair the council and that only heads of state and prime ministers invited by him can be members. Regular membership ends after three years, unless countries pay $1 billion into the council's budget.

Amendments to the document can be decided by a two-thirds majority of the members, with additional confirmation by the chair. It also states that the Board of Peace will dissolve at a time "deemed necessary or appropriate by the chair."
Russian forces have attacked Ukraine with 201 UAVs on the night of 17-18 January. Ukrainian air defence forces have shot down or jammed 167 drones.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Details: In particular, 30 attack UAVs hit 15 locations.

Drone debris fell at two locations.

As of the morning, the attack is still ongoing, and several Russian UAVs are remaining in Ukraine's airspace.

Background: Russia has lost 830 soldiers killed and wounded over the past day, bringing its total number of personnel losses to 1,226,420.

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Russia continues to systematically export grain crops grown in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, selling them on foreign markets as its own exports. By the end of 2025, the volume of exported agricultural products exceeded two million tonnes.

Source: Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU)

Details: Intelligence reports indicate that Russia is using the infrastructure of ports it has seized in the Azov and Black Seas, primarily the seaport of Sevastopol, to export the stolen grain.

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Most of these exports occurred in the second half of 2025, during which the Russians shipped about 1.4 million tonnes of grain.

More than half of the volume, 53.6%, was sent to two countries: Egypt (490,000 tonnes) and Bangladesh (250,000 tonnes). Supplies to Turkiye (96,7000 tonnes) and Lebanon (78,100 tonnes) also increased. In addition, Russia resumed grain exports to Syria (94,400 tonnes).

Among other buyers of the stolen agricultural products are Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Djibouti, while small volumes even reached certain Balkan countries.

To circumvent international sanctions, the Russians use a ship-to-ship scheme, transferring cargo from vessel to vessel at sea.

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Quote: "This allows the Russian Federation to conceal the real origin of the grain, and enables the carrier to avoid calling at ports in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories and reduce the risk of accusations of illegal trade. This scheme is used when supplying grain to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Vietnam."

Background:

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has set up schemes to export Ukrainian grain using a shadow fleet and falsified documents on the origin of the goods.

Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that Ukrainian intelligence had identified 45 vessels involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and its shipment to global markets. Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 43 of the vessels, as well as on 39 captains.

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Santa Anitas experiment of placing betting machines similar to Historical Horse Racing at the racetrack last week came to an abrupt halt Saturday when law enforcement officials removed the machines after racing ended.

Two officials at Santa Anita confirmed that representatives of the state Department of Justice removed the Racing on Demand machines, which were confiscated.

According to eyewitnesses, a representative of the Arcadia Police Department, along with law enforcement officers with patches that read California Department of Justice Attorney General, came into the grandstand area where the machines were located and unplugged them, placed them on handcarts and removed them from the building.

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Read more: Santa Anita horse track installs slot-machine-like terminals sure to spark fight

Employees in the area were told to leave as about 15 officers confiscated the machines, including all the cash in them.

The machines, which allow people to bet on past horse races in a slot-machine-type format, were installed in the grandstand area of Santa Anita on Thursday with no notice, in what was called a soft opening.

Santa Anita did not advertise the machines or announce them in its fan newsletter. The move to install the machines also came without advance notice to the California Horse Racing Board.

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Its unclear who or what precipitated the removal, but a representative for the tribes of California, which control most non-pari-mutuel wagering in the state, told The Times that they would have a full-throated response to the installation of the machines, which they say violates the tribal compact with the state on gambling.

The tribes are a powerful force in state politics and contribute millions of dollars to candidates.

There was always only one outcome out of this, said Victor Rocha, conference chair of the Indian Gaming Assn. They know it. I know it. Especially after what happened with sweepstakes and whats currently happening with prediction markets.

Read more: Historical Horse Racing machines key to the sport's future in California are in peril

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The tribes historically have prevailed in placing restrictions on both types of gambling.

Rocha, who is in Barcelona, Spain, at a world gaming conference, said he was not told in advance that the state would seize the machines.

Santa Anita says the machines, which offer first, second and third betting on three past races, do not violate the rules for pari-mutuel gambling. The tribes contend the slot-like machines are a game of chance and under its purview. Santa Anita says because the mutuel pool is not held in-house but between bettors that it is a game of skill and allowed.

This probably is headed for litigation, and the fact that the machines were removed so quickly by the state attorney generals office might tip which side has the early edge. The consortium trying to bring this type of wagering to California said it sent a copy of its legal opinion to the attorney general in advance of the installation.

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The CHRB also called for a legal opinion on the issue, although one has not been made public.

We stand firmly behind our legal analysis, Scott Daruty, senior vice president of the Stronach Group, which owns the track, said in a statement. Racing On Demand operates under Californias long-standing pari-mutuel wagering laws using a wager that regulators already approved. Attorney General [Rob] Bonta received our comprehensive legal analysis nearly a year ago.

Read more: Will California ever approve Historical Horse Racing machines to help save the sport?

His office had ample time to raise concerns. They did not. We proceeded on solid legal ground, and since the state is choosing to challenge that now, were fully prepared to defend ourselves. Were confident the law is clear.

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At stake is the future of California racing. The state is one of the few that receive no supplemental income from casino-type gambling. Historical Horse Racing, allowing people to bet on past races with little handicapping information, has greatly increased purses in Kentucky and other states, where it is legal.

California is at a big disadvantage in purses because it does not have the supplemental income.

Business on the machines was light with no promotion or advertising. On the first day, the 26 machines handled $11,281 in dollar bets. On Friday, it was $11,465 and Saturday it was $3,854. The total was $26,600.

Santa Anita has not announced what percentage of the mutuel handle would go to purses. But if applying the formula that Kentucky uses for its machines, then the three-day haul produced about $532 for purses.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Researchers from the United Kingdom and Austria have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can speed up the modeling process for plasma turbulence in fusion reactors, helping them improve future designs in the quest for low-carbon energy.

The new machine-learning-based tool, GyroSwin, was developed by the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority, Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, and an Austrian spinout firm, Emmi AI, according to a report by The Times.

"Designing, developing, and operating a fusion power plant will involve millions of plasma simulations," Rob Akers, director of computing programs at the UKAEA, told the outlet.

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GyroSwin can help reduce computational times from days down to seconds.

Fusion has long been the holy grail of the energy sector, promising safe, low-carbon energy that can run 24/7 using hydrogen fuels such as deuterium and tritium that can be sourced from abundant seawater supplies.

The fuel is so efficient that the energy from just 1 gram of deuterium-tritium fuel is equivalent to the energy from 2,400 gallons of oil, without the environmental pollution caused by petroleum products.

Unlike nuclear fission, fusion reactors won't generate long-lived radioactive waste and don't carry the same risk of catastrophic runaway chain reactions that haunt nuclear projects, The Times explained.

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The fusion process is relatively simple to understand but complex to achieve. When atomic nuclei are fused together, they lose mass and release enormous amounts of energy, similar to the process that occurs naturally in stars.

However, temperatures in excess of 100 million degrees are required to create a plasma to host these reactions, and powerful magnetic fields are needed to contain it since most solid shielding materials are not resilient enough to handle the task on their own.

Complex computer simulations track plasma's turbulent activity across five dimensions, describing where the particles are in space and their direction and speed relative to the magnetic field.

However, a single simulation can take hours or days to run, even on powerful supercomputers, according to The Times.

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Not only does the GyroSwin AI tool reduce runtimes "from hours or days to minutes or seconds while preserving sufficient accuracy," but it's also capable of handling more complexity than other AI models.

"It turns an almost intractable problem into something that feels within reach  which, to me, is very exciting," said Akers.

"We still need supercomputers to generate the training data and to push the physics frontier. But once you've trained a good surrogate, you can amortize that cost and answer many more 'what if' questions quickly," he added.

Fusion could be the key to helping humanity achieve net-zero carbon pollution by 2050, and tools like GyroSwin could help guide researchers in building efficient reactor designs.

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In this case, it could help Britain's fusion investments pay off, both financially and in clean, renewable energy.

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"Underwater hotels" placed in coral reefs off the coast of Guam in 2018 have finally been retrieved, and they revealed 20 new species of marine creatures.

According to IFL Science, the team of scientists retrieved autonomous reef monitoring structures that they placed among Guam's coral reefs about seven years ago. ARMS are like artificial reefs made from stacked PVC plates and act as habitats for sea creatures.

The California Academy of Sciences' ichthyology curator, Luiz Rocha, explained in a statement, "The autonomous reef monitoring structures, or ARMS  are essentially small underwater hotels that coral reef organisms colonize over time," via IFLS.

The ARMS help researchers study activity in the mesophotic zone, or "twilight zone," which spans depths of 100 to 3,300 feet below the surface.

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The twilight zone covers the globe, but is difficult to study. Sunlight doesn't reach this ocean layer, but it's not completely dark either. And humans can only spend about 15-25 minutes there due to logistical challenges associated with depressurization.

When scientists retrieved 13 of these underwater hotels, they collected 2,000 specimens, 100 of which had never been found in that region, and 20 of which had never been discovered before.

Some of the newly discovered species included a polka-dotted baby octopus, a yellow-spotted sea slug, an orange cardinalfish, and more quirky-looking creatures, per Mongabay News.

The ARMS also captured three years of temperature data, giving researchers insight into changes in the upper twilight zone. The data shows that the water is growing steadily warmer, likely caused by pollution, fishing, and other human-related factors.

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This information helps inform conservation efforts, which currently focus mostly on coastal and shallow areas. The data is evidence that deeper parts of the ocean need protection, too.

Reefs can be repaired, and some deep-sea reefs have even evaded the effects of pollution. But most reefs are vulnerable, including ones in the twilight zone.

Should we be harnessing the ocean to power our homes? Absolutely Leave it be It depends I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Robert Lasley Jr., curator of crustacea at the University of Guam, said, "Our findings highlight the complexity and richness of mesophotic ecosystems and underscore their need for protection," per Mongabay.

Rocha echoed this sentiment, stating, "Most marine protected areas only cover shallow reefs, pushing human-driven pressures towards deeper waters.  Our goal is to show just how beautiful, unique, and valuable these ecosystems are so we can safeguard them before it's too late," via IFLS.

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In the 1930s, Worthing was a hotbed of fascism.

Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists, was a frequent visitor and held several public meetings in the West Sussex town.

His presence often led to rowdy scenes.

But on one October night in 1934 it sparked a riot.

"People were very fired up politically at that time," said local historian and author Chris Hare.

"Mosley was gaining a lot of traction. He'd been a member of the Labour government and resigned because he didn't think they were doing enough to kick-start the economy."

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Hare told BBC Secret Sussex the far-right group - which was ultranationalistic and demonised minorities - was viewed by many as a "novelty" then.

"People didn't really know what it was, it was quite attractive to a lot of young people who were looking for something new, something different in politics.

"Obviously, we associate fascism with racism, concentration camps and world war, but probably a lot of people who joined in the early days - that wasn't their reason.

"Other things motivated them," he said.

Mosley gave speeches across England in places such as Leeds (pictured) [Getty Images]

When Mosley visited Worthing on 9 October, 1934, he made a speech in the pavilion on the pier.

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He had come to the seaside town because it was the first in England to elect a fascist councillor, according to Hare.

The Victorian pavilion was packed with Mosley's supporters, however there were "even more people outside opposing him", he said.

"It would have been quite an event for Worthing, quite a sleepy town in 1934."

Hare told Secret Sussex Mosley got a "rapturous response" from the audience, but some anti-fascists had managed to get in and started to heckle him as he spoke.

"Big, burly Blackshirts from the East End of London then grabbed them and threw them out," he said.

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"That created an electricity in the room."

Many young people were drawn to Mosley, said Hare [Getty Images]

When the fascists left the building, Hare told BBC Secret Sussex that fights broke out, especially on South Street.

He said Mosley and a group of Blackshirts went inside a cafe in the Royal Arcade opposite the pier and were surrounded by a "huge, hostile" crowd.

A group of protesters climbed on top of the building and pushed off a stone that smashed through the glass - just missing those below.

"There's a lot of devil-may-care, youthful excess going on here," Hare said.

"You often wonder how politically-motivated they were [or whether] this was just an opportunity for a good scrap".

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Police eventually escorted Mosley and others to safety, though street brawls continued for several hours, according to Hare.

"It would have been pretty lawless," he said.

A few days later, police decided to charge Mosley and some of his followers who had been involved in the ruckus, though they were later acquitted.

"There may have been pressure from central government," said Hare.

"There was probably a concern that Mosley was potentially destabilising the country.

"If you can get a riot on the streets of a small town like Worthing, you could get a riot anywhere."

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"They didn't want to encourage that."

When Winston Churchill became prime minister in May 1940, he introduced internment without trial, leading to the arrest of hundreds of fascist sympathisers.

Hare said: "No county in the whole of England had more people interned than West Sussex.

"It was a county that was viewed as being friendly to Mosley in his objectives."

Mosley spoke at an anti-war protest in London in 1939 (pictured) [Getty Images]

The events on 9 October, 1934, came to be known as the Battle of South Street.

"The local papers said that scenes from revolutionary Spain were witnessed on the streets of Worthing, which is a bit of an exaggeration.

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"But I suppose it highlights how out of the ordinary this was."

He said it was a "very difficult time" with "very high unemployment... and a lot of polarisation of politics" across Europe.

"You had the rise of fascism and Nazism," Hare said.

"There was a fear that Britain might go the same way."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story
Ashley Morrow began her three minutes of public comment the way she does every week.

My name is Ashley, she told Tampa City Council members at a meeting in September. And I will be sharing Tampas Black history.

Since August, Morrow has come to council meetings to present small slices of the citys past. She has researched the topic for years, mining decades-old records for stories that illuminate generations of Black life in Tampa.

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The Tampa native began her weekly presentations over the summer as a tribute to former council member Gwen Henderson, who died suddenly in June and whom Morrow had known since childhood. Sorority sisters, the pair connected over history. Morrow occasionally stopped by Hendersons Tampa Heights store, Black English Bookstore, to discuss her research.

We both love to dig beyond the surface level, to find those stories that may not have been hidden, but have been forgotten, or lost, Morrow said in an interview. Telling those stories at City Council keeps her present.

Probing Tampas past

That Thursday in September, Morrow shared the story of a Black man named Adam, lynched in Tampa in 1859.

He had been accused of killing another man and waited in jail while his case was on appeal, according to archived newspaper articles from the Florida Peninsular and the Tampa Tribune. But before the appeal could be considered, a mob broke into the jail, seized Adam and killed him.

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There is no last name on record for the man. A grave marker in Tampas Oaklawn Cemetery reads, Adam, a Black slave, lynched Dec. 16, 1859.

City Council members nodded as Morrow talked. A dozen attendees  many there to air grievances about city business  sat behind her, rapt.

Morrow, 36, has collected stories like Adams for years.

Her research began in 2020 amid a string of fiery protests in response to the murder of George Floyd. A photographer, she had gone out to document the unrest in Tampa. She recalled wondering about the masses of distraught demonstrators: Why are they so sad? What do they hope to accomplish?

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So she dove into the archives, seeking to better understand the tangled webs of Black historythat shaped the city where she was raised.

Morrow read books and journal articles by scholars of Floridas Black history and chased the tales of the dozens of people mentioned in their pages. She found hundreds of old newspaper clippings and records from genealogy websites highlighting progress and joy, racism and pain. There were deeds detailing Black land and homeownership, marriage and death records, and stories about the citys early Black leaders.

She learned about the life and work of Christina Meacham, the first Black woman to serve as a school principal in Hillsborough County. She read letters to and from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,established to assist formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. She found news reports of Ku Klux Klan demonstrations in Tampa and St. Petersburg throughout the 1900s.

Soon, the research filled inches-thick binders, organized in chronological order. She shared snippets of her findings on social media, where messages of appreciation flooded the comments, and created a card game to test players knowledge of Tampas Black history.

A tribute to Henderson

When Henderson died at 60 in June, Morrow thought, I need to get all of this information out of my head.

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The pair had connected through Delta Academy, a youth empowerment program administered by the historically Black Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Morrow was a middle school student in the program, and Henderson was a counselor.

They grew close years later, when Morrow began digging into Tampas archives. She would drop into the bookstore that Henderson opened in 2023 with her daughter, brimming with books by Black authors.

Morrow shared snippets of her research with the council member, and Henderson gave her books: one about history, and another on photojournalism.

I admired her, Morrow said, smiling.

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Henderson wouldve appreciated Morrow using her time at City Council meetings to share Black stories, she said. At her first presentation in early August, Morrow taught council members about a Black militia that formed during the Reconstruction era in Tampa.

That first time I went up there, something clicked, Morrow said. I wish I had done it when she was here.

Council member Naya Young, who won the seat formerly held by Henderson in a special election in October, said Morrow is using her three minutes to say, Black history is important at a time when there is such a push not to share Black history.

City Council chairperson Alan Clendenin agreed with Young.

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My age group and demographic grew up learning mostly about history that focused on white, European people, he said. But Black history is American history.

Storytelling is an art

Morrow wasnt always drawn to the past.

She jokes about having to take an American history class twice as an undergraduate telecommunications student at the University of Florida. The stories of figures like Alexander Hamilton felt distant.

I just couldnt connect with it, she said. It wasnt until I saw the play that I thought, Oh, storytelling is an art.

Morrow said Black history was long an oral tradition, passed between generations, family members and friends. Thats something I think the Black community is losing, she said.

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She and her father have probed their own familys background. She has also started a documentary series titled If We Listen, interviewing Tampa residents who lived through the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras.

I just want people to be inspired, to be enlightened, Morrow said. Because this education is necessary. These stories are necessary.
A patient walked away Dec. 23 from the GRAND Mental Health Horizons Residential Care Facility north of Claremore  the facility's second escapee in three months.

Rogers County Sheriff's Office deputies found and detained the patient, Timothy William Harrison, who faces charges that include assaulting a police officer and public indecency. As of Monday, Harrison remained in custody in the Rogers County Jail.

In October, patient Beaux Jones slipped out a window at the GRAND facility on State Highway 88 in the middle of the night. GRAND personnel reported his disappearance at 10 a.m. the following day, and deputies located him six miles away, near the Will Rogers Turnpike.

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Scott Walton, Rogers County's sheriff, said GRAND reported Harrison's escape quickly enough for deputies to find him just across S.H. 88.

"I will say we were notified in a timely manner this time, unlike the last time," Walton said. "... Without changes put in place, we'll have this experience again. The things I'm fearful of are that somebody will get loose with violent tendencies, and they'll hurt somebody. They'll step out in front of a car and get hurt when they're trying to cross the road."

Ron Brady, GRAND's communications director, said he could not comment specifically on Harrison's escape due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. He confirmed the incident occurred and that GRAND had contacted the Rogers County Sheriff's Office.

The GRAND Horizons facility opened in November 2024, and up to 22 adult patients live there full-time. Each patient comes from either the Oklahoma Forensic Center or Griffin Memorial Hospital under order of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. The Forensic Center primarily houses patients deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial, while Griffin's population is a mix of court-ordered patients and people admitted voluntarily.

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"GRAND Horizons ... provides housing and supportive services for individuals determined by OFC to be appropriate for lower-level care and community reintegration," Brady said. "Horizons is not a secure facility, and residents are not in custody; however, they are required to comply with all court-ordered conditions and facility guidelines as part of the reintegration process."

Open court records do not clarify by which facility Harrison came to Horizons. According to these records, the only criminal case filed against a Timothy William Harrison in Oklahoma is the slate of charges Matt Ballard, Rogers County's district attorney, filed against him Dec. 31.

Walton said his office's internal records on Harrison document several violent offenses in Tulsa. He said the sheriff's office responded to Horizons in September after staff reported Harrison had assaulted employees.

Harrison aggressively confronted deputies Dec. 23, Walton said, and they had to pelt him with a beanbag round to restrain him. He was wearing nothing but a T-shirt, and his arm was bleeding badly; Walton said he sliced it jumping out a window he'd smashed with a dumbbell. Deputies took him to Tulsa for treatment and booked him into jail the next day.

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Walton said several people who live near Horizons have told him they've stepped up their security measures.

"I don't think anybody should have to live fearful that somebody is going to walk away from there, and they will," Walton said. "I don't have the ability to shut the place down, or I would. It's not safe."

Walton said when state lawmakers return to Oklahoma City in February, he wants them to consider legislation to greater fortify mental health facilities that house patients with violent pasts.

Both times the sheriff's office pursued a Horizons runaway, Walton said, he had to divert all available resources to the manhunt. He said he doesn't want to put the county in that situation again.

"I don't have answers to all of these challenging questions to deal with mental health," Walton said. "At some point, we've got to look at the rights of law-abiding people who do what's expected of them and try to provide for their families and live in a safe home. This makes it very difficult to do that, and it's frustrating for us."
Just because hardworking Iowans are between jobs, it doesnt mean utility companies place their monthly bills on pause. Eryca Hamilton, a Des Moines resident and single mother of three children, was waiting for her next work opportunity when she moved into a new apartment. Accustomed to utilities bundled as an inclusive part of her regular rent, she was surprised to discover both MidAmerican Energy and Des Moines Water Works were sending out bills that surpassed her carefully budgeted monthly income.

My mind was mostly on keeping a roof over our head, Hamilton said.

As the fees and invoices mounted, a family member recommended Embrace Iowa as the only state-wide resource to help eligible and carefully vetted residents in similar circumstances.

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It was a relief when they were able to approve me, she said.

Funded by the contributions of Des Moines Register readers during their annual winter fundraising mission, the non-profit Embrace Iowa program has distributed much-needed grants to individuals and families for more than 40 years.

The majority of these applicants are anxiously hoping for immediate relief from creditors and debt collectors or asking for funds for urgent care and essential needs. One important consideration is that these individuals and families first provide paperwork to demonstrate a gross annual income of 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines.

Each grant is valued up to a maximum of $750 and disbursed by the knowledgeable staff. Last year, Register readers donated a record-setting $418,492 to fund the entire program and benefit hundreds of worthy recipients.

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Hamiltons struggle with the utility services is one of the most common issues the organization hears daily. And their team was able to negotiate with the companies to pay the overdue amounts and finally ease the pressure.

It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, she added.

More: More Iowans need assistance with basic needs. Embrace Iowa offers a way to help.

How Embrace Iowa works

Locally, Embrace Iowa is headquartered with the IMPACT Community Action Partnership, a University Avenue-based non-profit organization that oversees Polk Countys administration of the Embrace Iowa program and also provides aid to residents in Boone, Jasper, Marion and Warren counties.

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Across the entire state, 15 other agencies divide up the remaining 94 counties, all committed to combating meaningful financial worries like medical visits, vehicle repair, and rent assistance, and even the purchase of childrens furniture and clothing.

In an ongoing effort to make full use of all the money raised, none of the revenue donated by Register readers is diverted to pay for Embrace Iowas staff or cover any administration costs. And each grant is paid directly to the creditors, not to the applicant, a procedure that has guarded against misuse or potential fraud.

Acting as the middle-ground between her and the utility companies, Hamiltons Embrace Iowa experience was so positive that she now encourages others in difficult situations to seek them out for help.

I do it all the time, she explained. It was good. It was an easy process.

Embrace Iowa helps Iowans who need assistance with small bills, such as utilities, rent, car repairs, or medical care.

More: Hoping to aid even more Iowans, Embrace Iowa adds food funding to its charitable agenda

How you can help

Donors can make an important impact on the lives of deserving Iowans by contributing until the current campaign closes on Jan. 31, 2026. Donations are processed online by credit card or direct bank transfer. Easy-to-follow, safe and secure instructions are posted at secure.qgiv.com/for/embrace25-26. Readers who prefer to donate by check can send them to Embrace Iowa, P.O. Box 10611, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0611.

Richard Lane is a freelance writer based in Des Moines.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Embrace Iowa helps single mom in paying overdue utility bills
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Gram Pradhans, ex-Gram Pradhans, Rojgar Sevaks and MGNREGA workers, accusing the Centre of planning to "destroy the soul" of the MGNREGA. Congress leaders alleged that the right to work and the right to wages of the MGNREGA workers will be "stolen". In the letter, Rahul and Kharge backed the MGREGA, stating that the scheme has generated 180+ crore days of work and aided the rural economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Twenty years ago, Manmohan Singh's Government brought life to the constitutional Right to Work by enacting the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Since then, MGNREGA has generated 180+ crore days of work, created almost 10 crore assets like village tanks and roads, and strengthened the Panchayati Raj system by empowering Gram Panchayats to decide village-level projects. During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the lifeline of the rural Indian economy," the letter read. Further, slamming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, they alleged that under the VB-G RAM G Act, work will 'revdi' (freebie) be handed out by the Centre by "picking and choosing" Gram Panchayats. The Congress leader said, "The Modi Government is now planning to destroy the soul of the MGNREGA in four critical ways - Your Right to Work is being stolen. Before: Work was a legal guarantee to every rural family across India. Work had to be provided within 15 days to any family seeking work in any Gram Panchayat. After: Work will no longer be a right but a 'revdi' to be handed out as the Modi government decides. The Modi Government will pick and choose which Gram Panchayats will get work under the scheme." "Your Right to Wages is being stolen. Before: Work was provided at the notified minimum wages, which increased yearly and was available 365 days of the year. Families could seek work whenever needed, with the guarantee of a minimum wage. After: Wages will be set arbitrarily with no guaranteed yearly revisions. The scheme will not run during the harvest season, so workers will be forced to accept any other work they get with no minimum wage," the letter added. Rahul Gandhi and Kharge claimed that under the new law, the Gram Panchayats will work on the orders of the central government through contractors. The letter said, "Your Gram Panchayat's powers will be handed over to contractors. Before: Gram Panchayats planned and undertook their own development projects according to their needs. Contractors were banned. Workers were supported by local MGNREGA mates and Rozgar Sahayaks. After: Decisions on what projects to undertake will be made by remote-control from Delhi. The Gram Panchayat will become only an implementing agency of the Modi Government's orders. Contractors will be brought in, and workers will become a mere labour supply for contractor projects. There will be no MGNREGA mates or Rozgar Sahayaks." Hitting out at the 60:40 fund share between the Centre and states under the VB-G RAM G Act, the Congress leaders turned it into a "financial burden." The letter said, "Your State Government is being burdened financially. Before: The Union Government would pay 100 per cent of MGNREGA wages, and State Governments were incentivised to provide work without difficulty since they didn't have to bear the costs. After: States will now pay 40 per cent of your wages. To save costs, they are incentivised to limit workdays." "In all this, the worst impact will be felt by rural families, especially women and SC/ST communities, for whom guaranteed work is a lifeline against hunger, debt and distress migration. The Indian National Congress is leading the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, a nation-wide movement to restore MGNREGA. Our goal is simple: guaranteed work, guaranteed wages, and guaranteed accountability. Our local Congress office-bearers will apprise you of the activities planned in your Gram Panchayat and Blocks. Please join us in this struggle for justice," the letter read. The Congress has launched the 'MNREGA Bachao' campaign to oppose the new legislation replacing the flagship rural employment scheme. Rahul Gandhi will visit his parliamentary constituency, Raebareli, in Uttar Pradesh on January 20, where he will hold a public meeting with MGNREGA workers in Umran Rohaniya. The VB-G RAM G Act was passed in the Winter Session of the Parliament in 2025, and replaces the 100-day employment guarantee with a 125-day guarantee. However, the Opposition has criticised the legislation for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name and a 60:40 share of funds between the Centre and states. (ANI)
Snow is still in the Triangles forecast for the weekend.

As of Friday, Jan. 16, the National Weather Service forecasted that light rain across central North Carolina late Saturday night, Jan. 17, would mix with  or change to  wet snow on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Precipitation, likely in the form of rain, is expected to begin falling after midnight Sunday, NWS Raleigh meteorologist Aaron Swiggett told The News & Observer in a call. Then there will be a slow transition of the rain/snow line moving eastward with time, before moving out of the area around 7 p.m. Sunday.

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A good portion of the Piedmont, which includes maybe as far west as the Triad but even towards the Triangle, will most likely see some snow falling from the sky at some point in the day on Sunday, Swiggett said. The big problem is that our surface temperatures are not really going to be below freezing.

It will still be cold on Sunday, but temperatures will be as high as 36 degrees. Saturday will be warmer, with highs in the 50s, near 60.

Temperatures will be marginally cold enough to allow for some snow accumulation, the National Weather Service said Friday, Jan. 16. (Courtesy of National Weather Service)

Thats going to warm up the ground pretty substantially, and any snow that falls is going to have to overcome that warm ground, Swiggett said.

While this isnt expected to be a big event, some snow accumulation is possible, as temperatures will be marginally cold enough. Snow accumulation is more likely on elevated surfaces over the northeast Piedmont, from Raleigh north and northeast.

A horse stays warm at Cedarwood Equine in Durham, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Ethan Hyman/ehyman@newsobserver.com)

As of Friday, the forecast called for trace amounts of snow accumulation up to a half-inch.

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Black ice may be possible, depending on how quickly temperatures fall after sunset.

Forecasters will have more certainty closer to the onset of the event.

The official National Weather Service forecast for the upcoming snow event includes trace amounts of accumulation in Raleigh. (Courtesy of National Weather Service)

Roads prepared for wintry weather

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will work Friday and Saturday to prepare roads for the wintry precipitation, spokesperson Kimberly Deaner said in an email to The News & Observer.

The department will apply brine to interstates, primary roads and known trouble spots, Deaner said.

Crews with the City of Raleigh will begin brining roads Saturday morning, city spokesperson Julia Milstead told The N&O in an email.

Cold weather to continue after snow

While Saturday is expected to bring some warmth to the Triangle, colder temperatures will return early next week, Swiggett said.

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Particularly on the mornings of Monday, Jan. 19, Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21, the wind chill could be in the teens.

Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team

Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea youd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.

You can submit your question by filling out this form.

Hard freeze expected in the Triangle before potential snow. Latest forecast

The Triangle could get snow this week. The latest winter weather forecast
Roads could be slick after overnight snow in Kansas City and temperatures will hover in the teens and 20s Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow flurries accumulated and caused some problems for drivers overnight Friday into early Saturday morning in some parts of the metro. A Facebook page called Independence Community Awareness posted feeds from KC Scout cameras that showed semi trucks had slid off roads and slow-moving traffic on Interstates 35, 435 and 29 just after midnight.

Drivers should still be vigilant for slick spots Saturday, the weather service said.

Kansas City road conditions

The Missouri Department of Transportation traveler information map shows most highways clear as of 10 a.m. However, portions of Interstates 49, 435 and 35 were still partially covered.

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On the Kansas side of the metro, the KanDrive map reports icy spots, wet and treated pavement on parts of U.S. 69 Highway, from Louisburg to Linn Valley. Similar conditions are reported on portions of U.S. 169 Highway and Kansas 68 Highway.

Will KC have more snow?

According to the National Weather Service, snow showers are over, for the most part, in Kansas City over the next few days. Cold is expected to persist, though.

Saturday, Kansas City can expect a high temperature near 21 degrees, the forecast shows.. Mild wind is anticipated from the northwest, around 10 to 15 mph. Gusts could reach 26 mph, the forecast shows.

Light snow is possible across portions of northern and northeastern Missouri Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the weather service said on social media. Accumulation is expected to be around a tenth of an inch.

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Saturday night, the low temperature could drop to around 12 degrees.

Brace for sub-zero wind chill

Then Sunday, Kansas City will brave wind chill temperatures just below 0 degrees before the region sees a brief warmup, according to the forecast.

Sundays high temperature is forecast near 41 degrees. Wind gusts could reach near 26 mph Sunday.

Temperatures are anticipated to dip again by Monday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day has a forecasted high temperature near 24 degrees.
A cold rain and fat flakes fell over Northwest Florida with one big question: Would it switch over to snow for the capital city?

For days, weather models and forecasters had teased signs of snow in the forecast. But meteorologists warned it all would come down to a razor's edge forecast: an arctic blast of air from the north would have to catch up to the rain shield and cause it to flake out.

The cold, hard reality was that while Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories shifted west as odds of a slushy Sunday grew, Tallahassee and Leon County remained just outside the advisory area.

Here's a look back at how the day unfolded in updates, photos and videos and what our neighbors to the west experienced.

Tallahassee gets nothing; Pensacola see almost an inch of pre-dawn snow

A frigid rain ended in Florida's capital city at about 11 a.m. without any sign of a snowflake.

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It was a different story in what is considered the snow capital of Florida. Pensacola residents woke up to a dusting of snow throughout the area.

The National Weather Service reported that as of 5:53 a.m., .09 inches of snow accumulated over the past six hours at Pensacola International Airport.

That didn't stop the glee, for many, of a winter morning, with social media showing many area residents setting the alarm clock for the early morning hours to experience the snow fall.

The bulk of the snow started about 4:45 a.m. CT and tapered off a couple of hours later.

Read more here.

Winter storm clears out of Florida as a Freeze Warning is issued

A review of the radar at 10 a.m. shows that the last vestiges of the snow band are working their way out of Florida and into south Georgia.

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As the snow quickly melts, that leaves local and weather officials to estimate how much snow fell and to look ahead to the next bout of winter weather.

Patrick Maddox, the public safety director for Okaloosa County, said there is a confirmed measurement of 2 inches of snow in Laurel Hill in north Okaloosa.

"But most reports are coming in at a light dusting to 1 inch," Maddox wrote in an email update.

White stuff, again, in Walton County, Florida.



Nearly a year to the day we got snow last year.



Be safe on the roads if youre venturing out on this winter wonderland.



Were here if you need us. pic.twitter.com/XJMDP5xsBb  Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida (@WCSOFL) January 18, 2026

Officials across Northwest Florida are warning residents that the frigid rain and short-lived snow will be followed by a hard freeze overnight for many areas. That means motorists driving on Jan. 19 should be vigilant for somewhat hazardous travel if ice forms on roads and bridges.

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At 11:30 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for Jan. 19 from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. for a wide swath of the Big Bend, including Holmes, Washington, Inland Jackson, Inland Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Inland Wakulla, Inland Taylor and Lafayette counties. Such a warning is issued when a hard freeze, or sub-freezing temperatures as low as 23 are expected.

"Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," the agency wrote in the warning.

Chipley to Marianna becomes winter ground zero

As of 8:35 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2026, the snow belt has moved beyond DeFuniak Springs and is dumping fat, wet flakes on Florida towns including Chipley and Marianna.

"Moderate to briefly heavy snow continues from near Bruce, FL up to Dawson, GA. Some light sleet and/or a few flakes may mix in with the rain ahead of the snow," the National Weather Service wrote.

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Reports coming in from residents in Walton County suggest that the coastal county saw about an inch of snow, and it's already melting.

Tallahassee Democrat Reporter Jeff Burlew is in Marianna and reports that as of about 9 a.m. large snowflakes are coming down. But by about 9:20 a.m. it suddenly stopped.

Went to Marianna, FL (1 hour west of Tallahassee) to go see the snow and these flakes are huge! #FLwx #Snow pic.twitter.com/ryo2J7Vrx3  Wright Dobbs (@WrightDobbs) January 18, 2026

Meanwhile, the cold rain continues to come down on Tallahassee.

Live look at the Tallahassee radar

When snow meets beach

Even the coastal areas aren't immune from Old Man Winter's touch. One Santa Rosa County resident shared the remarkable juxtaposition of what happens when snow meets sand.

Her photo from Navarre Beach shows snow on the railing and in the divots of sand just feet from the Emerald Coast waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Some icy slush on Navarre Beach at 7 this morning it was bitter cold out there @ryanhallyall @NWSMobile @NWSTallahassee @tropicalupdate pic.twitter.com/tnN2VbKzUq  Haleychristina (@Haleyychristina) January 18, 2026

"It was bitter cold out there," she wrote on X.

Snow chasing? Go west, young man (or woman)

As reports of snow pour in from counties across Northwest Florida, Marianna in Jackson County is the next to fall. A radar image shared by WeatherTiger meteorologist Ryan Truchelut at about 8 a.m. EST shows the changeover from frigid rain to snow as the storm system sweeps across the Florida Panhandle.

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As he has from the beginning, Truchelut is highly skeptical that Tallahassee will see any kind of wintry precipitation. His advice if you want to see snow in the next couple hours? Hop in the car and head to Marianna. Maybe book yourself a caverns tour while you are at it.

Snow falling in the western #Panhandle with rain/snow line roughly from Santa Rosa Beach to just west of Marianna as of 8am ET/7 CT.



Little hope of frozen precip in #Tallahassee so I'm chasing this one personally out to Marianna! pic.twitter.com/wnailuWlMC  WeatherTiger - weathertiger.substack.com (@wx_tiger) January 18, 2026

But drive safely!

While the interstate appears clear, roads are wet and the Florida Department of Transportation has been sharing photos and video of snow and slush accumulating on the median and shoulder.

As the sun rises on Northwest Florida, FDOT is actively monitoring roadway conditions across the state highway system. Before you head out check real-time road conditions at https://t.co/CCd4RZMHQQ or on the FL511 app. pic.twitter.com/cjOgPRJUt4  FDOT District 3 (@MyFDOT_NWFL) January 18, 2026

"As the sun rises on Northwest Florida, FDOT is actively monitoring roadway conditions across the state highway system," the agency wrote on X. "Before you head out check real-time road conditions at http://FL511.com or on the FL511 app."

Day dawns to winter wonder in Northwest Florida

As the sun rises on a gray and white day in the Panhandle, the only-in-Florida photos are bouncing around social media.

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Some feature writing the date and Florida on the snowy hood of a car. Others capture video of flakes falling poolside or on palm trees. There's even portraits of miniature snowmen beginning to make the rounds.

Snow in Florida at 5 AM on January 18, 2026. This video was taken early this morning in Pensacola after staying up all night to see it. Seeing snow two years in a row here feels incredibly magical and something I never take for granted #snow #Florida pic.twitter.com/eLM254EPK1  All Things Emerald Coast (@AllEmeraldCoast) January 18, 2026

Getting practice every year now at this point, I'd say im getting better #snow #florida pic.twitter.com/lraBVepgsu  Nowhereman305 (@nowhereman305) January 18, 2026

Got photos or video of winter weather in Florida? Email us at news@tallahassee.com with a caption and who we should credit.

Crestview to Marianna next in line for snow

At about 7:15 a.m., The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center weighed in. The agency typically offers critical updates as severe weather threatens. This morning, it is also in the snow game as it tracks a heavy snow band currently moving through Northwest Florida, southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia.

The agency highlighted an area between Crestview and Marianna and notes that "rain will transition to snow this morning, with snowfall rates of .5 to locally 1 inch per hour possible for a few hours before diminishing."

SNOW ACCUMULATING NEAR I-10!

Take a look at the snow accumulating right next to Interstate 10 in Santa Rosa County, #Florida! Be sure to use caution when traveling!#wx #flwx https://t.co/EGpjkC1nom pic.twitter.com/tvcyNKOiPI  Florida Storm Chasers (@FLStormChasers_) January 18, 2026

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There are also reports of snowfall and accumulation in Pensacola and Escambia County and "moderate snow falling" in Milton and Pace in neighboring Santa Rosa County. A traffic camera even shows a slushy I-10 in Santa Rosa.

Meanwhile, it's coming down in Crestview in Okaloosa County and Marianna has seen its first sign of sleet, according to the Florida Storm Chasers site on X.

 SNOW IS HERE IN NORTH FLORIDA!  Snow can be seen on the ground, as shown in this video taken on I-10 in Okaloosa County.



Travelers, remember that winter weather conditions can change rapidly or bring unexpected circumstances. Please use caution while driving, remain alert, pic.twitter.com/B32DI8EhHV  FLORIDA DOT (@MyFDOT) January 18, 2026

Meanwhile, a light cold rain falls on Tallahassee.

DeFuniak Springs wins the winter jackpot

Florida counties to our west are officially snow spotting amid reports of "big fat flakes" mixing in with a frigid rain.

Just before dawn, the flake floodgates burst open in Walton County.

"Snow is POURING down in DeFuniak Springs, Florida!!" Jordan Smith, a Panama City-based meteorologist from WJHG-TV wrote on X with a video of a frenzy of flakes.

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It was the same story in Paxton, Florida, where "huge fat flakes" were falling.

The National Weather Service weighed in at 6:30 a.m., noting that "The rain/snow line continues to move southeast as colder air moves in behind the front and allows the snow to reach the ground. The rain/snow line is estimated from model data and may or may not be the actual rain/snow line. Expect locations across the eastern Florida Panhandle and into the rest of southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia to begin transitioning to rain-snow mix or all snow in the next hour or two. Some slushy roads could develop in areas that see the heaviest snowfall rates."

"Consider delaying travel but if you must travel watch your speed and respect the potential for slushy roads. Use extreme caution!"

So what are the odds we see any kind of snow in the Tallahassee area?

Not good. The best Tallahassee can honestly hope for is seeing some flurries or flakes fly, according to forecasters. One major issue is temps in the capital city are not expected to drop below 37 degrees.

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Unlike what we experienced about a year ago, little accumulation is expected almost anywhere in Florida with the exception of possibly Marianna, Jackson and Holmes counties, which are the only parts of Florida under a Winter Storm Warning.

Even there, "accumulations less than one inch will prevail," National Weather Service forecasters say. "Air temperatures will generally be a little above freezing as it snows as well."

"Warm ground temperatures should keep snowfall accumulations limited primarily to grassy surfaces, with only minor travel impacts expected. While slushy roads are generally not anticipated, higher snowfall rates in these areas could lead to brief periods of slushy conditions."

You best odds for seeing white stuff on the ground is to cross the state line and head toward Bainbridge or better yet, Albany, Ga., or points north.

"Would not be surprised to see a few wet flakes mix in from Gadsden/Leon counties as the rain moves out but the higher confidence is points west and north," a National Weather Forecaster wrote in the overnight forecast discussion.

The best timeframe to watch the skies will be between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The wintry mix icon has been making its way into apps for the hourly forecast for the last few days and that continued Sunday morning, even in north Tallahassee.

How Florida prepares for a freak snow event

While the National Weather Service has said throughout the travel impacts will be low even for areas in Georgia with the highest chance of seeing snow, the Florida Department of Transportation left nothing to chance.

The agency dusted off its snowplows and commenced with winter weather operations from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, across northwest Florida in preparation for freezing temperatures and rain/snow forecasted in the region.

As we anticipate temperatures dropping overnight tonight in North Florida, FDOT works around the clock to monitor roadways and are ready to spring into action to clear any roads and bridges of icy conditions.

"FDOTs winter weather plan has been developed to keep Floridas highway system safe and operational in all types of weather conditions," the agency wrote on X. "Motorists may notice an increased number of FDOT crews on state routes utilizing various tankers, bridge deck sprayers and other equipment to apply anti-icing products on bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement surface."

In a briefing ahead of the system, they advised county officials about plans "including de-icing operations for 16 counties, 34 hotspots along the interstate and known state-road problem areas in addition to over 500 bridge decks."

As temperatures stay low, keep an eye on http://FL511.com before heading out to see if your route is impacted by winter weather.

Was it just a year ago that Florida last saw snow?

The last time it snowed in Florida was about a year ago, in January 2025. Meteorologist's have said Sunday's event will be a far cry from that. The amount of snow would be far less and accumulation will be light with snow melting immediately as the day warms up to about 40 degrees.

Last year's freak winter storm that swept the Gulf of Mexico on Jan. 21, 2025, brought more than 7 inches of snow to Pensacola, more than doubling the previous record of 3 inches in 1895.

Cities in Floridas western panhandle saw between 5 and 10 inches of snow, while the northeastern portion of the state saw freezing rain and ice that melted once it hit the ground (Jacksonville, for example).

The official total from the National Weather Service was 7.6 inches of snow in Pensacola, Jessica Chace, warning coordination meteorologist, told the USA TODAY Network-Florida in January 2025. Santa Rosa County saw even more snow than Pensacola and Tallahassee saw some sludgy snow that collected on the ground, but mostly sleet.

Pensacola saw 7.6 inches of snow between midnight Jan. 21, 2025, to midnight Jan. 22, 2025, Chace said. Snow started falling at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and ended at about 9 p.m. The Milton and Jay areas in Florida got 9 to 10 inches of snow and some locations near the state line may have received closer to 11.

Before that, Tallahassee residents enjoyed about 20 minutes of flakes falling from the sky in 2018. It clung to cars, roofs and the grass for less than an hour before melting off.

From the desk of Mark Hinson: Relive all nine terrifying minutes of the great Tallahassee blizzard of 2018

Tallahassee has had a white dusting a time or two through the ages, with the largest amount of snowfall occurring on Feb. 12-13 in 1958. With a historical 2.8 inches, locals were able to have snowball fights and sled down the many hills that make up Floridas capital city.

William Hatfield is editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. Email him at whatfield@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live look at Tallahassee, Florida snow chances, timing, radar
Cold weather is on the way, and some of our southern counties are preparing for any winter precipitation that may fall.

Channel 2s Eryn Rogers was live in Henry County.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said starting at midnight, they will have crews working 12-hour shifts, monitoring state roads and interstates.

People in downtown McDonough say theyll be preparing for the cold weather moving in overnight.

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Seth McNair and Brannon Keele spend time outside in downtown McDonough collecting donations for their Helmet of Salvation ministry.

But they say they may have to change strategies over the next couple days.

I think Georgia is one of the few states where you can have all four seasons in one month, McNair said.

They werent the only ones preparing for the cold.

I am Southern, so Ive got my milk, and Ive got my bread, but my biggest concern is I have 13 chickens, so keeping them warm, Dahlia Bao said.

The Henry County Emergency Management director told Rogers they were confident the county will see minor impacts, so they would not be activating their emergency operations center.

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Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Ashley Kramlich says little to no accumulation is expected across metro Atlanta.

They would, however, have DOT crews reporting overnight.

Rogers also checked in with the Georgia Department of Transportation, who said crews will be working 12-hour shifts throughout the potential weather event. And theyll be salting and plowing as needed in Henry, Fayette, Coweta, Meriweather and Troup counties.

While crews will be hard at work, people i talked to say theyll be enjoying the cold weather from the comfort of their couch.

I like to cozy up with a good book, a nice cup of tea and just relax, one persons aid.

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Henry County EMA said crews just had a practice for inclement weather response last month, where they worked on things like clearing trees out of roads quickly, so they say theyll be ready.

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A mix of rain and snow will move into northern Delaware on Jan. 18, creating slick travel conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

Delaware's anticipated snow totals have increased, and the precipitation could make for slippery roads Jan. 18 for the northern part of the state. A winter weather advisory has been issued for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The southern part of the state isn't expected to be hit with as much snow.

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Rain and snow is expected in the early morning on Jan. 18 throughout New Castle County before it turns into snow around 8 a.m. and could bring around 3 inches to the county.

Here's a look at the First State weather forecast.

What's the Delaware forecast?

New Castle County: A coastal system will slide by Jan. 18, bringing around 3 inches of snow to the county. A mix of snow and rain is expected in the morning, which will become all snow by around 8 a.m. The high will be near 34. As it reaches nighttime, the snow will gradually clear and there will be a low around 19.

Bad weather: Arctic blast to bring snow, ice. Winter driving tips to keep you safe

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Winter weather: How many inches of snow has Delaware received on Jan. 17?

Kent County: Less snow is expected south of New Castle County. Snow with a possible mix of rain will hit Kent County on Jan. 18, becoming all snow after 3 p.m. High near 36, with snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sussex County: The county will see rain before noon, then snow, possibly mixed with rain between noon and 3 p.m. The mix will then turn to snow after 3 p.m. High near 38, with snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

How much snow is forecast in Delaware?

According to the National Weather Service, here's how much snow to expect in Delaware from 1 p.m. Jan. 17 through 7 a.m. Jan. 20:

Bethany Beach

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inch

High end: 2 inches

Dover

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inch

High end: 3 inches

Georgetown

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inch

High end: 3 inches

Middletown

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inches

High end: 4 inch

Milford

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inch

High end: 3 inches

Seaford

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inch

High end: 3 inches

Smyrna

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inches

High end: 3 inches

Wilmington

Low end: 0 inches

Expected: 1 inches

High end: 5 inch

(This story was updated to change the photo gallery.)

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How much snow is Delaware getting on Sunday, Jan. 18?
The National Weather Service has the Salisbury-Ocean City area under a winter weather advisory on Jan. 18, and here's how much snow we can expect and when.

That winter weather advisory lasts until 10 p.m., and here's by odds how much Accuweather says the area can expect Jan. 18:

Greater than 3 inches: 15 percent chance

1-3 inches: 35 percent chance

A coating to an inch: 37 percent chance

Little to no accumulation: 12 percent chance

No accumulation: 1 percent chance

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For Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, expect mostly sunny skies and a high of 42 degrees.

MAYOR RESPONDS TO ICE COMMENTS: Salisbury mayor condemns councilwoman's ICE and Trump comments

What kind of winter can Delmarva expect overall?

Similar to the 2024-2025 winter season, another mild winter is in store for the Delmarva Peninsula.

While El Nino tends to produce the coldest, wettest, snowiest winters, La Nina stirs up the warmest, driest, least snowy winters, Brown said.

ENSO-neutral winters, on the other hand, are known for producing normal, average weather patterns.

Precipitation patterns throughout Maryland are expected to be near-normal. However, the greatest likelihood is drier-than-average conditions for portions of the Mid-Atlantic.

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Maryland's forecast is also calling for above-average temperatures from the fixed three-month period of December 2025 through February 2026, also known to some as a meteorological winter.

TIDALHEALTH ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE: TidalHealth and POA unite to expand orthopaedic care on Delmarva

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury-Ocean City area has snow in forecast. How much to expect
CONNECTICUT (WTNH)  A Saturday snow storm is causing road conditions to deteriorate across Connecticut.

STORM TEAM 8 | YOUR FULL FORECAST

In Wolcott, a three car crash took place on Spindle Hill Road near Grandview Street, shutting the roadway down. Police said vehicles were stuck due to the snow and tow trucks are on their way to the scene.

Firefighters with the New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department are advising drivers to limit traveling if possible as they responded to two separate crashes on Ratlum Mountain Road in Barkhamsted and Reservoir Road in New Hartford.

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Route 44 in Ashford is closed in both directions between the Eastford town line and Pumpkin Hill Road due to downed wires, according to CTDOT.

Firefighters responded to two crashes earlier in the morning in Litchfield, no injuries were reported.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.

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 post Soaring Temperatures Down Under: Heatwave Crushes Flying Fox Colonies in Australia appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

Gray-headed flying foxes and black flying foxes have died in the January 2026 heatwave in southeast Australia.

Thousands of flying foxes have perished.

This is most serious for the gray-headed flying fox which is a vulnerable species .

Mothers with pups are most affected, making it harder for population numbers to recover.

Flying foxes are a type of bat within the Chiroptera order of mammals. There are several different species and, unfortunately, two native Australian species have suffered sudden and dramatic losses recently. We examine why thousands of these large bats have perished in the last few months.

Record-Breaking Flying Fox Deaths

Australian and international news outlets have been reporting on record-breaking numbers of deaths of both grey-headed flying foxes and black flying foxes over the last few weeks. The deaths have been described as the worst mass-mortality event since the black summer period, which spanned July 2019 to May 2020. The most severe period occurred between December 2019 and January 2020, when raging fires had a profound impact on Australian wildlife, as well as humans and the economy.

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In the heatwave that affected southeast Australia in January 2026, thousands of flying foxes across South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales perished. The most severely affected were the gray-headed flying foxes, but black flying foxes were also harmed.

What We Know About Gray-Headed Flying Foxes

The primary victim of this catastrophe is the gray-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), an endemic species of the eastern coast of Australia. Evidence suggests that their range has shifted southward as a response to climate change. They live in rainforests, woodlands, and swamps, where they prefer to roost in the branches of large trees.

Grey headed flying foxes use their eyes to find food. Frank Martins/Shutterstock.com (Frank Martins/Shutterstock.com)

Grey headed flying foxes are the largest bats in Australia and can weigh up to 35 ounces and reach 11 inches in length. Unlike other bats, they do not echolocate, instead use their large eyes to find fruits, pollen, nectar, and bark to feed on. Foraging takes place at night, and they roost during the day. Their complex social arrangements mean that several thousand may gather together, especially during the mating season.

These flying foxes are listed as vulnerable under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Their main threat is the destruction of habitat through deforestation.

Black Flying Foxes in Australia

Black flying foxes (Pteropus Alecto) have also been drastically affected. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, but mainly in the coastal areas of the Northern Territory. This species lives in rainforests, eucalyptus open forests, and savanna woodlands. However, they prefer to roost in bamboo, rainforests, and mangroves.

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As their name suggests, these bats have a mainly black body and weigh around 23 ounces. They are also nocturnal, spending the night feeding on fruits, pollen, and nectar. During the day, they roost in colonies called camps. They are currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and are not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife Catastrophe Unfolding

On Saturday, January 10th, 2026, 500 flying foxes were found dead at Brooks Creek near Dapto, south of Wollongong, according to Australian media reports. A further 170 died at a colony in Figtree.

In an interview for ABC News in this article, bat carer for the wildlife organization WIRES, Storm Stanford, said, At Wolli Creek  which is mostly grey-headed flying foxes  at least 40 animals died, but a lot of that camp you cant get to, so thats just a sample. She also reported that hundreds of animals died at Windsor, Parramatta, Campbelltown, and in southern areas of NSW like Wagga Wagga.

In this interview for the Guardian newspaper, the director of the Fly by Night bat clinic in Melbourne, Tamsyn Hogarth, said, We also found countless adults who couldnt withstand the heat in areas of the colonies that were hotter  like trees with less foliage and shade coverage, and the baking hot clay of the riverbank.

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Overall, its estimated that at least 1,000  2,000 flying foxes have died in South Australia, with further thousands perishing in Victoria, and up to 1,000 in New South Wales.

Why Did the Flying Foxes Die?

Australia has just suffered a major heatwave. Parts of South Australia and Victoria experienced temperatures as high as 4647C, with Melbourne exceeding 42C and some Sydney suburbs reaching the mid-to-high 40s.

Melbourne has just had a heatwave. Asim Buday/Shutterstock.com (Asim Buday/Shutterstock.com)

The temperatures themselves put the animals under huge amounts of stress; they struggle to keep cool and maintain flight. They also suffer from dehydration and heatstroke. At the same time, the heat reduces the availability of their food sources, such as nectar from eucalyptus flowers. Sadly, because mothers with pups are most affected, it is hard for population numbers to recover.

Wildlife organizations and volunteers did their best to help the struggling animals. The sight of so many bats, either dead or dying, was absolutely devastating. Now, residents are calling for sprinkler systems to be installed at known colony locations to protect the bats from future heatwaves.

The post Soaring Temperatures Down Under: Heatwave Crushes Flying Fox Colonies in Australia appeared first on A-Z Animals.
NEED TO KNOW

A Missouri man has been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment after allegedly stabbing his wife and fleeing with their 18-month-old daughter

Malang Jan Akbari, 46, allegedly confessed to authorities that he stabbed his wife because he suspected her of cheating and had no other option

The incident occurred on Jan. 12

A man in Missouri has been charged with murder and child endangerment after allegedly stabbing his wife to death and then fleeing their home with their 18-month-old daughter.

Malang Jan Akbari, 46, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 12, per Cole County public arrest records. He has been charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child and armed criminal action, according to 19th Circuit Court public records.

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Authorities received a 911 call from Akbaris son on Jan. 12 at around 12:25 p.m. local time. Akbaris son said that his father had called him and said, I killed your mom, and I left the house," per court documents.

The son allegedly told 911 dispatch that he then went to his familys home after receiving the call, where he found his mother bleeding on the kitchen floor, unresponsive. He also told dispatch that his 18-month-old sister had been home with their mother, but that he could not locate her, per court documents.

The son additionally said that his father was likely driving their family vehicle, a 2015 blue Honda Odyssey.

An Amber Alert was issued for the 18-month-old child, and police located the Honda and took Akbari into custody that same day. Officers found the missing 18-month-old at the home of a relative of the family. The relative allegedly told police that Akbari had dropped off the child at their home before fleeing, per court documents.

Getty Police caution tape (stock image) Police caution tape (stock image)

Detectives stated that they spoke to Akbari with the help of an interpreter after taking him into custody, and that he confessed to killing his wife and leaving their home with his daughter. Akbari also allegedly told detectives that he and his wife had gotten into an argument that day because he suspected she was cheating on him.

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Detectives stated that Akbari said he stabbed his wife, then laid her down on the floor and put a pillow under her head as she bled, per court documents. Akbari added that he picked up their daughter, said a prayer and then left the residence.

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.

Akbari also allegedly admitted to calling his son, as well as several other family members, after committing the crime to tell them what he had done and to ask them to check on his wife, per the documents.

I loved her. I sacrificed everything for her. I made a mistake. I do regret this. There was no other option for me, he told detectives, according to court documents.

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In a statement to PEOPLE, Akbaris attorney, David Moen, said that his client is innocent until proven guilty. He added that he has entered a plea of not guilty on his clients behalf based upon [Akbaris] mental condition, which Moen stated is severely impaired.

He added that Akbari served in the Afghan Army for many years and sustained numerous injuries during that time. Moen said Akbari and his family moved to Jefferson County about four years ago.

He and his family have a lot of friends in this town, a lot of good connections, Moen told PEOPLE, before asking for prayers for Akbari and his family, especially the children who lost their mother.

Akbari has a bond review scheduled for Jan. 21 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 19, per public court records.



Read the original article on People
The Fort Matanzas National Monument is yet another gem within the many connected to the founding of St. Augustine, America's oldest city.

Built in 1742 to protect the southern entrance into St. Augustine from British invaders, the Spanish military fortified the structure and its watchtower with coquina stone quarried from El Pinon, a small inlet south of the Matanzas. The British and their native allies battled with Spain for possession of St. Augustine and this masonry fort for years, with Spain emerging as the victors.

The National Park Service repairs the Fort Matanzas Beach Ramp and pedestrian access at Fort Matanzas National Monument.

According to the National Park Service, only three Spanish soldiers remained at the fort when the United States took possession in 1821. The interior was in ruins along with the structure's east wall and foundation. In 1916, Congress granted $1,025 toward its preservation. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge declared the fort a national monument.

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Today, the fort remains under the care of the National Park Services, which also protects the surrounding 300 acres of its coastal environment (the south end of Anastasia Island and most of Rattle Snake Island) with dunes, marshes, a maritime forest, flora and fauna containing over 250 individual plant species. Located along coastal low-lying areas, many have visited the area's beaches, recreational trails, coastal hammock forests and salt marshes.

Fort Matanzas

The coquina chimney was reconstructed in 1999, and the sea wall was again fixed in 2008.

Today, the fort can only be reached by boat and remains a must see for the millions of tourists that visit St. Augustine every year.

What to do at Fort Matanzas

Coquina Fortified Watchtower of Fort Matanzas

Besides immersing yourself in history, there are walking trails near the Visitor Center.

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On select nights, evening tours include reenactments and cannon fire. It's an easy walk to the Atlantic side of the barrier island for some time at the beach.

A picnic area is located outside the Visitor Center, along with an unpaved sandy trail for walking through the marshy wetlands which is great for birdwatching or launching a kayak. Recreational salt-water fishing is allowed with a saltwater fishing license.

Special notes about planning a visit

An aerial view of Fort Matanzas National Monument.

The Visitor Center and most of the park are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But the fort itself is only accessible by a ferry, and the ferry doesn't run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On days it does run, the ferry leaves once per hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The trips take 45-55 minutes.

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Fort admission and the ferry boarding passes are free, but everyone needs a boarding pass, even infants.

No pets are allowed in park buildings, on the ferry or at the fort, except service animals. No food or drink  except water  is allowed on the ferry or at the fort. Ferry service will shut down in poor weather, such as approaching thunderstorms or windy conditions.

The Park Service says boarding passes for the ferry are issued on a first-come, first-served basis  no reservations are taken  "and it is not unusual for all passes to be handed out before 11 a.m. on the days the ferry is in operation."

If you go

The Matanzas Inlet shot from Fort Matanzas

WHERE: The Fort Matanzas National Monument Visitor Center is located at 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine.

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WHEN: The Visitor Center and park are open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ferry access to the fort is available Thursday through Monday, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

FERRY PASSES: Free of charge, obtained at the Visitor Center. Only good for the date they are issued and must be picked up in person on a first-come, first served basis.

RESTRICTIONS: No pets (except service animals), no food or drink (except water) on the ferry or at the fort.

MORE INFORMATION: 904-471-0116 or https://www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: History meets nature at St. Augustine's Fort Matanzas National Monument
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off Guided Pinaka from Solar Defence and Aerospace Plant in Nagpur on Sunday. He was there for the inauguration of the Medium Calibre Ammunition Facility in SDAL's Plant. After the inauguration, the Defence Minister visited the Rocket Assembly area in the SDAL plant, where he witnessed the Guided Pinaka. From this facility, Guided Pinaka is set to be exported to Armenia. In his inaugural address, the Defence Minister said, "This facility has begun the export of Pinaka missiles developed here. Several other countries have also shown interest in purchasing them. This achievement is not only the capability of our defence industry but also further strengthens India's export potential. I am confident that in the next few months, once all the testing is completed, our armed forces will be able to use them as a strong and reliable shield for the defence of the nation." Lauding the capability of the SDAL facility, the Defence Minister said, "When I see a private sector unit working at this level, I don't just see a unit or a facility, I see a new resolve, a new enthusiasm, new energy, and innovation. I see how dedicatedly you are contributing to the development of the country. The way you are contributing to making the defence sector self-reliant is, in itself, exemplary." "There was a time when defence production was almost limited to the public sector. The capabilities and potential existed, but the level of participation from the private sector was not what it should have been. There were various challenges, hesitations, and doubts about whether this model would succeed in moving towards self-reliance. Questions were raised about capacities, but gradually, we made efforts to change this mindset, said the Defence Minister. Mentioning his last visit to the facility, Defence Minister said that, "I clearly remember that in 2021, the first full lot of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades, entirely manufactured in India by the private sector, was handed over by me to the Army Chief for the use of the armed forces. At that time, it was a significant step towards self-reliance in the defence sector." (ANI)
South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management Commissioner Jim Terwilliger speaks to the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee on Jan. 14, 2026, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Meghan O'Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota must spend $106 million in remaining pandemic relief by the end of the year, or it has to be returned to the federal government.

Most of the funds left to spend are for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, housing, broadband, ambulance upgrades and telemedicine upgrades in nursing homes, according to a Wednesday presentation from the Bureau of Finance and Management at the Capitol in Pierre.

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Bureau Commissioner Jim Terwilliger told lawmakers on the budget committee that the state will meet the deadline to maximize those dollars.

We feel like were in a good place, Terwilliger said.

Federal relief and stimulus funding for South Dakota in response to the COVID-19 pandemic included about $974 million from the State Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The unspent balance represents about 10% of that funding.

The funding has been transformative in some sectors of the state. South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Secretary Hunter Roberts said during the last legislative session the influx of cash sparked an overdue water renaissance.

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Roberts department has $75 million left to spend on water and sewer projects. Some projects that have used ARPA funding so far include upgrades for the Mni Waste Water Company in western South Dakota, a regional waterline upgrade for the Randall Community Water District in eastern South Dakota, and funding for the Western Dakota Regional Water System study.

The bureau receives quarterly department reports for how funding is spent. As the end of 2026 approaches, any unspent funds will be reallocated to water projects.

About $14 million for workforce housing projects, which is roughly a quarter of that programs ARPA funding, has not been spent. A mix of federal and state funding was approved by lawmakers in 2022 to help increase South Dakotas housing stock as the states population grows. Roughly $64 million in state-funded loans for workforce housing also remain unobligated, with Gov. Larry Rhoden proposing those state funds be shifted to airport improvement projects, and a legislative task force recommending the money be used for property tax credits.

About $4 million, which is nearly half of the ARPA funding meant to improve emergency medical services across the state, has not been spent, according to the presentation. About $2 million, which is three-quarters of the ARPA funding promised to nursing home telemedicine upgrades, hasnt been spent yet either. Both grant programs are under the state Department of Health.

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Jan. 18The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public input on revised plans for road work on U.S. Highway 2/53 and Rest Area 23 in 2028 and 2029.

The work on the highway is planned from 53rd Avenue East in Superior to County C in the town of Amnicon and will include concrete repairs, repaving asphalt shoulders and the Wisconsin Highway 13 ramps, adding rumble strips, new signs and more. At the rest area, work will include adding semi-truck parking, pavement replacement and repairs, new lighting and replacing the maintenance garage.

The highway will remain open during construction; the rest area might require temporary closure.

For more information and instructions on how to comment visit

wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nw.
Stellan Skarsgard has criticized Donald Trumps demands for Denmark to hand over the territory of Greenland.

The Swedish actor, 74, was asked about his reaction to Trumps threats during a press conference Saturday at the European Film Awards.

Its absurd, isnt it? Skarsgard slammed. Its a little man who got megalomania, and hes trying to take the world. He took Venezuela, suddenly, and thats for Chevron. Hell take Greenland for minerals. Hes a criminal.

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The Dune actor was referring to Trumps decision to remove Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro from power before he began talks with oil giant Chevron to expand its license in Venezuela.

Trump, who has had a longstanding interest in purchasing Greenland, said he set his sights on the territory due to national security reasons. In a lengthy Truth Social post Saturday, Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on a slew of European countries that oppose the annexation, including Denmark, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Sweden.

Stellan Skarsgard has slammed Donald Trump's threats to takeover Greenland as 'absurd' (Getty Images)

President Donald Trump has demanded that Denmark give Greenland to the U.S. (Getty Images)

Denmark and its European allies have firmly insisted that Greenland is not for sale and slammed Trumps threats as unacceptable.

Skarsgard recently won the best supporting actor award at the Golden Globes for his performance in Joachim Triers Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value. The Swedish actor and Norwegian director, whose home countries both neighbor Greenland, both shared their frustration with the political stand-off at Saturdays winners press conference in Berlin.

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Trier responded: Sitting in Europe today. I think that what weve learned from history is that the idea of appropriation of other countries and the idea of colonization is something that we suffer through guilt for in Europe, in the sense that we are trying to move forward from that idiotic idea.

Denmark has come a long way in apologizing and trying to make good for their appropriation of Greenland in the past, and Greenland is for people from Greenland. So, this idea of reappropriating it for another culture, when Denmark has been very clear that America can, through NATO Alliance, protect Greenland if they feel like it in a greater military capacity, and now this is happening.

He concluded, I agree with Stellan that its an absurd notion, and international law must be respected, because grinding that down will have such tremendous domino effects on how other superpowers will treat other countries, so the dominant effect of that is extremely worrying, if it is to happen.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  It was a cold day in KELOLAND with breezy northwest winds. East River struggled to get out of the single digits today for highs, Sioux Falls was over 20 degrees below average for this time of year.

For tonight, lows are going to range from the single digits to the teens. As a front moves through, strong winds are going to start to make their way back into KELOLAND. A High Wind Warning will go into effect in far western South Dakota tonight, while portions of central and eastern KELOLAND are going to be under a Wind Advisory by tomorrow morning. At 5 PM CST Sunday, these alerts will start to end from west to east.

Along with that, light snow showers are going to return by tonight. Any accumulations will be on the lighter side around to under one inch. The greatest concern is blowing snow, which could reduce visibility and make travel difficult. Due to this, a Winter Weather Advisory is going to go into effect tonight in central and eastern KELOLAND and continue until 9 PM CST Sunday.

Behind this system is going to be colder and drier air. We will make improvements for the middle of the week as temperatures get back around near to above average. There is going to be another potential for an Alberta Clipper during this time, but for now it is only looking to bring light snow showers. Here is a look at your extended forecast:

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
United Nations rights chief Volker Turk says the war in Sudan has put its people through horror and hell, as Sudans population continues to face acute food insecurity and displacement.

During his first visit to Sudan since the war began in April 2023, Turk said it was despicable that funds that should be used to alleviate the suffering of the population were instead spent on advanced weapons, especially drones.

The UN has repeatedly warned of the involvement of foreign actors in Sudans civil war.

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The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly accused of supplying the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with weapons, support and political backing despite Abu Dhabis consistent denial.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is backed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The army has also reportedly received arms, including drones, from Iran and Turkiye.

But Turk said from Port Sudan, on Sudans Red Sea coast, that the country was facing the increasing militarisation of society by all parties to the conflict, including through the arming of civilians and recruitment and use of children.

In 2023, the country was plunged into a deadly civil war after the SAF and RSF fought to secure power.

(Al Jazeera)

Horrific violations

The UN rights chief explained that he had heard testimony of unbearable atrocities from survivors of attacks in Darfur, warning of similar crimes taking place in the current epicentre of the fighting, the Kordofan region.

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He said that the testimonies must be heard by the commanders of this conflict and those who are arming, funding and profiting from this war.

We must ensure that the perpetrators of these horrific violations face justice regardless of the affiliation, Turk said, warning that repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes.

The UN chief called on both sides to cease intolerable attacks against civilian objects that are indispensable to the civilian population, including markets, health facilities, schools and shelters.

Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing war crimes, but there has been a particular focus on the RSF, which was accused by monitoring groups of killing at least 1,500 people in its October capture of el-Fasher in Darfur.

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According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in 2025, 30.4 million people, out of a population of 46.8 million, in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The population is facing an acute food insecurity and a nutrition crisis, especially in the Darfur and Kordofan regions. At the same time, disease outbreaks are worsening the situation.

Moreover, Sudan is dealing with the worlds largest displacement crisis, with an estimated 13.6 million people displaced by the ongoing fighting.
In the year since US President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, he has brought with him significant global shifts.

Like many countries, Canada - America's closest neighbour to the north - has felt the impact and seen a change in the long standing relationship with its close security ally and trading partner.

Trump has imposed tariffs on several key Canadian sectors and has warned of more to come. He has also referred to Canada as "the 51st state" - a jab that has been met with a mix of anxiety and an uncharactaristically fierce display of patriotism.

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He has had an effect not just on how Canadians shop and travel, but on the country's domestic politics and world view.

Here are five ways Trump has had an impact on Canada.

A shift in how Canadians see the US

While the relationship between the two countries has had its ups and downs, many Canadians shop, travel and even work in the US, and have family ties to the country.

But the past 12 months has seen a change in Canadians' overall attitudes towards the US, if not towards Americans themselves.

Polling conducted by the Pew Research Center last spring indicated that 64% of Canadians held a negative view of the US in 2025 - the highest ever recorded in more than two decades of polling by Pew.

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This is a reversal from how they felt before the second Trump administration, when the majority said they held a favourable view of their neighbour.

The survey suggested an even larger percentage of Canadians, around 77%, lack confidence in Trump as a president. Nine in 10 respondents described him as "arrogant" and three-quarters said they believe he is "dangerous".

A separate Angus Reid poll from October suggested nearly half of Canadians (46%) want their government to approach the US as an "enemy or potential threat".

This is higher than for India (24%) or China (34%). Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to improve the relationship with both of those countries after years of tensions related, among other issues, to allegations of foreign interference.

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A more recent Leger poll conducted earlier this month indicates that one in three Canadians believe the US could take "direct action" to control Canada in the future. The poll was in response to the US seizure this month of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Trump's renewed comments on annexing Greenland.

Fewer trips south

The US has long been the number one travel destination for Canadians - an unsurprising statistic given the proximity of two countries.

While it remains a top destination, the number of Canadians making trips south has dropped by more than 25%, according to the latest data by Statistics Canada.

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That decline has been noticed by the American tourism industry, which forecast a loss of $5.7bn (4.3bn) in tourism spending in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Some jurisdictions, like California, have even run advertisements to try to entice Canadians back.

But many have opted to vacation at home, with the domestic tourism sector reporting a record-breaking C$59bn ($42bn) in revenues from May to August, up 6% from the same period last year, according to Destination Canada, a national tourism organisation.

Others have gone to Mexico, with national data showing a 12% surge in Canadians visiting Mexican cities in the last year.

Buying more local products

The boycott has extended to store shelves, with more Canadians now choosing local products in the face of US tariffs.

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Nowhere is this more significant than in liquor stores, where American alcohol was pulled from shelves by most provinces in retaliation to Trump's levies.

Overall exports of US spirits fell 9% in the last quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

In Canada, the value of US liquor imports dropped from $63.1bn in late 2024 to just over $9.5bn in late 2025.

Canadians are also buying more Mexican-made cars, with vehicle imports from Mexico surpassing US imports for the very first time as of July, according to data from Statistics Canada.

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There's even a push to "Buy Canadian" at the federal government level, with Carney prioritising procurement from domestic suppliers, a move tailored to help specific sectors hard-hit by Trump's tariffs on products like steel and lumber.

That includes in defence procurement, with Canada seeking to shift away from US suppliers as it significantly ramps up defence spending to meet its Nato commitments.

An upended federal election

Before Trump's second term, Canada's governing Liberal Party appeared headed towards a potentially historic collapse in the then-forthcoming federal election.

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Polls at the time consistently showed the opposition Conservatives leading by a wide margin, with party leader Pierre Poilievre, whose focus on affordability was resonating with voters, likely to be the next prime minister.

Then the political script in Canada flipped.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January - an exit hastened in part by his finance minister publicly quitting in protest over his handling of Trump.

That made way for Carney, a former central banker with political ambitions, to run for the party's leadership.

Carney leaned heavily on his economic experience as he campaigned as the man who could stand up to Trump and voters, anxious about Canada's sovereignty and economy in the face of the new US administration, flocked back to the Liberals.

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In late April's election, Carney achieved what was unthinkable just a few months prior: another return to power for the Liberals, with voters giving the party a few seats shy of a majority government.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, lost their fourth consecutive election and Poilievre faces a leadership review later this month.

The latest polling indicates that Carney's Liberals are a few points ahead of the Conservatives, though the gap between them has narrowed.

[Reuters]

Making new friends and allies

With the Canada-US trade relationship increasingly unpredictable, Canada is seeking to bolster ties elsewhere, in some cases mending strained ties.

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This shift is perhaps most notable with Carney's visit to China this week - the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.

On Friday, Carney announced a deal that would reduce tariffs between the two countries and increase access to each other's markets.

In Beijing, he struck a pragmatic tone, saying that Canada was forming a "strategic partnership" with the Asian power that will bring economic benefits to both countries.

It was a remarkable shift in tone by Carney, who on the campaign trail called China Canada's biggest security threat.

Asked by reporters about his concerns over national security and human rights, the prime minister responded with: "We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."

Carney is also expected to embark on a trade mission to India in the next few weeks. The trip would be a further thawing of Canada-India relations, which have been icy since Trudeau openly accused Indian agents of being behind the extra-judicial killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil.

In the past year, Carney has also made trips to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as a number of European countries, in search for new trade relationships.

What questions do you have about Trump's first year since returning as president? Click here or use the form below.
A man wanted for murder in Maine was taken into custody in Dunbarton by New Hampshire State Police following a multi-state pursuit.

State troopers assigned to the Troop B barracks received information around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday that Lowell, Mass., Police were pursuing a vehicle on Interstate 93 northbound.

Troopers received additional information that the suspected driver was wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Skowhegan, Maine. Troopers joined the pursuit as the vehicle, a 2018 silver Jeep Compass, crossed the state line in Salem.

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The driver refused to stop and the pursuit continued onto parts of I-93, I-293, Route 101, and Route 114 before the Jeep ultimately went off the road and crashed into a tree on Route 13 in Dunbarton.

Nonlethal munitions were ultimately deployed before the driver was taken into custody and identified as Dane Burke, 55, of Skowhegan, Maine. Burke was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries and remains under law enforcement supervision.

The Jeep was also seized as evidence in connection with the homicide investigation in Maine.

In addition to the criminal charges he faces in Maine and Massachusetts, Burke has been charged by N.H. State Police as a fugitive from justice. Additional charges will be filed in connection with the pursuit. No court date has been scheduled at this time; however, Burke is expected to be held in custody in New Hampshire pending extradition.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
An Alabama man accused of scamming several women on social media was arrested in Cary and is awaiting extradition to the Yellowhammer State.

Brenton Wayne Fillers, 56, is facing a felony larceny charge in Baldwin County, Alabama, court records show. He is being held at the Wake County Jail.

Fillers, dubbed the TikTok trickster by Alabama authorities, allegedly messages women on social media platforms to steal from them, Spanish Fort, Alabama, Police Chief John Barber told NBC 15. In 2023, Fillers messaged a Spanish Fort woman then stole her car, Barber said.

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Court records show a judge set Fillers bond at $50,000 on Jan. 13, then lowered it to $15,000 on Jan. 14. Barber told NBC 15 on Jan. 15 that he normally doesnt see bonds set for fugitives.

If Fillers posted bail, Barber told NBC 15 his department feared Fillers would slip away. Fillers has over 30 aliases and over 30 pages of arrest records across the country, Barber said. After a Texas case in which Fillers faced a child sexual abuse charge fell apart, Fillers was released before Spanish Fort police could have him held.

A Wake County judge increased Fillers bond to $500,000 on Jan. 16, court records show.
POCOLA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  Pocola Police Department officer Todd France, now on suspension, was arrested by a SWAT unit on Friday, Jan. 16, at police headquarters.

Todd France (COURTESY: LeFlore County Sheriffs Office)

Investigators say Frances arrest stems from evidence found Thursday after the arrest of a woman he is reportedly romantically involved with, according to the LeFlore County Sheriffs Office (LCSO).

Fort Smith man arrested in connection with stabbing that left 1 injured

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On Thursday, Jan. 15, while deputies were assisting state agencies on serving an arrest warrant on a female at a Spiro home, LCSO Lt. Paul Moss tells KNWA/FOX24 France allegedly answered the door and, initially, was not fully cooperative. The female was eventually arrested.



After serving a search warrant for the home and the females phone, investigators claim they discovered evidence leading to Frances arrest. On Friday while on patrol, Lt. Moss says France was summons back to police headquarters and he was taken into custody. He says they utilized SWAT since its considered a high risk arrest due to France being armed and his training.



France is charged with harboring a fugitive, possession of a controlled/dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia.

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.
In the space of two days, the Syrian military, aided by tribal militia, has driven Kurdish forces from wide swaths of northern Syria that they have held for more than a decade.

Among the towns and cities that the Syrian army has taken is Raqqa, once the notorious capital of the Islamic States (ISIS) so-called caliphate. Geolocated video showed tribal militia in the heart of the city Sunday, and a military presence in other neighborhoods.

Much of Syrias oil wealth is also now under the control of the government for the first time in more than a decade.

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After the territorial gains, Syrias president said Sunday that an agreement had been reached with the mainly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to end the fighting in the northeast of the country.

SDF leader Mazloum Abdi acknowledged that an agreement was reached to withdraw the Deir Ezzor and Raqqa forces to the Hasakah region in order to stop this war.

Despite the ceasefire, both sides reported further clashes on Monday. The SDF said that heavy clashes were taking place near two prisons holding ISIS detainees, and the defense ministry accused the SDF of allowing some prisoners to escape from one of the facilities, at Shadaddi in Hasakah province. The SDF said the prison was out of our forces control.

CNN was unable to verify either sides claims.

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The ministry said three soldiers had been killed and blamed militants of the Kurdish PKK group and remnants of the Assad regime for trying to undermine the accord.

Heres what we know.

What led to this confrontation?

The sudden push into Kurdish-controlled areas came after clashes earlier this month in the city of Aleppo and the surrounding countryside, the latest episodes in a tense stand-off between the central government and the SDF.

The SDF is a US-backed group that was not part of the rebel alliance that overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

On Friday, the SDF agreed to withdraw from the Aleppo area to the east bank of the Euphrates river, the first territorial concession it had made to the new government.

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But the Syrian military pushed into areas not covered by the agreement, and Kurdish forces retreated.

The Syrian militarys advance into several regions has deprived the SDF of control over both mineral wealth and rich agricultural land.

Members of the Syrian army are deployed inside the town of al-Tabqa after the withdrawal of the SDF, on January 18, 2026. - Karam al-Masri/Reuters

What have Syrian forces seized?

The army and allied tribes have taken much of the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, which borders Iraq, and Arab militia have also made inroads into Kurdish-held Hasakah province.

In the process, troops have taken control of two hydroelectric dams on the Euphrates, according to the Syrian Energy Ministry. The larger of them provides much of the countrys drinking water and, once renovated, could provide some 900 megawatts of electricity.

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The Syrian military has also taken control of oil and gas fields in Deir Ezzor province, including the largest, called al-Omar, as well as al-Tanak and Conoco fields, according to officials.

The agreement released by the Syrian presidency on Sunday said the government would assume immediate control of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor and also take control of all oil and gas fields and international borders.

Civilian institutions in Hasakah, which borders Turkey, would be integrated into the Syrian state, the document said.

SDF personnel would be integrated into the Syrian military and security forces on an individual basis, the document added. The SDF, which has not yet commented on Sundays agreement, had been insisting on having Kurdish units within the military.

A Syrian government soldier scans an area around the Euphrates dam with a sniper rifle on January 18, after government troops took control of al-Tabqa town from the SDF. - Omar Albam/AP

Why did earlier negotiations fail?

For years, the SDF has controlled many areas largely populated by Arab tribes, many of which have now joined the fight against them. The SDFs area of control had expanded as it worked with a US-led coalition in the struggle against ISIS, when the terror group controlled much of northeastern Syria.

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When the Assad regime was overthrown, the government of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa rejected the notion of a federal Syria, demanding that Damascus writ run throughout the country.

There were many sessions of negotiations between the government and Mazloum Abdi, the SDFs leader. And for a while it seemed agreement might be reached on integrating Kurdish fighters into the Syrian security forces and extending the Damascus governments political control to territory in the north and east of Syria.

In March last year, al-Sharaa and Abdi signed an agreement which the Syrian president said aimed to ensure the rights of all Syrians in representation and participation in the political process and all state institutions based on competence, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds.

But the Kurds remained reluctant to give up areas they controlled, and there was no agreement on integrating Kurdish forces into the national army.

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Damascus promised the Kurds extensive cultural autonomy such as the use of the Kurdish language in schools. Indeed, on Friday, al-Sharaa signed a decree promising Kurds cultural and language rights and bestowing Syrian citizenship on thousands who had been deprived of Syrian nationality for decades.

The SDFs leadership said the concessions did not go far enough.

At the same time, many Arabs living in Kurdish-held parts of Syria were losing patience.

A view of the town of al-Tabqa in the Raqqa countryside on January 18 after its capture by the Syrian Army. - Moawia Atrash/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

In the town of al-Tabqa, which was taken by government forces on Saturday according to multiple videos and witness accounts, resident Mohamed Khalousi told Reuters that the population had waited for the arrival of the army to get rid of this (Kurdish) gang that all people were complaining and tired of.

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We advise our Arab tribes to remain calm and allow room for the agreements provisions to be implemented, al-Sharaa said Sunday after Arab militia had joined the military in clashes with the SDF.

Whats happening in Raqqa?

Government forces took control of the city of Raqqa late on Sunday. Geolocated video showed snipers on rooftops in the city, as well as tribal militia celebrating on the streets.

A largely Kurdish administration had run the city since its liberation from ISIS.

Residents topple a statue of a female Kurdish fighter after the takeover of the town of al-Tabqa by Syrian government forces. - Ghaith Alsayed/AP

Ahmad al-Haj Mulla, a resident of Raqqa, told CNN earlier Sunday that he had joined in the fighting against the SDF.

Anyone who objects to the (SDFs) autonomous administration ends up in jail, Mulla alleged. They should never have been here in the first place.

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Syrian state television reported Sunday that Raqqas community figures will hand the city over in full to the Syrian government to administer it and to safeguard its institutions, security, and stability.

A new governor was appointed for the region on Monday.

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who visited Damascus for talks with al-Sharaa on Sunday, subsequently commended the ceasefire agreement released by the presidency as paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria, in a post on X.

He promised the US would firmly stand behind the integration process, as we safeguard our vital national security interests in defeating ISIS remnants.

Will this affect the fight against ISIS?

The United States had expressed concern that the upheaval would hurt the allied effort against ISIS remnants in rural parts of Syria.

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On Saturday, the commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, urged the Syrian government to cease any offensive actions between Aleppo and al-Tabqa to ensure a common front against ISIS.

Its unclear whether Kurdish security forces are still guarding the largest detention camp holding relatives of ISIS fighters, at al-Hol, near the Iraqi border. But the agreement reached Sunday says that the government will assume responsibility for security at facilities holding ISIS prisoners.

The SDF said Monday it was no longer in control of the prison in Shadaddi that houses hundreds of suspected ISIS fighters, after what it called repeated attacks carried out by Damascus factions.

The Syrian military in turn accused the SDF of releasing ISIS prisoners and said its forces were beginning to enter Shadaddi to restore order.

CNNs Nechirvan Mando contributed to this report.

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Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) Chairman Humayun Kabir on Sunday strongly backed police action in the wake of violent protests in Beldanga area of Murshidabad district, asserting that "anyone involved in wrongdoing, whether from my party or another party, should not be spared." His remarks came as police arrested 30 people in connection with the Beldanga incident, which erupted following protests over the alleged murder of Alauddin Sheikh, a Bengali migrant worker, in Jharkhand. "The public faced many problems because of what happened. I myself went to the area. The law is the same for everyone, and I fully support the police," Kabir said, underlining the need for strict action to restore normalcy. The Beldanga area has witnessed continued tension over the past two days. On Friday, family members of the deceased and local residents blocked National Highway-12, disrupting vehicular movement. Protesters also set tyres on fire on railway tracks under the Sealdah railway division, leading to the disruption of rail services. Violence continued on Saturday as protesters blocked roads in the Beldanga Block Road area, demanding justice for the deceased labourer. Security forces were deployed in strength to control the situation and prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party's "double-engine government" of fostering violence against migrant workers in BJP-ruled states. She alleged that workers from West Bengal were being targeted outside the state. TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said he had spoken to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren soon after learning about Alauddin Sheikh's death and was assured that necessary action would be taken. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the victim's family and said Sheikh's wife had been provided a government job. The opposition BJP, however, has stepped up its attack on the TMC government. BJP MLA from Ghatal, Sital Kopat, demanded the imposition of President's Rule in West Bengal, holding the ruling party responsible for the unrest in Murshidabad. "The Trinamool government is spreading terror in the name of the SIR. They want to keep Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in the voter list," Kopat alleged, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee of creating an atmosphere of fear. (ANI)
The Syrian government has announced an immediate ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on all fronts after nearly two weeks of deadly fighting.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that the Syrian Army will take control of three eastern and northeastern provinces  Raqqa, Deir Az Zor and Hasakah  from the SDF as part of the deal.

The SDF will be integrated into Syrias defence and interior ministries as part of a broader 14-point agreement.

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Al-Sharaas announcement followed a meeting with the United States special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, in Damascus.

Al Jazeeras Ayman Oghanna, reporting from Damascus, said the ceasefire can be seen as a victory for Damascus and its ally Turkiye.

The biggest issue facing the government, and the reason for these clashes, was a failure to integrate Kurdish-led SDF peacefully into Syrian state institutions, he said.

Turkiye sees the SDF as the Syrian branch of the PKK, an organisation that Turkiye has been at war with since 1984, and now, as part of the ceasefire agreement, it says that the SDF will expel PKK elements from outside of Syrias borders, he added, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that seeks greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkiye.

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Fighting erupted between the army and SDF forces in Aleppo on January 6 after talks aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led fighters into Syrias national army had stalled. The two sides also clashed last month before a deadline for the SDF to lay down its heavy weapons and hand control of areas in Aleppo to the national army.

So, will the ceasefire last, and how will the integration of the SDF be implemented?

(Al Jazeera)

What is the latest from Syrias northeast?

The ceasefire agreement came after the Syrian Army gained territory against SDF forces in Raqqa province in a lightning offensive.

Forces of Syrias Ministry of Interior have begun entering the northeastern city of Raqqa to prepare for an organised deployment across all neighbourhoods.

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Raqqa, an Arab majority city, erupted in celebrations as the news came of its control going into the hands of government forces. Raqqa also has some of the countrys largest oil and gas fields.

The city has been under SDF control for nearly a decade since ISIL (ISIS) fighters were driven out in 2017.

Fighting also took place in other parts of the country, including in Deir Az Zor, also home to some major oil and gas fields.

Ghassan Al-Sayyed Ahmed, appointed by Damascus to oversee the governorate, told Al Jazeera that Deir Az Zor has put an end to the era of the SDF and its practices, and there is overwhelming joy among the residents.

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He claimed that the province witnessed a popular uprising as a result of the SDFs practices, and that the SDF retreated to Hasakah province within 12 hours.

We [the Syrian government authorities] took control of all the governorates facilities this afternoon, he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the Syrian Army took control of Tabqa, about 40km (24 miles) west of Raqqa. It also captured the Euphrates Dam, the largest in the country and adjacent to the strategic city, as well as the Freedom Dam, formerly known as the Baath Dam.

On Saturday, the SDF withdrew from Deir Hafer and some surrounding villages in Aleppo governorate that are home to predominantly Arab populations, after which Syrian forces moved in, triggering celebrations. Deir Hafer is about 50km (30 miles) east of Aleppo city.

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It happened with the least amount of losses, Hussein al-Khalaf, a resident of Deir Hafer, told Reuters. Theres been enough blood in this country, Syria. We have sacrificed and lost enough. People are tired of it.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, affiliated with the SDF, on Saturday accused the Syrian government of violating a withdrawal agreement, saying it attacked our forces on multiple fronts since yesterday morning. The SDF also warned that the attacks on Raqqa might threaten security as the city hosts thousands of ISIL detainees.

The US-backed SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, was formed in 2015, nearly four years after the armed uprising against former President Bashar al-Assad began. Al-Assad remained in power until he was ousted in December 2024 by Syrian opposition fighters led by al-Sharaa, who is now the interim president.

Al-Sharaas government has pledged to reunify Syria after 14 years of war. On Friday, al-Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a national language and granting the minority group official recognition.

(Al Jazeera)

What was the March agreement between the Syrian army and SDF?

On March 10, al-Sharaa reached an agreement with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi.

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The agreement emphasised the unity of Syria and stipulated that all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria be merged into the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the airport and oil and gas fields.

The agreement also included an affirmation that the Kurdish people are integral to Syria and have a right to citizenship, as well as guaranteed constitutional rights.

After a breakdown of this deal, heavy fighting between the SDF and the Syrian Army resumed in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods of Aleppo city last month. A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on January 10.

The SDFs secular Kurdish leadership is linked to the Turkish-based PKK. Although the PKK announced in May that it would lay down its arms and disband, it is still listed as a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union and the US.

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Despite this, the US backed the SDF because it was an effective partner against ISIL, which the SDF and a US-led coalition defeated in northeastern Syria by 2019.

How has the US reacted?

The US has praised the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, Barrack, the US special envoy, commended the Syrian government and the SDF for constructive efforts in reaching todays ceasefire agreement, paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria.

This agreement and ceasefire represents a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division, he added

Earlier, Washington urged the Syrian Army to stop advancing into Kurdish-held territory.

Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/jPdDkTx8MP  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 17, 2026

What has al-Sharaa said?

As we speak, we are working towards establishing a total ceasefire, al-Sharaa said on Sunday.

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Now, a ceasefire will be observed, [and] after that, we will start gradually implementing the agreement, he said.

As part of his efforts to unite Syria, al-Sharaa on Friday issued a decree formally recognising Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic, allowing it to be taught in school, and restoring citizenship to all Kurdish Syrians. The new agreement welcomed the presidential decree.

The decree for the first time grants Kurdish Syrians rights, including the recognition of their Kurdish identity as part of Syrias national fabric.

It also abolishes measures dating back to a 1962 census in Hasakah province that stripped many Kurds of Syrian nationality and grants citizenship to all affected residents, including those previously registered as stateless.

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The decree declares Newroz, the Kurdish New Year festival, a paid national holiday. It bans ethnic or linguistic discrimination, requires state institutions to adopt inclusive national messaging and sets penalties for incitement to ethnic strife.

The Kurdish administration in Syrias north and northeast said the decree was a first step, however, it does not satisfy the aspirations and hopes of the Syrian people.

It added that rights are not protected by temporary decrees, but through permanent constitutions that express the will of the people and all components of a society.
The Syrian army has taken full control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, expanding a rapid offensive in Raqqa province, state media reported, as government-allied tribal forces are now inside the city of Raqqa.

Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said early on Sunday that government forces had secured Tabqa and the nearby Euphrates Dam, Syrias largest, after expelling fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), labelled a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union and the United States.

A source within government-allied tribal forces has confirmed to Al Jazeera that fighters have taken control of the military security building in Raqqa, the citys Mashlab neighbourhood, as well as its Shuaib quarter.

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Syrian state media reported that two civilians had been killed by SDF gunfire in Raqqa during the fighting.

The Syrian government source also told Al Jazeera that areas south of Hasakah, in northeastern Syria, stretching from Sur to al-Shaddadi, are now free of the SDF presence. Parts of al-Shaddadi city have also cleared after SDF fighters began withdrawing, they said.

Members of Arab tribes have defected from the SDF in al-Shaddadi, while remaining fighters of the group are retreating towards Hasakah, the source said, adding the SDF checkpoints have collapsed across the northeastern countryside of al-Shaddadi, extending as far as the al-Hadadiyah area along the Hasakah road.

Oilfields captured

Syrian security sources told Al Jazeera that SDF fighters at the al-Omar and al-Tanak oilfields in the eastern Deir Az Zor countryside have also withdrawn.

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Syrian troops have now seized control of the al-Omar oilfield  the countrys largest, Reuters news agency reported.

On Saturday, the Syrian Petroleum Company said the oilfields of Rasafa and Sufyan near Deir Hafer had been captured by Syrian soldiers and could now be brought back online in a boost to the Syrian economy.

The Ministry of Interior said security forces continue to carry out sweeps in the Deir Hafer area after it was abandoned by SDF fighters on Saturday.

Rapid Syrian army takeover

Reporting from Tabqa, Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi said the pace of fighting in northern Syria has accelerated sharply, with government troops rapidly shifting operations towards Raqqa.

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This rapid advance has resulted in bloodshed on the Syrian side and the side of the SDF. The numbers are still coming in, but exactly how bad things are well know only when the fighting is over, Basravi said.

Basravi said Syrian forces have now redirected their military focus from Aleppo province towards Raqqa, advancing into territory held by the SDF.

We are here in Raqqa province, a short drive from the third stronghold city of Tabqa to fall into Syrian government control and out of SDF hands in less than two weeks, he said.

According to Basravi, the military is moving quickly through Arab-majority towns where there hasnt always been organic support for the Kurdish-led SDF.

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The SDF, he said, is now facing a massive pincer movement stretching across Aleppo and Raqqa provinces, forcing retreats that appear increasingly defensive.

Videos circulating online showed SDF units evacuating a military hospital, while fighting intensified near the citys southern entrance.

The ISIL (ISIS) group had declared Raqqa its capital in January 2014, until its liberation in October 2017 by the US-backed SDF. The city was left in ruins and suffered atrocities and mass death under ISIL rule.

There is a practical aspect of trying to take control back from the SDF of areas in Raqqa and Deir Az Zor, noted Basravi.

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There are big oil-and-gas fields in these areas, and Syrian forces there are struggling not just for territory and land but for a stake in the countrys economic future, he added.

Video clips and live footage published on social media  verified by Al Jazeera  show celebrations in the cities of Hajin and al-Shuhayl in the eastern countryside of Deir Az Zor following the withdrawal of SDF fighters from the area.





Fighting also spread to eastern Deir Az Zor, where tribal forces said they were battling SDF units across several eastern towns in coordination with the Syrian army. A tribal military source said they had seized multiple positions and urged tribesmen within the SDF to lay down their arms.

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The SDF, for its part, said government forces attacked its positions in several Deir Az Zor towns, as artillery shelling targeted areas east of the Euphrates. The army said it was sending reinforcements to the province as operations expanded across northeast Syria.





SDF losing territory

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, affiliated with the SDF, has accused the Syrian government of violating a withdrawal agreement, saying it attacked our forces on multiple fronts since yesterday morning.

Despite all efforts to find peaceful solutions and demonstrate good faith by withdrawing from some areas, Damascus insists on continuing the fighting and pursuing the military option, the administration said in a statement.

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Omer Ozkizilcik, non-resident senior fellow for the Syria Project at the Atlantic Council, said there is a great chance that the SDF would return to the negotiating table with the Syrian government after the rapid territorial advances over the last 48 hours.

There is hope that the SDF will understand the realities on the ground, Ozkizilcik said, citing the enthusiastic welcome government forces received by some communities as showing the Kurdish-led group did not have widespread public support.

So this indicates the social and demographic fragility of the SDF. And now the question is, will the SDF see this reality and agree to the demands by Damascus to integrate into the Syrian state, and that can happen quite easily, he told Al Jazeera.

The government in Damascus knows the US will not tolerate a prolonged offensive against the SDF, not just because it is an ally, but because there is the risk of 10,000 ISIL prisoners being held by the Kurdish group escaping, security analyst Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer at Kings College London, told Al Jazeera.

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We already saw pictures and footage from areas like Tabqa of prisoners being let out of jail It will not be long before that footage is weaponised by the SDF, Pinfold said.

An official with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria said Syrias President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, also known as Mazloum Kobani, have talked on the phone.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera that things are positive.

Earlier talks between US envoy Tom Barrack and Abdi were held in Erbil, Iraq, though no details of the outcome were disclosed.

Execution of prisoners

The Syrian government also condemned the alleged execution of prisoners and detainees in Tabqa by the SDF and PKK-affiliated groups.

In a statement relayed by al-Mustafa, Damascus said the killings, especially of civilians, amounted to a fully-fledged crime under the Geneva Conventions and a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  A journalist in Taiwan was detained on allegations of bribing army officers to provide military information to people from mainland China, as the self-ruled island cracks down on potential infiltration from Beijing.

Taiwan's Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office said in a statement that a district court ordered the detention of a television reporter and five current and retired military officers. Saturday's statement didn't identify the journalist, only using the surname Lin.

Meanwhile, CTi TV separately said one of its reporters, Lin Chen-you, has been detained and that it wasn't aware of the case details, urging a fair judicial process.

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Prosecutors accuse Lin of paying amounts ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of Taiwan dollars (tens to hundreds of U.S. dollars) to current military officers in exchange for their providing information to Chinese individuals. The office didnt specify who the Chinese people were or whether they were linked to the Chinese government.

Authorities raided the premises of the reporter and nine current and retired military personnel on Friday as part of an investigation into violations of Taiwans national security and corruption laws and disclosure of confidential information. CTi said that its offices were not raided.

According to Lins Facebook page, he is a political reporter and anchor covering the islands legislature.

While Taiwan regularly pursues espionage cases within the government and military, allegations against journalists are unusual.

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CTi News has been an online news outlet since Taiwans National Communications Commission refused to renew its cable television license in 2020, citing repeated violations and increasing complaints. A court later overturned the commissions decision, but the legal row is still ongoing following appeals.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to take control of the island by force if necessary, has been increasing military pressure against the island. Last month, Chinas military launched large-scale drills around it for two days after a Washington announcement of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when the Communist Party rose to power in Beijing following a civil war. Defeated Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan, which later transitioned from martial law to multiparty democracy.



Leung reported from Hong Kong.
These three aircraft are part of a long-standing deal spread over a period of years to raise Israel's fleet from 25 to 50 F-35s.

The IDF announced on Sunday that three F-35i aircraft have landed at Nevatim Air Force Base, purchased from US defense giant Lockheed Martin, which increases Israel's quantity of F-35 aircraft to 48 out of 50, which are already fully purchased.

These three aircraft are part of a long-standing deal spread over a period of years to raise Israel's fleet from 25 to 50 F-35s.

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These aircraft were originally due in late 2025, but were delayed, with the last two aircraft still due to be delivered later in 2026.

But that is not the end of F-35 deliveries.

In 2023, Israel, the US government, and Lockheed Martin signed a deal for 25 additional F-35s, to eventually raise the number of aircraft to 75, which would mean a third squadron. Additional steps in that process took place in mid-2024.

The IDF receives additional F-35 fighter jets at the Nevatim Air Force Base. January 18, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Third squadron of F-35s to come to Israel in 2027

Previously, The Jerusalem Post was told that the first third squadron F-35 deliveries would start in 2027.

Israel signed on to the F-35 program in 2010, and its F-35 program became operational in 2017.

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By early 2025, the F-35 had already undertaken over 15,000 flight hours on all fronts of the war, which Israel was coping with, from Iran to Yemen to Syria to Lebanon to Gaza.

More specifically, the F-35 was Israel's key first component in eliminating Iran's best radars and air defenses in three rounds of attacks, including in the June 2025 Israel-Iran War.

In addition, over the course of the war, the IDF said it modified its F-35 aircraft to fire JDAM munitions from its wings, rather than its original design of dropping munitions from the aircraft's belly.

Even before the war, the F-35 was considered crucial in the MABAM war between wars against Iranian proxies in Syria.

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It has stealth technology, which makes it more able to strike targets throughout the Middle East with impunity, and its surveillance and intelligence capabilities far exceed Israels older F-16 and F-15 aircraft.

For example, it is said to be easily capable of outwitting Irans S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense system, and possibly even the S-400 system, whereas other Israeli aircraft would have more trouble.

Lockheed Martin Israel former CEO Joshua (Shiki) Shani has previously said, We are proud to support the Israel Defense Forces in providing the F-35, and honored that the Israeli government has announced its intent to purchase additional F-35s.

The Israel Air Force has proven its capabilities in critical operations with the 116 and 140 Squadrons, and we are looking forward to building on this strong performance. With a combination of stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare, the fifth-generation F-35 will ensure the Israel Air Force stays ahead of current and evolving threats, he said.

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At the same time, Israel has moved forward on some parallel advancements and investments in the air forces future.

After years of delay, the Defense Ministry has been moving forward with 25 F-15EX Boeing fighters from the US to help replace its aging F-15 aircraft.

In November 2022, Israel finalized an agreement to purchase four Boeing KC-46A midair-refueling aircraft.

Each of those new aircraft elements is also some years from being delivered to Israel, but would also eventually boost Jerusalems capability for attacking Tehrans nuclear program, if needed.
Update: 12:10 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The driver who police say hit a Champaign County Sheriffs squad car Friday evening was cited for aggravated driving under the influence.

The Urbana Police Department and the Illinois State Police are investigating. In a news release, Lieutenant Dave Roesch with the Urbana Police Department said a Champaign County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) K9 squad vehicle was driving westbound on University Avenue. Roesch said the driver of the Mini Cooper, identified as 29-year-old Gretchen Raila of Champaign, was traveling eastbound.

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Roesch said Raila attempted to make a sudden left turn northbound in front of the squad vehicle.

Champaign Co. man accused of child sex crimes, talking to at least 58 minors on Snapchat

After the crash the K9 deputy got out of his vehicle and provided medical aid to the people inside the Mini Cooper. The deputy was later medically evaluated and cleared with no serious injuries reported, Roesch said.

The driver and front-seat passenger of the Mini Cooper were brought to the hospital and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The police service dog was brought to the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Emergency Room to be evaluated and was medically cleared with no serious injuries.

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Raila was cited for aggravated driving under the influence, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to yield while turning left. The driver of the K9 squad vehicle was not cited.

The Urbana Police added that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

This is a developing story.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Three people were brought to the hospital after a crash between a Champaign County Sheriffs deputy and another vehicle Friday night.

It happened near University Avenue and High Cross Avenue in Urbana around 9 p.m

Arrest made in deadly Urbana shooting, police say

Illinois State Police responded to the two-vehicle crash. State Police said after investigating, they learned that the crash involved a marked Champaign County squad car and a black Mini Cooper.

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According to State Police, the squad car was driving west on University while the Mini Cooper was driving east on University. State Police said the Mini Cooper made an improper turn in front of the deputy, causing the collision.

Two people were inside the Mini Cooper and one person was inside the squad car. All three people were brought to a nearby hospital with injuries, State Police said.

State Police added that there is no further information at this time.

This is a developing story.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the latest on federal immigration crackdowns across the country and in New York City, including the recent detention of a NYC Council employee.

Newly-elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will not work with federal immigration enforcement agents and will firmly uphold sanctuary city policies.

During a recent visit to New York, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the results of a series of high-profile ICE operations. Her visit was heavily overshadowed by the shooting in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent fatally shot a 37-year-old mother of three.

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Immigration attorneys, advocacy groups and employers can anticipate greater scrutiny from the federal government regarding hiring practices, foreign-born workers, visa applications and more.

Joining us to discuss and provide some counsel on what to expect and how to prepare is immigration attorney Chris Cabanillas.

We also have details on a new college program designed to provide first-generation and low-income students with an affordable and debt-free education.

Small class sizes, dedicated academic advisors, counseling services and additional support like free meals and laptops are among resources being offered to students.

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We'll have more on the two-year associate degree program at the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

Tiempo airs Sunday mornings at 11:30 on Channel 7, WABC-TV in New York City.

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Tiempo airs Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m. on Channel 7.
The dispute between the United States and Europe over the future of Greenland isnt the first time the allies have been at loggerheads.

Deep disagreements have flared up from time to time since World War II, bringing trans-Atlantic diplomatic crises.

Heres a look at some of them.

Suez crisis

When France, the United Kingdom and Israel invaded Egypt in 1956, aiming to topple Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and take back control of the Suez Canal, the U.S. employed heavy diplomatic and economic pressure to stop it.

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The U.S. intervention severely strained Washingtons relations with London and Paris, which were key allies during the Cold War, and was a milestone in Europes waning postwar influence.

Vietnam War

While European countries except France gave diplomatic backing to the U.S., they refused to provide troops.

Street protests in Europe against the war had a significant political cost for the continents governments, which had to reconcile their support for the U.S. with an erosion of their domestic popularity, and were a burden on trans-Atlantic relations.

Euromissile crisis

Russias deployment of its new SS-20 missiles that could quickly hit targets in Western Europe compelled NATO to install U.S. Pershing nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in Europe in order to maintain the balance of the nuclear arms threat.

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The move ignited an uproar on the continent, where fears of a new arms race deepened. Huge anti-nuclear peace demonstrations, with protesters often aiming their ire at Washington, filled the streets of European capitals in the 1980s.

Invasion of Iraq

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked a major crisis in relations with Europe, especially France and Germany after they refused to support the attack on President Saddam Husseins government.

Washington officials rebuked Paris and Berlin, with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld referring to them as Old Europe and praising Eastern European countries as New Europe.

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Extraordinary rendition

As part of its war on terror, the United States captured and sometimes kidnapped suspects, and then transferred them to locations in countries where they were interrogated and often tortured outside the reach of U.S. law.

While some European governments were complicit in the program, a public outcry forced political leaders to denounce the practice.

War in Ukraine

When U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, he upended three years of American policy toward Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump spoke warmly of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was cold toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then significantly reduced U.S. military aid for Kyiv.

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Alarmed European leaders, who see their own security at stake in Ukraine, have pressed Trump to be on Ukraines side.

National security strategy

The Trump administration set out a new national security strategy last December that portrayed European allies as weak.

It was scathing of their migration and free speech policies, suggested they face the prospect of civilizational erasure and cast doubt on their long-term reliability as American partners.

Trade tariffs

With relations between the U.S. and Europe deteriorating, Trump threatened the continent last July with heavy trade tariffs in what was seen as a deeply hostile move.

Trump initially announced tariffs of 30% on the 27-nation European Union, which is the biggest trading partner of the United States. Both sides later agreed to a trade framework setting a 15% tariff on most goods.
Jan 18 (Reuters) - Ukraine's top negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Sunday that talks with U.S. officials on a resolution of the nearly four-year-old war with Russia would continue at the World Economic Forum opening this week in the Swiss resort of Davos.

Umerov, writing on Telegram, said two days of talks in Florida with a U.S. team including envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, had focused on security guarantees and a post-war recovery plan for Ukraine.

He gave no indication whether any agreements had been achieved at the meeting.

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"We agreed to continue work at the team level during the next phase of consultations in Davos," Umerov wrote.

The two sides, in the latest of a series of meetings intended to work out the details of an agreement, had "discussed in depth" the two issues, "focusing on practical mechanisms and carrying out and implementing them," Umerov said.

He said his delegation had reported on Russian strikes last week which badly damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure and left hundreds of apartment buildings with no heating or electricity.

Kyiv's team, which also included the head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, Kyrylo Budanov, and the head of Zelenskiy's parliamentary faction, Davyd Arakhamia, is also seeking clarity from Washington on the Russian stance toward the U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

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Washington has pushed Ukraine to agree to a peace framework that it will then present to Moscow, while Kyiv and its European allies have sought to guard against any future attack by Russia.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said it was important to outline the effects of the Russian strikes as they demonstrated that Russia was not interested in diplomacy.

"If the Russians were seriously interested in ending the war, they would have focused on diplomacy," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

RECOVERING FROM RUSSIAN STRIKES

Zelenskiy said repair crews made up of nearly 58,000 people remained engaged in restoring the heating network as night-time temperatures dip to minus 16 degrees Celsius (3 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said 30 apartment buildings in the capital Kyiv, particularly hard-hit by last week's attacks, still had no heating.

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had determined that Russia was conducting reconnaissance on key sites in preparation for strikes, including targets linked to nuclear power stations.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Saturday that there was evidence Russia was considering attacks on power substations supplying nuclear power stations.

Russian officials made no immediate response to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski in Winnipeg; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Matthew Lewis)
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The top U.S. immigration judge has told her colleagues that they are not bound by a federal court ruling that declared the Trump administration cannot place thousands of people in mandatory detention without an opportunity to be released on bond.

That directive came in an email Chief Immigration Judge Teresa Riley sent her colleagues on Tuesday that the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts attached to a filing on Friday in Boston federal court in a lawsuit challenging the administration's policy of denying bond hearings.

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The ACLU said the email was evidence that "the government has deliberately and systematically instructed every Immigration Judge in the country not to comply with final declaratory judgments."

The civil rights group said the statement directs judges to disregard court rulings by U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, California, and U.S. District Judge Patti Saris in Boston in separate class action lawsuits brought on behalf of people who were already living in the United States when they were detained. Both judges held that denying people bond hearings was unlawful.

"We have asked for a status conference to update the court on this troubling development  which significantly impacts the rights of our class members  and anticipate seeking additional relief to protect the class," Dan McFadden, managing attorney at the ACLU of Massachusetts, said in a statement.

At the ACLU's request, Saris scheduled a Tuesday hearing.

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The Justice Department, which oversees the immigration courts, did not respond to a request for comment.

Immigration judges are not part of the federal judiciary but are instead employees of the Justice Department, which is part of the Trump administration.

Under federal immigration law, "applicants for admission" to the United States are subject to mandatory detention while their cases proceed in immigration courts.

Bucking a longstanding interpretation of the law, the Trump administration in July said non-citizens already residing in the United States, and not only those who arrive at a port of entry at the border, qualify as applicants for admission.

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The Board of Immigration Appeals, which is part of the Justice Department, issued a decision in September that adopted the administration's interpretation.

But Sykes, whose case is a nationwide class action, in a ruling in December said that the administration's interpretation was contrary to law and that, as a result, the board's ruling was "no longer controlling."

Yet Riley in Tuesday's email told her colleagues that because Sykes did not issue an injunction, the board's decision "remains binding precedent on agency adjudicators."

Lawyers with the ACLU said that prior to that email, the immigration court in Massachusetts had begun holding bond hearings again, consistent with Saris' decision.

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Yet the lawyers said they received multiple reports on Thursday that an immigration judge was denying detainee requests for bond hearings.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended proposed tariffs targeting eight European countries that oppose President Donald Trumps push to acquire Greenland, telling NBC News Meet the Press that the goal is to avoid a future national emergency.

Throughout his second term, Trump has moved to impose sweeping tariffs on countries around the world by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which allows a president to regulate imports during emergencies.

Asked by moderator Kristen Welker what national emergency justifies tariffs against countries that oppose Trumps Greenland ambitions, Bessent argued that the national emergency is avoiding a national emergency.

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It is a strategic decision by the president, he said. This is a geopolitical decision, and he is able to use the economic might of the U.S. to avoid a hot war.

Trump said Saturday that he would hit imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland with a 10% tariff that he said would increase to 25% on June 1 if a deal isnt reached to purchase the territory.

His comments came as the Supreme Court was expected to issue a ruling on Trumps use of IEEPA to impose tariffs.

In response to the tariff threat, European Union ambassadors will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Cyprus presidency of the E.U. Council told NBC News.

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European Council President Antonio Costa also said Sunday that he would convene "an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in the coming days."

In the statement, he emphasized commitments to "solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland and a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion." Costa said Trump's tariff threats "would undermine transatlantic relations and are incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement."

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer held calls with Trump and several European leaders on Sunday, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that Starmer "reiterated his position on Greenland" and emphasized that NATO prioritizes security in the region.

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"He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong," the spokesperson added.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, posted Sunday on X that she spoke with Starmer and other European leaders.

"Together we stand firm in our commitment to uphold the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark," she said.

She added, "We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with steadiness and resolve."

Trump has previously said that the U.S. will have Greenland one way or the other. Asked on Meet the Press whether military action is still on the table, Bessent said he has not spoken with the president on that.

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Bessent was also asked how a U.S. annexation of Greenland would be different from Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

I believe that the Europeans will understand that this is best for Greenland, best for Europe and best for the United States, he responded.

The Trump administration had previously reached a trade agreement with the European Union in July that lowered the tariff level on imports from European Union countries.

Asked how countries can have confidence in trade agreements if Trump was prepared to dash them, Bessent said that the trade deal hasnt been finalized, and that an emergency action can be very different from another trade deal.

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Were in a very good equilibrium right now with China, but if China did something to upset that balance, I think the president would be willing to act, Bessent continued.

Many lawmakers  including some Republicans  have pushed back on Trumps Greenland rhetoric.

Greenland is part of Denmark, a NATO ally, and some Democrats have warned that any U.S. action against Greenland would destroy the NATO alliance.

Asked whether Greenland or NATO is more important to U.S. national security, Bessent called it a "false choice." Later, he said that "of course, we are going to remain a part of NATO."

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In a separate interview on Meet the Press, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., emphasized that emergency powers are for emergencies and should be short-lived.

Theres no emergency with Greenland. Thats ridiculous, Paul told Welker. And the idea by the secretary that, Oh, this is to prevent an emergency. Now were declaring emergencies to prevent emergencies?

That would lead to endless emergencies, he added.

A U.S. delegation of lawmakers visited Denmark last week for meetings with Danish and Greenlandic leaders. The delegation was mostly composed of Democrats but also included Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

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Trump has argued that the U.S. needs full control of Greenland for national security purposes. His threats have been strongly rejected by Greenland, Denmark and other European allies.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Sunday met the party's newly elected corporators at a hotel in Mumbai and said the BMC mayor will be from the Mahayuti. As the hotel politics make a comeback in Mumbai amid a speculated tussle for the mayoral post in the BMC, Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused Eknath Shinde of turning the hotel into a "jail". In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member House. The Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has won 29 seats. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, after his meeting with corporators, Shinde said that the electors rejected "anti-development" while voting for the Yuti. He said, "I told them (corporators) about short-term, mid-term and long-term development plans to be carried out in phases. The state government will also offer help. There should be a feeling that our ward has to be good. They should pay attention to overall development in their respective wards." "Behind the BJP, Shiv Sena is the second largest party in a short time. We are taking forward Balasaheb Thackeray's views. People of Mumbai have embraced development and rejected anti-development. The people of Mumbai have shown their trust," he added. When asked about the mayoral post, Shinde said, "In Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivali and other places, the mayor will be of Mahayuti." Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut demanded the "release" of Mumbai corporators confined to the "Taj Hotel Jail," and said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should take action. "What position Eknath Shinde is holding out for is a matter for him and his party. His party is an appendage of the BJP. Amit Shah is their leader. They will go to him and make demands, but according to my information, Fadnavis will not listen to them," Raut said. Raut said Shinde, despite holding the powerful position of a Deputy Chief Minister, was apprehensive that his corporators would switch sides, terming the whole situation as "ridiculous." "They have kept their corporators confined. They broke away the MLAs, so now they have to keep the corporators confined as well. They had taken the MLAs to Surat. Eknath Shinde himself is the Deputy Chief Minister, yet he is afraid that his corporators will run away, what a ridiculous situation this is..." Raut said. "The corporators who have come from this alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena)... out of fears that someone will kidnap them, threaten them, or harm them, they have been kept captive in the Taj Hotel. Eknath Shinde has turned the Taj Hotel into a Jail," the Sena-UBT leader added. The opposition in Maharashtra trained guns on Shinde after the BJP emerged as the largest party in the BMC. Congress MP Imran Masood took a swipe at him, saying, "Eknath Shinde now has to fight to save his political existence, whether his political being will remain or not. The BJP works to defeat all its allied parties... Now he should give up his attachment to power and save his existence." While the Shiv Sena (UBT), contesting in alliance with the MNS, won 65 seats, having a larger mandate than the Shinde faction, Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the people of Mumbai have "shown him the mirror" and that the verdict made it clear which faction represents the "real Shiv Sena." Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said that the Opposition should accept the outcome and come to terms with what he described as a new political reality in Maharashtra. Speaking to ANI, Somaiya said, "The Opposition should now accept the political reality that they have lost. Their party is finished in Maharashtra," he said. Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal said that the BJP and its ally will work together to run local bodies and take the BMC forward. Speaking to ANI in Patna, Jaiswal said, "Mahayuti and BJP contested the elections together there. The people have also given a majority to both parties in the alliance. Therefore, there, everyone will come together to run the local bodies and to take BMC forward." Even actor Govinda, who actively campaigned for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, hailed the results. As the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has recorded its most impressive performance yet in Maharashtra's municipal corporation elections, winning 125 corporator seats and significantly expanding its presence across the state's urban centres, party spokesperson Waris Pathan termed it the "result of collective teamwork". Pathan, taking a jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT), said, "The public's mandate is a befitting answer to them. They should look within themselves for why they are losing. They were in power for 30 years, consumed public money, but what did they do for the public of Mumbai? The public will now be with the one who works for their development." In Maharashtra, 29 Municipal Corporations underwent elections on January 15, with counting of votes on January 16. The Mahayuti managed to sweep most of the civic bodies, including the ones in Mumbai, triumphing over the Thackeray brothers; Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, beating the NCP factions despite them coming together to contest elections; Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali and Ulhasnagar. Congress recorded a victory in Latur, claiming 43 seats, while the Sena-UBT and Congress alliance won Parbhani. (ANI)
President Donald Trump's administration is preparing 1,500 troops for potential deployment to Minnesota, a senior U.S. official confirmed to Fox News.

The official says the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska and specializes in cold-weather and mountain warfare, has given prepare to deploy orders. The Washington Post was first to report the Pentagon's readiness.

"The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon.," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to Fox News.

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Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. military forces to Minnesota if state officials do not start cracking down on anti-ICE agitators.

Mike Davis: What Is Happening In Minnesota Is Why We Have The Insurrection Act

President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing the deployment of 1,500 U.S. soldiers to Minnesota.

"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota dont obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Read On The Fox News App

Minneapolis and St. Paul are already hosting some 3,000 federal agents deployed there after a massive fraud scandal rocked the state late last year.

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Protesters across the Twin Cities have followed and harassed federal agents as they carry out operations, leading to confrontations and the killing of activist Renee Nicole Good by federal agents in the opening days of January.

Minnesota Dept Of Corrections Dismisses Dhs Narrative About Them Not Complying With Ice

Trump toned down the pressure in a statement on Friday, saying he did not see at that point a reason to invoke the Insurrection Act.

"I believe it was Bush, the elder Bush, he used it, I think 28 times," Trump told reporters while departing the White House. "It's been used a lot. And if I needed it, I'd use it. I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful."

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The readiness order for the 11th Airborne Division was given prior to the Friday statement.

The Insurrection Act reportedly has not been invoked since the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which began after four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.

Despite Trump's threat, some Republicans are resistant to the idea of using the centuries-old law.

Members of law enforcement work the scene following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., seemed to downplay Trump's threat, placing his hope in local law enforcement's ability to "settle things down."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"Hopefully the local officials working with not only the federal law enforcement, ICE and other agencies, but also the local law enforcement officials, will be able to settle things down," Thune told reporters.

Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump admin preparing 1,500 soldiers for potential Minnesota deployment
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the NATO countries who have sent small contingents of troops to Greenland amid the White Houses push to acquire the island will be charged a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States starting on Feb. 1.

The tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will then increase to 25% on June 1, until the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland, according to the president.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

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"This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump posted on social media.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, January 14, 2026.

Trump, in his post, repeated his claim that China and Russia would threaten to take Greenland if the U.S. does not. He claimed Denmark cannot protect Greenland.

Trump threatens tariffs for nations that don't support his aim to acquire Greenland

Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!" he said in the post.

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Some leaders from the targeted countries slammed Trump over his tariff threats.

"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of Nations," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement Saturday, adding that "no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations."

"Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty," Macron said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong."

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"Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he said.

Mads Schmidt Rasmussen/Arctic Creative/AFP via Getty - PHOTO: This aerial view shows people as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement Saturday that discussions are being had between the countries for a coordinated response.

"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," he said. "I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors."

Trump has said he would consider taking Greenland by force as an option to acquire the land.

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Leaders from Greenland and Denmark, which governs international matters for the country, have repeatedly said Greenland is not for sale.

"It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen told reporters after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wednesday.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: The Greenlandic flag flies over houses, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

Rasmussen called that outcome "totally unacceptable."

Rasmussen said Saturday that the president's threat came as a surprise as he said that he had a constructive talk with Vance and Rubio.

Several leaders from European nations, including France and Germany, have slammed Trump's rhetoric and sent military forces to Greenland this week as part of training exercises launched by the Danish military.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: Soldiers of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, arrive at Nuuk Airport, January 16, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.

"The purpose of the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is to enhance security in the Arctic," Rasmussen said in a statement.

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Trump's controversial plan to acquire Greenland has been met with disapproval on the island, where protests against the U.S. have taken place.

On Saturday, huge crowds hit the streets in Greenland lashing out at Trump over his proposal. A large crowd of protesters conducted a "Stop Trump" march through the streets of Nuuk.

Trump's proposal has also not sat well among many Americans where people and leaders across the aisle have spoken out against the idea of acquiring Greenland.

France, other NATO countries send troops to Greenland for exercises after meeting with Vance and Rubio

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A Quinnipiac University poll found 55% of voters are opposed to the United States trying to buy Greenland, with majorities of Democratic voters (85%) and Independent voters (58%) opposed and a majority of Republican voters in support (67%).

On Friday, a bipartisan group of House members and senators traveled to Greenland and said they had "constructive" conversations with members of Denmark's parliament.

Trump has options to acquire Greenland, but few are realistic: Expert

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who were part of the delegation, released a statement Saturday warning that the tariff threat will hurt the U.S.'s relationships with its European counterparts.

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"There is no need, or desire, for a costly acquisition or hostile military takeover of Greenland when our Danish and Greenlandic allies are eager to work with us on Arctic security, critical minerals and other priorities under the framework of long-standing treaties," the lawmakers said in the statement.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: People hold Greenlandic flags and placards as they gather to march in protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

"Continuing down this path is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for Americas allies. This kind of rhetoric also further helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided. Our allies deserve better, and so do the American people who have made their opposition to this flawed policy resoundingly clear," the senators added.

The delegation said the visit was to nurture the relationship between Denmark, Greenland and the United States and to reassure NATO partners that many members of Congress do not support any effort by the United States to acquire Greenland.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Saturday that Democrats will introduce legislation to block tariffs against countries who oppose a takeover of Greenland.

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"It is incredible that he wants to double down on the stupidity by imposing tariffs on our closest allies for his quixotic quest to takeover Greenland," Schumer said.

Trump's tariffs have been hit with lawsuits which have been appealed all the way the Supreme Court. It is not known when the high court will rule on the case.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule, Chris Boccia and Rashid Haddou contributed to this report
Israels government has objected to the White House announcement of leaders who will play a role in overseeing the next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire moves into its challenging second phase.

The rare criticism from Israel of its close ally in Washington said the Gaza executive committee was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy, without details. Saturday's statement also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the foreign ministry to contact Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The committee announced by the White House on Friday includes no Israeli official but has an Israeli businessman, billionaire Yakir Gabay. Other members announced so far include two of US President Donald Trumps closest confidants, a former British prime minister, a US general and representatives of several Middle Eastern governments.

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The White House has said the executive committee will carry out the vision of a Trump-led Board of Peace, whose members have not yet been named, although several world leaders have announced themselves as having been invited.

The White House also announced the members of a new Palestinian committee to run Gazas day to day affairs, with oversight from the executive committee. The Palestinian committee met for the first time on Thursday in Cairo.

US envoy Steve Witkoff (left), and US businessman and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, are both included in Trump's Board of Peace. Credit: AP

Among those now tasked with overseeing the rebuilding of Gaza is former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair, who said he was honoured to be named as part of a team that will be integral to Donald Trumps efforts to rebuild Gaza.

The former prime minister will join Donald Trumps Gaza Board of Peace, aimed at establishing a lasting peace in the territory, the White House has said.

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Trump also named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner among those on the seven-member founding executive board".

Washington said on Friday that the "board of peace", chaired by Trump, will be tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza after a fragile ceasefire was reached last year.

The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community, the White House statement said.

Committee members also include a diplomat from Qatar, an intelligence chief from Egypt and Turkeys foreign minister  all countries have been ceasefire mediators  as well as a Cabinet minister for the United Arab Emirates.

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Turkey has a strained relationship with Israel but good relations with Hamas and could play an important role in persuading the group to yield power and disarm. Hamas has said it will dissolve its government in Gaza once the new Palestinian committee takes office, but it has shown no sign that it will dismantle its military wing or security forces.

The White House said the 20-point plan was a road map for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.

The US president called it the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place ahead of the announcement.

Here's the full list of those on the executive board of peace:

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Trump's special envoy to Israel, Steve Witkoff

Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner

Former Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair

Billionaire and CEO of Apollo Global Management, Marc Rowan

President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga

Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States, Robert Gabriel

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In a statement, the White House said the 20-point plan was a road map for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.

The White House suggested that the individual members of this group would each hold specialist portfolios to help stabilisation efforts in Gaza.

The statement went on: Each executive board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gazas stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation.

Israel urged to lift measures 'obstructing humanitarian aid' in Gaza

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Prince William 'moved by the courage' of child evacuees from Gaza

The former Labour prime ministers name also appeared on a longer list of names as part of a Gaza Executive Board, the purpose of which appears to be advising a newly set-up interim government for Gaza.

That interim authority, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, was established on Wednesday, led by technocratic Palestinian officials.

Blair and ten others, including Witkoff and Kushner, will support this fledgling government on effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza.

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Blair said in a statement: I thank President Trump for his leadership in establishing the Board of Peace and am honoured to be appointed to its executive board.

Its been a real privilege to work with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their outstanding team.

I look forward to working with them and other colleagues in line with the presidents vision to promote peace and prosperity.

He said the presidents 20-point plan for Gaza was an extraordinary achievement and that implementing it will take enormous commitment and hard work.

The White House said the founding executive board will help operationalise the Board of Peaces vision and suggested the individual members would each hold specialist portfolios to help stabilisation efforts in Gaza.

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Blair said the appointment this week of the national committee for the administration of Gaza (Ncag), a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, was also a massive step forward.

He said: It gives hope to people in Gaza that they can have a future different from the past and to the Israelis that they may have a neighbour which does not threaten its security.

For Gaza and its people, we want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be.

And for the Israelis, we want to ensure that the horrific events of October 7, 2023 are never repeated.

Both myself personally and my institute will continue to work and commit for this outcome and again I thank President Trump for his leadership which made this possible.

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Several other world leaders have also been reported to have been invited to Trump's overseeing Board of Peace.

In letters sent Friday to various world leaders inviting them to be founding members of the board, Trump says the body would embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.

Invitation letters from Trump to Argentine President Javier Milei and Paraguay's leader Santiago Pena, which were posted on Saturday to their official social media accounts, note that Trumps 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, which includes the creation of the Board of Peace, was endorsed by the UN Security Council and indicates that the panel of world leaders may not confine their work to Gaza.

Now it is time to turn all of these dreams into reality, Trump wrote. At the heart of the plan is the Board of Peace, the most impressive and consequential board ever assembled, which will be established as a new International Organisation and Transitional Governing Administration.

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Other leaders whose governments have confirmed receiving invitation letters include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was not immediately clear how many or which other leaders would receive invitations.

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena is among the world leaders invited by Trump to found the Board of Peace. Credit: AP

Trumps apparent aspirations to turn to the Board of Peace into an international institution that could provide an alternative to the United Nations is sure to be controversial and opposed by numerous countries, including China and Russia, which hold veto power in the U.N. Security Council and have significant interests in opposing any radical change in the world order.

Smaller nations are also likely to have objections as the U.N. system has given them at least a voice in major international decisions since the end of the Second World War.

This is a U.S. shortcut in an attempt to wield its veto power on world affairs," Daniel Forti, head of U.N. affairs at the International Crisis Group, said. "It allows the U.S. to really take the role it has on the Gaza-Israel file, where its able to shape things to its will and try to extend that to other conflicts.

He added that this idea "would give world leaders involved a sort of mechanism to try and sidestep longstanding agreements around sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for transactional deals.

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Netanyahu's office didn't respond Saturday to questions about its objections regarding the executive committee.

Minutes after its statement, Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in a statement, backed Netanyahu and urged him to order the military to prepare to return to war. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right Netanyahu ally, said on social media that the countries that kept Hamas alive cannot be the ones that replace it."

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Gazas second-largest militant group after Hamas, in a statement Saturday also expressed dissatisfaction with the makeup of the Gaza executive committee and claimed it reflected Israeli specifications.

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President Donald Trump's administration has renewed criticism of fellow Republican and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray over the state's failure to redistrict as Virginia inches closer to a new congressional map that could net the Democratic Party four seats.

Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance called out the Martinsville lawmaker by name on social media on Jan. 17.

The public targeting of Bray, just a little over a month after a majority of Indiana Senate Republicans voted against a bill that likely would have eliminated the state's two Democratic congressional districts, signals that the Trump administration has not forgotten Indiana's redistricting rejection.

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Late on Jan. 17, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that Bray betrayed him, the Republican party and "everyone else who wants to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Those accusations came after a conversation with former Indiana U.S. Rep. David McIntosh, whose conservative advocacy group Club for Growth has already spent at least $1 million supporting Republican redistricting efforts across the country. Trump wrote that he and McIntosh agreed to "take out" Bray.

"Were after you Bray, like no one has ever come after you before!" the president wrote.

In Vance's post, the vice president accused Bray of "not even trying to fight back" against Democrats in a post on X.

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"Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats," he wrote.

I'd like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power.



Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing. https://t.co/oj1XvXHKvM  JD Vance (@JDVance) January 17, 2026

The Virginia Senate passed a constitutional amendment Jan. 16 to temporarily give lawmakers the power to redistrict, instead of Virginia's bipartisan redistricting commission.

But before the state draws up new districts, voters must approve the amendment this spring, when it's likely to appear on the ballot. Democrats control six of the state's 11 congressional seats and hope to gain an additional three or four seats if new maps are approved.

If the effort in Virginia is successful, it could bring the total Democratic gains this year to 10 after the party gained one seat in Utah and five in California. That could give Democrats a leg up in the mid-terms against Republicans, whose party had previously been winning the redistricting battle with a potential gain of up to nine seats. With the fate of Florida's congressional map now up to an April special legislative session, Republicans could see an extra five seats, while Democrats have dwindling options for additional wins.

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More: Republicans blame California. Democrats blame Trump. What started Indiana's redistricting push?

Vance was at the forefront of the Trump administration's efforts to persuade Indiana lawmakers into redistricting, visiting Indianapolis twice to talk face-to-face with legislators. When the administration's prospects looked bleak hours before the final vote, Vance called Bray dishonest, accusing the Martinsville Republican of telling the administration that "he wouldn't fight redistricting while simultaneously whipping his members against it."

The national focus on Indiana weeks after its redistricting spat includes efforts to keep momentum against anti-redistricting senators going until the primaries, with groups like Turning Point Action pledging to give incumbents a run for their money. The group is currently hiring field representatives in four places across the state that are currently represented by anti-redistricting senators.

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: Trump vows to 'take out' Indiana lawmaker over failed redistricting
President Donald Trump is retaliating against GOP Sen. Bill Cassidyby endorsing a primary challenger who hasnt even entered the race.

Trump, 79, endorsed Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow on Saturday against Cassidy, who is running for reelection this year. The move is a blow to GOP senators and reportedly caught Letlow herself by surprise. The 44-year-old won her House seat in a 2021 special election after her husband, Luke Letlow, died of coronavirus shortly after winning the race but before being sworn in.

RUN, JULIA, RUN!!! the president urged Letlow, 44, in a lengthy Truth Social post on Saturday night.

Donald Trump stands with Rep Julia Letlow at the White House on December 11. / Alex Wong / Getty Images

I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! A Proud Mother of two children, Julia is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would continue doing so in the United States Senate, Trump wrote.

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As your next Senator, Julia will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.

Letlow embraced the presidents endorsement, however shocking it may have been. She had previously expressed interest in entering the race to Trump, but hadnt heard from anyone within his administration since Dec. 11, when she announced her engagement at the White House, the New York Times reported.

She filmed two campaign commercialsone for a re-election campaign to the House, and one for a potential Senate racebut had all but given up on her Senate dreams, sources told the Times.

Trump's endorsement shocked many Republicansincluding, reportedly, Letlow herself. / Truth Social/ Donald J. Trump

Im honored to have President Trumps endorsement and trust. My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger, Letlow wrote on X on Saturday. This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver.

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Trumps move is widely seen as a sabotage of Cassidy, who voted to impeach the president for incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, whose vote was crucial to Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy's confirmation has frequently clashed with that of the Trump appointee. / Samuel Corum / Getty Images

Im proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win, Cassidy wrote on X Saturday night.

The Daily Beast has reached out to Letlow and Cassidy for comment.

Cassidy, a physician by training, has sought to repair his relationship with Trumpmost notably by casting a crucial vote to confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite Kennedys long history of anti-vaccine views.

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That vote has since backfired. Cassidy has publicly clashed with several of Kennedys anti-vaccine policies, many of which Kennedy had previously assured him would remain unchanged.

Still, Cassidy has worked to present himself as a Trump ally. As of Sunday, a post pinned to his X account shows him standing beside the president behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as Trump signs red MAGA hats.

Cassidy touts his

Great to be with POTUS in the Oval Office today! the post reads. This is what a great working relationship looks like.
President Donald Trump on Saturday called for regime change in Iran following protests that have roiled the country in recent weeks.

Its time to look for new leadership in Iran, Trump told Politico in an interview.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Trumps remarks.

Trumps comments come after Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a defiant address Saturday in which he accused Trump of encouraging agitators, and said that Iran considers Trump a criminal, both for the casualties, for the damages, and for the slander directed at the Iranian nation.

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He said key agitators had been detained, and the countrys semiofficial Fars news agency said protests had largely subsided.

Trump denounced Khamenei and Iran in his remarks to Politico, calling him a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.

His country is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership, Trump said.

A spokesperson for Irans permanent mission to the United Nations declined to comment on Trumps remarks.

Thousands of protesters have been killed since the nationwide protests began. Earlier this week, Trump had urged Iranians to take over institutions and keep their protests going, telling them that help is on its way.

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On Friday, he struck a different tone, saying he greatly respected that over 800 scheduled hangings have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Irans judiciary said Thursday that a man facing the death penalty would not be executed. The White House did not provide a source for the claim that 800 people have been spared.

The massive crackdown on unrest has left at least 3,090 dead, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. It has also reported 22,123 arrests. Without the government's official count, HRANA says it relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information and that its data goes through multiple internal checks.

Khamenei on Saturday acknowledged for the first time that thousands had been killed, an official recognition of the death toll that was higher than a previous admission that hundreds had died.

A U.S. official told NBC News on Thursday that the Defense Department is preparing to send additional U.S. forces and assets to the Middle East, intended to bolster security in the region and prepare for potential retaliation by Iran. The deployments include a carrier strike group, additional aircraft and land-based air defense systems, according to the official.

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The U.S. also began evacuating key personnel from its largest military base in the Middle East on Wednesday as Trump weighed potential military action in Iran.

CORRECTION (Jan. 18, 2026, 4:02 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the day a U.S. official told NBC News about Defense Department preparations. It was Thursday, not Wednesday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump has said his much-vaunted desire to acquire Greenland is all about US national security.

At first, the US president claimed the Arctic island, a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, was being swarmed by Russian and Chinese vessels.

Then he said ownership of the sprawling territory was vital for his planned Golden Dome missile-defence shield.

There are hints of truth in both of Mr Trumps claims, but security experts have largely argued that a US acquisition of Greenland is not necessary to address the national security concerns.

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The sparsely populated island plays an outsized role in the US and Natos wider air-defence architecture.

It sits smack bang in the middle of the shortest flight path between Moscow and Washington  known as the great-circle distance.

Technically, the island is 2,000 miles from Washington and 2,000 miles from Moscow.

Since the end of the Second World War, the US has had military personnel stationed at Pituffik Space Base, located on the far north coast of Greenland.

The base serves as the US militarys northernmost base  about 900 miles from the North Pole. It is home to around 150 troops, and is a key cog in Washingtons early warning system for missiles.

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If Russia or China were to fire a ballistic missile at the US, its path would probably cross directly over Greenland, which is why the primary role of the personnel at Pituffik is to scan the skies for incoming aerial threats.

The Danish forces arriving in Nuuk are being joined by personnel from Nato allies for exercises in and around Greenland - Mads Claus Rasmussen/EPA/Shutterstock

But the US military footprint on Greenland has significantly dwindled since the end of the Cold War.

At its peak, Washington had 17 installations and 15,000 soldiers on the island, hunting for Soviet submarines and ships, as well as ready for a feared invasion.

This was underpinned by a 1951 agreement signed between the US and Danish governments. Copenhagen has repeatedly argued this deal still stands, and there is nothing stopping Mr Trump from deploying more soldiers to Greenland without the need to acquire the island.

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This includes hosting any assets that would contribute to the USs Golden Dome project  a $175bn air-defence system that would mimic Israels Iron Dome, but on a vastly larger scale.

However, Mr Trump had not mentioned Greenland as vital to this decade-long project until recently  suggesting it has become a convenient excuse for the White House to use.

The Golden Dome project, it has been claimed, would also involve a system of satellites  some that track missiles and others that fire their own projectiles to shoot them down.

While analysts have questioned whether such technology even exists, or is likely to exist any time soon, US ownership of Greenland would not be a prerequisite for a US satellite defence system.

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In real terms, Pituffiks importance is expected to grow as climate change reshapes the Arctic by opening up new trade routes close to North America.

Greenland sits where the Arctic Ocean meets the Atlantic.

b'

0801 The importance of Greenland\'s position

'

Russian ships and submarines leaving the countrys Arctic region bases to head south have to pass nearby to do so.

One of the main routes sees the Russian vessels pass through the waters between Greenland, Iceland,and the UK  known as the GIUK Gap.

A second gap  the Bear Gap - between Norway and Iceland has also emerged as a favoured option.

Since Vladimir Putin ordered his invasion of Ukraine, Nato has increased its aerial and naval patrols in the area.

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Denmark has said it will invest 2bn to bolster its Arctic Command with new ships, drones and surveillance aircraft to guard the region. The spending was announced in January last year to deter Mr Trumps interest in Greenland.

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Again, as with missile defence, bolstering security in the waters around Greenland does not require US acquisition of the island.

Denmark insists Washington could use existing treaties to address those national security concerns.

Greenlands geography might provide the easiest route to explaining Mr Trumps desire to acquire the territory.

The islands capital is in fact closer to Washington than it is Copenhagen.

Troops from Germany, which is among the Nato allies taking part in exercises in and around Greenland, boarding a plane in Nuuk bound for Iceland - Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP via Getty Images

But it could be down to the maps drawn by Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century, and still commonly used today.

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On the Mercator Map, areas near the poles are greatly exaggerated in size.

Greenland can appear to be the same size of Africa, despite being 14-times smaller. South America also appears smaller than the Arctic island.

Mr Trump has publicly spoken of his love of maps, and for the size of perceived regional superpowers, such as the US or Russia.

To some, the Mercator Distortion could just make a combined US-Greenland landmass look bigger than Russia.

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President Donald Trump dramatically escalated his longrunning effort to assert U.S. influence over Greenland on Saturday, using a Truth Social post to announce new tariffs on European allies that oppose his vision for the Arctic territory, a move that has drawn swift global pushback and street protests.

In the sprawling social media message, Trump said the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff beginning Feb. 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland because of their resistance to U.S. control of Greenland, and that the tariff would rise to 25 percent on June 1 if no deal on the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland is reached.

Trump framed the move as essential to national and global security, arguing without independent evidence that rivalry with China and Russia made Greenland strategically necessary for the United States.

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European leaders reacted with alarm and condemnation. French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariff threat unacceptable, saying it had no place in international relations and warning that Europeans would respond in a united and coordinated manner if the measures are confirmed. No intimidation nor threat will influence us neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world, Macron said on social media.

France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter. It is on this basis that we support, and will continue to support Ukraine  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 17, 2026

Protests also erupted on the ground. In Greenlands capital Nuuk, thousands marched under banners reading Greenland is not for sale and carried Danish and Greenlandicflag colors through nearfreezing weather, asserting their right to selfdetermination. Demonstrators expressed outrage at what many residents described as threatening and imperialistic rhetoric.

Across Denmark, large crowds demonstrated with similar slogans, chanting Hands off Greenland and emphasizing that decisions about the islands future belong to its people and the Danish kingdom.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Even within the United States, some lawmakers have distanced themselves from Trumps approach. A bipartisan congressional delegation in Copenhagen sought to reassure Danish and Greenlandic officials that the controversial rhetoric does not reflect the broader U.S. legislative consensus and reaffirmed support for NATO cooperation.

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The standoff highlights not only the fragility of transatlantic alliances under unilateral pressure, but also how modern foreign policy is increasingly shaped by unpredictable public social media statements  a dynamic that has left allies scrambling to respond to what some see as impulsive and selfserving diplomacy.

The post Trumps DonRoe Doctrine tariffs and Greenland, Europe is not amused appeared first on Salon.com.
Washington  President Trump endorsed a potential primary challenger to Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy late Saturday, encouraging Rep. Julia Letlow to run for the seat held by the Republican who has occasionally broken with his party.

Mr. Trump praised Letlow in a post on Truth Social while pledging to back the Republican congresswoman if she launches a bid in the Louisiana Senate race.

"Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!" the president said.

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Cassidy, who's seeking a third term in the Senate, was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Mr. Trump in his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in 2021. A medical doctor, Cassidy has also been at odds with the administration in recent months over HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership.

Cassidy delivered the key vote to advance Kennedy's nomination out of committee in February, cementing his confirmation to the post. Despite expressing misgivings over Kennedy's nomination because of the doubts he has raised about vaccines for decades, Cassidy ultimately supported him, citing "serious commitments" he said he'd received from the administration. But since then, Cassidy has broken with the HHS secretary on multiple occasions, including calling for the postponement of key vaccine advisory panel meetings and slamming a change to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for infants.

Sen. Bill Cassidy at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 13, 2026. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Still, the Louisiana Republican has repeatedly emphasized his cooperation with the administration in recent months. Late last year, Cassidy, who leads the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, worked to spearhead a new approach to address health care costs that Mr. Trump had touted. Amid a push to extend health insurance tax credits by Democrats, Cassidy introduced a measure to put funds into health savings accounts as the president pushed for sending money directly to Americans rather than insurance companies.

Cassidy responded to Mr. Trump's post on social media Saturday.

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"I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana," Cassidy said in a post on X. "If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win."

Letlow, who became the first Republican woman elected to represent Louisiana in Congress in 2021, has not previously announced a Senate bid. She came to the House after winning a special election for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District following the death of her husband, who died in 2020 from complications related to COVID-19 before he could be sworn into office.

Letlow thanked the president for his support in a post on X Saturday.

"I'm honored to have President Trump's endorsement and trust. My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger," Letlow said. "This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver."

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Donald Trump has sought to deliver a staggering blow to the re-election chances of Senator Bill Cassidy  the presidents fellow Republican with whom he has politically feuded  by giving his complete and total endorsement to a potential primary opponent.

Trumps endorsement of US House member Julia Letlow as well as his encouragement for her to run for Cassidys Senate seat in Louisiana comes after the senator voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial during Trumps first presidency.

Cassidy, a medical doctor, had since sought to win back Trumps favor  including by voting to confirm Robert F Kennedy Jr as the US health secretary despite Kennedys anti-vaccine activism. And Cassidy had since publicly expressed confidence Trump would not make any endorsements as he sought re-election in Novembers midterms.

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Nonetheless, Trump published a post on his Truth Social platform saying should Letlow decide to enter this Race, [she] has my Complete and Total Endorsement.

RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!! Trumps post concluded.

Cassidy was among seven Republican US senators who broke loyalties to their party by voting to convict the president at his second impeachment trial after his supporters carried out the 6 January 2021 US Capitol attack.

Then in February, Cassidy voted in alignment with his party, joining 51 fellow Republicans to confirm Kennedy as the Trump administrations health secretary. Cassidy has since repeatedly spoken out about anti-vaccine maneuvers that are in line with Kennedys philosophies, including Louisianas decision to prohibit the promotion of mass vaccination against preventable diseases.

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Speaking out against Trumps snub Saturday, Cassidy said on X: Im proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win.

Letlow won a special election for the Louisiana-based US House seat in 2021 which her husband, Luke, had previously won before his death from Covid-19. She became the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Louisiana.

Commenting on social media about the endorsement, Letlow said she was honored to have Trumps trust. My mission is clear, she posted, to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger.

Candidates for Cassidys seat have until 13 February to file.

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The timing of a potential Cassidy-Letlow electoral showdown is conspicuous. In 2024, Louisiana lawmakers approved a shift to a closed party primary system from an open  or jungle  system for certain elected positions, including Cassidys seat.

Under an open primary, two candidates from the same party can face each other in a runoff if no one receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary. By comparison, the new system all but ensures each of the major parties has a candidate in the runoff. In his case, Cassidy could only qualify for the runoff if he wins his primary, when the old system would have allowed him to make the runoff even if he finished second to a Republican in the primary.

According to the New York Times, Trump called Senator John Thune, the majority leader, on Friday and said he was likely to endorse Letlow. Thune reportedly encouraged the president to support Cassidy, noting long-term consequences and the fact that Trump was beginning to push a major healthcare bill which Cassidy would have jurisdiction over as the chairperson of the Senate health committee.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Sunday highlighted the expanding reach of the party's nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' and announced intensified protests to protect the rural employment scheme in its original form. In a post shared on X, Venugopal said, "Today, we held a comprehensive online review meeting with PCC Presidents, General Secretaries/In-charges, and members of the MGNREGA Coordination Committee to review the progress of the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram across the country. The review underscored the expanding reach and success of our movement in several states." He said the party has resolved to intensify Panchayat-level outreach, directly engaging the public, MGNREGA workers, and other stakeholders. "This will be followed by ward-level peaceful sit-ins, and subsequently Vidhan Sabha/Lok Bhavan gheraos and zonal rallies, in a planned and sustained manner," Venugopal added. He also confirmed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will attend an MNREGA Chaupal in Rae Bareli on January 20 to reaffirm the party's commitment to rural workers' rights. The General Secretary called the movement "a beacon of resistance against the anti-people VB-G RAM G Act and a determined fight to protect MGNREGA in its original spirit," saying it has "energised workers and Panchayats alike" across the country. "Our resolve is firm, our movement is growing, and our resistance will continue with renewed strength until MGNREGA is fully restored in its original form," Venugopal posted. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit his parliamentary constituency, Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh on January 20, where he will hold a public meeting with MGNREGA workers in Umran Rohaniya. The Congress has launched the 'MNREGA Bachao' campaign to oppose the Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Rai said that a comprehensive program has been planned to protest against the new law. The Congress will organise 30 Mahapanchayats in Uttar Pradesh. Ajay Rai said that Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge may also participate in some of these Mahapanchayats. According to Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee will hold public meetings in villages and will organise the first Mahapanchayat in Sitapur on January 24. The VB-G RAM G Act was passed in the Winter Session of the Parliament in 2025, and replaces the 100-day employment guarantee with a 125-day guarantee. However, the Opposition has criticised the legislation for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name and a 60:40 share of funds between the Centre and states. (ANI)
Israel is not going to succeed in expelling Turkey or Qatar from the Gaza Board of Peace; the more realistic goal is to limit how much influence they are able to exert.

The Mexican state of Tamaulipas is located in northeast Mexico, and its border with Texas stretches some 370 kilometers to the Gulf of Mexico, comprising about 12% of the Mexico-US border.

Tamaulipas, one of six Mexican states that borders the US, stands out because it is arguably the most violent, being the only one of the six that has earned a US State Department Do Not Travel advisory due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

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According to the State Department advisory, There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.

Imagine, for a moment, that the international community, wanting to clean up Tamaulipas and make it great again, decided to set up a governing board that included representatives from China and Cuba. How would that  having two of Americas greatest foes right on its border  go over in Washington?

That illustration is one that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar might do well to arm himself with when he speaks to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar into the board of directors and executive that is to have a hand in running Gaza.

IDF Armor Brigade 7 soldiers operate in Gaza on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Will this change the US administrations mind regarding the new Gaza governing architecture? Probably not.

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But it does put in concrete terms that Americans can easily understand why Israel is opposed to the inclusion of Qatar and Turkey, two countries that are affiliated with the Islamic ideology that motivates Hamas, and whose hostility and downright hatred of Israel is barely veiled.

Yet, according to the White House announcement on Friday of the governing bodies for implementation of Phase Two of President Donald Trumps 20-point roadmap to end the Gaza conflict, both countries are to be well represented in those bodies.

A new reality for Israel

Israel can oppose this, as a statement put out by the Prime Ministers Office on Saturday made clear it does, and even try to fight it, which Saar is expected to do to some extent in his conversation with Rubio. But it is unlikely to change it.

This is a new reality Israel is going to have to deal with. How it got there, what diplomatic missteps enabled this situation, is something for the politicians to battle out, and they already are. But Turkish and Qatari involvement in the Phase Two architecture is a given. So now the question is, what should Israel do? How should it deal with this turn of events, beyond bewailing it and having its politicians blame one another?

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Before delving into these questions, however, it is worth looking at the entire, cumbersome Board of Peace (BoP) architecture that Trump announced on Friday.

One way to make sense of this architecture is to imagine Gaza as a large university campus emerging from a catastrophic crisis, including physical destruction, institutional collapse, and years of mismanagement by an evil administration.

As the campus tries to rebuild itself, the question is not only who will teach the classes, but who will set the vision, run the campus, control security, and ensure that the garbage is actually picked up.

At the very top of this organizational structure is the universitys Board of Trustees, which is the equivalent of Trumps BoP and is made up of several international leaders.

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Trustees at a university dont run the departments, teach the courses, or manage the payroll. Their role is more big-picture: defining the universitys direction, safeguarding its mission, approving major budgets, and holding leadership accountable.

In Gazas case, the BoP is charged with overseeing the entire 20-point Trump plan  ensuring that reconstruction, stabilization, and long-term governance in Gaza move forward and that international funding and political backing materialize.

THE MEMBERS of this board have not been named, though Trump will lead it and it will include dozens of international leaders, among them Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as friends like Argentine President Javier Milei. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been invited to join.

A university Board of Trustees, however, does not deal with the day-to-day; for that, there is generally a presidents cabinet or executive committee  the equivalent in Gaza being the Gaza Executive Board. This is a body close to the senior leadership, with each member overseeing a different portfolio.

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Using the university analogy, trustees say they will rebuild the destroyed campus, and this group describes how, in what order, and where the money will come from.

The BoP Executive Board comprises seven members, including Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair. In other words, this executive is by no means stacked against Israel.

This committee has senior advisors  Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum  whose job is to oversee coordination and make sure that decisions dont get lost in bureaucratic mazes.

Another role in Trumps architecture is the High Representative for Gaza, who would be the equivalent of a university provost, ensuring that the trustees decisions actually filter down. The man tapped for this post is Nickolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian defense and foreign minister and UN Mideast envoy.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza

That brings us to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)  the body composed of Palestinian technocrats tasked with running the day-to-day affairs in Gaza, rebuilding civil institutions, and stabilizing daily life. It is not a board or a diplomatic forum. It is the university administration itself: the team that runs daily operations.

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Alongside this body is the Gaza Executive Board, which is the equivalent of a university board of advisors and oversees and supports the NCAGs work. This body currently includes 11 members, including senior officials from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and the UAE, but also Witkoff, Kushner, Blair, Cypriot-Israeli billionaire Yakir Gabay, and American Jewish billionaire Marc Rowan.

Finally, no campus functions without security, which is where the International Stabilization Force comes into play, with Trump naming Maj.-Gen. Jasper Jeffers is the commander of this yet-to-be-established force.

What is critical here from Israels perspective, and a red line, is that there be no Turkish troops in this force. Its one thing to have a Turkish official on the Gaza Executive Board, one of at least 11, whose voice can be neutralized. Its another thing to have Turkish security forces looking down gun barrels at IDF soldiers. The former is a challenge that can be finessed; the latter is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

This new architecture is something Jerusalem will have to learn to navigate, recognizing that it is unlikely to change the overall structure. For example, Israel is not going to succeed in expelling Turkey or Qatar from these forums; that fight has already been lost. The more realistic goal is to limit how much influence they are able to exert.

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This means avoiding the temptation to turn this into a political or moral debate inside the various boards. In large institutions  universities, corporations, international bodies  arguments are rarely settled by persuasion, and more often by rules and procedures.

And it is here  defining the rules and setting the procedures  where Israel needs to make its voice heard. As Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said in an Army Radio interview on Sunday, In the final analysis, things need to be done with our agreement. Nothing can be fixed in place unilaterally. In other words, Jerusalem is not without leverage.

From Israels perspective, the priority needs to be ensuring that security requirements  such as Hamas demilitarization  are not treated as aspirational goals but as operating conditions.

Demilitarization benchmarks need to be concrete, time-bound, and independently verified, with automatic consequences if they are missed. Reconstruction of Gaza needs to be tied to specific demilitarization milestones.

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Regarding Qatar and Turkey, Israel may not be able to keep them out of these forums, but should insist  in addition to a red line regarding no Turkish troops  that those countries have no control over timelines, over enforcement of demilitarization, and over certifying when this has been accomplished.

Now that Trump has constructed and unveiled this system, Israel should shift the debate from who is in to who decides. And instead of arguing that Turkey and Qatar should not be there, it should work in close cooperation with the Americans to ensure that while they may participate in certain parts of Phase Two, they are not making the decisions, setting the terms, or enforcing them.
Donald Trump returns to the Davos ski resort next week after unleashing yet another avalanche on the global order. But for the US president, his main audience is back home.

Trump's first appearance in six years at the gathering of the world's political and global elite comes amid a spiraling crisis over his quest to acquire Greenland.

Fellow leaders at the mountain retreat will also be eager to talk about other shocks from his first year back in power, from tariffs to Venezuela, Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.

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Yet for the Republican president, his keynote speech among the Swiss peaks will largely be aimed at the United States.

US voters are angered by the cost of living despite Trump's promises of a "golden age," and his party could be facing a kicking in crucial midterm elections in November.

That means Trump will spend at least part of his time in luxurious Davos -- a place where leaders can easily look out of touch with ordinary people -- talking about US housing.

A White House official told AFP that Trump would "unveil initiatives to drive down housing costs" and "tout his economic agenda that has propelled the United States to lead the world in economic growth."

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The 79-year-old is expected to announce plans allowing prospective homebuyers to dip into their retirement accounts for down payments.

Billionaire Trump is keenly aware that affordability has become his Achilles' heel in his second term. A CNN poll last week found that 58 percent of Americans believe his first year back in the White House has been a failure, particularly on the economy.

Trump's supporters are also increasingly uneasy about the "America First" president's seemingly relentless focus on foreign policy since his return to the Oval Office.

But as he flies into the snowy retreat, Trump will find it impossible to avoid the global storm of events that he has stirred since January 20, 2025.

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Trump will be alongside many of the leaders of the same European NATO allies that he has just threatened with tariffs if they don't back his extraordinary quest to take control of Greenland from Denmark.

Those threats have once again called into question the transatlantic alliance that has in many ways underpinned the western economic order celebrated at Davos.

- 'Economic stagnation' -

So have the broader tariffs Trump announced early in his second term, and he is set to add to the pressure on Europe in his speech.

Trump will "emphasize that the United States and Europe must leave behind economic stagnation and the policies that caused it," the White House official said.

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The Ukraine war will also be on the cards.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hoping for a meeting with Trump to sign new security guarantees for a hoped-for ceasefire deal with Russia, as are G7 leaders.

But while the largest-ever US Davos delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have all played key roles on Ukraine, no meeting is assured.

"No bilateral meetings have been scheduled for Davos at this time," the White House told AFP.

Trump is meanwhile reportedly considering a first meeting of the so-called "Board of Peace" for war-torn Gaza at Davos, after announcing its first members in recent days.

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Questions are also swirling about the future of oil-rich Venezuela following the US military operation to topple its leader Nicolas Maduro, part of Trump's assertive new approach to his country's "backyard."

But Trump may also pause to enjoy his time in the scenic spot he called "beautiful Davos" in his video speech to the meeting a year ago.

The forum has always been an odd fit for the former New York property tycoon and reality TV star, whose brand of populism has long scorned globalist elites.

But at the same time, Trump relishes the company of the rich and successful.

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His first Davos appearance in 2018 met occasional boos but he made a forceful return in 2020 when he dismissed the "prophets of doom" on climate and the economy.

A year later he was out of power. Now, Trump returns as a more powerful president than ever, at home and abroad.

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The next stop on Donald Trumps world touror takeovermay be Americas northern neighbor.

The president, 79, has turned his attention toward Canada, fixating on what he sees as vulnerabilities along its northern border that could be exploited by U.S. adversaries Russia or China, two U.S. officials, a senior administration official, and three former senior U.S. officials told NBC News.

They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities, one official told the outlet, adding that Canadas northern border is not acceptable given todays threats and that the status quo is not enough.

Trump has called Prime Minister Mark Carney a

Trump has repeatedly complained about what he views as Canadas weak defenses, sparking conversations with Canadian officials about a broader Arctic security strategy, NBC reported. Among the initiatives that have caught Trumps interest are expanded U.S. maritime patrols and the purchase of additional icebreakersspecialized ships designed to operate in ice-covered watersoperating in or around Canadian territory.

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Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this, one official told NBC.

They added: At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic.

With 3.85 million square miles and 40 million residents, Canada is the largest target on Trumps growing list of potential land grabs.

The conversations come as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, signaling an effort to deepen ties between the two countries. Carney became the first Canadian leader to visit China since 2017.

Trump has repeatedly complained about what he views as Canadas weak defenses. / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Trumps fixation on Canada, aides say, is part of a broader effort to solidify the Western Hemisphereand falls in line with his aggressive campaign to acquire Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory.

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Canada stands to benefit from the U.S. having Greenland, one administration official said.

Carney on Friday voiced support for Denmarks NATO membership and said Greenlandhome to roughly 57,000 residents and located northeast of Canadashould determine its own future.

Trumps increasingly frequent assertions that We do need Greenland, absolutely, for defense purposes, have rattled Denmark, whose leaders have repeatedly warned they will not give up the worlds largest island, and that an American takeover would end NATO.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller asserted on Saturday that under the law, nations were not entitled to their territory if they were unable to defend it. The Trump aide belittled the Danish government, saying its tiny military was failing to adequately protect Greenland.

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With respect to Denmark, Denmark is a tiny country with a tiny economy, and a tiny military, Miller said of Foxs Hannity.

They cannot defend Greenland. They cannot control the territory of Greenland. Under every understanding of law that has existed about territorial control for 500 years, to control a territory you have to be able to defend a territory, improve territory, inhabit a territory. Denmark has failed on every single one of these tests.

Meanwhile, officials told NBC that the White House has voiced similar criticisms of Canada, which has increased its defense spending but continues to fall short of NATOs goal.

The world doesnt see Canada as a major force when it comes to defense, the official told NBC.

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Trump has previously said its highly unlikely he would use military force against Canada. But after his shock invasion of Venezuela and the abduction of then-President Nicholas Maduro on Jan. 3., the president has not ruled out deploying U.S. military troops to countries including Colombia, U.S. ally Mexico, and Greenland.

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House and to Carneys representatives for comment.
President Trump has invited the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Argentina to join his newly created Gaza Board of Peace.

The White House announced the boards creation on Friday as part of the Trump administrations efforts to advance its 20-point peace plan for the region.

Argentinian President Javier Milei announced that hed accepted his position on the board, posting the offer letter from Trump on the social platform X.

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It is an honor for me to have received tonight the invitation for Argentina to join, as a Founding Member, the Board of Peace, an organization created by President Trump to promote lasting peace in regions affected by conflict, starting with the Gaza Strip, Milei said.

Argentina will always stand with the countries that confront terrorism head-on, that defend life and property, and that promote peace and freedom, he continued. It is an honor for us to accompany you in such a great responsibility.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also received a letter from the U.S. president, the countrys foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, confirmed on Saturday. Abdelatty said the leader is reviewing the invitation.

Trump also shared a letter he wrote to the Egyptian president on Truth Social on Friday, in which he signaled his openness to the U.S. negotiating peaceful relations between the country and Ethiopia over Nile River disputes.

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Additionally, Turkeys communications director confirmed the reports in a post on the social platform X on Saturday, writing that Trump sent a letter inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to participate as a founding member in the Peace Council.

Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish communications director, also noted the United Nations endorsement of Trumps comprehensive Gaza plan.

In this framework, the Peace Council and its Bodies, which will be responsible for ensuring security and reconstruction in Gaza, are being established, Duran wrote.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Egyptian General Intelligence Service Chief Hassan Rashad have already received invites to join the Gaza Executive Board, along with other politicians from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and more.

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Trump will head the executive board, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Whitkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga and billionaires Robert Gabriel and Marc Rowan will also have membership on the board.

In a statement posted on the social platform X on Friday, Blair called the committees assemblage a massive step forward.

It gives hope to people in Gaza that they can have a future different from the past and to the Israelis that they may have a neighbor which does not threaten its security, Blair said.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has posted a letter from US President Donald Trump in which Trump invites Hungary to join his new Board of Peace.

Source: Orban on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Orban says the decision is a signal that Hungary's efforts for peace are being recognised.

Quote: "President Trump has invited Hungary to join the work of The Board of Peace as a founding member. We have, of course, accepted this honourable invitation."

Background:

Bloomberg reported that Trump is seeking US$1 billion from countries hoping to secure a permanent seat on the Board of Peace he plans to establish, which is seen as a possible alternative to the United Nations.

According to a draft charter for the proposed group seen by Bloomberg, the Board of Peace is described as "an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict".

Sources told Bloomberg that Trump has invited Argentina and Canada as well as several European countries to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, which would be formed under the broader umbrella of his new Board of Peace.

The idea of the Board of Peace first appeared in the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip.

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The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota, two defense officials confirmed Sunday.

The two battalions, which are with the 11th Airborne Division, would likely be joined by other troops from units across the country that would provide logistic and other support, according to one of the officials, both of whom were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The two infantry battalions in Alaska are trained to operate in the Arctic and across the Indo-Pacific, top priorities for the Trump administration. Theyre not trained for crowd control situations, but they are equipped to operate in cold conditions, which would be useful in Minnesota.

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The troops have not yet been ordered to deploy, but the move signals a potentially more harder-line approach by the White House after President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell growing protests in Minneapolis.

While the president has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell the protests in Minnesota that sprung up in the wake of ICE officers shooting two civilians  one fatally  in Minneapolis this month, Trump on Friday said there was no reason to invoke the law right now.

ABC News first reported the potential deployment.

Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Minneapolis Mayor Jocob Frey said any such deployment of active-duty troops would be a shocking step, pointing out that crime is down in Minneapolis and we don't need more federal agents to keep people safe.

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Frey said that the protests and unrest are coming in response to thousands of ICE agents stopping people on the street and demanding proof of citizenship.

You know what's causing more chaos? Having these thousands of ICE agents and Border Control and apparently military, even, potentially on our streets, Frey said.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who like Frey has criticized the presence of federal troops in the Midwestern state, has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement, but he has not deployed those troops.

Asked to comment on the possibility of the Trump administration deploying active-duty troops, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that the Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon. A White House official added that its typical for the Department of War to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.

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Tensions have flared between federal and state officials ever since an ICE agent killed Renee Good, an American citizen, this month and wounded a Venezuelan migrant, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, while attempting to detain him. The Department of Homeland Security defended the agents in both cases, saying that they were being threatened, but Democrats and local officials have disputed their characterization and maintained that the agents shouldnt have been in Minneapolis in the first place.

Trump has sent in federal troops despite Democratic opposition before. In June, Trump deployed 4,000 Guard members to Los Angeles over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with a battalion of about 700 active-duty infantry Marines during anti-ICE protests.

Trump also has deployed more than 2,600 members of the National Guard to Washington D.C. last year and recently extended that mission through the end of 2026.
President Donald Trump is reportedly turning his attention to Canada and becoming fixated on the countrys vulnerability to foreign adversaries.

In recent weeks, Trump has griped that the Arctic reaches of the Great White North are exposed to Chinese and Russian encroachment, multiple unnamed officials told NBC News. U.S. officials are now reportedly looking into coordinating with Ottawa to strengthen Canadas northern border.

Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this, one official told the outlet.

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Trumps recent focus on Canada follows a whirlwind first year in office, marked by bold unilateral moves to extend U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere  often through thinly veiled military threats, an approach he has branded the Donroe Doctrine.

Earlier this month, the 79-year-old president directed a surprise military strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro, who is now in federal custody facing drug charges. Trump has also issued stark warnings of U.S. intervention in Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico while repeatedly voicing interest in acquiring Greenland  a Danish territory  and has not taken the use of military force off the table, triggering deep concern among Americas allies.

Trump is reportedly taking aim at Canada and expressing concern about its 'vulnerability' to adversaries after his previous threats to make the country the 51st state (Getty Images)

Trump claims that no external constraints  not even international law  bind him on the global stage. When asked by The New York Times this month what limits he faces, he said: There is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me.

Supporters contend that Trumps moves are essential to counter foreign meddling in the Western Hemisphere, while critics denounce the administrations actions as unlawful threats that imperil a long-established network of U.S.-led alliances.

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Unlike with Greenland, U.S. officials say Trump isnt trying to annex Canada. Instead, he aims to partner with Prime Minister Mark Carney to shore up the countrys defensesa sharp pivot from his previous calls for Canada to join the U.S. as the 51st state, which resulted in strained relations.

Protecting the northern border of Canada is a fundamental aspect of Trumps goal of solidifying the Western Hemisphere, one official said.

At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic, the official said, according to NBC News, adding that Canada stands to benefit from the U.S. having Greenland.

Canadian officials have publicly pushed back against Trumps Greenland plan, with Carney stating on Friday that he stands behind the Kingdom of Denmark, a member of NATO.

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American officials are also seeking to work with Canadas government to jointly cooperate on protecting the Arctic reaches of Canada.

The options being discussed include updating systems in Canada that provide early warnings that an adversary is getting close to the countrys territory or waters, more joint U.S. and Canadian military training and operations, and increasing joint air and water patrols as well as American ship patrols in the Arctic, according to NBC.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, where he vowed to strengthen ties between the two countries (via REUTERS)

Critics, though, see Trumps bold measures as undercutting longstanding alliances between Canada and the United States.

A Pew Research poll from July found that the majority of Canadians now see Trumps America as their biggest threat.

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Carney himself appeared to hint at this breakdown in relations on Friday, telling reporters that the multilateral system has been eroded.

This week, Carney traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which he cut a bilateral trade deal and vowed to strengthen ties between their two nations.

The world has changed much since that last visit, he said. I believe the progress that we have made in the partnership sets us up well for the new world order.

Trump didnt appear concerned about the increasing cooperation between Canada and China, telling reporters Friday that their newly minted trade deal is a good thing.

Thats what he should be doing, Trump said. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that.
President Donald Trump has named his choice to succeed Tommy Tuberville in the United States Senate.

In a Saturday night social media post, Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Barry Moore.

Trump said Moore is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning.

The president also noted Moore was the first elected official in to endorse him in the 2016 election.

A very successful Businessman, Civic Leader, and Highly Respected State Legislator prior to becoming a distinguished Congressman, Barry has dedicated his life to serving his Community, Trump wrote.

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As your next Senator, Barry will continue to fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, the endorsement continued.

Barry Moore is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Alabama  BARRY WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"

Moore posted that he is truly honored and thankful to receive the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

With his support, Im ready to get to work on day one. Ill continue fighting for Alabama values, secure borders, a strong economy, and putting the Presidents America First agenda into action.

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In the Republican primary, Moore is facing Attorney General Steve Marshall, Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL who ran for Jefferson County sheriff in 2022, Morgan Murphy, a captain in the U.S. Navy reserve who has worked for the Trump administration and Rodney Walker, a cattle farmer and businessman, launched his campaign for the Senate in August.

The primary is May 19.

Democrats who are running for the Senate seat include Kyle Sweetser, a business owner and lifelong Alabama Republican who spoke at last summers Democratic National Convention, Dakarai Larriett, a business owner, Birmingham native, and University of Alabama graduate, and Mark Wheeler of Heflin, a Jacksonville State University graduate and chemist who works for a wire manufacturing company.

Moore, a Republican from Enterprise and state representative from 2010 to 2018, is serving his third term in Congress.

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Moore was elected to represent Alabamas 2nd Congressional District in 2020. Voters reelected Moore in 2022.

In 2023, a federal court redrew Alabamas congressional map after ruling that it likely violated the Voting Rights Act.

The 2nd District was changed to favor Democratic candidates. Moores hometown was moved into the 1st District.

Moore ran in the 1st district in 2024 and defeated the Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl of Mobile.

Moore, a member of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, was backed by conservative groups like CPAC and Heritage Action.

I will have (Trumps) back and defend the MAGA agenda in the Senate, just like I have as a member of the Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, Moore said when he announced his run for U.S. Senate in August.

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The October campaign finance disclosures showed Moore took in more campaign cash in the third quarter than any other GOP contender for Alabamas U.S. Senate seat, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Moore reported $513,992 in donations from July through September -- almost $100,000 more than Marshall.

More than 77% of Moores contributions came from individuals, the records showed. Roughly $114,000 was donated by political action committees.

The congressman ended the third quarter with more than $557,279 in cash on hand.

In his endorsement, Trump called Alabama a state I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, getting the highest vote in that great States history.

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In the 2024 election, Trump got 1,462,616 votes in Alabama, 65% of the total.

That was about 21,000 more votes than he got in 2020 and about 144,000 more than he got in 2016. He got 62% in both of those previous elections.

While more Alabamians voted for Donald Trump for president in 2024 than for any presidential candidate in the states history, it was not a record, in terms of percentage.

Richard Nixon got 72% of the vote in Alabama in 1972 when he carried every state except Massachusetts in a landslide win over George McGovern.

And President Franklin D. Roosevelt topped 80% in Alabama during each of his four elections from 1932 to 1944, when Alabama was dominated by the Democratic Party.

Read the original article on al.com.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that executive actions and pardons signed using an autopen during former President Joe Bidens administration are illegal and called for those involved to be arrested, echoing concerns also raised in a House Oversight Committee investigation about documentation and authorization.

President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social on January 17, 2026, calling autopen-signed actions under the Biden administration illegal and urging arrests | via Truth Social

In a January 17 post on Truth Social, Trump said the use of the autopen was totally illegal and that documents signed that way are of no further force or effect. Trump asserted that the individual who operated the autopen had no idea whether or not Biden approved of what he was doing, adding that there was no ORDER in writing.

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Trump went further, writing, Every one of them should be arrested for what they have done to our Country.

Trumps comments follow the October 28, 2025 release of a staff report by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.). Titled The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House, the report alleges that senior White House aides facilitated executive actions  including pardons and commutations  without clear, contemporaneous documentation demonstrating Bidens direct authorization.

According to the report, investigators identified gaps in recordkeeping, unclear chains of custody for decision materials, and instances in which approval for autopen use was conveyed verbally or second-hand. The committee recommended that the U.S. Department of Justice review executive actions taken between January 2021 and January 2025, with particular scrutiny of clemency actions signed by autopen.

Prior reporting on autopen authorization

The Dallas Express previously reported in July 2025 that autopen use for late-term Biden pardons, including the preemptive pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci, was approved by thenWhite House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients rather than documented directly by Biden.

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At the time, reporting showed Zients sent an email on January 19, 2025 stating, I approve the use of the autopen for the execution of all of the following pardons, after aides prepared summaries of oral discussions allegedly held with Biden. The aides who drafted the materials authorizing the pardons were not present in the room with Biden, according to meeting participant lists reviewed by The New York Times.

Biden denied that staff acted without his consent. In an interview with The New York Times, Biden said, I made every single one of those, referring to the pardons and commutations issued at the end of his term, adding that the autopen was used for efficiency because were talking about a whole lot of people.

The Oversight Committees report builds on those disclosures, citing testimony from aides who could not confirm direct presidential authorization in certain cases and identifying missing or incomplete documentation tied to autopen-signed actions.

Opposition arguments over autopen legality

Critics of Trumps position argue that the use of an autopen does not, by itself, invalidate presidential pardons or executive actions.

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Legal scholars cited by PolitiFact contend that the U.S. Constitution does not require a president to personally hand-sign pardons and does not prohibit the use of mechanical signing devices. They also argue that once a pardon is completed, there is no established constitutional mechanism for a subsequent president to revoke it.

Biden has echoed that view, maintaining that he personally authorized the actions and that autopen use was carried out at his direction.

The Oversight Committee report does not dispute that autopens may be used under certain circumstances. Instead, it centers on whether presidential authorization was properly documented and whether executive authority was exercised by aides without verifiable consent from the president.

What happens next

Trump has said his administration will review actions signed by autopen during Bidens presidency. Legal experts cited by PolitiFact argue that any attempt to invalidate completed pardons would require formal legal proceedings and would likely face immediate court challenges.

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The Department of Justice has not publicly stated whether it will act on the Oversight Committees referral. No court has ruled on the validity of the executive actions cited in the report.

As of now, Trumps statements  including his call for arrests  the Oversight Committees findings, and opposition arguments from constitutional scholars remain unresolved, setting the stage for potential legal scrutiny over presidential authority, documentation standards, and the limits of autopen use.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trumps made the stunning move, late Saturday, to snub GOP Senator Bill Cassidy (LA) and instead back his would-be primary opponent.

In a Saturday night Truth Social post, the president announced his support for Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) to take on Cassidy in the primary.

Highly Respected America First Congresswoman, Julia Letlow, of the wonderful State of Louisiana, is a Great Star, has been from the very beginning, and only gets better! Trump wrote. I am hearing that Julia is considering launching her Campaign for the United States Senate in Louisiana, a place I love and WON BIG, six times, including Primaries, in 2016, 2020, and 2024!

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He added, Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!

Cassidy has bent over backwards to try to get back in Trumps good graces since voting to convict him in his second impeachment trial in 2021. Most notably, the senator  who is a licensed physician  cast the crucial vote to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. Since then, Cassidy has criticized Kennedys stance on vaccines on numerous occasions

In response to Trumps snub, Cassidy posted on X, Im proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win.

I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win.  Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@BillCassidy) January 18, 2026

The move is likely to complicate the GOPs slender 53-47 majority in the Senate. Already, outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) have proven to be tough votes for Republican Senate leadership to secure on various measures. The New York Times reported that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) pushed Trump to consider the potential ramifications on future votes by opposing Cassidy, but to no avail.



The post Trump Spurns GOP Senator  Gives Complete and Total Endorsement to His Likely Primary Foe in Shocking Move first appeared on Mediaite.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday criticised Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya for his alleged remarks on the reasons behind rape cases, calling them "very wrong." CM Yadav urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to issue an apology and take disciplinary action by removing the MLA from the party. "Congress MLA has given a very wrong statement. Rahul Gandhi should apologise, and he should remove his MLA from the party," he said. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticised Baraiya's remarks, saying such inappropriate statements should never be made. He stressed that daughters should not be divided along caste or community lines and described them as goddesses. "Daughters are like goddesses to me. We cannot divide daughters on the basis of caste or community. In our tradition, it is believed that daughters are the embodiment of Maa Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. So, whether it is a leader or any other person, daughters belong to every caste and community--how much will we divide society, will we divide daughters too? Such inappropriate remarks should never be made," Chouhan told reporters on Saturday. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya issued a clarification, saying the statement attributed to him was not his own. In a video posted on Facebook, he said he had quoted a statement written by a former Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar, only as a reference. Baraiya added that he personally does not agree with or support the statement. "Greetings. The statement for which allegations are being made against me is not my own. That statement was written by Hari Mohan Jha, who was the Head of the Philosophy Department in Bihar, and I quoted it in a particular context. I do not personally agree with this statement, nor do I support it, but I quoted it only as a reference," Phool Singh Baraiya said in a self-made video on Facebook. (ANI)
President Donald Trumps long-running quest to demolish the U.S. offshore wind sector is facing some serious blowback in federal court.

Three different judges  including one appointed by Trump  last week allowed construction to resume on multibillion-dollar offshore wind projects off the coasts of New England, New York and Virginia that the Interior Department was trying to idle.

After Congress shredded incentives for wind last year and the administration imposed new permitting roadblocks, the industrys streak of victories this week represent a significant setback in Trumps campaign to erase the Biden administrations clean energy agenda and deepen the countrys reliance on fossil fuels.

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Democrats and wind supporters hailed the clean sweep in this weeks legal cases, even if the ultimate fate of those massive offshore energy projects remains to be determined.

Trump is getting his butt kicked again. The question is whether he learns from that, said Democratic Rep. Scott Peters of California.

The legal decisions, Peters said, reinforces what we've been saying: that this is illegal. Its a bad signal to the markets.

Trump has made no secret of his deep dislike of wind farms  particularly those built in coastal waters. My goal is to not let any windmill be built," Trump told a meeting of oil executives at the White House last week. "They're losers."

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White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers reiterated Friday Trumps contention that wind power represents the scam of the century.

The Trump administration paused the construction of projects because its priority is to put America First and protect the national security of the American people, she said. The Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue, Rogers added.

Trumps Interior Department in December paused all five leases for large-scale offshore wind projects that are currently under construction, citing publicly undisclosed national security concerns. Those projects were approved as part of then-President Joe Bidens effort to create an offshore wind industry that could feed clean electricity into the nations power grid and reduce the need for fossil fuels.

The administrations stop-work orders are among the roadblocks for renewable energy enacted by the Trump administration that also includes potentially revoking permits for offshore wind projects approved under the Biden administration. And they come with the added appeal for the administration of thumbing their nose at efforts to address climate change, which Trump has frequently derided as a hoax.

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The companies behind the impacted projects quickly filed lawsuits to lift the stop-work orders, citing the billions of dollars already sunk into the projects and a tricky coordination required to synchronize the installation vessels that required the courts to act quickly.

A fourth wind farms appeal will be heard Feb. 2.

Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, said the Trump administration's lawyers had failed to respond to several arguments from the developers of New Yorks Empire Wind project and noted that the government's national security concerns were not enough to outweigh the harm to the project.

In his ruling pertaining to the Revolution Wind project, Judge Royce Lamberth also did not buy the administrations arguments. The Ronald Reagan appointee pointed to press interviews by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that focused on offshore winds costs, its impacts on wildlife and a variety of reasons unrelated to national security.

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And Judge Jamar Walker ruled Friday in Virginia that work on Dominion Energys Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project could proceed while the litigation continues. The Biden appointee, too, said the administration failed to make a case for its concerns.

Ordinarily a national security risk would weigh heavily in the government's favor," Walker said, adding, however, the evidence does not demonstrate the security risk is so imminent" that a stop-work order is necessary.

The decisions marked a near-term win for the projects developers and supporters of the offshore wind industry.

If you are a developer, the lesson is don't cower in the corner. You have to be willing to fight for your legal rights, said Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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One legal expert said Trumps disdain for wind power appeared to undercut the administration's legal strategy.

The reality is that the animus that this administration has toward these projects has forced it to cut corners with its reasoning, said Joel Eisen, a law professor at the University of Richmond. Its blinding them to making a good and reasoned explanation as to why it is they want to stop work.

Eisen noted that under administrative law, the government must provide a sufficient explanation for major actions such as blocking projects already under construction.

The government is required to explain itself and obviously in all three of these cases the judges are convinced that they havent, Eisen said, noting the judges were appointed by three different presidents but all reached the same conclusion.

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Yet, analysts warned the decisions are unlikely to stop Trumps crusade, particularly as the rulings themselves could do little to calm the fears of companies looking to invest in future offshore wind development, a still-nascent industry in the United States.

The suspension orders may still serve the long-term purpose of injecting significant uncertainty for offshore wind, said Timothy Fox, the managing director of ClearView Energy Partners, a research firm.

A future administration could support offshore wind, but we think the industry  and perhaps as importantly  financiers may be wary of investing in a capital-intensive sector with such demonstrable high election risk, he said.

Other analysts said Friday the court rulings will likely force the administration to find other ways to try to impede offshore wind, even as the legal proceedings play out.

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While this blocks the latest targeting strategy, we expect the administrations animus to continue in the form of other challenges, Paul Greenough, a senior vice president on advisory firm Capstones energy team, wrote in an email.

Greenough pointed to Interiors other court filings that seek remands for key offshore wind permits, as well as the potential for the administration to try to revive national security issues, flag new findings for endangered species impacts or other obstacles.

Craig Rucker, the president of Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow, which challenged the Virginia project, urged Interior to appeal the decision on Friday. "Instead of showing deference to well documented military objections, a single federal judge, without any expertise in national security, has taken it upon himself to substitute his judgment for the considered opinion of military professionals, Rucker said.

Dominion noted in a press release after the Friday hearing that even as its lawsuit proceeds, the company will continue seeking a durable resolution of this matter through cooperation with the federal government.

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The company told Walker that it had been in frequent contact with Interior, including as recently as December, and it was surprised by the stop order issued later that month.

In none of these meetings was there an indication that an order was coming, said Dominion attorney James Auslander, a principal at the firm Beveridge & Diamond.

Governors, particularly in New England, have positioned the projects as vital to bringing down energy costs in their states  some of which had been scheduled to begin generating power this year. Attorneys general in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island  who have tussled with the administration over its efforts to slash other climate initiatives  joined the developers and filed their own lawsuits to contest the administrations stoppage.

The New England power grid operator said offshore wind projects are included in its planning forecasts and are needed to help meet electricity demand. Attorneys for the PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization stretching 13 states, supported CVOWs motion and argued that the project will help provide much-needed generation in the region amid already high demand.

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Given the size of the project and the long lead times associated with development of alternatives, further delay of the project will cause irreparable harm to the 67 million residents of this region that depend on continued reliable delivery of electricity, the RTO said in a recent filing.

Trump administration officials met with a bipartisan group of governors on Friday on plans to direct PJM to hold a special auction for technology companies to fund the construction of new power plants needed to supply data centers  part of the presidents effort to address growing affordability concerns.

Trump energy officials have repeatedly put baseload energy sources, like natural gas and nuclear, at the center of their agenda, while targeting wind power as intermittent and unreliable.

Others contend that the stop-work orders may have impacts beyond states borders.

Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is traveling this week to Copenhagen, Denmark, told POLITICO she is hoping to meet with rsted, the Danish developer of two of the projects impacted by the stop-work orders.

You have this project that has been underway for years, millions of dollars, 80 percent complete, and then you have, Sorry, that's not on our approved list. Now they go through the courts, she said of rsteds Revolution Wind project.

OK, now we're back on. But what is the message that is sent to rsted? What is the message that is sent to any of these companies about the reliability of working on a project in the United States? I worry about that."
President Donald Trump on Saturday night offered support for Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow for her state's Senate race, even though the state has an incumbent Republican senator, Bill Cassidy  and Letlow has not declared her candidacy.

"Should she decide to enter this RACE," Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!"

She responded to Trump's preemptive endorsement on X with a post that indicated she is likely open to entering the race.

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"Im honored to have President Trumps endorsement and trust," she wrote. "My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger. This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver."

Letlow was first elected to the House in March 2021 after the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, who died in December 2020 from Covid only weeks after being elected. She subsequently won a full two-year term in 2022 and again in 2024, both by large margins. As of last week, however, there was no indication she was set to challenge Cassidy.

Trump was clear in his Trump Social post that he greatly admired Letlow: "I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER!"

Cassidy is seeking his third term in the Senate. He has drawn criticism from Trump at times, particularly over his 2021 vote to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Without having the candidates in place as of yet, the Cook Political Report rates the race as "Solid Republican."
The first minister has criticised President Trump's threat to impose tariffs on its allies unless they support his proposed takeover of Greenland.

John Swinney said additional duties should not be used as a "bargaining chip" in discussions between trade partners.

The UK and seven other European countries have condemned the US president's warning of a 10% levy on imports into the US, rising to 25% from the summer, if no deal is done for the autonomous Danish territory.

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A joint statement from the eight countries, released on Sunday, warned: "Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

Writing on X earlier, Swinney said the proposed tariffs were "the wrong thing to do".

The SNP leader added: "Greenland's future should be decided by the people of Greenland.

"Tariffs should not be a bargaining chip in place of reasonable dialogue between partners."

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The White House has in recent weeks intensified calls for a US takeover of the autonomous Danish territory, which President Trump says is critical for US security. He has not ruled out taking it by force.

On Saturday the US president announced tariffs on fellow Nato members Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland would come into force on 1 February unless an agreement was reached.

Scotch whisky is already subjected to a 10% US import tariff [Getty Images]

Additional taxes and charges could hurt major Scottish exports of products like whisky and salmon.

Both already attract US import taxes - known as tariffs - of 10%.

Last September Swinney said there was a "real chance" that a special trade deal for Scotch whisky could be agreed with President Donald Trump following talks in the White House.

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The Scottish government is seeking a reduction or removal of tariffs on Scotch entering the US - which the whisky industry says costs businesses 4m per week.

And the UK government is pursuing whisky tariff reductions as part of wider trade negotiations with the US but a deal has yet to be finalised.

The new Scottish leader of Reform UK, Malcolm Offord, described the tariff threat as "not good" and said Trump's tactics were "not a normal style of negotiation".

He told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show: "We are a great friend and ally of the US and vice versa and we support the US on most things, but on this one, we have to say, Denmark is a sovereign country.

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"Denmark and Greenland's arrangements have got to be done diplomatically.

"He [Trump] is a businessman and he wants to get things done in a different sort of way. My appeal to the prime minister is just to use all the diplomacy that we've got."

The Conservatives' shadow Scottish secretary, Andrew Bowie, said the tariffs would have an "adverse impact" on whisky exports and urged President Trump to "think again".

He told the programme: "Tariffs are not good for anybody. Trade makes everybody healthier, breaks down barriers and prevents wars.

"Denmark is a Nato ally and the situation with Greenland is for the people of Greenland and Denmark.

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"The US is one of our strongest and oldest allies and will remain so, but we have a fundamental disagreement over the decision that Donald Trump has taken."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the UK had to "make sure it was standing up" for a Nato ally.

He said: "It is completely unacceptable for a US president to threaten tariffs against the UK because we are saying we want to protect the territorial independence of Greenland.

"That's why diplomacy is important. We have to protect the national interest, the companies and businesses here, while also standing up for our Nato allies and the independence of Greenland."

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And Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said Europe needed to be "absolutely robust" in response to Trump's actions.

He told The Sunday Show: "We are in a situation where Donald Trump is threatening to invade and steal a nation.

"He is issuing military threats on a daily basis against his ally and our ally, Denmark.

"Trump only recognises and only respects strength, those who have tried to suck up to him and tried the charm offensive have failed time and time again.

"Europe as a whole has been very weak when it comes to standing up to Trump blatantly breaking international law. It is time we draw a line in the sand here."

Protesters marched through Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Saturday [Reuters]

The European Union is due to host an emergency meeting on the situation at in Brussels at 17:00 (16:00 GMT) on Sunday involving ambassadors from all 27 EU countries.

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Ahead of the talks Starmer said: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong.

"We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, an ally of the president, also called for the tariffs to be averted, posting on X: "We don't always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don't. These tariffs will hurt us."

Thousands of people took part in protests in Denmark and Greenland in response to the proposed takeover on Saturday.

Greenland's prime minister joined protesters in the capital, Nuuk, holding signs reading "Greenland is not for sale" outside the US consulate.

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In the Danish capital, Copenhagen, protesters held placards stating: "Hands Off Greenland" and "Greenland for Greenlanders".

According to an opinion poll, 85% of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the US.
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President Donald Trump said he will impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries until a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland.

In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump said he will slap a 10% tariff on any and all goods from six European Union nations (Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland), as well as the U.K. and Norway, starting on Feb. 1, raising the levy to 25% on June 1.

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"This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," the president said, although no official documentation implementing the levies has been released.

Trump added the U.S. remained open to negotiations with Denmark and any of the other nations while accusing them of playing "a very dangerous game" by sending personnel to Greenland amid his push to annex the territory.

The threat over Greenland builds on a recent streak of tariff announcements made on Truth Social, tied to the United States geopolitical goals. Last week, Trump also said he would immediately install a 25% tariff on Irans trading partners  a list that includes China, India and Turkey  as a penalty for doing business with the country. However, no official documentation has been published to enact the levies on either Iran or Greenland.

The newest threat of additional tariffs isn't real until we see an executive order and a federal register notice, Pete Mento, director of global trade advisory services at Baker Tilly, said in a LinkedIn post Saturday.

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Since early 2025, Trump has rolled out an extensive series of country-specific reciprocal tariffs and sector-based levies. Along the way, he has struck agreements and framework deals with several major trading partners, including the European Union and the U.K. Trump did not provide details about how the additional duties would interact with those pacts.

Per a deal formalized in August, the U.S. committed to apply the higher of the most-favored-nation tariff or a combined rate of 15%, comprising the MFN tariff and a reciprocal tariff, on many imports from the European Union. Norway, which is not an EU member, also faces a 15% reciprocal levy.

Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X Saturday.

Meanwhile, the United States and the U.K reached a deal last June focused on tariffs and market access, including preferential treatment for certain U.K. autos, metals and agricultural products.

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Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X Saturday. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.

In justifying the duties, Trump claimed, without offering evidence, that the national security of the U.S. and the world was at stake because China and Russia are also seeking to acquire Greenland. He argued that Denmark is incapable of defending the autonomous territory within its kingdom.

Trump said acquiring Greenland was necessary for the U.S. to build its proposed Golden Dome, a conceptual missile defense shield that Trump said would protect the entire nation and possibly Canada. Trump has repeatedly said Greenland is key terrain for U.S. national security.

"Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important," Trump said.

Phil Neuffer contributed to this story.

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Only "art of the deal" bravado could turn a wise acquisition into a playground shakedown. Lately, the rhetoric coming out of the White House feels less like Thomas Jefferson and more like a high school bully stealing lunch money. Nevertheless, America should open up its wallet and go get Greenland.

White House aide Stephen Miller recently told reporters that no country would fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland, essentially dismissing the sovereignty of Denmark, a NATO ally, with a shrug. Pres. Trump, meanwhile, has doubled down, claiming the island is "crawling" with Russian and Chinese vessels and suggesting there is an "easy way" to solve the problem of ownership.

But flexing our military might over a territory of 56,000 people and a NATO partner isnt a show of strength. Its a grown man proudly threatening a kindergarten class. The language is embarrassing, counterproductive and ignores the fact that America has been trying to buy this particular piece of "real estate" politely for over 150 years.

America's long interest in Greenland

Our interest in Greenland isn't a modern MAGA fever dream. It began in 1867, when Secretary of State William Seward  the man who bought Alaska  commissioned a report on Greenland's vast mineral and fish resources. Seward saw the island as a strategic bookend to the North American continent.

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In 1910, the U.S. even considered a territorial swap, offering parts of the Philippines to Denmark in exchange for Greenland and the Danish West Indies. We eventually settled for just the islands, which became the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1917.

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After World War II, the Truman administration realized Greenland's value in the emerging Cold War. In 1946, Secretary of State James Byrnes made an official offer of $100 million in gold to the Danish Foreign Minister. Denmark said no then, just as they are saying no now, but the geopolitical logic remains sound.

Why on earth do we want a giant ice-covered rock? Because its not just a rock; its both a fortress and a gold mine.

The investment value of Greenland

From a national security perspective, Greenland is the ultimate high ground. It hosts the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule), which is the backbone of our early-warning missile defense system. It also sits squarely in the GIUK gap  the naval chokepoint between Greenland, Iceland and the U.K. that Russian submarines must pass through to enter the Atlantic. As the Arctic ice melts and new shipping lanes open, controlling the "Northwest Passage" becomes a matter of economic and military survival.

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Then there are the minerals. Greenland sits on some of the worlds largest deposits of rare earth elements, which are essential for everything from Americas advanced fighter jets to the smartphone in your pocket. Currently, China controls the vast majority of the supply chain for these minerals. Owning Greenland wouldnt just be a land grab; it would be a massive step towards American technological independence.

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I am as hawkish as anyone on the national debt which is quickly approaching $40 trillion. The idea of the U.S. spending hundreds of billions  potentially more than the entire $400 billion GDP of Denmark  to acquire the island seems reckless at first glance. But this is a serious investment, not an expense.

Some estimates place the value of Greenlands untapped mineral and energy assets at $4.4 trillion, but much of it is extremely difficult to exploit. Even if we only extract a fraction of that, the return on investment would dwarf the initial purchase price. It is, quite literally, the Louisiana Purchase of the 21st century.

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The problem isn't the goal; it's the delivery.

A better negotiation approach

Millers "iron laws of power" rhetoric makes us look like an imperialist relic from the 19th century. We dont need to threaten Denmark; we need to persuade them  and the people of Greenland  that their future is brighter and more prosperous under the American flag.

Greenland currently relies on a massive annual subsidy from Copenhagen to keep its economy afloat. We should be talking about prosperity, infrastructure and a seat at the table of the world's largest economy. It wouldnt hurt to compliment their robust halibut fisheries in the process. We should also make an offer so lucrative that the Danish taxpayers, tired of subsidizing a distant island, demand their government take the check.

Stop the tough guy rhetoric. Put away the military threats. If we want Greenland, we should stop acting like a bully and start rolling out the welcome mat.

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Sometimes, the most powerful thing a nation can do isn't rattling a saber  it's letting the money do the talking.

Cameron Smith, columnist for The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network Tennessee

USA TODAY Network Tennessee Columnist Cameron Smith is a Memphis-born, Brentwood-raised recovering political attorney raising four boys in Nolensville, Tennessee, with his particularly patient wife, Justine. Direct outrage or agreement to smith.david.cameron@gmail.com or @DCameronSmith on Twitter. Agree or disagree? Send a letter to the editor to letters@tennessean.com

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump should go after Greenland, but change his approach | Opinion
President Donald Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction has set a minimum contribution of $1 billion for nations to secure a permanent spot.

A draft charter for the Board obtained by Bloomberg details the structure and objectives of this international organization. The board aims to foster stability, reestablish lawful governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected by conflict.

As per the charter, each member state will serve a maximum term of three years, with the possibility of renewal by the Chairman. However, this term limit does not apply to states that contribute over $1 billion to the Board within the first year of the charters enforcement.

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The inaugural chairman, Trump, will hold the authority to invite nations to join the board and approve all decisions. The charter will be officially enacted once three member states agree to its terms, Bloomberg reports. Critics, however, are worried that Trump is trying to establish an alternative to the United Nations, an organization he has often criticized.

Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner core members of the board

The White House announced on Friday that three of Trumps diplomatic advisers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will be part of the board.

The creation of the Board of Peace represents a significant shift in the approach to international peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts. The high entry fee for permanent membership could potentially limit the participation of many nations, thereby affecting the diversity and representation on the board.

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Furthermore, the power dynamics within the board could be skewed towards wealthier nations, raising concerns about the equitable distribution of resources and decision-making power.

This development also underscores Trumps ongoing criticism and apparent distancing from the United Nations, hinting at a possible change in the US stance towards global governance structures.

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This article Trump's Gaza 'Board of Peace' Seeks $1 Billion From Each Nation Seeking Permanent Seat originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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One year after Donald Trumps second inauguration, a pattern emerges. Across dozens of executive orders, agency memos, funding decisions, and enforcement changes, the administration has weakened federal civil rights law and the foundations of the countrys racially inclusive democracy.

From the start, the U.S. was not built to include everyone equally. The Constitution protected and promoted slavery. Most states limited voting to white men. Congress restricted naturalized citizenship to free white persons. These choices were not accidents. They shaped who could belong and who could exercise political power, and they entrenched a racial political majority that lasted for generations.

That began to change in the 1960s. After decades of protest and pressure, Congress enacted laws that prohibited discrimination in employment, education, voting, immigration, and housing.

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Federal agencies were charged with enforcing those laws, collecting data to identify discrimination, and conditioning public funds on compliance. These choices reshaped U.S. demographics and institutions, with the current Congress the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, according to the Pew Research Center. The laws did not eliminate racial inequality, but they made exclusion easier to see and harder to defend.

The first year of the second Trump administration marks a sharp reversal.

Cumulative retreat

Rather than repealing civil rights statutes outright, the administration has focused on disabling the mechanisms that make those laws work.

Drawing on over two decades of teaching and writing about civil rights and my experience directing a GW Law project on inclusive democracy, I believe this pattern reflects not isolated administrative actions but a cumulative retreat from the federal governments role as an enforcer of civil rights law.

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Over the past year, the president and his administration have taken a series of connected actions:

Civil rights, union and religious leaders board a dedicated Pennsylvania Railroad train from New York to Washington, D.C., to march in support of the bill that would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Getty Images)

The pattern is hard to miss

Taken together, these shifts have practical consequences.

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When agencies stop collecting data on racial disparities, discrimination becomes harder to detect. When disparate impact analysis is abandoned, unfair practices with no legitimate purpose go unchallenged. When diversity programs are chilled through investigations and funding threats, institutions respond by narrowing opportunity. When history and language are recast as threats to unity, truth, and freedom of speech and thought are suppressed and undermined.

Lyndon Johnson signs the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibited racial discrimination in the immigration process and repealed quotas heavily favoring immigration from northern and western Europe. (Getty Images)

Administration officials argue that these steps are needed to prevent discrimination against white people, promote unity, ensure colorblind equality, and comply with a Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action in college admissions. But that ruling did not ban awareness of racial inequality, or neutral policies aimed at reducing it. Many of the administrations actions rely on broad claims of illegality without providing specific violations.

The selective nature of enforcement is also telling.

Books about racism and civil rights were removed from military libraries, while books praising Nazi ideas or claiming racial intelligence differences were left untouched. The administration suspended admissions of refugees  over 90 percent of whom have been from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in recent years  but then reopened the refugee program for white South Africans.

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One year in, the pattern is hard to miss.

The administration is not simply applying neutral rules. It is dismantling the systems that once helped the U.S. move toward a more open and equal democracy. It is replacing them with policies that selectively narrow access to economic, cultural, and educational participation.

The result is not simply a change in policy, but a fundamental shift in the trajectory of American democracy.

Spencer Overton is a professor of law at George Washington University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Twelve Ways the Trump Administration Eroded Civil Rights Law in Its First Year appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Two men are facing charges after police say they broke into the Georgia-Pacific Wood Products facility on Highway 99 late Saturday night.

Officers responded to a call about a possible break-in around 9:54 p.m. at the plant, which has had copper thefts before.

Police say they saw one man running between buildings and caught him with help from a K9 unit.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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The second suspect was found hiding behind another building.

Investigators say they found a bag of tools believed to be used for the break-in.

Both men were taken to the Glynn County Detention Center.

Police identified the suspects as Jeffery McKinney, 48, of Baxley, and Marshall Latimer, 37, of Gainesville.

Both face burglary charges. McKinney is also charged with obstruction.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to police.

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KAMPALA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Ugandan authorities partially restored internet services late on Saturday after 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term to extend his rule into a fifth decade with a landslide victory rejected by the opposition.

Users reported being able to reconnect to the internet around 11 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Saturday and some internet service providers sent out a message to customers saying the regulator had ordered them to restore services excluding social media.

"We have restored internet so that businesses that rely on internet can resume work," David Birungi, spokesperson for Airtel Uganda, one of the country's biggest telecom companies told Reuters. He added the state communications regulator had ordered that social media remain shut down.

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State-run Uganda Communications Commission said it had cut off internet to curb "misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks." The opposition, however, criticised the move saying it was to cement control over the electoral process and guarantee a win for the incumbent.

UCC spokesperson Ibrahim Bbosa did not respond to a Reuters' call for comment.

The electoral body in the east African country on Saturday declared Museveni the winner of Thursday's poll with 71.6% of the vote while his rival pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine was credited with 24% of the vote.

A joint report from an election observer team from the African Union and other regional blocs criticised the involvement of the military in the election and authorities' decision to cut off internet.

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"The internet shut down implemented two days before the elections limited access to information, freedom of association, curtailed economic activities...it also created suspicion and mistrust on the electoral process," the team said in their report published on Saturday.

In power since 1986 and currently Africa's third longest-ruling head of state, Museveni's latest win means he will have been in power for nearly half a century when his new term ends in 2031.

He is widely thought to be preparing his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to take over from him. Kainerugaba is currently head of the military and has expressed presidential ambitions.

Wine, who was taking on Museveni for a second time, has rejected the results of the latest vote and alleged mass fraud during the election.

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Scattered opposition protests broke out late on Saturday after results were announced, according to a Reuters witness and police.

In Magere, a suburb in Kampala's north where Wine lives, a group of youths burned tyres and erected barricades in the road prompting police to respond with tear gas.

Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala told Reuters the protests had been quashed and that arrests were made but said the number of those detained would be released later.

Wine's whereabouts were unknown early on Sunday after he said in a post on X he had escaped a raid by the military on his home. People close to him told Reuters on Saturday he remained at an undisclosed location in Uganda. Wine was briefly held under house arrest following the previous election in 2021.

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Wine has said hundreds of his supporters were detained during the months leading up to the vote and that others have been tortured.

Government officials have denied those allegations and say those who have been detained have violated the law and will be put through due process.

(Editing by Jessica Donati and Elaine Hardcastle)
Key developments on Jan. 17-18:

Russian attacks kill 5, injure 30 across Ukraine as Moscow again targets energy infrastructure

Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown

'Warmth from Poland'  More than $650,000 raised to buy generators for Kyiv amid energy crisis

Russia welcomes Trump's tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland as 'collapse' of alliance

Ukraine military chief says more arms, sanctions key as 'Coalition of the Willing' holds security guarantees talks

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least five civilians and injured at least 30 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Jan. 18, as Russian forces again targeted energy infrastructure amid freezing winter conditions.

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Ukraine is facing severe cold and ongoing disruptions to heat and electricity supplies following repeated attacks on the energy sector, which prompted a state of emergency earlier this week.

Ukraine's Air Force reported shooting down 167 out of 201 Russian drones overnight. Thirty drones struck 15 locations, while falling debris was recorded at two other sites.

Civilians were killed in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts, while injuries were reported in several others including Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

In Odesa oblast, Russia targeted an energy facility as nighttime temperatures in the region dropped to -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).

Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown

Moscow is planning to strike substations connected to Ukraine's three active nuclear plants in western and southern Ukraine to completely disconnect the country from heat and power, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) warned on Jan. 17.

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The warning comes as Ukrainians across the country are already grappling with limited power and heating as Russia decimates Ukraine's energy facilities. But disconnecting its nuclear power plants would take the crisis one step further  Ukrainians would be fully cut off from electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.

Russia's strategy is "to force Ukraine to accept unacceptable capitulation demands to end the war," HUR said. Already, the agency says Russia has conducted reconnaissance of ten critical energy substations in nine regions of Ukraine.

The recent mass attacks on energy facilities have prompted intervention from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will send a team to assess 10 substations critical to nuclear safety, although it's not clear when.



The IAEA did not reply to the Kyiv Independent's inquiry at the time of publication.

"Russia is always trying to disconnect our nuclear plants, and it's really dangerous for nuclear safety, not only for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe," Vitaliy Zaichenko, the CEO of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent.

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Electricity is needed at nuclear plants for safety reasons, such as powering reactor cooling systems. If an active plant is disconnected, it then relies on backup diesel generators to keep operating. If those generators fail, a nuclear meltdown can happen within hours.

While Russia hasn't directly targeted Ukraine's nuclear power plants, which are operated by state-owned firm Energoatom, it has damaged and destroyed most of Ukraine's other generation facilities, including thermal power and hydroelectric plants.

With most other generation facilities down, nuclear energy is the main source of electricity in Ukraine. If nuclear power is cut off, Ukraine will be unable to generate enough electricity to heat and power the country.

Read also: Italy detains vessel carrying metal for suspected Russia sanctions violations

'Warmth from Poland'  More than $650,000 raised to buy generators for Kyiv amid energy crisis

A volunteer fundraising platform in Poland has raised 1.2 million Polish zloty ($330,000) to purchase generators for Kyiv, its organizers announced on Jan. 18, as Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue amid freezing winter conditions.

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Launched under the name "Warmth from Poland for Kyiv," the fundraiser initially set out to raise 400,000 zloty ($110,000) to purchase generators. After quickly hitting that target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000)  a figure that has since been surpassed, with donations now exceeding 2.4 million zloty.

"The response of Poles has exceeded our expectations," the organizers said. "You have shown that you care about the fate of your neighbors. We can do much more than we planned."

Organizers said the funds will help residents facing extreme conditions in Kyiv.

"People are staying in unheated apartments and basements," they said. "Lack of electricity means no way to cook a hot meal, discharged phones, and loss of contact with loved ones during attacks."

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The initiative is organized jointly with several civic groups, including Euromaidan-Warsaw, the Democracy Foundation, Sestry.eu, the Open Dialogue Foundation, the PRB Foundation, and the Entrepreneurs Help initiative.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar welcomed the effort, thanking Polish donors for their support. He said the assistance is "important" and "truly saving human lives" amid the ongoing energy crisis.

Read also: General Staff: Russia has lost 1,226,420 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia welcomes Trump's tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland as 'collapse' of alliance

Russian officials welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland, with Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev claiming on Jan. 17 that the move signals the "collapse" of the transatlantic alliance.

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Trump earlier said that Washington would impose 10% tariffs on NATO allies  France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Finland  until the U.S. reaches a deal to buy Greenland. He has threatened to acquire the island "one way or the other."

"The transatlantic alliance is over," Dmitriev wrote on X, mocking European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and urging European leaders not to "provoke" Trump.

The tariffs will take effect on Feb. 1 and increase to 25% on June 1, Trump said. He threatened the tariffs just days after European forces from France, Germany, and other countries began arriving for exercises in Greenland.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, known for provocative outbursts, also welcomed Trump's rhetoric, framing it as evidence of deepening divisions within NATO.

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"The U.S. is preparing to attack Greenland, choosing the island itself rather than some kind of Atlantic solidarity," Medvedev said, adding that European countries would be "punished with tariffs" for relying on U.S. protection.

Medvedev has previously mocked Western unity and urged Trump to move quickly to annex Greenland, reflecting Moscow's interest in exploiting rifts among the U.S. and its allies.

Greenland, home to about 56,000 people, already hosts a U.S. military base and has grown in strategic importance as Arctic competition intensifies.

Several EU countries have publicly backed Denmark since Trump renewed his threats, signaling alarm in Europe over the potential consequences for NATO cohesion.

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Trump has insisted that NATO would become "more formidable and effective" if Greenland were under U.S. control, a claim European leaders have rejected.

Cyprus, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, announced that EU ambassadors will hold an emergency meeting on Jan. 18 to assess the situation and discuss a response.

Read also: No intimidation or threat will influence us  Europe hits back at Trump tariff warning

Ukraine military chief says more arms, sanctions key as 'Coalition of the Willing' holds security guarantees talks

The "Coalition of the Willing" held an online meeting at the level of armed forces commanders-in-chief to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Jan. 18.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has argued that any peace deal must be backed by binding security guarantees, cautioning that without them Russia could renew its aggression against Ukraine.

Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war and continues its "terror" against civilians in Ukraine, pointing to strikes on energy infrastructure during severe winter weather.

The attacks have disrupted heat and electricity supplies nationwide, prompting the Ukrainian president to declare a state of emergency in the country's energy sector.

"I emphasized the importance of further strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia so that the cost of the war becomes prohibitive," Syrskyi said, adding that allies must also deepen cooperation to boost defense-industrial capacity and military capabilities across Europe.

The talks also focused on sustaining military aid to Ukraine, which Syrskyi described as essential for maintaining combat effectiveness and inflicting "significant losses" on Russian forces.

Representatives from France, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the EU took part in the meeting, Syrskyi said, without disclosing the total number of participants.

Zelensky said on Jan. 12 that he had instructed Ukraine's negotiating team to finalize a security guarantees document with the United States and submit it for review "at the highest level."

The Coalition of the Willing is expected to deploy a peacekeeping force to Ukraine after a ceasefire.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

Read also: How Ukraine organizes resistance in Russian-occupied territory

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The YSR Congress Party has sought an immediate appointment with the Director General of Police over the brutal murder of Dalit YSRCP activist Manda Salman of Pinnelli village in Gurazala constituency of Palnadu district. In a letter to the State DGP, YSRCP State General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy alleged that Salman, who had been living away from his native village due to fear, was mercilessly beaten to death with iron rods after returning to see his ailing wife. He alleged that the incident reflected a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. Reddy further claimed that since the TDP-led coalition government assumed office, Dalits have been "left without protection", and YSRCP Dalit activists are living under constant threat. He said the party would urge the DGP to ensure a fast-tracked and impartial investigation into the case and to take strict action against those responsible in accordance with the law. Earlier, YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Friday over the death of a YSRCP worker, allegedly beaten to death by iron rods, accusing the CM of engaging in "violent politics. "In a detailed post on X, Reddy questioned the Chief Minister over the death of the party worker from Pinnelli village in the Gurazala constituency, calling the deceased -- namely Manda Salman -- "a victim of the consequences of Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) rule". "Are you even eligible to govern? How many lives will you sacrifice for political parties? Even while holding the Chief Minister's post, will you engage in such chaos under the guise of the Red Book Constitution and political governance? What answer do you have for the murder of our party worker from Pinnelli village in the Gurazala constituency, Manda Salman--a Dalit, a poor man--who fell victim to the consequences of your party's rule?" Reddy accused. Further in the post, Reddy alleged that a series of such "politically violent attacks" is being carried out by the Chief Minister and the ruling party, calling them ways to "suppress the YSRCP forever. "Is it a crime for Salman to go to his own village to see his ailing wife, only to be beaten with iron rods and murdered? On top of that, do they file a false complaint against Salman himself? Is this the heinous act you came to power for? This incident is part of the ongoing series of politically violent attacks being carried out and orchestrated by you, your party members, and some police officials to intimidate and suppress the YSRCP forever," he stated in the post. Reddy asserted that his party will stand for the deceased's family, adding that the CM will "have to pay the price" for such incidents. (ANI)
United States Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during the IAC National Summit 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Resort on January 16, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida. (photo credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

US Attorney General Pam Bondi opened a Friday address to the Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Summit by recalling the May 2025 killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi opened a Friday address to the Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Summit by recalling the May 2025 killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside Washingtons Capital Jewish Museum, calling the attack a clear example of antisemitism in the United States and pledging aggressive federal enforcement.

Sarah and Yaron were shot, murdered because they were Jewish, Bondi said, referring to Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. It was horrible, horrible. We will not tolerate that in our country any longer.

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Bondi told the audience that federal prosecutors are pursuing capital punishment in the case, saying, We are prosecuting the monster, and we will seek the death penalty. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, has been indicted on federal hate crime and murder charges tied to the May 21, 2025, shooting outside the museum, with counts that can carry the death penalty under federal law.

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime prosecutor who was sworn in as the 87th US attorney general on February 5, 2025, spoke at the IAC summit in Hollywood, Florida, an annual gathering that this year drew political figures and pro-Israel activists.

Action has consequences, and inaction has consequences too.

US Attorney-General Pam Bondi at a Justice Department press conference, Washington, December 4, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak)

Framing antisemitism as a national crisis that surged after October 7, Bondi argued that institutions across American society failed to respond with urgency.

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The sad truth is for way too long, antisemitism has been allowed to grow unchecked in this country, she said. Too many institutions have abdicated their moral responsibility to speak up. Too many so-called leaders have stayed quiet. Action has consequences, and inaction has consequences too.

Bondi highlighted Justice Department actions she said were aimed at reversing what she called an unacceptable trend, citing harassment of Jewish students, targeted boycotts, and rising security costs for synagogues. We will not allow acts of antisemitism to go unpunished in this country under the leadership of Donald Trump, she said.

Bondi recalls America's antisemitic incidents

Bondi pointed to a federal civil lawsuit brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, saying it has been used against violent protestors accused of intimidating Jewish Americans at synagogues. Her remarks align with DOJ actions reported in 2025, when the department used the FACE Act in connection with alleged interference at a synagogue event in New Jersey, described at the time as a first-of-its-kind use of the law to protect a house of worship.

She also cited major campus-related enforcement steps, including a $200 million settlement with Columbia University, settlements with Northwestern University and Cornell, and a broader investigation into the University of California system. Columbia publicly confirmed a $200 million settlement over three years as part of its resolution with the federal government.

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In the speech, Bondi credited Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Civil Rights Division leadership for the effort, and singled out Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Trump administration appointee who leads the DOJ Civil Rights Division.

Bondi also praised the Trump administrations hostage diplomacy after October 7, naming Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as unsung heroes, and said she had met freed hostages through her personal network.

God bless you. We will continue to fight for Israel, Bondi concluded. Shabbat Shalom.
If you're an American and you don't live under a rock, then you're likely aware of the Trump administration's raids on American cities by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (also known as ICE). The agency has been heavily scrutinized for its aggressive detainments and searches  going as far as being called " kidnappings "  with arrests often made by masked agents.

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

More recently, ICE is under fire for its operations in Minnesota, where, in the midst of raids, an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good while she was driving.

As the raids continue, I asked US military members and veterans to share their thoughts, and they didn't hold back . Here's how they're reacting to the Trump administration's ICE raids:

1. "Trump has literally attempted a coup. He should be in prison, and those of you who think that what he did was okay should never be allowed to vote again."

Pacific Press / Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Don, Florida, Army

Related: "Just Straight Up Fairy Tale Nonsense"  JD Vance Gave A Really Bizarre Reason As To Why Buying A House Is So Expensive, And Everyone Is Like, "Dude, What"

2. "He is a dictator in so many ways and totally ignorant of what being a true American is. We are a nation of immigrants, and I believe that diversity, equality, and inclusion are all American traits. Honestly, Trump is an enemy of democracy. We need to unite and do everything we can to defend our democracy from this evil and corrupt administration. Otherwise, everyone is at risk of losing our Constitutional rights as a free people."

Dave, 66, Minnesota, Air Force

3. "ICE is doing a great job  keep it up. Seventy-seven million people voted for Trump to do this."

Anonymous

4. "I was foolish enough to have voted for Trump the first time around, but once he showed his true colors and his contempt for the law and Constitution, I quickly parted ways with him, as I think a great number of Americans did. Unfortunately, during the last election, the choices we had were equally bad. There was no great candidate. I voted as a write-in, and it wasn't for either one of those inept selections we had. Trump loves to compare himself to Washington and Lincoln, but he isn't even close. He obviously does not remember what Lincoln said at the Republican convention: 'A house divided cannot stand.' Trump has not only divided the Republican party, but he has also divided this country and alienated the world. I don't feel that this nation can stand three more years of this, and I'm deeply saddened because of it."

Gary, 75, Tennessee, Air Force

5. "It is deeply troubling and a serious affront to our democracy  as well as a violation of our Constitutional values and laws  to employ government agents whose identities are concealed by masks and balaclavas, who engage in the infringement and abuse, assault, and kidnapping of citizens under the guise of enforcing immigration laws as mandated by the current administration. This administration, led by an individual deemed incompetent by many, undermines the principles we cherish. After 35 years of dedicated service to this country, it is disheartening to witness the erosion of our democracy, especially considering the sacrifices made to protect it. State governors should have their law enforcement arrest these rogue government agents for violating citizens' rights."

Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

grouchypuppy292

6. "While there might be some good people that come across, they are still doing it illegally. It's unsustainable, and I completely agree on removing them. Or, they could self-deport, which would be easier for them, and then try coming back the right way. Unfortunately, there are a lot of freeloaders who want to be here."

Anonymous, Marines

7. "I am an Air Force veteran, and I have one thing to say to the masked goons: You're going to regret this someday. The atrocities that you committed will follow you and haunt you for the rest of your lives."

stylishlatte707

Related: Greenlanders Created Their Own Version Of A MAGA Hat, And The Internet Is Absolutely Loving It

8. "All of ICE are weak, little, cowardly people who probably couldn't make it in the military or legal police force. Why will they not show their faces or give their names to the people they are detaining or the people recording their illegal activities?"

lazysealion666

9. "We have a president who has broken our laws daily. The man ignores the Constitution, makes up lies to push his personal agenda, harms American citizens, and feeds propaganda, all while dividing us. We are all angry, scared, and on edge, all because a corrupt little man felt he needed attention and never understood the job he accepted. So, please, allow me to educate you, Mr. President: The pyramid is with you at the bottom, supporting and representing us, the citizens of this country. You have it backwards. We don't work for you; you work for us. We veterans served our country to protect the citizens and uphold the Constitution. How about you do the same?"

Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Karl, 58, Georgia, Army

10. "If you are in America illegally, you should be sent back to where you came from. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to shield themselves behind the Constitution. The US needs to focus on citizens who are suffering on a daily basis, and illegal immigrants are taking away benefits and resources meant for citizens and immigrants here legally. Illegal immigrants abuse the 'birthright' policy, and as such, children of illegal immigrants should not have 'birthright,' which also provides a shield to deportation. That said, ICE's tactics need to be reigned in."

"No one deserves to be outright abused, and children should not be separated from their parents. Everyone should be treated with common decency, dignity, and respect. Being in the US illegally does not automatically qualify someone for the same treatment as someone who commits murder."

Anonymous, Navy

11. "I am appalled at these masked goons and cowards. They will not be tolerated, and I give my total support for their arrests and convictions as traitors."

Fred, 73, Army

12. "It's unconscionable for anyone who swore to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign or domestic. I'm not suggesting ICE doesn't have a role to play, but if the real interest were getting dangerous criminals off the streets, then perhaps ICE would make arrangements with major communities' law enforcement agencies to engage in some investigative work to verify legal residency after a person's been arrested. Investigative experts could determine who a person is and begin the process to deport them before they even get arraigned. This would allow undocumented people who actually work and work to find a legal way to remain in the US to continue contributing to society without fear. But I guess it's more important to look effective than be effective."

Dave, 50, San Diego

Related: 38 Times Trump And His Cronies Confidently Contradicted Themselves Like We Didn't Hear Them The First Time

13. "Donny needs to be relieved of power and put in prison. His gang of reject losers parading around as SS soldiers also needs to be shut down immediately. It's sickening what that felon draft dodgers have done to our country. This country was founded by immigrants, and for immigrants looking to escape exactly what is now going on right here at home. Anyone who can't handle that should get the hell out. I'll take our hardworking immigrants over racist, unemployed dipshits any day of the week."

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

Matt, 47, Marines

14. "I'm active duty and currently deployed. I am so freaked out that I am not home with my family to protect them because they are Hispanic. What is happening to the Latine community, the larger immigrant community, and the minority communities all across America as a whole is disgusting. These are hardworking people (not criminals) getting essentially kidnapped simply because they have a certain skin tone. This is not what I am defending my country for."

"I am disgusted at the corrupt administration, and especially at the president, who doesn't have a single ounce of humanity left. The way things are being handled in South America makes me feel so ashamed to be in the military due to the wanton killings of unidentified civilian boatmen. Even if they were drug runners, they didn't deserve that. There are proper ways to catch, detain, and search them if they are suspected of running drugs."

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Anonymous

15. "I'm a Navy veteran, and everything ICE is doing right now is against everything I learned in boot camp. The Constitution is extremely emphasized in that we're there to defend it. Stripping people's due process because of their skin color is pure evil, and a big leap toward fascism."

Alice, Navy

16. "I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Anyone who thinks this president and his administration are great and are doing a good job running the country needs to look at history  specifically Nazi Germany  and research how the Nazis came to power. You will find that Trump's and Stephen Miller's Project 2025 are using the same playbook to destroy our democracy and turn our country into an authoritarian state."

Anonymous, Air Force

17. "I served in active duty and the reserves, and I'm also a retired police department employee who served in a non-sworn capacity. It sickens me when I see these masked ICE 'agents' abducting people off the streets. I cannot emphasize this enough, but real law enforcement officers do not wear masks while doing their jobs. Therefore, I look upon ICE as a bunch of cosplaying wannabes."

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

Chuck, 69, North Carolina, Army

18. "Good to see our government finally doing what we pay them for: enforcing the law."

Sam, Air Force

19. "I served our country for 21 years, and everything that is happening now with ICE makes me question my choices. I love my country and agree that if you're here illegally and committing violent or serious crimes, then yes, you should be deported. But if you're working, paying taxes, and trying to create a better life for you and your family? That is (or was) the American dream for immigrants, and that's why I served. One of my best friends, whom I served with for 20 years, was an immigrant. It's sad to see many of the people I served with subscribe to the propaganda. Our country is better than what's happening right now, and if you ever served, you should be questioning everything that is happening in this moment in time."

surprisedturkey188

Related: "My Face Aint Hidden, B*tch": People Are Absolutely In Awe Of This Woman Yelling At ICE Agents

20. "Fuck these raids. They're bullshit. You swear an oath to the Constitution, not to an individual. You don't get to pick and choose which people or Constitutional amendments you take a bullet for. It's everyone and all of them. Couple these screwed-up raids with the much crueler (in my opinion) family separation bullshit, where we put kids in cages. I'll go to my grave believing in and loving my country, and I'd take a bullet for it today (most of us probably still would). But I'll also be critical of it because I want it to be better. So, if you're an elected official at any level, and you support the psychological warfare, you can go fuck yourself."

Anonymous, Army

21. "I am a veteran from a family that has been fighting for this country since the Revolutionary War, after coming here from Europe. What the ICE thugs are doing isn't law enforcement; it is terrorizing whole communities because we refuse to create a sensible immigration policy. Most of the foolish comments about getting social services or taking jobs from Americans are nonsense. First, they do not receive social service benefits, except if states allow it. Second, the jobs they are doing  from working stoop labor in farm fields to cleaning motel and hotel rooms  are not jobs Americans want or will do. The problem is the demonizing of people because of xenophobia and racism. Everything else is simple ignorance and falling for political nonsense."

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

Anonymous

22. "Great! What is it about the word 'illegal' that you don't understand? Do it the right way and stand in line like everybody else! Get the illegals OUT OF THIS COUNTRY!"

Anonymous

23. Lastly: "It's an embarrassment, illegal, and just plain un-American. We have a Constitution that guarantees our liberties, and this pathetic wannabe dictator is trampling all over them. What's absolutely ludicrous is how he and his minions blatantly pervert and ignore the Constitution while claiming to be conservatives. I'm a conservative, and they are definitely not. Arresting people based on skin color or language is an absolute perversion of what our great country used to stand for."

"Plus, those thugs parading around like they're some spec-ops team without displaying credentials are deplorable, and by hiding their faces, they show that they know they're in the wrong. I was also a cop, and I never hid my face, badge, or name. They are violating their oaths they swore and should be ashamed of themselves, and they should all be arrested and imprisoned for it. This administration sickens me."

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Ricky, 53, Pennsylvania, Army

If you're an active US military member, in the reserves, or a veteran, how do you feel about the Trump administration's ICE raids? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below.

Note: Some admissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Pezeshkian's comments come after Trump's Politico interview, where the US president stated that "It's time to look for new leadership in Iran."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to reports that the US may be considering conducting a strike on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying this would be viewed as a declaration of war on the Iranian people in a post on X/Twitter on Sunday.

"Any aggression against the supreme leader of our country is tantamount to all-out war against the Iranian nation," he wrote.

"If the people of Iran face hardship and difficulties in their lives, one of the main reasons for it is the longstanding enmity and inhumane sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies," he accused.

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Pezeshkian's statements come after anti-Khamenei rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, particularly during a Saturday interview with Politico.

"Its time to look for new leadership in Iran," Trump commented.

L to R: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US President Donald Trump against backdrop of respective flags and missile strikes. (credit: ILLUSTRATION, REUTERS/Majid Asgaripour/WANA 2, Shutterstock/noamgalai, Getty Images/Iranian Leader's Press Office - Handout)

I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS, Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.

Khamenei also called Trump a criminal during a Saturday speech, saying that the US president is "guilty for the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation."

"Western media figures interfered in past seditions, but this time the US president himself encouraged the sedionists," Khamenei said.

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He went on to say that both the US and the "Zionist regime" are guilty.

Khamenei emphasized that he did not want to lead the country to war but that he would not spare criminals, whether domestic or foreign.

Iran's FM reassured Witkoff on 'canceled' executions, prompting Trump to call off strikes - Washington Post

The perceived threats against Iran's leader also follow Trump calling off strikes on Iran after deciding that the potential benefit wasn't worth the consequences, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

On Wednesday, a US strike on Iran seemed imminent. Widespread reports stated allies had been alerted and that ships and planes were on the move.

However, within the White House, Trump was receiving conflicting advice.

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A US official and a person close to the White House said that Vice President JD Vance supported strikes on Iran, the Washington Post claimed, with his reasoning being that Trump had drawn a red line in his warning Iran not to kill protesters, and now had an obligation to enforce it.

Israelis widely support IAF joining US Air Force in strikes on Iran - poll

Meanwhile, a clear majority (70%) of Israelis support Israel joining a hypothetical US attack on Iran, a poll released by Maariv revealed on Friday.

Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they would support Israel joining the attack only if Tehran attacked or was prepared to attack Israel, while 44 percent said they would support Israels participation regardless of Irans actions.

Nineteen percent of respondents believed that an attack should be left for the US alone.

Corinne Baum, Tzvi Jasper, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
The U.S. military conducted a strike in northwest Syria on Friday that killed an Al-Qaeda leader with ties to an alleged ISIS gunman who killed three Americans in an ambush last month, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM on Saturday identified the deceased leader as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an experienced terrorist leader with direct ties to the ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter in Palmyra, Syria, last month.

The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces, said CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper. There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.

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Fridays strikes came less than a week after the U.S. carried out large-scale strikes against ISIS militants in Syria and marked the third time since Dec. 19 that American forces struck ISIS targets inside the Middle East country.

The operation, Hawkeye Strike, was launched in response to the attack in Palmyra by a lone ISIS shooter who reportedly infiltrated local security forces. The ambush killed two Iowa National Guard members, 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor, an American interpreter from Michigan. Several others were wounded.

U.S. forces and allied partners in the region have hit over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons targets during Hawkeye Strike, according to CENTCOM.

Additionally, U.S. and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 across Syria during the past year, removing terrorists who posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security, CENTCOM said.

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The Syrian government, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has shown support for U.S. retaliatory strikes in Syria and cooperated with counter-terrorism efforts, demonstrating a shift from the previous regime.

In November, President Trump praised al-Sharaa as a very strong leader and tough guy.

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

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Here we go again with Greenland. Normal daily business has once again been interrupted by a mid-afternoon Truth Social bomb, this time the president of the United States announcing tariffs on eight European nations opposing US control of the Arctic territory.

This will be a 10 per cent import tax on goods from us, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, effective on February 1, rising to 25 per cent in June unless a deal is struck for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.

Denmark has wasted no time dismissing the threat as absurd, but has also requested allied support and over the last few days, armed forces personnel from various countries have flown there.

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What is this all about  is it about the security of the United States as Potus keeps saying, or is there something else?

Lets take a look at the history. At the height of the Cold War, the US maintained significant military assets in Greenland to counter the Soviet threat. Depending on what you classify as a base, there were dozens of them running from top to bottom. Thule Air Base, established in 1951, housed radar installations, bomber fleets and even nuclear weapons under Project Iceworm  a secret plan for underground missile sites. These included early warning systems to detect incoming attacks.

1959: US engineers tunnelled into a glacier to create Camp Century, a secret Cold War military base in Greenland - Pictorial Parade/Getty Images

The rationale was rooted in geography and technology. Ballistic missile defence relies on radars to track Soviet ICBMs and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) via great circle routes  the shortest aerial route. Mercator projections distort this reality, exaggerating high-latitude distances and sizes (making Greenland appear continent-sized). Nevertheless, Greenland sits directly under the shortest route between superpowers, and the US deemed extensive presence there to be critical.

Greenland was also important for another military reason: its one side of the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap, the primary practical access route for Russias Northern Fleet into the Atlantic and the supply lines of Nato. The cat and mouse game of submarine and anti-submarine warfare was played very hard in the Gap back then, and it is still played today  Ive spent time operating against Russian subs in the Gap.

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Nowadays the US retains Pituffik Space Base (the new name for Thule), upgraded for satellite tracking and missile warning. Under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, which oversees Greenlands foreign affairs, the US operates with local consent, including environmental oversight. Greenlands home rule allows for input, but ultimate authority rests in Copenhagen.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northern Greenland - Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Russias capabilities have diminished since the Cold War. With far fewer ICBMs and a hugely-reduced submarine fleet (about 60 but the number of those that pose an actual threat is way less), and with economic strain caused by the Ukraine invasion, then its clear that the threat, although real, is far less than it was. And even if it wasnt, every permission and agreement is already in place to reopen bases there, just as the Americans did with Keflavik, Iceland in 2016 when they remembered the importance of being able to operate from there.

So if its not defence against Russia, what is it  China maybe? China has no military foothold or coastline in the Arctic but the Chinese are developing an icebreaker flotilla and they have the other kind of vessel that can operate effectively in the High North: nuclear submarines. As Denmarks Defence Intelligence paper of last year notes: Chinas long-term goal is to deploy missile submarines beneath the ice  [and] has long-term economic interests in the Arctic, seeking access to both sea routes and natural resources.

The retreat of the ice, whilst happening considerably slower than had been expected, is easing access to natural resources (mainly in Siberia so far) and very gradually opening the North Western Sea route along the Russian coast. Operations up there still require icebreakers for most of the year, however, and have to stop altogether in the deep winter.

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So the Arctic is important: but it was just as important in the Cold War and the threat was much greater then. America felt no need to annex Greenland then and it has no military need to do so now. Yet here we are again, with allies, all of whom lost service members in recent US-led campaigns, being threatened with tariffs and with the implied threat of violence lurking just behind.

Commander Tom Sharpe OBE is a former Royal Navy frigate captain with live operational experience in contact with Russian nuclear submarines in the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap

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Virginia on Friday became the latest state to escalate the nationwide redistricting battle ahead of Novembers midterm elections that will determine which party controls the US House during the final two years of President Donald Trumps time in office.

Democrats who control the state Senate moved forward on a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting, setting up a referendum as soon as April  similar to Californias 2025 ballot initiative  on whether to enact a new US House map in time for the midterms.

Fridays 21-18 vote in the state Senate creates another high-profile and expensive contest over redistricting, the latest salvo in a mid-decade redistricting fight began last year in Texas at Trumps behest in an effort to gain more seats that are favorable to Republicans.

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So far, that fight has yielded nine more GOP-friendly seats and six that favor Democrats. While Virginia Democrats have not yet released the map they want to enact, party leaders have talked about flipping as many as four Republican-held US House seats, a potentially critical margin.

This isnt about payback, its about restoring and preserving balance to our system, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, the chambers top Democrat, said during Fridays debate. Redistricting in Republican states, Surovell argued, has hurt Virginias ability to have its fair representation in Congress.

Republican lawmakers argued Democrats were undermining fair map-making.

Democratic legislators are telling voters we want to redraw the lines so that you will vote just exactly the way we want you to, said GOP Sen. Christopher Head. Thats not democracy.

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Fridays action kicks off a high-profile campaign to sway voters.

A Democratic-aligned organization, Virginians for Fair Elections, this week launched its public push to mobilize. Meanwhile, Virginians for Fair Maps, a GOP group whose leaders include former US House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, is vowing to fight the redistricting effort and is still trying to block action by Virginia Democrats in court.

Neither group has publicly released fundraising goals, but the coming confrontation mirrors last years redistricting fight in California that saw Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom raise more than $100 million for a redistricting ballot measure. In the end, Californians overwhelmingly backed a map promoted by Newsom that made five US House seats friendlier to Democrats.

Virginia, like California, must take the redistricting issue to voters because their state constitutions give independent commissions, rather than lawmakers, the power to draw congressional maps.

Democrats havent said how many seats theyll target

Virginia represents the largest remaining redistricting prize for Democrats, but political figures in the state are still wrangling over how aggressively to target Republicans in their map-drawing.

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Democrats currently control six of the states 11 US House seats and entered 2026 emboldened by big victories in last years elections that saw the party flip the governors office and grow its majority in the House of Delegates.

Some lawmakers favor a maximalist approach. Virginia Senate Pro Tem Louise Lucas has spent months taunting Republicans with social media posts promising to draw the GOP out of all but one seat.

I said in August of 2025 that the maps will be 10-1 and Im sticking with that today, the Democrat wrote recently on X. Anyone in the Congressional delegation who wants a seat needs to campaign for it and not expect a safe seat.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott also has said hes open to a 10-1 map.

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But some prefer a map that would cluster Republican voters into two districts, giving Democrats more secure margins of victory in nine.

So far, efforts by Virginia Republicans to block Democrats actions in court have been unsuccessful. Another court hearing is set for next week.

Michael Young, a veteran GOP strategist working with the Virginians for Fair Maps, said Republicans planned to fight Democrats in any available venue if they continue to pursue this lawless power grab.

In their early messaging on the Virginia referendum, Democratic groups are taking a cue from the successful California campaign and framing the effort as a short-term measure, that will restore the power over map-drawing to an independent redistricting commission in 2030.

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We wish we didnt have to take this step, Keren Charles Dongo, a longtime aide to Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine who is leading the campaign, said in a statement. But with Donald Trump pressuring MAGA-controlled legislatures to rig their maps, this temporary, emergency exception will keep Virginias elections fair until every state plays by the same rules  and make sure the people, not politicians, decide how Virginias voice is heard in Congress.

In interviews, Democrats pointed to potential action in Florida  where Republicans could target as many as five Democratic seats  as added incentive for Virginia voters to draw new lines. Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis recently called a special session on redistricting.

Virginia voters are being given the opportunity to unstack the deck, said Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, which has backed progressive ballot measures around the country and is supporting the new Virginia campaign.

She declined to say how much money her organization is committing to the Virginia redistricting push.

What will Abigail Spanberger do?

Virginias Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger, who will be sworn into office Saturday, has had a more muted response to the redistricting effort. At a recent public appearance, she noted that she carried two of the Republican-held districts in her landslide victory last November and expected to flip those seats in this years midterms, even without new lines.

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There are key differences between deep-blue California and Virginia, where Democrats are flexing newfound political powers. Notably, Newsom  who is term-limited and a potential 2028 presidential contender  emerged as the public face of the redistricting campaign, investing his own political capital in his partys efforts to flip the US House.

A Spanberger spokesperson did not respond to a CNN inquiry.

I doubt that (Spanberger) wants to make her first opening months in office being at the center of this partisan fight over redistricting, said Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, a newsletter published by University of Virginias Center for Politics.

But Hall, whose group has backed dozens of successful ballot efforts since 2016, said having a well-known political figure headline the campaign, as Newsom did, is an exception to the rule.

Its certainly not necessary for the success of a ballot measure effort, she said.

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Don Lemon captured anti-ICE protesters storming a church and confronting a pastor who they believed works as an immigration agent during a chaotic scene that sabotaged the churchs service on Sunday.

Lemon recorded the protesters during a livestream on his YouTube program. The protesters ran into Cities Church in Minneapolis and started screaming and chanting slogans like Hands Up, Dont Shoot! and ICE OUT repeatedly.

Theyve stopped the service [and] a lot of people, a number of people have left, Lemon reported.

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He added a moment later, A surprise effort here, obviously, and the folks here are not happy about it.

The ex-CNN star said the protesters interrupted the service because they had found out the pastor worked for ICE  leading them to launch their clandestine mission, as he put it. There are no reports from local or major outlets on the pastor being an ICE agent.

A number of church attendees were irate with the intrusion and yelled at the protesters to beat it. Lemon defended the protesters  saying they were simply exercising their Constitutional rights to protest.

This is what the First Amendment is about, the freedom to protest, Lemon told viewers. Im sure people here dont like it, but protests are not comfortable.

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He noted a moment later than a young man was not comfortable with the loud interruption and was frightened scared [and] crying in the corner.

At one point one of the church goers asked Lemon if he was part of the protest. He told the attendee he was just here photographing, Im a journalist.

The anti-ICE protest is the latest in Minnesota following the shooting death of Renee Good earlier this month. Many of those protests have turned into violent clashes between protesters and ICE agents, with CNN reporting last week that some protesters were physically interfering with an ICE operation.

After the protesters completely wrecked the service and forced the faithful to go home after about 20 minutes, Lemon interviewed some of the attendees as they exited. One older gentleman said he agreed the protesters should be free to exercise their First Amendment right  but that does not mean theyre allowed to spoil a private church service.

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I agree with everyones freedom to protest. These people have come into our house and interrupted our worship. This is a house of peace and we try to proclaim that, and this stirs division and ranker. And in the end its not helpful, he said.

The man continued, Ultimately I believe theyve lost. Theyve emptied a house of worship, everybodys gone home, their point has been proven worthless. So in the end, I think they lose.

Watch above; the relevant portion begins roughly 40 minutes into the video.

The post WATCH: Don Lemon Captures Anti-ICE Protesters Confronting Minneapolis Pastor in Chaotic Scene first appeared on Mediaite.


(Paighten Harkins | The Salt Lake Tribune)

Former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who famously changed parties from Democratic to Independent, capped off a really bad day Friday at a policy forum in Utah when two men heckled her for allegedly having affairs with them.

Sinema was taking part in a panel discussion on policy at the Grand America Hotel where she was the keynote speaker with Gov. Spencer Cox (R).

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Reporter Paighten Harkins with The Salt Lake Tribune posted video of the event to YouTube showing a man standing and yelling, Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make: I am actually having an affair with Kyrsten Sinema.

It was kind of strange because she was just making a joke about being called a cougar, Harkins said of Sinema, who attended Brigham Young University, home of the cougars. Cougar is also a term used for an older woman who dates younger men.

Harkins said audience members werent sure if the outburst was part of a skit or planned bit, as the man  still yelling  was escorted out of the room by Utah Highway Patrol troopers on Coxs security team.

After the first interruption, Sinema and Cox had started talking about policy and todays strange political and economic moment. Sinema, a former Democrat turned independent, said the word shed use to describe these times was disruption  meaning the usual rules dont apply anymore, and that can be a good or bad thing, Harkins wrote.

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I promise I didnt plan that, Sinema joked about the first heckling incident..

Harkins continued on camera that, Maybe three minutes lateranother guy stood up and said he was also having an affair with Kyrsten Sinema, and he got pretty swiftly taken out of the room.

Salt Lake City police responded to the hotel to remove the men from the property. Neither was arrested or cited.

Also Friday, salacious details emerged from a civil lawsuit against Sinema, alleging that she seduced her married bodyguard away from his family with private trips sex, and drugs.

Court documents showed Heather Ammel was seeking $25,000 in damages under an alien of affection law thats still on the books in North Carolina, where she lived with husband Mark Ammel, who joined Sinemas security detail in 2022.

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Heather Ammel accused Sinema of willfully and wantonly interfering in their 14-year marriage, leading to divorce.

Read the court document here.

The post WATCH: Kyrsten Sinema Confronted by Hecklers Claiming Theyre Having an Affair  Right After She Made a Cougar Joke first appeared on Mediaite.
President Donald Trumps plan to acquire Greenland, despite its potential strategic and natural resource benefits, could cost the U.S. nearly $1 trillion over the next 20 years, with minimal economic return, according to industry and geopolitical analysts.

Even though the acquisition of Greenland would represent the largest geographic addition in U.S. history, surpassing the Louisiana Purchase, experts argue that the economic justification for this move is flawed.

They point out that the U.S. already has significant access to Greenlandic territory for both security and economic interests.

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Despite Greenlands large reserves of critical minerals and crude oil, these resources are cheaper to extract elsewhere, including within the U.S., Otto Svendsen, an Arctic specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Fortune.

The White Houses own estimations place the cost of purchasing Greenland close to $700 billion, with additional hundreds of billions required for infrastructure development.

Trump, however, remains undeterred. He views the acquisition of Greenland as a national security imperative, despite the potential violation of international laws and the risk to the NATO alliance. The president has expressed his determination to annex Greenland, either through purchase or military action.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is focusing on a negotiated purchase, an approach that both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected. The Trump administration is already planning a significant upgrade of its only military base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base.

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Why It Matters: The proposed acquisition of Greenland by the U.S. has raised eyebrows due to its enormous cost and questionable economic return. The U.S. already enjoys significant access to Greenlandic territory for security and economic interests, making the economic rationale for this move questionable.

Furthermore, the acquisition could potentially violate international laws and pose a risk to the NATO alliance. Despite these concerns, President Trump remains committed to the acquisition, viewing it as a national security imperative.

This move, however, has been met with resistance from both Denmark and Greenland, who have repeatedly rejected the idea of a negotiated purchase.

Image: Shutterstock/Ivan Marc

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This article Why Buying Greenland Would Be a Bad Deal: A $1 Trillion Price Tag and Decades of Waiting originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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Donald Trump wants the United States to take over Greenland for its strategically vital resources, to bolster US security and give China a bloody nose.

He first reheated his threat to annex the territory following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, hinting that Greenland could be next.

The US president then turned his attention to Denmark and its allies, imposing a 10 per cent levy on exports from countries  including Britain  that had sent troops to the Arctic island.

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Who owns Greenland?

Mr Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new.

He tried to bounce Denmark into selling Greenland, which is geographically in North America, during his first presidency  but was rebuffed.

Mr Trump cancelled a 2019 state visit and branded Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, nasty after she said the idea was absurd.

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Ms Frederiksen scolded the US president again for suggesting again that the territory could become part of the US and said Europe would not be blackmailed.

I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale, she said.

I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed, she said in a statement on Sunday.

At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.

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Mr Trumps comments followed a social media post by Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, the presidents chief of staff, who posted a map of Greenland covered with an American flag to X. She captioned the post: SOON.

On Jan 3, US special forces carried out a military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuela dictator, and his wife Cilia Flores, who will face charges of drug trafficking and terrorism in a New York court on Monday.

In December, Mr Trump appointed Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor, as his special envoy to the territory. Announcing his new position on X, Mr Landry wrote: Is an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.

Mr Trump said he was hearing that the people of Greenland are Maga after his son Donald Trump Jr visited the island last January.

Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X

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He added: Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!.

Worlds largest island

Greenland is a very large, strategically important landmass.

You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer, Mr Trump said in an interview for The Divider, a book by The New York Times Peter Baker and The New Yorkers Susan Glasser.

I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States, he added.

However, Greenland is actually much smaller than it appears on maps because of the Mercator projection, which makes it look similar in size to Africa.

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The projection is used to create flat maps but makes landmasses larger the further away from the Equator they are.

b'

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To impress his billionaire allies

While Mr Trump has not ruled out taking Greenland by force, his main goal appears to be to purchase the island, reportedly insisting that the idea of making Americas largest land buy since the Alaska Purchase in 1867 is all his own.

But according to The Divider, Mr Trump got the idea from Ronald Lauder, a billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune.

Mr Lauder, 80, a longtime friend of Mr Trump and a New York-born political activist, reportedly offered himself as a back channel negotiator with the Danish government.

Donald Trump Jr visited Nuuk, Greenland - Emil Stach

Some Left-leaning commentators have branded Mr Trumps coveting of Greenland as a neo-colonist urge to emulate nationalist autocrats like Vladimir Putin.

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The United States has history when it comes to buying land. Its last land purchase was 1917s acquisition of the US Virgin Islands  from Denmark.

Before then it bought Alaska from the Russian Empire (which was widely seen as an expensive mistake until gold and oil were discovered there), Louisiana from France, as well as territory from Mexico and the Philippines, now independent, from Spain.

Space base and missile defence

The US offered Denmark $100 million (79 million) for Greenland after the Second World War.

Washington instead secured a defence treaty centred on a US military base on Greenland.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War.

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It is the US militarys most northerly outpost and is a vital location for missile defence and space surveillance, housing Americas solid state phased array radar system, known colloquially as the ballistic missile early warning system radar network.

Buying Greenland would ensure continued access to the base, although there is no suggestion that it is at risk.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northern Greenland, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War - Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Mr Trump, nevertheless, is adamant he wants Greenland for national security reasons.

For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, the president said on social media.

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He repeated this in December. Following Mr Landrys appointment, he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago: We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.

If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place We have to have it.

On Jan 4, Mr Trump again described the Danish territory as being surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.

However, Pal Jonson, the Swedish defence minister, told The Telegraph Mr Trump was exaggerating the threat posed by Russian and Chinese ships to Greenland.

If you state that Greenland is flooded with Russian and Chinese vessels, thats an exaggeration according to the assessments that we do for the region, he said.

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Aside from the base, Greenland is on strategic sea lanes like the Northwest Passage and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap, and is beneath Arctic flight paths. It is on the shortest route from North America to Europe.

Russia and Chinas Arctic alliance

Moscow and Beijing have been working hand in glove to bolster their influence in the Arctic, which is a key region for transportation and resources.

Climate change could mean new waterways and new territories for settlement being opened, raising the likelihood of a race for the Arctic amid competing superpowers.

Chinese leaders see the region as a new crossroads of the world, a new source of raw materials and new avenues for manifesting its growing power, the US defence department has said.

In 2019, Republican politicians warned China was trying to build airports on Greenland and even buy an old American naval base there.

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the United States - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

Beijings activities are being facilitated by Russia, which continues to invest heavily in both military and economic terms in the Arctic despite its illegal war in Ukraine.

US officials have also been concerned by joint Russian-Chinese military drills in the area, which seem aimed at Washington and its Nato allies.

Buying, or taking, Greenland would be a show of strength from the US at a time when its rivals are encroaching into the region.

Treasure trove of rare minerals

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals.

These minerals are vital for high-end military, green energy and industrial technologies but their production and supply is dominated by China.

Beijing last month imposed export controls on the minerals in response to US controls on advanced semiconductors.

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals. - Arctic-Images/Digital Vision

Some 37 of the 50 minerals seen as critical by the US could be found in moderate or high quantities in Greenland, based on a 2023 survey.

Lessening US dependence on Chinese supplies would be a geopolitical boost but some experts point out that buying Greenland would mean subsidising an area with the lowest per capita disposable income of any Arctic region except Russia.

Greenlands ice-sheet boasts 7 per cent of the worlds fresh water and its undeveloped oil and gas resources are thought to be the third largest in the Arctic.

Can Trump even buy Greenland?

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the US.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence.

By becoming part of the US, Greenland would gain independence from one country while coming under the control of another.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

It would also be an expensive acquisition.

In 2019, the Washington Post estimated that Greenland could cost up to $1.7 trillion  on the assumption that the island was up for sale.

What is the response from Denmark and Greenland?

Mute Egede, Greenlands prime minister, has rebuffed all advances to date. We are not for sale and we will not be for sale, he said in response to Mr Trumps comments, adding: We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.

Denmark, meanwhile, has repeatedly insisted that the island was not for sale.

Lars Lkke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, held frank discussions with the US over Mr Trumps desire to purchase the island.

He said it was clear that Mr Trump had the wish of conquering Greenland but add that he believed the meeting changed the American position.

We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of Greenland, he said.

What is Europes response?

Europe has been strong in its support of Denmark after the threats of annexation by the US president.

The UK, along with seven Nato allies, warned the US risked a dangerous downward spiral after Mr Trump imposed tariffs over Greenland.

Mr Trump made the decision in response to Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden sending troops to the Arctic island.

A statement by the eight allies read: As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron urged European Union leaders to unleash a trade bazooka on the US in response to the tariffs.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday headed for Davos in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, 2026, scheduled from January 19 to 23. The Chief Minister will attend the annual meeting in Davos and take part in the five-day conference, representing Assam before global industrialists, economists, chief executive officers of multinational companies, and leaders of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organisation. With his participation, Chief Minister Sarma will become the first Assamese to take part in the WEF. He will also use the WEF to explain governance reforms, industrial growth plans, and technology-driven development shaping Assam's growth. It may be noted that the Central government has given Assam the opportunity to represent the country at the WEF alongside other leading states of the nation. In the past, India's developed states usually represented the country at this business summit. This year, the Central government has extended the opportunity to Assam for the first time. The conference, attended by prominent world leaders from several countries, offers them the platform to present their views effectively and attract renowned global investors. Following the successful conclusion of Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, expectations run high that the Chief Minister's participation in the WEF will significantly influence investment and economic prospects in Assam. During the conference, CM Sarma will present various development initiatives focused on inclusive growth and the digital revolution. India's rapid economic growth has drawn global attention, and Assam, being one of the fast-paced and promising states has earned national and international attention. With notable advances in key sectors, Chief Minister Sarma will seek to highlight Assam's progress on the global stage. CM Sarma will take part in more than 17 meetings at the WEF and sign several memorandam of understanding. He will engage in several forward-looking discussions on themes like securing a future-ready workforce for the next industrial era, travel and tourism- a potential 10 trillion dollar destination, health and healthcare, etc. He will also present Assam's industrial progress, investment opportunities, and key success stories as part of India's broader economic transformation. Founded in 1971, the WEF operates as a non-profit organisation. Recognised as one of the most influential business conferences worldwide, it aims to strengthen global economic growth through geopolitics, education and technology, financial policy, and investment. Along with India, nearly fifty countries will take part in the conference. Assam's participation is expected to open new paths for investment, launch new projects like semiconductor initiatives, and create employment opportunities for the younger generation, thereby benefiting the state across multiple fronts. (ANI)
Journalism is the first rough draft of history.

Philip Graham, former publisher of the Washington Post and Newsweek, said this in 1963 before a group of correspondents. Those words lend depth and dimension to what we do as journalists  lay down the ore for historians to produce narratives for future generations.

Whether we opine about Congress or a local food banks fight against food insecurity, history is made daily. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our countrys independence, a number of events will converge, promising a year of significant historical import. Before the midterm elections, Tennessee will host a gubernatorial election. Members of the Metro Council will continue to embark on an ambitious rezoning initiative that could remake our city. Elon Musks Music City Loop, which has garnered national headlines, could open later in the year.

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This is a period of profound civic consequence. To capture it, the Tennessean will expand its Sunday Insight section back to eight pages on Jan. 18. The move is about giving back space  for diverse voices, topical debates, and lived perspectives from our region and country.

Tennessean Opinion Engagement Editor David Plazashosts the Tennessean Affordable Housing Forum at the Nashville Public Library with panelists that included Laura Berlind, founding executive director of The Sycamore Institute, a nonpartisan public policy research center.Adriane Bond Harris, senior advisor for affordable housing for the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Empowerment.Jeremy Heidt, director of industry and government affairs at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency took questions from the audience at the Tennessean Affordable Housing Forum at the Nashville Public LibraryWednesday April 26, 2017, in Nashville, TN

The purpose of our expansion  more themes and voices

With this move, we will continue to privilege community over ideology.

Were providing thematic space. An opinion section focusing solely on one topic, like politics, wont resonate. Thats why sports, pop culture, faith, and values still matter. Wed love to make room for pensive reflection and humorous accounts when they make sense.

Theres the world around us that requires the lenses of folks who have, for one reason or another, been othered. The perspectives from high schoolers and everyday Tennesseans are in short supply.

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Opinion sections can hold multitudes.

The Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas (center) moderates a youth panel on mental health at the Oasis Center in Nashville on April 23, 2025.

Historically relevant journalism is in our DNA

But above all, theres history and the desire for real journalism that interprets events with integrity.

Thats what the Tennessean has striven to do since it was first published on May 12, 1907, back when it ran an illustration that declared the newspaper "what they've been looking for."

As David Halberstam chronicled in his seminal portrait of the Nashville lunch counter protestors in The Children, he credits The Tennessean for being integral to the story of integration in the South:

At a time when most Southern newspapers were surprisingly passive and soft in their news coverage, often content to use wire service stories to report on events which had taken place locally, the Tennessean not only supported locally the right of black children to go to white schools, but it covered the ongoing story with fearlessness that made it nothing less than a beacon to young journalists in the South.

Pulitzer Prize winning author David Halberstam, left, shares a moment with Dr. Rodney Powell and Dr. Gloria Johnson-Powell before the start of "A Night of Remembrance" at Fisk University March 26, 1998. The event features Halberstam's newly published book, "The Children," which covers eight college students embracing non-violence nearly four decades ago as an instrument for change against racist practices of downtown Nashville merchants. Doctors Powell and Johnson-Powell are two of the eight former students.

Your invitation

We will continue to serve in that role as a guide for our audience yearning for opinion journalism that matters to them. We hope you join us, whether as a reader, commenter, letters to the editor author, or guest columnist.

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Each and every Sunday, our assignment is to faithfully reflect the diverse voices of our community, so that we have a shot at reliably interpreting the issues that tell the story of our times.

Theres room.

Tacuma Roeback, The Tennessean's Director of Engagement and Opinion.

Tennessee Community Engagement and Opinion Editor Tacuma R. Roeback is an editorial leader committed to the practice of opinion journalism that is rigorous, compelling and empathetic, telling it like it is. Reach out to him at troeback@gannett.com or follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @TRoeWrites and BlueSky at troe-writes.bsky.social. Agree or disagree? Send a letter to the editor to letters@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessean invests more in its Opinion section this year
PENCO, Chile (AP)  Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile on Sunday left at least 18 people dead, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, authorities said, as the South American country swelters under a heat wave.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the countrys central Biobio region and the neighboring Nuble region, around 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Santiago, the capital.

The emergency designation allows greater coordination with the military to rein in over two dozen active wildfires that have so far blazed through 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres), according to the national forestry agency.

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In a press conference from the hard-hit city of Concepcion in the Biobio region, Boric expressed his support and condolences to the victims and warned that the government's initial reports of 18 people killed and 300 houses destroyed were expected to rise as the extent of the losses came into focus.

He estimated the total number of affected homes in the Biobio region alone to be certainly more than a thousand, just so far. Already the fires ravaging the hillsides forced 50,000 people to evacuate.

The first priority, as you know, in these emergencies is always to fight and extinguish the fire. But we cannot forget, at any time, that there are human tragedies here, families who are suffering, he said. These are difficult times.

His address followed complaints from local authorities that for hours, destruction was everywhere and help was nowhere.

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Dear President Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no (government) presence, Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the small coastal town of Penco in the Biobio region, said on a local radio station earlier Sunday. How can a minister do nothing but call me to tell me that the military is going to arrive at some point?

Firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames, with the heat and strong winds hampering their efforts. Temperatures topped 38 C (100 F) on Sunday, and the scorching weather was expected to persist through Monday.

Weather conditions for coming hours are not good and indicate extreme temperatures, said Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde.

Residents said the fires took them by surprise after midnight, trapping them in their homes.

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Many people didnt evacuate. They stayed in their houses because they thought the fire would stop at the edge of the forest, said John Guzman, 55, surveying the scene in Penco, where smoke blanketed the sky in an orange haze. It was completely out of control. No one expected it."

The fire engulfed most of Penco, burning cars, a school and a church. Thousands of people scrambled to take refuge in makeshift emergency shelters.

"We fled running, with the kids, in the dark, said Juan Lagos, 52.

The government imposed a nighttime curfew in the area.Charred bodies were found across fields, homes, along roads and in cars.

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From what we can see, there are people who died ... and we knew them well," said Victor Burboa, 54. "Everyone here knew them.

Wildfires afflict central and southern Chile every summer, typically reaching a peak in February as temperatures surge and the country continues to reel from a yearslong drought. In 2024, massive fires ripping across Chile's central coastline killed at least 130 people, becoming the nation's deadliest natural disaster since a devastating 2010 earthquake.

Neighboring Argentina has also struggled to contain wildfires consuming thousands of acres of forest in recent weeks as the countrys southern Patagonia area experiences a spell of hot, dry weather.
NEED TO KNOW

A woman said she was sent home from her local emergency room after complaining about pain, only to later require surgery for bone spurs in her spine

I feel like now, because I wasnt essential, and they didnt act quick enough, that Ive been left with permanent nerve damage and constant cramps every single night, Amanda Young told a local news outlet

A spokesperson for the hospital hit back at Youngs claims, however, stating her case was thoroughly reviewed and she received appropriate care at the time

A woman said she was sent home from her local emergency room in pain  only to later require surgery for bone spurs in her spine.

Amanda Young of Queensland, Australia, called an ambulance in 2023 due to escalating back pain and was taken to the Townsville University Hospital, where she said she received pain medication and was sent home shortly after, local outlet 7 News reported.

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Four hours later, Young told 7 News she returned to the hospital screaming in agony. There, she claimed she was met with opposition from the medical facility's staff, explaining, "I was told by the doctor there to shut up, [but] due to my symptoms and me being in pain, I couldnt control it."

I was told theyve already done everything that they can for me, that my medication was appropriate, that theyve upped the doses of a nerve blocker that was already not working, which is why I ended up back in the hospital," Young added to the outlet.



Young told 7 News she eventually ended up being placed in a bed in the hospital following her pleas.

I couldnt even get up and go to the bathroom. I begged them for a bedpan. They wouldnt even give me a bedpan," she claimed to the outlet. "I was forced to go off the side of the bed. It was very embarrassing."



Young also claimed to 7 News that when she requested more medication to help ease her immediate pain, she felt she was treated like a drug seeker.

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I was told there was nothing wrong with me, she said to the outlet.

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According to Young, she was eventually sent home in a taxi. She said she "crawled to her front door and into bed.

The next day, Young told 7 News she returned to the hospital and invoked Ryans Rule, which enables patients in Queensland to initiate an urgent review of their care if they believe treatment has not been appropriately escalated. (The rule is named for Ryan Saunders, a teenager who died in 2007 after he failed to receive appropriate medical care.)

Google Maps Townsville University Hospital in Queensland, Australia Townsville University Hospital in Queensland, Australia

Young said she was then taken to the hospital's surgery department for a consultation.

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They medicated me straight away, gave me appropriate medication to settle down my symptoms. I was told that he did believe me and that they would eventually operate on me, but they werent going to talk about it at that point in time because of the pain and what Ive been through the last 38 hours, she told 7 News.

When Young finally received surgery the following year, she told News 7 that surgeons removed a number of large bone spurs in her back that had not previously been discernible through an MRI.

Young claimed to 7 News that the operation took "an extra four hours longer than what it was supposed to, due to the severity of the condition," and she believes her delay in care and surgery ultimately led to permanent damage.

I feel like now, because I wasnt essential, and they didnt act quick enough, that Ive been left with permanent nerve damage and constant cramps every single night, she explained to 7 News.

Google Maps Townsville University Hospital in Queensland, Australia Townsville University Hospital in Queensland, Australia

In a statement to PEOPLE, Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said, "While I acknowledge this patients experience and understand the distress associated with complex and chronic pain conditions, investigations into these claims have found that the patients concerns were not ignored and the care provided by our staff was appropriate."



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The patient has previously raised a number of concerns with Townsville Hospital and Health Service regarding emergency department presentations, the use of Ryans Rule and the timing of follow-up treatment, she continued. "These matters were reviewed through our established patient feedback processes and were also referred to the independent Office of the Health Ombudsman, which concluded in January 2025 that the complaint had been managed appropriately."

"In relation to the patients presentations to the emergency department in March 2023, on each occasion, the patient was clinically assessed, provided pain relief, and managed appropriately based on symptoms and a clinical examination," Keyes added. "In relation to claims about Ryans Rule, our senior clinical staff thoroughly reviewed the patient following concerns raised during one of her presentations to the emergency department. This included a senior medical officer, a clinical nurse consultant and an after-hours nurse manager. Hospital records indicate that no further Ryans Rule escalation was activated following these reviews."

Keyes also said that "Townsville Hospital and Health Service remains committed to providing safe, respectful and patient-centred care, and encourages any patient with concerns about their treatment to contact our patient feedback service."

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The Office of the Health Ombudsman did not immediately respond to PEOPLES request for comment.

Young told 7 News that she is speaking out now because, while she has the privilege of advocating for herself, she worries about others who may not be able to do the same.

Ive got a voice, she said. I can talk and advocate for myself, but it leaves me worried about the more vulnerable people that dont know their rights, that are too afraid to speak up.



Read the original article on People
A woman was found stabbed to death in a personal care home in Western Pennsylvania over the weekend.

Per a Pennsylvania State Police report, troopers were called to Sugar Valley Lodge in Polk Boro, Venango County, around 9 a.m. Saturday. At the time, troopers were told that a patient was stabbed multiple times by another patient.

The woman stabbed, identified by PSP as Marry Gruphofer, 60, died of her injuries in her room.

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The suspect, identified by PSP as Dyan Diven, 48, was immediately taken into custody.

After consulting with the Venango County District Attorneys Office, Diven was charged with criminal homicide. Shes being held at the Venango County Jail and was denied bail.

The incident remains under investigation.

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On a summer's night in August 2013, 22-year-old Chelsea Cicio received an alarming call from her father, Bruno Rocuba. He said there had been a terrible accident and her mother, Melissa Rocuba, had been injured.

Cicio, who lived next door to her parents in Simpson, Pennsylvania, was captured on a home security camera, frantically racing to see what had happened. She can be heard screaming, "Mommy, Mommy" as she enters the house and finds her mother has been shot in the head.

"Soon as I walked in, you could see right here  she was laying on the bed," Cicio told "48 Hours" correspondent Anne-Marie Green as they revisited the scene for "Melissa Rocuba's Final Moments," now streaming on Paramount+.

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"The blood was just all over the floor, the side of the bed," Cicio explained.

Cicio said her father would later tell her that he had been sitting on the bed cleaning his gun, when her mother sat down and it accidentally went off. With one bullet, Bruno Rocuba had shot himself in the left hand and his wife in the head.

Melissa Rocuba was airlifted to the hospital and placed on life support, as family raced to her bedside. Bruno Rocuba was taken to a different hospital, where he had surgery on his hand. "Everyone felt horrible for him," said Cicio's older sister, Sabrina Rocuba. "That's his wife of 25 years."

The day after the shooting, Bruno Rocuba agreed to walk several Pennsylvania State troopers through his still bloody house and explain how the shooting happened. With a trooper videotaping him, Bruno Rocuba sat on a mattress stained with his wife's blood and used a toy gun to demonstrate how he says he accidentally shot her.

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Bruno Rocuba said his .40 caliber pistol was on the nightstand by their bed because there had been several robberies in the neighborhood. "I reached over. I grabbed it," so he could put it away, Bruno Rocuba told investigators. "My wife was sitting on the bed on that side. I was on this side," he continued. "And I pulled the trigger by accident."

Sabrina Rocuba says her father's story was very believable given the injury to his hand. "We thought, like  well, who was gonna  who's gonna shoot themselves?" she said.

Melissa Rocuba was in intensive care for three days when her family made the heart-wrenching decision to take her off life support. The next day, on Aug. 10, 2013, she was pronounced dead.

The couple's daughters were devastated by the loss, but in the days that followed, they were so worried about their father that their focus was on comforting him. "I kept wanting to make sure he was OK," said Cicio.

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Cicio said she was worried that her father might be arrested, so she recommended that he hire a top local attorney named Joe D'Andrea. But D'Andrea says he didn't have to do much to keep Bruno Rocuba out of jail. The Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office, he said, didn't have enough evidence to charge Bruno Rocuba with murder, so they didn't charge him at all.

"Not every shooting is a crime," said D'Andrea. "He never wavered from his story  that it was an accident."

But as time went by, Melissa Rocuba's daughters and her sister, Joanne Swinney, began to have second thoughts about the shooting and events that followed.

For starters, said Swinney, Bruno Rocuba spent very little time by his wife's side as she lay dying. "He would come there, maybe stay like an hour  and then leave," she said.

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While their mother was still on life support, Melissa Rocuba's daughters said their father asked them to clean his bloody house and get rid of the mattress on which their mother had been shot.

"He's like  I can't go home to that  I don't want to see all the blood," Cicio recalled. "And here I am, 21, 22.  Now as an adult, I'm like, wow, I can't believe he asked us to do that."

Melissa Rocuba's daughters said that even before their mother was buried, their father asked for help getting rid of her belongings.

"He wanted us to get rid of everything," Cicio told Green. "It's like he wanted her erased."

Before Melissa Rocuba was buried, daughter Chelsea Cicio says her father got rid of all her mother's clothes and her beloved dog, Zeus. / Credit: Melissa Rocuba/Facebook

Sabrina Rocuba said her father even got rid of her mother's beloved 10-year-old Rottweiler, Zeus. "My mom loved that dog. And my dad got rid of him right after my mom died," she says.

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Melissa Rocuba's sister said she was shocked when she saw that Bruno Rocuba had even removed all photographs of his wife. "Bruno said he couldn't look at them  he was grieving, he couldn't look at them," said Swinney. She said Bruno Rocuba also got rid of her sister's entire wardrobe. "We had to go down to the thrift store where they donated the clothes  and I had to get clothes for my sister to bury her in."

But most alarming, said Cicio, was that within months of her mother's death, her father began dating a woman named Tonia Wilczewski. "I remember looking out my window and she was cooking Christmas dinner in my mom's kitchen. I wasn't invited," she said.

Swinney began to wonder if her sister's husband had been having an affair with Wilczewski prior to the shooting. Swinney said that not long after her sister's death, Melissa Rocuba's best friend got a call from Bruno Rocuba to ask her, "How long do you think it is before, you know, you could kind of like go public with dating someone?" And she said, "Are you freaking kidding me?"

Wilczewski declined "48 Hours'" request for an interview but sent a text message that stated, "There was never an affair." Bruno Rocuba never responded to requests for an interview.

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Despite their suspicions, Melissa Rocuba's daughters and sister said they didn't have enough evidence that her shooting was intentional, so they were forced to accept the district attorney's decision not to charge their father.

Then, seven years after the shooting, in 2020, Pennsylvania State Police investigators Greg Allen and Dan Nilon were assigned to investigate open homicide cases, and this one caught their eye.

"What about this case stood out to you?" asked Green. "To me, it was the original 911 call," Corporal Allen explained. "On the 911 call, I hear three different accounts of what happened."

Melissa Rocuba / Credit: Chelsea Cicio

Bruno Rocuba had called 911 to report his wife's shooting, and when the operator asked, "Was it self-inflicted?" Rocuba said, "No, we were fighting." Then he nervously changed his story and said that he had been "playing with the gun" and accidentally "let it go off."

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Rocuba then denied any argument and changed his story a third time. He said that he had been handling the gun because he and his wife were "going to go shooting," and that's when he accidentally pulled the trigger.

Investigators Allen and Nilon then watched the videotape of Rocuba's police walkthrough and interview the day after the shooting, and said they heard several more inconsistencies in Rocuba's explanation of the shooting.

"There were so many red flags that we knew he wasn't telling the truth," said Nilon.

Corporal Nilon then did a deep dive into the case and discovered a key piece of evidence that had been collected at the Rocuba home but never been examined. A home security system that had captured footage of Melissa Rocuba's last movements and words.

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"We were able to  hear  their last conversation together," says Nilon. "And then a gunshot goes off."

"It may very well be your sister's own voice that ultimately put him behind bars," Green commented to Swinney.

"I never really thought about it like that. Yeah," Swinney replied.

On June 3, 2022, nearly nine years after Melissa Rocuba's death, Bruno Rocuba was arrested and charged with her murder.

But two years later, in May 2024, as Bruno Rocuba's trial approached, both sides agreed to a plea deal. Bruno Rocuba pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and was sentenced to 12 to 40 years behind bars. With time served, he will be up for parole starting in 2035.

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Trump threatens tariffs against countries that don't support his Greenland annexation

Pennsylvania Sens. Fetterman and McCormick on Greenland, health care and more

Iran blames U.S. for protests, Trump punches back
The Worcester Police Department announced the arrest of a man who has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault of a child.

58-year-old Axel Carrero of Worcester was arrested early Friday morning by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Service and Natick Police Department. He was placed into custody without incident and transported back to the Worcester Police Department.

This comes after a lengthy investigation from the WPD Special Crimes Detectives and members of the Worcester County DAs Office Child Advocacy Center.

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Carrero was arraigned Worcester District Court on the following charges:

Rape of a Child, Aggravated by Ten Year Age Difference (x2)

Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 (x4)

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Dozens of people were wounded and at least two killed in new Russian attacks on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.

"My condolences to their families and loved ones," Zelensky said in a morning post on social media.

He said Russia had launched more than 200 drones against Ukraine, with attacks reported in the regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Khmelnytskyi and Odessa. He again called on allies to increase support.

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"This week alone has seen more than 1,300 attack drones, around 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types in total. That is why Ukraine still needs more protection  above all, more missiles for air defense systems," Zelensky wrote.

Russia carries out daily attacks, frequently targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing widespread power and heating outages.

Zelensky accused Russia of "deliberately dragging out" diplomatic efforts to end the war  and pounding Ukraine in the meantime.

Kiev argues Moscow is seeking to increase pressure on the country to force it into accepting a peace plan on Russian terms.

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Following Ukrainian counterattacks in Russian regions, emergency crews there are also dealing with power outages.

Russias Defence Ministry said on Sunday that 63 Ukrainian drones had been shot down, but, as in most cases, did not provide details on any damage or casualties.

Damage and casualty figures on the Russian side remain significantly lower than those reported in Ukraine.
Following US President Donald Trump's warning to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries over the sale of Greenland, the European Union has called for a pause to the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal announced back in July 2025. Vice-President of the European People's Party, Siegfried Muresan, in a post on X, confirmed the pause in the ratification process, stating, "We were supposed to ratify the EU-US trade deal from last July very soon, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%. However, in light of recent developments, this ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context." The deal announced in July 2025, between the US and the EU, comprising 27 member states, unveiled a bilateral framework agreement aimed at resolving various tariff and trade issues. However, Trump's recent post on Truth Social has cast doubt on the future of the agreement. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026 if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support. "Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted. Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns. Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination. Muresan, in a follow-up post, added that Trump's latest announcement undermines the "stability" which was the sole benefit expected from last year's trade deal. He further stated that this was the reason why delaying the ratification of the trade deal is warranted. "STABILITY would have been the only gain from last year's trade deal between the US and the European Union. Today's announcement by President Trump to eventually impose new tariffs on several EU member states takes away that stability. This is why the postponement of the ratification of that trade deal is justified," Muresan added. Meanwhile, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland, with Denmark increasing its own military presence amid Trump's call for acquiring the Arctic island. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise. (ANI)
The Woodland Park Zoo welcomed the birth of two South African lions this week, the first time since 2014. (Matthew Cline / Woodland Park Zoo)
Following US President Donald Trump threats to impose fresh tariffs on European allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland, President of the European Parliament has been condemned by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. Replying to Trump's public statements and imposition on 10% tariff, Metsola in a post on X wrote, "The European Union supports Denmark and the people of Greenland. We do so united in resolve. The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic. They risk the opposite, emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life. Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected. No threat of tariffs can or will change that fact." Trump had announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland over the sale of Greenland would come into force February 1, but could later rise to 25% and would last until a deal was reached. The European Union has called for a pause to the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal announced back in July 2025. Vice-President of the European People's Party, Siegfried Muresan, in a post on X, confirmed the pause in the ratification process, stating, "We were supposed to ratify the EU-US trade deal from last July very soon, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%. However, in light of recent developments, this ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context." The deal announced in July 2025, between the US and the EU, comprising 27 member states, unveiled a bilateral framework agreement aimed at resolving various tariff and trade issues. However, Trump's recent post on Truth Social has cast doubt on the future of the agreement. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026 if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support. "Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted. Before this, French President Emmanuel Macron strongly opposed US President Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland, calling them "unacceptable" and vowed to respond in a united and coordinated manner. In a post on X, Macron maintained France's commitment to ensure the sovereignty of Greenland and Ukraine and said that the country will not be deterred from any "intimidation or threats." (ANI)
As tensions mount, all eyes now turn to Davos, where the NATO chief and the US president are expected to discuss the standoff in detail.
The family of a woman allegedly abducted by Pakistani security and intelligence agencies from Hub Chowki has appealed for her immediate recovery. Speaking at a press conference at the Hub-Lasbela Press Club, relatives of Fatima Muhammad Qasim said she was taken from her home in Akram Colony during a late-night operation on January 13. Since that night, the family claims, her whereabouts have remained unknown, with authorities providing no information regarding her detention or any charges against her, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, Fatima's brother told journalists that the family is living in constant fear and distress. He said repeated visits to police stations and administrative offices have failed to yield any response. "If there are accusations against my sister, she should be brought before a court," he said, adding that the family is seeking justice through lawful means. Family members stressed that they are long-time residents of Hub Chowki and have no involvement in criminal or militant activities. They described the disappearance as a blatant violation of constitutional rights and demanded that the judiciary and government take immediate action to recover Fatima. In a separate statement, the Baloch Women Forum said a raid was carried out in Akram Colony on the night of January 13, during which Fatima was allegedly taken away. The forum stated that her case reflects a growing pattern of abuses against Baloch women, which has intensified since 2025. According to the forum, at least twelve cases of enforced disappearances involving Baloch women were documented last year. Of these, one woman was later killed, five were released after enduring physical and psychological trauma, while six remain missing. The majority of these incidents were reported from Hub Chowki, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. The forum also revealed that Fatima's husband had previously forcibly disappeared on three occasions before being released, raising further concerns about collective punishment and targeting of families. Condemning the incident, the Baloch Women Forum demanded the immediate recovery of Fatima Muhammad Qasim and all other missing women, calling on Pakistani authorities to end enforced disappearances and ensure accountability, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations over Greenland, calling the move "completely wrong." In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the UK PM reiterated Britain's stance on Greenland, noting that the Arctic island is "part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes." He added that Arctic security is a concern for the entire NATO alliance and that all member states should work together to address threats posed by Russia across the region. Starmer further criticised the idea of imposing tariffs on allies pursuing collective security measures. "Our position on Greenland is very clear - it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic," the UK PM said. "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration," Starmer added. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats. "Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted. Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns. Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination. Meanwhile, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland, with Denmark increasing its own military presence amid Trump's call for acquiring the Arctic island. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has embarked on a mission to further the state's development roadmap on the global stage with his participation at the World Economic Forum's 'Davos Summit 2026'. The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 is running from January 19-23 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," and world leaders, policymakers and corporate figures will convene to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and transformational technologies as global cooperation adapts to new pressures. Reports ahead of the summit emphasize that while collaboration between countries "has held steady", its shape is evolving amid geopolitical strains and fragmented multilateral frameworks. The Chief Minister's participation aims to spotlight Maharashtra's trajectory toward economic and social transformation, anchored in global partnerships and investment collaboration. Maharashtra has set sights on becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, leveraging infrastructure expansion, industry diversification and foreign direct investment to fuel growth across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and services. Against the backdrop of the WEF's Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, highlighting a dynamic world where cooperation persists even as geopolitical fault lines grow Maharashtra's delegation is positioning the state not only as an investment destination, but as a proactive voice in global dialogues on economic resilience, technology adoption, climate and social development. Global cooperation has broadly remained stable despite mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, according to the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with McKinsey & Company. The report highlighted that while the overall level of cooperation has not significantly declined, the report found that its form is changing, with traditional multilateral frameworks weakening and smaller, interest-based partnerships gaining ground. Meanwhile, on his arrival at Zurich Airport earlier today, Fadnavis was met by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who extended congratulations on the Maharashtra government's recent victory in the state's Municipal Corporation Elections. Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) posted on X, "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu met CM Devendra Fadnavis on his arrival at Zurich Airport in Switzerland. They congratulated CM Fadnavis on recent victory in the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections." Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar also extended a warm welcome as the delegation touched down. In another post on X, the Maharashtra CMO wrote, "Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar extended a warm welcome to CM Devendra Fadnavis as he landed at Zurich, Switzerland." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met with US Senator Steve Daines, who is currently on a visit to India. "A pleasure meeting Senator @SteveDaines this morning in Delhi. A wide ranging and open discussion on our bilateral relationship and its strategic significance," Jaishankar said Previously, on Thursday, indian envoy to the US Kwatra met with Senator Daines and discussed the bilateral relationship. In a post on X, he said, "Honored to welcome and host Senator Steve Daines at India House. We discussed various facets of our bilateral partnership, including developments in trade, technology and innovation, and the evolving global landscape. Deeply appreciate and value his useful insights and strong support for the bilateral relationship." Daines' India visit comes as Sergio Gor, took charge as US Ambassador to India. It also comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington discuss a meeting between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio next month as both sides have resumed talks on a trade agreement. Earlier, the MEA provided details of the first conversation between the external affairs minister and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation and energy, and also exchanged perspectives on regional developments. Addressing a weekly media briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "This conversation happened on the 13th of January. This was the first conversation between the two leaders. They discussed a range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and energy. They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments." The conversation was also referenced by Jaishankar, who on Tuesday spoke with Rubio and later shared details in a post on X, stating, "Just concluded a good conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy," adding that the two leaders agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues. The call took place amid friction between New Delhi and Washington over trade negotiations and tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump over India's Russian oil purchases. India is currently being subjected to US tariffs of 50 per cent, even as it has been in talks with Washington since February last year, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to the US capital. (ANI)
Two people were killed, and dozens were injured in overnight Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, with attacks on energy infrastructure leading to power outages amid freezing temperatures, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated. In a social media post on X on Sunday, Zelenskyy stated that the Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa regions were targeted in an assault involving more than 200 drones. "Dozens of people have been injured, including a child. As of now, two people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones," he said. Highlighting the impact on critical services, Zelenskyy wrote, "The situation in the energy system remains difficult, but we are doing everything we can to restore all services as quickly as possible," adding: "This week alone has seen more than 1,300 attack drones, around 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types in total." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2012795329175753077?s=20 Amid continuing attacks, Zelenskyy also renewed his appeal to world leaders for increased support. "That is why Ukraine still needs more protection - above all, more missiles for air defense systems. If Russia is deliberately dragging out the diplomatic process, the world's response must be decisive: more assistance for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor." The latest Russian strikes came a day after Ukrainian negotiators reached the United States for discussions with President Donald Trump's administration on steps towards ending the nearly four-year conflict with Russia, Al Jazeera reported. The talks were expected to centre on security guarantees and Ukraine's post-war recovery. In the backdrop of these diplomatic efforts, Ukraine and the United States have also drafted a 20-point peace proposal, though Russia has not commented so far, with Washington's efforts to halt the fighting yet to produce an agreement. Over recent months, Russia has reiterated a series of demands, including territorial concessions and assurances that Ukraine will not pursue NATO membership. Alongside the battlefield and diplomatic track, Ukraine is also battling a worsening energy crisis this winter amid continued Russian bombardment, Al Jazeera reported. Against this backdrop, Zelenskyy said on Saturday that electricity imports and additional power equipment need to be accelerated, as the capital Kyiv and the Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions have been among the worst affected by power outages. The Ukrainian government has declared an energy emergency, with the damaged power grid reportedly meeting only 60 per cent of the country's electricity requirements. The crisis has been further intensified by exceptionally cold temperatures, with families across Ukraine struggling to keep warm. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it has repeatedly targeted the country's energy infrastructure during winter months, in a move aimed at increasing pressure on Ukrainian leadership to accept Moscow's conditions, Al Jazeera reported. The United Nations and other observers have condemned this year's Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, warning that children and elderly people remain the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, in the Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhia, more than 200,000 consumers were left without electricity after a Ukrainian drone strike on Saturday, Moscow-installed Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said. In a statement posted on Telegram, Balitsky said restoration work was underway, but nearly 400 settlements were still without power. Temperatures remain well below freezing across the southeastern region, around 75 per cent of which is under Russian control. (ANI)
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Saturday after the US State Department, in a Persian-language post on X, claimed it had received reports indicating Iran was working on options to target American bases.

"These statements and claims are in line with the United States' ongoing policy of fueling tensions in the region," Baghaei said, as cited by the state broadcaster.

Baghaei also said the Iranian Armed Forces remain focused on preserving and boosting the country's military and defensive capabilities to safeguard Iran's sovereignty.

He further warned Iran would respond "firmly and decisively" to any act of aggression, Press TV reported.

In its post, the US State Department claimed that "all options remain on the table" and that any attack on US assets would be met with "very, very strong force."

Press TV also reported that protests which began late last month over economic concerns across Iran later turned violent, with vandalism and disorder encouraged through public statements by US and Israeli figures.

It added that during the unrest, foreign-backed mercenaries attacked cities, resulting in the deaths of security personnel and civilians, along with damage to public property.

The US president has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, Press TV reported.

On Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran considers Trump the main culprit for the killings and destruction in the riots.

He said some agents behind the unrest included individuals who were identified, trained and largely recruited by American and Israeli agencies. (ANI)
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared on Sunday how he carried with him a curated collection of Indian textile cards into space, thus celebrating the age-old craftsmanship during his journey into space. Shukla shared that in a poetic paradox, the box weighing just 20 grams carried to space the collective weight of India's textile heritage, "thousands of years of wisdom, resilience, and human ingenuity, orbiting the Earth as a quiet but powerful testament to who we have been, and who we choose to become." In a post on X, he highlighted that he carried the 'Dharohar Deck', a thoughtfully curated collection of tactile cards that brought India's living cultural heritage to life through touch. "Each card carries a fragment of India's legendary textile tradition--an invitation to feel history, memory, and mastery woven into fabric. Designed to bridge generations, the deck celebrates age-old craftsmanship while honoring India's extraordinary journey into space, where artistry and science converge", he wrote on X. GC Shukla further noted that the Dharohar Deck is a tribute to the ingenuity of Indian artisans--custodians of a textile heritage that once clothed the world. "Long before the Industrial Revolution, India was the global epicenter of textile innovation, producing cottons so fine they were described as "woven air," silks that traveled the Silk Route, and natural dyes so advanced they continue to outlast modern chemical processes. Techniques like block printing, ikat, jamdani, and kalamkari are not merely crafts; they are repositories of mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, and ecology--encoded in thread," he said. Noting how, from the pre-independence era to the present day, and into the future, handicrafts have remained central to India's economic resilience, cultural identity, and sustainable practices, he said that by carrying the Dharohar Deck to space, "we extend these stories beyond Earth--asserting that heritage, too, belongs in the future." "This journey is both symbolic and urgent. As India reaches for the stars, the deck reminds the world that progress is richest when it carries its roots along. Supporting and innovating within traditional crafts is not nostalgia--it is foresight. The preservation of this legacy is an economic necessity, a cultural duty, and an ethical commitment," Shukla said. https://x.com/gagan_shux/status/2012849317481247082?s=20 GC Shubahnshu Shukla shared that he carried artefacts that embodied the spirit of India into space, which were crafted by the students of the National Institute of Design, and reflected the rich craft traditions of different regions of India. Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. (ANI)
The Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) staged a large protest rally in Sindh on the 122nd birth anniversary of Sain GM Syed, the veteran Sindhi nationalist leader regarded by his followers as the Father of the Sindhi Nation, amid allegations of state repression, arrests, and enforced disappearances. In a press release shared on X, JSFM stated that the rally, organised under the slogans "Sindh Wants Freedom" and "Release All Enforced Disappeared Political Activists from Sindh and Balochistan", was led by JSFM district president Saeed Tiyono, accompanied by senior activists Hosho Sindhi and Hafeez Deshi. A large number of party workers participated, marching through various routes before reaching Sain GM Syed's mausoleum in Sann. At the mausoleum, participants paid tribute by presenting the national anthem of Sindhudesh and cutting a cake to mark the nationalist leader's birth anniversary. Speakers at the gathering reiterated their pledge to continue what they described as a peaceful struggle for Sindh's freedom and the restoration of Sindhudesh, while also offering respect at the graves of Sindhi nationalist martyrs. However, the commemorative event was overshadowed by allegations of a heavy-handed state response. In a joint statement, JSFM Central Chairman Sohail Abro and several senior leaders condemned what they termed raids on the homes of political activists, road blockades aimed at stopping party convoys, and arrests carried out on the occasion of the anniversary. The statement accused the Pakistani state of attempting to prevent peaceful activists from visiting their leader's mausoleum, claiming this reflected official fear of Sain G.M. Syed's political ideology. According to JSFM, his ideas have gained wide acceptance across Sindh, uniting the population under the demand for self-determination. JSFM leaders further alleged that late-night raids were conducted on the homes of activists, including Jamshoro district president Saeed Tweeno, and that placards bearing images of forcibly disappeared political activists were confiscated. These actions were described as illegal, immoral, and serious violations of basic human rights. Despite the restrictions, JSFM claimed that convoys from Jamshoro and other parts of Sindh reached Sann, which it portrayed as evidence of growing political awareness and public support for the movement. The organisation appealed to international bodies, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take notice of what it called ongoing repression and enforced disappearances in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging international intervention and support for the Sindhi people's political rights and self-determination. (ANI)
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah resigned from his post on Sunday to contest the March 5 election. The rapper-turned-mayor is being projected as the next Prime Minister by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Within an hour of submitting his resignation, the former mayor, nom-de-guerre Balen, reached the RSP headquarters and rang the bell alongside party president Rabi Lamichhane, while the crowd chanted his name. The former rapper, who won the 2022 local election from the Nepali capital, also assumed the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on Sunday. In the letter addressed to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, Shah mentioned that his move comes in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2015, the Local Government Operation Act 2017, and prevailing laws of the metropolis. "In accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the Local Government Operation Act 2074 and the prevailing legal provisions of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, I voluntarily submit my resignation from the post of Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City with effect from 2082.10.04. (2026.01.18)," the resignation letter stated. Further adding, "While holding this position, I have tried to work as honestly as possible for the benefit of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the city residents. I wish that the leadership, service delivery and development journey of the metropolis will be more effective, transparent and result-oriented in the coming days, and I wish you and the municipal executive every success." On December 28, Balen struck a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), under which it was agreed that he will be the party's next prime ministerial candidate. As per the seven-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane will continue as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP emerged as the fourth-largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. With candidacy filing scheduled for Tuesday, Shah is preparing to contest from the Jhapa-5 constituency in the March 5 elections, with the declared aim of defeating four-time prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency. Balen has promised to institutionalise the agenda raised by September's Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 is shaping up to be an intriguing contest this time. (ANI)
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, will pay an official visit to India on January 19, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. This will be Nahyan's third official visit to India since assuming office as President of the UAE, and his fifth visit to India over the past decade. The visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in September 2024, and the visit of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai in April 2025. India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. The two countries are among each other's top trading and investment partners, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements. The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence, the statement added. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1972. While the UAE opened its Embassy in India in 1972, the Indian Embassy in UAE was opened in 1973. India and the UAE enjoy strong cooperation at the United Nations. Both countries are also currently part of several plurilateral platforms such as BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAEUSA) and UFI (UAE-France-India) Trilateral, etc. UAE was invited as a Guest Country to the G20 Summit held under India's Presidency. (ANI)
With the start of a new year comes the Detroit Auto Show: a long-running showcase of what the biggest names in the auto industry have to offer. The auto show also gives out awards every year, with one of the most prestigious honors being the North American Car of the Year. Past events saw cars like the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray take home the award. The 2026 North American Car of the Year award went to a legendary Canadian-made muscle car: the 2026 Dodge Charger.

The Charger  a vehicle manufactured at the Stellantis Canada Windsor Assembly Plant, located in Windsor, Ontario  was awarded this title on the first day of the Detroit Auto Show, January 14. It faced and overcame some stiff competition, beating out the Honda Prelude and the Nissan Sentra, which are constructed in Japan and Mexico, respectively, to win the award.

The recipient of the Car of the Year honor isn't chosen on a whim either: A group of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada come together yearly to determine which model is most deserving of the award. This was undoubtedly a huge win for the 2026 Dodge Charger and all at the Windsor plant who've worked so hard to bring these cars to the road. The model is in good company, too, as evidenced by the other big award winners beside it at the show.

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The Charger wasn't the only winner at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show

A A green 2026 Hyundai Palisade parked in front of a building. - Hyundai

The Dodge Charger being crowned the 2026 North American Car of the Year was something of a landmark moment. CBC News reported that Dodge CEO Matt McAlear took it as an opportunity to thank those at the Windsor, Ontario, plant fortheir hard work, while Unifor 444 union leader James Stewart spoke of the global manufacturing operation behind it all. "It's an amazing testament to the workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant, to Stellantis," Stewart said of the award. He added, "You know, it's a Canadian-assembled car, but the parts in that car are made all across North America, and the trade agreements are what allow that to happen."

The Charger wasn't the sole award winner at the Detroit Auto Show. Two other major awards were given out: the North American Truck of the Year and the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. These awards went to the 2026 incarnations of the Ford Maverick Lobo, which is manufactured in Mexico, and the South Korean-made Hyundai Palisade, respectively. This is the sixth consecutive year a Ford truck has won this award, and while this is the Palisade's first win in this category, it comes off the back of a record-setting year for the vehicle in terms of sales numbers. Hyundai sold 17% more Palisades at retail in 2025, with a 13% jump in total sales across the U.S.

Even with the Dodge Charger boasting such a long and storied history behind it, the muscle car clearly still commands the spotlight. Time will tell what other awards, accolades, and honors the Charger, as well as the Maverick Lobo and Palisade, will receive in future model years.

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David van Weel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said that the military efforts in Greenland are intended to improve security in the Arctic region. Weel, in a post on X, said that they have taken note of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. He said, "We have taken note of President Trump's announcement on tariffs. Military efforts related to exercises in Greenland are intended to contribute to security in the Arctic region. The Netherlands is in close contact with the EU Commission and partners on our response." https://x.com/ministerBZ/status/2012607783766544460?s=20 Earlier in the day, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations over Greenland, calling the move "completely wrong." In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the UK PM reiterated Britain's stance on Greenland, noting that the Arctic island is "part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes." He added that Arctic security is a concern for the entire NATO alliance and that all member states should work together to address threats posed by Russia across the region. Starmer further criticised the idea of imposing tariffs on allies pursuing collective security measures. "Our position on Greenland is very clear - it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic," the UK PM said. "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration," Starmer added. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. (ANI)
Pakistan has been invited to join the Gaza "Board of Peace" being formed by United States President Donald Trump, the Pakistan Foreign Office stated. Responding to media queries, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, "The prime minister of Pakistan has received the invitation from the president of the United States to join the Board of Peace on Gaza." Andrabi said Pakistan will continue to engage with international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in Gaza, while working towards a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions. "Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions," he added. The invitation comes as the US administration moves forward with formalising the "Board of Peace" structure linked to Trump's broader Gaza roadmap. On Friday, the White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict. The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement. The list also includes Apollo Global Management's CEO, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. Explaining the roles and responsibilities under the initiative, the White House said, "Executive Board members will oversee defined portfolios critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation." With Trump serving as the Chairman of the Board of Peace, he has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors, tasked with leading day-to-day strategy and operations, and translating the Board's mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution. As part of the administrative mechanism under the plan, Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). Describing the NCAG as a key component of phase two, the White House said it is a vital step forward in implementing Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict -- a 20-point roadmap for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region. The White House statement said the NCAG will be led by Ali Sha'ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilisation of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance. Alongside governance and reconstruction planning, the statement also outlined security arrangements to establish stability. Additionally, to establish security, preserve peace, and create a durable terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarisation, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, the White House said. The announcement also named members of the Gaza Executive Board, with Blair, Kushner and Witkoff also listed, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump defended intensified federal immigration enforcement following a deadly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis, sharply criticising Minnesota leaders and the backlash to the raids while reiterating his hard-line stance on immigration. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that "ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong." He questioned why Minnesota officials were resisting the enforcement efforts and urged them to stop what he described as shielding violent offenders. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115916047821747370 "Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community?" Trump wrote, framing the issue in terms of crime and public safety. Trump also criticised protesters opposing ICE raids, calling them "highly paid professional agitators and anarchists" and alleging that state politicians were using the unrest to divert attention from alleged political scandals. "The crooked Governor and 'Congresswoman' Omar, who married her brother, don't mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Don't worry, we're on it!" Trump posted. Trump's remarks come as tensions remain high in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a federal immigration enforcement operation, triggering protests and renewed debate over ICE tactics and the use of force. Minneapolis has witnessed tense demonstrations against the Trump administration's deployment of federal agents to the city for an immigration crackdown, raising questions over what these officers can do on the ground and how Trump can respond, CNN reported. As the protests have intensified, Trump has threatened to take the extreme step of invoking the Insurrection Act to crack down on the unrest, CNN reported. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also suggested that people may be asked to "validate their identity" in some cases. Amid these developments, the Pentagon has ordered around 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be prepared for a possible deployment to Minnesota, The Hill reported, citing multiple media reports quoting unnamed defence officials. News outlets said the troops are from the Army's 11th Airborne Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, which specialises in cold-weather operations. The unnamed defence officials said the Army has placed units on standby in case violence in Minnesota escalates, though it remains unclear whether the soldiers will be sent. "We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces," a defence official told ABC News, which first reported on the potential deployment. "This doesn't mean they will deploy; we are preparing options." A White House official told The Hill that "it's typical" for the Pentagon "to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make." "The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon," chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Hill. Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act, hours after a federal officer shot and injured a man on Wednesday evening in Minneapolis, sparking the latest wave of protests. "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. However, Trump said on Friday there was no need to invoke the law at present, telling reporters, "I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it." The shooting of a Venezuelan migrant, which was reported to have taken place after a federal officer was attacked while following the man on foot during a traffic stop, further escalated tensions in a city already unsettled after the death of Renee Good earlier this month. The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy military troops domestically to contain civil unrest. The last time it was invoked was in the early 1990s. (ANI)
With a rising number of Afghan refugees returning home, access to shelter has emerged as a major challenge, as many returnees struggle to secure housing and basic necessities, Tolo News reported. Officials of the Islamic Emirate said measures are being taken to address the issue, with land distribution continuing in several provinces. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said more than 3,000 plots of land have been provided so far to forcibly deported returnees. "So far, 3,046 plots of land have been distributed in various provinces among returnees who were forcibly expelled. The distribution process is ongoing. Also, under the directive of the esteemed Amir al-Mu'minin, emergency aid for returnees has accelerated, including food, non-food items, and cash assistance," Fitrat said. In a related development, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said the Joint Permanent Committee for the Resettlement of Migrants has distributed land to over 2,800 families in Kunar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Kunduz, Paktia, and Bamyan, Tolo News reported. The ministry also said that land distribution for another 5,000 families has begun in Nangarhar, according to Tolo News. Kamal Afghan, the ministry's spokesperson, said the land distribution programme is being expanded province by province. "The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has launched land distribution step-by-step in all provinces, and the program will, God willing, expand to ensure the fair distribution of plots to all returnees," Afghan said. Meanwhile, returnees arriving from Pakistan said they continue to face serious difficulties due to a lack of shelter and essential facilities, and urged faster allotment of land and the provision of basic services, Tolo News reported. "Now I'm going to Baghlan, but I have nothing there. We sold everything we had just to pay rent. We ask the Islamic Emirate to help us with land and food distribution," said Yar Mohammad, a returnee. Another returnee, Sher Mohammad, called for urgent support amid harsh weather conditions. "Our request to the government is to give us blankets and cash aid because it's cold here and we're struggling," he said. According to statistics cited in the report, nearly seven million Afghans have returned from various countries since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, underlining the need for sustained planning to resettle and support returnees. (ANI)
Several European countries came together and expressed support and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland amid the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European nations untill it is allowed to acquire Greenland. A joint statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--shared by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that exercise 'Arctic Endurance' does not pose a threat to anyone and that the countries stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. The statement highlighted that the threat of tariffs undermines transatlantic relations and risks a dangerous downward spiral. "As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre- coordinated Danish exercise "Arctic Endurance" conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone. We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty", the joint statement said. https://x.com/DanishMFA/status/2012922660640940328?s=20 On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats. "Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump posted. Trump has been adamant about acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns. Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on NATO, with some European leaders warning that a US attempt to seize Greenland could lead to the alliance's demise. (ANI)
Ambassador of Italy to India, Antonio Bartoli, remained optimistic about the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and said that Italian wine could become more accessible to the Indian public. Antonio Bartoli spoke to ANI at the second edition of the Vinitaly India Roadshow in Goa, an international tour to promote Italian wine in global markets. "Wine is a great channel of communication. We would like to promote Italian wine. We hope that these products can be more accessible to the Indian public thanks to the free trade agreement that we hope can be closed soon," he said. Bartoli also suggested that tourism, sustainable energy, waste segregation and hospitality are some other sectors in which Italy and Goa can collaborate. "I'm sure that you could and should increase the percentage of foreign tourism in Goa. We are one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. We are closing 2025 with an expected 479 million visitors. I want to mention that there are other sectors in which we can work. One is renewable, sustainable energy. You have a very good record in waste segregation. You are one of the most virtuous territories in all India. "We need 65,000 nurses only in the public structures in hospitals, and I think we should discuss how to do also with Goa," he added. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the Vinitaly India Roadshow is the start of a journey and expressed intentions to promote the state's tourism beyond its beaches to the culinary. "I think it has just been a start, a journey which we need to take ahead. And when we talk about tourism and how we promote it, we are not only talking about sun, sand, and sea, but also about Goa beyond beaches. Culinary, as a place, we need to talk. And that's how the wish list starts. So there is something that we need to connect, other than the connectivity between Goa and Rome or Italy. And we need to see how best we can exploit the two airports to ensure more tourism grows in these sectors between Goa and Italy. I convey my best wishes to all the exhibitors," he said. India-EU FTA is expected to be completed during the visit of the European Council President, Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will visit India to represent the EU at the 16th EU-India Summit, scheduled for January 27. The FTA aims to boost bilateral trade between India and the EU, which is already India's largest trading partner, with goods trade totalling $136.53 billion in 2024-25. The agreement is expected to cover areas such as market access for goods, rules of origin, services, investment, and intellectual property rights. India is seeking zero-duty access for labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and handicrafts. The agreement will include safeguards for farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The FTA will promote regulatory cooperation and transparency, making it easier for businesses to operate in both markets. (ANI)
Wakayama, Jan 19 (News On Japan) - A fire festival was held on January 17th at Cape Shionomisaki in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, the southernmost point of Honshu, where organizers set ablaze the roughly 100,000-square-meter Boro no Shiba grassland overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

As dusk approached, members of the kyudo club at Wakayama Prefectural Kushimoto Koza High School fired flaming arrows to ignite the field, and the spreading flames illuminated the coastline in a surreal, dreamlike scene.

The local tourism association has turned the traditional maintenance practice of burning old grass into a public event, using the controlled fire to eliminate pests and encourage the growth of fresh new shoots.

Source: Kyodo
TOKYO, Jan 19 (News On Japan) - Japans two-day nationwide university entrance exam has concluded without major disruption, even after introducing its first online application system and requiring students to print their own admission tickets.

The University Entrance Examination Center said about 496,000 people applied for this years University Entrance Common Test. Starting this year, applications were moved online in principle, and examinees were required to bring a printed exam admission ticket along with identification documents for verification.

Despite the changes, the center said there were no significant problems linked to the new procedures. However, seven examinees were disqualified and had their tests invalidated for misconduct.

In one case in Fukuoka Prefecture, around 200 photos that included exam questions were found on an examinees smartphone, and the university hosting the test site has reportedly consulted police.

Meanwhile, 116 people nationwide will be required to take a make-up exam on January 24th and 25th after issues such as alarms sounding during the English listening test.

Source: TBS
OSAKA, Jan 19 (News On Japan) - Japans rural relocation boom is accelerating as more families look beyond city life in search of space, community, and a fresh start, even as concerns over jobs, convenience, and fitting into tight-knit local networks continue to hold many back.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of consultations related to relocation has continued to rise each year, reaching a record high of around 430,000 cases in the previous fiscal year.

Even as interest grows, many people say they hesitate to move because of concerns about work, convenience, and relationships in a new community. Some say they like the idea of raising children in a more open environment, but worry about access to hospitals, daily transportation needs, and whether they could adapt to a different way of life.

To find out what rural life is really like, the program followed people who actually left the city behind.

The reporting team traveled about 90 minutes by car from Osaka to Katsuragi, Wakayama Prefecture, a town of roughly 15,000 residents and around 7,000 households. Known for its rich natural setting and nearby World Heritage sites, Katsuragi is also famous as a fruit kingdom, offering fruit-picking experiences throughout the year.

One family that chose to relocate there was Yukiko Ihara, who moved from Osakas Tenmabashi area seven years ago. She now lives with her husband Yoshihisa and their three children in a household of five.

Ihara says one of the biggest surprises after moving was how little inconvenience she felt in everyday life, including online shopping deliveries. Her home, built with a Japanese-modern design theme, includes a large 33-tatami living room designed specifically to give the family more space than their former apartment in Osaka.

With fewer concerns about noise complaints from neighbors, the children can play freely, and friends often visit in large numbers after school. Ihara says the community also shares a strong sense of raising children together, with local residents greeting and watching over kids on their daily walk to school.

Her husband, who originally liked rural areas, was the one who first suggested moving. Ihara initially resisted the idea, saying she could not imagine living in a place where she knew no one and had no clear picture of how daily life would work.

She also struggled with the decision because of her career. During her first pregnancy, she experienced severe complications and spent months on bed rest, which left her feeling isolated and watching her peers advance professionally. The experience made her determined not to lose her career again, and she found it difficult to accept leaving a company where she felt she still owed a debt of gratitude, especially to a mentor named Nomura who supported her from her earliest days as a new employee.

In the end, she says her thinking changed after the birth of her third child, when she looked out at the surrounding mountains and began to feel strongly that she wanted to preserve nature for her childrens generation. She decided her next career would focus on mothers and children, and committed to starting over.

After moving, Ihara shifted her approach by creating a handmade presentation book out of cardboard, using it to introduce herself and her business ideas to local mothers, farmers, and even town officials such as the mayor and superintendent of education.

One of her key ideas was developing gummy-style snacks made entirely from fruit. She noticed that bruised or misshapen fruit that could not meet commercial standards was often discarded, and she used her network to source such fruit directly from farmers.

The fruit is processed at a facility that supports employment for people with disabilities, and Ihara later partnered with a professor from Osaka Prefecture University to develop a unique drying technique that produces a gummy-like texture, a process that took two years of joint development.

Building on that project, she created an agricultural experience space behind her home where visitors can pick blueberries and other fruit. She later borrowed 37 million yen to clear abandoned farmland next to her home and open a campsite, which has become popular as a family-friendly destination.

During the reporting, young people suddenly arrived at her property, revealing another side of her relocation story. They were volunteers who had gathered from across Japan, including Tokyo and Okinawa, after being inspired by her vision when she was building the campsite. Some stayed on-site for extended periods, formed lasting friendships, and even married after meeting through the project.

Ihara says she believes the move changed her life completely, opening up a new way of living beyond the traditional path of belonging to a company and following a fixed career track. She says relocation itself is not the goal, but simply a tool, and that the real question is what kind of life and career a person truly wants.

She also says that once she decided to take control of her own life, she began hearing thank you more often than before, and realized that the sense of purpose she gained was what she had been missing.

At the same time, she admits rural life has its downsides, including how quickly rumors can spread in small communities, sometimes to the point where strangers seem to know personal details soon after someone arrives.

The report concludes that rural relocation should not be judged only through practical concerns such as convenience, human relationships, or employment, but through whether it allows a person to live in a way that feels true to themselves.

Source: KTV NEWS
There are moments in automotive history when a single model reshapes not just a brands future but also its reputation for decades. For Alfa Romeo, that moment arrived in the late 1960s with a car that was bold, innovative, commercially successfuland ultimately infamous. That car was the Alfa Romeo Alfasud.

Among enthusiasts, a dark joke has endured ever since: Corrosion was invented in Turin. While exaggerated, the saying reflects how deeply the Alfasuds rust problems scarred Alfa Romeos image, particularly outside Italy.

A Prestigious Brand Forced to Change Course

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

Founded in 1906, Alfa Romeo built its reputation on racing success, elegant design, and technically advanced cars. Legends such as Tazio Nuvolari and even Enzo Ferrari were part of its early competitive legacy. Yet racing glory never guaranteed financial stability. By the 1930s, Alfa Romeo survived only thanks to Italian state intervention.

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After World War II, the company struggled again. Its Milan factory had been bombed, and Italy was barred from military production. Models like the 1900 helped Alfa return to the market, but it was the Giulietta, selling over 200,000 units by the mid-1960s, that finally restored some financial balance.

By the late 1960s, however, the European market was changing rapidly. Front-wheel drive, compact packaging, and mass-market appeal were becoming essential. Alfa Romeo faced a choice: evolve or fade into irrelevance.

The Birth of Alfasud

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

In 1967, Alfa president Giuseppe Luraghi launched a project for a small, affordable car, something the brand had never done before. State funding came with a condition: the factory had to be built in southern Italy, an economically depressed region with high unemployment. Thus, Alfa Romeo received a massive loan and built its plant in Pomigliano dArco.

The workforce posed another challenge: nearly 15,000 employees with little or no automotive experience. Political tensions, union influence, and frequent labor strikes would soon complicate matters further.

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Development was entrusted to Austrian engineer Rudolf Hruska, whose resume included Volkswagen and Porsche. Design duties went to Giorgetto Giugiaro. The result was technically impressive: front-wheel drive, a water-cooled boxer engine, excellent handling, and strong performance for its class.

Acclaimed to Drive, Disastrous to Own

The Alfasud debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show, sharing the spotlight with the radical Lamborghini Countach. British magazine Autocar praised its ride, grip, and driving dynamics, calling it one of the best-handling small cars in Europe.

But problems soon surfaced. Production delays caused by strikes slowed deliveries, and the cars relatively high price limited its appeal. Worse still, corrosion appeared at an alarming rate. Rust attacked body panels, seams, and structural components, sometimes within just a few years.

Blame was widely spread. Some pointed to poorly trained workers, others to the storage of unfinished bodies outdoors. A persistent theory accused low-quality steel sourced from Eastern Europe during Cold War trade arrangements. Alfa attempted fixes, including sealing body seams with silicone, but the damage was already done.

A Hot Hatch Pioneer With a Tarnished Legacy

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

Despite its flaws, the Alfasud remained popular, especially in sportier versions. The Alfasud Ti arrived in 1973, effectively becoming one of the earliest hot hatches. Later came the Alfasud Sprint coupe and increasingly powerful engines, culminating in the Quadrifoglio Verde.

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By the time production ended in 1983, nearly 900,000 Alfasuds had been sold, plus over 120,000 Sprint models. Yet the car never turned a profit. Rust scandals pushed buyers toward German competitors, and Alfa Romeo once again slid into crisis, ultimately being sold to Fiat in 1986.

An Uncomfortable but Crucial Chapter

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

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Today, the Alfasud is remembered as both a savior and a saboteur. It helped Alfa Romeo survive a critical period, but at the cost of long-term trust. Even decades later, the shadow of rust still follows the brand.

And yet, many engineers and journalists still argue that, dynamically, the Alfasud was the best small car of its era. Brilliant to drive. Painful to own. A contradiction that perfectly captures Alfa Romeo itself.

This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.
Crude oil prices are in retreat after rising on the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran. Before the retreat, however, Brent crude and WTI had jumped to the highest in months, countering bearish forecasts for the yearand tearing traders between geopolitics and fundamentals.

In fundamentals, the majority of observers and forecasters are unanimous that the supply of crude oil is substantially higher than demand. In fact, Goldman Sachs recently revised its price predictions for 2026, saying it now expected Brent crude to go even lower after shedding about a fifth of its value last year.

Rising global oil stocks and our forecast of a 2.3mb/d surplus in 2026 suggest that rebalancing the market likely requires lower oil prices in 2026 to slow down non-OPEC supply growth and support solid demand growth, barring large supply disruptions or OPEC production cuts, Goldman said earlier this weekeven though protests in Iran were already making headlines and pushing the benchmarks higher.

On the other hand, the effective takeover by the United States of Venezuelas oil industry has had an understandably bearish effect on prices. This week, a Washington official told media that the U.S. has sold the first batch of Venezuelan crude for $500 million, and more sales would follow. In terms of fundamentals, this strengthens the case for a bearish mood. However, statements by oil industry executives urging caution about the possibility of a quick turnaround in Venezuelan oil production have had a restraining effect on that mood.

Meanwhile, drone strikes on three tankers in the Black Sea fueled a new bout of supply disruption concern, to add to expectations of possible disruption in Iranian oil flows abroad. A Reuters report cited an unnamed source as saying Kazakhstan had suffered a 35% drop in its oil output over the first two weeks of January because of attacks that also included strikes on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium by Ukrainian forces. Kazakhstan has called on the United States and the European Union to help secure oil transport in the Black Sea.

Speaking of the European Union, reports emerged this week saying Brussels was planning a further cut in its price cap for Russian oil in a bid to reduce Russias oil revenues by tying Western insurance coverage to the price cap. The new level of the price cap will be set at $44.10 per barrel from next month. So far, the price caps have failed to cause much pain to the Russian budget, but the EU considers them a working mechanism to hurt Russias economy in a bid to make it withdraw from Ukraine.

Perhaps the most bullish development for oil from the past few days was the signal, from President Donald Trump, that he was not excluding the possibility of a military strike against Iran. That signal, however, has been quite quickly replaced by observations by the U.S. president that the Iranian government was easing its crackdown on the protesters, reducing the likelihood of a military strike. Thats when oils retreat began and continues today, in evidence that the glut narrative holds sway over the oil market.

Expectations of further growth in oil production remain dominant on that market, with forecasters such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the International Energy Agency both predicting further supply growth, even as OPEC pauses its unwinding of production cuts implemented back in 2022 to prop up prices. Even so, shale drillers are signaling they would not be happy with WTI closer to $50 than to $60, and production growth is slowing. Indeed, the EIA forecast in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook that U.S. oil production will flatten this year, even inch down and extend that decline into 2027.

This has been ignored by the oil market so far, even though U.S. oil production has been the main driver behind bearish market predictions thanks to its fast and significant growth. That growth is now gone but everyone seems to be ignoring the fact in the firm belief there is already too much oil in the worldand the data seems to support this, with media citing a Kpler calculation there were some 1.3 billion barrels of crude on water in December, which was the highest since 2020 and the pandemic lockdowns.

Reuters Ron Bousso, however, noted in a recent column that a quarter of that oil comes from Russia, Iran, and Venezuelathe sanctioned producers. That oil takes longer to find buyers because of the sanctions but it does find buyers, Bousso pointed out. This suggests the number of barrels on tankers is not necessarily the most accurate indication of a physical glut, especially in light of recently released Chinese import data, showing oil imports into the country hit a record both in December and in 2025 as a whole. Predicting oil prices is notoriously unreliable. These days it is even more unreliable than usual, it seems, as conflicting narratives and agendas keep clashing, making the oil market a confusing place to be.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero rejects the analysis, arguing that driving for clean energy will save money by reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.

Energy analyst David Turner and others have accused public bodies of using "fantasy assumptions" and not being "truthful" or "transparent" about the true cost of the transition.

A new report from the Institute of Economic Affairs suggests the UK's net zero policy could cost up to 7.6 trillion by 2050, significantly higher than the Climate Change Commission's cumulative estimate of 108 billion.

Net zero is set to cost the UK economy billions of pounds more than public officials estimate, a new report has suggested, raising questions over the supposed savings to be made from the energy transition for households and businesses.

A new paper published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free market think tank, has raised questions about cost estimates shared by the Climate Change Commission, an independent public body that provides advice on net zero policy to ministers.

Energy analyst David Turner said the cash costs in the years to 2050 could hit a staggering 7.6 trillion, presenting a challenge to the government and private sector companies looking to provide alternatives to fossil fuels.

The cost estimate is taken from analysis of National Energy System Operator (NESO) data as well as independent research around contract valuations, market pricing and sector-specific issues such as in transport.

This compares to a cumulative 108bn cost estimate made by the CCC, or around 4bn a year. This figure accounts for wider savings in operating costs that offset capital investments in areas such as wind and solar farms as well as new heat pumps, though the total was a significant downgrade from a previous estimate of more than 1 trillion.

The CCC also said the private sector can provide the majority of the required investment with the right incentives while the additional costs of not transitioning could be higher.

Net zero savings estimates are fantasy numbers

Turner said the CCC and other public bodies including the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which published damning figures on the 800bn taxpayer cost of net zero over 50 years, had not been truthful about the true cost of the transition.

If we are to have a serious debate about net zero, the various public bodies need to be more transparent and, frankly, more honest, Turner said.

They have made fantasy assumptions about the cost of renewables and low-carbon technologies.

Commenting on the report, industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and founder of INEOS, said:

Decarbonising Europe by deindustrialisation is idiotic. We lose jobs and security, and the CO2 simply floats back over Europe anyway.

The solution is to ban carbon tax, provide competitive energy for industry and incentivise growth and clean technology. This is the US approach, where they value industry and its high value employment and they are leaving Europe behind in their dust.

The paper argues that the CCC presented its figures by moving the goalposts by using different cost metrics while unrealistic assumptions around the expenditure on offshore wind, electric vehicles and borrowing are below market rates.

It points to the higher costs of solar power plants in Stokeford and Alfreton than estimated by the CCC, as well as higher contract valuations for winfarms than estimated by NESO.

IEA director general Lord Frost said: Net Zero is already one of the most economically damaging policies in modern British history. We can now see it was sold to the public on the basis of fantasy numbers.

Tory shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho also said public bodies were culpable for publishing wildly optimistic assumptions and falling for crippling groupthink in judging the impacts of net zero.

The result is the highest electricity prices in the world and our industry fleeing overseas, Coutinho added.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: We reject this analysis, which assumes there are no costs associated with staying on the fossil fuel rollercoaster.

NESO has made clear that driving for clean energy saves money by fundamentally reducing our exposure to fossil fuel markets  its report shows we could save 36bn annually if we hit our 2050 goals compared with a scenario in which we slow down.

The Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have been approached for comment.

By City AM

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Oil production in South Americas Guyana has gone from strength to strength in recent years, as international oil majors develop several new oil-producing regions. This has led Guyana to become one of the most-promising oil producers in the Americas, with high hopes for the future of low-carbon oil production. Now, following the United States intervention in neighbouring Venezuela, the holder of the worlds largest oil reserves, many are questioning whether the potential expansion of Venezuelas oil production could have a knock-on effect on Guyanas big oil plans.

The potential involvement of U.S. oil companies in Venezuelas oil industry could increase the regional risk of territorial disagreements. For example, Venezuela has previously claimed that a large, resource-rich area  Essequibo  in neighbouring Guyana actually belongs to Venezuela. Essequibo is the disputed area that constitutes roughly two-thirds of Guyana. It has vast natural resource reserves, including gold and diamonds, as well as offshore oil.

At present, the U.S. oil majors Exxon Mobil and Chevron, and Chinas CNOOC, are developing oil operations in Guyanas waters. ExxonMobil first discovered vast high-quality oil reserves off the coast of Guyana in 2015, which has led several international players to invest heavily in the countrys oil industry in recent years, supporting rapid economic development in the tiny South American country. This also led the government of Venezuela reassert its claim over the Essequibo region.

The two countries have been fighting over which country is the rightful owner of Essequibo for over a century. In 1841, a recently independent Venezuela claimed the region that had been ceded by the Dutch to Great Britain in 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars. Then, in 1831, Britain merged Essequibo with other former Dutch territories, Demerara and Berbice, to form the British colony of Guiana. In 1899, an international arbitral tribunal formally awarded the territory to Britain, while Guyana was still under its colonial rule, a ruling that Venezuela has staunchly disputed.

Venezuelas Maduro government accused Guyana and the U.S. of pursuing legal colonialism by developing the Essequibo region. However, in 2018, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Guyanas accord was legal and binding. Following the ICJ ruling, in 2023, the Maduro government launched a large-scale military buildup along the Guyanese border. It installed bases, runways, and other military infrastructure in the region and threatened to annex Essequibo. The authoritarian president held a referendum that same year, in which 95.9 percent reportedly supported the move.

Following the referendum, Maduro announced the implementation of several measures aimed at annexing Essequibo, including the establishment of the Venezuelan state of Guayana Esequiba and the granting of operating licenses to Venezuelas state-owned oil firm PDVSA in the territory. However, in May 2025, the ICJ issued a binding order that prohibited Venezuela from holding elections in Essequibo.

Allen Good, the director of equity research at financial services firm Morningstar, said, With Venezuela already in the U.S.s crosshairs and Exxon the largest operator in Guyana, any aggression would likely have elicited a U.S. response. Good added, Now, with the U.S.s intent to control the country, any action by Venezuela becomes even more remote, removing a nuisance for Exxon and Guyana.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Guyanas President Irfaan Ali has doubled down on his commitment to the United States. Guyanas Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, said in a statement on 6th January that President Ali stood by the governments steadfast commitment to working with the United States - the regions strategic and important security ally. Persaud said Ali also supported Rubios reaffirmation of the US continued support for and partnership with Guyana in defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While Venezuela is home to the worlds largest oil reserves, with an estimated 300 billion barrels, its oil production has fallen significantly in recent years due to decades of underinvestment in the countrys oil infrastructure. Its failing infrastructure is thought to require billions of dollars and more than a decade to fix, according to experts in the field. In addition, Venezuelan extra-heavy crude is extremely expensive and carbon-intensive to extract and refine. Therefore, tapping into new, low-carbon oil production in neighbouring Essequibo could allow Caracas to bring in new oil revenues at a much faster pace, which is extremely appealing to a government which is facing an economic collapse.

The U.S. intervention in Venezuela may have temporarily quietened the South American countrys claims on Essequibo, but due to its historic ownership of the region and the vast resources at stake, it is unlikely that any new Venezuelan government will simply let it go. Therefore, Venezuela poses a direct threat to the future of the newest petro-states oil expansion. The outcome will likely depend heavily on just how involved the United States becomes in Venezuelan politics and oil production.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Following the United States unilateral intervention in Venezuela at the beginning of January, President Trump has discussed the potential for exploiting the South American countrys vast oil reserves. As he looks to boost oil production across the Americas, many are questioning just how much of an impact the expansion of Venezuelan heavy oil production would have on the environment, and on global decarbonisation aims.

Venezuela is home to the worlds largest oil reserves, with an estimated 300 billion barrels. However, years of underinvestment and mismanagement have led to a significant reduction in production. It would require billions of dollars in investment, over a decade or longer, to bring output up to what it once was.

Venezuelan oil production is extremely carbon-intensive as its extra-heavy crude oil is particularly difficult to refine. In fact, Venezuelan oil extraction has been deemed the dirtiest in the world. Its crude is a heavy, sour grade with a tar-like consistency and a high sulphur content, in comparison to the light, sweet crude of countries such as Saudi Arabia.

A study by S&P Global Platts Analytics found that Venezuelas Orinoco Belt deposits have by far the highest carbon intensity of any major oil region, at around 1,000 times higher than crude produced from Norways Johan Sverdrup field. Therefore, investing in the expansion of Venezuelas oil production would be extremely harmful to the environment, as well as detrimental to achieving global decarbonisation aims.

According to a new analysis by the carbon accounting firm ClimatePartner, if the United States expands oil production in Venezuela, it could use more than a tenth of the worlds remaining carbon budget to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. ClimatePartner modelled the carbon impact of the increase in Venezuelas oil output by an estimated additional 0.5 million bpd by 2028, and an increase of 1.58 million bpd from 2035 to 2050. This output would still be lower than Venezuelas 1990s peak production of 3.5 million bpd.

In recent weeks, President Trump has urged U.S. oil firms to invest $100 billion in Venezuela to jump-start its oil expansion. Trump stated, Were going to be extracting numbers in terms of oil like few people have seen. Trump recently stated that he expects the U.S. oil industry to be up and running with increased operations in Venezuela within 18 months.

The Trump administration said it plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil globally, although it has not yet specified a time frame. Oil revenues would be kept in U.S.-controlled accounts, which would benefit both the U.S. and Venezuela, according to Trump administration officials.

While the potential environmental impact of higher Venezuelan oil production is worrying, many energy experts believe it will not be as easy as Trump expects to boost production, due to the extremely poor state of the countrys energy infrastructure. Paasha Mahdavi, an associate professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, explained, Youve got storage facilities literally sinking into the ground, broken wellheads and degraded infrastructure across the board.

Meanwhile, energy-intensive processing plants that require heat, chemicals, and large quantities of water to transform heavy crude into a transportable fuel pose significant environmental risks, particularly to Venezuelas fragile river systems. Several of the countrys waterways have become severely polluted in recent years, even as oil production has decreased, due to Venezuelas ill-maintained energy infrastructure.

Because of its failing oil infrastructure, Venezuela has one of the worst environmental health and safety track records of any oil-producing country. It has experienced several oil spills and gas leaks in recent years, with the environmental watchdog, the Venezuelan Political Ecology Observatory, recording almost 200 oil spills between 2016 and 2021, many of which went unreported by authorities.

Meanwhile, a 2025 International Energy Agency report showed that the Venezuelan oil industrys methane emissions intensity was far higher than the norm, with upstream methane emissions at around six percent the world's average. Meanwhile, gas flaring levels were around 10 times higher than the global average.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) said that U.S. oil and gas firms investing in Venezuela would hold the highest environmental standards, in a statement. The DoE stated, As American investment in Venezuela increases, you can expect environmental conditions to improve. However, the recent disregard for environmental standards by the Trump administration strongly undermines these claims.

If the Trump administration follows through with its pledge to invest heavily in the expansion of Venezuelas fossil fuel production, it would have an extremely costly impact on the environment. In addition to threatening the quality of Venezuelas waters, forests, and wildlife, it would lead to a significant increase in global carbon emissions due to the high carbon intensity of crude production in the region.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Solar wind "shadow" emerges in a lunar crater. Credit: NASA

As they roll across shadowed regions of the moon's surface, future lunar rovers could develop hazardous buildups of electric charge on their wheels. Through new analysis published in Advances in Space Research, Bill Farrell at the Space Science Institute in Colorado, together with Mike Zimmerman at Johns Hopkins University, outline realistic precautions for mitigating this riskoffering valuable guidance for engineers designing future lunar missions.

Why lunar rovers face charging risks

With an interest in lunar exploration now reigniting worldwide, several space agencies are considering how the moon's surface could be explored in unprecedented detail using wheeled rovers. One challenge these vehicles will face is the buildup of 'triboelectric charge' as their wheels move across the regolith: a dry, granular, and highly insulating layer of dust and rock that blankets the moon. If allowed to accumulate, this charge could trigger discharges that threaten a rover's sensitive electronics and instruments.

Under many circumstances, charge buildup is naturally limited by the solar winda continuous stream of charged particles that emanate from the sun. Because this plasma is far more conductive than the regolith, it provides a pathway for excess charge to dissipate into the surrounding environment. However, this helpful effect can't always be guaranteed.

Illustration of a rover wheel moving over a regolith bed and immersed in a flowing plasma. Credit: Advances in Space Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2025.10.102

Challenges in plasma-starved lunar regions

As the moon travels through the solar wind, it creates a long plasma "wake" on its night-time side, where particle densities drop dramatically. "If the plasma flux levels are reduced, charge dissipation will slow," Farrell explains. "In essence, it will become increasingly difficult to remediate charge buildups in these plasma-starved regions."

These conditions are also found inside the moon's permanently shadowed polar craterspotential harbors of frozen water and carbon dioxide that could be prime targets for upcoming missions. For rovers operating in these environments, engineers must take steps to prevent triboelectric charging from reaching problematic levels.

Simulation insights and engineering recommendations

Using advanced simulations, Farrell and Zimmerman modeled the balance between triboelectric charging and plasma-based charge dissipation under realistic lunar conditions. Their results show that keeping a rover's speed extremely lowbelow about 0.2 cm per secondcan prevent charge from accumulating.

"If a rover moves faster than this speed limit in the given plasma environment, then the wheel tribocharging currents will exceed plasma dissipation currents and the wheel will build up charge," Farrell says. "If the rover moves slower than this speed limit, then the plasma currents will dissipate the charge before it builds up to large levels."

The researchers also found that a rover's approach path into a crater can strongly influence its charging environment. "If it enters a crater on the downwind sidefacing the sun and solar windit can remain in a relatively dense plasma flow," Farrell continues. "If the rover enters the leeward edge of the cratermoving with the sun at its backthe rover enters a region where the local mini-wake first forms."

Finally, the pair examined how a rover's wheels should be electrically connected to its body. While isolating the wheels might seem like a way to protect onboard electronics, the simulations showed that this isolation actually limits the dissipation of chargeonly worsening the problem.

Instead, "we recommend that the rover wheel is tested to ensure it is electrically connected to the larger rover structure, ensuring that the wheel has a conductive path to the larger structure. The rover body can then be used to increase the plasma current collection to more quickly dissipate the wheel tribocharge buildup," Farrell says.

Together, these findings highlight how space-weather effects on the moon can pose subtle but serious risks to surface operations. By accounting for them early in the design process, Farrell and Zimmerman hope their work will help enable safer exploration of the moon's most extreme and scientifically valuable regions.

Written for you by our author Sam Jarman, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information W.M. Farrell et al, Rover wheel tribocharging in lunar shadowed regions: deriving a speed limit for charge accumulation, Advances in Space Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2025.10.102

 2026 Science X Network
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Percentage distribution of threatened species among different biological groups in the Cerrado. The information was adapted from the IUCN Red List (2024), the Flora and Funga of Brazil portal (2024), the official national list of threatened species by MMA (2022), terrestrial vertebrate data from Vieira-Alencar et al. (2025), freshwater fish data from Lima and Ribeiro (2011), and invertebrate data from Embrapa (2023). Credit: Walisson Kenedy-Siqueira, CC BY.

A comprehensive new review synthesizing decades of research warns that the Brazilian Cerradoa biodiversity hotspot, known for its vast inverted forestsis facing a massive, multi-faceted ecological crisis.

Published in the journal Nature Conservation, the study reveals that more than 55% of the Cerrado's native vegetation has already been converted, primarily for agricultural expansion over the last five decades.

The Cerrado is often overshadowed by the Amazon, yet it covers 24% of Brazil's national territory and sustains the country's major watersheds and aquifers. One of its most unique features is the inverted forest.

Unique carbon storage and fire threats

Unlike tropical rainforests that store biomass in high canopies, the Cerrado stores approximately 90% of its carbon belowground through massive, deep root systems, making it a critical regulator of water and a primary carbon sink. However, when the ecosystem is degraded as a result of deforestation, anthropogenic fires, and improper land use, this enormous carbon reservoir is rapidly released, compromising climate stability.

A critical and often overlooked threat is the trivialization of fire within the Ecodomain. While some species are adapted to natural fire cycles, nearly all current fires are human-induced, causing cumulative degradation.

"The Cerrado is not a single savanna but an interdependent mosaic of grasslands, savannas, and forests, each with distinct structures, ecological processes, and vulnerabilities," say the authors.

Categorizing the Cerrado as a homogeneous fire-resistant savanna overlooks sensitive ecosystems, such as forest patches, the wetlands Veredas, and the montane Campos Rupestres, that are deeply vulnerable to intensifying anthropogenic fires. As these habitats degrade, the inverted forests massive carbon stores are released, compromising climate stability and accelerating the regions ecological crisis.

Water crisis and agricultural impacts

Despite its immense ecological importance, the region is grappling with a silent water crisis that endangers Brazil's biodiversity, economy, and climate resilience. Irrigated agriculture, agrochemical contamination, and dam construction are disrupting the natural water balance, leading to reduced river flows and the degradation of essential water-regulating marshland formations like Veredas.

Paradoxically, the agribusiness and energy sectors driving this destruction are the most dependent on these dwindling water resources, creating a dangerous cycle of increasing water insecurity.

Conservation gaps and policy recommendations

The review also highlights a troubling pattern of silent extinctions. While the Cerrado is home to thousands of endemic plants and animals, there is a massive gap in how they are monitored, with plants and invertebrates being the most threatened yet least studied.

A critical finding of the research is that current legal protections are insufficient to ensure the Cerrado's ecological resilience. While the Brazilian Forest Code mandates protection, the authors argue that current limits, such as the 20% Reserva Legal requirement, are inadequate for the Cerrado's complex mosaic of grasslands, savannas, and forests.

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Currently, only 8% of the Ecodomain is covered by Conservation Units, with less than 3% under strict protection. One highlight of their work is addressing this gap through providing an unprecedented detailed inventory of all 706 Conservation Units in the Cerrado to serve as a fundamental resource for researchers and policymakers.

"Effective conservation requires recognizing the Cerrado as a biodiversity hotspot with dedicated legal instruments capable of protecting its full ecological heterogeneity," the authors say.

To prevent total ecosystem collapse, the researchers advocate for urgent policy reforms, including increasing "Reserva Legal" requirements to at least 35%, shifting towards regenerative systems and recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples, whose traditional knowledge has maintained the Cerrado's balance for millennia.

Publication details Cassio Cardoso Pereira et al, The Cerrado crisis review: highlighting threats and providing future pathways to save Brazil's biodiversity hotspot, Nature Conservation (2026). DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.61.168273 Journal information: Nature Conservation

Key concepts deforestationgrassland ecosystems
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Chile's president has declared a state of emergency as 4,000 firefighters battle wildfires.

Uncontrolled wildfires tore through communities in southern Chile, leaving charred ruins in their wake and at least 19 dead, authorities said, announcing the latest toll on Sunday.

More than 50,000 people have been displaced by blazes burning for two days now in the Nuble and Biobio regions about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Santiago, fanned by strong winds and hot weather.

"At 2:30 in the morning, the fire was out of control. There was a whirlwind of fire that consumed the houses in the town below," Matias Cid, a 25-year-old student in Penco, told AFP.

"We had to leave with the shirts on our back. If we had stayed another 20 minutes we would have burned to death," he said.

Video of the aftermath shows a bleak, empty cityscape of charred homes and burned-out pick-up trucks and cars.

Most of the fatalities from the wildfires in the region have so far been in Penco, Mayor Rodrigo Vera said.

A resident in front of charred ruins in Concepcion, one of the cities hit by wildfires in southern Chile.

In neighboring Lirquen, a small port town of about 20,000, the scene was equally devastating, with residents describing how the fire advanced "in seconds."

Many of the residents "were saved from the fire because they ran to the beach," Alejandro Arredondo, 57, told AFP. "Nothing was left standing."

In the town of Lirquen, soldiers were patrolling the streets as night fell on Sunday.

Despite a curfew, some residents armed with flashlights continued working to clear debris or put out fires.

'Very difficult'

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in Nuble and Biobio as nearly 4,000 firefighters battled the wildfiresraging during the high temperatures of the southern hemisphere summer.

The order allows for the deployment of the armed forces to assist.

The president traveled to the badly impacted city of Concepcion to oversee the firefighting efforts.

Boric announced a nighttime curfew in the most affected towns, warning, "conditions are very difficult."

South-central Chile has been severely impacted by wildfires in recent years.

He returned to Santiago in the evening, pledging to meet with president-elect Jose Antonio Kast on Monday to share information about the forest fires.

"In difficult times, Chile is united. Our government and the president-elect will work together," he said.

More heat and wind

Alicia Cebrian, the director of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response, said most of the evacuations were in the Biobio towns of Penco and Lirquen, which have a combined population of around 60,000 people.

The weather forecast Sunday was bad for firefightershigh temperatures and strong winds, said Esteban Krause, the head of a forest preservation agency in Biobio.

Wildfires have severely impacted south-central Chile in recent years amid growing signs of the impact of climate change in the South American country, including extreme weather, droughts and floods.

In February 2024, several fires broke out simultaneously near the city of Vina del Mar, northwest of Santiago, resulting in 138 deaths, according to the public prosecutor's office.

About 16,000 people were affected by those fires, authorities said.

Key concepts fires

 2026 AFP
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The picture illustrates the overall fluorescence quenching effect of triazinium salts, which can be turned on through biocompatible reactions. Credit: Veronika Slachtova et al.

Thanks to a recent study by researchers at IOCB Prague, it is now possible to monitor processes in living cells more effectively than before, including responses to drugs and changes in cellular structures.

The researchers have developed a new type of fluorescent label guaranteeing higher-contrast and clearer images via fluorescence microscopy. The discovery is important for medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, among other fields.

The team led by Milan Vrabel and Tomas Slanina of IOCB Prague collaborated on the research with the chemical biology group of Peter Kele from Hungary. The work is published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

How the new fluorescent labels work

The newly developed fluorescent labels are visible only when they bind exactly where intended, i.e., to the target molecule. As a result, cells no longer need to be repeatedly washed in solution to remove excess fluorescent dye, which reduces costs.

Under current conditions, dyes often bind where they are not needed, complicating observation and rendering the process more expensive. Everything effectively fluoresces, making it very difficult to capture the specific location of interest.

The researchers succeeded in creating fluorescent labels that provide a clear picture of cellular processes using fluorogenic triazinium probes. Triazinium salts reliably suppress unwanted fluorescence.

A cell labeled with the developed probe therefore does not fluoresce and becomes fluorescent at a selected site only after a specific chemical reaction occurs. In such cases, researchers see only what they actually intend to observe.

Credit: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS

Advantages and potential applications

"A significant advantage of the new technology is its versatility," explains the first author of the study, IOCB Prague postdoctoral researcher Veronika Slachtova.

"Our method works across the visible spectrum, from blue to far red. Thanks to labels of different colors, we can monitor several cellular structures simultaneously within a single experiment." The probes can also be prepared relatively easily, making them potentially suitable for future commercial availability.

Fluorescence microscopy is widely used in modern biology, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. The method makes it possible to observe processes inside cells, such as protein movement, drug effects, or changes in cellular structures. The technology is also suitable for studying carbohydrate structures on the cell surface, which play a role in immune responses, infections, and cancer metastasis.

"High-quality and reliable fluorescent labeling facilitates everyday work in the laboratory while also providing higher-quality data. In the long term, it may accelerate drug testing or enable more precise monitoring of molecular processes in cells," says the corresponding author of the study, Dr. Milan Vrabel of IOCB Prague.

Thanks to the combination of high sensitivity, ease of preparation, and a broad color spectrum, the new method has the potential to become part of the routine practice of many research laboratories.

Publication details Veronika Slachtova et al, Fluorescence Quenching Properties and Bioimaging Applications of Readily Accessible Blue to Far-Red Fluorogenic Triazinium Salts, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c17428 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society
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A composite RGB image of the Ring Nebula (also known as Messier 57 and NGC 6720) constructed from four WEAVE/LIFU emission-line images. The bright outer ring is made up of light emitted by three different ions of oxygen, while the "bar" across the middle is due to light emitted by a plasma of four-times-ionised iron atoms. North is up and East is to the left in the image. Credit: University College London

A mysterious bar-shaped cloud of iron has been discovered inside the iconic Ring Nebula by a European team led by astronomers at University College London (UCL) and Cardiff University.

The cloud of iron atoms, described for the first time in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, is in the shape of a bar or strip: it just fits inside the inner layer of the elliptically shaped nebula, familiar from many images including those obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope at infrared wavelengths.

The bar's length is roughly 500 times that of Pluto's orbit around the sun and, according to the team, its mass of iron atoms is comparable to the mass of Mars.

The Ring Nebula, first spotted in 1779 in the northern constellation of Lyra by the French astronomer Charles Messier, is a colorful shell of gas thrown off by a star as it ends the nuclear fuel-burning phase of its life. Our own sun will expel its outer layers in a similar way in a few billion years' time.

An illustrative set of 8 individual WEAVE LIFU emission-line images of the Ring Nebula. The colour in each panel tracks the brightness of emission, with brown-red being the most intense, shading through yellow and green to blue for the faintest emission. North is up and east, left. Credit: University College London

Discovery and analysis using WEAVE

The iron cloud was discovered in observations obtained using the Large Integral Field Unit (LIFU) mode of a new instrument, the WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE), installed on the Isaac Newton Group's 4.2-meter William Herschel Telescope.

The LIFU is a bundle of hundreds of optical fibers. It has enabled the team of astronomers to obtain spectra (where light is separated into its constituent wavelengths) at every point across the entire face of the Ring Nebula, and at all optical wavelengths, for the first time.

Lead author Dr. Roger Wesson, based jointly at UCL and Cardiff University, said, "Even though the Ring Nebula has been studied using many different telescopes and instruments, WEAVE has allowed us to observe it in a new way, providing so much more detail than before.

"By obtaining a spectrum continuously across the whole nebula, we can create images of the nebula at any wavelength and determine its chemical composition at any position.

"When we processed the data and scrolled through the images, one thing popped out as clear as anythingthis previously unknown 'bar' of ionized iron atoms, in the middle of the familiar and iconic ring."

Unanswered questions and future research

How the iron bar formed is currently a mystery, the authors say. They will need further, more detailed observations to unravel what is going on. There are two potential scenarios: the iron bar may reveal something new about how the ejection of the nebula by the parent star progressed, or (more intriguingly) the iron might be an arc of plasma resulting from the vaporization of a rocky planet caught up in the star's earlier expansion.

Co-author Professor Janet Drew, also based at UCL, said, "We definitely need to know moreparticularly whether any other chemical elements co-exist with the newly-detected iron, as this would probably tell us the right class of model to pursue. Right now, we are missing this important information."

The team are working on a follow-up study, and plan to obtain data using WEAVE's LIFU at higher spectral resolution to better understand how the bar might have formed.

WEAVE is carrying out eight surveys over the next five years, targeting everything from nearby white dwarfs to very distant galaxies. The Stellar, Circumstellar and Interstellar Physics strand of the WEAVE survey, led by Professor Drew, is observing many more ionized nebulae across the northern Milky Way.

"It would be very surprising if the iron bar in the Ring is unique," explains Dr. Wesson. "So hopefully, as we observe and analyze more nebulae created in the same way, we will discover more examples of this phenomenon, which will help us to understand where the iron comes from."

Professor Scott Trager, WEAVE Project Scientist based at the University of Groningen, added, "The discovery of this fascinating, previously unknown structure in a night-sky jewel, beloved by sky watchers across the Northern Hemisphere, demonstrates the amazing capabilities of WEAVE.

"We look forward to many more discoveries from this new instrument."

Publication details R. Wesson et al, WEAVE imaging spectroscopy of NGC 6720: an iron bar in the Ring, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf2139 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Key concepts Gaseous nebulae
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(L-R) Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman look on during the rollout of NASA's next-generation moon rocket.

NASA on Saturday rolled out its towering SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft as it began preparations for its first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years.

The maneuver, which takes up to 12 hours, will allow the US space agency to begin a string of tests for the Artemis 2 mission, which could blast off as early as February 6.

The immense orange and white Space Launch System rocket and the Orion vessel were slowly wheeled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and painstakingly moved four miles (6.5 kilometers) to Launch Pad 39B.

If the tests are all satisfactory, three Americans and one Canadian will head to the moon sometime between February 6 and the end of Aprilthey will not land, but instead fly around Earth's satellite.

The missionwhich would last about 10 dayswould be a huge step toward Americans once again setting foot on the lunar surface, a goal announced by President Donald Trump in his first term.

"We're making history," Artemis 2 mission management team chair John Honeycutt told a press conference on Friday.

NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are rolled out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of a crewed lunar mission.

'Pretty pumped'

US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canada's Jeremy Hansen, were on site Saturday for the rocket's rollout.

"I'm actually pretty pumped to see that," Hansen told reporters. "In just a few weeks, you're going to see four humans fly around the moon, and if we're doing that now, imagine what we can do next."

Glover added, "We're swinging for the fence, trying to make the impossible possible."

Before the mission can take off, engineers must ensure the SLS rocket is safe and viable. After a battery of tests, a pre-launch simulation will be carried out.

The uncrewed Artemis 1 mission took place in November 2022 after multiple postponements and two failed launch attempts.

NASA hopes to put humans back on the moon as China forges ahead with a rival effort that is targeting 2030 at the latest for its first crewed mission.

Its uncrewed Chang'e 7 mission is expected to be launched in 2026 for an exploration of the moon's south pole, and testing of its crewed spacecraft Mengzhou is also set to go ahead this year.

NASA is hoping that the moon could be used to help prepare future missions to Mars.

But the program has been plagued by delays.

The US space agency surprised many late last year when it said Artemis 2 could happen as soon as Februaryan acceleration explained by the Trump administration's wish to beat China to the punch.

Artemis 3, currently scheduled for 2027, is expected to be pushed back, as industry experts say Elon Musk's SpaceX is behind on delivering the Starship megarocket needed for the mission.

Key concepts The Moon

 2026 AFP
While hydrogen fuel cell cars seem like a zero-emissions dream on paper, there are fewer than 60 hydrogen filling stations in California and none in the rest of the country. A lawsuit against Toyota filed last month on behalf of Mirai owners claimed they were oversold on the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle's usability. As a token of goodwill, the Japanese automaker told the owners to stop making payments until the lawsuit was resolved. However, multiple owners claimed that their non-payments were reported to collections.

According to Mirai owners, Toyota representatives missed notes on their accounts that payments were being paused. Anthony Escobedo told KTLA that his 814 credit score fell by 100 points. The credit hit caused him to be denied an interest-free loan to help cover his wife's medical care costs. He was forced to use credit cards instead. Toyota did eventually reverse the claim, but the damage was already done. It was a similar story for other owners, with Toyota fixing the egregious errors after being contacted. Jason Ingber, the owners' attorney, said:

"It's one thing if [Toyota] never made this promise at all... That would've been fine. We'd try to get our pound of flesh at the end of the day in [court.] But then to give you false information and actively hurt you and create more confusion, that is really a dark, twisted thing to do to your own customers. That should not go unnoticed. People should be wary of that. This is a very arrogant corporation with bad intentions."

Read more: What Are The Rarest Cars Featured On Jay Leno's Garage?

A hydrogen vehicle is basically a tether to California

A True Zero hydrogen refueling pump is seen in a Chevron gas station in Costa Mesa, California. True Zero network of hydrogen refueling stations is owned and operated by FirstElement Fuel Inc. - Hapabapa/Getty Images

A judge is set to decide on Thursday whether to advance the case. Mirai owners are demanding compensation for their decision to purchase the vehicle. They claim that Toyota dealers misled them about how usable the hydrogen-powered car would be in the near future. One owner claimed that a dealer said that filling stations would be everywhere within a year. Admittedly, it's a bold claim to take at face value, considering how long it has taken to expand the number of electric vehicle charging stations.

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Mirai owners are stuck between a rock and a hard place because of how much the model has depreciated. One Marine bought a 2023 Mirai for $42,358.93. While he was stationed in California, he knew that he could be transferred to another part of the country and made the purchase on the promise that he could return his Mirai. Lo and behold, he was transferred to Virginia and only offered $11,000 from the dealer for the hydrogen car. Apparently, he was also unaware that there was no hydrogen infrastructure outside California.

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Read the original article on Jalopnik.
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Ice Core Storage at the Ice Memory Sanctuary in Concordia, Antarctica. Credit: Gaetano Massimo Macri/Ice Memory Foundation, Fourni par l'auteur

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the coolest library on Earth was inaugurated at the Concordia station, Antarctica. Samples from glaciers rescued worldwide are now beginning to be stored there for safekeeping. This will allow, among other things, future generations to continue studying traces of past climates trapped under ice, as glaciers on every continent continue to thaw out at a fast pace.

With its temperature of -50 C, the archive sanctuary built below the surface at Concordia will allow endangered ice cores extracted from the Andes, Svalbard, the Alps, the Caucasus, and the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan to escape global warming without the need for technical intervention or refrigeration.

Former co-chair of the IPCC's "Science" working group, Swiss climatologist and physicist Thomas Stocker, is now president of the Ice Memory Foundation, which initiated this project, together with the University of Grenoble Alpes (France) and Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy). He explains the urgency of this long-term initiative.

Could you give us a concrete example of how these ice cores stored in Antarctica could be used by scientists in the future?

We can take the example of a new substance found in the atmosphere, like a pesticide. If, fifty years from now, a scientist wants to know what the concentration of that compound was in the year 2026, say, in the European Alps or in Asia, they can now turn to an ice core.

If the ice core had not been collected and stored in Antarctica, the scientist would simply be at a loss to answer the question. But thanks to these ice cores that are now being safeguarded in Antarctica, researchers can analyze a sample of that core in Antarctica, measure the compound from the ice that was collected fifty or one hundred years ago, and reconstruct the data to answer that question.

But in order to allow future scientists to answer the many questions that will arise, we need to act quickly. A very recent article in Nature takes a global view of glacier loss and predicts that the number of glaciers to vanish will increase until around 2040, at which point annual glacier loss worldwide is set to peak.

Thereafter, numbers will decline not because global warming has halted, but because one by one, glaciers will disappear off the face of the earth, leaving fewer glaciers in a state of meltdown, a prospect which, in turn, ultimately destroys the prestigious and precious environmental archives available.

Temperatures in the Alps are rising about twice as fast as the global average, so it's essentially a race against time. We need to secure these ice cores when water from the melting surface in summer has not yet penetrated the ice.

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.

Since you started working, you have undoubtedly seen many methodological and technological advances that have enabled us to make ice 'talk.' What are your hopes for future generations? What factors would allow for further 'dialogue' with the ice core that will be stored at Concordia?

I can only extrapolate from what we have learned and experienced in science over the last fifty years. We witnessed the arrival of new technology that, all of a sudden, offers the analysis of parameters of elemental composition, of the concentration of gases trapped within the ice that suddenly, like a key, opens a door to a whole new series of information about our environmental system.

So what I can see happening is new optical methods to determine the isotopic composition of different elements in various chemical substances, the likelihood of high-precision analytical tools being invented in the next decades or so that go down to the picogram ("pico") level or femtomole level, to tell us something about atmospheric composition, and particles such as dust and minerals from various regions that have been deposited in these ice cores that give us information about the conditions or state of the atmosphere in the past.

You are an Emeritus Professor of Climate and Environmental Physics. Which other fields will the Ice Memory project be useful for?

Biology comes to mind. If you find organic remains or DNA in these ice cores, that's biology. You can question the chemical composition of the atmosphere. That's chemistry. If you question the mineral composition of small dust particles that are deposited in these ice cores, that's geology. And so, you have a whole range of different branches of science that can draw new information from these ice cores.

The Ice Memory Project brings together different scientific disciplines, as well as scientists of many nationalities. How challenging can this be in a time of increasing geopolitical tensions?

Ice Memory is a case in point for how multilateralism plays out in the scientific community. It's an opportunity for scientists in every nation to make use of this unique sanctuary in Concordia. For us, it's really an iconic endeavor that goes beyond frontiers, beyond political divisions, to really safeguard data from planet Earth, not only for the next generation of scientists, but for humanity in general.

We also urge all nations who have glaciers on their territory to participate in and support scientific community-led ice coring expeditions in these areas, and to follow Tajikistan's example. Tajikistan was the first nation to donate an ice core, 105 meters of precious ice from a unique location (the Kon Chukurbashi ice cap), for preservation in the Ice Memory foundation's storage sanctuary in Antarctica.

During the Cold War, Antarctica was one of the few places on Earth where Russians and Americans could exchange ideas and conduct scientific research together. Could Antarctica still be a place where dialogue replaces rivalry?

I am absolutely convinced that the unique environment Antarctica offers, that's so rich with nature and life, and so special on our planet, means that considerations surrounding each country's position and values are secondary. The top priority, as we have demonstrated over the past fifty years of scientific exploration in the field, is really to understand our climate system, observe nature from the perspective of Antarctica, and to protect it.

This gives us the opportunity to truly immerse ourselves, work together, and exchange ideas on specific scientific issues that concern us all, and in particular, concern the future of the planet we share.

Key concepts glaciologydata rescue

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Driver Colin Kelly replicated his five-win performance from Friday night with another quintet of victories on the Saturday, Jan. 17 card at The Meadowlands, including the $24,306 high-end conditioned pace.

The 32-year-old pilots feature win came in the eighth race, when Bettors Donttell took down 3-5 favourite American Dealer N in 1:50.4 after working out an ideal second-over trip.

He seems to like having a target in front of him, said Kelly after scoring in the feature with the eight-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight-Donttellruss. Hes really fast. He likes to chase and he can make a big run. American Dealer N is a really nice horse. Hes so quick. We just got really lucky that Brett [Beckwith, driving American Dealer N] got backed up [along the inside].

American Dealer N got a pocket trip behind South Beach Star (Jonathan Ahle), who took over past the quarter in :27.2 and led through :55.4 and 1:23.4 middle fractions. Bettors Donttell, second-over into the final turn, swept three-wide and charged to the front in mid-stretch. American Dealer N appeared to have enough time to take down the eventual winner but came up short after getting outpaced late by Master Charles A (Steve Smith) for second. Bettors Donttell held on by a neck.

A Mark Capone trainee, Bettors Donttell returned $15.40 to win as the 6-1 third choice in the betting. Hes now won 30 of 141 career outings and banked $566,980. The gelding is owned by Joshua M. Kinney.

Kelly, who won five races Friday night, ended up with a second consecutive five-score evening after also piloting Beat Cop ($8.40 in the second race), Caviart Camden ($31.60 in the sixth), Sun Of A Show ($23.60 in the ninth) and National Sport ($3.40 in the 13th) to walks down victory lane.

Kelly became the first driver in 2026 to win 10 times over a two-card week, equalling what only Mark Herschberger accomplished during 2025.

Im just very lucky, said Kelly. Ive got some good horses for some good trainers. Im in the right place at the right time. You are only as good as whats in between the shafts, and Im very fortunate that way.

The Nova Scotia native is 17-for-76 this season for a win rate of 22.4 per cent.

DeShawn Sample worked out a perfect pocket trip and guided American Mercury to victory in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Race, a dash that honoured the slain civil rights leader.

The horse seemed like he needed a trip, and it worked out, said Sample. At the top of the stretch I was very confident. The trainer [Michael Posner] told me just sit with him and move him out, and hell take off.

American Mercury ($7.80) prevailed by a half-length in 1:55.3 over the closing Half Past Midnight (Mark Sheridan). Bolt The Court (Brandon Cruse) was third.

Sample has now won this event two years in a row, but being a part of a race where all of the drivers were African-American, honouring Dr. King, was something special not only to him, but to the other seven pilots in the race as well.

It means a lot to the black drivers to come up here, especially to drive at The Meadowlands, its the big time, said Sample.

There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $4,272 for when racing resumes. Those with five correct collected $356.02. All-source betting on the program totalled $2,625,852.

Bill MacKenzie led the trainers on the card with a pair of victories.

Due to an expected snow event, the Sunday race card at The Big M was cancelled. Racing resumes on Friday at 6:20 p.m.

(With files from The Meadowlands; photo of Bettors Donttell winning on Jan. 17)
After a four-mile crawl from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, the Space Launch System stands ready on its launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Aug. 17, 2022. - NASA / Joel Kowsky

NASAs mega moon rocket will begin a slow trek to its Florida launchpad early Saturday, marking a major milestone for Artemis II, the agencys first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

The rollout of the Space Launch System and Orion spaceship to a Cape Canaveral launchpad will kick off the final series of ground tests before NASA attempts to send four astronauts  Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen  on a 10-day flight into deep space.

The journey begins at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17, which you can watch live below, with the stacked rocket exiting the Vehicle Assembly Building on a giant crawler-transporter. And they don't call it a "crawl" for nothing.

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"We'll be at a cruising speed of just under 1 mph," said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson at a Friday briefing. "It'll be a little slower around the turns and up the hill, and that journey will take us about eight to 10 hours to get there."

Once at the pad, teams will hook the rocket and capsule to ground systems and swing the crew access arm into place. If the fueling dress rehearsal goes smoothly, NASA could target launch opportunities as early as February.

Heres what to know about NASAs towering moon rocket.

1. SLS is powerful, but no longer the most powerful

SLS generates about 8.8 million pounds of thrust, roughly the output of 160,000 Corvette engines. SpaceXs Starship now exceeds that, producing an estimated 16 to 17 million pounds.

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NASA's rocket claimed the power crown during its Artemis I debut, but Starship has since flown multiple tests in space. That distinction comes with caveats, though: SLS is flight-ready for astronauts, while Starship has yet to even carry cargo.

With Artemis II, SLS could become the most powerful rocket ever to launch humans. Its four main engines burn roughly 700,000 gallons of ultra-cold fuel, producing enough oomph to keep eight Boeing 747s aloft. Future versions of SLS, if they come to fruition, could deliver even greater power.

Size tells a similar story. SLS stands 322 feet tall, higher than the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben. It tops the Space Shuttle stack  a stack is the fully assembled, vertical version of a space rocket  but still trails Saturn V, NASAs Apollo-era moon rocket. Starship, again, looms largest, rising more than 80 feet above SLS.

Watch NASA's livestream of the SLS rollout in the video above, beginning at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17.

2. SLS is the only rocket built to fly Orion

Right now, SLS is the sole vehicle capable of sending Orion to the moon and beyond. The capsule, renamed Integrity by the crew, serves as both spacecraft and living quarters, providing its astronauts a snug space to work, eat, and sleep on long missions.

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For Artemis II, Orion will fly about 5,000 miles past the moon's far side, potentially setting a new distance record for human spaceflight. When it returns, the spaceship will splash down in the Pacific Ocean.

3. SLS is made with retro hardware

The mega moon rocket is literally built on the Space Shuttles legacy. NASA carried forward major shuttle hardware into the new rocket, drawing on a program that flew from 1981 to 2011.

Engineers replaced the winged orbiter with Orion, while stretching the shuttles orange external tank into the rockets core stage. Four former shuttle main engines power that core.

Unlike before, those engines will not be reused. NASA plans to discard them after flight. Two shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters flank the core and provide about 75 percent of the thrust at liftoff. NASA modernized key systems and manufacturing methods, though Congress barred a clean-sheet design.

NASA's crawler-transporter leaves crushed rocks in its wake as it carries the Space Launch System to its launchpad on Nov. 4, 2022.

4. SLS sacrifices reusability for reach

Keeping in mind that SLS relies on Space Shuttle hardware, it demanded major changes to reach the moon. After all, the shuttle was originally designed for short trips to the International Space Station, about 250 miles above Earth. By contrast, the moon is roughly 239,000 miles away.

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To make that leap, engineers stripped out reusable features such as parachutes, reserve fuel, and landing sensors. The changes freed about 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, helping Orion reach roughly 24,500 mph, the speed needed for a moonbound trajectory. The cost of that performance is disposability: SLS uses new boosters and engines for every mission.

Its exhaust is relatively clean, though. The engines burn liquid hydrogen and oxygen, producing superheated water vapor. NASA also replaced asbestos insulation on the boosters with rubber-based materials.

5. SLS is often called the most expensive

Many at NASA and on Capitol Hill have called SLS "Americas rocket," treating it as a national asset akin to a custom-built aircraft carrier for the military. Cost control was never the top priority.

A 2010 spending law ordered NASA to build the rocket and spelled out its design, contractors, and business model. Passed during the Great Recession, it aimed in part to protect jobs. Today, about 3,800 suppliers across all 50 states support SLS and Orion.

SLS is often cited as the most expensive rocket ever built. In 2022, NASAs inspector general estimated each Artemis launch would cost $4.1 billion, with about half tied to SLS alone.
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 implementation of SRNet 2 on memristor hardware. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66240-7

In a Nature Communications study, researchers from China have developed an error-aware probabilistic update (EaPU) method that aligns memristor hardware's noisy updates with neural network training, slashing energy use by nearly six orders of magnitude versus GPUs while boosting accuracy on vision tasks. The study validates EaPU on 180 nm memristor arrays and large-scale simulations.

Analog in-memory computing with memristors promises to overcome digital chips' energy bottlenecks by performing matrix operations via physical laws. Memristors are devices that combine memory and processing like brain synapses.

Inference on these systems works well, as shown by IBM and Stanford chips. But training deep neural networks hits a snag: "writing" errors when setting memristor weights.

Think of it like trying to fine-tune a dial on a faulty radio knobthe intended tiny nudge gets lost in noise from programming tolerances and post-write drift, sending weights jumping wildly instead of settling precisely as backpropagation demands. This stochastic mess destabilizes learning, but EaPU fixes it by wisely skipping most small tweaks and scaling up others to match the hardware's quirks, cutting writes by over 99%.

Phys.org spoke with the lead authors, Jinchang Liu and Tuo Shi of Zhejiang Lab, and Qi Liu of Fudan University, who detailed how EaPU bridges this gap.

"Numerous studies have confirmed that memristor-based in-memory computing exhibits significant energy efficiency," said the team.

However, they noted that training still faces bottlenecks like stability and hyper-parameter sensitivity, with write errors that increase over time. EaPU tackles the core algorithmhardware mismatch head-on.

Challenge of analog training. a: Limitations of memristor-based calculations. b: Distinction between the analog and algorithm-based training processes. Credit: J. Liu et al/Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66240-7.

The algorithmhardware mismatch

Backpropagation algorithms make small, precise adjustments to network weights during training in standard neural networks. This works by calculating gradients from the loss function and propagating errors backward layer-by-layer, steadily nudging synaptic strengths to minimize prediction errors.

Memristors are unpredictable devices, however. Conductance values fluctuate randomly because of programming errors and device relaxation, a phenomenon that makes stored values drift over time.

"We observed in numerous experiments that the update (writing) error of memristors increases over time, which is mainly affected by the device relaxation characteristics," explained the team.

"This issue impairs training stability and performance; therefore, we conducted this study to address the mismatch between the device update error and the weight update magnitude of the algorithm."

The researchers found that the desired weight updates in neural networks are typically 10 to 100 times smaller than the noise inherent in memristor devices. Previous approaches either sacrificed precision for speed or consumed excessive energy trying to force devices into exact statesneither solution proved satisfactory for large-scale deployment.

Embracing uncertainty

Rather than fighting against device noise, EaPU works with it. The method uses a probabilistic approach that converts small, deterministic weight updates into larger, discrete updates applied with calculated probability.

"The update magnitudes of the standard backpropagation algorithm are usually deterministic and small-valued, while the stochastic characteristics of memristive devices render the conductance updated by them large and stochastic," explained the team.

EaPU converts these small deterministic updates into large stochastic ones while preserving training performance.

The mechanism stays simple: when a weight update falls below noise threshold W th , EaPU applies a full threshold pulse with probability proportional to the desired change, or skips entirely. Larger updates pass unchanged.

"An essential concept of the EaPU method is that the update magnitude W of the standard backpropagation algorithm is modified into the memristor update magnitude W th through a probabilistic transformation, while ensuring the average value of the updates remains unchanged to guarantee training performance," said the team.

This approach has a dramatic side effect. It reduces the number of parameters that need updating during training to less than 0.1%. For a 152-layer ResNet neural network, only 0.86 per thousand parameters required updates at any given stepa reduction of more than 99%.

Validation across scales

The team validated their approach both experimentally and through simulation. Using a custom-built 180-nanometer memristor array, they trained neural networks for image denoising and super-resolution tasks, achieving structural similarity indices of 0.896 and 0.933, respectivelyresults that matched or exceeded conventional training methods while using a fraction of the energy.

"Experimental results definitively verify the effectiveness of EaPU in memristor-based training strategies," the team noted. "Meanwhile, hardware experiments can demonstrate EaPU's low update frequency and its robustness against other memristor-related noise."

For larger networks, impractical to test on current hardware, the researchers used simulation tools informed by experimental data. They successfully trained ResNet architectures with up to 152 layers and modern Vision Transformer models, demonstrating accuracy improvements exceeding 60% compared to standard backpropagation methods on noisy hardware.

The energy advantages are striking. Compared to previous memristor training approaches, EaPU reduces training energy by 50 times, and by 13 times compared to the state-of-the-art MADEM method. The dramatic reduction in update frequency also extends device lifetime by approximately 1,000 timesa critical consideration for commercial viability.

Future work

The researchers see broad applications for their method beyond memristors.

"The EaPU method holds broad application prospects and can be extended in the following directions," said the team, citing potential extensions to other memory technologies like ferroelectric transistors and magnetoresistive RAM.

Perhaps most significantly, the team envisions applying EaPU to training clusters for large language models.

"Leveraging the low update frequency characteristic of EaPU, it can enhance the service life of hardware systems and reduce training energy consumption," noted the team, a crucial consideration as AI models grow ever larger and energy costs mount.

With large model training burning millions in energy alone, six-orders-of-magnitude gains could transform AI economics and sustainability.

Written for you by our author Tejasri Gururaj, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Jinchang Liu et al, Error-aware probabilistic training for memristive neural networks, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66240-7. Journal information: Nature Communications

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Credit: Vladyslav Dukhin from Pexels

Australia has entered an era of climate instability, where communications during bushfires and extreme weather must perform under increasingly severe conditions.

Digital services such as the VicEmergency app and mobile fire alerts have become central to how people receive bushfire warnings. They work well in everyday conditions, but rely on mobile phone coverage and household electricity.

However, the communications networks that support these essential services have not been adequately strengthened. And older technologies, such as the copper landline network, have been removed or altered without their essential emergency function being fully replaced.

As a result, regional bushfire-prone communities are more exposed when communications are critical. During last week's Ravenswood fire, which devastated Harcourt and threatened neighboring Castlemaine, this is exactly what happened.

Regional communications have been weakened

Two key changes in communications technology have altered how landline and mobile services can function during emergencies.

The National Broadband Network is replacing the old copper landline network. During a power outage, copper landlines still worked because electricity was supplied through the phone line itself. Of course, if a copper line was damaged by fire, the service would fail. But if lines remained intact, regional households could make calls during power blackouts.

In contrast, the NBN network relies entirely on mains electricity. Successive governments have chosen not to require universal battery backup for NBN connections. As a result, fixed line communication fails when electricity is lost, unless households have installed backup power at their own expense.

The shutdown of the 3G network in October 2024 has also reduced mobile coverage in some regional areas.

Retiring 3G services freed radio spectrum up for faster 4G and 5G networks. However, in practice, reports have identified growing mobile blackspots in locations that previously had coverage.

Significantly, warnings about these risks were raised before the shutdown. This included concerns that regional communities could be left without reliable communication during emergencies.

When the warnings went silent

The Ravenswood fire, which devastated Harcourt and threatened neighboring Castlemaine, exemplifies this communications vulnerability in practice.

In Castlemaine on the afternoon of Friday January 9 2026, a power outage meant WiFi routers and NBN connection devices stopped operating. This shifted residents onto mobile networks for calls, messages and internet access. For some, this overloaded the local mobile network, causing calls to fail and messages to delay.

As the fire progressed east, it destroyed the major telecommunications tower at Mount Alexander, temporarily interrupting emergency FM broadcasting across the wider region.

For a brief but critical period, some residents were left without access to official warnings, emergency apps or broadcast guidance. Those who had battery-powered radios as a backup lost radio signal.

Modern networks a mystery

The 2020 Royal Commission made clear no single communication medium is immune from failure during a natural disaster. Emergency services also advise us to never rely on one form of communication for emergencies.

However, the recent changes to telecommunications systems mean many people no longer understand how contemporary communication networks operate, or how they can fail.

Both fixed line services and mobile phone services depend on complex infrastructure, including wifi, underground fiber optic cables and transmission towers. When a power outage occurs, they stop operating unless they have battery backup.

The sudden concentration of demand places a heavy load on mobile infrastructure. The effect is similar to a digital traffic jam, with too many phones attempting to use limited network capacity at once.

The result is often a partial, rather than total, network failure. Phones may display signal bars, yet calls fail to connect. Text messages are delayed. Mobile data becomes slower and apps cannot update. For people relying on their phones for warnings and guidance, this degraded performance can be more confusing than a complete outage.

During the Ravenswood fire, this complexity became evident. Local community social media pages reflected widespread confusion. Some residents said they could not make calls or had very slow internet access. Others asked about the status of ABC broadcasting and when it would return.

Why 'leave early' is harder to enact

Bushfire preparation advice is designed to help people make decisions. Encouraging the public to plan ahead reduces uncertainty as conditions deteriorate and communication channels become unstable. On catastrophic fire days, the safest decision is made before a fire starts.

However, with entire regions all under the same catastrophic warning level, "leave early" advice can be difficult to interpret. It is not always clear where people should relocate, particularly when regional centers such as Castlemaine fall within warning zones. While many residents in central Victoria left in advance, others remained.

Research consistently shows disadvantage compounds disaster risk and reduces evacuation capacity. Lower income households, people with disabilities, and older adults often have fewer resources and support networks. This constrains their ability to evacuate safely.

Yet bushfire preparedness should not be left to individuals. Survival is a responsibility shared between individuals, government agencies, and industry. It should be supported by reliable infrastructure that enables the public to make informed decisions, both before disaster strikes and during an emergency.

New telecommunications technologies, such as the NBN and 5G mobile phones, deliver higher data capacity and greater everyday convenience. Yet they can be less fit for purpose when it comes to maintaining communications during emergencies.

A shared responsibility

These infrastructure changes have occurred alongside a shift in regional demographics and greater dependence on digital connectivity. Regional centers such as Castlemaine have experienced population growth in recent years. People are moving regionally for affordable housing and flexible work.

The burden then increasingly falls on individuals to bridge the gaps in degraded communications networks. Households are expected to pay for costly stop-gap measures, such as satellite services or battery backup for NBN connections. Responsibility for maintaining communications during emergencies is shifting from public systems to private households.

If we place greater emphasis on individual communications responsibility, the most vulnerable people face heightened risk. This compounds social and economic disadvantage. It also undermines the best contemporary approach to disaster preparation, which depends upon shared responsibility.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The death toll from large-scale protests in Iran has reached 5,000, including around 500 members of the security forces, according to an unnamed Iranian official, Azernews reports, citing international media outlets.

The official confirmed the figure, stating that Iranian authorities have verified the deaths linked to the protests. The official accused terrorists and armed insurgents of killing innocent Iranian civilians during the unrest.

According to the source, some of the most severe clashes and the highest number of fatalities were recorded in northwestern Iran, where separatist groups are said to be active.

Meanwhile, the HRANA human rights group reported on Saturday that the number of those killed stood at 3,308. HRANA also stated that more than 24,000 people have been detained in connection with the protests.

The sharply differing figures highlight ongoing discrepancies between official accounts and independent human rights assessments regarding the scale and consequences of the unrest in Iran.
Q: Has Canada decided it has to choose sides to survive, and it chose China over the United States?

A:

Canada does not choose sides. Even Trump wants to make a trade deal with China. Canada wants to make a trade deal with the US first, and then with China. Now, Canada has difficulty reaching a deal with the US, but it has reached an agreement with China.

Canada is a middle power. By taking sides, it reduces itself to a vassal state. In the best interest of the Canadian national interest, Canada should not take sides. Instead, Canada should be the bridge between the US and China. Thats the role it should play in geopolitics. Conflict and confrontation are not what Canada should be involved in. Canada will be stronger by promoting peace and friendship between the US and China. Canada will be weak by taking sides between the US and China. Canada will lose independence by taking sides.

Making a deal with China is not against the US. But it does make Canada stronger on the bargaining table when seeking a deal with Trump. That is totally a different thing from alignment with China against the US. China wants to have a good relationship with the US, too. Canada and China are cooperating in security for the same goal of making friends with the US without losing sovereignty and independence. That is what Carney says of the new era of the Sino-Canadian relationship.

Just because the US wants to contain China and annex Canada doesnt mean Canada and China are enemies of the US. Canada and China do not want to be seen as adversaries of the US.

The Joint Statement of the Canada-China Leaders' Meeting confirms multilateralism. Multilateralism respects the US as a power, but not a hegemonic power. Thats the point. Against a hegemonic power is to safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of Canada and China. That is not an enemy of the US. It is for the security of Canada and China.
Some music does not try to impress you. It takes care of you.

That is the easiest way to explain what Freetown Collective has been doing for the last decade. Long before their new calypso label and the amassing of their large female following, the Belmont band has been focused on caring for people.

While most music acts chase fame and visibility, Freetowns work has always been softer, more deliberate. Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons believe the point of music is not only to mash up a fete, but to leave people feeling a little more human when they walk away.
News / National

by Staff reporter

As heavy rains continue to batter parts of the country, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has issued a strong public warning urging residents to take the risk of flooding seriously, stressing that no suburb is immune  whether high-density, low-density, peri-urban or industrial.In a detailed advisory released on Friday, council warned that flooding remains one of Zimbabwe's most common and destructive natural hazards, capable of striking suddenly and with little warning.Officials cautioned that areas which appear safe during dry weather, including small streams, gullies, culverts, dry streambeds and low-lying open ground, can quickly become dangerous once rains intensify."Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Every area is at risk," BCC said.The local authority urged homeowners and landlords to improve preparedness for the rainy season, advising residents to avoid building in floodplains unless homes are properly elevated and reinforced."Furnaces, water heaters and electrical panels should be elevated if they are susceptible to flooding," the council said.BCC also encouraged the installation of sewer check valves to prevent floodwater from backing up into homes, the construction of protective barriers such as levees or floodwalls, and sealing basement walls with waterproofing compounds to prevent seepage.In a practical step to reduce structural damage, residents were advised to create weepholes around perimeter walls to allow rainwater to flow freely, preventing water pooling that can cause durawalls to collapse  a problem experienced in several suburbs during previous rainy seasons.Council noted that flood impacts can be localised, affecting a single neighbourhood, or widespread, impacting entire river basins.Beyond infrastructure, residents were urged to prioritise preparedness by saving emergency contact numbers, familiarising themselves with evacuation centres in their areas and staying informed through radio and television, particularly during periods of persistent rainfall."Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions. Be mindful of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly," BCC warned.Motorists were cautioned against underestimating floodwaters. Council said just 150 millimetres of moving water can knock a person off their feet, while the same depth can cause vehicles to lose control or stall. At 305 millimetres, many cars begin to float, and 610 millimetres of fast-moving water can sweep away even SUVs and pick-up trucks."Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your vehicle, abandon it and move to higher ground if it is safe to do so. Both you and the car can be quickly swept away," the council said.For households that may need to evacuate, residents were advised to secure their homes, move essential items to upper floors, bring in outdoor furniture and switch off utilities if instructed. Electrical appliances should never be handled when wet or while standing in water."If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Close all windows, lock doors and proceed to designated safe areas where Fire and Emergency Services and other support agencies will provide assistance," BCC said.The council also warned residents to remain vigilant even after floodwaters recede, noting that hidden dangers such as weakened roads, unstable foundations and serious health risks may persist. Floodwater may be contaminated with sewage, fuel or chemicals, or be electrically charged due to damaged power lines."Avoid floodwaters as they may be contaminated by oil, fuel or raw sewage. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to authorities. Return home only when officials confirm it is safe," the council said.Special emphasis was placed on child safety during the rainy season, with parents and guardians urged to escort children to and from school and discourage them from playing or swimming in stagnant or fast-moving water."Children should be warned against swimming in pools of water, as muddy conditions increase the risk of drowning," BCC said.From a public health perspective, residents were advised to wash hands frequently with soap and clean water, discard food contaminated by floodwater, drink safe water, eat well and get enough rest, while staying tuned to official updates on the safety of community water supplies.
In December 2024, I travelled to New York City, not as a tourist, but as a journalist on a mission.

For more than two decades, I have been chronicling the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001.

That was the day terrorists flew the planes and passengers into the Pentagon, a Pennsylvania field, and the towers of the World Trade Center in New York.
In the spring of 1868, Harriet Hattie Bunyard, along with her parents and five of her siblings, headed out of Texas, across New Mexico and Arizona Territories on their way to California. It was a six-month journey. Hattie kept a diary of their travels, which, for the most part, she thoroughly enjoyed.

Hatties father worked as a schoolteacher in McKinney, Texas, about 30 miles north of Dallas (now a suburb of Dallas), before purchasing and running a cotton gin for a number of years. Hattie was born in McKinney sometime between 1846 and 1849.

Hatties diary begins on April 29, 1868, as the family departed their Texas home.

The caravan usually consisted of between 10 and 20 wagons as travelers dropped out and others joined the train. The Bunyards brought with them a large number of cattle that had to be cared for and guarded. Finding fresh grass for them was a constant problem as the company made its way across the harsh desert.

Yet Hattie found the trip exciting and exhilarating, with warm breezes and enough rain to keep temperatures tolerable. Hunting and fishing along the way provided the company with plenty of fresh protein and, initially, they did not lack for cool watering holes. An abundance of berries added fresh pies to their meals.

On May 26, as they arrived at Fort Griffin, a distance just over 200 miles from their starting point, Hattie discovered a young girl at the post who had been living with a nearby Native tribe for several months after her mother had been killed. The girls sister was still with the tribe, which may have been Tonkawa Indians who lived in the area. And although the child said the Indians had treated her kindly, the Bunyard family, with deep southern roots, had little tolerance for Native Americans, Mexican families or Black soldiers that they encountered.

By the middle of July, as the weather heated up, the wagon train traveled mainly at night. Gaining about 10 to 15 miles a day, they crossed into New Mexico Territory around July 25.

On Aug. 8, the wagons drove through Apache Pass and into Arizona Territory. Hattie was pleased with the abundance of grass they found for the cattle, as well as a good water supply. She also noted a number of graves here, most of whom were killed by the Indians.

She admired the country that provided plenty of wood and water. Camping near the San Pedro River, the company stayed for several days.

About 15 miles outside of Tucson (according to Hattie), the rain poured out of the sky in a torrential overflow, soaking the travelers. Only one tent left standing, she wrote, so we had to dry our beds today and therefore we will not leave here before 12 oclock."

Arriving in Tucson on Aug. 19, Hattie remarked it was a beautiful place with nice houses. Goods are much cheaper than I expected to find them.

They passed through Sacaton and started following the Gila River, which would take them to the Colorado River and California. They stopped at Maricopa Wells and a week later arrived in Gila Bend.

They paused briefly at Oatman Flat, where most of the Oatman family was massacred in 1851 (see June 16, 2018 Western Women column on Olive Oatman).

Hattie noted the stage stops along the way, some inhabited, others abandoned. Berts Station was so hot that matches kept in the shade will catch on fire unless kept in something that will not burn.

Stanwicks, Texas Hill and Mohawk Stations provided small respite from the heat. How glad I will be when we cross the Colorado River, she wrote.

Had heavy sand road to pass over today. We made dry camp last night. Arrived at Antelope Station about 11 oclock in the morning (Antelope Station was an old Butterfield Overland stage stop). We are camped near the river but there is no grass here; is some grass two miles from here. Will have to drive the stock to it. There is a mountain just opposite the station that is 300 feet high. Nothing growing on it at all.

Fifteen miles down the road, the party arrived at Mission Camp, just outside of Gila City. Hattie almost sighed, It is now 14 miles to Fort Yuma.

On the evening of Sept. 22, the waggoneers pulled within a mile of the fort that Hattie described as a beautiful place on a high hill that commands full view of Arizona City (later renamed Yuma). Goods and groceries are cheap here. Very few pretty houses in the city.

The company expected to stock up on produce before making the trek into California, but found very little, although Hattie noted, they are expecting three boats every day that will bring vegetables.

She was sorely disappointed that no letters from home had yet found their way to the fort.

Setting up camp about six miles outside of town, where the cattle had plenty of grass, Hattie discovered the Colorado River muddy but good-tasting.

The mosquitoes are very bad here, she wrote. We next have a desert of 40 miles without grass, so will stay here several days.

With the cattle rested, the party crossed the Colorado River, but Hattie found California no better than the other, nothing but mountains and sand and brush.

Her disappointment continued as the train plodded through heavy sand with little water, and she feared for the livestock. She noted, This is the most destitute country of grass that we have ever traveled over.

By the middle of October, Hattie and her family had arrived at Warners Ranch, a way station for immigrants coming across the barren desert.

On Oct. 24, Hattie made her last entry. The family settled in El Monte, California, a town that became known as the end of the Santa Fe Trail. The Bunyards are considered one of the first pioneering families of the community that is now a suburb of Los Angeles. Members of the family still live in the area.

Hattie never married. She died in 1897.
A small space telescope with the eyes of a giant will spend the next year studying the planets around distant stars, and the University of Arizona will serve as mission control.

The refrigerator-sized Pandora spacecraft was built to perform long-duration observations of at least 20 handpicked exoplanets and their host stars, using a suite of instruments that includes a spare detector originally made for the powerful, U of A-designed Near-InfraRed Camera on the James Webb Space Telescope.

The robotic probe was carried into orbit on Jan. 11 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California before dawn. Pandora was successfully deployed about 2 hours later, along with several dozen other small cube satellites.

On Friday, control of the spacecraft was slated to be handed off to the U of A's Multi-Mission Operations Center, inside the Applied Research Building on Highland Avenue north of Speedway. There, technicians will operate Pandora in real time and monitor its telemetry and overall health under a contract with NASA.

"This is the first time an orbiting astrophysics mission is operating from our new Mission Operations Center at the university," said astrophysicist and professor Erika Hamden, who leads the Arizona Space Institute that oversees the ops center. We hope this represents just the first of many transformational NASA missions that ASI will operate out of the Applied Research Building."

Pandora is a joint mission by NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. It is the first space telescope built specifically for detailed multi-color observations of starlight filtered through the atmospheres of exoplanets.

Since the discovery of the first planets outside of our solar system in 1992, more than 6,000 have been identified.

Exoplanets are generally too distant and too dim to be observed directly, so scientists use indirect means to find them, including the measurement of tiny dips in the brightness of host stars as the planets pass by. These so-called transits also offer the chance to study conditions on these planets by analyzing the starlight filtering through their atmospheres for signs of oxygen, water or other telltale chemicals.

But for this technique to work, scientists have to be able to tease out background interference caused by the chaotic conditions on the surface of the host star.

"Pandora is the first mission really designed to study the stars and their planets together," said U of A professor Daniel Apai, the universitys lead for Pandora and its exoplanet science team. "We will have a much better ability to separate the contribution from the star from that of the planet."

The spacecraft will undergo about a month of commissioning before beginning science operations, which are scheduled to last for a year.

The Pandora team plans to train the telescope on each target planet and its star for 24 hours at a time and 10 times each over the course of the mission. What they learn about the planets, their atmospheres and how to filter out what Apai called the stellar noise from that data will be used to inform future exoplanet missions and interpret previous observations by Webb and other space telescopes.

"From combining Pandora's observations with data from James Webb, we will better understand the atmospheres of those exoplanets," he said. "At this point, our goal is not to assess these planets for life, but to probe their atmospheres for any water vapor and, importantly, understand their host stars."

Pandora was selected as part of NASA's Astrophysics Pioneers program, which was created in 2020 to foster compelling, relatively low-cost science missions using smaller, cheaper hardware and flight platforms with a price cap of no more than $20 million. By comparison, the Webb telescope  the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space  carries a pricetag of about $10 billion.

Pandora joins a growing list of spacecraft operated from the U of A campus, most notable among them the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sampling probe and the Phoenix Mars Lander, the first NASA mission to the red planet to be led by a public university.

Apai, who has been working on Pandora for the past seven years, traveled to Vandenberg to witness last Sunday's early morning launch in person. He chronicled the experience in a blog post the next day, in which he described the horizon lighting up with the blinding flare of the rocket, followed seconds later by the rumbling wave of sound from its powerful engines.

Apai and his fellow team members then got to watch from Vandenberg mission control as a camera mounted to the SpaceX launch vehicle beamed back live video of their space probes release into orbit.

Heres what Apai wrote about the moment in Distant Earths, his blog on exoplanet exploration and astrobiology: One of the last satellites to deploy, almost alone in the fairing. Behind it, the southern coast of Africa. We hear the confirmation Pandora deployed before we see it move. A second later, Pandora is free and gently drifts into space. Our last close-in view. The room erupts again, cheers in the room, relieved smiles, laughter. Tears.
Bondi Rescue hopes to tell terror attack from lifeguards perspective

Producers have been locked in negotiations with local council for a potential 19th observational series.

If Bondi Rescue gets a formal renewal producers plan to include the December shooting tragedy, in which 15 people died.

At present CJZ has been locked in discussions with local Waverly Council, which employs the lifeguards, for nearly a year.

The Daily Telegraph reports council wanted double previous fees for access, but those have not been confirmed.

CJZ creative director and co-founder Michael Cordell rejected suggestions the show was no more after 18 seasons. Hes hopeful for 25 seasons.

While the show has sold to multiple territories around the world, recent headlines around Bondi might suggest there would be more interest in the series, as well as tragically offering a new and unexpected story.

Lifeguards Michael Jenkinson raced in as bullets flew while Rory Davey rescued panicked swimmers from the surf.

We have never shied away from tough moments, so we would absolutely intend to tell that story with respect and treat it with the profound seriousness it deserves, Cordell said.

Helping restore Bondis image and celebrating all the great things about that beach and what the lifeguards do, thats more important than ever.

Its an iconic Australian show and the values at the heart of it are incredibly important as a celebration of Australian beach culture, of inclusion, public service.

Now that message is far more important, given what happened in December.

S18 screened on 10 in 2024.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

Chiredzi West legislator Darlington Chiwa, who is facing charges of stealing Constituency Development Funds (CDF), has been remanded in custody to tomorrow by a Masvingo regional court.Chiwa appeared before magistrate Caroline Nyoni yesterday on allegations of theft after he was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). He is accused of diverting funds meant for community development projects to personal use, including spending on beer, groceries, shoes and building materials.The State alleges that Chiwa, who was chairperson of the Chiredzi West CDF committee, manipulated other committee members who were signatories to the constituency account. Prosecutors claim he coerced them into relinquishing their responsibilities, effectively leaving him as the sole signatory to the account.According to court papers, in April last year Parliament of Zimbabwe transferred the equivalent of US$50 000 in ZiG currency into the Chiredzi West constituency account. Chiwa allegedly moved the funds into his personal account and proceeded to use them for personal benefit.The prosecution claims that more than ZWG$990 000 was spent on non-project items such as building materials for private use, groceries, beer and shoes. Only about ZWG$270 000 is alleged to have been used for legitimate constituency development projects.The State further alleges that Chiwa attempted to conceal the offence by submitting forged documents during the acquittal process, falsely indicating that the entire amount had been used for community projects. An audit conducted by Parliament reportedly uncovered discrepancies in the expenditure, prompting the matter to be referred to ZACC.Chiwa is being represented by Charles Ndlovu of Ndlovu and Hwacha Legal Practitioners. The State, led by prosecutor Godfrey Mugondo, is opposing bail, arguing that the legislator may interfere with witnesses if released.The matter returns to court tomorrow for further proceedings.
NZ push for local quotas across the ditch

"The time to strike is now, so we can leverage off what is happening in Australia," say producers in New Zealand.

The New Zealand screen sector is now looking to follow Australia with local quotas on streaming platforms.

The New Zealand screen producers guild Spada says Australias new streaming content requirements risk leaving New Zealand at a disadvantage unless policy settings catch up.

Spada President Irene Gardiner (pictured) says Australias approach reflects policy settings already embedded in its domestic broadcasting system  settings that New Zealand does not currently have.

Australia has gone for a quota system, because they already have local production quotas in place for free-to-air broadcasters. We dont have that here, so Spada has advocated for a levy on the streamers New Zealand revenue, which could then be invested back into local production via the screen funding agencies NZ Film Commission, NZ On Air and Te Mangai Paho.

With Australias requirements now operational, Spada says the window for New Zealand to respond is narrowing as international platforms adapt to new investment obligations across the Tasman.

We are actively engaging with policy makers on the best way forward and the right settings to go for, but the time to strike is now, so we can leverage off what is happening in Australia.

Spada says the contrast between Australias regulatory framework and New Zealands current settings highlights longstanding structural imbalances in how international streaming platforms operate locally.

The streamers currently pay no tax in New Zealand, face no regulation, and use broadband infrastructure that was partially funded by our Government.

The guild says the consequences of those imbalances are already being felt by local broadcasters and producers, as global streaming platforms continue to draw audiences and advertising revenue away from the domestic market.

As has happened globally, their negative impact on local viewership and therefore advertising revenue in the domestic market has been huge, which has created serious challenges for local production.

Now that binding content requirements are in force in Australia, Spada says New Zealand faces a clear choice about its future competitiveness as a screen production market.

With Australia moving ahead, New Zealand has a clear opportunity to act now. Delaying further risks long-term damage to local production, jobs and the ability to tell New Zealand stories on screen, says Gardiner.
It is estimated that 1 in every 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, reports say.

The information was shared at the program Cham se chia  Trao hy vong (Touch to share and give hope) organized by the Vietnam Womens Union on December 14.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Womens Union, said each year Vietnam also records 4,600 cases of cervical cancer, and nearly 1,500 cases of ovarian cancer. Notably, the rate of late-stage detection remains high because many women do not pay sufficient attention to regular screening.

Dr Pham Tuan Anh, head of the On-Demand Treatment Department at K Hospital (Hanoi), said that according to GLOBOCAN 2022 statistics, Vietnam records about 180,000 new cancer cases and 120,000 cancer-related deaths each year. Vietnam ranks 99th globally in terms of cancer incidence per capita.

The causes come not only from age and genetic factors, but also from smoking, alcohol consumption, viral infections (HPV, HBV, HCV), H. pylori bacteria, environmental pollution, obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, and physical inactivity.

Although cancer is a malignant disease, Anh noted that one third of cancer cases can be prevented, one third can be cured, and one third can be treated long term with improved quality of life.

Breast cancer ranks first among cancers in women, accounting for 28.5 percent. One in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease among women. GLOBOCAN reported that in 2022, more than 2.2 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer, with over 666,000 deaths.

In Vietnam, the disease causes more than 10,000 deaths each year, equivalent to 8.3 percent of all cancer deaths nationwide. The recorded incidence rate is 49.6 per 100,000 women.

Experts believe that breast cancer can be cured if detected early and treated promptly with appropriate methods, with high cure rates and relatively low treatment costs.

Prof Le Van Quang, director of K Hospital (Hanoi), said that applying advanced techniques in clinical practice in Vietnam for early breast cancer detection is one of the key factors helping patients receive treatment during the golden time.

Currently, vacuum-assisted biopsy is considered a major advancement that improves diagnostic accuracy.

In recent years, the rate of early-stage breast cancer detection (stages 0, 1, and 2) in Vietnam has reached 76.6 percent, compared with 52.4 percent during the 20082010 period. Experts say that if diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90 percent. For younger patients diagnosed at an early stage, the ten-year survival rate exceeds 80 percent.

To detect the disease early, all women of reproductive age (from 18 years old) should perform regular breast self-examinations. Women aged 2030 should have a specialist examination once every three years, while those aged 40 and above should have an annual specialist examination. Women over 40 should undergo breast cancer screening with breast ultrasound or mammography.

Women at high risk, such as those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, early menarche (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), frequent use of oral contraceptives or estrogen hormone replacement therapy, or not having children or having their first child after age 30, should undergo screening once a year.

Compared with other cancers, breast cancer has the best prognosis if detected early. In the early stage, the five-year survival rate reaches 98100 percent. Early detection can reduce the risk of death by up to 38 percent.

As for cervical cancer, it is the fourth most common cancer among women, accounting for about 6.8 percent, and is most commonly seen in women aged 35-55. Each year, Viet Nam records around 4,500 new cases.

Dr. Pham Tuan Anh said cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination and regular screening. Thanks to the increasing rate of preventive measures, mortality from this disease in Vietnam has been gradually declining.

Current medical recommendations suggest that women should receive HPV vaccination between the ages of 9 and 26, ideally before becoming sexually active. Women aged 25-65 should undergo HPV testing once every three years.

Phuong Thuy
As the High Seas Treaty officially takes effect on January 17, 2026, Vietnam stands out as one of the first nations to ratify the agreement, underscoring a bold and proactive commitment to protecting the worlds oceans and unlocking new pathways for sustainable marine development.

Hon Hai Island off the coast of Lam Dong province. Photo: Quynh Anh  Roi

The treaty - formally titled the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - represents the first comprehensive legal framework to govern activities in international waters, which make up 61% of the ocean and cover 43% of the Earths surface.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, the treaty marks a historic milestone in ocean governance by officially applying the principle of the common heritage of humankind to marine biodiversity found beyond national jurisdictions. This paradigm shift introduces mechanisms for fair benefit-sharing among nations and encourages deeper participation from developing countries in research, conservation, and sustainable use of marine resources.

Global cooperation, local opportunity

To date, 145 countries have signed the agreement, and 81 have become full parties to it. Yet the success of the treaty depends heavily on the engagement of major powers and states with active maritime operations, particularly in high seas research, exploration, and bioprospecting.

For developing nations, the treaty addresses a longstanding challenge: the lack of capacity to participate meaningfully in activities such as environmental impact assessments, marine scientific research, or access to genetic resources. Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized the need for direct support, capacity building, and innovative financial models to bridge these gaps.

For Vietnam, the treaty opens the door to transformative opportunities.

By joining on the first day of the treatys signing window and completing its ratification process by June 9, 2025, Vietnam signaled not only its readiness to uphold international commitments, but also its aspiration to shape the future of ocean stewardship.

Vietnams strategic gains from the treaty

The High Seas Treaty provides Vietnam with a powerful platform to deepen international partnerships, gain access to cutting-edge scientific knowledge, and adopt advanced marine technologies. This will, in turn, strengthen Vietnams capacity in marine research, environmental protection, and sustainable resource management.

Crucially, the agreement creates a pathway for Vietnamese scientists to engage in frontier research and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources - including those from deep-sea zones in international waters. These developments support Vietnams broader vision of building a science- and innovation-driven ocean economy.

As a developing nation, Vietnam also brings a valuable perspective to global negotiations. It is well-positioned to voice the concerns of countries with limited capacity and those disproportionately affected by climate change, aligning closely with the principles of equity and responsibility enshrined in UNCLOS.

Implementing the treaty: From commitment to action

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that Vietnam will now focus on reviewing and refining its domestic legal framework to support effective treaty implementation. This includes improving interagency coordination, expanding public-private partnerships, and mobilizing participation from scientists, businesses, and citizens alike.

The goal is not only to meet treaty obligations but to translate them into concrete benefits - enhancing marine resilience, ensuring environmental justice, and enabling sustainable blue growth.

Looking ahead: A leadership role in marine diplomacy

Vietnams early participation in the treaty has already positioned it as a responsible and engaged stakeholder in the global marine community. With Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attending high-level events to promote the treaty's signing, Vietnams leadership in multilateral environmental diplomacy continues to grow.

As the world grapples with mounting climate and ecological challenges, Vietnams voice - grounded in both vulnerability and ambition - offers a compelling call for collaborative solutions.

By aligning national priorities with international frameworks, Vietnam is not only safeguarding its own maritime future but also contributing to the shared mission of preserving the oceans as a common heritage for generations to come.

Tran Thuong
Vietnam is striving to put itself on par with advanced countries in digital infrastructure, with mobile broadband speeds reaching 170 Mbps and fixed broadband up to 300 Mbps, and with 99 percent of the population covered by 5G and 40 percent able to access 1Gbps broadband.

By 2026, the Authority of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Science and Technology aims to bring Vietnam's digital infrastructure to the level of advanced countries: mobile speeds reaching 170 Mbps, fixed broadband at 300 Mbps, 5G coverage for 99 percent of the population, and 40 percent of citizens having access to 1Gbps broadband.

2025: breakthrough year

Le Van Tuan, Director of the Radio Frequency Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, described 2025 as a breakthrough year for Vietnams digital infrastructure, in terms of speed, scale, and coverage.

Fixed broadband internet speeds reached 280 Mbps, up 1.7 times compared to 2024, ranking 11th globally and rising 49 places since the beginning of the term; and mobile broadband internet speeds reached 160 Mbps, double that of 2024, ranking 17th worldwide.

4G infrastructure now covers 99.48 percent of the population, while 5G coverage expanded from 0.93 percent in 2023 to 90.2 percent in 2025, with the number of 5G base stations increasing from 184 to more than 35,000.

Last year, Vietnam was recognized by Gartner as one of the first five countries to manufacture 5G equipment.

In the field of radio frequency, two successful auctions were held in 2025, triggering explosive growth in mobile broadband speeds in Vietnam. The establishment of the timeline to switch off 2G and 3G signals marked a major milestone, transitioning from voice-centric infrastructure to data-centric infrastructure. An additional 500MHz was added, increasing Wi-Fi bandwidth by 75 percent and improving broadband Internet access for citizens.

Regarding resource and Internet infrastructure, Vietnam currently manages over 16 million IPv4 addresses with 917 ASNs and 1,174 members, ranking 2nd in ASEAN.

The IPv6 deployment rate reached 67.68 percent, ranking seventh in the world. The ".vn" domain name reached over 683,000, ranking third in ASEAN with an annual growth rate of 3-6 percent.

The iSpeed Internet speed measurement system developed by VNNIC currently collects 2.3 million samples per month, a 230 percent increase compared to 2023, with 1.3 million app installations. Data is standardized, analyzed, and published down to the ward/commune level.

Overall, the national Internet infrastructure has reached technical maturity, ready to move into the phase of optimization, automation, and IPv6 Only in the next period, Tuan stated.

With the KT1 postal network, the entire process for KT1 mailfrom reception and processing to transport and delivery at the commune levelhas been digitized and monitored online, ensuring seamless, accurate, and absolute safety in all situations.

The postal sector recorded rapid and stable development in 2020-2025, with an average revenue growth of 18.6 percent/year and average volume growth of 31.5 percent/year. Revenue reached VND87,000 billion, with a total volume of 4.2 billion items.

Public postal services play a vital role in implementing full-process online public services. Every year, about 18-20 million administrative records are sent through public postal services.

Shaping modern digital infrastructure

Le Van Tuan said that 20262030 will be a phase in which telecommunications shape modern digital infrastructure, focusing on ultra-wide bandwidth, ultra-large capacity, and universal access.

In 2026, the Telecommunications Authority aims to bring Vietnams digital infrastructure on par with advanced countries. It is expected to complete the construction of two digital platforms to evaluate coverage and enterprise competitive behavior in the market, and restructure its organizational model toward becoming the national digital infrastructure regulator.

For the Radio Frequency Department, in 2026 it will organize auctions of the 900 MHz band and the remaining portion of the 3.5 GHz band and consider frequencies for unmanned aerial vehicles. In the 20262030 period, the Department will transform the operation of regional frequency centers from a rigid model to a flexible 1-1-3 model (one unified force, one command center, and three flexibilities in tasks, personnel, and equipment), operating on a shared platform.

The Vietnam Internet Network Information Center will focus on: developing the internet ecosystem associated with the national domain name .vn, targeting one million domain names by 2026 and 1.2 million by 2030; ensuring safe and stable operation of critical systems, with the goal that 100 percent of VNNICs technical systems and services are managed and operated safely and stably; and achieving an IPv6 rate of 72-74 percent, and 90-100 percent by 2030.

Du Lam
News / National

by Staff reporter

Chief Justice Luke Malaba will retire from his positions as Judge and Chief Justice on May 15 this year, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced.In a statement released yesterday, the JSC said Chief Justice Malaba's last working day will be midnight on May 14, with a series of activities planned to mark the end of his long judicial career."On the 14th of May, there will be a special sitting of the court held in honour of the Honourable Chief Justice," the commission said. "On the same day, a dinner will be held to acknowledge and celebrate the services rendered by the Chief Justice to the nation as a Magistrate, Judge, Judge of Appeal and Chief Justice over a cumulative period of four decades."The JSC said invitations to the commemorative events would be extended to colleagues and key constitutional bodies, including the Executive and Legislature, as well as other institutions within the justice sector. Colleagues from the region and beyond are also expected to attend.Chief Justice Malaba's retirement is in line with Section 186(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which stipulates that the Chief Justice must retire upon reaching the age of 70, unless they elect to remain in office for a further five years. Five years ago, upon attaining that age, Chief Justice Malaba exercised the constitutional option to extend his tenure.The commission also dismissed reports suggesting that Chief Justice Malaba was required to proceed on pre-retirement leave and had refused to do so, describing such claims as inaccurate."This is a misrepresentation of both the law and the facts," the JSC said. "There is no legal obligation for the Chief Justice to go on pre-retirement leave. The decision to take leave is discretionary, not mandatory. Characterising the exercise of a lawful discretion as a refusal' is erroneous and creates a false impression of impropriety."The JSC further rejected claims that no preparations were being made for the transition, stating that the relevant legal provisions clearly outline procedures to be followed upon the retirement of a Chief Justice and that these would be implemented in accordance with the law and established judicial practice."The public is entitled to accurate reporting, particularly on matters concerning the Judiciary," the commission said, urging the media outlet in question to correct the record in the interests of responsible journalism.Chief Justice Malaba has served as Zimbabwe's Chief Justice since March 27, 2017. In that role, he is the head of the Judiciary, chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission and Council of the Judicial College. Prior to that, he was Zimbabwe's first Deputy Chief Justice from 2008 to 2017.His legal career spans more than four decades. He has held letters of law for 44 years, practised law for 34 years and has been a registered legal practitioner for 25 years. His judicial service of 41 years saw him rise through the ranks from prosecutor between 1981 and 1984, magistrate from 1984 to 1994, High Court judge from 1994 to 2001, Judge of Appeal from 2001 to 2008, Deputy Chief Justice from 2008 to 2017, and finally Chief Justice from 2017 to date.During his tenure as Judge of Appeal and Deputy Chief Justice, he also served as a judge of the COMESA Court of Justice for more than a decade, from 2005 to 2016.Chief Justice Malaba is widely regarded as a human rights advocate, having delivered judgments protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities. As Chief Justice, he led reforms aimed at enhancing access to justice, including the construction of new courthouses across the country, the simplification of court rules and the expansion of judicial personnel in both the magistracy and superior courts.Under his leadership, the Judiciary embarked on a major digitisation programme through the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS). The first phase was launched in May 2022 at the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and the Commercial Division of the High Court, while the final phase was rolled out to magistrates' courts in July 2025.An experienced trainer, Chief Justice Malaba has participated in numerous judicial training programmes locally and regionally. He also played a key role in strengthening continental judicial cooperation, including Zimbabwe's hosting of the 7th Congress of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa and the African Electoral Justice Network. He currently serves as President of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa for the 20242026 term.He also established the Judicial Training Institute of Zimbabwe to develop human capital through the training of judicial and non-judicial staff within the Judicial Service Commission.Chief Justice Malaba holds a law degree from the University of Warwick, obtained in 1974, and another from the University of Zimbabwe, earned in 1982.
Tai Quang Thanh, born in 2006, is currently a first-year student majoring in dance choreography at Hanoi University of Theatre and Cinema. Growing up in Dong Van commune, Tuyen Quang province (formerly Dong Van district, Ha Giang), Thanhs childhood was closely tied to the rich cultural traditions of the Nung ethnic group.

Leaving home at 13 to follow passion for dance

Coming from a family with a tradition in the arts, Thanh often followed his father to performances and art programs from a young age. The memory that left the deepest impression on him was the first time his father took part in organizing the Buckwheat Flower Festival, a major cultural event of the rocky plateau. From that vibrant stage, Thanhs passion for dance gradually took shape.

In 7th grade, noticing his son's passion, Thanhs father suggested he try auditioning for the Vietnam Dance Academy. That suggestion marked a major turning point for the Nung young boy.

At 13, Thanh decided to leave his hometown for Hanoi, officially beginning a six-year journey at the academy.

The early days away from home were not easy. At the dormitory, many friends would go home to their families on weekends, while Thanh, because of the distance, had to stay at dorm. He only returned home for the Lunar New Year and summer vacations. Occasionally, his parents would arrange their work to visit him.

"There were times when I felt lonely and homesick; I would dance by myself as a way to release my emotions," Thanh said.

At the Vietnam Dance Academy, Thanh balanced general education with specialized training. In the evening, he spent his time practicing. Occasionally, he took on outside performances to earn his own pocket money instead of asking his parents.

During six years of study, the most memorable milestone for Thanh was winning first prize at the provincial semi-professional singing and dancing festival of the former Ha Giang province when he was only in grade 9.

Representing Dong Van district, I was extremely happy when my name was announced. That award strengthened my belief and motivation to stay committed to dancing, Thanh said.

Torn between two paths

In 2024, after graduating, faced with the choice of continuing to go to university or starting work immediately, Thanh decided to work at the former Ha Giang Provincial Art Troupe, following the path of many seniors. There, he had the opportunity to take part in a national singing and dancing festival.

Standing on a major national stage for the first time, despite his anxiety, Thanh poured all his emotions and technique into the performance "Ka DongKu" (Black Mask) of the Dao ethnic group. As a result, he won a Gold Medal.

The award was not just personal recognition; it gave Thanh the courage to step out of his comfort zone and reinforced his belief that ethnic minority dance still holds public interest and has strong potential for development.

While working with the troupe, Thanh developed a desire to be more creative and go deeper into preserving and developing the traditional dance heritage of ethnic minorities through modern artistic language.

Previously, at the Vietnam Dance Academy, Thanh had been formally trained in dance drama and ballet. At the local troupe, he primarily performed folk and ethnic dances. This shift made him realize that the cultural treasury of ethnic groups is incredibly rich, with many "lands" yet to be explored.

Believing that studying choreography would allow him to turn creative ideas tied to daily life, customs and beliefs of ethnic communities into reality, Thanh decided to sit the formal entrance exam for Hanoi University of Theatre and Cinema. Thanks to persistent effort, in 2025 he became the runner-up in the entrance exam for the dance choreography major.

Entering a new learning environment, Thanh gradually realized that men studying dance face few limitations, and may even have advantages due to physical strength, explosive power, endurance and the ability to perform difficult techniques. He also highly values the training environment of the Dance Department, where lecturers are dedicated, attentive, inspiring and passionate about passing on the profession to students.

This is a very good environment for me to learn from experience, practice my professional skills and create unique dances, Thanh said.

According to Thanh, to become a good choreographer, technique and emotion must always go hand in hand. If there is only technique without emotion, the work will lack depth, he said.

Thuy Nga
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investment adviser Paul Tungwarara has claimed he put his life on the line by speaking out against individuals within Zanu-PF whom he alleges are using money to position themselves for the presidency, as succession battles within the ruling party take an increasingly tense turn.Tungwarara said some senior figures in the party were angered by remarks he made last week in ZimunyaMarange, where he criticised what he described as attempts to buy influence and power ahead of the eventual succession of the 83-year-old President Mnangagwa. Although he did not name anyone, his comments were widely interpreted as being directed at businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who has previously been linked to presidential ambitions.Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at Nyajezi Secondary School in Nyanga South, Manicaland province, on Sunday, Tungwarara said he was fully aware that his statements may have placed him in danger."I was in Manicaland last week and I spoke what I spoke, though it did not go down well with some people with presidential ambitions," he said. "I did not speak about anyone, but I spoke about myself. What surprised me is that the internet awoke and names were thrown around."Tungwarara said he was undeterred by the backlash, insisting that discipline and order were needed within the ruling party."I am ready to die today. We need order in the party. I do not fear anyone," he said.He accused some party members of thriving on corruption and extortion, saying such practices threatened unity within Zanu-PF."I walked with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and learnt a lot from him," Tungwarara said. "There are people who are surviving through extortion. If I had an accident today, it's not that I have been killed, but it's my time."He added that his remarks were meant to expose issues, not to target individuals."I know where I am standing and where I am going. I am happy that after what I said, they are now coming out, but I did not speak about anyone," he said.Tungwarara also took aim at what he described as "fake prophets" whom he accused of attacking him following his remarks on cash-rich individuals allegedly eyeing Mnangagwa's position."If you want to see eye-to-eye with me, don't be a fake prophet," he said. "Let me tell you, I can pray alone and I know the Bible."Party insiders alleged that Tungwarara was referring to self-styled prophet Uebert Angel, who recently claimed to have received a prophecy relating to Zanu-PF's succession politics.Tungwarara has been recommended by the Manicaland provincial leadership for co-option into the Zanu-PF central committee, a move that has drawn strong support from local party officials.Nyanga North legislator Chido Sanyatwe publicly endorsed the recommendation, praising Tungwarara for his loyalty and contributions to the party."I want to say to you Dr Tungwarara, God and your parents should bless you," she said. "We want to congratulate you for being recommended for co-option into the central committee."She added that Zanu-PF remained dominant in the Nyanga area, having swept all wards in both the 2018 and 2023 elections.Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira also lauded Tungwarara's grassroots initiatives."What you are doing district by district empowering the people has never been seen by the party," Mandiwanzira said.Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza said the ruling party was more united than ever, dismissing suggestions of deepening divisions.Tungwarara's empowerment programmes have so far covered seven districts, including Nyanga, where he was addressing supporters on Sunday. Under the Presidential Constituency Development initiative, he has been disbursing US$25 000 to each Member of Parliament, with 23 constituencies having already benefited.President Mnangagwa is constitutionally expected to step down at the end of his second term in 2028. However, his supporters are reportedly pushing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to remain in office for an additional two years, a move analysts say is partly aimed at blocking Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga from ascending to the presidency.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang

On January 15, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang held a working session with Eduard Stiphout, senior vice president in charge of strategic supply and procurement at ASML Group of the Netherlands, with Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam, also in attendance.

At the meeting, Minister Thang highly appreciated ASMLs interest in the Vietnamese market, noting that the groups decision to send senior executives to Vietnam and its active participation in SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025 demonstrated a clear commitment to long-term strategic cooperation and reflected growing confidence in Vietnams investment environment and policy framework for high-tech industries.

Thang reaffirmed the governments strong commitment to attracting semiconductor investment as Vietnam pursues ambitious economic growth targets in the coming period. He said the country is steadily advancing strategic policies on institutions, human resources, and related areas to support the long-term development of the semiconductor industry.

In this context, the minister proposed that ASML coordinate with the Embassy of the Netherlands, the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and relevant partners to develop a comprehensive roadmap, appropriate financial mechanisms and public-private resource mobilisation models, with the aim of soon establishing a Semiconductor Training, Research and Development Centre at the NICs Hoa Lac campus.

Moreover, ASML should support the connection of qualified Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in ASMLs global supply chain, thereby diversifying and enhancing the resilience of ASMLs supply chain in Asia, Minister Thang said.

ASML should support Vietnamese companies in developing manufacturing, research and testing infrastructure, known as fablabs, and semiconductor technical services; providing consultancy on technology standards and transferring management experience to gradually build domestic manufacturing capabilities. These efforts would contribute to the formation and development of Vietnams first chip manufacturing plant, the minister added.

He also called for the implementation of training programmes, expert exchanges, internships and scholarship support in the semiconductor field. Such activities would help build a contingent of Vietnamese engineers and specialists capable of meeting the high technological standards and stringent technical requirements of ASML and the global semiconductor equipment industry.

The Ministry of Finance is committed to providing the highest level of support, assigning the NIC as the focal point to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to continue working closely with ASML, the minister said.

The aim is to promptly address any difficulties, create a stable, transparent and favourable legal environment, and ensure the effective and timely implementation of ASMLs cooperation initiatives, thereby making a tangible contribution to the development of Vietnams innovation ecosystem and high-tech industry.

Eduard Stiphout, senior vice president in charge of Strategic Supply and Procurement at ASML Group

On behalf of the ASML delegation, Eduard Stiphout thanked Minister Thang and leaders of units under the Ministry of Finance for sharing highly valuable information. He noted that ASML has been actively engaging and working with the NIC (under the Ministry of Finance) to explore cooperation opportunities in the semiconductor industry, human resource training and the development of a high-tech ecosystem.

Based on initial discussions, ASML is studying the possibility of expanding its supply chain in Vietnam, cooperating to establish a semiconductor training, research and development (R&D) centre at the NIC with support from the Dutch government, and considering the establishment of an official presence in Vietnam in the near future, Stiphout said.

ASML is assessing the potential to supply equipment to prospective customers in Vietnam, he added.

ASML is one of the worlds leading semiconductor corporation and holds a dominant position in the market thanks to its ownership of extreme ultraviolet lithography technology. This core technology is decisive for the production of advanced generations of chips serving AI, 5G and high-performance computing.

With a market capitalisation among the highest in the semiconductor industry (approximately $400 billion), annual revenues of around $30-35 billion, and more than 40,000 employees across 60 facilities worldwide, ASML plays a central role in the global semiconductor value chain, directly shaping the development roadmaps of leading corporations such as TSMC, Samsung and Intel.

ASML chip machines blocked from export to China Cutting-edge chip manufacturing machines from Dutch semiconductor giant ASML have been blocked from export to China, according to the firm, amid a report of US pressure in the strategic sector.

Vietnam bets on AI and semiconductors to drive tech transformation A SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025 conference spotlighted AI and semiconductors as the dual engines powering the countrys technological leap.
Determined student celebrates passing GCSE English with support from Coleg Cambria

A determined student is celebrating after securing the GCSE English grade she worked so hard to achieve  thanks to the support of Coleg Cambria.

Vik Prusinskaite, 18, previously attended Connahs Quay High School before enrolling at Cambria to study Level 2 Media.

While enjoying the course, she still needed to pass GCSE English, a qualification Vik knew would be vital for her education and career.

I was so close on several occasions, so to finally get the grade I needed was such a relief, said Vik, from Connahs Quay.

English is so important for job interviews and for my future career, so passing has lifted a huge pressure. Im really grateful to Katy Morgan and the team at Cambria for their encouragement and support  they believed in me.

Vik  whose family hail from Lithuania  is now studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Media, focusing on image and content creation, and has her sights set on university.

She is considering York, Liverpool or Wolverhampton as possible options, with the dream of building a career in photography.

Reflecting on her experience, she highlighted how a change in learning style made the difference: In large classrooms I found it hard to concentrate, but being in a smaller group and studying remotely gave me the chance to really focus.

That approach worked so much better for me and helped me stay motivated.

Skills and Quality Lead Katy Morgan praised Viks determination and said: Vik is an amazing student. She resat her GCSE English initially and came so close to passing.

She tried again last November and was again just short, but she refused to give up. We reviewed her Oracy, and this time she not only achieved a pass but secured a B grade! She is a fantastic example of resilience and commitment.
Senedd hears mixed picture on NHS winter performance

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles has told the Senedd that NHS Wales and social care services broadly remained resilient through one of the most challenging periods of the year.

In a detailed statement to Members, Mr Miles said early planning and close coordination across the NHS and local authorities had helped maintain essential services during the festive season.

He said: This time of year consistently brings pressures caused by the weather and an increase in common winter viruses, which can make existing and underlying health conditions worse.

Mr Miles said hospitals and the ambulance service experienced sharp increases in demand due to flu and respiratory illnesses, with 284 in-patient cases of confirmed influenza in the week to 21 December, and 261 the following week.

He thanked staff across health and social care for their work during what he described as a demanding period, adding: Their dedication, professionalism and compassion has been extraordinary.

The Cabinet Secretary said that despite pressures, essential services had been maintained, and new operational approaches were showing results.

He cited improvements in ambulance handover times and a reduction in corridor care compared to last winter.

A national winter sprint fortnight before Christmas had focused on speeding up hospital discharges, with 981 people transported home from hospital in the three days leading up to Christmas Day.

NHS Wales data showed 6,050 non-emergency patient transport journeys were completed in December, 5 per cent more than last year.

Mr Miles confirmed a second winter sprint would take place later this month to build on the improvements seen in December.

Opposition Members questioned the governments assessment of resilience.

Welsh Conservative MS James Evans said: For patients across Wales, the lived experience this winter has been one of overcrowded emergency departments, ambulances outside hospitals, and waiting lists that are continuing to grow.

He said almost 30 per cent of patients waited more than four hours in A&E in December and asked whether resilience reflected reality or simply the absence of a complete system failure.

Mr Miles replied that waiting lists were falling, not rising, and said: Its really important that, when we have these exchanges, they are premised on the facts and the data.

Plaid Cymrus Mabon ap Gwynfor MS questioned why progress made under last years 50-day challenge on hospital discharges had not been sustained and asked whether best practice was being consistently shared between health boards.

He also raised concerns about ambulance performance and vaccination coverage.

Mr Miles said uptake had improved, with 70,000 more vaccinations delivered than at the same point last year, and staff vaccination rates up by 4.5 per cent.

Other Members highlighted social care pressures, ambulance response times and corridor care.

Jane Dodds MS called for more support for rural areas such as Powys, where delayed discharge rates remain high, while Alun Davies MS pressed for further backing for ambulance services in Gwent.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS shared his personal experience of long waits at the Grange Hospital, warning against unsafe discharges driven by a scramble to create capacity.

Mr Miles said: Its absolutely unacceptable if someone is discharged home in that way. There are clear protocols in place that should prevent that.

Labour MS Julie Morgan praised NHS staff and shared a constituents letter commending the world-class care received at the University Hospital of Wales.

In response to questions from Andrew RT Davies MS, Mr Miles said work was under way to develop and publish corridor care data as part of ongoing winter sprint monitoring.

Heledd Fychan MS described distressing scenes of patients waiting for hours on the floor without water or bedding, saying: It was heartbreaking to see the impact on staff and patients.

Mr Miles acknowledged such incidents were unacceptable and said improving discharge processes was key to reducing them.

He added: Our expectation as a Government is that corridor care should be exceptional. Its happening more than we want to see, but we are focused on creating more capacity and improving patient flow.
Welsh Governments 1 bus fare scheme sees over two million journeys taken

More than two million bus journeys have been taken by young people across Wales since the launch of the 1 bus fare scheme in September last year.

The Welsh Government scheme, which runs until the end of August 2026, offers all young people aged between 5-21 years a single fare for just 1 and a 3 day ticket when travelling with any participating bus services.

Last week Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates joined a group of studnets from Llangollen to Wrexham to find out more about how the scheme has benefited them.

Its fantastic to see so many young people taking advantage of cheaper bus fares, said Ken Skates, who is also the Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South.

We know that the cost of travel is often a barrier for young people, especially in rural areas, so I am delighted that our investment is making travel as accessible and affordable as possible with the scheme already making a real difference to young peoples lives across Wales.

Avery Stridgen, 17, from North Wales said: The 1 bus fare scheme has opened up more opportunities, enabling me to make and keep social connections and to get back and fore to college.

I now use the bus more than Ive done before and its because of these cheaper fares.

Liam Lennard, 17, from Prestatyn added: The new scheme has really helped me to get to and from work as I live in Prestatyn and work in Rhyl.

My bus usage has increased under this scheme, and I hope to see this become a permanent arrangement.

Full details of the scheme and participating bus services are available on the TfW website.

The Welsh Government has provided a total of 22m over two financial years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support 1 bus fares for all 521-year-olds, which includes 15m secured through the Budget agreement with the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds.
Several people are facing drug-related charges after a traffic stop near the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center Saturday afternoon.

According to the Storey County Sheriff's Office, a K9 deputy was alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics.

Deputies searched the vehicle, and reportedly found methamphetamine and several pipes.

Deputies arrested the occupants, identified as Michael Dennis of Costa Mesa, California, Andrew Rouse of Las Vegas, and Brian Smith of Chandler, Arizona.
News / National

by Staff reporter

When the South African dream collapsed, Beitbridge  the bustling border town on Zimbabwe's southern frontier  quietly became a refuge for Marble Moyo*, a sex worker surviving on the margins of a harsh economy.For Moyo and many other women, Beitbridge is less a choice than a last resort after failed attempts to secure stable employment across the Limpopo River. What was intended as a brief stopover has, for many, turned into a permanent and precarious home.Investigations by Truth Diggers reveal that a significant number of sex workers operating in Beitbridge originate from Mashonaland, Midlands and Manicaland provinces, with many coming from Harare, Chitungwiza and other urban centres. Most left Zimbabwe hoping to find work as domestic workers or in the service industry in South Africa. Instead, economic hardship, exploitation and unemployment pushed them into sex work  a path they say they never imagined for themselves.For Moyo, the truth is too painful to share with her family. Originally from Zengeza 2 in Chitungwiza, she admits she has lied to her relatives, telling them she works in South Africa as a maid."I tell my family I am still in South Africa working as a domestic worker," she said. "They would never understand what I am really doing."Another woman, who asked to be identified only as Lolo and is from Marondera, said her journey into sex work began after her plans in South Africa fell apart. She said she had been an active churchgoer before leaving Zimbabwe to work as a maid."My boss later relocated to the United Kingdom and I failed to secure another job," she said. "A friend then introduced me to sex work."Lolo said she eventually left South Africa after finding the work too dangerous, relocating to Beitbridge instead. Like Moyo, she has kept her situation secret from her family."I can't go back home and face my family because everyone is looking up to me," she said. "The little that I get here, I send it home."Poverty in Zimbabwe remains widespread, but women bear a disproportionate burden, particularly in rural areas. Women face higher unemployment, are overrepresented in informal and insecure work and have less access to income-generating assets. According to the United Nations in Zimbabwe, female-headed households experience higher multidimensional deprivation  19 percent compared to 13.3 percent for male-headed households  reflecting deeper poverty across education, health and living standards.Moyo and Lolo's experiences mirror those of many other women in Beitbridge, caught between stigma, survival and responsibility. With few formal employment opportunities available, sex work has become one of the few viable sources of income.Truth Diggers established that many sex workers live in makeshift brothels  ordinary houses converted into shared accommodation  mainly in Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge's oldest suburb. The women reportedly pay daily rentals of about 50 rand per person. Living conditions are cramped, with four to six women sharing a single room, often separated only by hanging curtains that offer little privacy.By day, the neighbourhood appears quiet. By nightfall, it transforms as sex workers gather at a spot known locally as KuMadurawall, a well-known "touchline" where they solicit clients. Customers include truck drivers, border jumpers and travellers, and some women allege that police officers are also among their clientele.Several sex workers reported facing verbal abuse, threats and non-payment. Few, however, feel safe reporting such cases to the police, citing fear and mistrust.Some of the properties used as brothels are owned by former sex workers. One landlord, identified as Mai Chari, said she built her house during her years as a cross-border trader, supplementing her income through sex work."My tenants are mostly sex workers and I charge daily rentals," she said, adding that about 14 women share three rooms at her property.Despite the risks, sex workers in Beitbridge are increasingly benefiting from targeted health interventions. The Beitbridge Wellness Centre, run by the National Aids Council in partnership with North Star Alliance and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, provides integrated services including HIV testing, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraception and psychosocial support.Recognising that most sex work takes place at night, the programme also offers moonlight services  mobile outreach clinics that operate during evening hours. These services have improved access to healthcare for women who struggle to attend daytime clinics."At night, it's easier for us to get help," Moyo said. "We can talk freely and get services when we need them."Beitbridge district Aids coordinator Edward Mlaudzi said the district has about 2 000 sex workers, including some aged between 15 and 19. The district's HIV prevalence stands at 14.5 percent, with HIV positivity among sex workers estimated to be three times higher than in the general population.Mlaudzi said efforts were underway to empower young sex workers through skills training and education programmes, in collaboration with government ministries responsible for youth and women's development.Development practitioner Takemore Mazuruse said Beitbridge's hidden sex economy reflects broader national challenges."These women are not just sex workers  they are migrants, mothers, daughters and breadwinners operating in a system that has failed them," he said. "Beitbridge may have become their sanctuary, but it is a sanctuary without security, and a refuge without rights."*Name changed to protect identity.(*Not real name)
AceShowbiz - In the world of television, few series have captivated audiences like Stranger Things. As the show wrapped up, many fans were left pondering the fate of the characters, particularly that of . The character's journey concluded in a way that resonated with actress Natalia Dyer, who had a specific condition for how Nancy's story should end.

In the final moments of Stranger Things, viewers discover that Nancy has chosen to leave her studies at Emerson College to pursue a career at the Boston Herald. Reflecting on this pivotal decision, Dyer expressed her strong feelings about Nancy's educational path during conversations with the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers. She noted to Deadline, At the end, I would say Nancy not being in school is something I was very adamant about. The Duffers, theyd go around a little bit and be like, Well, what do you think? Theyre very collaborative.

For Dyer, this decision reflects the growth and evolution of her character throughout the series. My main thing is like, I just do not think Nancy could go back to school, she emphasized. I just cannot see her in school. This perspective highlights how far Nancy has come, transforming from a student into a formidable figure capable of navigating the complexities of adulthood.

As discussions surrounding the finale of Stranger Things continue, Natalia Dyer stands out as one of the few characters whose conclusion has been met with general agreement from both fans and creators. Many viewers have engaged in debates about various character arcs, yet Dyer felt a sense of satisfaction with Nancy's ending. She reminisced, I remember reading the epilogue like, Yeah, thats perfect. For me. For Nancy. I felt really satisfied. I think after everything shes been through, I just couldnt see her writing papers and turning it in.

By the series finale, Nancy Wheeler has showcased her talents not just in writing but also in handling intense situations, proving her resilience. As she embarks on her new journey, its clear that her experiences in the terrifying world of The Upside Down have only fueled her ambition to chase her dreams.
AceShowbiz - Breaking Bad faced immense expectations for its finale in 2013. Having evolved into a cultural phenomenon, viewers were eager to see if Vince Gilligan could conclude Walter White's journey with the same depth and satisfaction that characterized the series. The episode "Felina" received widespread acclaim, showcasing the show's ability to deliver a finale that resonated where many others have faltered. Walt's demise was both impactful and necessary, while Jesse's liberation offered a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. The final moments demonstrated Walt's cunning, proving he remained several steps ahead of his adversaries, culminating in an explosive confrontation with Jack's gang. A remarkable aspect of Breaking Bad's conclusion was the subsequent exploration of its universe through El Camino and Better Call Saul, which enriched the original story. While "Felina" has been celebrated as one of the greatest finales in television history, it faced formidable competition a few years later from a unique comedy series.

The finale of The Good Place nearly rivaled that of Breaking Bad. Unlike typical sitcoms, where the ending often revolves around resolving romantic tensions and offering sentimental farewells, The Good Place broke the mold with its unconventional finale titled "Whenever You're Ready." Remarkably, the narrative was largely completed in the penultimate episode, where a new afterlife system was established, granting the characters their well-deserved happiness. The show could have concluded there, leaving viewers satisfied with a satisfactory ending.

However, the true brilliance of The Good Place finale lay in its ability to delve deeper into themes of purpose and fulfillment. It provided a heartwarming yet profound exploration of what it means to live a good life, pushing the boundaries of conventional sitcom endings. The characters faced significant choices that resonated on a personal level, and the final moments were a beautiful send-off that balanced humor with genuine emotion.

Both Breaking Bad and The Good Place left indelible marks on television, but their approaches to finality were distinctly different. While Breaking Bad delivered a gripping and intense conclusion, The Good Place offered a thoughtful reflection on life, making both finales remarkable in their own rights. Ultimately, each show achieved memorable endings that will be cherished by fans for years to come.
AceShowbiz - PlayStation has just launched pre-orders for some exciting new hardware, but be preparedthis gear comes with a steep price tag. If you're eager to get your hands on the latest offerings from Sony, you might need to dig deep into your finances. Or perhaps consider more drastic measures, like selling a kidney or marrying into wealth to fund your gaming desires. However you choose to finance it, brace yourself: the PlayStation 5 is now well into its fifth year on the market. With typical console life cycles ranging from seven to eight years, the PlayStation 6 will soon be on the horizonassuming it likes to make an entrance. As of now, Sony hasn't disclosed any specific features about the next-gen console. In the meantime, the PlayStation 5 still has plenty to offer.

Recently, PlayStation has opened pre-orders for its vibrant new Hyperpop Collection, showcasing three unique designs for the DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers. Gamers can choose from three eye-catching color themes: Techno (red), Remix (green), or Rhythm (blue). The Hyperpop DualSense wireless controllers are available for pre-order at a price of $84.99, while the matching PS5 console covers are priced at $74.99 and are offered in limited quantities. Although the collection is set to launch officially in March, fans can secure their orders now through the PlayStation website. Leo Cardoso, the Color, Material, and Finish Designer for PlayStation, shared his excitement about the new collection, stating, Were cranking the volume all the way up with a collection that doesnt just stand out, it takes over the room. Inspired by the glow of the RGB lights of your impressive gaming setups, these new colors go LOUD in the best possible way.

While the release of this new collection serves as a reminder that the PlayStation 6 is still a bit away, the anticipation builds as we inch closer to the launch of the next generation of consoles. Gaming enthusiasts are eager for whats to come, but for now, theres a stunning array of options available to enhance their current PlayStation 5 experience.

In conclusion, if youre looking to upgrade your gaming setup with new accessories, now is the time to act. The Hyperpop Collection is not only a stylish addition but also a testament to PlayStation's commitment to delivering quality and innovation. Dont miss your chance to stand out in the gaming community with these vibrant new designs!
News / National

by Staff reporter

Concerns are mounting over whether the ambitious rehabilitation of the more than 440-kilometre BulawayoVictoria Falls highway will be completed by the government's end-of-year deadline, amid indications that progress on the ground remains slow and uneven.Although authorities have so far opened about 45 kilometres of the highway to traffic, the rehabilitation has been carried out in short stretches, with some sections as brief as five kilometres being completed and commissioned at a time. Analysts and opposition legislators warn that unless the pace of work accelerates significantly, the project risks missing its target.Nkayi South legislator Jabulani Hadebe of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said he was sceptical that the highway would be completed within the stated timeframe, arguing that delays have become a recurring feature of major infrastructure projects."It's no longer a year to the 2026 deadline. It will be a first for this government to complete such capital projects in time," Hadebe said. He accused the government of incompetence and failure to meet set targets, citing projects such as the BulawayoNkayi, BulawayoTsholotsho, BulawayoKezi and BulawayoGwanda roads as examples.Hadebe said Parliament would intensify oversight to ensure accountability, adding that delays were often linked to weak supervision and late release of funds. He said lawmakers would exert pressure on the Ministry of Transport, which supervises contractors, and on the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely disbursement of funds.The BulawayoVictoria Falls highway is a critical economic artery linking Zimbabwe's second-largest city to its premier tourist destination, as well as regional trade routes into Zambia and Botswana. The road has for years been in a poor state, prompting government to embark on a phased rehabilitation programme involving multiple contractors.Bulawayo-based social commentator Effie Ncube said the current pace of work did not reflect the strategic importance of the road. He argued that the refurbishment required far greater urgency, describing the current progress as too slow to meet the agreed timeline.Ncube called for stronger supervision and increased allocation of resources, saying these were urgently needed to avoid further delays on a project that was long overdue.Another analyst echoed similar concerns, warning that without drastic changes the 2026 deadline may be unrealistic. The analyst said government could consider engaging more contractors to speed up the work, stressing that the road was vital to the economy and needed to be restored without further delays.The analyst also pointed to capacity challenges among some contractors, particularly when government payments are delayed. According to the analyst, limited access to plant and capital means contractors struggle to operate effectively whenever funding is not released on time.Despite the criticism, government officials insist the project is progressing well and could be completed sooner than critics predict. Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said rehabilitation works began in earnest in August last year and were on track, apart from disruptions caused by funding delays and heavy rains.Moyo said contractors were targeting an eight- to 10-month completion period, provided there were no financial disturbances. He expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme could be completed by August or September this year, adding that the pace of work was satisfactory.He acknowledged that the rainy season had slowed progress in some areas but said contractors resumed work whenever conditions allowed.Despite these assurances, questions remain over whether the incremental approach of opening small sections intermittently can deliver a fully rehabilitated highway within the promised timeframe. With the road central to tourism, trade and regional connectivity, stakeholders say its timely completion will be a key test of the government's ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects as promised.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Harare City Council has attributed its ongoing service delivery challenges to unpaid debts by residents and other stakeholders, revealing that over ZiG 8.4 billion is owed to the municipality. Mayor Jacob Mafume stated that residents alone account for 80% of the arrears, while businesses and government agencies make up the remainder.Speaking at Town House, Mafume warned that the financial strain is severely impacting the council's operations, with some debts having accumulated for more than a decade. He emphasized that revenue collection is central to service delivery, noting that the council aims to achieve at least an 80% collection rate by 2026, with plans to reach full compliance in the future.To encourage repayment, the council has launched a time-bound debt settlement initiative offering a 20% discount to residents who clear outstanding balances between January 19 and February 13. Residents paying in foreign currency, including those in the diaspora, are eligible for additional benefits. Mafume highlighted that a recent commercial sector collection blitz had produced positive results.The mayor also pointed to the importance of the city's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which integrates accounting, procurement, and billing into a single auditable platform. The system, costing between US$360,000 and US$500,000 annually to maintain, is expected to curb corruption and financial mismanagement. He revealed that prior weaknesses allowed unauthorized access to the council's finances, with reports indicating that around 1,000 individuals had the authority to open accounts, creating opportunities for misuse and theft."The systems have been manipulated. Super users have gone in to take money and create accounts," Mafume said. "We are tightening controls around profligacy, corruption, and misuse of council funds so we can focus on investments, housing, and other projects."The mayor indicated that the council intends to prosecute the super users and other involved parties. Harare, like other local authorities, has long struggled with service delivery issues, compounded by accusations that central government interference and politically appointed management have undermined competent leadership at municipal level.
In the aftermath of the shooting involving federal ICE agents in Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz directed state agencies to mobilize resources to support public safety efforts in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Governor Walz gave orders for the states National Guard to conduct necessary preparation in the event they are needed to assist local and state authorities.

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While statements from the Governors office evenly say the National Guard troops would be placed on standby to assist local police and maintain the peace, Governor Walz could be perceived as escalating the situation with his statements like this:

We have soldiers in training and prepared to be deployed if necessary. I remind you; a warning order is a heads-up for folks. Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight. Advertisement

...along with these exchanges with reporters:

Asked how he planned to deploy the National Guard, Walz said he did not know yet before acknowledging the extraordinary nature of the situation, telling reporters, Weve never been at war with our federal government. Advertisement

Another account portrayed his remarks as insisting his state was under siege and as if it were under federal occupation.

Such statements  which some observers have called civil war style rhetoric  could be taken as Walz considering a more sinister scenario; that the states National Guard could conceivably be used to oppose or somehow counter the presence of federal ICE and law enforcement operations in Minnesota.

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If Walz ever took the unconscionable step to escalate and call on state National Guard troops to oppose federal ICE operations, he would be in open rebellion against lawful orders of the federal government. If the governor ordered the National Guard to do anything to oppose the federal government, they would be instantly removed from his control and federalized. Taking it a step farther, any attempt by the state to forcibly oppose ICE could be framed as insurrection, potentially triggering even greater federal intervention. A state  any state in our republic  has no legal rights to stop the federal government from enforcing the law. Ironic, given other recent events, that any orders to such effect by the governor would be unlawful.

Enter Democrat senator Mark Kelly, who recently participated in a video with five other Democrat lawmakers (collectively called the Six) in which they called on troops to defy illegal orders. Kelly and the others posted their video November 18, reminding active-duty personnel that obeying unlawful orders is a violation of military law and their oath to uphold the Constitution. The six went public as the U.S. military conducted a series of air strikes in the Caribbean targeting boats identified as operated by trans-national cartels smuggling drugs.

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With his status as a retired naval officer, Kelly has now been issued a letter of censure by the secretary of War as a necessary process step to proceedings that could result in a demotion from Kellys retired rank of captain in the U.S. Navy. The censure charges that Kellys remarks in the video and afterward violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provision against conduct unbecoming an officer and violating good order and discipline.

While thankfully still a hypothetical, would Senator Kelly  or any of the Six  have a similar message for the situation in Minnesota? If Governor Walz were to ever take the fateful step to order state National Guard troops to counter, or somehow oppose, disrupt, or hinder federal ICE immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, would Senator Kelly have stepped up to admonish the decisions of a fellow Democrat in Governor Walz? Would Senator Kelly have likewise acted to warn Minnesota National Guard personnel of that foundational principle of military law: Orders must be lawful  and illegal orders must be refused?

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Or would Senator Kelly and his Democrat colleagues remained silent and not more objectively applied their video message to the situation in Minnesota? Would political sentiments (i.e., this time, it is not the Trump administration) have driven Senator Kelly (or any of his Democrat colleagues) to remain silent or worse  support such a decision  because it is now a Democrat governors actions and statements?

What an ironic twist of fate it would be if ever Senator Kelly (along with his five congressional colleagues) instead had to deliver the same message from their controversial video to the Minnesota National Guard, reminding them that orders must be lawful. What if Senator Kelly had to direct his message at Minnesota National Guardsmen to prevent a modern-day equivalent of firing on Fort Sumter because a fellow Democrat politician made the decision to issue real, actual, and perilous unlawful orders?

Colonel Chris J. Krisinger, USAF (ret.) graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and served in policy advisory positions at the Pentagon and twice at the Department of State. He is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College and was also a National Defense Fellow at Harvard University. Want to continue the discussion? Email [email protected].

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Even before 19th-century scientists figured out that bacteria and viruses, not bad air, spread disease (see, e.g., John Snow and Ignaz Semmelweis), people had figured out that filthy conditions, whether military encampments or poor neighborhoods, were conducive to the spread of nasty, deadly diseases that didnt stay confined to their starting points but spread widely through society. (See, e.g., the Plague of Athens, the Antonine Plague, and the Black Death.) We in the modern era were reminded of this with Hitlers ghettoes and concentration camps and, more recently, cholera outbreaks in Africa.

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Unfortunately, for leftists, the obsession with exciting things such as transgenderism and white guilt has squeezed out room for what was once common knowledge. And thats how you get a story that caught my eye in yesterdays SFGATE, a hard-left-leaning spin-off of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The headline was carefully neutral: Dangerous bacterial outbreak in Berkeley sparks health alert. The image immediately beneath it was studiously scientific, showing a prettily colored close-up of the leptospira bacteria. The first paragraph struck an official tone:

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Berkeley health officials issued a warning to residents after a potentially dangerous bacterial disease was detected in the city.

It wasnt until the second paragraph that one careful word crept into the reporting:

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In a news release issued Monday by the city, local health officials reported numerous infected rats and noted that at least two dogs tested positive for leptospirosis near an encampment in the citys Harrison Street corridor. (Emphasis mine.)

Encampment. What type of encampment would that be? Well, it takes a while before we find out. First, the article explains that the disease is rat-borne and occurs when humans come into contact with rat excrement. Ick. Thats not something that happens in clean, well-run communities.

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Next, we learn that the weather played a role. Lots of rain, according to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, means that,

Wherever you get rats urinating and then flooding or rain, theres potential for exposure, he said. The combination of warmth followed by rain is kind of a bad setup for leptospirosis. Advertisement

Okay, I get that. But what about the encampment?

Were not there yet. Next is a Getty stock photo of a man, seen only from the neck down, hiking in a creek with his dog, followed by another Getty stock photo of a cute dog in a puddle. Its all very wholesome and, you know, nature-y.

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Then, more science about how long the bacteria can survive in contaminated soil.

But I still want to know about the encampment that is the vector for this very nasty disease, the symptoms of which are still unexplained.

Eventually, my patience is somewhat rewarded:

City officials said the Harrison Street encampments, located near Codornices Creek, have conditions that allow the bacteria to thrive, given the standing water, uncontained garbage and limited access for rodent control crews. In the public health alert, Berkeley designated the area as a red or high-risk zone and urged encampment residents to move at least a third of a mile away to allow for cleanup and rat abatement.

At this point, unless youre a complete moron or willfully living in a state of denial, you understand that these encampments are what normal people call homeless camps.

The article warns that this is a zoonotic disease, not one that is transmitted from person to person, but otherwise says little about the core fact: a potentially deadly, and always deeply unpleasant, disease working its way through the once First World city of Berkeley. Nor does it dwell on the fact that a sizable sector of Berkeley has been taken over by homeless people who are often mentally ill and invariably abusing drugs and alcoholpeople who should be incarcerated, institutionalized, or treated (or some combination of the three), but who are allowed to despoil once-civilized urban environments in the name of compassion.

That was yesterday. Today, the New York Post, a more conservative publication, provides actually useful information. The article is focused on rising panic in Los Angeles, which has an enormous, uncontrolled homeless population, making it a perfect landing area for a leptospirosis outbreak. At the very top of the article is a video showing the medieval squalor in which Berkeleys homeless live. It also explains that Berkeley officials had repeatedly tried to relocate the encampment. However, last year, a federal judge said that the encampment couldnt be moved.

(This article explains how dangerous the encampment was to those living within it and those trying to function around it. However, Judge Edward Chen, an Obama nominee, granted petitions by homeless advocates to leave the camp there, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights matters to justify allowing damaged and dangerous people to take over city streets. Apparently, law-abiding, functional taxpayers have no rights.)

In other words, real reporting isnt about weather and dogs. Instead, its about the fact that Berkeley, aided by a leftist justice system, is devolving. And as is always the case when endemic diseases associated with filth and animals take hold, theres a risk that the disease will become epidemic. Thats actual reporting. What SFGATE did was hide the ball.

There is nothing compassionate about leftist compassion. It allows people to rot in the streets, destroys cities, and spreads diseases. And because disease knows no borders, the appalling policies that are destroying blue cities across America may be coming soon to a community near you.

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What's failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton up to these days?

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Based on what I saw in my Columbia University just-out alumni magazine, she's out and about trying to prevent the election of More Trumps.

In early 2024, she had been installed as a 'professor of practice' at Columbia University's prestigious School for International and Public Affairs, known as SIPA, and from there, founded something called the 'Institute of Global Politics.'

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Now the Institute of Global Politics, partnering with the lefty Reynolds Foundation (which is linked to more famously lefty Jane Street Capital), has launched something called the 'American Democracy Initiative,' dedicated to 'saving democracy' here in the U.S. by finding ways to prevent the election of More Trumps.

Oh, they didn't say it that way, but if you read their output, that's what they have in mind.

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Hillary was quoted in the alumni magazine this way:

"This work could not be more urgent, said Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton 22HON, a professor at SIPA and chair of the IGP faculty advisory board. American democracy is facing serious threats, and it will take rigorous research, fresh thinking, and broad and bipartisan coalitions to meet them." Advertisement

The American Democracy Initiative's website gives this dreamy description:

Led by Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Herbert Lehman Professor of Government in the Faculty of International and Public Affairs, IGPs American Democracy Initiative convenes leading scholars and practitioners with SIPAs world-class faculty to develop and disseminate actionable ideas to deepen and defend American democracy. IGPs American Democracy Initiative will bring fresh ideas and strategies to these challenges, facilitating original research, convening scholars and experts, translating research into actionable strategy, and communicating with civil society leaders and government officials across the political spectrum. Advertisement

Which is weird stuff, given that SIPA is a school for future diplomats, not an American campaign outlet for opposition research.

The program includes a tacked-on mission of educating Latin American journalists, which is kind of duplicative with other Columbia programs, and probably there for the foreign affairs flavor, and the main first paper brings up right-wing populist surges in Europe, which they intend to 'dampen' down, too.

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This means placing the U.S. experience with right-wing populism into the broader context of the global shift toward this movement, and to look for potential causes and levers to dampen support both abroad and at home.

Can't have citizens voting a certain way, you see.

But the core mission let the cat out of the bag with these details:

In a collaboration with the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Professor Alexander Hertel-Fernandez commissioned a series of essays from economists, political scientists, and sociologists on why economic policymakers need to consider defining the protection of democracy as a goal for economic policy design. The essays outline how economic policy failures contributed to the rise of right-wing populism, how populist leaders channeled mass discontent from economic policy failures into political power, and how future economic policy design might dampen the mass appeal of right-wing populism that threatens democracy. You can read more about the essay series and read Alexander Hertel-Fernandezs essay with Equitable Growth President Shayna Strom here:

Last I heard, President Trump was democratically elected despite electoral cheating, a massive barrage of lawfare, bids to get him thrown off the ballot, and at least two assassination attempts. But that's a threat to democracy, you see.

The policy prescriptions are predictably banal, suggesting that Clinton's fingerprints are all over this.

A button follows. I clicked the button and read further:

This essay is the first in a series Equitable Growth will publish by a number of experts exploring the implications of right-wing populism for those making and following U.S. economic policies. In this essayand throughout the broader essay serieswe stress three intellectual contributions of the overall series. First, we argue that the surge in support for right-wing populism merits attention not just from political pundits and strategists, but also from policy leaders who research, design, and implement economic policies. Put simply, the downstream effects of economic policy for politics and democracy merit far more attention than they have been getting in policy design and implementation. Second, we argue that meeting this new view of economic policymaking will require drawing from a broader set of scholarship than traditionally has been engaged in the U.S. economic policy process. That includes economics but also expands to cover work in political science and sociology. And third, we argue that U.S. policymakers, who often are used to thinking about American exceptionalism, need to learn from the broader global shifts in support for right-wing populism around the globe. This means placing the U.S. experience with right-wing populism into the broader context of the global shift toward this movement, and to look for potential causes and levers to dampen support both abroad and at home.

It's so 2008:

They basically say: Trump voters are workers in rust-belt states like Ohio. They're unhappy with free trade taking their jobs. They're upset at greenie regulations raising their cost of living. They blame foreigners.

Best way to deal with them? Put them on the public dole.

What are their solutions?

Well, put more Americans on welfare, making them wards of the state.

In a similar vein, an analysis of elections from 1990 to 2017 across rich democracies found that populist parties did better when incumbent parties made cuts to social spending, especially unemployment benefits, and populist parties fared worse when countries spent more on such benefitsevidence that compensating individuals and communities facing economic shocks can blunt demand for right-wing populism.22 And a third study found that government austerity, especially cutbacks to income support programs, pulls economically vulnerable regions and individuals to the populist right.23

Throw money at them, make them go away. That's prevent them from electing More Trumps.

I'll bet.

It get worse when they start bringing up Joe Biden's economic policies as objectively wonderful, but victims of bad 'messaging' which is pretty much what the Bidenites claimed.

I added some boldface:

While in office, former President Biden pursued a set of economic policies that broke from traditional approaches for economic governance, recognizing the ways that trade, antitrust, and consumer regulatory policies have, over decades, often eroded working- and middle-class jobs and advantaged concentrated economic interests over workers.47 President Biden and his team sought to leverage historic new infrastructure investments to create high-quality new jobs in stagnating communities across the country. Building on new scholarship in economics and law, this bundle of approaches pursued by the Biden-Harris administration came to be dubbed Bidenomics. The thinking behind Bidenomics and the framework we have laid out in this essay are quite aligned. Specifically, they both highlight how past economic policy decisions around trade and regulation have hollowed out working-class communities across the country and both focus on strengthening unions as an economic and democratic imperative, on checking outsized corporate influence on the economy and politics to boost government responsiveness to working- and middle-class workers and their families, and on investing in good jobs in specific communities and places, not just transferring money to people. But there are some important ways in which our framework either goes beyond the Bidenomics approach or departs from it. Perhaps most notably, much of the Biden-Harris administration assumed that good economic policy decisions would speak for themselves. When presidential administrations make policy, they inevitably have a heuristic they use to quickly check whether a given policy design meets their internal goals. The Biden-Harris administrations shorthand was sometimes dubbed deliverisma strategy to achieve political support by producing concrete material gains for the publicand policies were evaluated internally in part by whether they fit the goals of deliverism.48

Oh, give me a break. Does it ever occur to these scholars that maybe there was a problem with Biden's policies? That foisting greenie regulations was a very good damper for creating startups, and raising the minimum wage was a very good way to knock the lower rungs off the job ladders for the lowest-skilled workers,. ensuring that many never got a start at all? Yeah, yeah, put them on welfare as wards of the state, that'll shut 'em up.

That workers are fed up with unions and don't want their dues going to kickbacks to Democrats? That Biden opened the border to all comers, numbering in their millions, driving down wages for workers across the board? Or that corporate America essentially shut young white male workers out of the workplace in the name of pursuing DEI? Or that those who took the time and effort to pursue STEM majors in engineering and other non-gut majors were on the unemployment lines as H1-B visa holders, who worked cheaper and were exempt from taxes, got the jobs?

Those are the things that elected Trump, along with worker anger over election cheating with cardboard taped over the windows of the ballot counting stations and truck drivers reporting ballot deliveries to be counted, over and over, in multiple states? And don't forget the lawfare, lots and lots of lawfare, that tried to knock Trump out of the presidential race in 2024. And the suppression of free speech on social media, extending even to major newspapers such as the New York Post, which had a significant scoop on the Hunter Biden laptop, revealing untold corruption from Democrats.

Nobody addressed those things, and yes, they were and are lethal threats to democracy, which motivated voters of all colors and ages to get to the polls for Trump as the only one who could be relied upon to stop them.

What is Hillary Clinton doing this for? And why is Columbia University allowing this disguised campaign to elect Democrats ho on as a university that claims to prize diversity of thought and idea, but in reality, is dedicated to electing more dreary Hillaries? It's disgusting. The only thing good about it is that it won't persuade many voters. They ought to shut this partisan program down.

Image: Screenshot from Columbia SIPA video, via YouTube.
Want more crime?

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Here's how you get more crime, in Illinois where leftist Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed a law to effectively erase criminal records on an automated basis after a mere six months. As if Chicago, with all its shootings, didn't have a big enough problem with crime.

According to Chicago's ABC 7:

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CHICAGO -- Over 1.7 million Illinois adults will be eligible to have their nonviolent criminal records automatically sealed after Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed the long-debated "Clean Slate" Act. House Bill 1836 will require law enforcement agencies and circuit clerks to begin systematically sealing eligible criminal records by 2029. Existing law already allows people to apply for qualifying records to be sealed for certain crimes. The new law doesn't add to the list of eligible offences, but rather streamlines and automates the process, removing legwork for those with records. Advertisement Of the 2.2 million Illinois adults with a past arrest or conviction, advocates estimate that 1.74 million, or 79%, could have their records partially or fully sealed because of the legislation.

TODAY: Illinois Democrat Governor JB Pritzker signed into law The Clean Slate Act



Law enforcement agencies are now required to automatically seal eligible criminal records every six months



Criminals are now free to steal and commit crimes, and their convictions will be sealed pic.twitter.com/BHnnd2VnTi  Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 17, 2026

No need to ask, or for that matter, show any commitment to pursuing a crime-free life, the state just erases all offenses -- drugs, drug dealing, shoplifting, robbing cars, commercial theft, running a fence, aggravated speeding, leaving the scene of an accident, prostitution, flashing, public masturbation, public urination, public intoxication, drunken disorderly conduct, graffiti spraying, and other Class B crimes, plus strings of arrests where Soros D.A.s failed to file charges -- no questions asked, no paperwork required, all like it never happened in six short months.

The bill is sneakily drafted so that cops can still access these records (why?), but the public cannot. That means employers will have to hire convicted drug dealers and flashers with expunged records, or worse for them, thieves, commercial fencing operators who steal supplies, while landlords will have to rent to hookers and public drunks, too bad about the noise and screaming that follows from the streams of 'clients' in and out of the unit.

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Watch them flock to government jobs and public housing, of course, where the stealin' is easy, the crime goes unenforced, and who cares anyway, each crime gets sealed from the record after six months. Or else to public schools.

And of course, crimes are already not being enforced much against illegal aliens, a non-small factor in the criminal population, owing to officials' desire to keep them from being deported. Dropping arrest records is a clear bid to prevent more deportations of illegals, likely hampering ICE.

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If that's not an incentive to more crime, what is? What's more, it endangers the public as every big crime, such as murder, cat burglary, rape, child molestation, arson, typically begins from long strings of little crimes.

Now, sure, some people want to change their ways, and there already is a process for it.

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But this bill requires no need to want to change one's ways, it just hands out the benefit with none of the commitment and too bad about the public that is going to suffer.

For Pritzker, of course, it's all gravy. He can excuse Soros district attorneys who fail to charge crimes as having no crime to show for it in the records, the records will be sealed. He can claim crime is 'down' because he's such a good lawman. He can take pressure off himself when a heinous murder happens, as newsmen can no longer report 'suspect had 108 priors' to inform the public.

It's so disgusting it effectively erases crime as a problem for the public, blinding the public to who they are surrounded by. That's a field day for criminals, making it that much easier to hide their crimes. That's the constituency J.B. Pritzker 'services' above all others.

Image: Screen shot from X video.
There are few figures in politics more unpleasant than Rep. Eric Swalwell (D. CA), one of the leading figures in the Democrat war against Donald Trump. Just the other day, in a rant on MS NOW, Fang-Fangs former lover told supporters that, when he becomes Californias governor, hell strip ICE officers of their immunity, prosecute them, and even take away their drivers licenses. (Hes forgotten the Supremacy Clause, of course, but the threat is still vicious.)

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However, if Joel Gilbert, a conservative documentary filmmaker, is correct about Swalwells primary place of residency, Swalwell may not have the chance to see if the voters want to elect him as governor. Instead, hell be kicked off the ballot and, arguably, also get kicked out of the House of Representatives.

Under Article V, Section 2 of the California Constitution, a person who wishes to be elected as governor of California shall be an elector who has been a citizen of the United States and a resident of this State for 5 years immediately preceding the Governors election.

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In this context, resident is defined according to 18 Calif. Revenue and Taxation Code  17014, and it carefully distinguishes between those who are domiciled in California and those who are residents. So, whats a resident?

A resident is someone who is not merely passing through or living temporarily in the state. The determination of whether the person is a resident is evidence- or fact-based. The Franchise Tax Board looks at things such as:

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Maintaining a residence

The length of the persons physical residency in the state.

The nature of personal and professional connections

Whether the person maintains ties to California (bank accounts, voter registration, property, etc).

Obviously, one must tread delicately when someone is a member of the House of Representatives, since that person, while representing his or her home state, nevertheless has Washington, D.C., as a primary place of business. So, what specific allegations does Joel Gilbert make to justify his claim that Swalwell fails to meet this residency requirement?

First, Swalwell seems to have followed the same trajectory as other politicians (allegedly including Adam Schiff) in claiming his D.C. property as his principal residence. He did this in 2022, which is within the five-year window for the California Constitutions residency requirement.

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Indeed, Swalwell has no California residency at all. Instead, Swalwell claimed on his Candidates information statement that his attorneys office, in Sacramento, is his California home. As you can see, though, this is an office building thats a four-minute drive from the State Capitol. The only people who might live there are any homeless people whove found shelter in the doorway.

Those facts are pretty damning. If youre claiming your D.C. home as a principal residence in a signed Deed of Trust, either it is indeed your principal residence or youre committing mortgage fraud. And since Swalwell is unlikely to admit to mortgage fraud, hes just separated himself from California and failed in the most basic requirement for a gubernatorial candidate.

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Of course, its not just that Swalwells signed statements, if Gilberts contentions are accurate, should disqualify him from running for California governor. In addition, he needs to be kicked out of the House of Representatives.

Why? Because Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires that a member of the House of Representatives must when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

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As noted, once a person is elected to Congress, D.C. becomes his working address. Nevertheless, there are ways to determine whether he still had ties to his state when elected (as Swalwell did most recently in 2024).

The requirement is straightforward: the candidate must be a state resident at the time of election. And that, of course, gets us right back to Swalwells claim that his D.C. house was his primary residence, along with the fact that the only California address he can offer is his attorneys office.

The lure of a cheap mortgage may be the Achilles heel of Eric Swalwells entire political career. If Gilbert is correct, hes unqualified to serve either as a member of the House of Representatives or to run as a candidate for California governor. That being the case, he needs to be escorted out of Congress and knocked off the ballot in California.

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Is it finally dawning on the collectivist left that they are on the wrong side of history?

There is a common thread of truth running through today's events: it's that the side that has to lie and use force is always wrong.

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On the surface, there doesn't appear to be a common reason for the chaos around the world in the past few weeks.

Seemingly disparate events are confusingly contradictory in scope. This is because these events are driven by the deep fundamental beliefs of one side that manifest themselves in these events.

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Fundamental beliefs that the ends justify the means. And that these means include mendacity, mob rule, and force to achieve these ends. Violent leftists tell themselves they are working for 'social justice,' equality, equity, saving the planet, and whatever else is the fashionable cosplay performance art of the moment.

In reality, 'the ends' have always meant a collectivist ruling class in control of the people, regardless of the cost in thousands, if not millions, of lives.

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But of course, violent leftist collectivists can't be honest about this outcome to themselves or anyone else, so that's where the lies and mendacity come into play. And since no one will actually want what they would like to force on society, as always, they have to resort to mob rule and violence to get their way.

They appear to have certain fantasies about a half-baked 'color revolution' in their heads, with a 'civil war' between various law enforcement organizations and the people.

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Except that there is a vast difference between violent collectivists cosplaying as "revolutionaries" and people around the world who are opposed to leftist authoritarianism.

Leftists disparage Maria Corina Machado, the winner of Venezuela's stolen 2024 election, in favor of Chavista Delcy Rodriguez. Leftists ignore the thousands of deaths in Iran, presumably because of their aspirations of a Red/Green alliance.

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The problem is that el pueblo (the people) aren't cooperating.

Thus, we see stories such as violent collectivists patrolling the streets for drivers who happen to be behind the wheel of the same make of SUV as used by ICE and interrogating  not to say threatening  them.

Except that most decent people recoil from this abject mendacity and violence as we are witnessing right now.

Hence, we had the Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz suddenly change tone in calling for peace.

These are the same collectivists who were using profanity in wanting to be rid of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

This is partially propaganda, but it also shows they know the optics of their collectivist performance art aren't playing too well. Or, they fear federal law enforcement investigations.

The media that's been applying the word insurrection to a 4-hour riot 6 years ago realizes how bad it looks when a mob of violent leftists breaks into a law enforcement vehicle and steals a firearm. It's clear that the people can see who is causing the violence and chaos.

The main mouthpieces of the left are openly warning the violent leftists that Abolish ICE is a losing slogan:

It is a slogan that many Democrats had hoped to retire. Immigration has arguably been the most vexing issue for Democrats in the Trump era. The Biden administrations missteps on the issue  underestimating the scale of migration that their policies would allow and failing to anticipate the political backlash  helped pave the way for President Trumps election to a second term.

The insanity of the left in Minneapolis simply stems from an attempt to distract from the massive fraud that is taking place and an obsession with ending all immigration enforcement.

Except that it only plays with the far-left political minority in the country. Everyone else can see who is incapable of telling the truth and becoming violent when they don't get their way.

Recall the direct, but prescient words of Javier Milei, economist and president of Argentina, on the failure of the collectivist left and conservatisms inevitable victory from a few years ago:

And since they cant beat us with real arguments, they just use the repressive apparatus of the state, with loads of taxpayer money, to destroy us. And yet theyre still losing. They had to remove the blacklist. You understand? Theyre losing!! Theyre desperate. Sh*t leftist are losing the cultural battle! For the first time ever, they are cornered, those sh*t leftards!

These are collectivists who have to lie, cheat, and steal in order to make any headway, and it's becoming clear to everyone else who and what they are.

They have no credibility because their socialist national agenda is nothing but lies.

They claim to care about people, but in reality, they only care about power.

They claim to fight for equality and social justice, but this only means they scam the system and enrich themselves.

Finally, they have to resort to force because that is the only way they can get anywhere.

This means they have always been on the wrong side of history, and it's becoming obvious to everyone  even them.

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.
Two days ago, Sally Zelikovsky brought to my attention a show Id never heard ofLandmanand a scene in that show that quickly became famous. The show is about oilmen and their families in the West Texas oilfields. The scene is about a beautiful, blonde, feminine Texas woman who goes off to college and finds herself confronted by her new roommate: a smug, humorless, self-centered, non-binary, pronoun-obsessed little dictator.

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Both the scene and the actress playing the feminine woman who challenges pronoun madness have gotten a bit of criticism on social media, which MAGA people seem to have played up for effect. Thus, I can find the MAGA claims, but almost no actual critiques from the left. If you troll around social media, especially Reddit, you mostly find people angry that the show attacks climate change.

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Bobbi Salvor Menuez. YouTube screen grab (cropped).

What I cant get past is Bobbi Salvor Menuez taking on the role of Paigyn, the non-binary woke scold. Did she realize how savagely her worldview was being attacked? Does she have an awesome sense of humor and was genuinely laughing at herself and her fellow gender travelers, or is she so immured in her madness that she thought it was she, and not the normal character in the scene, who was scoring a cultural point?

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Heres the scene, which, again, I urge you to watch because I agree with Sally: It marks a cultural turning point that the humorless little tyrants of the left can be mocked, not celebrated:

Paramounts Landman OBLITERATES the pronouns argument after the show introduced a non-binary character as Ainsley Norriss TCU roommate.



Non-binary roommate: So what are your pronouns?



Ainsley Norris: My pronouns? Id hope that was pretty clear?



Non-binary roommate: pic.twitter.com/faGDMrmTa9  RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 13, 2026

So again, why did Menuez participate in that scene? After all, she does claim to be a trans non-binary person, and she uses the pronoun they. If you look a bit at her history, her world is filled with fake men and fake women. When she appeared in the movie Adam, she explained, Luckily, Im with a film here that is all about trans literacy, with a trans director, and a heavily trans cast, so of course Im in the most supportive company possible.

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So, think of her world and her worldview, and then think of the character she portrayed: a humorless, controlling, supercilious scold. Does she believe that this caricature is so off the charts that everyone will understand that its a joke, thereby actually making people more sympathetic to the reality of the actual people who claim non-standard (and entirely imaginary) identities?

Or is her world so narrow that, when she looks at her character, she sees her as a truly virtuous offset to the airheaded, insensitive, climate-abusing Ainsley? That is, she sees her as an accurate representation of a certain type of leftist (exactly as conservatives see her), but while conservatives see that character as a failed human being, does Menuez see her as a role model?

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Im stuck on this one because it truly makes no sense to me, and I like to make sense of things. What do you all think?
LaVergne had presided over mass at St Edward church in Richard hours before he was booked into the Acadia lockup. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP (Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP)

Authorities in south-west Louisiana recently arrested a Roman Catholic priest on accusations of behaving indecently with a child, igniting a new scandal in the diocese where the US churchs reckoning with clergy abuse began  an institution that just disclosed it could lose up to $162m over pending litigation.

Korey LaVergne was jailed Friday evening on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, according to Acadia parish sheriff KP Gibson, whose agency arrested the priest. LaVergne had presided over mass at St Edward church in Richard  where the Lafayette diocese had assigned him as pastor  hours before he was booked into the Acadia lockup.

Records showed LaVergne made bail in the amount of $15,000 less than 90 minutes after he was jailed to secure his release from custody pending the outcome of the case.

Details about the allegations against LaVergne werent immediately available, with Gibson saying on Saturday that his office intended to issue a news release later as the investigation allows. A spokesperson for the Lafayette diocese said LaVergnes arrest occurred after a report of possible misconduct by [the] cleric but didnt elaborate.

The diocese will continue to assist law enforcement and requests prayers for all who are involved, the church statement said.

LaVergne, 37, had previously served as the Lafayette dioceses official courier. In that role, he had drawn news headlines for bringing thousands of pages of documents to the Vatican outlining the cause for sainthood for Charlene Richard, who died from acute lymphatic leukemia at age 12 in 1959 and became known for offering her suffering up to God as well as others.

Richard, nicknamed the Little Cajun Saint, is buried at St Edward.

LaVergnes arrest comes at a relatively fragile time for the Lafayette diocese, which was founded in 1918 and tends to a congregation of about 150,000 Catholics.

In a financial report posted in November, the diocese disclosed its total range of potential loss on [pending litigation] claims with a reasonably possible likelihood of unfavorable outcome is $88,187,500 to $162,450,000. That range derived from an estimate conducted by its legal counsel, which had reviewed the lawsuits in order to evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome, the dioceses 39-page report said.

A Lafayette diocese priest named Gilbert Gauthe effectively brought the decades-old, worldwide Catholic clergy abuse crisis to the US by pleading guilty in 1985 to molesting several boys. He served 10 years in prison, now lives in Texas, and has continued to be named in lawsuits from victims who are seeking damages over their abuse at his hands.

The Lafayette diocese subsequently sought to strike down a law passed by Louisianas state legislature in 2021 that enabled survivors of long-ago sexual molestation to pursue civil damages in court. But the states supreme court upheld the law as constitutional in June 2024 despite the Lafayette dioceses arguments to the contrary.

Elsewhere in Louisiana, about 135 miles (217km) east of Lafayette, the Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans agreed in December to pay about $305m to roughly 600 survivors of clergy molestation.

The New Orleans archdiocese took that step more than five years after filing for federal bankruptcy protection as it tried to limit the financial fallout of its involvement in the global churchs clergy abuse scandal.

News of LaVergnes arrest prompted a statement from the executive director of TentMakers of Louisiana, a non-profit group dedicated to supporting Catholic clergy sex abuse survivors.

Related: Clergy abuse survivors frustrated by New Orleans archdioceses protracted bankruptcy

This arrest is heartbreaking  not because it is shocking, but because it confirms that child sexual abuse in the church is still happening, said the statement from Letitia Peyton, whose son was molested by a Lafayette Catholic priest in a case that later sent the cleric to prison. Accountability must be immediate, transparent and enforced  anything less allows harm to continue.

Generally, under Louisiana law, indecent behavior with a juvenile can carry up to seven years in prison.

The state defines the crime as any lewd or lascivious act  in the presence of any child under the age of 17. Messages  including texts  and actions alleged to be grooming can constitute the offense, according to Louisianas law.

Attempts to contact LaVergne werent immediately successful. He was ordained into the priesthood in 2018, a biography on the St Edward churchs website said. The biography said he had been appointed the pastor of St Edward in July 2021.

Online video of the mass LaVergne presided over shortly before his arrest showed him welcoming visiting students of an elementary Catholic school from nearby Crowley, Louisiana.

Youre always welcome here to the home of the Little Cajun Saint, and were happy that youve come to hear her story and to learn more about the life  that she led, LaVergne could be seen saying on the video of the service.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Presidential Special Advisor Paul Tungwarara has issued a powerful call for service-driven leadership, directly challenging the growing influence of wealth in Zimbabwean politics. Speaking at a Zanu-PF rally in Manicaland, Tungwarara, the President's Advisor on Investment, emphasized that true leadership is earned through character, grassroots service, and divine calling, not financial power."Leadership has nothing to do with wealth; it is about being anointed by God Himself," Tungwarara told the gathering, urging the next generation of leaders to emerge from humility and hard work, "forged from the lowest level, while herding goats." His remarks underscored a commitment to preserving the party's revolutionary ethos against attempts by some affluent individuals to leverage money for political influence.Tungwarara's stance has drawn criticism from certain quarters, with some figures, including former MP Temba Mliswa, responding with personal attacks and warnings. Observers say this reaction reflects a faction more concerned with safeguarding personal influence than upholding the party's values.In his address, Tungwarara highlighted his oversight of programs such as the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme and the War Veterans Fund, which deliver tangible benefits to communities. He also candidly acknowledged instances of fund misappropriation within a vendors' group, reinforcing his commitment to transparency and accountability. This approach contrasts sharply with the secretive and opaque dealings attributed to some wealthy business-backed political actors.Tungwarara reiterated his support for President Mnangagwa's national development agenda and the constitutional roadmap to 2030, stressing the importance of stability and lawful succession. By speaking out, he has sparked a broader discussion about the nature of Zimbabwean leadership, advocating for leaders chosen for their dedication to the people rather than their financial resources.His message positions him as a defender of the party's integrity, promoting a meritocratic and principled approach to leadership while resisting attempts by powerful interests to manipulate political processes for personal gain.
Rightwing Conservative MP and shadow foreign minister Andrew Rosindell has followed Robert Jenrick and defected to Reform UK.

Mr Rosindell, who became a Tory MP in 2001, announced his decision to switch parties on Sunday evening, citing the Conservatives position over the Chagos Islands as his main reason for defecting.

But the Tory leadership have said that Nigel Farage is welcome to an MP who has been in parliament for 25 years and remained a backbencher for almost all that time.

Andrew Rosindell told MPs that immigration is only successful when integration is successful (UK Parliament)

The Romford MP was one of the most rightwing on the Tory benches, having previously opposed gay marriage, taken an extreme pro-Brexit stance and expressed "huge admiration" for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. He was also a member of the now disbanded Monday Club, an anti-immigration political pressure group.

Previously, the MP was involved in the 2009 expenses scandal after he claimed more than 125,000 in second home expenses for a flat in London while designating his childhood home 17 miles away  where his mother lived  as his main address.

In 2024 the police dropped a rape and sexual assault investigation against Mr Rosindell, saying the evidence threshold for criminal prosecution had not been met and no further action would be taken.

Responding to the news of his defection, a senior Tory source told The Independent: Rosindell had been threatening to defect for months, denying it was happening as recently as Saturday. Kemi said Farage was doing her spring cleaning, and this is another prime example.

Rosindell feeds his dog Buster before the Westminster MP's dog of the year contest in 2006 (PA)

The Conservative Party supported Rosindell throughout his many troubles, and hes responded by stabbing his friends, colleagues and activists in the back. Reform are welcome to him. Were not going to be distracted from holding this disastrous Labour government to account.

Another source close to the leadership added: We had a duty of care to a very troubled man but now he is Nigel's problem.

Mr Rosindell, speaking about his decision to defect, argued that Reform UK is now the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom.

He said a clear red line for him was 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.

The Romford MP also claimed the Tories were irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions they made.

He added: The views and concerns of the majority of the British people must no longer be sidelined. Our country has endured a generation of managed decline.

Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain  one that firmly places the interests of the British people first.

The latest Tory defection comes after Mr Farage insisted over the weekend that Reform was "not a rescue charity for every panicky Tory MP". He warned that any potential defectors would have to admit publicly that the previous Conservative government "broke the country".

Mr Rosindell was first elected in 2001 but it is understood he had asked friends as early as last autumn whether it was time to defect to Reform.

One sticking point was understood to be the fate of Margaret Thatcher House, his headquarters in Romford officially opened by Baroness Thatcher whose memory Mr Rosindell was devoted to.

His decision comes just four days after Mr Jenrick defected to Reform UK following his dramatic sacking from the Conservative front bench and kicked out of the Tory party.

Launching an extraordinary attack on his former colleagues at a press conference in Westminster, the former shadow justice secretary said the party had betrayed its voters and members and was in denial  or being dishonest about its record.

Robert Jenrick with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Thursday (PA)

He said he was joining Reform UK because the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch had failed to change after their 2024 election wipeout, arguing that the country now needs Nigel Farage.

In the days after Mr Jenricks defection, the Conservatives placed 11 of their MPs on a defection watch list amid fears more could follow him to Reform UK - a list which featured Mr Rosindell.

But Mr Rosindell had been popular in the Tory party with a number of future MPs and special advisers getting their first job with them. He had been one of just two Tory gains against Tony Blair in 2001 and was known as Mr Romford because of his strong connections with the Essex town he grew up in and represented.

Figures inside the party are now convinced that former home secretary Suella Braverman could be next to jump ship to Reform.

In the wake of Mr Jenricks defection, Ms Badenoch had attempted to play down talk of further MPs quitting the party, insisting that pretty much all of Robs former supporters have come to me and said sorry.

But responding to Mr Rosindells defection, Labour Party chair Anna Turley said the stench of a failed and dying Tory Party now engulfs Reform.

The Conservatives left public services on their knees, and Nigel Farage is now unconditionally trying to rehabilitate their disastrous record. The public wont be fooled: the Tories failed Britain and Reform want to do it all over again, she said.
As taxes rise, services fail to improve, growth flatlines and public frustration grows - PA

When the Prime Minister and Chancellor fly into Davos for next weeks corporate jamboree of panels and platitudes, they will find the agenda dominated by the familiar litany of global risks: geopolitics, climate change, technological disruption. For Britain, however, the most dangerous threat is closer to home: weak growth, high public debt and relentless pressure for higher public spending. Day to day political debate is about what that means for pubs, farmers or defence. But beneath that lurks a deceptively simple question: can any government win a mandate to put the economy  and the public finances  back on a sustainable path?

Some answer confidently that democracies can rise to such challenges, pointing to history. After the Second World War, a heavily indebted Britain managed to rebuild the economy while constructing a welfare state. The turmoil of the 1970s  culminating in the Winter of Discontent  produced a decisive political reckoning and a radical change of course. Democracies, the optimists argue, are capable of painful self-correction when emergencies demand it.

Superficially, there are lessons to learn from history. But Britain today is very different from the Britain of the past.

After the war, the baby boom, declining defence spending, the gradual opening up of world trade all helped reduce our debt. American money helped rebuild and defend Europe. Those trends have gone into reverse. Defence spending is rising, the US is retreating. Our population is ageing. Globalisation has given way to protectionism. Added to that, decarbonisation  net zero  has turbocharged deindustrialisation. Mass immigration has piled new pressures on public services.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, three states within the state have grown or emerged. Each is a drag on growth, and a democratic brake on reform.

The turmoil of the 1970s produced a decisive political reckoning - AFP

First, the welfare state. What began as a safety net has expanded into a sprawling system of entitlements touching almost every household. Large sections of the electorate are dependent  directly or indirectly  on high and rising public spending. For an ever-growing part of the population, reform is viewed as an attack on their living standards. So long as cutting welfare remains politically radioactive, governments are locked into ever-higher spending.

Second, the regulatory state. Over recent decades, a dense forest of regulators, rules and compliance regimes has grown. Often introduced with the best of intentions, they have chilled risk-taking, investment and enterprise. Innovation demands experimentation, and experimentation risks failure; regulation seeks to minimise that risk. When the balance tips too far, growth suffers. Politicians talk about productivity, but regulatory systems pull in the opposite direction  and politicians struggle to reverse this. The operational independence of regulators was meant to protect good governance; but it now hinders ministers ability to bring about radical change, while eroding Parliamentary accountability.

Third, the legal state. Human rights, environmental protections, judicial review: those opposed to change can use numerous means to take the government to court to appeal against political decisions. The effect is not merely delay, but deterrence. Ministers hesitate to attempt reform when it may be tied up in litigation for years, or struck down altogether.

These three states within the state obviously existed the last time Britain faced decline in the 1970s. But, decade on decade, their power and heft has grown in power immeasurably. Consequently governments of all hues have avoided tough, unpopular radical structural reform and settled for tinkering. Public services remain under strain. And instead of reforming the drivers of spending  welfare, health and social care  governments reach for the path of least resistance: higher taxes.

That strategy might buy time, but at a high cost to democracy. As taxes rise, services fail to improve, growth flatlines and public frustration grows. Voters lose faith in political parties unwilling to level with them and unable to deliver results. Politics fragments  and fragmentation, in turn, makes fiscal repair harder.

There is a way out: a revision of the social contract, redrawing the limits on what the state can provide. This does not mean dismantling the welfare state, abandoning regulation or sidelining the courts. It means rebalancing them, so that individuals are encouraged to take more responsibility for themselves and their families; risk taking is not deterred; and ministers are empowered. Welfare must refocus on those genuinely in need, while strengthening incentives to work and save. Regulation must become lighter and smarter, preserving essential protections without smothering growth. Regulators remits need pruning. Legal frameworks must respect democratic accountability, recognising that elected governments need space to govern.

Many will argue that a politician who stands on such a platform will never get elected. This is an abdication of leadership. It implies politicians need the political cover of events, dear boy to bring about change. It reinforces the view that politicians do not say what they believe, only what focus groups want to hear. And it leads to reform made under duress, not with a democratic mandate. All this corrodes trust, weakens consent, and entrenches the dangerous idea that democracy works only when shocked by failure rather than reasoned public debate.

The challenge we face is more than just how do we get sustained growth? It goes to the heart of our democracy  a democracy that has created todays welfare, regulatory and legal states, all of which thwart real reform. Given so many people are dependent on the status quo, can our politicians lead public opinion and win a mandate for radical change? Time will tell  but time is running out.

Lord Bridges of Headley is a former government minister; he was Chairman of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee between January 2022 and January 2025
Tributes have poured in after the sudden death of climber Shafiq Noorani ( Shafiq Noorani/Facebook)

A mountain climber has fallen over 500 feet to his death, whilst his friend, who was stuck to the rock face, was forced to watch.

Shafiq Noorani, 52, was climbing Citadel Peak in Colorado when he fell from the rock face into the basin below in front of his horrified friend.

An experienced climber, Noorani took the advanced mountaineering route on the 13,294-foot mountain with his friend on New Years Eve.

The pair successfully reached the summit and began their descent, when at around 2pm, emergency services received a frantic call from Nooranis climbing partner.

She told first responders that she had watched Noorani fall to his death, and that she was stuck desperately holding onto the rock face. Rescuers said she was positioned at around 12,800 feet.

Volunteer group Alpine Rescue Team launched the rescue and recovery operation, which took seven hours due to strong winds and the difficult terrain.

Nooranis body was tragically found by the Colorado National Guard helicopter, which transported his climbing partner up into the chopper.

Shafiq Noorani tragically died on New Years Eve on a mountain in Colorado (Shafiq Noorani/Facebook)

Steve Wilson, public information officer for the Alpine Rescue Team, both Noorani and his partner were experienced, well-equipped and not on an unreasonable route for their experience level, The Sun reported.

Wilson said that an investigation is ongoing, but the exact nature of the fall is not known and its unlikely that it will ever be.

He reluctantly added, Having the experience, the equipment, the knowledge and the skills doesnt guarantee anything.

Tragic accidents can still happen, and unfortunately, they still happen every day.

Alpine Rescue's Dale Atkins said, "She had headlamps, she had extra clothing. She had a bivouac, an emergency sack, that she crawled into to wait for us. So, she had all the right things, and I'm sure the two of them had all the right things," CBS News reported.

But he added that some of the equipment was gone.

"I know that he was carrying it, and he fell with the equipment. So, the best thing for her to do was to stay put," said Atkins. "It had to just be brutal for this person. She just watched her friend fall off the mountain."

In a heartbreaking tribute, Nooranis heartbroken family described him as a gentle-hearted climber who moved to the US from Tanzania at the age of 5.

Nooranis younger brother Husein told USA Today: He supported a school in Nepal, bought new desks for a school in Moshi, Tanzania (and had local carpenters make them), sponsored students internationally, and donated to countless organizations.

He was the kinda guy who picked up trash on trails. He believed in leaving places (and people) better than he found them.

There is so much to learn from the way Shafiq lived, but right now, just imagining reconstructing our lives without him is so, so painful.

We dont want to do it. We love and miss you so much, Shafiq. Our Shafiq.
Barry Connell has branded Saturdays Clarence House Chase as a Mickey Mouse race, and is confident Marine Nationale will successfully defend his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Marine Nationale lifted the two-mile chasing crown in sensational style in the Cotswolds last season, beating Nicky Hendersons Jonbon by 18 lengths.

Connell was an interested observer of Saturdays Ascot feature, which saw Jonbon claim victory for the second year in succession while hot favourite Il Etait Temps suffered a tired fall two fences home.

Speaking after saddling a winner at Thurles on Sunday, Connell said: It was a Mickey Mouse race which was over-hyped, as it normally is.

I cant see any of those horses having a chance at Cheltenham in March  I couldnt see it before the race and couldnt see it afterwards either.

I think if we jump a clear round, we win.

Marine Nationale was narrowly denied by Solness on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas and is being readied for a rematch with that rival at the Dublin Racing Festival in a fortnights time.

Connell added: He is in savage form and was entitled to come out of the Christmas race a bit tired, as he had a lot of ground to make up following the early (second fence) mistake.

He has bounced out of it brilliantly and we couldnt have him in better shape now. We are greatly looking forward to the Dublin Racing Festival.

Marine National is Paddy Powers 6-4 favourite for the Champion Chase, with the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough next on the list at 9-2 and Il Etait Temps a 7-1 chance following his Ascot tumble.
Elissa Slotkin at a hearing on Capitol Hill last year. Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images (Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images)

Donald Trump is borrowing a strategy from authoritarian regimes to intimidate potential critics and discourage them from speaking out, according to a senator under investigation by his administration.

Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, faces questioning after she organised and appeared in a video with other Democrats imploring military service members to refuse illegal orders. Fellow senator Mark Kelly and three Democrats from the House of Representatives are also being investigated.

To Slotkin, a former analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), it is a deliberate effort to chill free speech that rhymes with her experience of dictatorships around the world.

Theyre now using a well-worn playbook that employs physical intimidation and legal intimidation to get, A, you to shut up, and B, for other people thinking of criticising the president on such issues to be dissuaded from doing so, she told the Guardian in a phone interview.

Its absolutely a strategy well used in other countries and other authoritarian governments. As a CIA officer Ive served in places like this, Ive studied places like this my entire life, and Trump is sadly using that playbook in the United States right now.

Now 49, Slotkin completed three tours in Iraq with the US military before moving into national security roles at the Pentagon and White House under presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama. In 2018 she turned to electoral politics, winning a long-held Republican seat in Michigan and helping Democrats reclaim control of the House.

She secured re-election in 2020 and 2022, campaigning on issues such as access to affordable healthcare and efforts to bring manufacturing back to her home state. Her ascent continued in 2024 when she won an open Senate seat despite Trump carrying Michigan in the presidential election. Last year she delivered the Democrats rebuttal to Trumps joint congressional address.

Then in November she was among six congressional Democrats, all with military or intelligence backgrounds, who in a 90-second video cited the Uniform Code of Military Justice and said no one has to carry out orders that violate the law or constitution. Trump branded the video message treasonous and amplified a social media post suggesting that the six Democrats be hanged.

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth is attempting to retroactively demote Kelly, a former navy pilot and astronaut, from his retired rank of captain. The Arizona senator is suing Hegseth to block those proceedings, calling them an unconstitutional act of retribution. Meanwhile US attorney Jeanine Pirro, the justice departments chief prosecutor in Washington, has requested an interview with Slotkin.

Does she have any regrets? Not at all. We issued that video and I pulled it together because of the sheer number of folks in uniform who were reaching out to us privately with questions, concerns, fears about things that they were being asked to do either in Southcom area  related to the Caribbean strikes  or national guard on our streets in the United States. They were raising those concerns to us directly and so we did that video for a reason.

She added: Actually, the presidents completely over-the-top response is exactly why we felt the need to issue that kind of a video. He literally threatened us with investigation, arrest and death and he did it over a dozen times. That is the president of the United States calling for someone to have corporal punishment and that kind of leader in that seat is exactly why we felt the need to send a message to the troops.

Slotkin brings the language of national security to the home front. Last year she outlined an economic war plan to rescue the middle class. More recently she introduced a Senate bill that requires the president to declare a national housing emergency, slash regulations and invoke the Defense Production Act to build 4m homes.

She explained: While were all fighting and debating in Washington about things like Greenland or Venezuela, the average American is desperate to have some sort of relief on the cost of living and the American dream writ large. Theres nothing more fundamental to Americans living the American dream than being able to buy your first home.

Home prices have risen nearly 55% since 2020. Rents are up more than 30% across the country. The average first time home buyer is 40 years old; for Slotkins parents generation, it was 28. She said: The Trump administration should be using the full weight of big, bold federal action to help deal with our fundamental problem, which is a supply problem. We do not have enough housing, particularly single-family middle-class housing.

Were down 4m units of housing for various reasons, but especially after Covid. The root of that problem is that its too expensive and too onerous because of regulation to quickly build a lot of single-family homes. Thats the problem when you talk to the builders, the developers, the folks who want to be building homes but just arent  or theyre only building McMansions.

Slotkins emergency would freeze laws, rules or regulations that put a burden on housing development; reward communities who show they are pro-growth and stripping down regulations with federal dollars; and use the Defense Production Act to direct domestic industries to produce essential materials  such as lumber, steel and manufactured housing  and services.

Housing, a cornerstone of Zohran Mamdanis successful mayoral campaign in New York, is suddenly a hot topic. Trump recently announced that he is taking steps to stop large institutional investors buying more single-family homes. He also proposed that the federal government, through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, should buy $200bn in mortgage bonds to make houses more affordable.

Meanwhile Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader, unveiled a plan that would provide rental relief for tenants in need; measures such as down payment assistance lowering the cost of mortgage insurance to boost home ownership; a crackdown on predatory companies; and a nationwide mission to build more houses.

Slotkin applauds ideas such as preventing private equity companies buying up housing but notes that only 3% of homes fits that category. The underlying problem, she argues, goes beyond switching house ownership to the sheer number available.

Im not against what President Trump or Chuck Schumer are proposing  its just not big enough, its not bold enough. The president has had a year to declare emergencies on everything but why cant he do it on housing? That to me is a real whiff. A year into the Trump administration, theyve done literally zero on this problem.

The senator continued: The president ran on lowering your costs and preserving the American dream and hes done extremely small amounts of work on this in the past year. Hes actually become a foreign policy president, as opposed to a domestic policy president.

In his first year in office, Slotkin noted, Trump has ordered military operations in nine places  seven countries and two oceans  more than any president in history. He ran against the very idea of being engaged abroad. Hes had precious little time on the domestic issues that most Americans feel are existential.

Second term presidents often pivot the world stage to build their legacy but Trump has gone to extremes this month, bombing Venezuela and capturing its leader, Nicolas Maduro, then mulling strikes on Iran and threatening to seize Greenland by force despite warnings that Nato would unravel.

Slotkin said: As someone who worked alongside our Nato partners my entire career, Im embarrassed to take peoples phone calls. It is beyond the pale that we have the United States of America talking about using military action in a fellow Nato country.

This president decided that domestic issues he ran on were going to be too difficult to change and tackle and so what makes him feel like a man and feel tough and show that hes the president of the United States is by being commander-in-chief of the armed forces and taking military action in all these countries and putting troops and federal law enforcement on our city streets.

Democrats including Mamdani gained traction in last Novembers elections by focusing on pocket book issues. Many now regard affordability as a better blueprint for success in the midterms than sounding the alarm about the threat that Trump poses to democracy. But Slotkin is planning a speech next month to make the case that democracy, too, is a kitchen table issue.

Democracy isnt just some highfalutin concept, she said. If the rules of our democracy get broken or get rigged, fundamentally that will affect our freedom here at home.

Over the past year Slotkin has been unsparing in criticism of her own party, accusing some fellow Democrats of lacking alpha energy and failing to meet the moment. She believes the common media narrative of a divide between moderates and progressives is no longer fit for purpose.

The fundamental division and differences we have, even in my own caucus here in the Senate, is between people who believe that Trump is an existential threat to democracy and people who believe that Trump is bad but we just need to wait him out. Im in the first camp and theres moderates and progressives in that camp and those are folks who are really starting to get some of the alpha energy back.
Julian Barnes will be 80 on January 19, an anniversary he is celebrating with the publication of this book, which he says will definitely be his last, although hell continue journalism, plus a sold-out conversation with his old mucker Ian McEwan at the Union Chapel next week.

As he explains here, he was diagnosed during lockdown with a form of blood cancer that isnt curable but is manageable. He absorbs the news in his usual vein of chatty, homespun philosophising. Incurable yet manageable, that sounds like life, doesnt it? he says, his prose always thus matily nudging the reader.

Barness illness has not altered his perspective  It has no significance, its just the universe doing its stuff

At the end, he has no grand pronouncements to offer, no famous last words, he says. Thats not his style. His illness has not altered his perspective. It is a cancer rooted in the universes utter indifference. Its random, it has no significance  its just the universe doing its stuff, a phrase he repeats several times here. Obviously, as an agnostic/atheist, I dont see many upsides to being dead, he quips, very much his style.

In the meantime, he wants to continue to observe things for as long as possible, although he worries about repeating himself, after 44 years of publication. Departure(s) is far from his best book  he wrote better about death in Nothing to be Frightened of (2008) and Levels of Life (2013)  but it is completely sui generis. A mixture of essay, memoir and story  not quite a novel  it ponders the mysteries of love and sex amid erudite references to French culture and much DIY eschatology.

The first chapter is an essay about memory and identity, sparked by a medical report about a patient who, following a stroke, suffered from IAM (involuntary autobiographical memory): whenever he ate a pie he remembered every other pie he had ever eaten. Barnes, who grew up in west London, turns inevitably to Prousts magical madeleine. I doubt that if I could reaccess Acton W3 in the late 1940s and early 50s, all would open like a Japanese flower in water, reminding me of forgotten things and forgotten happiness, he comments sarkily.

Interwoven with the memoir, comes the story of Barness involvement in the relationship of another couple

Then, interwoven with the memoir, comes the story of Barness involvement in the relationship of another couple, one of his favoured triangulations. In the mid-1960s, at Oxford, he introduced Stephen and Jean  both of whom he knew separately  to each other in a cafe. They fell in love but as the end of university life approached, each told him they needed either to marry or part. They parted  and Barnes lost touch with them both.

Forty years later, Barnes gets a letter from Stephen, headed A Voice from the Past. They meet for a drink and Stephen, divorced, asks Barnes to help him get in touch again with Jean, who never married. Barnes, a sort of Friends Reunited concierge, fixes it, in the same Oxford market cafe, and their romance is rekindled.

Swearing never to write about them, Barnes is best man at their wedding, the guests singing to him, hes a jolly good fellow. But, although the sex is great, the marriage founders, as many such reunions do, leaving Barnes, breaking his oath now both are dead, to ponder love as a topic and his own role in their story. I had treated Jean and Stephen as if they were characters in one of my novels, he says guiltily, ever the unreliable narrator.

However, he does inherit their characterful Jack Russell, Jimmy (Jules et Jim after all), at his feet as he writes, for a telling comparison. Hes an old dog now, even if he doesnt know hes either old or a dog. An existential condition which at times is to be envied.

Departure(s) departs beautifully, with Barnes imagining sitting at a pavement cafe with his faithful reader, enjoying a drink, watching the world go by. Ill just rest my hand briefly on your forearm  no, dont stop looking  and then slip away. No, dont stop looking. The good news is that he also discloses he has kept a journal for more than 50 years, amounting to some 777,000 words. Alan Bennett had better look to his laurels.

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes is out on January 22 (Jonathan Cape, 18.99)
Emma Raducanu is into round two at the Australian Open (Getty Images)

Emma Raducanu recovered from a poor start to see off Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Defeat to diminutive Thai debutante Sawangkaew would have been the worst grand slam result of Raducanu's career but in the end she eased to a comfortable 6-4 6-1 victory under the lights on Margaret Court Arena.

The result ended a perfect first day for British players, with Cameron Norrie and qualifier Arthur Fery both making the second round in the men's singles.

Raducanu, who will next meet Russian Anastasia Potapova, said: "I feel very happy to have got through that match. From the beginning I felt like she was playing really well. I'm really proud of how I fought back in the first set."

Raducanu once again had a rushed build-up for the tournament because of injury, only returning to the court in late December because of a foot problem that had lingered since the end of last season.

Her preparations for this contest, meanwhile, were hampered by a delayed flight from the tournament in Hobart, where she reached the quarter-finals earlier this week, and Australian Open organisers handing her a Sunday start.

Raducanu was left distinctly unimpressed, particularly by being scheduled second in the night session after a men's match, but Alexander Bublik's swift win over Jenson Brooksby meant she was not faced with playing into the small hours.

She also had an unfamiliar opponent in front of her in the shape of 23-year-old Sawangkaew, who is ranked a lowly 196 but began the year by winning a title on home soil in Thailand.

Raducanu certainly looked less than comfortable in the early stages with her movement lacking sharpness, and she may well have lost the opening set had Sawangkaew taken one of two chances to go a double break up at 1-3.

But the 28th seed found some inspiration when she needed it and worked her way into the contest, levelling at 4-4 and then breaking her opponent again to take the opening set.

The former US Open champion was urging herself on, and it did not take her long to assume complete control of the second set, a backhand pass knifed down the line helping her to hold serve for 3-0.

Much stiffer tests await, including Potapova next and potentially Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, but there were encouraging signs in the way Raducanu found a greater weight of shot, and she clinched her first match point with an ace.
Emma Raducanu discovered she has a new nickname at the Australian Open as the British No 1 overcame a slow start to cruise into the second round with a straight-sets win over Thailands Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

Raducanu only arrived at the Australian Open shortly before the tournament, following an off-season that had been disrupted by injury and a shock defeat at the Hobart International just a few days ago, and the former US Open champion was frustrated to be scheduled late on the opening day of play.

The 23-year-old praised Thailands Sawangkaew, the world No 195, as she raced into an early lead on her grand slam main draw debut. Sawangkaew had two points to establish a double-break and 4-1 lead in the opening set, only for Raducanu to surge back and advance thanks to a 6-4 6-1 victory.

Afterwards, Raducanu gave a shout-out to a local fan in the crowd who had cheered her on by yelling Raddo and the British No 1 wrote her new nickname on the courtside camera after the win.

Apparently, Down Under Ive got Raddo, she said. Never heard that before. Pretty original. Obviously, I loved the support. I thought it was great on both sides. To have that on my side, in the big moments, it was a good spur of encouragement. I said he can come to any match. I just need to try to locate him. I hope he comes back.

Raducanu said she was proud of how she had overturned Sawangkaews fast start, in what was just her fourth match of the new season after being limited during the off-season due to a foot injury. With world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka a possible opponent in the third round, Raducanu is getting up to speed quickly.

I came out here having not played any practice points, said the 28th seed, who will play the Russian-born Anastasia Potapova in the second round. My match with [Maria] Sakkari [at the United Cup] was pretty much the first practice that I played, which is pretty unheard of.

I think having gone through that and having only had two weeks out here of playing and finding my feet, Im happy with the level and happy with the speed at how Ive found my feet on the match court.

Emma Raducanu speaks to the media following victory over Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Mananchaya Sawangkaew thanks the crowd for their support (AP)

It gives me confidence that if I keep doing the right things, actually, Im able to put chunks of work in, good blocks of practice, I can improve a lot more.

Raducanu will also have two days off before returning to play Potapova, who has a career-high of 21 in the world, in the second round.

Raducanu was joined in the second round by Great Britains Arthur Fery, who claimed the first upset of the Australian Open as the 186-ranked qualifier knocked out 20th seed Flavio Cobolli in the first round.

The 23-year-old Fery, making his overseas grand slam debut, won 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-1 to take out the rising star Cobolli, who took a medical timeout and was visited by the doctor as he struggled with a stomach bug.

The French-born won his first-round match at last years Wimbledon, also beating the 20th seed in Australias Alexei Popyrin, after receiving a wildcard into the tournament.

This time, Fery has now scored four victories so far in Melbourne, having come through from the first round of qualifying, and will take on Argentinas Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.

Arthur Fery celebrates beating Flavio Cobolli (Reuters)

It seems I like drawing 20th seeds at grand slams, Fery laughed afterwards during his on-court interview. I felt great. I felt very comfortable on that court. Obviously, playing three matches beforehand in quallies really helped.

After qualifying for the main draw, Ferys mum, former player Olivia Fery, flew out to Australia just in time for his match against Cobolli.

When I won that last round, she asked me if she could come, Fery said. It's obviously a long way, but at least I made it worth it. She can see at least two matches, hopefully more.

Cameron Norrie is also through to the second round after a battling five-set win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. Norrie started out on fire, winning the opening set 6-0, but the British No 2 and 26th seed was forced to dig deep as Bonzi upped his level, eventually prevailing 6-0, 6-7 (2), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Britains Cameron Norrie reacts during his first round match against Frances Benjamin Bonzi (Reuters)

Elsewhere, Venus Williams made history by stepping onto the court at the Australian Open, but was denied a winning return as Serbias Olga Danilovic won the final six games in a row to triumph in a three-set thriller.

At 45, Williams became the oldest woman to compete in the singles tournament after accepting a wildcard into the main draw. The seven-time grand slam champion, who returned to Melbourne for the first time in five years, started well and delighted the crowd by ripping a stunning forehand winner to take the first set on a tiebreak.

Venus Williams acknowledges the applause as she walks off the court after losing to Serbia's Olga Danilovic (AFP via Getty Images)

Danilovic hit back to win the second set and level the match but Williams looked to be on course for victory, and a first win at a grand slam singles match since the 2021 Wimbledon, as she took a 4-0 lead in the final set.

But Danilovic, 24, stormed back to deny Williams a place in the second-round, winning 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4. Williams, who first played at the Australian Open in 1998, when she was 17, received a standing ovation as she left the court but she will also be entering the doubles tournament with Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Alexandrova, the 11th seed in the singles, became the biggest casualty of the opening defeat after losing to Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, while the in-form 20th seed Marta Kostyuk, who reached the final of the Brisbane warm-up event, was eliminated 6-7 7-6 7-6 by Elsa Jacquemot.
A fallen tree in Clareville in Sydneys northern beaches on Saturday. Authorities in NSW are urging people not to attempt to cross flooded roads as heavy rain lashes Australias east coast. Photograph: Shelly Kebblewhite (Photograph: Shelly Kebblewhite)

Summer storms on Australias east coast have claimed one life and threatened dozens more as flood waters rise.

Residents and holidaymakers were evacuated from Narrabeen Lagoon in Sydneys northern beaches overnight on Saturday, but were told they could return on Sunday.

It came as a landslide damaged three homes and injured at least one woman 20km north, at Great Mackerel beach.

New South Wales State Emergency Service crews responded to 1,403 calls for help in the 24 hours to 5am Sunday, as cars were submerged and homes flooded.

At least 20 people were rescued from floods, most of who had been driving through flood waters, according to SES assistant commissioner Sonya Oysten.

That Sydney northern area again, we are urging everyone to keep safe, keep inside if you can, a great day for indoor activities, Oysten told the ABC.

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Theres a lot of people holidaying in areas that theyre not really aware of  If you dont know the roads, please try to avoid any travel.

At least 1000 volunteers had been responding to over 2,100 calls for help supporting clean-up efforts across NSW, mostly in Sydney and surrounds, the SES said.

Sydneys Observatory Hill recorded 56mm of rain from 5am to 7am on Sunday. Shanes Park on Sydneys north-western edge recorded 53mm of rain in just one hour, taking its 24-hour total above 100mm and breaking January records.

Related: Heavy rain batters NSW coastline as further storms forecast in multiple states over wet weekend

Conditions eased across much of coastal NSW on Sunday afternoon, but heavy rainfall continued to buffet the mid-north coast. Comboyne, 60km south of Port Macquarie, recorded 73mm of rain between 3.02pm and 4.02pm.

Warnings for hazardous surf remained in place on the east coast at beaches stretching from Newcastle to Batemans Bay, as well as the Eden coast.

Strong winds were also battering coastal NSW from Coffs Harbour to the Hunter region, the BoM warned. Winds eased around Sydney and the Illawarra by Sunday afternoon.

A woman died after a tree branch fell on her car while she was driving through Macquarie Pass, south of Wollongong, on Saturday afternoon, NSW police said. A man in the front passenger seat suffered minor injuries while the two back seat passengers were unharmed.

Queensland has also faced a bout of wild weather as a band of thunderstorms rolled across the south-east, dumping up to 60mm and leaving about 11,000 properties with power.

More thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the states south-east on Sunday afternoon, threatening flash flooding and hailstones.

More than 2,000 properties were still without power in Laidley and Brightview in Queenslands Lockyer Valley region after wild weather took roofs off homes and brought down trees.

Eleven flood warnings were in force across Queensland as rivers rose in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.

Central Queensland would continue to face major flooding for much of the next week while low-lying areas of Rockhampton were at risk of inundation, the BoMs senior meteorologist, Dean Narramore, told the ABC.

In Victoria, sunny skies met the first day of the Australian Opens main draw.

Melbourne was set to reach a high of 29C on Sunday, while the temperature in Adelaide rose to 36C.

Storms and heavy rain were forecast for Darwin, with a high of 31C.

Perth was set to reach 27C, Brisbane 30C and Hobart 21C.
Europes ferries provide a more tranquil way of moving from one country to another. Pictured are ferries in Toulon harbor, France (Getty Images)

Europe has plenty of cities that deserve your attention, but jump on a plane and rush from one to another, and youll miss the magic that surrounds them.

Here, we reveal a slower, more scenic way of exploring the continent  one that swaps transit for travel, and security lines and airport buses for spellbinding views.

Our proposal is to take advantage of Europes excellent train and ferry network and turn the journey into a memorable part of the vacation, instead of an experience that has to be endured.

Below, we present five alternative itineraries for popular city-to-city flight routes, from a ferry journey to Greece that includes passing underneath a jaw-dropping bridge, to a Spain sailing where the beautiful Basque coastline unfolds as you sip a morning coffee.

Theres also a train journey across Norways spectacular interior, a boat ride to the Balearics that will live long in the memory, and a Baltic Sea crossing with a fairytale departure point.

1. Italy to Greece

Swap a flight from Rome to Athens for a ferry from Bari to Patras and an onward train

Ferries arriving in Patras, Greece, pass under the epic RioAntirrio Bridge (marina_larina - stock.adobe.com)

The default way

Most travelers leaving Italy behind for Greece fly from Rome to Athens. The flight takes just two hours and costs between $90 and $220 one-way, so its relatively cheap and efficient. But theres so much below youre missing out on.

The slower and more memorable way

Step one  train from Rome to Bari, on the Adriatic Coast

What its like: The train glides through idyllic countryside peppered with olive groves and orchards. As you approach the coast, dramatic limestone ridges emerge. The ferry terminal is a short walk or taxi ride from Bari Centrale station.

Cost and duration: Expect a journey time of around four hours and 15 minutes with a fast, direct train. Tickets cost between $18 and $65.

Step two  ferry to Patras in the northern Peloponnese

What its like: The ferry departs in the evening, so enjoy a drink on deck or a sit-down meal as the twinkling lights of Bari fade. Book an ensuite cabin for the most comfortable and romantic experience. The arrival into Patras, amid sunwashed mountains and with the ferry passing underneath the epic RioAntirrio Bridge, is truly cinematic.

Cost and duration: The crossing, with either Superfast Ferries or Anek Lines, takes between 16 and 17 hours and costs around $80 to $140 for a foot passenger and $350-$420 for a cabin.

The onward journey: Take a bus to Kiato, then switch to the Proastiakos suburban train to reach Athens in around three hours. Alternatively, there are ferries leaving from the port to the Ionian island chain.

Read more: Best Greek island hotels for sea views and romantic retreats in Crete, Corfu, Mykonos and more

2. UK to Spain

Swap a flight from London to Madrid for a ferry to Bilbao and an onward train

Make a journey from London to Madrid far more interesting by taking the ferry to Bilbao, pictured, and then hopping on a train (saiko3p - stock.adobe.com)

The default way

The most popular way of reaching Spains capital from London is a 2.5-hour flight costing between $90 and $220 one-way. Its a relatively quick, but not particularly exciting, journey and youll arrive in Madrids outskirts.

The slower and more memorable way

Step one  train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth

Whats it like: The train from London Waterloo weaves past the capitals eye-catching skyscrapers before delivering you to Portsmouth Harbour Station, a 20-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride from the international port.

Cost and duration: One-way fares are typically $20 to $45, with the journey taking around 90 minutes.

Step two  ferry across the Bay of Biscay to Bilbao

Whats it like: Youll sail on a Brittany Ferries vessel, which is practically a cruise ship. There are sit-down restaurants serving Spanish food, along with childrens play areas, lounges, and even a cinema. Standard cabins feature bunk beds and ensuite bathrooms, while upgraded accommodations can come with double beds, tea/coffee facilities, minibars, and sometimes even a balcony. There are also pet-friendly berths.

The ferry arrives at 8am, so position yourself on the deck beforehand to watch the Basque coastline, with its rugged cliffs and tiny fishing villages, unfold as the sun rises.

Cost and duration: Foot passenger fares cost $120-$220, with private cabins $100-$250. The crossing takes two nights, and lasts 33-36 hours.

The onward journey: Keep the scenic-travel theme going and catch a train to Madrid. Youll be treated to views of rolling hills and vineyards and delivered to the center of the city. The fastest services take around four hours, with fares costing $30-$90 one-way.

Read more: Five of Spains most walkable cities (including one with a 6mph speed limit for cars)

3. Norway

Swap a flight from Oslo to Bergen for trains and a ferry

The Flam Railway is one of many highlights when slow-traveling between Oslo and Bergen (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The default way

Many travelers reach Bergen from Oslo by catching a flight. It takes around 1 hour 25 minutes and typically costs $80 to $200 one-way, which makes it fast and affordable  but it skips some of Northern Europes most spectacular scenery and superb train journeys.

The slower and more memorable way

Step one  train from Oslo to Myrdal on the Bergen Railway

What its like: This is one of Europes most unforgettable rail journeys, with the route taking in the Hardangervidda plateau, an otherworldly treeless expanse of frozen lakes and dramatic peaks. Its particularly spellbinding when the fog rolls in.

Cost and duration: Up to seven hours, and $40-$120 one-way.

Step two  Flam Railway from Myrdal to Flam

What its like: Short, but very sweet. The line passes head-turning waterfalls, formidable sheer rock faces and storybook farmsteads.

Cost and duration: Around 55 minutes, and $50-$80 one-way.

Step three  ferry from Flam through the Nryfjord to Gudvangen

What its like: Completely absorbing. Nryfjord is one of Norways most dramatic fjords. And the competition is stiff. The ferry passes between ribbon-like waterfalls cascading down near-vertical cliffs that narrow to just a few hundred feet apart in places.

Cost and duration: Typically two hours, and $50-90.

Step four  bus from Gudvangen to Voss, then train to Bergen

What its like: A journey through eye-popping valleys with classic west coast Norway as the finale: think red boathouses, islands aplenty and deep-blue inlets.

Cost and duration: Up to three hours, $40-$80.

Read more: The best hotels in Oslo for 2025, from luxury stays to spa breaks

4. France to Mallorca

Swap a flight from Nice to Palma for a train and an overnight ferry from Toulon

Setting sail from Toulon, pictured, for Mallorca is unforgettable. The ferry departs with French naval ships in the background (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The default way

Flying from Nice to Palma is a standard way to travel from the French Riviera to Mallorca, and its easy to see why  flight time is one hour and 25 minutes and the one-way fare is $60-$180. But slow things down and you can turn the journey into part of the vacation and enjoy views of one of the worlds most mesmerizing coastlines.

The slower and more memorable way

Step one  train along the Riviera to Toulon for an overnight ferry

What its like: The train to Toulon hugs the coastline (for sea views, sit on the left-hand side), trundling past azure-hued bays dotted with superyachts, beautiful resorts (including Cannes), and vineyards used for world-class rose.

Cost and duration: Up to three hours, $25-$60.

Step two  overnight ferry from Toulon to Alcudia in Mallorca

What its like: A glorious way to depart the French mainland. Your Corsica Ferries vessel will pull away in the early evening past warships moored in Toulons impressive naval harbor before picking up speed and heading out into the Mediterranean. On board is a top-deck bar, sit-down restaurants and comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms. For families, cabins can be configured with double beds and bunks.

Its an early arrival, but seeing the twinkling lights of Alcudia through the window as the sun rises is magical.

Cost and duration: Foot-passenger fares $40$100 one-way. Private cabins are $120$250.

The onward journey: Hire a car in Alcudia or take a bus to Palma.

Read more: I stayed in the new Saint-Tropez White Lotus hotel  and predicted it would appear in season 4

5. Sweden to Finland

Swap a flight from Stockholm to Helsinki for an overnight Baltic Sea crossing

The ferry to Helsinki from the Swedish capital slides through the picturesque Stockholm Archipelago, where pine-covered islands are watched over by glacier-carved cliffs (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The default way

The flight route from Stockholm to Helsinki is a popular one, with a journey time of one hour and 20 minutes and fares ranging from $70 to $180.

The slower and more memorable way

Overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki

Whats it like: Hypnotic. Your evening Viking Line or Tallink Silja ferry will sail out through the fairytale-like Stockholm Archipelago, a world of pine-covered islands dotted with summer cottages, and glacier-carved granite cliffs.

Onboard restaurants, lounges and comfortable cabins ensure a pleasant crossing, and youll dock in Helsinki Harbor in the morning, which sits right in the center of the majestic city.

Cost and duration: Around 16 hours, $90-$180.

Onward journey: Youve already arrived.

Read more: Slow down on Swedens islands this summer
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is "concerned" about U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose increasing tariffs on several European countries until they accede to his demand to purchase and control Greenland.

"We're concerned about this escalation," Carney told reporters at a press conference in Doha, Qatar on Sunday morning. "We always will support sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries wherever their geographic location is."

"Decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide."

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Trump said on social media that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would face a 10 per cent tariff. The rate would rise to 25 per cent on June 1 if the U.S. does not reach a deal to buy the semiautonomous island.

The countries named by Trump have backed Denmark, warning that the U.S. military seizure of a territory in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could collapse the military alliance that Washington leads.

In a statement released Sunday morning, the eight European countries said they stand in full solidarity with the people of Greenland and "stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

"Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," the statement added.

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Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that Trump's interest in controlling Greenland certainly causes "discussions within NATO."

But Carignan, whose interview was taped before Trump's new tariff threat, expressed optimism that NATO will persevere.

Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, Canadian Armed Forces takes part in the Halifax International Security Forum on November 21, 2025. (Kelly Clark/The Canadian Press)

"I think we will navigate through this period of time with all of the allies around the table," she told host Rosemary Barton. "I think we really need to engage and not cut the communication channels and keep engaging together."

Denmark announced earlier this week it will bolster its troop, naval and air presence in Greenland in conjunction with NATO allies.

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When asked whether Canada is working on a proposal to contribute Canadian forces on the ground, Carignan said Canada is "always working closely with our Danish partner."

"There's definitely a lot of interest in Arctic security from a NATO perspective as well, and we will work together to do that," Carignan said.

Canada and Trump's Gaza peace board

Earlier this week, a senior Canadian official told journalists travelling with the prime minister on his overseas trip that Carney had been asked by Trump to join the "Board of Peace" that will supervise the temporary governance of the Gaza Strip.

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At the time, the official said Carney would accept the invitation.

But new reporting suggests the scope of the "Board of Peace" is much bigger than anticipated.

A draft charter sent to 60 countries by the U.S. administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion US in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years.

"Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charters entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman," the document, first reported by Bloomberg News, shows.

A Canadian government source travelling with the prime minister told reporters on Saturday that Canada will not pay for a seat on the board, nor has that been requested of Canada at this time.

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The source, who spoke on the condition they not be named, said Carney indicated his intent to accept the invitation because it was important to have a seat at the table to shape the process from within, but there are still details to be worked out on next steps.

When asked about his decision to accept the invitation, Carney said on Saturday "we haven't gone through all the details of the structure, how it's going to work, what financing is for, et cetera."

Carney's answer did not mention whether Canada would pay for a seat.

Qatar and Canada's major projects

During the press conference, Carney said that Qatar has committed to "significant strategic investments" for Canada's major building projects.

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That capital will get projects built faster, "supercharge" energy industries and create jobs for Canadians, he added.

Calling it a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, Carney said the two countries will also strengthen "people-to-people" cultural ties, which will include expanding direct flights from Canada to Qatar to boost tourism and business.

Carney stands with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as he is introduced to the Qatari delegation at Amiri Diwan in Doha on Sunday. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

"When the people of different countries are familiar with each other's cultures and perspectives, they're enriched, and they trust each other more," he said. "And they also want to do more together, to build together."

Carney said after years of stalled negotiations, Canada aims to finalize the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Qatar by this summer. Canada will also install a defence attache in Doha to deepen partnerships on defence.

Carney will wrap his nine-day trip abroad by attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has accused Vladimir Putin of heresy after the Russian President claimed his invasion of Ukraine was a holy mission.

During a speech to mark Orthodox Christmas earlier this month, Putin called his soldiers warriors who were acting as if at the Lords behest and defending the fatherland.

Mr Williams, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012, condemned the use of religion to justify the invasion as disturbing and said that Putins revanchism directly contradicts the message preached by Jesus Christ.

Id certainly say were talking about heresy, he told The Independent. Were talking about something which undermines a really fundamental aspect of religious belief, of Christian belief, which assumes that we have to defend God by violence.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 1,600 theologians and clerics from the Eastern Orthodox Church issued the Volos Declaration, which condemned the Russian World ideology as a heretical belief and practice. The belief system grants Russia a special place in the cosmic order and claims the country has a divine right to build the Holy Rus: a land chosen by God for the Russian people.

Vladimir Putin lights a candle as he attends a Christmas service at a church in Moscow (AFP via Getty)

The idea that death in battle for your country equates to Christian martyrdom seems to be the most bizarre and unjustifiable interpretation you could take, Mr Williams said.

There is something really, really disturbing about the systematic, comprehensive rebranding of Christianity as Russian national ideology.

He referred to statements made by Christ that his kingdom is not of this world and if it were of this world, my servants would fight.

Mr Williams pointed to the fact that Putin often resists calls to scale back fighting and violence over Christian religious periods, including Christmas and Easter.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (PA)

He also pointed to the arrest and detention of two young Orthodox seminary members, Denis Popovich and Nikita Ivankovich. They are facing up to 20 years in prison on what critics say are trumped-up charges, according to Public Orthodoxy, a publication that is part of the Orthodox Christian Studies Centre.

Mr Popovich was arrested as he was walking to Sretensky Monastery in Moscow for petty hooliganism and allegedly shouting and using obscene language. Public Orthodoxy wrote in a newsletter on the anniversary of his arrest: Anyone who knew this devout young man understood immediately that such behaviour was inconceivable for him. Six weeks later, the allegations had transformed into terrorism charges.

Asked what he would say to Putin, the theologian said: The word Christianity contains the name Christ. Which Christ do you think youre serving? The one of the Gospels or some nationalist goblin?

In 2024, the Ukrainian parliament outlawed the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church because of its strong support for Russia's invasion.

The Russian Orthodox Church has been a powerful ally of Putin, giving its blessing to the war and supporting his campaign to uphold what he calls traditional values in Russian society, in contrast to perceived Western decadence.

Russias leader has referred to his invasion of Ukraine as a holy mission (Ukrainian Armed Forces)

Mr Williams said that Russias use of faith as a justification for war should be an alarm bell for the West. Governments are in denial about the extent to which religion is being weaponised to drive human conflict across the world, and religious leaders should step up their condemnation of violence, he suggested.

In the West, we might think that religion is draining away but it certainly isnt in other parts of the world, he said. To imagine that faith can only be defended by violence is a bit of an insult to faith really. If you're saying faith can only be strong if I beat the living daylights out of unbelievers, you're not saying much about the strength of faith, are you?

Orthodox priests told The Independent last week that Putin is more akin to the Antichrist than a messiah, and that he holds demonic beliefs antithetical to the faith.

Seen from a Christian perspective, you dont use unholy means to pursue a holy mission, the former Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, told The Independent. When that unholy means involves slaughtering people, invading their country, and telling lies.
Actor Adeel Akhtar says he was asked if he was linked to terrorist organisations by airport security when he travelled with his girlfriend to an audition in New York.

The Four Lions star told BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs he had his passport taken off him and was questioned for hours at John F Kennedy International Airport in 2002.

Akhtar said: Just before I got on the plane, some security people took my passport off me and said that Id get it back once I arrived at JFK.

Once we landed at JFK, the plane sort of taxied off into a sort of secluded part on the runway, and then I see this convoy of cars coming through.

Akhtar said the incident had upset his father (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

These fellas come onto the plane, and they said that they were going to handcuff me, but for their own protection, and then took me into the airport and then questioned me  and that was the sort of scary bit, because that went on a bit longer than it felt comfortable

I mean, talking four or five hours of, not solid questioning, but a lot of waiting

(They were asking) if I had any sort of affiliations to terrorist organisations, and whether I was a practicing Muslim or not, and this is during the time of sort of Guantanamo and things like that.

So I was aware of what they were trying to get at, and yeah, just sort of held my nerve and just answered the questions as honestly as I could, and then got out of there.

Akhtar won best supporting actor for Sherwood (Jeff Moore/PA) (Jeff Moore)

Akhtar said he was shocked by what had happened, but said he carried on with the audition.

He went on to explain that his father had unsuccessfully attempted to sue the FBI following the incident.

Akhtar added: My dad has a sort of blind faith in the idea of doing good and the rule of law, and I saw him in an office  and  I just saw this really proud man not believe in what he believed in for years and years and years.

His expression of love was to protect me and do the right thing, and he was unable to sort of do either, and so if you cant love your kid in the way that you should be able to, then it makes you kind of emotionally withdrawn a little bit, and I just saw him slightly beaten at that point.

Along with his role as Faisal in Four Lions (2010), Akhtar also starred in BBC television film Murdered By My Father and crime drama Sherwood, winning Bafta awards for his performances.
Trainer Gary Moore paid tribute to Goshen after the popular runner was retired from racing.

The 10-year-old bows out the winner of 11 of his 41 races, including two Kingwell Hurdles and an Ascot Hurdle, but arguably is most famous for his luckless unseat at the final flight when well clear in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Goshen had not tasted victory since winning over fences at Exeter in March 2024 and raced just once this term, coming home last of eight runners at Sandown last month.

Moore, who trains in partnership with his son Josh, said: He was a superstar and a horse of a lifetime to do what he did.

He did some great things but probably never quite achieved what he could have done and he was obviously very unlucky not to win a Triumph Hurdle, but he was a great horse.

Hes been fantastic and he was (owner) Steve Packhams first horse he had with me and he is going to be a hard one to replace.

He had lots of fans and a real following. He has gone to a nice home where he will get well looked after. Hes not going to be too far away so we can go and check in on him as well and Im sure Steve will be a visitor too.

Prior to his Cheltenham tumble nearly six years ago, Goshen won his first three hurdle races by a combined total of 68 lengths, but Moore felt his Festival experience left its mark.

He added: It was something Ive never quite seen before in racing.

Ive never seen one catch his front shoe with his back shoe and he ended up on three legs. He got half way up the run-in then stopped to look back to see where Jamie (Moore, jockey) was, it was so strange.

I dont think he was ever the same and the next time I saddled him at Cheltenham he broke out into a sweat. Something happened that day.
Robert Jenrick said in his speech setting out why he was defecting to Nigel Farages Reform UK that the shadow cabinet had had a discussion recently about whether Britain was broken.

For Mr Jenrick, that Britain is wrecked is self-evident and unquestionable. He feigned surprise that almost all of Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet said its not broken and that we were told thats the party line.

He slid a stiletto into the backs of his recent colleagues: A few had a third view: It is broken but we cant say so because the Conservative Party broke it.

The debate is at the same time superficial and fundamental. All opposition parties think that the country is in a bad way: that is the point of a party out of power  to point out what the government is doing wrong and to offer to make the country better.

And there is always a tension for a party recently in government, because it has to take some responsibility for the state of the country it bequeathed to its opponents.

But there is a deeper division that is as much psychological as political, between pessimists and optimists. There are those for whom life is a journey to hell in a handcart. For them progress means worse, politicians are always venal and incompetent and the only time they think they were happy was in a golden age some time ago.

This gloomy and paranoid worldview feeds anti-establishment parties in particular. Despite Nigel Farages cheerful personal demeanour, his parties have always traded on an embittered negativism that is ready to believe the worst about the country.

The healthier and more accurate view is set out by Ms Badenoch in an article on Saturday: Yes, Britains problems are real, and in some cases getting worse. But Britain is not broken. We are a great country with deep reserves of strength, talent and resilience.

She sets out a constructive and hopeful critique of the Labour government, and points out the essential emptiness of Reforms approach: Being angry is easy. Anyone can point out what is wrong. Fixing it requires discipline, competence and hard thinking.

It would seem that Mr Jenricks departure has brought a welcome clarity to opposition politics. Under Ms Badenochs leadership, the Conservative Party will resist the temptation to talk the country down. We are not a repository for frustration, she writes. We are a serious, optimistic, outward-looking party that believes Britains best days are ahead, not behind us.

They all say that, of course, but she sounds as if she means it, while Mr Farage and Mr Jenrick seem more at home in splenetic denunciation of the awfulness of modern Britain  so much so that there is no room to set out what the solutions to the problems of modern Britain should lie.

The difference is most acute over the state of London. A mythical vision of the capital as a hellhole of crime and disorder has been fed by Mr Farages ally Donald Trump and his former ally Elon Musk, both of whom seem animated by prejudice against immigration.

The truth, as most people who live in London know, is that the city has its problems, but is safer than it used to be and far safer than any sizeable city in the United States. In many ways, London is the best world city, which is why so many people want to live there.

Equally, Britain has its problems, and no one would want to diminish the frustrations and suffering of too many of its people, but it is still a great country. Ms Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer are united in hoping to make it greater still.

Mr Farage and Mr Jenrick, on the other hand, are united in complaining about it, which, instead of spurring their fellow citizens to make it better, tends only to induce fatalism and despair.
Gray wolves appear to be the latest victim of Donald Trumps campaign of political retaliation against Colorado after the administration threatened to take control over state efforts to reintroduce the species, according to officials.

Last fall, as Colorado prepared to import 15 wolves from Canada as part of an ongoing species rehabilitation program, a cease and desist letter arrived from White House lawyers, according to The Washington Post.

In December, the government doubled down on its threats. Colorado is prioritizing WOLVES over American ranchers! according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote, who claimed the wolves were released without warning from a pack known to kill livestock.

This is a warning: if Colorado does not get control of the wolves immediately, we will! he added.

The White House previously cited Colorados violation of an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as reason for its intervention, which could potentially completely derail a voter-approved reintroduction of the species into the state ecosystem.

The Trump administrations intervention in Colorados program to reintroduce gray wolves appears to be the latest politically motivated attempt to bring the state to a heel (AFP/Getty)

The federal agency threatened to terminate the agreement that grants Colorado management over gray wolves should the state fail to produce a complete reporting of all gray wolf conservation and management activities that have occurred since the first release of 10 wolves in December 2023.

The Independent has requested comment from the White House regarding its intervention in the reintroduction program.

The Trump administration has repeatedly waged politically motivated attacks against Colorado, including a demand to release former elections clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence connected to crimes in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election (Getty Images)

The threats appear to be the latest in a series of politically motivated moves by the Trump administration against the state, including the release of jailed former elections clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence after she was criminally convicted for her efforts to breach sensitive voter data in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump continues to falsely insist the election was rigged and stolen from him.

Late last year, Trump claimed to have pardoned Peters, but it was largely symbolic and has no legal effect since presidents can only pardon federal crimes. In a New Years Eve post on Truth Social, the president blasted state officials and told them to rot in hell over their refusal to release the 70-year-old former clerk.

In recent months, the Trump administration has repeatedly denied Colorado federal funding, including emergency funds following wildfires and flooding in the state, and for federal programs such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

The president also vetoed a bipartisan bill to fund a clean water pipeline in southeastern Colorado, claiming the costs are too high, and imperiled hundreds of millions of dollars for child care, food aid and other assistance for poor families in the state.

Governor Jared Polis has accused the president of playing political games by denying emergency funding to Colorado (AP)

Last year, the Trump administration also announced that the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command would be moved from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, in Alabama  a decision in which the states mail-in ballots system played a big factor, according to the president.

Colorados attorney general claimed the president was waging a revenge campaign against the state, while Democratic Governor Jared Polis accused him of playing political games.

In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Trump responds to each request for federal disaster assistance with great care and consideration, ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by the states to supplement  not substitute, their obligation to respond to and recover from disasters.

Jackson added that there is no politicization to Trumps decisions on disaster aid.
Hundreds of anti-riot police stormed a maximum-security prison in Guatemala early on Sunday, successfully freeing guards held hostage and regaining control of the facility housing notorious gang leaders.

The dramatic intervention at the Renovation prison, located approximately 47 miles (76 kilometres) southwest of Guatemala City, saw shots fired as officers swept through the complex.

National Civil Police Director David Custodio Botero said there were at least 10 armed attacks against police, leaving three dead and at least five wounded. Five attackers were captured, he said.

An Associated Press journalist at the scene observed guards being escorted from the prison around 15 minutes after the operation began, all appearing to be unharmed.

Inmates stand atop a guard tower at the Renovation maximum-security prison before security forces entered the facility to free guards taken hostage (AP)

No injuries or fatalities were immediately reported following the police action.

Guatemalas Interior Minister, Marco Antonio Villeda, had confirmed on Saturday night that nine guards were taken hostage at Renovation.

This incident was part of a larger, coordinated uprising across three prisons, where inmates also seized a total of three dozen other guards.

Security forces enter the Renovation maximum-security prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility (AP)

The Interior Ministry later issued a statement attributing the widespread unrest to a decision by prison administrators to revoke privileges from certain imprisoned gang leaders.

The ministry asserted its firm stance, declaring, "In Guatemala, we dont negotiate with terrorists nor with organized crime. We also dont allow groups that have sown fear to impose their conditions."
It's hardly a Love Actually moment of brave UK defiance in the face of a domineering US president - but Sir Keir Starmer has clearly decided it's time to start pushing back.

Donald Trump, he has said, is "completely wrong" to slap tariffs on the UK and other European countries "for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies."

He's not going as far as President Macron, who has pledged never to change course in the face of "intimidation or threat".

But while the PM has previously been clear about the UK's staunch support for Denmark - he's usually very cautious in his dealings with the mercurial president.

Starmer has invested huge political capital and personal energy in developing a personal connection with Donald Trump, despite their obvious differences.

Indeed the PM's efforts at strengthening the so-called special relationship - particularly in the service of Ukraine - have been widely seen as one of the more successful aspects of his bumpy premiership thus far.

But that relationship has become decidedly abusive - Trump accuses the UK and other European allies of "playing a very dangerous game" in travelling to Greenland "for purposes unknown".

The UK has sent just one single military officer to Greenland to carry out a reconnaissance mission ahead of a future joint exercise in the area, alongside a handful of troops from other countries.

While this was clearly done in solidarity with the Danes and Greenlanders, the idea was also precisely to demonstrate that NATO has been listening to the president's concerns about Greenland. The PM's statement stressed he has "made [it] clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia".

It's a topic he has repeatedly discussed in phone calls with Trump and other European leaders over the past few weeks, following the White House's resurgent interest in Greenland.

But it's clear from the president's Truth Social post that no amount of NATO positioning - certainly not a handful of soldiers on a training exercise - is going to change his mind. He's now absolutely fixated on taking over Greenland - commandeering what would be the 51st state of the US.

In such extraordinary circumstances, Starmer's key political opponents have actually come out in support of his position on Greenland - and against Trump.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she agreed with him, also describing Trump's approach as "completely wrong". Nigel Farage said Reform UK "certainly don't" agree with the US government.

Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, who has a long track record in criticising the government's cosy relationship with Donald Trump, called for "the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House".

Read more:

Why does Trump want to take over Greenland?

Poll reveals what Americans think about Greenland scheme

Trump says US will act on Greenland 'whether they like it or not'

Many backbenchers have been much more gung-ho in their insults and calls for action. Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron asked "if Starmer, Badenoch and Farage *still* think it's worth shamelessly appeasing this wombat?"

Conservative backbencher Simon Hoare described Trump as a "gangster pirate" and called for the King's visit to be cancelled.

Tory former army officer Ben Obese-Jecty MP demanded the PM "defend British interests" and questioned why the Americans had reduced the number of their troops based in Greenland from thousands to around 150 if its security is really so important to the US.

In perhaps the most scathing assessment, Conservative MP Alicia Kearns MP asked "what has all Labour's sycophantic fawning achieved in the national interest?"

That's surely a raw question in Downing Street this weekend as the PM and his team attempt to strategise their response. How can they really stand up to an American president on the march under the threat of an international trade war? Further tariffs of 10 and 25% - presumably on top of the existing 10% tariff on most baseline goods exported to the US - will hardly help in the mission to drive growth into the tottering British economy.

Could we see an emergency visit to Washington by the group of leaders, as they did last summer in support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Might Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, not currently on Trump's hit list, be prevailed upon to use her own influence with the US? Is there any more ring-kissing that can be done? Counter tariffs? Or will they be forced to capitulate - and give up Greenland, and the principle of NATO solidarity with it?

Whatever happens, Trump has made his position abundantly clear. The path for European leaders is much less so.
Sir Keir Starmer has lashed out at Donald Trumps decision to hit the UK and other European countries with a 10 per cent tariff if they continue their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.

The US president threatened to increase the tariff to 25 per cent from 1 June, until a deal is reached to buy Greenland from Denmark. It applies to the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.

Sir Keir said the government will take this up directly with the Trump administration, after the US president warned world peace is at stake if the US is not permitted to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong, the prime minister said in a statement. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Sir Keir criticised the move in a statement on Saturday evening (PA Wire)

The UKs position on Greenland is very clear, he said: It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries will convene on Sunday for an emergency meeting, after EU Council president Antonio Costa and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the move risks causing a dangerous downward spiral and undermining relations across the Atlantic.

Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty," the pair said in a statement on X.

Cyprus, which holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said late on Saturday that it had called the meeting. EU diplomats said it was set to start at 5pm local time.

In the long-winded Truth Social post on Saturday, Mr Trump warned that China and Russia both want to control Greenland, which he says only the US can prevent.

Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!

Hundreds have protested against Trumps desires to control Greenland in the territorys town of Nuuk (REUTERS)

Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.

He also accused all eight countries of having journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

Earlier this week, Downing Street confirmed one UK military officer had been sent at Denmark's request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a "deployment".

Mr Trump added: This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.

Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.

French president Emmanuel Macron has issued the fiercest response thus far, declaring that no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland.

Thousands took to the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday to protest against Trumps threats (Getty)

Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context, he added in a post on X. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty.

Officials from Norway, Sweden, France and Germany reiterated support for Denmark on Saturday and said tariffs should not be part of Greenland discussions. "We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson posted on X.

The EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, disputed Trumps claim that the US could protect Greenland from China and Russia.

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies, she said.

If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside Nato. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russias war against Ukraine.

Mr Trump has long had his eye on Greenland, first proposing US control over the territory in 2019. At the time, the idea was turned down and described as absurd by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.

In his renewed plan for control, he said it was "time for Denmark to give back", adding: "China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it."

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defence of North America since the Second World War.

Donald Trumps latest move has been widely criticised (PA)

Thousands took to the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday to protest against Mr Trumps threats. Demonstrators were seen holding banners that read: Greenland is not for sale and "No means No" alongside the territory's red-and-white flag as they marched towards the US embassy.

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage were among the senior politicians to criticise the move. The Conservative leader wrote on social media: A terrible idea. President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and US will face higher costs.

These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.

The Reform UK leader said these tariffs will hurt us, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Trump was "punishing" the UK.

William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: "The biggest danger, it seems to me, is his decision to treat some EU countries different from others. I'm not surprised  It may well convince the European Parliament that it is pointless to approve the trade agreement with the US, since Trump is already bypassing it."

Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said: Self-determination is a fundamental right for the people of Greenland, and this is a bizarre and dangerous move by the president against US allies at a time we should be united.
Sir Keir Starmer called Donald Trumps 10 per cent tariffs completely wrong - Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker

Vladimir Putins Ukraine negotiator has taunted Sir Keir Starmer over Donald Trumps Greenland tariffs, hailing the US presidents threats as an end to transatlantic unity.

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund and the Kremlins envoy in talks with Washington, suggested the Prime Ministers response to the threatened trade levies had been panicked.

Panicking Starmer calls Daddys tariffs completely wrong, the Russian wrote on X in response to Sir Keirs statement on the tariffs.

Putins right-hand man also claimed the levies illustrated that the Leftist, globalist EU/UK elites failed.

He went on to say the UK had interfered in the US 2016 and 2024 US presidential elections, suggesting that had resulted in the tariffs.

Panicking Starmer calls Daddy's tariffs "completely wrong."  https://t.co/lTbVNSBbLa  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) January 17, 2026

The social media tirade demonstrates that the Kremlin is attempting to capitalise on the latest downturn in relations between Washington and Europe.

Russia has long attempted to drive a wedge between Mr Trump and Europe in the hope of securing a more favourable end to Putins war on Ukraine, including the seizure of swathes of territory not yet militarily conquered by his forces or through any ceasefire deal.

Dmitriev often uses X, which is banned in Russia, to goad European leaders.

He often refers to Mr Trump as the Continents daddy because Mark Rutte, Natos secretary general, once used the phrase to describe the US presidents handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Dmitriev frequently laments Europes figureheads as warmongers because of their diplomatic and military backing of Ukraine.

Kirill Dmitriev is Vladimir Putins trusted lieutenant - Shutterstock /Maxim Shipenkov

Late on Saturday, Mr Trump hit Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK with 10 per cent tariffs.

The levies will enter into force on Feb 1, and could increase to 25 per cent on June 1 should Copenhagen not agree to a deal for the US acquisition of Greenland.

The US president did this in response to each of the nations, all of which are Nato allies, sending troops to the Arctic island as part of a Danish-led military exercise to boost security in the region.

Trump slaps 10 per cent tariffs on the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway over their dangerous game of sending military to Greenland, Dmitriev wrote on X.

He added the levies amounted to about 1 per cent per soldier sent to Greenland.

Trump slaps 10% tariffs on UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway over their "dangerous game" of sending military to Greenland. Rising to 25% on June 1.



This is a ~1% tariff for every soldier sent to Greenland. Europe should not provoke their Daddy. https://t.co/zvNg2SmUp6  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) January 17, 2026

Meanwhile, Sir Keir faced mounting pressure to respond to the US presidents threats, including a suggestion that he should cancel Mr Trumps forthcoming state visit.

The upcoming state visit of HM The King to the US must now be cancelled, Simon Hoare, a Conservative MP, wrote on X. The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate.

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Sir Keir should tell Trump in no uncertain terms: if he goes ahead with these outrageous tariffs and keeps bullying Greenland, therell be no [UK] state visit to the US in April.

The UK must not be a doormat for an extortionist, or reward Trumps behaviour with the pageantry he craves.
(PA Media)

A Love Island star has been arrested on allegations of sexual assault, stalking and coercive control after flying into the UK.

Police detained the former contestant, who is in his 20s, as he arrived at Gatwick Airport following a complaint from a woman.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is also accused of criminal damage, assault by beating and threats of "revenge porn" against his alleged victim.

ITV bosses are aware of the investigation into the former Islander, who is not connected to the current series.

He has been released on bail.

The arrest comes after spin-off show Love Island: All Stars, hosted by Maya Jama, began its third series on Thursday.

A source told The Sun: "These incredibly serious allegations are the last thing the show and ITV need given all the problems Love Island has faced in the past.

"The network bosses will make sure they keep this guy away from the show, and any links to ITV, if any of this is proven.

"We know the police are taking this very seriously."

The Met Police confirmed they launched an investigation on Saturday, November 15 and arrested the man at Gatwick 12 days later.

A spokesman said: "He was arrested on suspicion of multiple offences, including sexual assault, stalking, criminal damage and assault.

"A woman has been offered specialist support by officers."

In a separate case, it was revealed last week that a female Love Islander's boyfriend has been arrested on suspicion of stalking.

The show has been plagued by controversy during its 11-year history, with two contestants having taken their own lives after appearing.

There have been complaints of abusive behaviour against female contestants and allegations of failure to support islanders' mental health after filming ends.

Sophie Gradon, 32, a contestant in 2016, took her life in 2018.

Mike Thalassitis, 26, a contestant in 2017, killed himself in 2019.
Throughout human history, very few regions have shaped the world as profoundly as Europe. For this reason, humanity has often sought to look toward Europe, sometimes through conquest, as with the Achaemenids or the Huns, and sometimes through migration and cultural exchange. Yet over the past century or two, Europe has seen the rise of radical groups, including leftist movements, environmental activists, feminists, and others, that, intentionally or not, hinder the development of this historically powerful continent. By spreading fear, panic, and division, these movements have, in effect, tied the hands and feet of Europes historical engines of progress.

Recent events provide a clear example. Last week, media outlets in Azerbaijan and worldwide reported that Germany and Austria would purchase natural gas from Azerbaijan. Almost immediately, Lindsey Snell, a so-called journalist known for her support to radical and illegal groups in the Middle East and her hate towards Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Muslim community, suggested on social media that Azerbaijan was supposedly re-exporting Russian gas to Europe. Lindsey Snell's general aura, which is not at odds with either journalistic ethics or public culture in general, is well known to everyone. This culturally flowed journo with mixed intentions, who was deported from Turkiye, still doesn't quite understand what she wants.

But what evidence supports this claim? None. This assertion has been previously circulated by pro-Armenian groups and media, yet the highest-ranking Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly clarified that Azerbaijan exports only its own natural gas, without any Russian involvement. In reality, Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 14 countries, one of which is Ukraine.

Let us imagine, for a moment, that Azerbaijan were engaged in such a scheme. How could this go unnoticed by the West, which monitors global energy flows with satellites and other instruments? Even more, how could Ukrainelocked in a life-and-death struggle with Russiaignore it? Ukraine actively targets Russian energy infrastructure not only on its territory but also in the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean, striking Russian shadow fleets to disrupt operations. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, shares crucial updates openly through the media and social media. Has he ever claimed that Azerbaijan is re-exporting Russian gas? Absolutely not. On the contrary, Azerbaijan is providing its own gas to Ukraine and other countries, strengthening regional energy security.

Claims like Snells are thus not only factually incorrectthey implicitly insult the Ukrainian people, who are fighting heroically on multiple fronts. Previously, such narratives relied on speculation: Azerbaijans gas reserves are smaller than Russias, so it supposedly cannot replace Russian gas in Europe. Yet these arguments ignore a crucial fact: even if Azerbaijan wanted to supply Europe entirely, it could not do so alone. Moreover, Europe does not seek a single substitute supplier. Instead, it aims to diversify its energy sources to prevent any future coercion, ensuring that no country can exert the leverage Russia once had.

This raises a larger question: how did Russia, a developing country, manage to gain influence over a continent historically at the forefront of global progress? Part of the answer lies in the radical movements mentioned earlier. Activists, pressure groups, and ideologues pushed European governments to close coal and nuclear facilities, arguing environmental harm. Consequently, Europe became dependent on Russian gas, creating strategic vulnerabilities and economic consequences, such as rising energy prices, while the human cost of war is borne in Ukraine.

Even as Europe attempts to correct these mistakes, misinformation persists. Figures like Lindsey Snell amplify radical narratives, attempting to obstruct the continents recovery. Yet history demonstrates that those who hinder progress without contributing are ultimately defeated. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to act as a responsible energy provider, delivering natural gas to 14 countries, including Ukraine, and asserting its sovereignty and credibility in global energy markets.

Generally, the attempt to misrepresent Azerbaijans energy exports is not only inaccurate but strategically flawed. Those who spread false narratives ignore real facts, such as Azerbaijans diversified supply, Europes energy diversification strategy, and Ukraines active defense of its own energy interests. The lesson is clear: while radical movements may create noise and confusion, reality and responsibility ultimately prevail. Azerbaijans example shows that a country can assert itself on the global stage with transparency, efficiency, and integrity, even amid complex geopolitical pressures.
La liberte de la presse traverse une nouvelle zone de turbulences au Mali. Dans un coup de force mediatique, le gouvernement de transition a decrete, ce vendredi, l'interdiction pure et simple du magazine panafricain Jeune Afrique sur l'ensemble du territoire national. Une decision radicale annoncee par le ministere de l'Administration territoriale et relayee par l'Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Les autorites maliennes ne font pas dans la demi-mesure. Dans un communique cinglant, elles justifient cette suspension totale par des accusations graves : "apologie du terrorisme", "diffamation" et "incitation a la haine". Un requisitoire sans appel qui tombe comme un couperet sur le media historique.

Cette sanction fait suite a la publication, jeudi, d'un article investigatif sur le site du magazine. Le reportage, une analyse critique, se penchait sur le marche des carburants au Mali, remettant en question l'efficacite des mesures gouvernementales dans ce secteur strategique. Un sujet sensible, visiblement trop sensible pour les autorites de transition.

"Des cet instant, la circulation, la distribution et la vente du journal Jeune Afrique sont interdites sous toutes ses formes au Mali", a declare le ministere, sans preciser la duree de cette mesure. Cette decision plonge le pays dans un debat brulant sur l'equilibre entre securite nationale et liberte d'informer, dans un contexte regional marque par la lutte contre l'extremisme violent.

Les observateurs et defenseurs des droits humains scrutent desormais la reaction de la communaute internationale et des organisations professionnelles. Cette interdiction souleve une question cruciale : s'agit-il d'une mesure exceptionnelle pour proteger la surete de l'Etat, ou d'un nouveau signe de durcissement du regime contre les voix critiques ?

Mali, Jeune Afrique, interdiction, gouvernement malien, liberte de la presse, apologie du terrorisme, diffamation, ministere Administration territoriale, presse africaine, censure, medias, transition, carburant, marche des carburants, Bamako, AFP.

Exclusive - Mali: Government Bans "Jeune Afrique" Magazine, Accusing It of "Terrorism Apology"

Press freedom is facing another storm in Mali. In a media power move, the transitional government decreed a complete ban on the pan-African magazine Jeune Afrique across the entire national territory this Friday. This radical decision was announced by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The Malian authorities are not mincing words. In a scathing statement, they justify this total suspension with serious accusations: "apology for terrorism," "defamation," and "incitement to hatred." A damning indictment that falls like a guillotine blade on the historic media outlet.

This sanction follows the publication of an investigative article on the magazine's website on Thursday. The report, a critical analysis, focused on the fuel market in Mali, questioning the effectiveness of government measures in this strategic sector. A sensitive topic, apparently too sensitive for the transitional authorities.

"As of now, the circulation, distribution, and sale of the newspaper Jeune Afrique are prohibited in all its forms in Mali," stated the ministry, without specifying the duration of this measure. This decision plunges the country into a heated debate on the balance between national security and the freedom to inform, in a regional context marked by the fight against violent extremism.

Observers and human rights defenders are now watching for reactions from the international community and professional organizations. This ban raises a crucial question: is it an exceptional measure to protect state security, or a new sign of the regime's crackdown on critical voices?



Mali, Jeune Afrique, ban, Malian government, press freedom, apology for terrorism, defamation, Ministry of Territorial Administration, African press, censorship, media, transition, fuel, fuel market, Bamako, AFP.

Moussa Nassourou
Molly Russells father says social media ban for under-16s would be wrong

The father of Molly Russell has said that banning under-16s from using social media would be wrong and could have unintended consequences.

Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter took her own life after viewing harmful content on social media, said the government should enforce the current law rather than implement sledgehammer techniques like bans.

Speaking to the BBC, he suggested the ban could have unintended consequences and would cause more problems.

He said: That has got to change  and I dont think that were that far away from it changing, which is why its slightly exasperating that were going through these same arguments again now about bans.

Its not far away  we can build on what weve got far better than simply implementing sledgehammer techniques like bans that will have unintended consequences and cause more problems.

His comments follow calls on Sir Keir Starmer to place restrictions on under-16s accessing social media platforms in recent weeks. The prime minister has so far resisted, instead saying it is monitoring how a similar ban in Australia is working.

Molly Russell took her life in 2017 after viewing harmful content online (PA)

Molly, from Harrow, northwest London, engaged with material linked to suicide and self-harm on various social media platforms before her death in November 2017.

An inquest in 2022 found social media content contributed more than minimally to Mollys death.

Her father has established the Molly Rose Foundation, named after his daughters middle name, which aims to enhance internet safety for young people.

In a joint statement with NSPCC and 5 Rights Foundation, The Molly Rose Foundation said: We undoubtedly need action to protect children from preventable online harm. Parents are right to demand that the government stands on the side of children and families, and finally call time on tech giants being able to treat childrens lives and wellbeing as someone elses concern.

They warned that although well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in childrens safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need.

They added: They are a blunt response that fails to address the successive shortcomings of tech companies and governments to act decisively and sooner.

Keir Starmer has been under pressure to enact an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s (PA)

Health secretary Wes Streeting suggested this week that he was in favour of a social media ban for under-16s and told Sky News: Im certainly in favour of action in this area.

Meanwhile, the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said she would bring one in if her party won the next election.

Mr Russell told the BBC that bereaved families are horrified at the way politicians had capitalised on the issue.

He said: Many of them have said things like: This is not something that should be a party political issue.

Australias government has banned social media use by under-16s, over fears about the effects of harmful online environments on young people.

Since the law was enacted in Australia, 4.7 million accounts have been identified as belonging to children.

The law has provoked fraught debates in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.
Tianne, right, and her wife Carina Spence-Stokes have already spent 13,500 on fertility treatment (Supplied)

Since the moment their three-year-old daughter was born, Tianne Spence-Stokes and her partner Carina have seen their lives upended in the most magical way possible.

As a same-sex couple, they had spent years and thousands of pounds undergoing fertility treatments involving a sperm donor to get pregnant. In 2022, they welcomed their baby girl, who they describe as the greatest joy of our lives, and now hope to welcome a second child through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Yet they face a staggering bill of more than 20,000 to expand their family. Unlike heterosexual couples, they also had to fully fund fertility treatment during their first pregnancy.

While heterosexual couples are also excluded from NHS-funded fertility treatment for a second child, female same-sex couples must pay for additional intrauterine insemination (IUI) testing before they can seek IUI or IVF.

It feels like the treatment was never meant for us, that we are added on as an afterthought, Tianne told The Independent. A lot of the processes for fertility treatment are very heteronormative, and have a negative impact on marginalised communities.

The couple welcomed their daughter in 2022 and are trying for a second child (Supplied)

For same-sex female couples, there are two main pathways to getting pregnant. IUI is a non-surgical procedure in which sperm is injected into the uterus, while IVF is the process of removing an egg from a womans ovaries and fertilising it with sperm in a lab.

Both procedures are costly, with the majority of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)  which are responsible for commissioning NHS services in local areas  insisting that queer women undergo three to 12 rounds of IUIs before they can be deemed eligible for IVF.

Same-sex female couples in 38 out of 42 ICBs across England usually have to pay up to 25,000 for treatment or have up to 12 rounds of private IUI treatment, whereas heterosexual couples have to try to conceive naturally for up to two years before becoming eligible for NHS-funded treatment.

A 2023 report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) found that the NHS funded 39 per cent of IVF cycles for heterosexual couples, while only 14 per cent of female same-sex relationships were deemed eligible.

Tianne and Carina have known each other since they were 16 years old, spending several years as best friends before entering a romantic relationship in 2016. They married in 2018 and embarked on their fertility journey a year later, a process which Tianne described as really confusing.

IVF is an expensive process that can cost queer couples up to 25,000 (Supplied)

A lot of effort goes into explaining to heterosexual people about family planning from the age of 17, she said. Everything that is set up to support people through this is heteronormative, and I struggled to see how I fit into that space.

Despite paying for their appointments, choosing a donor, securing medicine and undertaking ovulation tests ahead of insemination, their plans came to a halt at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. As an anaesthetic nurse working in a London hospital, Tianne would be required on the NHS front lines and it no longer felt like the right time to get pregnant.

As a result, they had to restart the process and pay twice for blood tests, appointments and new medication. While fertility clinics often offer bundles, prices can range from 380 for an appointment, 900 per vial of sperm with 300 exporting costs, and a 700 HyCoSy test, which is a process of placing dye into a womans fallopian tubes as a fertility test.

The IUI is just an expensive queer test, she said. We shouldnt need to prove infertility, it should be obvious given that we are in a same-sex couple that we cant naturally conceive.

Now both aged 40, the couple have started trying for a second child but are facing several obstacles. Tianne has been warned that her fertility is declining, and given her age and the fact that they have already welcomed one child, they are no longer eligible for more affordable IVF routes like egg-sharing.

With only one ampule left of the same sperm, they need 5,000 just to begin the process, with a breakdown of costs including 3,400 for egg freezing, 3,450 for egg thaw and embryo creation, 5,559 for stimulation medication, among several other medications and appointments.

In total, they estimate they face an eye-watering bill of over 21,000, having already spent 13,500 on previous fertility treatments.

In 2021, another lesbian couple launched a landmark judicial review against their NHS Clinical Commissioning Group for its discriminatory fertility policy, after discovering they would have to pay up to 26,000 for 12 rounds of IUI before accessing IVF.

They later dropped their legal action after the NHS Frimley Care Board said they would be addressing the inequality. Despite their success, it remains up to each individual ICB to set the policy for their local area.

The thing with fertility is that its the hope of wanting to. In my heart, I always thought Id have two to three children, I always imagined my daughter would have a family to go through life with, Tianne said.

Becoming emotional, she said: If Id have known how incredible it is to be a mum or to have children, I just would have just done it so much sooner, but we didnt have the security of marriage.

Thats important for queer couples in terms of birth certificates. Our daughter is incredible, Ive always been quite career-minded for a long time and actually she makes everything disappear; shes just such a joy.

Becoming a mum has been the best thing Ive ever done, she is the light of our lives.

An NHS spokesperson said: ICBs make decisions for their area, balancing the needs of their local patients and the resources available  and all ICBs have a responsibility to ensure services are provided fairly.
Pardoned Jan 6 rioter chased from pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis after blasting Ice, Ice Baby and threats to burn Quran

A pardoned January 6 rioter led a rally in support of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis but was vastly overwhelmed by counter-protesters demonstrating against Donald Trumps administration and a surge of law enforcement agents in the city.

Jake Lang, who was among the roughly 1,600 rioters granted clemency by the president on his first day in office, was chased from the citys federal courthouse and targeted with water balloons amid sub-freezing temperatures Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Langs group played the song Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice and railed against immigrants, who they claimed were replacing white people as counter-protesters shouted them down, according to The Washington Post.

Lang, who promised to burn a Quran during the demonstration, branded the rally a CRUSADER MARCH on Little Somalia, referencing the states large Somali population that the administration has accused of widespread fraud as the president expands his mass deportation campaign.

The event drew sharp opposition from critics, who derided his march as racist and Islamophobic.

Jake Lang, a Jan 6 rioter pardoned by Donald Trump, led a pro-ICE march in Minneapolis, which was vastly outnumbered by counterprotesters who chased the group off the street (Reuters)

Ahead of Saturdays rally, Lang said he planned to burn a copy of the Islamic religious text on the steps of City Hall. America is a CHRISTIAN COUNTRY; we will not allow Somali Daycare Pirates to overtake Minneapolis, he wrote on social media.

A group called the Peoples Action Coalition Against Trump said on Instagram that it would demonstrate against Langs hateful anti-Islam rally, and dozens of counter-protesters arrived on the scene.

Hey, Minnesota what do we say? one demonstrator chanted into a megaphone. F*** Nazis every day.

They also tossed water balloons at the pardoned rioter and hurled snowballs at other anti-immigration protesters as they chased them from the scene.

Video footage posted by Lang shows throngs of counterprotestors, some of whom held anti-ICE signs, surrounding him, pulling at his clothes and attempting to remove him from outside the courthouse.

Lang later claimed on X/Twitter that he was stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter. Video footage shows him walking away from the area with what appeared to be blood on his neck.

Counter protesters tossed water and water balloons and overwhelmed Jake Lang, who labeled his rally a CRUSADER MARCH to support ICE (Reuters)

Lang, who was charged with attacking police officers with a bat at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, was hit with silly string during his pro-ICE rally on January 17 (Reuters)

The dueling demonstrations unfolded after hundreds of federal immigration agents flooded into Minneapolis in recent days, following a pair of shootings by ICE agents. On January 7, an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, sparking political outrage and protests across the country.

On Thursday, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act  an emergency power not used for more than three decades  to deploy active-duty troops against citizens protesting his administration. But the president appeared to walk back his comments one day later.

State and local officials have sought to expel federal immigration officers from the North Star State. After Goods killing, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a blunt message to ICE to get the f*** out. And last week, Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration over its unprecedented surge, alleging it violates the Constitution.

The White House has vowed to redouble its immigration enforcement efforts and accused Democrats of supporting violence against law enforcement. The Department of Justice has accused Frey and Minnesota Tim Walz of obstructing law enforcement, which the governor condemned as a dangerous, authoritarian tactic that weaponizes the justice system against the presidents political opponents.

Lang, who was charged with attacking police officers with a bat at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, spent four years in jail before Trump pardoned him upon returning to office.

In March, he mounted a long-shot bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida.

On social media, where he has amassed thousands of followers, Lang regularly rails against immigrants, particularly Muslims. Earlier this month, he posted footage of himself holding a pig head with a Quran in its mouth. In recent days, hes made racist attacks on Minneapolis Somali community, which the president has repeatedly used racist and derogatory language to describe, including labeling them garbage who come from hell.

Counter-protesters rallied near Minneapolis City Hall after federal law enforcement surged into the city to support Trumps mass deportation campaign (Reuters)

The governor has directed the mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

They are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully, according to the agency.

On Friday, a federal judge limited the use of force against protesters in the city, blocking agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and indiscriminately using riot control weapons on crowds.

While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated, agency commissioner Bob Jacobson said Friday. Demonstrations must remain safe, and they must remain lawful.
Prince Harry has reportedly arrived in the UK as he prepares to take on the Daily Mails publisher ahead of a high-stakes legal battle with the British media giant.

The princes action against the papers publishers, Associated Newspapers, will finally be heard at the High Court in London on Monday in what is set to be a nine-week trial.

The Duke of Sussex has a host of seven high-profile figures who have joined in his action, including Elton John, his husband David Furnish, actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, and former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.

The claimants have accused the Daily Mail of hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars and homes, phone hacking, paying police for information, and even commissioning burglaries.

Associated Newspapers, which is owned by the Rothermere family, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as "preposterous smears" and part of a wider conspiracy.

The stakes are high for all parties involved in the trial, with reputations on the line and legal costs anticipated to run into tens of millions of pounds.

Prince Harry reportedly arrived in London on Sunday and is due to give evidence on Thursday. A source close to Harry told The Telegraph he was feeling confident and ready for the court fight with Associated Newspapers.

The 41-year-old has consistently expressed his deep resentment of the often aggressive tactics employed by British media, a stance frequently linked to the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in a 1997 car crash while being pursued by paparazzi.

Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, have previously cited that media harassment was one of the main factors for their decision to step down from royal duties and move to California in 2020.

This case against Associated Newspapers could prove to be Prince Harrys most significant legal challenge, following successful actions against Mirror Group Newspapers and Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN), which resulted in damages, apologies, and admissions of wrongdoing.

In 2023, the prince won a high-court battle against the Mirror newspapers, in which a judge found "widespread and habitual" use of phone hacking at the newspapers.

Prince Harrys claim against the Daily Mail publisher covers 14 articles that are alleged to have been obtained unlawfully, including stories about his relationships with former girlfriends Chelsy Davy, Cressida Bonas and Laura Gerard-Leigh, and an article concerning details of a party being planned by the two brothers after Princess Dianas memorial concert.

The trial comes after the closure of News of the World in 2011 over a phone hacking scandal which led to the jailing of its former editor Andy Coulson and a public inquiry.
President Donald Trump is reportedly turning his attention to Canada and becoming fixated on the countrys vulnerability to foreign adversaries.

In recent weeks, Trump has griped that the Arctic reaches of the Great White North are exposed to Chinese and Russian encroachment, multiple unnamed officials told NBC News. U.S. officials are now reportedly looking into coordinating with Ottawa to strengthen Canadas northern border.

Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this, one official told the outlet.

Trumps recent focus on Canada follows a whirlwind first year in office, marked by bold unilateral moves to extend U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere  often through thinly veiled military threats, an approach he has branded the Donroe Doctrine.

Earlier this month, the 79-year-old president directed a surprise military strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro, who is now in federal custody facing drug charges. Trump has also issued stark warnings of U.S. intervention in Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico while repeatedly voicing interest in acquiring Greenland  a Danish territory  and has not taken the use of military force off the table, triggering deep concern among Americas allies.

Trump is reportedly taking aim at Canada and expressing concern about its 'vulnerability' to adversaries after his previous threats to make the country the 51st state (Getty Images)

Trump claims that no external constraints  not even international law  bind him on the global stage. When asked by The New York Times this month what limits he faces, he said: There is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me.

Supporters contend that Trumps moves are essential to counter foreign meddling in the Western Hemisphere, while critics denounce the administrations actions as unlawful threats that imperil a long-established network of U.S.-led alliances.

Unlike with Greenland, U.S. officials say Trump isnt trying to annex Canada. Instead, he aims to partner with Prime Minister Mark Carney to shore up the countrys defensesa sharp pivot from his previous calls for Canada to join the U.S. as the 51st state, which resulted in strained relations.

Protecting the northern border of Canada is a fundamental aspect of Trumps goal of solidifying the Western Hemisphere, one official said.

At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic, the official said, according to NBC News, adding that Canada stands to benefit from the U.S. having Greenland.

Canadian officials have publicly pushed back against Trumps Greenland plan, with Carney stating on Friday that he stands behind the Kingdom of Denmark, a member of NATO.

American officials are also seeking to work with Canadas government to jointly cooperate on protecting the Arctic reaches of Canada.

The options being discussed include updating systems in Canada that provide early warnings that an adversary is getting close to the countrys territory or waters, more joint U.S. and Canadian military training and operations, and increasing joint air and water patrols as well as American ship patrols in the Arctic, according to NBC.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, where he vowed to strengthen ties between the two countries (via REUTERS)

Critics, though, see Trumps bold measures as undercutting longstanding alliances between Canada and the United States.

A Pew Research poll from July found that the majority of Canadians now see Trumps America as their biggest threat.

Carney himself appeared to hint at this breakdown in relations on Friday, telling reporters that the multilateral system has been eroded.

This week, Carney traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which he cut a bilateral trade deal and vowed to strengthen ties between their two nations.

The world has changed much since that last visit, he said. I believe the progress that we have made in the partnership sets us up well for the new world order.

Trump didnt appear concerned about the increasing cooperation between Canada and China, telling reporters Friday that their newly minted trade deal is a good thing.

Thats what he should be doing, Trump said. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that.
Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee, says urgent dialogue is needed with social media companies. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian (Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian)

Online disinformation campaigns, including Iranian bot farms promoting Scottish nationalism and biased algorithms depicting London as an overwhelmingly dangerous city, are seeking to undermine British democracy, a senior Labour MP has warned.

Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said online disinformation about the UK was being promoted by Donald Trump and other US and UK politicians, and Britain was constantly suffering from disinformation campaigns from both state and non-state actors.

Thornberry said it was time to challenge tech companies over the threats that social media pose to our society. The committee has written to X, Meta and TikTok calling on them to give evidence on the threat posed by foreign disinformation targeting the UK.

We must start a proper dialogue with social media companies about the ways their platforms are being used to spread lies from abroad and undermine our democracy. And we need to do it urgently, she said.

Thornberry accused Reform UK, whose MPs have repeatedly described UK cities as crime-ridden and dangerous, of repeating false claims that were then amplified, while biased algorithms promoted strife and far-right messages. Reform politicians were raking in tens of thousands of pounds from X and rewarding sites that sowed anger and spread disinformation, she said.

Last week the Reform mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham said London was no longer safe, while the party leader, Nigel Farage, said London was in the grip of a crime wave, despite a fall in multiple crime types including murder. Trump has claimed the UK capital has no-go zones and that its mayor, Sadiq Khan, is moving the city towards sharia law.

Analysis of Reddit by Dr Mark J Hill, of Kings College London, found that the number of posts claiming London is dangerous and lawless rose from 874 in 2008 to 258,444 in 2024. He found evidence of new accounts that appeared to use AI-generated profile pictures and post solely about crime in London.

Thornberry said: We are seeing lies that start in bot farms and are then disseminated on social media sites become statements of fact from the likes of the US president, and increasingly from politicians here at home. Thats so dangerous for our democracy.

Keir Starmer, launched a formal investigation into foreign election interference in the UK in December after Nathan Gill, Reforms former leader in Wales, was found guilty of accepting bribes to promote Russian interests in the European parliament.

Related: AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage | Cory Doctorow

Last Tuesday, the foreign affairs select committee heard evidence that bot accounts based in Iran were fomenting support for Scottish independence in an attempt to destabilise the UK.

After internet shutdowns inside Iran following escalating anti-government protests, 1,300 fake profiles seeking to influence discourse on Scottish independence, Brexit and institutional collapse went dark, according to Cyabra, a Tel Aviv-based disinformation detection company. The UK Defence Journal reported that a second internet blackout had resulted in the bots being silenced again.

In his evidence to the committee, Vijay Rangarajan, the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, argued that the UK did not currently have sufficient safeguards against an algorithmic bias. If a social media company decided to amplify or suppress political discourse they probably could, he said, adding: I do not think anything in our current legislative toolkit would enable us  to take any action against that, and that really is a concern.
The attack was part of Hawkeye Strike, an operation by the US to target Islamic State infrastructure in Syria - OSINTdefender

The US has killed an Al-Qaeda leader linked to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist who killed two American soldiers and an interpreter in a deadly ambush last month.

Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was killed by a strike in north-west Syria on Friday, according to US Central Command (Centcom).

Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks, according to the US agency. He was directly connected with the gunman who killed and injured US and Syrian personnel in an attack in Palmyra, Syria on Dec 13.

The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces, said Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Centcom.

There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.

The US launched retaliatory strikes in Syria last month in response to the deadly IS ambush of American troops - Handout/Centcom

The US has launched a series of strikes, called Hawkeye Strike, in Syria in response to the December attack. As part of this the US and its allies have hit more than 100 IS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

The National Guard troops killed in Syria last month were Sgt Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, according to the US army.

Ayad Mansoor Sakat, of Macomb, Michigan, a US civilian working as an interpreter, was also killed.

Sgt William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa and Sgt Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa were among three Americans killed in an IS attack - Iowa National Guard

In the days after the attack the US launched air strikes in Syria, killing at least five IS terrorists.

A cell leader was among those killed in the operation, which Donald Trump described as a very serious retaliation for the ambush.

A lone IS gunman carried out the attack on Dec 13 in Palmyra, which is home to Unesco-listed ancient ruins and was once controlled by jihadists.

It was the first such incident since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, and Syrian authorities said the perpetrator was a security forces member who was due to be fired for his extremist Islamist ideas.

Centcom said more than 300 IS operatives had been captured and more than 20 killed in Syria over the past year.
AFCON showdown: Senegal meet Morocco in Rabat (London Standard)

Senegal and Morocco go toe-to-toe in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The continent's top two teams collide as hosts Morocco bid to end a 50-year wait for their second AFCON title.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW SENEGAL VS MOROCCO LIVE!

Sadio Manes Senegal are bidding to spoil the party after ending Mohamed Salahs AFCON hopes in the semi-finals.

Morocco will be backed by some 53,000 home supporters in Rabat. They have only won AFCON once, 50 years ago, and will hope to deliver another title to their adoring fans on home soil.

Senegal are also bidding for their second AFCON crown, having claimed their maiden trophy at the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

There was just one goal between the two semi-finals, as Senegal edged past Egypt after Sadio Manes long-range winner and Nigeria vs Morocco was settled by a penalty shootout after 120 goalless minutes.

Heres everything you need to know about how to follow the action.

How to watch Senegal vs Morocco in the AFCON final

TV channel: Every match of the tournament has been broadcast across Channel 4s network.

The AFCON final will be broadcast on E4, with coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT ahead of kick-off at 7pm.

Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream the final on All 4.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sports live blog!
Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new - CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK

Donald Trump wants the United States to take over Greenland for its strategically vital resources, to bolster US security and give China a bloody nose.

He reheated his threat to annex the territory on Sunday following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, hinting that Greenland could be next.

Who owns Greenland?

Mr Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new.

He tried to bounce Denmark into selling Greenland, which is geographically in North America, during his first presidency  but was rebuffed.

Mr Trump cancelled a 2019 state visit and branded Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, nasty after she said the idea was absurd.

Ms Frederiksen scolded the US president again for suggesting again that the territory could become part of the US and said Europe would not be blackmailed.

I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale, she said.

I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed, she said in a statement on Sunday.

At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.

Mr Trumps comments followed a social media post by Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, the presidents chief of staff, who posted a map of Greenland covered with an American flag to X. She captioned the post: SOON.

On Jan 3, US special forces carried out a military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuela dictator, and his wife Cilia Flores, who will face charges of drug trafficking and terrorism in a New York court on Monday.

In December, Mr Trump appointed Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor, as his special envoy to the territory. Announcing his new position on X, Mr Landry wrote: Is an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.

Mr Trump said he was hearing that the people of Greenland are Maga after his son Donald Trump Jr visited the island last January.

Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X

He added: Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!.

Worlds largest island

Greenland is a very large, strategically important landmass.

You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer, Mr Trump said in an interview for The Divider, a book by The New York Times Peter Baker and The New Yorkers Susan Glasser.

I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States, he added.

However, Greenland is actually much smaller than it appears on maps because of the Mercator projection, which makes it look similar in size to Africa.

The projection is used to create flat maps but makes landmasses larger the further away from the Equator they are.

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To impress his billionaire allies

While Mr Trump has not ruled out taking Greenland by force, his main goal appears to be to purchase the island, reportedly insisting that the idea of making Americas largest land buy since the Alaska Purchase in 1867 is all his own.

But according to The Divider, Mr Trump got the idea from Ronald Lauder, a billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune.

Mr Lauder, 80, a longtime friend of Mr Trump and a New York-born political activist, reportedly offered himself as a back channel negotiator with the Danish government.

Donald Trump Jr visited Nuuk, Greenland - Emil Stach

Some Left-leaning commentators have branded Mr Trumps coveting of Greenland as a neo-colonist urge to emulate nationalist autocrats like Vladimir Putin.

The United States has history when it comes to buying land. Its last land purchase was 1917s acquisition of the US Virgin Islands  from Denmark.

Before then it bought Alaska from the Russian Empire (which was widely seen as an expensive mistake until gold and oil were discovered there), Louisiana from France, as well as territory from Mexico and the Philippines, now independent, from Spain.

Space base and missile defence

The US offered Denmark $100 million (79 million) for Greenland after the Second World War.

Washington instead secured a defence treaty centred on a US military base on Greenland.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War.

It is the US militarys most northerly outpost and is a vital location for missile defence and space surveillance, housing Americas solid state phased array radar system, known colloquially as the ballistic missile early warning system radar network.

Buying Greenland would ensure continued access to the base, although there is no suggestion that it is at risk.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northern Greenland, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War - Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Mr Trump, nevertheless, is adamant he wants Greenland for national security reasons.

For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, the president said on social media.

He repeated this in December. Following Mr Landrys appointment, he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago: We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.

If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place We have to have it.

On Jan 4, Mr Trump again described the Danish territory as being surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.

However, Pal Jonson, the Swedish defence minister, told The Telegraph Mr Trump was exaggerating the threat posed by Russian and Chinese ships to Greenland.

If you state that Greenland is flooded with Russian and Chinese vessels, thats an exaggeration according to the assessments that we do for the region, he said.

Aside from the base, Greenland is on strategic sea lanes like the Northwest Passage and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap, and is beneath Arctic flight paths. It is on the shortest route from North America to Europe.

Russia and Chinas Arctic alliance

Moscow and Beijing have been working hand in glove to bolster their influence in the Arctic, which is a key region for transportation and resources.

Climate change could mean new waterways and new territories for settlement being opened, raising the likelihood of a race for the Arctic amid competing superpowers.

Chinese leaders see the region as a new crossroads of the world, a new source of raw materials and new avenues for manifesting its growing power, the US defence department has said.

In 2019, Republican politicians warned China was trying to build airports on Greenland and even buy an old American naval base there.

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the United States - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

Beijings activities are being facilitated by Russia, which continues to invest heavily in both military and economic terms in the Arctic despite its illegal war in Ukraine.

US officials have also been concerned by joint Russian-Chinese military drills in the area, which seem aimed at Washington and its Nato allies.

Buying, or taking, Greenland would be a show of strength from the US at a time when its rivals are encroaching into the region.

Treasure trove of rare minerals

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals.

These minerals are vital for high-end military, green energy and industrial technologies but their production and supply is dominated by China.

Beijing last month imposed export controls on the minerals in response to US controls on advanced semiconductors.

Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals. - Arctic-Images/Digital Vision

Some 37 of the 50 minerals seen as critical by the US could be found in moderate or high quantities in Greenland, based on a 2023 survey.

Lessening US dependence on Chinese supplies would be a geopolitical boost but some experts point out that buying Greenland would mean subsidising an area with the lowest per capita disposable income of any Arctic region except Russia.

Greenlands ice-sheet boasts 7 per cent of the worlds fresh water and its undeveloped oil and gas resources are thought to be the third largest in the Arctic.

Can Trump even buy Greenland?

There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the US.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence.

By becoming part of the US, Greenland would gain independence from one country while coming under the control of another.

In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP

It would also be an expensive acquisition.

In 2019, the Washington Post estimated that Greenland could cost up to $1.7 trillion  on the assumption that the island was up for sale.

What is the response from Denmark and Greenland?

Mute Egede, Greenlands prime minister, has rebuffed all advances to date. We are not for sale and we will not be for sale, he said in response to Mr Trumps comments, adding: We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.

Denmark, meanwhile, has repeatedly insisted that the island was not for sale.

Lars Lkke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, held frank discussions with the US over Mr Trumps desire to purchase the island.

He said it was clear that Mr Trump had the wish of conquering Greenland but add that he believed the meeting changed the American position.

We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of Greenland, he said.

What is Europes response?

Europe has been strong in its support of Denmark after the threats of annexation by the US president.

The UK, along with seven Nato allies, warned the US risked a dangerous downward spiral after Mr Trump imposed tariffs over Greenland.

Mr Trump made the decision in response to Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden sending troops to the Arctic island.

A statement by the eight allies read: As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron urged European Union leaders to unleash a trade bazooka on the US in response to the tariffs.
Robert Jenrick: The political economy of the period from 1997 to today has failed - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Robert Jenrick has said too many Conservative MPs would feel at home in the Liberal Democrats and claimed the majority just want an easy life.

The former shadow justice secretary, who defected to Reform UK last week after being sacked by Kemi Badenoch, said his former colleagues did not believe Britain needs transformational change while the small number of MPs who get it are sidelined and ignored.

He said the political economy of the period from 1997 to today has failed and needs to be overthrown in the way Margaret Thatcher destroyed the post-war consensus.

Having served five Conservative prime ministers, of different characters and policies, let me tell you this  the change the party needs is far more fundamental, he wrote in The Times.



About a third of its MPs would feel more at home in the Lib Dems. The majority just want an easy life. And the small number of MPs who get it are sidelined and ignored.

His comments follow a broadside at his former colleagues when he announced his defection to Reform on Thursday.

During a press conference with Nigel Farage, he claimed the Tories broke Britain and only Reform could fix the country.

He attacked Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, for overseeing an explosion of the welfare bill and Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, for enabling five million migrants to come to Britain.

In his Times article, he repeated his claims that he was one of just a few shadow cabinet members to argue at a recent away day that Britain is broken.

The political economy of the period from 1997 to today has failed. It requires something as new as our country did when the post-war consensus collapsed in the late 1970s, he wrote in the newspaper.

This will require genuinely transformational change. The type of painful, upending change that can only be countenanced when you recognise the scale of the problem.

This is the central philosophical divide in politics today. Managed decline or change. Head in the sand, or our eyes wide open. Cowardice or courage.

He also criticised Mrs Badenoch for failing to eject Liz Truss from the party.

The party has the power to kick her out. I have been one of the few Conservatives to explicitly castigate her mini-Budget, describing it as cack-handed, careless and unconservative. I would have kicked her out of the party.

Kemi has shown she can kick out those she doesnt want. But not Liz Truss. The grounds would be obvious.

Trusss disastrous tenure as prime minister destroyed the savings of tens of thousands of people in this country.

In 42 days, she single-handedly demolished the partys reputation for fiscal credibility, undermined the countrys credit ratings and forced many to re-evaluate their retirement.

Why hasnt she been removed? Well, because removing her would be difficult. She has friends in the party.

And if the party doesnt have the balls to kick out Truss, will it really have the gumption to take on the vested interests that stand in the way of all the change our country needs?

Liz Truss responded on X: Robert Jenrick may have joined Reform but who is he getting his orders from? Trojan horse.

Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick shake hands following former Tory ministers defection - Carl Court/Getty Images

It comes after Mr Jenrick was described as the new sheriff in town in a leaked memo on his defection to Reform.

The former shadow justice secretary was hailed for his leadership credentials and political heft in a private media plan drawn up by Reform for the days following his switch to Nigel Farages party.

In the memo, reportedly found alongside his draft resignation speech, he was also urged not to behave like an AI politician when taking questions from journalists.

Minutes before his defection was formalised, the Tories published what appeared to be his draft resignation speech.

Party sources claimed it had been left lying around, but Mr Jenricks supporters denied this, saying that his operation was far too smooth.

New excerpts from the separate secret defection memo have been published by The Mail on Sunday. The memo included a list of questions and answers on the defection, including guidance on how to respond to speculation on his role within Reform.

A source close to Mr Jenrick told the Mail: This was a memo drafted by a member of the team for Robert  it was not authored by him.

In answer to the question Do you want to lead Reform one day?, the media plan suggested that Mr Jenrick should say: I thought Id have got away from leadership questions!

Look, if theres any place in politics that isnt a relevant question, then its here. Nigels the leader. Im here to help him. Lets fix the country.

The memo described Mr Jenrick as the biggest defection story Reform has ever had (and likely ever will be), as well as the most popular Tory shadow cabinet member, leader-in-waiting if Kemi Badenoch ever falls and the most dynamic politician in the Conservative Party.

In another line, it stated: Youre the new sheriff in town, here to provide experience and political heft to Reforms operation so that the country can be fixed.

The printed memo was also written on by hand, including one line reportedly stating that Mr Farage was the right person to lead the charge.

The media plan also gave Mr Jenrick tips on his delivery, telling him to be demonstrative (in particular hands), slow down, use your vocal range and stress words.

Robert Jenrick may have joined Reform but who is he getting his orders from?



Trojan horse.https://t.co/BFk6uppkG1  Liz Truss (@trussliz) January 18, 2026

Passion and showing you care is key  but not to be mistaken for shouting or talking like an AI politician  have a conversation, it added.

The memo was ridiculed by Tory MPs, with one likening Mr Jenrick to Alan Partridge, the hapless fictional TV and radio host.

A source close to the Tory leadership told the Mail that Mr Jenrick had been radicalised by his own personal ambition and said: When we got hold of his speech it seemed obvious we had to hit him.

Kemi was incredibly calm and decisive and clinical about it. But she wasnt unpleasant about it. She believes theres very little between them in terms of what they think. But he wants to be prime minister and leader of the party, and she won the job  its as simple as that.

A spokesman for Mr Jenrick told the Mail: As the document makes clear, Rob is just a member of Nigels team and wants to help get him in as prime minister. And its a team which  unlike the Tories  wants to change Britain rather than pretend it isnt broken.

On Friday, Mr Jenrick and Mr Farage waved away suggestions that he had jumped for political advantage, noting that bookies had the former shadow justice secretary as favourite to be the next Tory leader.

His hopes of replacing Mrs Badenoch had weakened in recent months as she solidified her position with stronger Prime Ministers Questions performances, and recent polls putting the Tories above Labour.
Jefferson County Jail Algie Surrell, Jr.; Kavari Wells; Ricco Wells.

NEED TO KNOW

An Alabama community is in mourning after one teen was killed and another was injured in a shooting that saw five people arrested

High school student Brandon Campbell, 18, was killed, and his longtime best friend, Sam Slaughter, 17, was injured in the shooting, which took place on Jan. 10 in Birmingham

Slaughter's father described the two teenage boys as "two peas in a pod"

An Alabama community is in mourning after one teen was killed and another was injured in a shooting that saw five people arrested.

According to AL.com, WBRC and CBS 42, 18-year-old high school student Brandon Campbell was killed, and his longtime best friend, 17-year-old Sam Slaughter, was injured in the shooting, which took place on Saturday, Jan. 10, on Birmingham's Tuscaloosa Avenue.

The two friends were in their car at the time of the shooting, and police found them after they had crashed into a tree. AL.com reported that Campbell was able to drive away after the suspects opened fire into their vehicle, but then crashed a short time later while trying to get to a family member for help.

Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene, and Slaughter was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Birmingham police said on Friday, Jan. 16, that Algie Eugene Surrell Jr., 27, Kavari Wells, 19, Ricco Wells, 22, and two 17-year-olds have been charged in connection with the shooting.

articobits Brandon Campbell

Ricco and one of the 17-year-olds were charged with capital murder and attempted murder, while Surrell and Kavari were charged with capital murder. The other juvenile suspect was charged with felony murder, according to police.

Although authorities have not released a motive in the deadly shooting, AL.com reported that the victims were reportedly set up to be robbed.

The Pleasant Grove High School community, where Campbell was a senior preparing to graduate at the time of death, held a balloon release on Friday to honor Campbell.

Several people spoke during the event, according to AL.com, including Campbell's sister, his friend, school employees and Slaughter's parents.

"Knowing that Brandon was full of life, laughter and joy, may we all find comfort in knowing that's how he lived his life," one speaker said at the event, which was captured in a video shared by Jefferson County Schools.

Slaughter was on FaceTime with his dad throughout the vigil, and chatted with friends for the first time since undergoing surgery.

"Brandon was an amazing, bright kid. He had a bright future," Slaughter's father said of Campbell. "He was quiet, well-mannered. He always kept a smile. He always had good energy around him."

Speaking with CBS 42 about their friendship, the Birmingham dad described the two teenage boys as "two peas in a pod."

"If you just hold one, you saw the other," the elder Slaughter said. "I wish that a lot of kids had that opportunity to have a good friend, a real friend, because in todays world, its hard to tell who's a good one."

The Slaughter family also shared on Friday that their son underwent surgery for his multiple gunshot wounds.

"He's very good in school. All the teachers love him," the proud dad told AL.com. "He's been getting nothing but love and support throughout this time in need."

"I just want to make sure that got out to the public because things can get so misconstrued these days," he said. "I want to make sure the public knows that he's not some gang-affiliated person."



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 local community is now advocating for something to change when it comes to gun violence.

"I never thought it would happen to us, but Im always having a conversation with my boys about how life is today, for everybody in general," said Slaughter's dad, adding that he would do everything in his power to stop this from happening to other kids.

"Even though this is my son and his friend, who was also my son, I am fearful for the public and I want the public to understand that while this is my son individually, this is a child that belonged to the world," he continued.

"That's going to have to be done through awareness of the dangers not only our kids are facing today," he said, "but with what the public in general is facing right now."

Police said that all five suspects are in custody at the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.

Read the original article on People
Chris Busby and Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez. (Chris Busby)

U.S. Army Reserve Black Hawk pilot Chris Busby, 28, and Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez, 25, went to an Austin courthouse to get their marriage certificate on Dec. 3.

Roughly 48 hours later, Velasquez entered a Houston Immigration and Customs Enforcement office for a routine check-in and never emerged, Busby said. The uncertainty has left the newlywed questioning whether his time serving the country was worth it, he said.

Stephanie is beautiful, she is smart, shes amazing, he said. If it means sacrificing myself or my career to free her, I will do it.

Busby, who enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2015, has spent the last six weeks looking for ways to free his wife from detention. Despite his years of service and their recent nuptials, Velasquez was denied bond on Jan. 9, according to her lawyer.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment. The Department of Justice declined to comment on Velasquezs case.

Velasquez came to the United States in 2021 hoping to start a new life far from the violence and political instability of her native Venezuela. She does not have a criminal record and presented herself to immigration officials in Miami when she arrived in the country.

In the meantime, Velasquez, 25, settled into life in Austin. She picked up a job at a local car wash and took classes to get her real estate license.

The couple met in March and Busby, 28, immediately knew she was the one.

Ive never met anyone like her, he said. She came here and just wanted to be the best.

Their families had no idea that the couple planned to marry, and thats how Busby said he wanted it. Busby said he was saving up money from his glass installation business to pay for a big wedding down the line.

Velasquez had an asylum case pending at the time of her detention.

Her brother, Oscar, described his younger sister as ambitious and driven. She hoped to start her own company one day and diligently saved money from working at the car wash and helping Busby with his window tinting business. She was studying for her real estate exam on the car ride to her immigration check-in, her husband said, adding that the test was scheduled for the following week.

She worked so hard for everything she had, her brother said. She was so happy.

But on the day his sister was scheduled to check in with immigration officials, the family remained worried that Velasquez could be swept up in President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown despite her recent marriage and pending asylum case, he said.

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have fled political repression and economic crisis in recent years, arriving in the United States seeking asylum or other legal protections like temporary protected status, or TPS.

Trump moved to revoke TPS for many Venezuelans, which has been in place since 2023, and from other countries as part of his agenda to restrict immigration. That has been allowed to move forward while legal challenges to the action make their way through the courts.

Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez. (Chris Busby) (Chris Busby)

We left to have a better future, more opportunities. Now if we go outside, we could be stopped by ICE, Oscar said.

Like other Venezuelans who have emigrated, Oscar said returning to Venezuela right now is unthinkable following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. The country is far too dangerous and unstable for them to return, he said.

Velasquez was transferred to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, nearly three hours away from Austin. Since she entered detention her hair has thinned, Busby said. She sleeps fitfully in a bunk bed surrounded by 80 women, who share seven tablets to contact loved ones and lawyers, Busby said. They are allowed one visit per week and given food that is barely edible, he added.

The stress has taken a toll on Velasquez, according to her husband.

The girl is 25 years old. She should not be looking like shes pushing 40, Busby said.

The couple is now hoping for a Hail Mary in the form of the militarys Parole in Place program, which is intended to provide legal protections for spouses who lack U.S citizenship.

But the administration has slowly chipped away at the program, and a 2024 court ruling ended a Biden-era expansion called Keeping Families Together, which added stepchildren to the list of eligible relatives.

A message on the initiatives website said the Department of Homeland Security would no longer accept applications or adjudicate ones that were pending. The agency did not immediately respond to a request clarifying whether the Parole in Place program still applies to spouses.

Im trying my hardest but there is so little I can do, Busby said. I just want her out of there.
composite image nurses on strike outside hospital inset nurses holding signs

Editors Note: A previous version of this article erroneously cited Darla Joiner, a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Health System, as a union official.

New Yorks largest nurses union has denied that the biggest nurses strike in the Big Apples history has turned deadly  after claims that an ICU patient had died as a result of the work stoppage.

NYSNA is not claiming that any deaths directly derived from the strike, a spokesperson for the New York State Nurses Association confirmed in an email to The Post.

Union officials and NYSNA members do not have any direct knowledge of specific incidents or overall conditions inside of the hospitals because we are on the picket line, the rep added.

The denial came after Darla Joiner, a striking nurse at the Mount Sinai Health System in East Harlem, claimed on Saturday that at least one death is attributable to reduced care because of the strike.

Katie Duke, a retired nurse practitioner at Mount Sinai who was also picketing on Saturday for NYSNA, told The Post she regularly hears from other hospital staffers that the strike has turned deadly, including a case of an ICU patient on a machine that helps circulate blood and support breathing.

It is the highest level of life support for somebody whos waiting on, like, a lung transplant, Duke said. So, the patient  wasnt restrained and sedated properly, and pulled the tube out of their neck.

There are things happening inside, because this hospital is settling for staff who are not qualified to take care of patients, because they refuse to negotiate with the nurses and give them their contract, she claimed.

A hospital official also strongly denied the claims of a strike-related death.

This is completely false, defamatory, and we are pursuing legal action, said spokesperson Lucia L. Lee, who refused to comment on the specific case, citing federal privacy laws. City Health Department officials did not immediately return a message.

The strike is already in its sixth day. Robert Miller

Nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian hit the picket lines Monday.

The strike, which involves nearly 15,000 NYC nurses, reached its sixth day on Saturday  and has even garnered the support of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Joiner claimed that since the strike, our PCAs [patient care associates] are saying a lot more code blues are being called.

Code blue means somebodys dead. It has a medical emergency. So, like, you have to start CPR and an emergency team comes. Its normally doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, anesthesia, and respiratory. Its literally just to try to resuscitate someone, the registered nurse said.

Were hearing that more alerts are being called, she added.

Joiner also claimed that the temporary nurses being used by the three hospitals to fill the void are overwhelmed and overworked.

The strike is the largest nurses walkout in city history and the longest in recent memory, far surpassing the 7,000 workers who picketed for three days in 2023.

Nurses claim patients have died due to insufficient care since the strike began. Robert Miller

But while hospital executives were caught off guard three years ago by the strike  which ended with favorable contracts for the nurses  theyve taken an aggressive stance this go-round, after the NYSNA pushed for staffing and pay increases as well as to maintain health benefits.
A California man faces federal charges after threatening to place pipe bombs in Disneyland during a visit by Vice President JD Vance and his family last summer.

Marco Antonio Aguayo is accused of writing comments on Disneys Instagram page on July 12, 2025, the same day the Second Family visited the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vances arrival, one comment read, according to a federal complaint seen by The Independent. Another added: Its time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it.

A third comment taunted law enforcement, stating: Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians.

According to the complaint, the comments were made around 6.15 p.m on July 12 and came from an Instagram account with the handle @jesses_andamy.

(Reuters)

Federal agents went to Aguayos home the same day to question him about the posts, but he initially denied having written them and claimed his account had been hacked.

However, he later admitted he had written the post and told agents he intended it merely as a joke to provoke attention and laughter, the complaint stated. Aguayo stated he contemplated deleting the post but ultimately forgot to do so.

The complaint indicates a charge of threat against the president and successors to the presidency.

The Independent has contacted the White House and the U.S. Secret Service about the charges against Aguayo.

Vances family visit to Disneyland last summer drew protests from hundreds of people, following the crackdown by immigration officials in California which ultimately led to violent clashes between authorities and demonstrators in Los Angeles and neighboring cities (Jane Fleming Kleeb)

Vances family visit to Disneyland last summer drew protests from hundreds of people, following the crackdown by immigration officials in California, which ultimately led to violent clashes between authorities and demonstrators in Los Angeles and neighboring cities.

The vice president later apologized to the people of Anaheim, but only for the disruption caused to fellow themepark-goers.

We had the island to ourselves which was very cool. I had never been to Disneyland. I thought it was awesome, Vance said during an episode of the Katie Miller Podcast that aired in August.

Sorry to all the people who were at Disneyland for the longer lines, but we had a very good time, the vice president said with a smile, holding up his hands in mock defense.
A group of the United States' closest European allies stood firm on Jan. 18 against a new round of threats from President Donald Trump in his campaign to try to seize control of Greenland.

Eight NATO nations  including Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory  slammed Trump's latest tariffs as "dangerous" to transatlantic relations in a statement. In a Truth Social post on Jan. 17, Trump said the countries will soon have a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, effective Feb. 1.

The tariff is set to increase to 25% on June 1, Trump said, unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

"Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," the countries said, responding in the joint statement. "We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty."

A French diplomat close to the Elysee told USA TODAY that French President Emmanuel Macron floated using the European Union's anti-coercion instrument against the U.S. as part of numerous exchanges with European leaders. The diplomat said Macron reaffirmed to his counterparts the importance of a firm and coordinated European response.

The anti-coercion instrument allows the European Union to curb imports of goods and services from the bloc, according to France24, and has been dubbed a trade "bazooka."

Still, the countries said in their public statement that they "stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

'Greenland is not for sale': Massive protests in Denmark to tell US to keep 'Hands off Greenland'

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland signed the statement. Representatives of governments from the group are set to attend an emergency European Union meeting on Jan. 18, as Trump's focus on the Arctic island has strained the 76-year-old NATO alliance.

Trump also criticized the nations' recent move of sending military personnel to Greenland, at the request of Danish officials, in the face of Trump's increasing calls to take over the autonomous territory.

Trump has said the United States needs Greenland because its strategic location and vast stores of minerals make it strategically important, casting the island as being at risk from Russia and China. Denmark and many of its NATO and European Union allies have pushed back on this claim, repeating their own commitment to security in the Arctic region.

In his social media post, the president said the nations' presence in Greenland is a "very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet," and that they are playing a "very dangerous game."

The group of European nations appeared to respond to the allegations in their statement.

People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the United States, calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland.

"As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest," they said. "The pre-coordinated Danish exercise 'Arctic Endurance' conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone."

On the same day as Trump's announcement, people in Denmark protested against the U.S. president's plan and rallied in support of its predominantly Indigenous residents' rights to self-determination. Many European leaders also expressed their outrage.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, defended the pre-coordinated military exercise with Denmark, echoing the language in the eight nations' statement.

The leaders of two of the United States' closest allies, France and the United Kingdom, also targeted Trump's additional tariff plan.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an X post. "We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Macron called the latest tariffs "unacceptable" in a statement on social media posted a few hours after Trump's, and said Europeans will "respond in a united and coordinated manner" should they be enacted.

"No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," Macron said.

Contributing: James Powel, Eduardo Cuevas and Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Trump want Greenland? NATO allies slam latest tariffs
On Oct. 31, 2020, at around 5 a.m. Livye Lewis was found unresponsive in her car on the side of a road in Hemphill, Texas. Her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, said he had no memory of what happened to Lewis or how he ended up in the fetal position behind her car.

Livye Lewis, 19, was a recent high school graduate who had dreams of becoming a physician's assistant. / Credit: Wandering Rose Photography (Wandering Rose Photography)

To find out what happened to Livye, investigators had to retrace her steps from the night before.

2:30 a.m. | A party turned sour

About two hours before Lewis was found in her car, she was at a friend's pre-Halloween party. Edgar, her ex-boyfriend, and his ex-wife, Montana Bockel, were also there. Lewis had broken up with Edgar a few weeks before, and according to the party's host, Bobby Ozan, Lewis and Bockel were enjoying the night while ignoring Edgar.

By 2:30 a.m., most people had already left the party except Lewis and Bockel. According to Bockel's first interview with investigators, Edgar suddenly returned to Ozan's house and overheard that Lewis was going to spend the night with Ozan.

Dents on Montana Bockel's car after Bobby Ozan says Matthew Edgar

This made Edgar so furious that he started attacking Bockel, feeling she could have stopped Lewis. He was also kicking Bockel's car.

Ozan tried to restrain Edgar, giving Bockel and Lewis a chance to escape. Bockel headed to Edgar's grandparents' home seeking refuge, but it is unclear where Lewis was headed.

Once inside Edgar's grandparents' home, Bockel began texting Edgar. Those texts would become key evidence in the case.

3:34 a.m. | Livye is "Dead"

Edgar was angry at Bockel because he said she knew about Lewis and Ozan. Bockel and Lewis had a friendly relationship.

Timestamps show Matthew Edgar and Montana Bockel were communicating by text at 3:34 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2020. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

At 3:34 a.m., Bockel texted Edgar asking where Lewis was. He responded: "Dead."

3:30 to 5 a.m. | The crime scene

The text messages indicate Edgar was at the scene at around 3:30 a.m.. A pickup truck that belonged to Edgar's cousin was parked behind Lewis' car.

Livye Lewis was found shot dead inside her vehicle (foreground). A pickup truck belonging to Matthew Edgar's cousin is behind Lewis' car. Matthew Edgar was found on the ground in the fetal position between the car and the truck. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

"I think she pulled over to talk to him and I'll tell you why," Sabine County Sheriff's Investigator J.P. MacDonough told "48 Hours." She was just sitting there with her legs crossed. Well, it indicates to me she was not afraid  It was not a fight or flight thing where she was prepared to just bolt out the car. She was actually, to some degree, comfortable with who she was speaking with."

5:15 a.m. | A passerby calls 911

An image from bodycam video of the passerby who called 911 on Oct. 31, 2020. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

A 911 call was placed around 5:15 a.m. The caller had seen a car on the side of the road and stopped to help. She discovered a grisly scene. Lewis didn't have a pulse. She was dead from a gunshot wound to the neck.

Around 6 a.m | Evidence at the scene

Matthew Edgar's rifle  the murder weapon -- was found at the crime scene. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

When first responders arrived, they discovered Edgar on the ground. While Edgar was transported to the hospital, investigators processed the scene. They located a rifle in the nearby grass that they later linked to a bullet fragment found inside Lewis' car.

7:39 a.m. | A mother looking for answers

At around 7:30 a.m., Darci Bass arrived at the scene looking for her daughter Livye Lewis. Bass had gotten a call from a friend saying something happened to Lewis.

Darci Bass says she was not notified by police of her daughter's death. Instead, she heard from a friend that Lewis was in trouble and showed up at the crime scene. Her anguished cries for answers were caught on police bodycam video. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

Bass' interaction with officers at the scene was captured on bodycam footage. She asked at least 23 times where Lewis was, but authorities seemed reluctant to tell her. Finally, once they said Lewis was sitting in her car, Bass dropped to the ground, realizing her daughter had been killed.

7:28 a.m. | Hospital interview with Matthew Edgar

While the scene investigation continued,. MacDonough met with Edgar at the hospital. He captured the entire encounter on bodycam.

Sabine County Sheriff's Investigator J.P. MacDonough interviewed Matthew Edgar at the hospital, where Edgar was later arrested and charged with Livye Lewis' murder. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

A bloodied Edgar claimed he did not remember how he ended up on the ground on the side of the road. After admitting he drank an entire bottle of whiskey the night before, Edgar says the last thing he remembers is falling asleep on his porch and then waking up in the ambulance.

MacDonough informed Edgar that Lewis was found dead in her car. Edgar appears to cry but MacDonough wasn't buying his story. MacDonough arrested Matthew Edgar for Livye Lewis' murder while he was still on that hospital bed.

Around 8:15 a.m. | DNA evidence

Livye Lewis' blood was found on the pants Matthew Edgar wore the night of her death. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

While at the hospital MacDonough also gathered Edgar's clothing as evidence. DNA testing revealed a tiny drop of Lewis' blood on Edgar's pants that later became key evidence for prosecutors.

But Edgar's defense attorney, Rob Hughes, argued it was impossible to tell how long the blood had been there.

Jan. 4, 2022: Matthew Edgar's trial begins

Matthew Edgar and his mother Cindy Hogan leave the Sabine County Courthouse during his trial. Edgar, who was still out on bond, walked in and out of court like a free man. / Credit: Sabine County Reporter

Matthew Edgar was free on bail. On Jan. 4, 2022, Edgar went on trial, but he only faced the jury for two days.

On the third day of testimony, Edgar failed to show up to his own murder trial. His mother, Cindy Hogan, informed Hughes that her son was nowhere to be found.

Authorities say Edgar had let the battery on his ankle monitor die and escaped most likely on foot. The trial continued without him, and he was found guilty.

2022 | Where is Matthew Edgar?

With Edgar on the run, Bass put up wanted posters in hopes of finding her daughter's killer.

Darci Bass posted homemade wanted posters around town after Matthew Edgar fled. / Credit: Darci Bass

"That time was  was horrible. It was scary. And I thought that he was going to just get away and nobody was looking, and I was having to make wanted posters and go hand 'em out at the flea markets or little events that they had around town, put 'em up in the store windows with people telling me to take it down," Bass told "48 Hours."

Dec. 29, 2022 | Matthew Edgar captured

A still from body camera video shows Matthew Edgar's arrest on Dec. 20, 2022, after evading authorities for nearly a year. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

Nearly a year later, U.S. Marshals along with the Sabine County Sheriff's Office and Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, found and arrested Edgar. It turns out the house where he was found was just yards away from his grandparents' home. Investigators later determined that the home belonged to a family friend. Edgar's mother Cindy Hogan was also found at the house when Edgar was captured.

Jan. 3, 2023 | Matthew Edgar formally sentenced

Matthew Edgar is seen leaving court after being sentenced for the murder of Livye Lewis. / Credit: KJAS

On Jan. 3, 2023, Edgar was formally sentenced to 99 years in jail with the possibility for parole after 30 years, for the murder of Livye Lewis.

America at 250  and a reckoning for President Trump

Trump threatens tariffs against countries that don't support his Greenland annexation

Pennsylvania Sens. Fetterman and McCormick on Greenland, health care and more
A boy holds a crossed out map of Greenland topped by a hairpiece symbolizing U.S. President Donald Trump, during a protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. Credit - Evgeniy MaloletkaAssociated Press

Europe vowed a united response after President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on eight of its allies for sending troops to Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that the president has repeatedly threatened to annex.

Trump said Saturday he would introduce 10% tariffs on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, all of which sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland in recent days to take part in military exercises.

The move, which comes as Trump has stepped up his campaign to annex the territory, prompted a wave of condemnation from the leaders of the ostensible U.S. allies, which were already subject to tariffs of 10% and 15%. The row could call into question trade deals the U.S. struck with the U.K. in May and the European Union in July.

Read more: On Eve of Crunch Talks with U.S., Greenland Declares: We Choose Denmark

On Sunday, the eight countries issued a joint statement declaring that they stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.

"As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone, the statement said.

"Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty," it added.

A day earlier, Trumps announcement set off a firestorm across European capitals as he threatened tariffs in his latest effort to acquire the territory of Greenland for the United States.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet, Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday announcing the tariffs.

Trump added that the tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1, and would remain in effect until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.

His comments came as thousands rallied on Saturday in the Danish cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense, as well as in Greenlands capital, Nuuk, to oppose Trumps annexation plans. In Nuuk, hundreds marched to the U.S. consulate, some holding signs that read Greenland is not for sale, and Yankees go home!

The tariff announcement drew unusually blunt reactions from the leaders of some of America's closest allies on Saturday.

"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, adding that he would raise the issue directly with the White House.

"Our position on Greenland is very clearit is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he continued.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariffs "unacceptable."

"No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," he said.

Trumps threat is likely to prompt a reciprocal response from Europe. The European Union summoned ambassadors to an emergency meeting in Brussels on Sunday, and Reuters reported the bloc could suspend its work on a U.S. trade deal it struck in July.

European Council President Antonio Costa said Saturday he was "coordinating a joint response from the European Union's member states on this issue."

Speaking on Sunday, German finance minister and vice chancellor Lars Klingbeil said: "And so the very clear signal: we will not be blackmailed, and there will be a European response."

Trump has argued that anything less than total U.S. control of Greenland would be unacceptable,  and has said that annexing the territory is necessary for national security.

European nations, meanwhile, have strongly opposed the U.S. takeover of Greenland.

Earlier this week, Denmark increased its military presence on the island and conducted joint military exercises with the European allies targeted by Trumps tariffs.

Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, told reporters during a visit to Washington this week that Denmark was reinforcing security in the Arctic by committing additional funds for military capabilitiesnot dogsleds, but ships, drones, fighter jets, etc, referring to an often-repeated jibe by Trump that Denmarks military presence on the island consisted entirely of dogsleds.

Several European NATO allies announced they were also sending military personnel to the island after Danish representatives emerged from meetings at the White House, declaring they had "fundamental disagreements" with the Trump administration over who should control Greenland.

Announcing Frances involvement in the military exercises in Greenland, Macron took aim at Trumps ambitions.

We live in a world where destabilizing powers have awakened, Macron said.

We are seeing certainties that sometimes lasted for decades being called into question, and Europe is being shaken in some of its certainties, he said. Europe sometimes has allies that we thought were predictable, always by our side, who are now causing us to have serious doubts, or even turning on those who doubted the least.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Norway have also sent troops to take part in the military exercise, Operation Arctic Endurance.

Greenlands leaders and people have been clear in their opposition to the possibility of the U.S. taking control of the territory. Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said this week that the island would choose Denmark over the U.S. if it had to choose, while polls show that Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose the idea of becoming part of the U.S.

Our country is not an object of superpower rhetoric. We are a people. A land. And democracy, Nielsen said earlier this month. This has to be respected. Especially by close and loyal friends.

Trump has frequently used tariffs as a foreign policy tool during his second term, negotiating deals with India, China, and the U.K. to lower tariffs in exchange for concessions on his policy priorities.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
AP Photo

NEED TO KNOW

Helle Crafts was a 39-year-old Pan Am flight attendant and mother of three

Prosecutors said her husband Richard B. Crafts destroyed her body using a wood chipper

Richard B. Crafts was convicted in Connecticuts first murder case without a body

Helle Crafts disappeared from her Connecticut home in 1986, and prosecutors later alleged her husband killed her and fed her dismembered body through a wood chipper  leaving investigators to prove a murder without a body.

The 39-year-old flight attendant, who was born in Denmark and worked for Pan American World Airways, was last seen after returning home from an overseas trip to Frankfurt, Germany, according to contemporaneous reporting by The Associated Press. When she failed to report for work days later, concern mounted. Her husband, Richard B. Crafts, told authorities she had gone to visit a friend in the Canary Islands, an explanation investigators later challenged.

Authorities said Richard, a former airline pilot and part-time police officer, had recently purchased a wood chipper, the Associated Press reported. Witnesses later testified they saw a man operating a wood chipper on a bridge between Newtown and Southbury in the days after Helle vanished. Police subsequently recovered small human remains  including bone fragments, tissue and a fingernail  along the banks of the Housatonic River, according to the AP.

AP Photo/Bob Lucky Jr. Richard B. Crafts

Prosecutors said that Richard killed Helle inside their Newtown home on Nov. 18 or 19, 1986, then dismembered her body with a chainsaw and fed the remains through the wood chipper in an effort to destroy evidence, the AP reported. Despite the absence of an intact body, the case moved forward and resulted in the first murder conviction in Connecticut history secured without one.

Richard was arrested in 1987 and brought to trial the following year, but the first proceeding ended in a mistrial after a juror refused to continue deliberations, according to the AP. A second trial resulted in a conviction, with a jury finding Richard guilty of murder in November.

At his sentencing, attention turned to what the judge and members of Richard's own family described as a lack of remorse. Addressing Superior Court Judge Martin L. Nigro, Richard said he had been unfairly portrayed as emotionally cold, The New York Times reported, while stopping short of acknowledging responsibility for his wifes death.

A great deal has been said about my apparent lack of emotion: He has ice water in his veins, Richard told the court, according to the Times. I have feelings like everyone else.

AP Photo/Don Heiny

Family members urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Karen Rodgers, Richards sister, who had custody of the couples three children, said she believed her brother had shown concern only in words.

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.

I am concerned that Mr. Crafts has not publicly nor privately demonstrated any remorse for the murder of his wife, Rodgers said at the sentencing, according to the Times. I believe he has paid lip service only to the concerns of his children.

Judge Nigro ultimately sentenced Richard to 50 years in prison, rejecting defense motions to overturn the conviction or grant a new trial, the Times reported. Defense attorneys said they planned to appeal, citing extensive publicity surrounding the case and questions about police recording practices, though they acknowledged they had no direct evidence that Richard's own conversations had been improperly recorded.

Richard continued to maintain his innocence while serving his sentence in Connecticut state prison. Decades later, the case resurfaced when he was released earlier than many expected under a now-defunct good time credit law that applied to inmates sentenced before 1994, Oxygen reported.



Read the original article on People
Cesar Carvalho worked at McKinsey from 2010 to 2012. Pascal Perich/ Pascal Perich

Cesar Carvalho left a consulting job at McKinsey to launch Wellhub, a wellness startup.

14 years later, Wellhub is changing corporate wellness  and counts McKinsey as a client.

Hustle culture is a liability to productive workforces, Carvalho told Business Insider.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cesar Carvalho, the CEO and cofounder of Wellhub, a global corporate wellness platform. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I became interested in consulting through some older friends while studying at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Their stories about how fast you could learn and grow in the career made me want to pursue it.

I applied to all the top firms and accepted McKinsey's offer to be a business analyst in 2010 as soon as I received it. It was the best thing I could imagine as a long-term career.

I was at McKinsey for about two years before they encouraged me to pursue an MBA. At that time in Brazil, you could only become an associate or a manager if you had one.

I applied to Harvard Business School with the intention of returning to McKinsey and continuing the consulting journey. But the summer of my first year in Boston, I had the idea of starting WellHub.

The wellness gap I saw as a consultant

The working environment at McKinsey was super intense. I would do an average of 10 to 12 hours a day, and when there was a crunch, it could be more.

As a consultant, I often traveled to different cities or juggled between a client's office and McKinsey's office. There were no gym memberships that provided access to facilities in different locations.

If I were at a client site and had two hours before my next meeting, I would have nothing to do but extra work. I had three gym memberships that were going unused, and I wanted to feel less stressed and improve my well-being.

My experience showed me there was a need for busy workers to get convenient access to health and well-being. And I quickly realized that was true not just for CEOs, bankers, and consultants, but also for FedEx drivers and grocery store workers.

It's now been 14 years since I started Wellhub.

We're now in 18 countries, and partner with 40,000 companies to offer wellness to their employees, including many McKinsey offices. 5 million employees engage with Wellhub every month.

Wellhub is now available in 18 countries, and 5 million employees use the service monthly. Wellhub

With Wellhub, employees can book a class regardless of the country or city they are in, without needing a membership for a specific gym or studio. Companies pay a fixed monthly fee based on their employee count, and employees also contribute.

Working at McKinsey helped me as a founder

I grew a lot at McKinsey, and that was especially thanks to one thing  in two years, I worked under seven different partners, all with their own managing style.

It could change everything: the team culture, the hours you're putting in, and the work you prioritize. I quickly learned what worked well for me, and what didn't.

The best experiences I had were when we were given flexibility. Some leaders used a process I always use today: a kickoff meeting in which every single employee is given the opportunity to talk about their own boundaries and how they operate.

Managers with families would say their ideal schedule was to go home early, eat with their families, and then log back on if needed. My own boundary at McKinsey was that I was willing to work as much as needed during the week, but my weekends were sacred. During my two years at the company, I worked only four or five weekends.

I learned that when expectations are clear and leaders are good enough to ask and respect the boundaries of employees, you can get everything done and still have great morale.

I also made a ton of friends, and those connections became really important. My Wellhub cofounder and several colleagues worked at McKinsey with me, and two of my seven angel investors were my previous bosses.

Hustle culture is a liability

Companies benefit from having employees who are active and in a great state of well-being.

If companies don't support well-being, they won't just be less productive  they'll also have higher costs than peers who do invest in it.

It impacts the amount of sick leave and PTO people take, and plays into retention and attraction.

The trend some corporate companies have taken towards hardcore culture is completely insane. Hustle culture is a liability, not an asset.

Many CEOs are missing the mark, and the consequences will show up as companies underperform those that take a more balanced approach. Hustle culture leads to burnout, and it pushes great people out before they would otherwise leave.

Cesar Carvalho calls his kids at 7:30 p.m. every evening when he's travelling for work. Wellhub

As a CEO, I believe in treating every employee like an adult and trusting them. My focus is always on getting the work done  not how many hours it takes or whether someone is showing up to the office.

When I meet coworkers, we typically do a yoga session or a workout, instead of going to bars or restaurants. If you switch a happy hour for a wellness hour, and build healthy habits into everyday routines, you can improve well-being across a company.

To me, well-being means being productive, healthy, and happy. I put productive there because it means that happiness and health are being put to good use.

I want to be a great CEO to my employees, want to inspire our clients and partners to join the movement, but more importantly, I want to be a great dad to my three kids, and a great husband to my wife.

My solution is integrating life and work. You don't need to be sacrificing your marriage or family for success.

When people ask me, "What are your hours?" I say, "I'm working all the time. I'm thinking about work when I'm exercising."

I have also built rituals in my well-being journey that I almost never break.

Whenever I'm traveling, I call my kids at 7:30 p.m. no matter what  even if that means setting an alarm for 2 a.m. It's a way for me to be close to them, no matter where I am.

Do you have a story to share about your career as a consultant? Contact this reporter at pthompson@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
An outbreak of deadly bacteria at a Bay Area homeless encampment has sparked urgent calls for action in Los Angeles, with officials warning the disease may already be circulating in the city.

The bacterial disease leptospirosis was found in rats at encampments in the hippie college town of Berkeley, leading health officials there to issue an urgent warning to the homeless to clear out.

Officials told them to relocate at least a third of a mile from the red zone encompassing several square blocks as soon as possible. The warning comes as authorities attempted remove the encampment last year but were blocked by a federal judge.

Humans can contract leptospirosis by coming into contact with contaminated water or surfaces.

Erin Spencer lost a puppy to Leptospirosis in Berkeley. Jason Henry

Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting appear between five and 14 days. If the infection isnt detected and treated with antibiotics, it leads to organ failure, internal bleeding, meningitis  and death.

Its a breeding ground for disease, where you see people living in squalor and surrounded by trash and human waste. Its a petri dish.

The conditions here are the same as they are in Berkeley. Its only a matter of time before its here as well, LA Councilwoman Traci Park, whose district covers Venice, where homeless encampments have long plagued the iconic boardwalk, told The Post.

A pamphlet at an encampment in Berkeley. Jason Henry

The scourge in Berkeley has raised fears the disease is already in LA because the citys Homeless Services Authority does not test for the bacteria in homeless encampments.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declined to answer questions about potential outbreaks, instead referring questions to the Homeless Services Authority.

An encampment in Berkeley. Jason Henry

Homeless pictured using drugs sit in MacArthur Park in LA. Ringo Chiu

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a professor at USCs Keck School of Medicine, said good public health includes regular, ongoing, monitoring of different vectors for the disease, like rats and dogs.

Good public health costs money and must support a variety of trained experts in disease prevention and surveillance, he told The Post.

In Berkeley, the disease has been detected in several rats and two dogs, posing a potentially fatal threat to people and animals, according to the citys health department.

Alice Barbee has four dogs at her encampment in Berkeley. Jason Henry

Jermaine Cat White with his dog at an encampment in Berkeley. Jason Henry

Berkeley authorities began removing the encampment in June 2025, but were blocked by a federal judge, who ruled that officials failed to provide proper notice and violated Americans with Disabilities Act protections for disabled homeless residents.

The bacteria thrives in places lacking basic services like indoor plumbing, running water or refrigerated food storage, making encampments prime breeding grounds for an outbreak.

Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

Illustration of a Leptospira bacterium. Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

Leptospirosis can be treated with oral antibiotics and additional supportive care for individuals who develop severe illness. A two-dose vaccine is available for dogs and cats.

A November outbreak in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa led to at least 12 deaths on the Caribbean island. Nearly 60,000 people die each year from the disease, according to the CDC.

At the Berkeley encampment on Friday, homeless residents were staying put despite signs posted by health officials warning of the disease.

One man, Erin Spencer, said his puppy contracted leptospirosis and died. He had no plans to leave the encampment.

Its carried by the rats around here, he said of the bacteria, while petting his other dog, Bastet. Its something that Ive known about.

Councilwoman Park believes the conditions at LA encampments  where people dont have a shower, they dont have a place to get clean clothes  means the disease is likely spreading undetected.

I think it already has, she said.
A final Happy New Year 2026 from Robyn! Today, I'll talk about my own Celtic connections with the aid of stunning Galician and Asturian trad. Some new releases from pillar East Coast musicians await. And stay tuned for some new and innovative Celtic sounds rooted in tradition.

Luz De Oriente

Os d'Abaixo - Nortada

Luis Peixoto, Xose Liz, Alvaro Iglesias, Marc Xarau - Xota do Besbello

Marc Xarau, Hugo Franco - Massa Pel Cos Las llaranxas de Balsera

Igor Medio, Lisardo Prieto - Dual El garrotin

Hevia - Tierra de nadie Dark Night of the Soul

Loreena McKennitt - The Mask and Mirror - The Mask and Mirror Nocturne for Anne

Chris Stout, Catriona McKay - A Love for All Seasons - A Love for All Seasons The Rocky Road to Dublin

The Haar - The Lost Day - The Lost Day Continuum

Project Smok - Codhlaim go Suan

Peadar Connolly - A Challuinn

Mary Beth Carty - The Cabin

The East Pointers - The Huntress / Twenty Thousand Stars / Ten Minutes to Landfall

Basco - Three Times Into Something Wild - Three Times Into Something Wild Nancy

Alan Doyle, The East Pointers - Cooley's Reel

Child of Prague - Bansull

Gangar, Synnve Brndbo Plassen, Martin Steinum Brun - Laske jo irti

5/5 - Trettondagsmarschen

Banna Sona Band - Dekho

Jiggy -
Danish soldiers disembark at the port in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 18, 2026. Credit - Mads Claus Rasmussen Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump has often joked that Denmarks defense of Greenland is so paltry that it consists entirely of two dog sleds. As one of the few people to have manned those sleds, Kasper Dams bristles at the remark.

For two years in the late 1990s, the Danish elite special forces soldier patrolled the vast, frozen expanses of Greenlands uninhabited northeastern corner, often with only eleven dogs and one fellow soldier for company. His Sirius Patrol unit underwent the kind of hardcore physical training Navy SEALs receive, endured mental resilience training from NASA, and spent long months in minus-50-degree temperatures monitoring for any suspicious activity. So, although he acknowledges that Denmark needs to increase its security investment in Greenland, Dams says the patrols are no joke.

He can make fun of the dog sleds all he wants. But he should come and see what we do. Because then, no one will be laughing.

Read more: Why Is Trump So Intent on Acquiring Greenland?

If Damss words suggest a bit of steel beneath the Danes normally agreeable exterior, it is a sentiment increasingly shared at the highest levels of government. As President Trumps long-standing desire to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the kingdom of Denmark, has erupted into a full-blown crisis, the Danish government has been working fervently to prove itself a good ally and reach a diplomatic solution. But as Trump has continued to insist that Greenland must be taken, Denmark is also beginning to communicate, ever so delicately, that there are limits to its flexibility. And now that Trump has responded with further threats to its efforts to give him more of the Arctic security he says he wants, the pushback is spreading throughout Europe.

We have to work closer with our most reliable allies, said Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of the Danish parliaments defense committee, in an interview with TIME on Friday. And the ones that threaten us and alienate us, we will work a bit less with in the future. Maybe a lot less, depending on how this develops.

Although he initially expressed his desire to acquire Greenland for the United States during his first term, President Trumps Jan. 9 comments that he would take the island, which has a population of 57,000, the easy way or the hard way, came as a profound shock to both Danes and Greenlanders. The surprise stemmed not only from the belligerence of a message directed toward one of the U.S.s oldest and closest allies, but for its superfluousness. Greenlands leaders have made it clear they would welcome U.S. business investment, while Denmark already has treaties in place that allow the U.S. to expand its military presence.

I'm still trying to grasp what it is the president really wants, said Stig stergaard Nielsen, a former commander of Denmarks Arctic Command, who is today a senior military advisor with the Copenhagen-based consultancy Rud Pedersen. The President has been told again and again that the treaties and agreements we already have with the United States allow them to have all the services and bases they can think of.

The Danish foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, and his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt, sought to reinforce that point when they traveled to Washington this week to meet with Vice-President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although they left the meeting satisfied that both sides had agreed to a series of working meetings to negotiate options for greater security in the region while respecting what Rasmussen called the red lines of Denmarks sovereignty and Greenlands self-determination, the White House instead said that the meetings would deal with the U.S.acquisition of Greenland. In that case, Rasmussen muttered to the press, "its going to be a short series.

Protesters on City Square during a protest in support of Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Getty Images2026 Getty Images

At the same time, Denmark has been busily bolstering its military presence in Greenland. A year ago, the government allocated $13.7 billion for investment in Arctic security, commissioning more drones, radar systems, and icebreaker ships, as well as an additional $37 million to increase the capacities of the Sirius Patrol, who, with their dogsleds, monitor otherwise inaccessible land. And this week, it sent more troops to Greenland, whose purpose, according to Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, was to establish a more permanent military presence with a larger Danish contribution.

Theyre not doing it alone. Although previous Danish attempts to convince NATO to focus on the Arctic with initiatives like it those it is currently running in the Baltics have failed, this time many of its European allies, including France, Sweden, the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands, sent small numbers of troops to join an exercise intended to investigate the logistical and tactical needs for a more permanent presence.

Read more: Denmark Beefs Up Military Presence in Greenland

Yet, however eager the demonstrations of Denmarks contribution and NATOs collective goodwill may be, a more cold-eyed rationale may lie beneath their surface. The overt message is, let's stand together. Let's invest in NATO to protect this NATO territory, says Sten Rynning, professor of war studies at the University of Southern Denmark. And then theres a hidden message, which is that the Allies will not accept violations of sovereignty within the alliance. The joint participation, he argues, raises the political costs to the U.S. of intervention. It says to the Trump administration: If youre considering a military operation, you will have to handcuff soldiers from a lot of your allies countries, and take them away. It's not about deterrence, it's about complicating the calculations.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned bluntly that a U.S. military invasion would be the end of NATO. And on the diplomatic front, that threat seems to be Denmarks strongest card, as it works to persuade Republicans, including the two who joined a bipartisan congressional delegation to Copenhagen this week, to take action against the Presidents designs on the island.

Kay Bailey Hutchison, the former Republican senator from Texas who was ambassador to NATO during the first Trump administration, believes that ultimately, diplomacy will prevail. Any malign influence is going to affect both North America and Europe, Hutchison said. Which is really what NATO was built to deter. So I think that with Americas lead in NATO, the way forward is to work with Denmark and our NATO allies to secure Greenland, and that negotiation is going to be the way out.

As tensions mount, others are no longer so sure that negotiation alone is enough. Earlier in the week, Thomas Crosbie, professor of military operations at the Danish Defense Academy, warned that it was unclear how the White House would interpret those military exercises in Greenland. Theres a bit of a paradox in that sending more troops could be seen as simply responsive to their [the Americans] requests. Or it could be seen as escalatory, depending on how its framed.

On Saturday, the world seemingly got its answer when President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark and the seven countries supporting them on Greenland until a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.

The European parliament, which had been set to approve the tariff deal it had negotiated with the Trump administration on Wednesday, put the plan on indefinite hold."I see no possibility for the European Parliament to give the green light to move forward with the tariff agreement, Karin Karlsboro, Swedish member of the European Parliament and trade coordinator for the Renew coalition, told Politico. Instead, the EU must prepare to respond to President Trumps tariff attacks, including those targeting Sweden.

And just as European officials have been whisperingand sometimes shoutingabout whether it may be necessary to fight back with the so-called bazooka of its Anti-Coercion Instrument, so too are the continents security advisors quietly beginning to weigh more extreme options. Could it be losing access to intelligence, to bases, to overflight corridors? I have only heard rumors, so it's hard to say, said Rynning. My sense is that Europeans are at the point where they're saying it's one thing for you to push us around and question how much we spend, or if were dressed improperly, or not living up to your manly standard. It's quite another thing to violate our sovereignty. And so, there's a sense that a red line has come into play.

For former Sirius patroller Dams, who also fought in Afghanistan alongside U.S. troops, the escalating situation is causing some cognitive dissonance. Although he sees the current joint exercise as another coalition of the friendly, he regrets that the American-led alliance that has been central in his own military career now hangs in the balance. We all joined wars together, whether it was Iraq, or Afghanistan, he said. It was always together with our allies.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A man accused of aiming a laser pointer at Marine One, a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft carrying President Donald Trump, was acquitted of federal charges stemming from the alleged incident on Sept. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Jacob Samuel Winker, 33, was found not guilty of "aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft" in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Jan. 13, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY. If convicted, Winker would have faced up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine; aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime and a felony.

A complaint filed on Sept. 22, 2025, alleged that Winker pointed the laser at a Secret Service officer assigned to secure the flight path for Marine One on the day of the incident. Winker was accused of then pointing the device at the presidential helicopter as it was flying overhead, the document continues.

Marine One descends onto the South Lawn at the White House on December 13, 2025, in Washington, DC.

More on Trump's second term: Has it only been a year? 12 months of all Trump, all the time

At the time of the alleged incident, Marine One was taking off from the south grounds of the White House, with Trump aboard, according to the complaint. The Secret Service officer said in the document that he initially noticed a shirtless Winker "talking to himself and being loud." The officer detained Winker following the alleged incident as his actions were a "danger to Marine One and everyone on-board," the complaint reads.

"[Winker's] conduct posed a risk of flash blindness and pilot disorientation, especially during low-level flight near other helicopters [U.S. Park Police, U.S. Marine Corps] and the Washington Monument," the complaint continues. "This placed Marine One at risk of an airborne collision."

After being handcuffed, Winker dropped to his knees and "began saying things like, 'I should apologize to Donald Trump,' and 'I apologize to Donald Trump,' according to the complaint.

He "repeated this action several times," the document reads.

Donald Trump's second term: Actions, travels of the 47th president President Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for the premiere of the documentary film "Melania" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recently renamed to include U.S. President Donald Trump's name, in Washington, DC on Jan. 29, 2026.

Jury deliberated for 35 minutes before finding Winker not guilty

Alexis Gardner and Ubong Akpan, the public defenders representing Winker in the case, told USA TODAY in a statement on Jan. 17 that the jury deliberated for just 35 minutes before finding their client not guilty.

Gardner and Akpan said the jury's verdict "underscores what should have been obvious from the start: Mr. Winkler committed no crime, and this prosecution was an unjust exercise of power."

Federal resources were expended to pursue charges against a homeless man whose alleged 'weapon' was a cat toy keychain, diverting attention from actual threats facing the community," the statement said.

How common are laser pointer strikes on aircraft?

Pointing lasers at aircraft can lead to catastrophic incidents, as it can potentially incapacitate pilots and put thousands of people at risk, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA adds that over 12,000 laser strikes were reported by pilots in 2024.

Hector Miranda-Mendoza, 35, is currently facing the same charge Winker was acquitted of, after federal prosecutors in Oregon accused him of pointing a laser at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter in the Portland metro area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2025, according to a Justice Department news release.

"Lasers can cause blindness and spotting in vision, making it a challenge for pilots to identify other aircraft and obstacles, which could lead to a catastrophic event," federal prosecutors in Oregon said in the release.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter takes off from the Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, September 8, 2025.

CBP in Oregon: Driver shot by feds in Oregon released from hospital, charged with aggravated assault

Miranda-Mendoza, who was inside a Portland home at the time of the incident, told authorities that he thought the helicopter was a drone, and that he recalled flashing the aircraft four or five times, according to the release. He also admitted to recently purchasing the laser and knowing "it was strong," federal prosecutors said.

Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft endangers lives and is a federal crime. This conduct put the lives of CBP personnel and the community directly at risk, and my office will aggressively pursue those who engage in this illegal activity, Scott E. Bradford, U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon, said in a statement in the Oct. 3 release.

Contributing: Terry Collins, USA TODAY

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jury finds man not guilty of pointing laser at Trump's Marine One
Nickolay Mladenov, then serving as United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on June 25, 2020. - Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images

When Rumiana Bachvarova was just a short period into her new position as Bulgarias Ambassador to Israel, she went to see her compatriot Nickolay Mladenov in Jerusalem.

He took her to the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalems Old City.

This small place is the cornerstone of all the conflicts here, Mladenov told Bachvarova. But see how beautiful it is.

Mladenov was several years into his role as the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, a position historically seen as symbolic but ineffective. Previous diplomats who held the title issued statements condemning the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and emphasizing the importance of the two-state solution. But they had little impact on an intractable conflict, largely ignored by the Israelis and unable to promote change with the Palestinians. They came and went without leaving a mark.

But Mladenov entered the role with a different perspective, able to build trusted relationships with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. The Bulgarian politician and diplomat had already been appointed his countrys defense minister at the age of 37, becoming the minister of foreign affairs a few months later, a role he held for 3 years. Before coming to Jerusalem in 2015, he was the UNs Special Representative for Iraq and had earlier in his career been a member of the European Parliament.

Now Mladenov, 53, faces perhaps his most difficult task yet. As the newly announced High Representative for Gaza, he will act as the key link between US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace and a technocratic committee made up of Palestinian officials thats meant to run the shattered enclave. He must turn a US-brokered 20-point-ceasefire plan lacking key details into a viable program that can rebuild Gaza, disarm Hamas, and govern two million people.

And it all has to be acceptable to the Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans for it to work.

Alongside him on the Board of Peace - though without his direct responsibilities towards the committee - will be US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others, the White House announced.

With little fanfare, Mladenov met last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Palestinian officials as he prepared for the job ahead.

Mladenov declined to comment on his new role. When Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of the ceasefire on Wednesday, Mladenov reposted his message but made no statement of his own.

But he surely knew what was coming when he made a New Years post on X.

As we step into 2026, heres hoping it becomes a year where common sense prevails, where rules are respected, facts carry more weight than slogans, and strength is measured not by reckless escalation, but by thoughtful restraint and wise choices, he wrote.

Early impressions

When Mladenov arrived in Jerusalem just over a decade ago, he was initially struck by how irrelevant the position appeared to be, according to an interview with the New York Times, given as he was leaving the role in late 2020. But Mladenov shuttled back and forth between the key players, meeting the Israelis, the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank, and Hamas in Gaza, and delivering his monthly report to the UN Security Council in New York, as mandated by his position.

He made few headlines during his time in Jerusalem, but behind the scenes he was active, alongside Egypt in particular, in bringing repeated escalations between Israel and Hamas to a swift end.

It worked. Again, he once wrote in a text message after a 24-hour flare-up was quelled.

Nickolay Mladenov speaks via video-link during a UN Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in July 2018, at the UN headquarters in New York. - Lev Radin/Shutterstock

Everyone likes Mladenov  not only in Israel but across the Middle East. Hes managed to earn the full trust of all sides, which is extremely rare, a senior Israeli official told CNN this week. He speaks in a positive and constructive manner, avoids getting stuck on the negatives, and works in an orderly and transparent way with everyone and without unnecessary complications. Hes a fair player who understands the sensitivities of all parties.

Among Palestinians, appraisals are more nuanced. Xavier Abu Eid, a political analyst who used to work with the PLOs Negotiations Affairs Department as an adviser, acknowledged Mladenovs professionalism.

He was always seen as someone very serious, someone who knew the files very well. He was not the kind of envoy or diplomat that depended too much on advisers or people telling him what to say, he said.

But Abu Eid also told CNN he felt Mladenov leaned into the Israeli position too much, being more concerned with Israels image than with human rights violations suffered by Palestinians.

He cared about Palestinians, but he cared more about Israelis, Abu Eid said.

Some in the diplomatic community in Jerusalem agreed, believing Mladenov overly neglected the Palestinian Authority (PA), the entity set up in the 1990s as part of international efforts to solve the conflict, and which continues to have some administrative control over parts of the West Bank.

One diplomat told CNN they felt he could have spent more time working on the moribund peace process  which would have meant engaging more with the PA  than on cultivating what came to be very good relations not only with Israel but also with Hamas, the longstanding rival of the PA and a US-designated terror organization.

Nickolay Mladenov, center, then-UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, visits a solar energy project at Nasser hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on May 13, 2019. - Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

A sympathetic reading of Mladenovs choices might conclude that he devoted his energies to the more dynamic actors within his remit, but it was also the case that it suited Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to have the highest-ranking UN official in the region cultivate ties with Hamas at the expense of the PA. A divided Palestinian leadership served to weaken the Palestinian cause on the international stage.

But while that under-the-table approach by Israel towards Hamas came crashing down with the October 7, 2023 attacks, concern still lingers in Ramallah, the headquarters of the PA , that the new technocratic committee could be another way to divide Palestinians by creating rival centers of power.

The Palestinian Authority as an interim authority has been there for the last 32 years, and now there is the (new) authority in Gaza  which is also an interim arrangement until the 31st of December 2027, so the issue for us, now that we have two interim authorities, is how to really link the two in order for us to achieve a two state solution, former PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said in a voice note to CNN.

Expressions of skepticism

Many Palestinians are also skeptical of Mladenovs ongoing ties to the United Arab Emirates, where he has been serving as the director-general of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, focused on international relations and diplomacy. During his final months in Jerusalem with the UN, Mladenov championed the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize relations with the UAE, among other nations. Palestinians viewed the 2020 peace agreement as a betrayal, bypassing their aspirations for statehood, which was supposed to be a prerequisite for Israels regional integration.

But the Accords advocates say they underscore what many see as one of Mladenovs strengths: a willingness to embrace new approaches.

I think hes very practical, said former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. The two worked together in 2015 and 2016, where Mladenov showed his willingness to cut through red tape in order to get the job done. Hes much less constrained by, or committed to, bureaucratic processes than he is (to) getting results. Hell go anywhere and talk to anybody, and hell insist that those conversations be results-oriented, said Shapiro, now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, meets then-Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov in the West Bank city of Ramallah in June 2011. - Mohamad Torokman/Reuters

But virtually everyone with whom CNN spoke issued the same, stark warning: Mladenovs past ability to build relationships is no guarantee of success in his new role. With no established infrastructure around him, he must immediately take on the most challenging tasks under the nascent second phase of the US-brokered agreement.

Three months after the ceasefire went into effect, Hamas has not made any move to disarm, which has helped prevent the deployment of an international security force to Gaza; concerns also remain over Israels true intentions toward further military withdrawal from the Strip. Mladenov must also figure out how to transition Gaza from nearly two decades of Hamas rule to the Palestinian technocratic committee under his directorship.

For its part, Hamas has welcomed the committees formation and said in a statement, issued by Basem Naim, a senior official, that it was ready to hand over administration of Gaza and facilitate the committees work.

A former senior Israeli security official expressed skepticism, however.

I dont expect this effort to succeed, said the former official, who worked with Mladenov in his UN role. He has a strong ability to build rapport. But from Israels perspective, its clear he also has close ties to Hamas, which will make it difficult for him to impose anything on them and make them give up power.

Ultimately, it will likely be political will and key players acting in good faith that will determine Mladenovs success in his new job, but those who know him believe that if he fails, it will not be for lack of trying.

Bachvarova, the fellow Bulgarian to whom he showed the Old City of Jerusalem, pays tribute to the emotional connection he has with others, and his firm belief in dialogue and compromise.

He does not take the easy choices, or the easy political line, she said. He is a brave man.

CNNs Tal Shalev in Jerusalem and Ibrahim Dahman in Cairo contributed to this report.

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On Dec. 16, 2021, Darci Bass was standing in her local convenience store when the man who stood accused of the shooting death of her 19-year-old daughter Livye Lewis strolled in. "When he came in the door ... I just went  started  started throwing whatever at him and went for him," Bass told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant in an interview for "The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis."

An encore of the broadcast airs Saturday, Jan. 17 at 9/8c on CBS and and streaming on Paramount+.

It all began in the early morning hours of Halloween 2020, when Lewis was discovered on the side of a road in the tiny town of Hemphill, Texas. She was draped over the steering wheel of her car, dead from a rifle shot to the neck.

Darci Bass with her daughter, Livye Lewis

Bass says she was not notified by police of her daughter's death. Instead, she heard from a friend that Lewis was in trouble and showed up at the crime scene demanding answers. "I just needed to know is she alive or is she dead," Bass told Van Sant. Her anguished cries for answers were caught on police bodycam video. "I wanna see my child," she shouted. "Livye Lewis! Where is she?"

Sabine County Sheriff's Investigator J.P. MacDonough says that the minute he saw Lewis' body, he knew that Lewis' killer was no stranger to her. "She was just sitting there with her legs crossed," he tells Van Sant. "Well, it indicates to me she was not afraid ... She was actually, to some degree, comfortable with who she was speaking with."

MacDonough says he didn't have to look very far for a suspect. Also discovered at the crime scene was Lewis' boyfriend, 23-year-old Matthew Edgar. "He was found in the fetal position behind the vehicle that Lewis was found in," says MacDonough. Beside Edgar was his rifle.

Edgar was rushed from the scene of the crime in an ambulance. Bloodied but not injured, he is seen on police bodycam footage lying in a hospital bed, being interviewed by MacDonough.

"When was the last time you saw Livye?" MacDonough asks Edgar. "Tonight," he answers, and then claims to have no memory of how he ended up at the crime scene. "You don't know how you ended up on the ground behind the car ... With the dead girl in it," says MacDonough. "No, sir," Edgar replies. "I have no clue."

Matthew Edgar, seen in a still from bodycam video, is questioned by a Sabine County sheriff's investigator about what happened on Oct. 31, 2020. / Credit: Sabine County Sheriff's Office

But for Edgar's defense attorney Rob Hughes, it was not an open-and-shut case. "We got all the DNA results back and ... there were some holes in the case," Hughes tells Van Sant. "There were no fingerprints taken or DNA lifted off the gun."

Shaun Dunn, who calls himself a close friend of Edgar's, tells "48 Hours" that he believes Edgar when he says he can't recall how he ended up at the crime scene. Dunn thinks that, like Lewis, Edgar was a victim and that someone else pulled the trigger. "I believe it was someone that was ... close to Matthew," he says. "Someone that was involved in events of that evening."

But where Dunn sees a victim, MacDonough saw a suspect and arrested Edgar while he was lying in that hospital bed. Then, months later, Bass says that while she was praying for justice, Edgar was released. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the courts and with no grand juries being convened, Texas law required that a still-unindicted Edgar be allowed out on bail.

It was months after Edgar's release when he walked into that convenience store in Bass' neighborhood. "And I just remember saying, 'You killed my daughter ... you killed my daughter.'" According to MacDonough, Bass chased Edgar into the parking lot, where she grabbed a chain in the bed of his truck and started slinging it across his windshield. Bass says she just wanted some answers: "She loved you and she was good to you and your kids and to your family. What made you think that this was the answer to anything that was going on?"

Edgar called the sheriff's office and filed a complaint against Bass, who was then charged with assault caused by bodily injury, retaliation and criminal mischief. An arrest warrant was issued and Bass turned herself in. The charges were eventually dropped.

On March 16, 2021, four-and-a-half months after his arrest, a grand jury heard the evidence against Edgar and indicted him for the murder of Lewis. But Edgar, who was still out on bail during his trial, was not done breaking the law. On the fourth day of trial, Edgar let the battery on his ankle monitor die and went on the run. His trial went on without him, and the jury found him guilty. But it took authorities 11 months to capture Edgar, so he could be sentenced to 99 years, with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

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President Trumps Gaza governance plan sparked backlash in Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the makeup of the body, which includes Turkey and Qatar, contradicts Israeli policy  even as reports from said the lineup had, in fact, been approved.

Netanyahus office issued a statement on Saturday saying that the premier instructed his top diplomat to raise the governments concerns with the Trump administration on the newly created Board of Peace set to run the Gaza Strip, according to Ynet.

The announcement by the US administration regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy, Netanyahus office said in the statement, adding that the prime minister had ordered Saar to raise Israels objections directly with Rubio.

President Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent meeting, as Israel publicly objects to Washingtons Gaza governance plan despite reports the lineup was approved privately. ZUMAPRESS.com

The dispute centers on the inclusion of senior reps from Turkey and Qatar  two countries Israel accuses of backing Hamas.

The Israeli daily Haaretz, meanwhile, reported that the prime ministers protest was largely performative.

The paper, citing a source familiar with the discussions, said the boards composition had been coordinated in advance and that Netanyahus public posturing was intended solely for appearances aimed at defusing domestic political pressure.

A State Department spokesperson referred The Post to Trumps Truth Social message from earlier this week touting the Board of Peace while insisting that the body will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas with the backing of Turkey and Qatar.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is pictured above. Qatars role on Gazas Board of Peace has sparked outcry in Israel. REUTERS

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, a former intelligence chief and close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured), was named to the Gaza Executive Board, fueling Israeli criticism. AP

Netanyahu came under attack from Jewish state political foes who were outraged to learn that the two countries would have a role on Trumps Board of Peace.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key figure in Netanyahus coalition, even argued that countries that had propped up the terror group had no place in the reconstruction of Gaza.

The states that breathed life into Hamas cannot be the ones that replace it, Smotrich said.

Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the Presidents 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.



Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic  Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) January 14, 2026

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, another key ally, rejected the entire framework, saying Gaza did not need an international body at all and called for a return to war.

The Gaza Strip does not need any executive board to oversee its rehabilitation  it needs to be cleared of Hamas terrorists, who must be eliminated, alongside the encouragement of large-scale voluntary emigration  in accordance with President Trumps original plan, Ben Gvir said, calling on Netanyahu to order the military to prepare to return to war with enormous force.

Opposition figures also blasted the move, framing it as a failure of Israeli leadership rather than US coordination.

Former Israeli military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said Netanyahu has lost control in light of the fact that other countries are managing Gaza over Israels head, with Turkey and Qatar as part of the governing body.

Netanyahu speaks amid backlash over the US-led Board of Peace, which includes Turkey and Qatar despite Israeli objections. REUTERS

The Post has sought comment from the White House, Netanyahus office and the Turkish and Qatari governments.

The Board of Peace is the top decision-making body in the US-led Gaza plan. It will be responsible for setting overall policy, approving major reconstruction and security moves, and coordinating international political and financial backing.

Turkeys seat on the board is held by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, a close confidant of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while Qatar is represented by Ali Al-Thawadi, a top diplomatic adviser to the countrys leadership.
Florida Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis (26) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Sam Bennett had a goal and two assists, and the Florida Panthers rebounded from a lopsided loss at Carolina with a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.

A.J. Greer, Uvis Balinskis, Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe also scored for two-time defending champion Florida, which lost 9-1 to the Hurricanes before traveling to Washington for the second game of a back-to-back. Jacob Chychrun scored twice to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead in the second, but Florida went back ahead before the period was over.

Washington is 6-10-3 in its last 19 games, and now the Capitals head west for a six-game trip.

Sergei Bobrovsky, who allowed all nine goals against Carolina, had the night off in favor of Daniil Tarasov in net. The Capitals had a goal overturned on an offside review in the first period, and then Florida quickly opened the scoring when Bennett tried to stuff the puck past goalie Logan Thompson and Greer put in the rebound.

Chychrun scored twice in the second, once from the left circle and once from just inside the blue line. Bennett tied it at 2, and after a penalty to Alex Ovechkin for putting the puck over the glass, Balinskis' shot from just beyond the right circle found its way through.

Lundell and Verhaeghe had empty-netters in the third.

The Capitals were still without the injured Tom Wilson and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Florida was without Brad Marchand, and Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk have yet to play this season.

Up ne xt

Panthers: Host San Jose on Monday night.

Capitals: At Colorado on Monday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
For the second consecutive year, a small section of Florida has briefly earned the moniker of the "Snowy State."

Parts of the western Florida Panhandle witnessed a rare snowfall on Sunday morning, as frigid air behind a cold front transformed the last rain showers into delicate flakes across the Sunshine State.

This unusual phenomenon is proving to be more than a once-in-a-lifetime event. Less than a year ago, on Jan. 21, 2025, some of these same areas experienced up to 8 inches (20 centimetres) of snow  an accumulation deemed the most significant for many since the late 1800s.

The recent dusting sparked a flurry of social media posts, capturing flakes on beaches and nestled among palm fronds. While roads remained too warm for accumulation, a temporary white blanket settled on grass before largely melting.

Below-average temperatures are predicted for the Central and Eastern US throughout the weekend and into early next week (AP)

The rare wintry conditions were not confined to Florida alone. Southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia also reported snowfall, with these regions similarly celebrating a second "winter wonderland" in less than a year.

Snow covered the ground in cities like Columbus and Macon, Georgia, prompting officials to warn that enough might fall to make travel treacherous.

In northeastern Ohio, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported a snow squall  characterised by sudden, intense bursts of heavy snow and strong winds  was creating hazardous whiteout conditions.

These squall conditions were moving into the Cleveland metropolitan area on Saturday and are expected to track eastwards into Pennsylvania and parts of eastern New York.

The NWS warned. "Expect visibilities of less than a quarter of a mile and rapid snow accumulation on roadways. Travel will be difficult and possibly dangerous in the heavy snow."
A woman waves a Greenlandic flag as people attend a protest against US President Donald Trump's demand to annex the Arctic island in Nuuk on January 17, 2026. - Marko Djurica/Reuters

Its not often that Europe speaks with one voice  or responds with such urgency.

But US President Donald Trumps announcement Saturday of sanctions against several European countries that reject any US claim to Greenland, a Danish territory, was one of those moments.

EU ambassadors held an emergency meeting in Brussels on Sunday in response to Trumps threat, which he made after an estimated quarter of the population of Greenlands capital Nuuk joined protests against any potential annexation.

Across the continent, among allies that usually tread carefully in responding to utterances from the White House, the response was immediate and emphatic, and recognized an existential threat to the transatlantic alliance.

The US President fired back late Sunday repeating his claim Denmark had failed to counter Moscows maneuvering around Greenland.

NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland. Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Earlier on Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump and told him that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong, according to 10 Downing Street.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has tried to cultivate a good personal relationship with Trump, described the threat of tariffs as unacceptable.

No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, he said on X.

Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has tried to cultivate a good personal relationship with Trump, described the threat of tariffs as unacceptable. - Philippe Magoni/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has typically had positive relations with the US president, described the move as an error in a handout video from a state visit to South Korea.

Revealing she had already had a phone conversation with Trump, Meloni said she doesnt agree with the idea of imposing tariffs against countries that contribute to Greenlands security.

Eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and France, issued a joint statement Sunday saying that, tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Sunday he also spoke to Trump about the issue. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week, he said.

European Council President Antonio Costa announced he will convene an extraordinary meeting of the council in the coming days related to the US-Europe tensions.

Trump, in a lengthy social media post Saturday, said the United States needed possession of Greenland to counter Chinese and Russian threats in the Arctic and develop what he has called the Golden Dome to protect North America from ballistic missiles.

Experts say that the US does not need to own Greenland for the Dome to be effective, thanks to a 1951 agreement that gives the US the right to build defense facilities on the island.

US Vice President JD Vance, and second lady Usha Vance stand with Col. Susan Meyers, commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base. - Jim Watson/Getty Images

The Pituffik Space Base, which US Vice President JD Vance visited last March, is focused on missile warning, space surveillance, and satellite command and control missions.

European politicians said Trumps unilateralism over Greenland, and his treatment of long-standing allies, was playing into Moscow and Beijings hands.

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took a similar line. In an interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, he said any military action by the U.S. against Denmarks vast Arctic island would damage NATO and delight Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It would make Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his attempted invasion of Ukraine, he said.

If the United States were to use force, it would be the death knell for NATO. Putin would be doubly happy, Sanchez warned.

The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic, said the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola on X. They risk the opposite, emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life.

One casualty of the tariff threat may be the US-EU trade deal agreed last year, which the European Parliament was set to debate this week. The leader of the largest group in the assembly, Manfred Weber, said on X that given Donald Trumps threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage.

Pituffik Space Bas pictured in northern Greenland. - Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images

There have been plenty of occasions during both Trump administrations that European governments have reeled in shock at the rhetoric from the White House and then embarked on careful damage limitation.

But many Europeans recognize in the second Trump administration a far more strident tone, beginning when Vance excoriated Europe as woke, soft on immigration and anti-democratic in a speech at the Munich Security Conference last February.

Trumps National Security Strategy in November doubled down on the scorn. It is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies two decades from now, it said.

The document sneered at what it called the stark prospect of civilizational erasure in Europe, claiming censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence.

And earlier this month, Trumps deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told CNNs Jake Tapper, We live in a world, in the real world that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power.

For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, Miller added.

Essentially, in this White House, a strong transatlantic relationship is no longer thought critical to US national security or its dominance of the Western hemisphere.

But strong words from the capitals of Europe are just that: The challenge is to build greater self-reliance in defense and security, a process that takes decades rather than months.

In the meantime, some may recall then UK Prime Minister Winston Churchills exasperation over the planning for D-Day, the operation that would liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany.

There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them, Churchill said later.

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Military personnel stand at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as others attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Military personnel stand at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as others attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

By Mahmoud Hasano and Jaidaa Taha

TABQA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Syria and the main Kurdish fighting force struck a wide-ranging deal to bring Kurdish civilian and military authorities under central government control on Sunday, ending days of fighting in which Syrian troops captured territory including key oil fields.

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack hailed a "pivotal inflection point", but noted that there was still challenging work to be done to finalise details of a comprehensive integration deal.

The terms of the deal appeared to be a major blow for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which ran a semi-autonomous region in Syria's northeast for more than a decade.

SDF head Mazloum Abdi confirmed in a later statement that the group agreed to withdraw from two Arab-majority provinces - Deir al-Zor, the countrys main oil- and wheat-producing area, and Raqqa, home to key hydroelectric dams along the Euphrates.

The SDF had resisted integration into the Islamist-led government that has ruled Syria since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in late 2024.

The 14-point deal published by Syria's presidency featured the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Abdi, who appeared to have signed separately , state media reported.

Abdi said he is set to meet Sharaa in Damascus on Monday and would share the details of the agreement with the public after his return, Kurdish media reported.

The SDF head said they remained committed to protecting the "achievements" of the Kurdish region in the northeast. This war was imposed on us. We wanted to prevent it, but unfortunately, because it was planned by many forces, it was imposed on us," Kurdish media quoted him as saying.

NEW DEAL PRESENTS TOUGH TERMS

Syria's government and the SDF engaged in months of talks last year to bring Kurdish-run military and civilian bodies under Syrian state institutions by the end of 2025.

But after the deadline passed with little progress, clashes broke out and grew into a government offensive on Kurdish-held areas. Sunday's agreement said the clashes should end, although intermittent fighting was still reported in some areas.

The deal stipulates that all SDF forces will be merged into the central defence and interior ministries as "individuals" and not as whole Kurdish units. The latter had been a SDF demand.

It also says all border crossings, gas and oil fields and prisons and camps holding Islamic State fighters and affiliated civilians captured after the group's defeat in 2017 would be handed over, another point the SDF had long resisted.

A Syrian government official said security at those locations remained "quite good" on Sunday evening and that Damascus was keen for a transition of control "that doesn't impact the mission to defeat the Islamic State, and does not provide an opportunity for Islamic State elements or cells" to destabilise security in the area.

The government will formally take over Deir al-Zor and Raqqa. Syrian state media published photos of residents in Raqqa celebrating the expected handover.

The Syrian official said the handover should take place within the next 24 to 48 hours and was "the most important indication of the seriousness behind implementing this plan."

The deal did appear to offer some concessions. It said the SDF could nominate military and civilian figures to assume key roles in the central government and that Hasakeh province, which has a sizeable Kurdish population and is the main stronghold of the SDF, would have a governor appointed by consensus.

It also commits the SDF to expelling all non-Syrian figures affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Kurdish militant group which fought a decades-long insurgency in Turkey.

Sharaa had accused the PKK of hijacking SDF decision-making and preventing progress in integration, which the SDF denies.

US CORNERED BETWEEN TWO ALLIES

Turkey's foreign ministry said it hoped the "agreement will contribute to the security and peace of the Syrian people, as well as the entire region, particularly Syria's neighbours".

"With the recognition of the realities on the ground, we hope that all groups and individuals in the country fully understand that Syria's future lies not in terrorism and division, but in unity, integration and cohesion," it added.

The fighting has cornered the U.S. between its longtime support for the SDF as a key partner in fighting Islamic State, and its new backing for Sharaa, who has pledged to unite Syria under one central government that protects all Syrians.

Barrack met with SDF head Abdi in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Saturday and with Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday.

Syrian troops kept up their advance on Sunday even after the U.S. military had publicly urged them to stop. A senior Kurdish commander told Reuters before the deal was announced that the U.S. should intervene more forcefully to end the fighting.

Kurdish concerns about Sharaa's government have been deepened by bouts of sectarian violence last year, when nearly 1,500 Alawites were killed by government-aligned forces in western Syria and hundreds of Druze died in southern Syria, some in execution-style killings.

(Reporting by Damascus team, Jaidaa Taha and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Writing by Maya Gebeily, Suleiman al Khalidi and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Jane Merriman, David Holmes, Alexander Smith and Diane Craft)
Taiwan said it detected a Chinese reconnaissance drone violating its airspace after it flew into the Pratas Islands in the northern part of the South China Sea, triggering broadcast warnings.

Taiwans defence minister on Saturday said the Chinese surveillance drone entered the Pratas Islands at 5.41am, flying for eight minutes at an altitude outside the range of anti-aircraft weapons.

The defence ministry has called the violation of the airspace of the Taiwan-controlled island, which is also known as the Tungsha Islands or the Dongsha Islands, a "provocative and irresponsible" move.

"After our side broadcast warnings on international channels, it departed at 0548," it said in a statement.

"Such highly provocative and irresponsible actions by the People's Liberation Army seriously undermine regional peace and stability, violated international legal norms, and will inevitably be condemned," it added.

Taiwan's armed forces will continue to maintain strict vigilance and monitoring, and will respond in accordance with the routine combat readiness rules, the ministry said.

The Pratas Islands are a coral atoll with an enclosed lagoon. The atoll is also a Taiwanese national park and is only lightly defended by Taiwans military. However, it is strategically significant, as it lies just 170 nautical miles southeast of Hong Kong and is administered by Taiwan as part of the Cijin District in Kaohsiung.

The island hosts a Taiwanese Coast Guard and limited military personnel.

China claims Taiwan, a democratically governed island of 23 million people, as its own territory and has long called for the "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, while it also has a law stating it will resort to "non-peaceful means" to prevent the island's "secession".

Taiwan has rejected the claims and regularly reports Chinese military activity around it.

Lying roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Pratas are viewed by some security experts as vulnerable to a Chinese attack because of their distance - more than 400 km - from mainland Taiwan.

China is yet to respond to the claims.

It comes as China is fuming over a new trade agreement between Taiwan and the US that lowers tariffs on Taipeis exports.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it firmly opposes countries having diplomatic relations with China and Chinas Taiwan region signing any agreement that carries sovereign connotations and an official nature with Chinas Taiwan region.

The agreement cuts US tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 per cent in exchange for $250bn in new investments in the US tech industry.
Welcome back to another week of outdoor recreation news! As we move deeper into January 2026, there's a mix of exciting discoveries, temporary closures, and opportunities to explore America's natural and historical treasures.

From groundbreaking paleontological finds at a national monument to free admission days celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this week's roundup offers something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

Whether you're a history buff, dinosaur lover, or simply looking for your next adventure, let's dive into what's happening across our parks and public lands.

Temporary Closure of Cades Cove Loop Road

On January 26-30, 2026, and February 2-6, 2026, Cades Cove Loop Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be closed for visitor safety to remove hazardous trees. This area will reopen early if crews complete all work ahead of schedule.

Display at Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument (John Tillison)

New Dinosaur Fossils Excavated at Dinosaur National Monument

Construction work at Dinosaur National Monument unexpectedly revealed new dinosaur fossils in September 2025, the first excavation at this site in over a century. Park staff discovered the fossils, likely belonging to a Diplodocus, a large, long-necked dinosaur, when asphalt removal exposed the dinosaur-bearing sandstone near the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

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Following the discovery, Paleontologists and volunteers extracted approximately 3,000 pounds of fossils and rock over a month-long period.

The remains are now being studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, where visitors can watch the preparation work and view some specimens on display. This marks a significant find at a location originally excavated by major institutions, like the Carnegie Museum, between 1909 and 1924, before the parking lot improvements were completed.

McLean House at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (John Tillison)

27th. Annual Appomattox Court House NHP and Longwood University Free Civil War Seminar

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, there is a free day-long seminar in the Jarman Auditorium at Longwood University, Farmville, VA. Doors open at 8:30 AM with the first presentation at 9:00 AM.

Noted scholars will explore "From Manassas to the Big Screen," examining battles, leaders, relics, and the Civil War's lasting impact on both film and culture. The program will include the following presentations (subject to change):

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Reclaiming Revolutionary Relics in the Civil War Era (Abbi Smithmyer)

First Manassas- Bloody Gateway to War (Retired NPS Historian John Hennessey)

Gone with the Glory - The Civil War in Movies (Brian Steel Willis)

The Civil War Generals - Comrades, Peers, Rivals in Their Own Words (Robert I. Girardi)

The Battle of Dranesville - Men and Horses Fell Around Me Like Ten Pins (Ryan Quint)

Big Stump at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California (John Tillison)

Governor Gavin Newsom announces Free entry day for California State Parks

California State Parks is proud to offer free vehicle day-use entry on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, 2026, at more than 200 participating state parks!

Free entry day is being made possible by the California State Parks Foundation, a key proponent of the free California State Library Parks Pass. The parks participating in MLK Day are the same parks that accept the library pass all year. This includes some of my favorite California State Parks, including:

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Top deals on outerwear and snow gear from top brands at REI Co-op!

Check out these great deals at REI

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Limited Time Offers

From prehistoric discoveries to Civil War history and opportunities for free outdoor exploration, this week reminds us of the incredible diversity our parks and public lands offer.

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Whether you're planning around the Cades Cove closure, marking your calendar for the free Civil War seminar in February, or taking advantage of California's MLK Day free entry, there are countless ways to engage with our natural and cultural heritage.

The dinosaur discovery at Dinosaur National Monument is the perfect reminder that our parks still have secrets to reveal. You never know what adventure or discovery awaits on your next visit.

Stay tuned for next week's updates, and as always, get out there and explore responsibly!
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the NATO countries who have sent small contingents of troops to Greenland amid the White Houses push to acquire the island will be charged a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States starting on Feb. 1.

The tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will then increase to 25% on June 1, until the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland, according to the president.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

"This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump posted on social media.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, January 14, 2026.

Trump, in his post, repeated his claim that China and Russia would threaten to take Greenland if the U.S. does not. He claimed Denmark cannot protect Greenland.

Trump threatens tariffs for nations that don't support his aim to acquire Greenland

Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!" he said in the post.

Some leaders from the targeted countries slammed Trump over his tariff threats.

"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of Nations," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement Saturday, adding that "no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations."

"Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty," Macron said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong."

"Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he said.

Mads Schmidt Rasmussen/Arctic Creative/AFP via Getty - PHOTO: This aerial view shows people as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement Saturday that discussions are being had between the countries for a coordinated response.

"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," he said. "I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors."

Trump has said he would consider taking Greenland by force as an option to acquire the land.

Leaders from Greenland and Denmark, which governs international matters for the country, have repeatedly said Greenland is not for sale.

"It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen told reporters after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wednesday.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: The Greenlandic flag flies over houses, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

Rasmussen called that outcome "totally unacceptable."

Rasmussen said Saturday that the president's threat came as a surprise as he said that he had a constructive talk with Vance and Rubio.

Several leaders from European nations, including France and Germany, have slammed Trump's rhetoric and sent military forces to Greenland this week as part of training exercises launched by the Danish military.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: Soldiers of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, arrive at Nuuk Airport, January 16, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.

"The purpose of the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is to enhance security in the Arctic," Rasmussen said in a statement.

Trump's controversial plan to acquire Greenland has been met with disapproval on the island, where protests against the U.S. have taken place.

On Saturday, huge crowds hit the streets in Greenland lashing out at Trump over his proposal. A large crowd of protesters conducted a "Stop Trump" march through the streets of Nuuk.

Trump's proposal has also not sat well among many Americans where people and leaders across the aisle have spoken out against the idea of acquiring Greenland.

France, other NATO countries send troops to Greenland for exercises after meeting with Vance and Rubio

A Quinnipiac University poll found 55% of voters are opposed to the United States trying to buy Greenland, with majorities of Democratic voters (85%) and Independent voters (58%) opposed and a majority of Republican voters in support (67%).

On Friday, a bipartisan group of House members and senators traveled to Greenland and said they had "constructive" conversations with members of Denmark's parliament.

Trump has options to acquire Greenland, but few are realistic: Expert

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who were part of the delegation, released a statement Saturday warning that the tariff threat will hurt the U.S.'s relationships with its European counterparts.

"There is no need, or desire, for a costly acquisition or hostile military takeover of Greenland when our Danish and Greenlandic allies are eager to work with us on Arctic security, critical minerals and other priorities under the framework of long-standing treaties," the lawmakers said in the statement.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images - PHOTO: People hold Greenlandic flags and placards as they gather to march in protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.

"Continuing down this path is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for Americas allies. This kind of rhetoric also further helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided. Our allies deserve better, and so do the American people who have made their opposition to this flawed policy resoundingly clear," the senators added.

The delegation said the visit was to nurture the relationship between Denmark, Greenland and the United States and to reassure NATO partners that many members of Congress do not support any effort by the United States to acquire Greenland.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Saturday that Democrats will introduce legislation to block tariffs against countries who oppose a takeover of Greenland.

"It is incredible that he wants to double down on the stupidity by imposing tariffs on our closest allies for his quixotic quest to takeover Greenland," Schumer said.

Trump's tariffs have been hit with lawsuits which have been appealed all the way the Supreme Court. It is not known when the high court will rule on the case.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule, Chris Boccia and Rashid Haddou contributed to this report
Scott Bessent on "Meet the Press" [Screenshot/NBC News/"Meet the Press"]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismantled NBC host Kristen Welkers false choice framing that the United States must decide between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Greenland during a Sunday appearance on Meet the Press.

President Donald Trump wrote Wednesday in a Truth Social post that the United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security, warning of the risk posed if Russia or China were to gain control first. Citing concerns annexing Greenland could undermine NATO, Welker asked Bessent whether NATO or Greenland is more essential to U.S. national security.

Well, Kristen, thats obviously a false choice. Thats a maximum  Bessent began before Welker jumped in.

The NBC host stated that the question wasnt giving a false choice from the perspective of European leaders. (RELATED: Greenlander Opposes America Taking Over His Island Because He Hunts Cute Whales, Seals)

European leaders will come around and they will understand that they need to be under the U.S. security umbrella. What would happen in Ukraine if the U.S. pulled its support out? The whole thing would collapse, Bessent responded. Kristen, to be clear, since 1980, the U.S. has spent  U.S. military spending versus NATO military spending  we have spent 22 trillion more dollars than the Europeans have. We are peace through strength and the Europeans now are only trying to play catch up. And that is only through President Trump. President Trump believes in NATO, but he does not believe in the American people being dragged in.

Welker then pushed back again on the Treasury secretary, pointing out Denmark has stood shoulder to shoulder with the U.S.  including after Sept. 11, 2001  before asking if Trump wants the U.S. to remain part of NATO.

Of course, we are going to remain a part of NATO, but what President Trump does not want is for a war to start and the U.S. get[s] dragged in. Again, we are not going to outsource our western hemispheric security to others, Bessent said.

Greenland and Denmark officials met Wednesday with Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Sate Marco Rubio after Trumps latest public push to acquire Greenland.

The bid to take the island  an autonomous territory of Denmark  has been advanced by Trump since his first term in 2019. Such discussions were revived in January 2025. Despite some dismissals about Trumps follow through on acquiring the island, Rubio told Megyn Kelly on Jan. 30, 2025 that Trumps bid for Greenland is not a joke.

The secretary of state told Kelly at the time the reason for the inquiry is due to potential competition with China over the land and its importance to issues like shipping lanes.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
By Nicholas P. Brown

NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - European "weakness" necessitates U.S. control of Greenland for global stability, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday even as some lawmakers sounded alarms about the Trump administration's effort to acquire the Arctic territory held by Denmark.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, Bessent said taking ownership of Greenland is crucial in a geopolitical chess match with Russia and China. He made the remarks a day after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to implement tariffs on European Union members opposed to a U.S. acquisition, including Denmark, which has long been one of Washington's staunchest allies

"We are the strongest country in the world," Bessent said. "Europeans project weakness. U.S. projects strength."

As tensions with the EU escalated on Sunday, Bessent said he believed European leaders would ultimately "come around" to the idea of U.S. control of Greenland. "I believe that the Europeans will understand that this is best for Greenland, best for Europe, and best for the United States," he said.

The U.S. Treasury chief said he had not recently discussed with Trump whether he is still considering using emergency powers to justify using force to take Greenland. But doing so would be "ridiculous" because there is no emergency in Greenland, said Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee.

"The idea by the secretary that, oh, this is to prevent an emergency - now we're declaring emergencies to prevent emergencies?" Paul, who has long been a vocal opponent of aggressive U.S. efforts overseas, said on "Meet the Press."

BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO TRUMP'S GREENLAND GAMBIT

The Senate Homeland Security Committee may push a war powers resolution limiting Trump's ability to use force, or a resolution challenging his use of tariffs, Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said in the same interview.

Paul was not the only Republican on Sunday to challenge his party's president. U.S. Representative Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, said the tariff gambit could threaten relationships with NATO allies.

"This is not 'The Art of the Deal,'" Turner said on CBS' "Face the Nation" program, referencing the title of Trump's 1987 book. "This is more like 'The Dating Game.' ... This certainly isn't the type of language someone should be using when asking someone to join you in a partnership."

But Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn characterized Trump's tariff threat as a negotiating tactic.

"Sometimes he believes in strategic ambiguity and talks in terms that get people's attention, but ultimately I think there's a deal to be made," Cornyn said on the "Fox News Sunday" program.

Other lawmakers, including Senators Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, and Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, pointed to Greenland's natural resources as potential motivation for acquiring it, although they diverged on whether Trump has made a credible argument for the U.S. to absorb the territory.

Cruz, speaking on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program, cited Greenland's minerals as one of the "enormous economic benefits" of acquiring it, although he also pointed to the country's strategic location. "It is overwhelmingly in the U.S. interest to acquire Greenland," Cruz said.

Speaking on ABC News' "This Week" program, Van Hollen accused Trump of dishonesty about Greenland's national security value and said the president only cares about the territory's natural resources.

"The president is lying to the American people when he says this is about security," Van Hollen said.

(Reporting by Nicholas P. Brown, Heather Schlitz and Bo Erickson; Editing by Sergio Non and Paul Simao)
Delcy Rodriguez

Newly minted Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has reportedly been in the DEAs crosshairs for years  a priority target for playing a major role in the South American drug trade.

Rodriguez was catapulted to power after deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro was captured in a daring US raid this month. Rodriguez met Thursday with CIA director John Ratcliffe in Caracas.

The DEAs file on Rodriguez accuses her of being involved in a swath of criminal activities from drug trafficking to gold smuggling. She appears in nearly a dozen DEA probes, conducted by agents around the globe  some of which remain ongoing.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez was deemed a priority target by the DEA. AFP via Getty Images

Documents show that the DEAs elite Special Operations Division has been tracking the Venezuelan pol since at least 2018. She was classified as a priority target due to her significant impact on the drug trade in 2022, according to the Associated Press.

The files allege Maduros vice president has been accused by an informant of using hotels in the Isla Margarita Resort in the Caribbean as a front to launder money, according to the report.

Rodriguez is also the subject of an ongoing investigation regarding government contracts awarded to Maduros alleged bagman Alex Saab.

Saab was arrested in 2020 on money laundering charges and accused of funneling $350 million into the US. He was pardoned by President Biden in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange.

The agency has also investigated Rodriguez for possible government corruption involving her long-time boyfriend, Yussef Nassif, and his brother Omar Nassif-Sruji.

President Trump has called Rodriguez terrific. REUTERS

Hong Kong companies registered under the brothers names received $650 million from the government of Venezuela in 2021 to provide food and medicine, according to armando.info.

While Rodriguez continues to work closely with the Trump administration as she clings to power, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has blasted Rodriguez as a communist and ally of regimes hostile to America.

Delcy Rodriguez, yes, shes a Communist. Shes the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and Iranians. But thats not the Venezuelan people, Machado said.

Machado, who was in Washington on Thursday, presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, saying he deserves it.

The exiled opposition leader vowed to soon return to her home country as the first democratically-elected female president of Venezuela.

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Sven Beckert isnt here to judge capitalism, even though he just wrote a provocative, ambitious, 1,300-page book on its history. As he writes several times in the book (which this editor has read), hes not even sure what it is. Hes trying to understand it.

The Harvard professor, who Zoomed in to talk to Fortune from his home office in Cambridge, Mass., explained that his new book, Capitalism: A Global History, is the product of an eight-year odyssey to seek understanding of the way we actually live out our economic lives. Often, when I teach the history of capitalism here at Harvard, many of my students think that capitalism is kind of the state of nature. But thats just not the case when you look at the historical record, he added.

When pressed to explain what his book accomplishes, he said its two-pronged: to offer a more global perspective on the history of capitalism and to denaturalize the history of whatever capitalism is. Capitalism is neither eternal nor natural, in Beckerts telling; its a human invention that spread and evolved over centuries through deliberate choices, sometimes extraordinary violence, and incredible institutional innovation. Capitalism rose from the margins of medieval trade to dominate modern life, and so it could also, someday, fade or transform again.

These may be considered bold claims by some who take capitalisms primacy as inevitable, but the book has been generally well reviewed. Although some critics have taken shots at it for being a bit of a doorstop, like Beckerts previous tome, the Pulitzer finalist, award-winning Empire of Cotton, the ambition and narrative boldness of this global history have been generally praised.

In the Boston Globe, Hamilton Cain wrote that Beckert weaves a sprawling tapestry that unfurls with the suspense and intricacy of a detective novel, with capitalisms ascendance reading a bit like a crime story, even a whodunit. Adrian Wooldridge of Bloomberg Opinion criticized it for nearly the identical thing, saying that the book ignores [the] secret sauce of innovation, focusing more on its exploitative history than on how it created new value. Beckert insisted that his book is all about the question of how, not why. He attempted to chart how we get from a world in which this logic exists, but its marginal, to a world in the year 2025, where [it] almost structures all of our economic lifeand almost all of our lives.

From marginal to dominant

Beckert told Fortune that his research showed traces of capitalist logic can be seen in the historical record as far back as 1,000 years ago, but for hundreds of years it remained marginal to economic life. In his book, he talks many times of islands and nodes, as capitalists were at first outsiders, regarded as almost freakish by people who lived their life without the constant accumulation of more money to invest. Then, when the tide started to turn and capitalism became ascendant, in the last 500 years, the islands and nodes shifted to the holdouts from the capitalist way of life, like the farmers of the 20th century.

The first thing I always say is that capitalism is not the same as the existence of markets, Beckert said. He pointed out that economic life existed for all of human history, but not the relentless accumulation and reinvestment of capital, which was practiced by a few merchant communities on the outskirts of society. Capitalism has existed in many different parts of the world, Beckert insisted, but it was also rather thinly spread and rather weakThis kind of capitalist logic that is so crucial to economic life today, that is something relatively novel.

Beckert points out in his book that until the fall of the USSR in the late 1980s, something like 30% of the world was living in a noncapitalist system, and much of the rural West was able to avoid the capitalist way of life by, for example, growing their own food as subsistence farmers. (Tom Lee of Fundstrat recently compared the emergence of artificial intelligence to flash-frozen food in the 1920s, which changed the composition of the economy from 40% subsistence farmers to just 2%.)

The professor highlighted ancient mercantile communities of capitalists in unexpected places such as the Port of Aden, in Yemen, or Cambay, in modern Gujarat, India. Goods were traded across oceans from Aden as early as 1150, he finds, while Song-dynasty China invented paper money centuries before Europe, and textiles thrived in ancient Indian hubs ages before the Industrial Revolution. But these capitalists were encircled for hundreds of years by a sea of subsistence farmers and tributary empires that operated on completely different principles. The extremely global nature of early merchant communities, that was something that I, broadly speaking, I did have a sense of, Beckert said, but hadnt put together in quite this way before.

They were always connected to a state, Beckert said of the early merchants, but they were also freewheeling and kind of separate from that state, he said, that is, until things drastically changed in the 19th century. Beckert highlights the disturbing case of Hermann Rochling, the German steel industrialist who saw such capitalist opportunities that he closely allied himself with successive German governments and found himself on trial for war crimes, not just in one war, but in two wars, World War I and World War II, which must be a world historical record.

How capitalism moved to the center

To illustrate just how unnatural the capitalist logic was once considered, Beckerts book highlights the odd case of Robert Keayne, a Puritan merchant in 1639 Boston. Keayne was dragged before a court and church elders nearly 400 years ago, but not for stealing. Instead it was for the very evil practice of selling goods for a profit that exceeded community standards. He was nearly excommunicated for behaving in a way that is now considered the basic function of business. It would take centuries, Beckert argues, for the covetous accumulation of wealth to be rebranded as a public good, or in other words, for capitalism to be regarded as normal.

For his part, Beckert insisted that hes not trying to judge capitalism, even if some harsh judgments emerge throughout his book. The ability to write this book is, of course, itself an outcome of the capitalist revolution, he told Fortune, arguing that at this juncture in the 21st century, the logic of capitalism has brought enormous productivity gains, unprecedented economic growth and made many people much wealthier. He wouldnt be able to fly to Barbados or Cambodia for research without it, he acknowledged.

And Beckert did travel far and wide over eight years to dig up what he regards as a kind of secret history of the origins of capitalism. From the dusty outskirts of Phnom Penh to the archives of the Godrej company in India to the relics of the sugar plantations of Barbados (where he spent 10 days), Beckert surprised himself again and again by what he found.

When the American colonies emerge on the scene, for example, more than a third of the way into his narrative, Beckert points out that West Indies were much more central to global capitalism than the 13 territories that would become the United States. The city of Boston, he notes, might have perished if it didnt figure out how to become a service hub for Barbados, whose sugar plantations generated huge revenues. Thats also kind of an amazing story, Beckert agreed. For us, Barbados is a foreign country and its far away, but for them [Bostonians in the early 1700s], it was also part of the British empire. And then it waskind of a suburb to Bostonor vice versa. They were tightly integrated with one another.

Beckert said he was surprised in what his research turned up of the darkness of capitalisms past. I did know a lot about the history of slavery, but being on this island and then reading the historical records and reading the kind of horrific accounts of what happened on this island in the 1600s, that was also not really surprising, but it was really quite shocking, the degree of violence that I found within this history.

Could capitalism end?

Beckert told Fortune that he believes the world is currently in a moment of transition, similar to the shift that occurred in the 1970s when the Keynesian order gave way to neoliberalism. One of the largest surprises of the book is at its very conclusion, when he suggested that someday, capitalism could end. The fact that it rests on the ever expanding accumulation of capital implies that somehow, someway, the capital will run out. In the distant future, he writes, historians will look back at our times and find it difficult to understand our ways of thinking, our ways of being.

Ultimately, Beckert said he views his book not as a moral tale with capitalism as the villain, but as an investigation into human agency. By revealing that capitalism was once fragile, marginal, and weakand that it required centuries of specific political choices, violence, and institutional building to become dominanthe hopes to show that the future remains unwritten. This is not like a machine that kind of unfolds on its own, Beckert said. This is a human-created order.

As the global economy faces new shocks in the mid-2020s, Beckerts history offers a reminder: The economy is not a force of nature. It was made by people, and it can be remade by them. The future is open, he told Fortune. People build a world thats different from the world that they were born into [and] sometimes the least powerful have made a huge difference in the trajectory of the development of capitalism. So, I think that is important to see at the contemporary moment.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
NEED TO KNOW

At least six people are dead and 22 others are injured due to a fire at a shopping mall

Over a dozen people still remain missing following the blaze

Officials believe the fire was caused by a "short circuit"



At least six people have died and 22 others were injured after a fire ripped through a shopping mall.

At around 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 17, officials received a call about a fire at the Gul Plaza in Karachi, Pakistan, Reuters and the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.

The fire broke out shortly before the call was placed, starting on the ground floor of the mall before spreading, burning more than 1,200 shops, according to a translated report from the Sindh Government that was shared on Facebook.

Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP via Getty Firefighters douse a fire that broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan on Jan. 18

When we arrived, the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames," Pakistan Emergency Services Department (Rescue 122) spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb told Reuters.

Six deaths have been confirmed so far, the government confirmed. The identities of the deceased have yet to be officially confirmed by authorities.

Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP via Getty A fire broke out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 17

Twenty-two people were injured, including firefighters. The injured were sent to Civil Hospital Karachi, Dawn reported, citing South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso. Some people were trapped in the building during the blaze, per the outlet.

The fire appeared to have been caused by a "short circuit" at one of the shops in the mall, Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho told reporters at the scene, per Dawn.

The layout and construction of this market was such, and secondly, the nature of the items in it  such as carpets, blankets and other objects [were] made of resins  so the fire is still simmering because of these, said Odho.

According to local reports, 16 people are missing following the fire. Among them are six family members, including a 14-year-old girl, Dawn reported.

Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP via Getty Firefighters extinguish a fire at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 17

Rescue 1222 responded to the fire with 22 fire brigades and 33 ambulances. The fire was contained to about 70% the next morning, government officials confirmed on Facebook.

The building appears very old, and there is a danger that its structure may fall anytime because of the impact of the fire, said Haseeb. Thus, the rescue operation is being carried out with extreme caution.

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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah has launched an investigation into the incident, per Dawn. The Sindh Government has also shared resources on social media for those affected by the fire.

Rescue 1222 did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Jan. 18.



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The national parks put on some amazing shows, from the synchronous butterflies that light up the night sky in the Great Smoky Mountains each summer to Old Faithfuls predictable geyser eruptions in Yellowstone. But one of Mother Natures most spectacular, limited-time acts is coming soon to Californias Sierra Nevada mountains: Yosemite Firefall.

For a fleeting two-week window in mid-to-late February, when the light at sunset hits Horsetail Fall at the just-right angle, it creates a fiery red-orange glow in the waterfall channelthat is if all the elements cooperate. The sunset backlight creates the illusion that the thin waterfall is molten lava streaming down the eastern edge of El Capitan.

Intrigued? The best chance to witness the Yosemite Firefall in 2026 is likely from Feb. 10-28, according to early predictions and past years activity. In the past, required reservations and lottery system has helped manage crowds. But for the first time in years, the National Park Service is not requiring weekend reservations to access Horsetail Fall on Sundays in February.

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Heres what else to know about the natural phenomenon that is Yosemite Firefall, as well as the history of a separate, man-made firefall off of Glacier Point that took place decades ago in Yosemite, one of the countrys original national parks.

(Peak nights are typically mid-February, depending on snowpack, water flow, and clear skies.)

Do you need a reservation to see Yosemite Firefall in 2026?

Firefall creates the illusion of lava dripping down the rock face. (Wirestock via Getty Images)

Because the Firefall draws such big crowds, Yosemite has used a reservation system in past years to ease parking headaches, protect the parks natural resources, and improve the overall visitor experience.

In 2026, though, the park has announced that reservations wont be required for Horsetail Fallor at any point in February. That said, visitors should expect several viewing-area restrictions to be in place. The National Park Service is providing information about viewing areas and parts of the park that are closed off.

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As always, the Firefall is never a sure thing. Its appearance depends on a perfect mix of conditions, and afternoon cloud cover or low water flow can easily put the spectacle on pause.

Where to stay near Yosemite for Firefall 2026

Better your chances of seeing Firefall by being in the area for at least a few days: You can stay in the park or in nearby Mariposa County or Tuolumne County.

During the last three weekends of February, Evergreen Lodge and Rush Creek Lodge run the Firefall Express, which are daily guided trips that transport visitors from the lodges shuttle stations into Yosemite Valley, where a guide helps select the ideal viewing spot. Chairs and blankets are provided, and the experience is open not only to guests of Rush Creek and Evergreen Lodge, but also to those staying elsewhere, including the sister property Firefall Ranch.

How to view Yosemite Firefall at Horsetail Fall

Photographers staging to shoot Firefall in Yosemite. (Spondylolithesis via Getty Images)

Horsetail Fall flows 2,030 feet over the eastern edge of the iconic granite walls of El Capitan, which is on the west end of Yosemite Valley and rises 3,000 feet above the valley floor.

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The fall is considered an ephemeral waterfall, and it usually only flows for several weeks in the winter. The fiery glow happens when its backlit by the sunset, but for this to happen there needs to be a clear sky and snowmelt to feed the waterfall.

To view Yosemite Firefall in all of its neon orange glory, the park service recommends parking at Yosemite Falls parking, which is just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge, and walking 1.5 miles to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area. If the parking lot happens to be full, your best bet is to park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and use the free shuttle (it stops at both areas) to get to the Yosemite Falls parking area.

Sunset is around 5:30 p.m., and Firefall only lasts about three minutes as the sun hits the waterfall and then moves past the channel. Because some of the best viewing spots fill up quickly, park rangers recommend being in place by 3 or 4 p.m.

Keep in mind that youll be walking at least three miles round-trip to and from the Yosemite Falls parking lot. The park recommends that Firefall viewers bring warm clothes, including winter accessories like hats and gloves, as well as headlamps or flashlights since the walk back to the lot will be after sunset and the valley gets very dark. Expect snowy and icy conditions and wear warm footwear with snow traction devices on your boots (think: ice cleats).

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Park rangers also ask that you stay on the trails, and when its necessary to go off a trail to reach a viewing spot, the areas that have little ground vegetation are the best places to gather.

Be sure to stay out of meadows as they support a majority of the parks plant and animal species and are fragile and dont cross any fenced areas.

Also, carry any trash you have out of the park since litter can attract bears and other wildlife.

What conditions are needed for Yosemite Firefall to occur?

Natural light illuminating Horsetail Fall, creating a glowing waterfall effect on the cliff edge of El Capitan (Zeyu Wang via Getty Images)

Mother Nature makes no promises when it comes to putting on a Firefall show. It could be a clear day, with the waterfall cascading down the mountain, but if clouds roll in right before sunset, the Firefall show is a no-go.

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In order for the Firefall spectacle to occur, conditions need to be just right. First, the Yosemite Valley needs to have received enough snowfall throughout the winter since Horsetail Fall is fed by snowmelt. Unfortunately, the West has been in a snow drought this year and the Central Sierra Nevada range, home to Yosemite, has received 77 percent of its average snowfall. Temperatures also need to be above freezing to help melt the snow and create the waterfall.

Also, Firefall typically happens in the minutes leading up to sunset, so there needs to be a clear sky so that the light can come through the valley and hit Horsetail Fall.

The history of Yosemite Firefall

You may have heard of another type of firefall in Yosemite.

In 1872, even before Yosemite had national park status, James McCauley, the former owner of the Glacier Point Mountain House, would burn wood over the course of the day and then set up a bonfire for guests. At nightfall, the anticipated firefall ceremony took place, according to historical accounts. People down below at Curry Village would shout Let the fire fall before the red hot embers were pushed over the side of the cliff, with a blazing stream of fire tumbling down the rocky ledges.

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The last fire fall took place in 1968. But five years later photographer Galen Rowell was driving around Yosemite on a February day near sunset when he captured Last Light on Horsetail Fall, which looked like Mother Natures rendition of the firefalls. His iconic photo of the lava-like waterfall set the stage for todays all-natural firefall viewing.

Yosemite Firefall FAQ

Entrance to Yosemite National Park. (Yiming Chen via Getty Images)

Is Yosemite Firefall visible every night in February? No. Firefall only appears on nights when conditions align, including clear skies at sunset, enough water flowing over Horsetail Fall, and the sun hitting at the correct angle. Even during peak season, it may only show for a handful of evenings.

How long does Yosemite Firefall last once it starts? The glowing effect is brief (typically just two to three minutes)before the sun moves past the waterfalls channel and the light fades.

Can you see Yosemite Firefall from anywhere in the park? No. Firefall is best viewed from designated areas in Yosemite Valley near El Capitan. The angle of the sunset light makes visibility limited to specific viewpoints.

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Does Yosemite Firefall look the same every year? Not exactly. The intensity of the glow can vary depending on water flow, snowpack, and atmospheric conditions. Some years produce a vivid orange lava effect, while others are more subtle or dont appear at all.

Is Yosemite Firefall dangerous or caused by fire? No. Despite its name, Firefall is completely natural and caused by sunlight reflecting off the waterfall. There is no fire involved.

Is Yosemite Firefall suitable for kids or older visitors?Yes, but visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures, icy paths, and walking several miles round-trip. Bringing warm layers, proper footwear, and flashlights is especially important for safety and comfort for all visitors.
18 January 2026 19:45 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

In recent years, AzerbaijanChina relations have demonstrated a clear upward trajectory, marked by intensified high-level political dialogue, expanding economic ties, and deepening cooperation across strategic sectors. Against the backdrop of shifting global power balances, supply chain restructuring, and the global energy transition, Bakus engagement with Beijing reflects a calculated and forward-looking foreign policy choice-one that seeks to balance traditional energy strength with future-oriented sustainability.

At the heart of this relationship lies energy cooperation, encompassing both hydrocarbons and green energy. This dual-track approach allows Azerbaijan to consolidate its role as a reliable energy supplier while simultaneously positioning itself as a regional hub for renewable energy development - an area where China has emerged as a global leader.

Hydrocarbons: Industrial synergy and global ambitions

A clear illustration of the growing depth of traditional energy cooperation is the recent engagement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and China National Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNCEC). Speaking at a January 13 meeting at CNCEC headquarters with Kenan Mirzayev, General Director of Petkim and Head of SOCAR Turkiyes Oil Refining and Petrochemicals Business Unit, CNCEC Chairman Mo Dinghe emphasized the importance of long-term strategic cooperation in the energy and chemical sectors.

CNCEC, a global leader in chemical engineering with extensive international experience in engineering, industrial investment, and advanced technologies, expressed readiness to further deepen cooperation with SOCAR, including joint access to international markets. This signals a shift from project-based engagement toward more integrated industrial collaboration.

SOCARs strong global position in oil, gas, and petrochemicals - particularly through assets such as STAR Refinery and Petkim in Turkiye - complements Chinas engineering expertise and capital capacity. For Azerbaijan, such cooperation enhances value-added production, supports downstream development, and strengthens its presence in global energy and petrochemical value chains. For China, Azerbaijan offers a politically stable, strategically located partner bridging Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

This partnership reflects a broader trend: China is no longer merely a consumer of hydrocarbons but an active participant in refining, petrochemicals, and energy infrastructure development areas where Azerbaijan seeks technological modernization and market expansion.

Green energy: From strategy to implementation

Alongside hydrocarbons, green energy has rapidly emerged as a second strategic pillar of AzerbaijanChina relations. Chinese investment activity in Azerbaijan has intensified in renewable energy, aligning closely with Azerbaijans long-term development strategy and its commitment to energy transition and emissions reduction.

Chinese companies are actively involved in solar and wind power projects, power generation infrastructure, and the production of electric buses. This cooperation not only supports Azerbaijans climate goals but also contributes to economic diversification beyond oil and gas. Importantly, it positions Azerbaijan as an emerging green energy hub in the South Caucasus and Caspian region.

According to official forecasts, renewable energys share in electricity generation is expected to rise to 25 percent by 2027 and 30 percent by 2030. The first phase of this strategy aims to commission around 2 GW of renewable capacity by the end of 2027, primarily to meet domestic demand. The second phase, envisaging an additional 6 GW, shifts the focus toward electricity exports and supplying energy-intensive infrastructure such as data centers - highlighting the economic logic underpinning Azerbaijans green transition.

This approach also enables more efficient use of natural gas resources, freeing volumes for export and reinforcing Azerbaijans role as a key energy supplier to regional and European markets.

Strategic context: EVs, Europe, and Chinas global vision

The growing relevance of renewable energy cooperation must also be viewed within a broader geopolitical and economic context. The recent agreement between China and the European Union on electric vehicles - averting a potential trade war and replacing punitive tariffs with minimum price mechanisms - underscores a critical shift in global competition.

By prioritizing quality, technology, and innovation over price, Chinese companies such as BYD, SAIC, and Geely are reinforcing their leadership in batteries, range, and comfort. This evolution strengthens the case for clean energy ecosystems, where electricity generation, EV manufacturing, and smart infrastructure converge.

For Azerbaijan, this global shift creates new opportunities. As renewable energy moves from concept to large-scale application, Azerbaijans cooperation with China in green power generation and infrastructure becomes economically and strategically significant - not merely symbolic.

The institutional framework for this expanding partnership was further strengthened during Baku Energy Week, where an Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the Energy Sector was signed between Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy and China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited.

The agreement formalizes understandings reached during President Ilham Aliyevs state visit to China and covers cooperation on key projects, including the 160 MW Fuzuli Solar Power Plant, a 200 MW offshore wind project in the Caspian Sea, hydropower initiatives, and the Green Energy Corridor. Beyond infrastructure, the agreement also provides for cooperation in energy planning, grid research, the establishment of a green energy research center, and training of qualified personnel.

This reflects a mature stage of cooperation - one that goes beyond construction to include knowledge transfer, institutional capacity-building, and long-term planning. Taken together, Azerbaijan-China energy cooperation represents a pragmatic blend of continuity and transformation. Hydrocarbons remain the backbone of the partnership, providing industrial depth and export strength, while green energy is rapidly becoming a driver of future growth and strategic relevance.

For Azerbaijan, China is not just an investor, but a long-term partner in industrial modernization and energy transition. For China, Azerbaijan offers stability, strategic geography, and a gateway to regional and European markets. In an era of global uncertainty, this energy-centered partnership stands out as a model of mutually reinforcing interests - anchored in todays realities, yet firmly oriented toward tomorrows energy landscape.
18 January 2026 14:51 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Throughout human history, very few regions have shaped the world as profoundly as Europe. For this reason, humanity has often sought to look toward Europe, sometimes through conquest, as with the Achaemenids or the Huns, and sometimes through migration and cultural exchange. Yet over the past century or two, Europe has seen the rise of radical groups, including leftist movements, environmental activists, feminists, and others, that, intentionally or not, hinder the development of this historically powerful continent. By spreading fear, panic, and division, these movements have, in effect, tied the hands and feet of Europes historical engines of progress.

Recent events provide a clear example. Last week, media outlets in Azerbaijan and worldwide reported that Germany and Austria would purchase natural gas from Azerbaijan. Almost immediately, Lindsey Snell, a so-called journalist known for her support to radical and illegal groups in the Middle East and her hate towards Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Muslim community, suggested on social media that Azerbaijan was supposedly re-exporting Russian gas to Europe. Lindsey Snell's general aura, which is not at odds with either journalistic ethics or public culture in general, is well known to everyone. This culturally flowed journo with mixed intentions, who was deported from Turkiye, still doesn't quite understand what she wants.

But what evidence supports this claim? None. This assertion has been previously circulated by pro-Armenian groups and media, yet the highest-ranking Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly clarified that Azerbaijan exports only its own natural gas, without any Russian involvement. In reality, Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 14 countries, one of which is Ukraine.

Let us imagine, for a moment, that Azerbaijan were engaged in such a scheme. How could this go unnoticed by the West, which monitors global energy flows with satellites and other instruments? Even more, how could Ukrainelocked in a life-and-death struggle with Russiaignore it? Ukraine actively targets Russian energy infrastructure not only on its territory but also in the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean, striking Russian shadow fleets to disrupt operations. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, shares crucial updates openly through the media and social media. Has he ever claimed that Azerbaijan is re-exporting Russian gas? Absolutely not. On the contrary, Azerbaijan is providing its own gas to Ukraine and other countries, strengthening regional energy security.

Claims like Snells are thus not only factually incorrectthey implicitly insult the Ukrainian people, who are fighting heroically on multiple fronts. Previously, such narratives relied on speculation: Azerbaijans gas reserves are smaller than Russias, so it supposedly cannot replace Russian gas in Europe. Yet these arguments ignore a crucial fact: even if Azerbaijan wanted to supply Europe entirely, it could not do so alone. Moreover, Europe does not seek a single substitute supplier. Instead, it aims to diversify its energy sources to prevent any future coercion, ensuring that no country can exert the leverage Russia once had.

This raises a larger question: how did Russia, a developing country, manage to gain influence over a continent historically at the forefront of global progress? Part of the answer lies in the radical movements mentioned earlier. Activists, pressure groups, and ideologues pushed European governments to close coal and nuclear facilities, arguing environmental harm. Consequently, Europe became dependent on Russian gas, creating strategic vulnerabilities and economic consequences, such as rising energy prices, while the human cost of war is borne in Ukraine.

Even as Europe attempts to correct these mistakes, misinformation persists. Figures like Lindsey Snell amplify radical narratives, attempting to obstruct the continents recovery. Yet history demonstrates that those who hinder progress without contributing are ultimately defeated. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to act as a responsible energy provider, delivering natural gas to 14 countries, including Ukraine, and asserting its sovereignty and credibility in global energy markets.

Generally, the attempt to misrepresent Azerbaijans energy exports is not only inaccurate but strategically flawed. Those who spread false narratives ignore real facts, such as Azerbaijans diversified supply, Europes energy diversification strategy, and Ukraines active defense of its own energy interests. The lesson is clear: while radical movements may create noise and confusion, reality and responsibility ultimately prevail. Azerbaijans example shows that a country can assert itself on the global stage with transparency, efficiency, and integrity, even amid complex geopolitical pressures.
18 January 2026 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

The Sumgayit Regional Center of Azerbaijans Ministry of Emergency Situations has conducted a training exercise focused on search-and-rescue operations for missing persons in forested areas under snowy weather conditions.

The Ministrys press service told Azernews that the main objective of the drill was to improve the organization and execution of rescue operations, particularly in cold and snowy conditions in mountainous and forested terrain. The exercise aimed to enhance the knowledge and practical skills of rescue personnel in assisting victims stranded in difficult environments, as well as to strengthen the decision-making and operational management abilities of rescue team commanders during emergencies.

During the exercise, rescuers carried out a simulated search for a person reported missing in a forest amid snowy and foggy conditions. After locating the individual deep within the forest, the team used specialized rescue tools and equipment to conduct a mock rescue and ensure the safe evacuation of the victim to a secure area.

Following the drill, the results were reviewed and assessed, and relevant instructions were issued to further improve preparedness and response capabilities.
18 January 2026 12:40 (UTC+04:00)

A roundtable dedicated to the events of January 20 and the victims of the tragedy was held in Baku.

Azernews reports tha the discussion, titled If the Homeland Calls Me a Son, What Would I Complain About, was organized by the public association Womens World. Participants included family members of martyrs, former military personnel, veterans, historians, representatives of public organizations, and youth.

The event began with a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs, followed by the national anthem.

Kifayat Niftaliyeva, chairperson of Womens World, spoke about the January 20 tragedy, honoring the victims and the patriots who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. She noted that the national unity that began during the January 20 events strengthened further during the 44-day war, culminating in Azerbaijans victory under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev.

Tofiq Alizade, head of the Support for the Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis society, highlighted the historical facts behind violent acts committed against Azerbaijan and its people. Historian and writer Dr. Nazim Tapdiqoglu emphasized that the Garabagh events began in 1988, and the national awakening and unity were directly linked to the sacrifices of January 20 martyrs.

Reyhan Ismayilova, sister of January 20 martyr Javad Ismayilov, shared personal memories of her brother and the familys painful experiences. Other speakers stressed the importance of educating youth about the causes of the tragedy, the national liberation movement that followed, and the First Garabagh War.

The organizers noted that such events play a crucial role in promoting awareness of the January 20 events among young people.
18 January 2026 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

A new Azerbaijani House and its affiliated weekend school were officially inaugurated in Stuttgart, marking another milestone in the Azerbaijani diasporas cultural outreach. Azernews reports that the event began with the playing of the Azerbaijani national anthem and a minute of silence in honor of the countrys fallen heroes.

The opening ceremony was attended by Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Samir Rzayev, Counselor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany; Makbule Kocak Kacar, Consul General of Turkey in Stuttgart; as well as Azerbaijani community members from across Europe, leaders of Azerbaijani Houses abroad, and representatives of the local public.

Gunay Mirzayeva, Chairperson of the Azerbaijani-German Cultural Center, delivered a report-style speech on the Centers work uniting Azerbaijanis living in Germany, as well as the activities of the German-Azerbaijani Alliance Board.

Fuad Muradov spoke about Azerbaijans modern diaspora policy under President Ilham Aliyev and the expansion of joint diaspora initiatives worldwide. He highlighted the opening of Azerbaijani Houses and weekend schools in various countries, congratulating the community on the Stuttgart opening and noting it as a tangible demonstration of the Azerbaijani states care for its citizens abroad.

The ceremony emphasized the role of Azerbaijani Houses, weekend schools, and the Garabagh online schoolsinitiated by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyevain preserving the mother tongue among third- and fourth-generation diaspora members. Muradov stressed the particular significance of implementing this model in regions like Stuttgart, where many Azerbaijanis live in compact communities.

Video clips featuring President Aliyevs speeches were also presented during the event.

Several speakers, including Altay Rustamli, Chairperson of the German-Azerbaijani Alliance Board, board member Amir Ali Sardari Irevani, and Consul General Makbule Kocak Kacar, praised the Azerbaijani House as a symbol of unity for the diaspora.

Participants also enjoyed Nar, an exhibition of works by Italian cultural figure Francesco Macco, before the ceremony continued with a cultural program.

Currently, there are 32 Azerbaijani Houses operating in 20 countries worldwide, with more than 90 weekend schools functioning in 24 countries. Some of these schools operate under Azerbaijani Houses, while others are affiliated with diaspora organizations or cultural centers. The State Committee on Work with Diaspora provides textbooks and teaching materials for all weekend schools abroad. Azerbaijanis and enthusiasts of Azerbaijani culture can access these services free of charge. Under the presidents guidance, the number of weekend Azerbaijani schools abroad continues to grow, expanding the scope of cultural and linguistic education for the diaspora.
18 January 2026 13:25 (UTC+04:00)

On January 18, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the Alley of Martyrs to honor the cherished memory of the 20 January martyrs.

The head of state laid a wreath at the "Eternal Flame" monument.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.
18 January 2026 13:46 (UTC+04:00)

The weather in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula is expected to be partly cloudy and mostly dry, Azernews reports, citing the National Hydrometeorology Service.

Intermittent precipitation is forecast for the night of January 1819 and during the evening hours. Rainfall may intensify in certain parts of the peninsula late at night, with the possibility of sleet in some suburban areas. A moderate northeast wind will blow across the region.

Temperatures in Baku and Absheron will range from 02C overnight to 24C during the day. Atmospheric pressure is expected to drop from 771 mmHg to 768 mmHg, with relative humidity between 7080%.

Across Azerbaijan, scattered rain, sleet, and snow are expected in some districts, occasionally heavy or intense in certain areas. Some locations may also experience intermittent fog. A moderate westerly wind will occasionally strengthen.

Nighttime temperatures will range from 05C below zero, while daytime highs will reach 14C. In the mountains, nighttime temperatures will drop to 5 to 10C, and in high-altitude regions, lows may reach 13 to 17C, with daytime temperatures remaining between 3 and 7C.

Travelers are advised that roads in mountainous and foothill areas are expected to become icy.
18 January 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

A transformed Manchester United kicked off interim manager Michael Carrick's second stint in charge with an exhilarating 2-0 derby day defeat of Manchester City in the Premier League at a vibrant Old Trafford on Saturday, Azernews reports.

Carrick's attack-minded side swept away the gloom hanging over the club with second-half goals by Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu underlining their dominance of a disappointing City whose title hopes suffered a crushing blow.

Mbeumo, just back from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon, finished sweetly in the 65th minute and Dorgu got on the end of Matheus Cunha's cross to put the home fans in dreamland 10 minutes later.

But for a superb display by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and three disallowed goals, United would have enjoyed a far greater margin of victory while the visitors barely threatened as goal machine Erling Haaland hardly got a look-in.

Not only was it a humbling loss for City against their cross-town rivals, it put a huge dent in their hopes of reeling in Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Instead of closing the gap at the top to a manageable three points they could find themselves nine adrift if Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.

For United it was the perfect start to Carrick's tenure as they moved provisionally into fourth place.
18 January 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

United States President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he will impose tariffs on European nations starting on February 1 over Greenland, Azernews reports.

Trump threatened Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland with a 10% tariff on goods entering the US, rising to 25% on June 1. He warned "World Peace is at stake" and accused China and Russia of seeking control there.

Trump argued the US hs protected without compensation and said the tariffs will remain until a deal is reached for Greenland's purchase. "The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades," he said.

Trump suggested, incorrectly, that residents of Greenland currently have two dogsleds as protection  and claimed China and Russia want Greenland to the detriment of the US.

Nobody will touch this sacred piece of land, especially since the national security of the United States, and the world at large, is at stake, Trump wrote.

The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said recently that Greenlands defence is a common concern for the whole of Nato. The Guardian reported that European troops had deployed to Greenland, in part, to establish what a more sustained ground deployment on the territory could look like, and partly to reassure the US that European Nato members were serious about Arctic security.
18 January 2026 14:20 (UTC+04:00)

European Union leaders on Saturday expressed strong concern over U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement that he plans to impose escalating tariffs on European allies unless the United States is permitted to purchase Greenland, Azernews reports, citing Reuters.

In joint posts on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa described the planned tariffs as a serious threat to transatlantic relations. Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty, they stated.

Kaja Kallas, the European Unions top diplomat, emphasized that the tariffs would damage prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic and distract the EU from its central mission: ending Russias war in Ukraine. China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies, Kallas said. She further warned that tariffs could make both Europe and the United States poorer and undermine their shared prosperity. If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO, she added.

The EUs 27 member states are taking the threat seriously. Ambassadors will convene on Sunday for an emergency meeting to discuss a coordinated response to the potential tariffs. The bloc aims to present a united front to ensure that any trade actions do not disrupt the transatlantic partnership.

Trumps comments on Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, have sparked widespread diplomatic attention. The president has repeatedly suggested interest in purchasing the island, citing strategic and resource considerations. European leaders, however, have stressed that sovereignty over Greenland cannot be negotiated through economic coercion.

As tensions mount, analysts warn that uncoordinated trade measures could escalate economic disputes between Europe and the United States, complicating broader cooperation on security, climate policy, and other global challenges.

The EU has signaled that it will act decisively to protect its economic interests while maintaining the unity of the bloc, even as discussions with Washington continue.
18 January 2026 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

The death toll from large-scale protests in Iran has reached 5,000, including around 500 members of the security forces, according to an unnamed Iranian official, Azernews reports, citing international media outlets.

The official confirmed the figure, stating that Iranian authorities have verified the deaths linked to the protests. The official accused terrorists and armed insurgents of killing innocent Iranian civilians during the unrest.

According to the source, some of the most severe clashes and the highest number of fatalities were recorded in northwestern Iran, where separatist groups are said to be active.

Meanwhile, the HRANA human rights group reported on Saturday that the number of those killed stood at 3,308. HRANA also stated that more than 24,000 people have been detained in connection with the protests.

The sharply differing figures highlight ongoing discrepancies between official accounts and independent human rights assessments regarding the scale and consequences of the unrest in Iran.
18 January 2026 18:40 (UTC+04:00)

Pakistan has been invited to join a newly announced US-led Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), a high-level international body tasked with overseeing Gazas reconstruction, transition governance and the disarmament of Hamas, the Foreign Office said on Sunday Azernews reports, citing Tribune.

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that US President Donald Trump had extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to join the Board, underlining Islamabads continued engagement with international efforts aimed at peace and stability in Gaza.

Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions, the spokesperson said.

The invitation comes as the White House formally unveiled the structure and membership of the BoP, which US officials describe as a global mechanism to manage Gazas post-war transition. Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post that the initiative resembles a kind of mini-UN focused initially on Gaza, but potentially expandable to other conflict zones.

Key figures, global outreach

According to the White House announcement on Friday, founding executive members of the BoP include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law. Other members include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.

Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Peace Council. Canadian media reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted an invitation to join. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly confirmed his acceptance, calling it an honor and stating that Argentina would stand with countries that confront terrorism head-on and promote peace and freedom.

Turkiye confirmed receiving a formal invitation. US President Donald Trump, in his capacity as founding president of the Peace Council, sent a letter inviting our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to participate as a founding member in the Board of Peace, Turkish presidential spokesperson Burhanettin Duran said.

Egypts Foreign Ministry said Cairo was examining an invitation for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, while Jordan confirmed that King Abdullah was also invited and consultations were underway.

Governance, security and reconstruction

Under the US plan, Gaza will be governed during a transition period by a Palestinian technocratic administration, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Dr Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister originally from Khan Younis. The NCAG will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuilding of civil institutions and stabilisation of daily life, while laying foundations for long-term governance.

Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, serving as the main link between the BoP and the NCAG and holding executive authority on the ground.

Security responsibilities will fall to an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), commanded by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, currently head of US special forces. According to the White House, the ISF will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarisation, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.

A separate Gaza Executive Board has also been formed to support governance and service delivery. Its members include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypts General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, alongside several BoP members.

President Trump said on Thursday that he was backing the newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government to run Gaza during its transition, supported by the High Representative and the Board of Peace. The initiative is expected to oversee a broader US 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza war and reshaping post-conflict governance.

While Washington has long supported Israels demand that Hamas surrender all weapons, the group has insisted that it would require political and security guarantees before any disarmament.

Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. Islamabad maintains that any lasting peace effort must ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in line with UN resolutions.

Officials said Pakistan would carefully assess its role in the BoP while continuing to support diplomatic initiatives that address both Gazas humanitarian catastrophe and the broader Palestinian question.
18 January 2026 20:50 (UTC+04:00)

Residents of Delhi woke up to hazardous air quality on Sunday as a thick blanket of toxic smog and fog engulfed the Indian capital region, pushing air pollution into severe levels for the first time this year, Azernews reports, citing Arab News.

Home to 30 million people, Delhi has not recorded a single clean air day since September 2023, with Air Quality Index readings hitting high above the 50 score throughout the past two years.

On the AQI scale from 0 to 500, good air quality is represented by levels below 50, while levels above 300 are dangerous.

Based on Central Pollution Control Board data, the overall AQI was around 439444, with several stations across Delhi reaching almost 500  the worst since the peak winter smog season in early November.

The air quality is so bad that a Danish badminton star, Anders Antonsen, withdrew from the ongoing India Open, saying the city was not fit to host the tournament. Antonsen, who is the disciplines No. 3, said in an Instagram story that the decision was due to extreme pollution.

While the athlete chose to pay a $5,000 fine rather than spend a few days in Delhi, its residents are left with little choice but to endure its toxic air.

To protect myself, I use an N90 mask and drink lots of water. Still, in the first week of January, the smog impacted me with a bad throat and cold, hitting me badly. You are always exposed and risk your health, said Akriti Chaudhary, a student activist in Delhi.

The situation is worse for those people who live in the industrial area of Delhi and dont have the luxury of green cover. They suffer a lot. Different parts of the population suffer differently, but the fact is that all suffer one way or another.

For Dr. D. Raghunandan, a climate expert and member of a newly launched citizen initiative, SSANS, which acts as a pressure group to urge the government to act to improve air quality, the pollution has already become unavoidable.

You just have to live with it. There is no way you can avoid it. Like 90 percent of Delhis population cant escape it. Those who have a lot of money can stay indoors with air purifiers, he said.

We are concerned that not much is being done to contain the problem. What little is being done is cosmetic. You just have a few small water guns going around the city on tempos and spraying water.

He compared Delhis problem to what Chinas capital faced before.

Look at the way the badminton event has panned out. Gradually, the pollution will start hitting. Ten years ago, Beijing was worse than Delhi in air pollution. And many large companies and corporations decided to leave Beijing, Raghunandan told Arab News.

Do you think those guys are going to stay in Delhi? If the pollution stays like this, theyll move out.
19 January 2026 00:43 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Germanys armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have begun an urgent withdrawal from Greenland, according to a report by official German news sources.

Early on Sunday morning, 15 German soldiers and officers, led by Admiral Stefan Pauli, were ordered by authorities in Berlin to leave the island immediately. The group is currently at Nuuk Airport and is scheduled to depart on an Icelandair flight.

Sources told reliable sources that the advance team was given no explanation for the sudden decision. All planned activities on the ground have reportedly been cancelled, and no official statements have been issued by the German Ministry of Defence. The withdrawal is said to be taking place under conditions of strict confidentiality.

The Bundeswehr had arrived in Greenland on Friday and was initially expected to remain on the island for a longer deployment.

US President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose additional import tariffs on several European countries over Greenland. In a statement published on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States would introduce 10 per cent tariffs on imports from the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, France, and Sweden starting on 1 February, unless agreements are reached on what he described as the full and complete acquisition of Greenland. He added that the tariff rate would rise to 25 per cent from 1 June.

Trump also criticised European plans to deploy forces to Greenland, warning that such moves constitute a very dangerous game.

Neither the German government nor NATO officials have commented publicly on the reported withdrawal.
19 January 2026 01:37 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

India has delivered the first batch of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems to Armenia, Armenian media outlets have reported.

According to Azernews, citing reliable sources, the information was also confirmed by Indias Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, who acknowledged the shipment as part of ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries.

Armenia had previously signed an agreement with India for the supply of four Pinaka rocket artillery batteries. The deal includes multi-barrel launch systems as well as guided rockets designed to enhance precision strike capabilities.

The delivery marks the first confirmed transfer under the agreement and reflects the deepening military and defence ties between New Delhi and Yerevan. No official details have been disclosed regarding the timeline for the remaining deliveries or the deployment of the systems within Armenias armed forces.

The Pinaka system, developed by Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is capable of delivering rapid and sustained firepower and has been increasingly promoted by India as part of its growing defence exports.
UPDATE; Final results: Socialist 31.1%; Chega 23.5%; Liberal Initiative 15.9%; Independent backed by Popular Monarchist Party 12.4%; Social Democrat 11.4%; 3 small parties of the left received a total of 4.5% - TOTAL vote for parties of the right 63.2%

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST;

Six years ago, Portugal's populist nationalist anti-immigration Chega (Enough!) Party had only one seat in parliament. Now it is the second largest party in parliament and the official opposition. In Sunday's election, exit polls are showing another milestone, as it has apparently won a slot in the country's presidential runoff on February 8 against the candidate of the Socialist Party.

The exit poll provided ranges rather than exact numbers. It placed Socialist Antureo Segura first with 30-35% of the vote followed by Chega's Andre Ventura with 20-24%.

In third place was the candidate of the rightwing Liberal Initiative which advocates lower taxes, less regulation, smaller government, and protecting personal freedoms like free speech, with 17-21%. A retired admiral running as an independent with the backing of the Popular Monarchist Party (which wants to restore the Royal House of Braganza to the throne) was fourth with 11 to 14%, and the governing center-right Social Democrats (a leftist sounding name they adopted to appease the leftwing military junta after the Carnation Revolution and it stuck) were fifth at 8 to11%.. Three other minor candidates were in low single digits.

In parliamentary campaigns, the Popular Monarchists have traditionally run as part of an electoral alliance headed and dominated by the Social Democrats, so it is interesting to see the candidate they are backing running stronger than the Social Democrat candidate. The biggest gainer from the parliamentary election 8 months ago was the Liberal Initiative. The Socialists seem to have picked up much of the vote cast for smaller leftwing parties for parliament.

Given the overall strong showing by parties of the right, Ventura should be well placed for the runoff.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/portugal-chega-historic-presidential-runoff-elections/
Emergency services at the scene of cannabis factory fire in Co Down

A house fire in Newry alerted police to existence of a cannabis factory after the fire service discovered the drug and paraphernalia.

The house fire got underway on Thomas Street in Bessbrook on Sunday shortly before 4.30pm. Four fire engines from Newry, Banbridge, and Warrenpoint attended the blaze.

The Belfast Telegraph understands when firefighters in breathing apparatus entered a property, they discovered a cannabis factory on the ground floor.

Some neighbouring residents evacuated their homes as firefighters dealt with the incident.

Emergency services deal with a fire at a cannabis factory in the Thomas Street area of Bessbrook on January 18th 2026 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

There was no-one in the house and no injuries reported after the fire service extinguished the blaze.

Inspector Walker said: Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire and advised police there was a substantial amount of cannabis and associated paraphernalia within the property.

Thankfully, there was no one in the house at the time and no injuries were reported. I would like to reassure the local community once again that there was no ongoing risk to the public from the fire and that the scene was subsequently made safe.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and our enquiries are ongoing.

Targeting the supply of drugs is a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we would appeal to anyone who has any information which could be of assistance to contact our non-emergency number on 101, quoting reference number 870 of 18/01/25.

Alternatively, you can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Kevin Scott at the scene:

I understand from crews at the scene that the fire started accidentally in the upstairs of the property.

Emergency services deal with a fire at a cannabis factory in the Thomas Street area of Bessbrook on January 18th 2026 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

No one was in the small house at the time; as I stand at the front door, I can see a number of the plants in the living room of the property remaining unaffected.

Northern Ireland Electricity have arrived at the scene at 7pm where they are looking to isolate the electric supply.

Forensic teams have been tasked to the scene and are expected in the next few hours.
Antonio Singco, brother of Ralph Singco, who died, along with his wife Cathrene Kith Quinones Singco (Rebecca Black/PA)

The family of a couple who tragically died in a road crash are finding some hope in the support from the local community in north Belfast.

Ralph Anthony Singco, Cathrene Kith Quinones Singco, and their unborn baby daughter  whose name has been confirmed as Kate Singco, died from their injuries following the two-car collision near Nutts Corner.

It is understood the health service workers had been living in the north Belfast community for the last four or five years, but Mr Singcos family had been settled in the area for 20 years.

Crowds turn out for a candle-lit vigil (PA)

Crowds of people, including North Belfast MP John Finucane, turned out to St Vincent de Paul Church in Ligoniel for the vigil  which remembered the family in hymns and prayer.

It heard that a A GoFundMe page set up to pay for the familys repatriation to their home country of the Philippines has raised enough to do so.

Father Vincent Cushnahan said a number of members of Singco family were in attendance, and thanked those involved for their generosity.

Mr Singcos brother, Antonio Singco, thanked those who turned out for their kindness, and described the support his family has received as incredible.

There really is no explanation to make us understand our loss, and there will be no words that will make it any easier, he said.

My family has been left with grief but also love, love that is not going to end with their passing. I know that ultimately grief is the price we pay for love, and how grateful and privileged we are to love them very deeply.

People hold candles during a candle-lit vigil for a couple who tragically died in a road crash in Co Antrim last week. (Rebecca Black/PA)

Its very easy in these moments to lose yourself to loneliness and isolation, but the support that weve seen here tonight and the last few nights has been astronomical, unbelievable and incredible.

Its the support and solidarity that this community has shown us that has given us hope that there is still goodness and humanity in an unjust world.

Tonight is not about fixing what cant be fixed, its about honouring and remembering my brother and his family.

Father Cushnahan said the couple had been looking forward to shortly welcoming their first child.

This dreadful tragedy has brought out the best in this community, it has brought you here tonight and brought out your prayers and condolences, and overwhelming financial generosity to allow the Singco family to take Ralph, Kith and baby Kate home, to their home soil, to lay them to rest in peace there, he said.

Father Vincent Cushnahan at a candle-lit for a couple who were killed in a road crash last week at St Vincent de Paul Church in Ligoniel. (Rebecca Black/PA)

He said Mr Singco had grown up in Northern Ireland, but decided to go to university to study nursing care in the Philippines where he met his wife-to-be.

After they graduated, they came back here to Ireland to establish a home, he said.

For four years they tried to have a baby, to bring new life into the world, and some seven months ago they discovered they were going to have a baby, and that filled them with joy and excitement, they made plans, they prepared for the future with little baby Kate.

Their child was due in two months time, they were going to bring little Kate into a world where they had hope, they were going to work hard, they were going to show that love to this little baby, to shower her with everything they had.

Sadly it wasnt to be that way. Tragically their lives were taken from our lives just this day last week, and now they rest in peace.

A funeral service will take place at the same church on Wednesday.
Inflection AI has executed one of the most remarkable pivots in Silicon Valley history. Following the high-profile departure of its original founders to Microsoft in 2024, the company did not fold; instead, under the leadership of new CEO Sean White, it reinvented itself as the premier provider of Empathetic Enterprise AI. While it continues to operate Pi, its famous consumer chatbot known for high emotional intelligence (EQ), Inflections primary business in 2026 is selling that same EQ to Fortune 500 companies.

The companys defining philosophy is Own Your Intelligence. Unlike competitors that rent out model access via API, Inflection builds bespoke, fine-tuned versions of its Inflection 3.0 model that run entirely on the customers infrastructure (on-premise or private cloud). This allows regulated industries like healthcare and finance to deploy AI that not only understands their data but also adheres to their specific cultural tone and compliance rules, without ever sharing data with a third party.

Read more: The 34 most promising US startups of 2026

Core Technology: Emotional Intelligence & Private Clouds

Inflection 3.0: The companys frontier model family, split into Pi 3.0 (optimized for empathy, nuance, and conversation) and Productivity 3.0 (optimized for instruction following, JSON output, and reasoning).

The companys frontier model family, split into (optimized for empathy, nuance, and conversation) and (optimized for instruction following, JSON output, and reasoning). Inflection for Enterprise: A turnkey hardware/software solution (often powered by Intel Gaudi 3 chips) that allows companies to host their own brain. It includes a proprietary fine-tuning system that aligns the model with the companys specific brand voice.

A turnkey hardware/software solution (often powered by chips) that allows companies to host their own brain. It includes a proprietary fine-tuning system that aligns the model with the companys specific brand voice. Pi (Personal Intelligence): The consumer app remains active as a public demonstration of the models capabilities, serving millions of users with a distinctively supportive and non-judgmental personality.

Business & Market Status

Valuation: Remained a Unicorn with substantial capital reserves, having received a $650 Million licensing fee from Microsoft in 2024 which effectively served as non-dilutive funding to fuel its pivot.

Remained a Unicorn with substantial capital reserves, having received a licensing fee from Microsoft in 2024 which effectively served as non-dilutive funding to fuel its pivot. Acquisitions: Aggressively expanded its enterprise stack by acquiring Jelled.ai (inbox management) and BoostKPI (data analytics) in late 2024 to build a complete Workforce Intelligence suite.

Aggressively expanded its enterprise stack by acquiring (inbox management) and (data analytics) in late 2024 to build a complete Workforce Intelligence suite. Partnerships: Deep collaboration with Intel to provide an alternative to the NVIDIA ecosystem, offering better price-performance for enterprise inference.

Company Profile

CEO: Sean White (former Chief R&D Officer at Mozilla).

Sean White (former Chief R&D Officer at Mozilla). Co-Founder: Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Co-Founder).

Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Co-Founder). Headquarters: Palo Alto, California.

Palo Alto, California. Funding: Raised over $1.5 Billion total (including original rounds and licensing revenue).

Raised over $1.5 Billion total (including original rounds and licensing revenue). Key Investors: Reid Hoffman, Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, NVIDIA.

Key Use Cases

Use Case Description Empathetic Support Health insurers use Inflection 3.0 to power support bots that can handle sensitive claims denial conversations with genuine tactical empathy. Internal Chief of Staff Executives use private, fine-tuned versions of Pi to act as a sounding board for strategy, knowing the conversation is completely air-gapped from the internet. Data Interaction Teams use the BoostKPI integration to chat with their raw SQL databases in plain English, asking Why did churn spike last week? and getting a reasoned narrative answer.

Why It Matters

Inflection AI proves that Emotional Intelligence is an enterprise feature, not just a consumer gimmick. By offering the only high-performance model that specializes in tone and empathyand coupling it with strict data sovereigntythey have cornered the market for companies that need AI to represent their brand, not just their database.

inflection.ai | LinkedIn Profile
Police investigating the murder of Wayne Reid (43) in Coleraine have been granted an extension to question a 19-year-old woman.

They will have an additional 36 hours to question the woman after a court extension.

A man, aged 33, has been charged with murder and is appearing before Coleraine Magistrates Court today.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

To date there have been nine people arrested in relation to the murder. Along with the one man charged to court, three persons have been released on bail and five people are currently still in custody.

Wayne Reid

News Catch Up - Friday 16 January

The appearance of the 33-year-old man that has been charged will see his court appearance coincide with Mr Reids funeral on Monday.

Mr Reid was pronounced dead at an address in the Society Court area of Coleraine on Friday.

Local people say that Mr Reid was thought to have been attacked in the early hours of Friday, January 9.

No ambulance was called at the time of the vicious attack, and there is said to be anger in the area over the incident.

It is believed the father-of-one lay fatally injured for several days before his body was discovered by police on Monday, January 12.

Police have said they also believe the victim may have been involved in an altercation sometime between Thursday, January 8, and Saturday, January 10, in the Society Court or Society Street areas.

Over the weekend, forensic officers have been at the property where Mr Reids badly beaten body was found.

On Thursday, police were seen searching an apartment building in connection with the incident.

The PSNI is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesperson said: Detectives are working at pace to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Mr Reids death and [the PSNI is] appealing for anyone with information that could assist our investigation to come forward.

If you saw or heard anything unusual, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please contact police on 101 quoting reference number 552 of 12/01/2026.

Mr Reids death notice states he had most recently lived in Coleraine and in Somerset, England, but was originally from Scotland.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said the Coleraine community is deeply shocked by the murder.

She said: It has left many people struggling to come to terms with what has happened so close to their homes. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Wayne Reid as they begin to process their loss.

I want to acknowledge the swift response from the police, which will offer some reassurance to the local community at a very difficult time. I would urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward and speak to the PSNI.

Sinn Fein councillor Niamh Archibald said she was saddened by the news and wished to extend my sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time.
Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister has slammed a tariffs threat by US President Donald Trump amid talks over the future of Greenland as completely unacceptable.

The US president said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and that they had journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

File photo dated 18/9/2025 of US President Donald Trump.

Helen McEntee said the decision is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law, she said.

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable.

It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland of course have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.
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?
New IRA terror queen returns home to heros welcome after more than two years in prison

Dissident jailed for possession of secret notes about arms seizure is back on streets of west Belfast

Jacqui McClafferty of IRPWA with Nuala Perry after her release

John Toner Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 08:00

New IRA terror veteran Nuala Perry is back on the streets after being released from jail following more than two years in Hydebank Prison.
Suspect in UDA gangland execution caught in street armed with a knife

Loyalist who was questioned over the murder of John Boreland claimed blade had only been used on fishing trip

Glen Harwood

Christopher Woodhouse Sun 18 Jan 2026 at 09:00

A convicted killer suspected of being behind a loyalist gangland assassination has been found guilty of carrying a knife.
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Isaacus is an Australian deep-tech company that positions itself as the AWS for Legal AI. Instead of building another chatbot application for lawyers, Isaacus builds the underlying foundation models and infrastructure that power other legal technology companies.

General-purpose models (like GPT-4) often struggle with the nuances of legal retrievalmissing critical citations or misunderstanding jurisdictional hierarchies. Isaacus trains specialized models from scratch on massive legal datasets (such as their proprietary Blackstone Corpus), offering superior accuracy for tasks like legal search, classification, and embedding. Their strategy is to provide the picks and shovels (APIs and models) that allow law firms and software vendors to build their own sovereign AI tools.

Read also: Top Australian AI startups to watch in 2026

Core Technology: The Kanon Model Family

Kanon 2 Embedder: Their flagship embedding model. It converts legal text into data that machines can understand (vectors). On industry benchmarks (MLEB), it reportedly outperforms OpenAI and Googles embedding models in legal retrieval tasks, ensuring that when a lawyer searches for a precedent, they actually find it.

Their flagship embedding model. It converts legal text into data that machines can understand (vectors). On industry benchmarks (MLEB), it reportedly outperforms OpenAI and Googles embedding models in legal retrieval tasks, ensuring that when a lawyer searches for a precedent, they actually find it. Kanon Universal Classifier: A zero-shot classification model that can instantly categorize millions of documents (e.g., Is this a Force Majeure clause? or Is this a Lease Agreement?) without needing fine-tuning.

A zero-shot classification model that can instantly categorize millions of documents (e.g., Is this a Force Majeure clause? or Is this a Lease Agreement?) without needing fine-tuning. Semchunk: An open-source semantic chunking library (widely used by developers at Microsoft and IBM) that intelligently splits complex legal documents into meaningful sections for AI processing, preventing the context loss common in long contracts.

An open-source semantic chunking library (widely used by developers at Microsoft and IBM) that intelligently splits complex legal documents into meaningful sections for AI processing, preventing the context loss common in long contracts. Sovereign Deployment: Unlike many US-based AI providers, Isaacus offers air-gapped and private cloud deployments (e.g., via AWS Marketplace), allowing government agencies and top-tier firms to use advanced AI without their data ever leaving their secure environment.

Company Profile

Founders: Umar Butler (CEO, Legal AI expert), Abdur-Rahman Butler (Founding Engineer), and Anthony Butler (Advisor, ex-IBM CTO).

Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia.

Funding: Backed by Aura Ventures (first VC-backed investment in foundational legal AI research in Australia).

Open Source Contributions: Maintainers of the Open Australian Legal Corpus, the first open database of Australian law, and the Massive Legal Embedding Benchmark (MLEB).

Key Use Cases

Legal Search (RAG): Legal tech vendors integrate Isaacuss Embedder into their search engines to drastically improve relevance. It ensures that a search for breach of contract understands the legal concept, not just keyword matches.

Legal tech vendors integrate Isaacuss Embedder into their search engines to drastically improve relevance. It ensures that a search for breach of contract understands the legal concept, not just keyword matches. Contract Review Automation: A CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) company uses the Universal Classifier to automatically tag and sort thousands of incoming contracts by type and risk level (e.g., High Risk Indemnity).

A CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) company uses the Universal Classifier to automatically tag and sort thousands of incoming contracts by type and risk level (e.g., High Risk Indemnity). Sovereign AI: A government legal department uses an Air-Gapped version of the Isaacus model to analyze classified transcripts locally, ensuring zero data leakage to foreign servers.

Why It Matters

Most Legal AI startups are simply wrappers around ChatGPT. Isaacus is different because it owns the Model Layer. By building models specifically for law (trained on cases, statutes, and contracts rather than just Reddit and Wikipedia), they solve the reliability and accuracy problems that prevent large firms from fully adopting general-purpose AI.

1isaacus.com | LinkedIn Profile
Sara Parker, chair of the Housatonic Improvement Committee, talks about the filtered water dispenser behind her at the Housy Dome during a media interview. The water dispenser is intended for public use, but is shut off during the winter because it is not insulated.
AIIA celebrates National Startup Day 2026 with awareness programme on MSME opportunities for Ayurveda based startups

January 17, 2026 | Saturday | News

Event focused on Ayurveda and integrative health innovations

image credit- shutterstock

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) through its startup incubation centre, Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Centre (AIIA-ICAINE), successfully organised an awareness programme on Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) opportunities for Ayurveda-based startups at the New Delhi campus on the occasion of National Startup Day 2026, on 16 January. The event was organised in collaboration with the Office of MSME Development and Facilitation, Government of India.

The event brought together policymakers, academicians, startup supporters, and aspiring entrepreneurs to deliberate on strengthening the MSME and startup ecosystem. The event focused on Ayurveda and integrative health innovations. These sessions covered government support schemes, institutional mechanisms for innovation, intellectual property protection, certification and standardisation requirements, and financial mechanisms required for early-stage startups.

Sunil Kumar, Deputy Director, MSME presented a brief overview of MSME initiatives and government schemes related to Ayurveda based enterprises

Dr R.K. Singh, Joint Director, MSME Bharti stressed on the need for a robust policy-backing mechanism to promote startups and MSMEs, especially in the traditional medicine and healthcare sectors.

The event reiterated AIIA-ICAINE's commitment to fostering a robust, innovation-driven startup ecosystem based on Ayurveda. This is in line with national priorities for entrepreneurship, MSME development, and sustainable healthcare solutions. Recognized as a host institution by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, AIIA-ICAINE has been empowering innovators by providing them with a well-rounded platform to turn ideas into impactful enterprises.
TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan has been taken to hospital after he tripped on a small step in a London hotel restaurant.

The 60-year-old, who hosts his Piers Morgan Uncensored show on YouTube, said he had fractured his femur in the incident and had to have a hip replacement.

In a post on X, Morgan said he is recovering in hospital and was on crutches for six weeks.

 BREAKING NEWS 

1. Tripped on small step.

2. In a London hotel restaurant. ()

3. Fractured femur.

4. So badly I needed new hip.

5. Recovering in hospital.

6. Crutches for 6wks

7. No long-haul for 12 wks.

8. New Year off to a cracking start!

9. I blame Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/dnFpYTPnDe  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 18, 2026

He added: New year off to a cracking start, I blame (US) president (Donald) Trump.

In October last year, the TV presenter indicated that he would be interested in becoming prime minister

In an interview with Saga Magazine last year, Morgan said: There has been talk about PM for PM, Piers Morgan for prime minister, why not?

Right now, there are a lot of people in this country who feel betrayed by successive governments, whether its over the NHS, stopping the boats or the state of the roads.

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What would be in my manifesto?

A 1% tax on income that would go straight to the NHS, and taking a leaf out of (US president Donald) Trumps book, I would call (French) president (Emmanuel) Macron and tell him that unless he did something about the boats, we would tax French imports by 1,000%.

Its time to get tough.

Entertainment Four Lions star says he was asked about terrorism by airport security Read more

Morgan began his career in journalism at The Sun in the late 1980s, and went on to become editor of the News Of The World and Mirror, before moving into broadcasting, hosting shows such as Piers Morgans Life Stories and Good Morning Britain.

He has also served as a judge on Britains Got Talent.

His Uncensored YouTube channel is also shown on 5 in the form of a 90-minute highlights package, following a partnership announced in September last year.
The Department of Education was flooded with emails accusing it of woke ideology and grooming as part of a review of primary school education.

The department launched new curriculum specifications last year but found itself at the centre of a culture wars campaign.

More than 100 representations were received, with some parents threatening to remove their kids from school over the changes.

One wrote: We are a Christian family, and my children attend a Catholic school in Wicklow, and I will take my children out of the class while this disgraceful woke ideology is being taught to the poor innocent minds of children.

Another claimed there was no shortage of grooming as young students were being educated about sexuality in schools.

A message said: My school is a Catholic school, and these teachings are against what we read in the Bible.

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Many of the complaints centred on the removal of God and preparation for the holy sacraments from the classroom.

An email said: Instead, the teachings of these alternative ways of life as educational material to our young children is not acceptable.

Another wrote about the use of they/them pronouns in the classroom and said they were concerned about lack of transparency over the changes.

One message said the department was trying to force their agenda of transgender and homosexuality [sic] ideology into schools.

As a parent of a young girl aged eight, both myself and my wife will not allow our daughter to attend any class that promotes or endorses this ideology, their email said.

Another said they were appalled that primary school children were being taught about other sexualities at primary school.

One person wrote: Many adults struggle to understand these topics, yet you see fit to force these inappropriate topics on children.

In one email, a parent took aim at teaching about sexuality and the provision of free school meals to children.

Is it not the parents decision as to what we deem adequate for our children to eat or now learn? they said.

Another mocked the curriculum asking if children were to be given a menu for choosing their sexual orientation.

Not all of the correspondence related to teaching around sexuality with one person saying education on faith formation should be moved out of school hours.

An email said: Children's rights need to be respected. It's not about parents choice. There often is no choice. It's about childrens rights to a factual, modern education.

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One secondary school student said they were unhappy about how the new curriculum seemed to put emphasis on international languages rather than Irish.

They wrote: I think this is erasing our culture. I also think the way Gaeilge is taught in secondary school is a disgrace.

I think this [is] as it is taught like everyone understands the language as it is taught more like English.

Asked about the records, a department spokesman said last Septembers launch of the redeveloped primary curriculum specifications was the most comprehensive transformation in over a generation.

The spokesman said: A significant amount of feedback was gathered during the consultation from a wide range of stakeholders.

Participants contributed through a variety of methods, including focus groups, bilateral meetings, consultative conference, Schools Networks, questionnaires, and written submissions.

Children from schools across the country were also consulted with. All the feedback was subsequently analysed using methodologies appropriate to the type of feedback, leading to the publication of the two consultation reports, which are available online.
LlamaIndex has established itself as the Data Layer of the Agentic AI stack. While frameworks like LangChain focused on the reasoning (chains and loops), LlamaIndex focused obsessively on the retrievalsolving the messy reality of connecting LLMs to complex, unstructured corporate data. By 2026, it is no longer just an open-source library but a comprehensive enterprise platform that powers the Long-Term Memory of AI agents for companies like Boeing (Jeppesen) and KPMG.

The companys breakout success in 2025 was driven by LlamaParse, a GenAI-native document parser that effectively solved the industrys PDF Problem. Unlike traditional OCR which struggles with tables and double columns, LlamaParse uses vision-language models to read a document like a human, extracting perfect structured data from messy financial reports and slide decks. Following its $19 Million Series A led by Norwest Venture Partners in early 2025, LlamaIndex expanded into full workflow automation with LlamaAgents, allowing enterprises to deploy Document AI workers that dont just search for answers but actively process invoices, separate bundled files, and clean messy spreadsheets.

Read more: 34 US startups to watch in 2026

Core Technology: LlamaCloud & LlamaParse

LlamaParse: The industry standard for converting unstructured files (PDF, PPT, DOCX) into markdown and JSON that LLMs can actually understand. Its v2 release (Dec 2025) introduced vibe-coding, allowing users to prompt the parser in natural language (e.g., Extract only the Q4 revenue table).

The industry standard for converting unstructured files (PDF, PPT, DOCX) into markdown and JSON that LLMs can actually understand. Its (Dec 2025) introduced vibe-coding, allowing users to prompt the parser in natural language (e.g., Extract only the Q4 revenue table). LlamaCloud: A managed platform that hosts the entire RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipeline. It handles the ingestion, chunking, and indexing of data, ensuring that when an agent asks a question, it retrieves the correct context with low latency.

A managed platform that hosts the entire RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipeline. It handles the ingestion, chunking, and indexing of data, ensuring that when an agent asks a question, it retrieves the correct context with low latency. LlamaAgents: A framework for building multi-agent document systems. Instead of a single bot, users deploy a team: one agent to split a 100-page PDF (using LlamaSplit ), another to extract data ( LlamaExtract ), and a third to verify the numbers.

A framework for building multi-agent document systems. Instead of a single bot, users deploy a team: one agent to split a 100-page PDF (using ), another to extract data ( ), and a third to verify the numbers. LlamaSheets: A breakthrough tool launched in late 2025 that turns messy, merged-cell Excel spreadsheets into clean, AI-ready datasets, unlocking the vast amount of corporate data trapped in .xlsx files.

Business & Market Status

Funding: Raised a $19 Million Series A in March 2025 (total funding ~$27.5M), validating its pivot from a developer tool to an enterprise platform.

Raised a in March 2025 (total funding ~$27.5M), validating its pivot from a developer tool to an enterprise platform. Adoption: The open-source framework remains a staple for Python/TypeScript developers, while the commercial LlamaCloud is used by over 90 Fortune 500 companies to power internal RAG applications.

The open-source framework remains a staple for Python/TypeScript developers, while the commercial is used by over to power internal RAG applications. Market Position: Dominated the niche of Context Engineering. While vector databases (Pinecone) store the data and LLMs (OpenAI) process it, LlamaIndex owns the critical middle layer that shapes the data before it enters the model.

Company Profile

Founders: Jerry Liu (CEO, former Uber research scientist) and Simon Suo (CTO).

Jerry Liu (CEO, former Uber research scientist) and Simon Suo (CTO). Headquarters: San Francisco, California.

San Francisco, California. Key Investors: Norwest Venture Partners, Greylock.

Key Use Cases

Use Case Description Complex RAG Financial analysts use LlamaParse to ingest 100-page 10-K reports, correctly preserving nested tables so that an LLM can answer What was the EBITDA growth in Q3? accurately. Document Workflows Logistics companies use LlamaAgents to automatically monitor an email inbox, identifying shipping manifests, extracting the tracking numbers, and updating a database without human input. Spreadsheet Chat Teams use LlamaSheets to allow non-technical staff to ask questions in plain English against massive, messy Excel trackers (e.g., Which vendors are late on payments?).

Why It Matters

LlamaIndex solves the Garbage In, Garbage Out problem for AI. An LLM is only as smart as the data you feed it, and most enterprise data is locked in unreadable formats like PDFs and images. By building the bridge that translates Human Documents into Machine Knowledge, LlamaIndex ensures that corporate AI agents arent just hallucinatingtheyre citing facts.

llamaindex.ai | LinkedIn Profile
Members of the public, many of whom identified themselves as Fianna Fail supporters, criticised Taoiseach Micheal Martin over the "humiliating" Jim Gavin controversy.

In messages to Mr Martin, seen by BreakingNews.ie after a Freedom of Information request, people criticised both the selection of Mr Gavin, and the chaotic nature of his withdrawal over a sum of 3,300 owed to a former tenant.

There was also plenty of criticism for Fianna Fail deputy leader Jack Chambers, who was director of elections for the presidential campaign.

One person, who said they had previously emailed Mr Martin over rumours of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern receiving the Fianna Fail nomination, wrote: "He still would have been a better selection than Gavin... what a poor decision."

A lot of the messages were sent on Sunday, October 5th, when the news of Mr Gavin's withdrawal emerged and many people used the word "embarrassment ".

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One person wrote: "Dear Taoiseach, I am really annoyed at the imposition of a candidate with no appropriate experience to represent Fianna Fail in this election."

Another person asked whether Fianna Fail would put forward another presidential candidate, and suggested former Irish ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall or former Irish ambassador to Italy Bobby McDonagh.

One voter criticised "appallingly awful candidates", adding: "Most people I know are not going to bother voting."

A "long-standing Fianna Fail member" wrote: "I must say today has been one of the most humiliating and frustrating days Ive experienced in this party. In my involvement at Cumann, Comhairle Ceantair, and Dail Ceantair levels, I cannot defend what has happened regarding the selection of our failed Presidential candidate.

"It is obvious that Jim Gavin was the hierarchys favoured choice, and they ensured this outcome was pushed through the Parliamentary Party. Grassroots members were given no voice, no consultation, and no genuine role in the process. What we have now is a decision imposed from the top down, and the result has been nothing short of disastrous."

The messages were very critical of Micheal Martin and Jack Chambers.

They added: "This debacle lies squarely with Micheal Martin and Jack Chambers, and I expect their next steps to acknowledge the scale of the damage they have done. Local councils should have been allowed to support independent candidates, keeping the process democratic and inclusive. Instead, Martin and Chambers have manufactured a situation where the only likely outcome is a Presidency for either Heather Humphreys or Catherine Connolly options I cannot and will not support.

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"Their actions have left loyal grassroots members embarrassed, undermined, and in an impossible position. I urge Micheal Martin and Jack Chambers to reflect seriously on whether they can continue in their roles after such a grave miscalculation."

Someone else, who said they are "not particularly political," but "have often voted for Fianna Fail", wrote: "The lack of due process and judgment on the part of Micheal Martin and indeed Jack Chambers must surely call into question Micheal Martin's leadership, and Jack Chambers' judgement and capability.

"Furthermore - it is clear that Micheal Martin turned his back on Bertie Ahern; and arrogantly dismissed other candidates too - and this is the result - no FF candidate for the role of President

"As said - I'm not overly political in the party sense - but - this is serious - and there have to be consequences - this cannot be brushed under the carpet. It is an unmitigated disaster for Martin, Chambers and FF; and for the role of President of Ireland. Not only was Jim Gavin a horrendous candidate from the outset, the man could not string two sentences together, but look what's left in the race! Either of those to represent Ireland for the next seven year on the Global stage. Diabolical."

In a letter, someone asked for another Fianna Fail candidate because "I have no faith in Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys".

Very disappointed in you Micheal.

A person who said they have "supported Fianna Fail all my life" wrote: "I have to say that I am extremely disappointed that the party decided to run a candidate for President which was not widely known in the Fianna Fail political arena. There are several fine politicians within the party that would have been suitable for the job and none less than Billy Kelleher, a fine politician who I believe would have been an excellent President with a good political background.

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"One would have to ask why he wasn't selected to represent the party. The possibility now arises that the opposition may attain the Presidency and if so the blame lies squarely at your door. Very disappointed in you Micheal."

This was not the only email to mention MEP Billy Kelleher, who sought the Fianna Fail nomination but ultimately lost out as Mr Gavin was backed by the Taoiseach and Mr Chambers.

Another "traditional Fianna Fail voter" said it was "clear from the time of Gavin's first interview that he didn't measure up".

One person who also identified themself as a Fianna Fail voter told the Taoiseach: "We have lost trust in you."

Many people argued Billy Kelleher would have been a better candidate than Jim Gavin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

As the Dail resumes for 2026, Taoiseach Mr 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 according to multiple sources.

Ireland 'Micheal Martin takes zero notice of what Fianna Fail backbenchers say': TD calls for reform Read more

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".

He added there is still "dismay" within the party over the Gavin controversy.
Ireland was one of only two EU member states to record a decrease in tourist bed nights last year, when new records were set for tourism accommodation across the EU as a whole.

New figures published by the European Commission show nights spent in tourist accommodation in the Republic fell by an estimated 1.8 per cent in 2025 to 41.3 million.

It was the worst performance of any member state in the EU, with Romania the only other country to experience a decline in tourist numbers  down 1.4 per cent.

The downturn in the performance of the tourism industry in Ireland occurred when the latest figures also show total tourist bed nights across the entire EU rose by 2 per cent  up 61.5 million on 2024 numbers to reach a record 3.08 billion.

Tourist bed nights showed particularly strong growth in several countries, with numbers up 9.9 per cent in Malta, 7 per cent in Poland and 6.2 per cent in Latvia.

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Hotels account for 63 per cent of the overnight stays in the EU followed by holiday dwellings, guesthouses and other short-stay accommodation with 24 per cent and campsites with 13 per cent.

In Ireland, 61 per cent of tourist bed nights were spent in hotels, with 33 per cent in guesthouses and other short-stay accommodation and just 6 per cent in campsites.

Overseas visitors accounted for an estimated 58 per cent of tourist accommodation business last year in the Republic, with domestic tourists contributing to a 42 per cent share of the market.

Figures show that tourist bed nights in Ireland during the third quarter of 2025  the peak summer period for tourism  dropped by 4.1 per cent overall compared to the same period in 2024.

However, they highlighted contrasting performances by different sectors, with the number of tourist nights down 8.4 per cent in hotels and down 27 per cent in campsites, but up 15.4 per cent in holiday and other short-stay accommodation.

Official figures published show there were over 35.9 million tourism bed nights in Ireland in the first 10 months of 2025  a decrease of 1.1 million on the corresponding period in 2024.

It equates to an annual decrease of 3 per cent while overall numbers across the EU were up 2.1 per cent. However, a pick-up in tourist numbers in the last two months of 2025, including a 13 per cent year-on-year increase for November, has resulted in the European Commission estimating that the final figure for 2025 will be just under 2 per cent.

A breakdown of figures shows the number of bed nights by domestic visitors in the Republic was down 4.4 per cent to 15 million between January and October.

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The decrease in nights in tourism accommodation was less pronounced among overseas visitors over the same period, with numbers down 2.0 per cent to 20.9 million.

Ireland Minister promises 'new era' for tourism with 400m investment Read more

The statistics on tourism in Ireland in the Eurostat report are derived from figures published by the Central Statistics Office, which have been challenged by bodies including the Irish Hotels Federation which claims they have overstated declines in the sector.

The European Commission said tourist bed nights were now significantly higher in the EU than in 2019 with overall figures exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 7.2 per cent.

However, it said the tourism sector in five EU countries still needed to fully recover from the impact of the pandemic  Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia.

Spain remains the largest destination for foreign tourists with 330 million bed nights in 2025, followed by Italy (264 million), France (150 million) and Greece (131 million).
The sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark cannot be violated, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin also warned that any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent to the US from February 1st, increased to 25 per cent from June 1st, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and that they had journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

File photo dated 18/9/2025 of US President Donald Trump.

Mr Martin called for dialogue.

The territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated, he said in a post on the social media network X.

Any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world, damaging to United States, damaging to Europe.

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Dialogue has to happen to prevent that from occurring.

The territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated.



Any trade war would be very damaging to everybody in the world, damaging to United States, damaging to Europe.



Dialogue has to happen to prevent that from occurring. pic.twitter.com/yD0Umk4EBw  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 18, 2026

He also told RTE that it is extraordinary, unacceptable.

We have a trade agreement with the United States, Europe has, he said.

That agreement was entered into in good faith by the European Union and the United States government.

That should be the framework that governs trade between our two countries, and every effort should be made to ensure that it remains the framework that underpins trade between Europe and the United States.

Any deviation from that or any trade war that essentially would flow from the collapse of such a deal would be very damaging to everybody in the world.

The situation in Greenland is very clear from our perspective, the territorial integrity, the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark cannot be violated.

Earlier, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee said: Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law.

This is a position that will not change.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable.

It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law.

It is what keeps all countries, large or small, militarily aligned or neutral, safe and secure.

She reiterated Irelands commitment to the United Nations.

A commitment to multilateralism, and the international legal order, with the UN, as the universal body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security at its heart, is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, she said.

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This has been the case for the past seven decades, since Ireland joined the UN in 1955.

It will remain the case.

Denmark and Greenland of course have the sovereign right to arrange military exercises with their partners, on their own territory.

We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement.

The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive constructive dialogue on all issues.

Sinn Fein vice president, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill described the tariffs plan as deeply concerning.

Ireland Helen McEntee brands US tariffs plan completely unacceptable Read more

The economies of Ireland and the United States are closely linked, and for many years that relationship has positively supported jobs, investment, and prosperity on both sides, she said.

However, when world leaders make dangerous decisions in the pursuit of land and resources, it is often ordinary people who pay the price.

In the time ahead, I will work with political and business leaders at home and internationally to protect our local businesses, our all-island economy, and peoples livelihoods.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Russian-occupied parts of southern Ukraine were left without power on Sunday, according to Kremlin-installed authorities there.

Meanwhile, Moscow has kept up its hammering of Ukraines energy grid in overnight attacks that killed at least two people, according to Ukrainian officials.

More than 200,000 households in the Russian-held part of Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region had no electricity on Sunday, according to the Kremlin-installed local governor.

In a Telegram post, Yevgeny Balitsky said nearly 400 settlements have had their supply cut, because of damage to power networks from Ukrainian drone strikes.

Russia has hammered Ukraines power grid, especially in winter, throughout the almost four-year war. It aims to weaken Ukrainians will to resist in a strategy that Kyiv officials call weaponising winter.

Russia targeted energy infrastructure in Odesa region overnight on Sunday, according to Ukraines emergency services. A fire broke out and was promptly extinguished.

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At least six people were injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region because of Russian attacks, the emergency service said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Telegram post that repairing the countrys energy system remains challenging, but we are doing everything we can to restore everything as quickly as possible.

He said two people were killed in overnight attacks across the country that struck Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa.

More than 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types were used by Russia to strike Ukraine this week, he added.

If Russia deliberately delays the diplomatic process, the worlds response should be decisive: more help for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor, Mr Zelensky said.

He spoke the day after a Ukrainian delegation arrived in the US for talks on a US-led diplomatic push to end the war.

On Friday, Mr Zelensky said that the delegation would try to finalise with US officials documents for a proposed peace settlement that relate to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

If American officials approve the proposals, the US and Ukraine could sign the documents next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Zelensky said at a Kyiv news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.

US President Donald Trump plans to be in Davos, according to organisers.
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CultureTV & radioAustralian TV Irene may be gone, but Alf Stewart is eternal Nicole Elphick January 19, 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

Ray Meagher has just notched up 38 flamin years as Alf Stewart on Summer Bay. The 81-year-olds gruff but loveable character Alf first popped onto Aussie screens in the premiere episode of Home and Away on January 17, 1988. Hes now the only original cast member left and the longest-serving actor in an Australian TV series. However, Meagher readily admits that he did not expect the soap to last long when it began. Ray Meagher has played Alf Stewart on Home and Away for 38 years. Seven At that time, the older and more cynical actors in that pilot, Norman Coburn and Judy Nunn and a few of us thought, oh well, we might get three or six months work out of this maybe. Most pilots crash and burn, they very rarely go to series for any length of time. And here we are, 38 years later! This week the soap returns with a new season, kicking off with high drama as the outcome of a train crash cliffhanger unfolds. While Alf was safely back in Summer Bay, many fellow residents were onboard heading to a music festival, with their lives hanging in the balance after the derailment. This show never ceases to amaze me in so far as the challenges that it takes on, says Meagher. If you were doing a train smash in a big piece of film, itd probably take a month minimum to shoot, and we shot this in a week on location maximum. OK, its not as big and glitzy as some multimillion-dollar feature film, but I reckon we had a fair stab at it.

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Another plot line exciting viewers for 2026 is the upcoming return of fan favourites Brax and Ricky, played by Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen, who left in 2016. Meagher is equally excited to see them back again. Editor's pick Australian TV Everyones mum loves The Chase  but this quiz has unexpected fans too When people like Steve Peacocke come back, I find it absolutely fantastic, says Meagher. Hes one of the nicest blokes that God ever put breath into and one of the best actors in the world. Hes just so natural. And we shouldnt leave out Bonnie Sveen, Braxs other half. It was great to have her back, too. Last year saw the much-feted departure of stalwart Lynne McGranger after 32 years as Irene, her run capped off by a Gold Logie win. What has been the vibe on set since her departure? Irene was obviously a very long-serving character on the show, but there was a big lead-up for the exit and once the exit actually occurred, everybody was so busy getting on with what they have to do, explains Meagher. Its fairly unrelenting, soap.

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Youre up at five and home at seven or eight. However, having said that, Lynne was there for 30 years and did a wonderful job. But the show moves on. As for Meagher, also a Gold Logie winner, he currently has no firm plans to retire. I dont have definite thoughts on that. While Im enjoying it, and while the Home and Away producers are interested in keeping the character on, Ill stay. Im not a spring chicken any more, so well see how that goes, but so far, so good, and Im still really enjoying the show. Over the last couple of weeks, I have learnt and recorded 70 scenes  thats more than a lead actor in a feature film would have. Now thats no big deal, its just it was a wonderful challenge to have that many scenes to do in that time and to remind me that, fortunately, I can still do it.

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Alf Stewart Seven Last year also saw the end of fellow Aussie soap Neighbours, which aired its final episode in December after a brief revival. When asked about it, Meagher quickly quashes any notion of rivalry between the soaps with a clear tone of sadness in his voice. Its come back to life a couple of times, so maybe it will again, but if this is the final farewell, [Im] very sorry to see it go. I see Neighbours in Melbourne as very similar to Home and Away in Sydney; theyre both wonderful training grounds for actors and crew. Its just a shame when something like that happens people talk about competition and all of that. Thats a load of rubbish. Were all Australian actors, and we all want to see Australian drama flourish. Home and Away returns 7pm, January 19 on Seven and 7Plus. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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NationalQueenslandCrime Convicted paedophile removed from petting zoo near Brisbane Cloe Read and Dan Nolan January 18, 2026  1:26pm 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 convicted paedophile found to be working at a child-friendly cafe and farm has been removed from the business, the owner has claimed, after protest from the community. Police confirmed that on Sunday morning, a protest was held outside the City Chicks Farm and Cafe in Samford Valley, north-west of Brisbane. Last week, A Current Affair revealed Steven James Harvey, who was sentenced to eight years jail in 2017 for more than a dozen offences, was working at the business. Of Harveys 15 offences, four were against children, as well as nine counts of rape. Steven Harvey told A Current Affair: Im not doing anything wrong. A Current Affair The property advertises itself as a kids play space, where children can feed and pat animals.

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Harvey began working at the property not long after his release from prison. The business wrote online on Saturday afternoon that they were aware of community concerns messaged through to them. City Chicks said the matter had been addressed, and appropriate steps had been taken to remove Harvey from the business. Steve Harvey is not employed at City Chicks, the business wrote online. He has no involvement in this business any longer.

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The owner, Ingrid Dimock, previously announced she had removed Harvey from the business after Nine News first exposed his history in November. She claimed at the time she was just trying to salvage her business and assure families it was safe. City Chicks owner Ingrid Dimock was in a relationship with Steven Harvey for almost two years. A Current Affair Dimock was in a relationship with Harvey for almost two years. On Sunday, Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said police investigations into the case were continuing.

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Obviously, some new information came to light during the week. Police are now investigating the particular incident in question, he said. The venue is currently closed, and were aware that there was a peaceful protest there this morning of about 25 people. Police have been made aware, and police are actually on site there, but there are no issues, and were certainly very comfortable with the protesters and what theyre trying to do today, and well support them in peaceful protest, as we do hundreds of times [elsewhere] every year. Wildman said he believed the closure was the decision of City Chicks management. He would not elaborate on whether police had spoken to Dimock. When A Current Affair approached Harvey this week in the cafe, he claimed he had been cleared by police and was not doing anything wrong.

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Ive had the police out here. They know that Im here. They dont have a problem with me being here. Why do you? Harvey said. He told A Current Affair there was more to his criminal convictions, and he always maintained his innocence. He said he was not a sick individual, and said, you dont know all of my history of everything that happened. The City Chicks petting zoo advertises itself as a kids play space. A Current Affair When asked about Harvey on Sunday, Police Minister Dan Purdie said being a parent himself, he found the footage of him concerning. He said if there needed to be tougher laws, the government would implement them. Earlier this week, shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon said it was beyond comprehension that someone convicted of such offences could be allowed to work with children.

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On Friday afternoon, the business posted that the cafe and farm walk were currently closed, but the chicken shop remained open. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Heavy rain with damaging winds has struck parts of the south-east, with a severe thunderstorm warning in place.

At 11.30am on Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning for parts of Logan, Redland, Brisbane city and the Moreton Bay Council area.

It said the slow-moving thunderstorms and heavy rain could lead to flash flooding, particularly near the CBD, Woodridge and Camp Hill.

The BOM has warned of severe thunderstorms for parts of south-east Queensland. Getty Images

Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said on Saturday the storms had the potential to bring large hail and damaging winds.
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NationalVictoriaVanishing coast As coastal erosion bites, heres why there are some rays of hope Benjamin Preiss January 18, 2026  12:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Port Fairy residents knew they had a serious problem when discarded household goods began emerging from the dunes. In 2012, rubbish started appearing on the beach as coastal erosion ate into the dunes and exposed an old tip site buried long ago. Damage caused by coastal erosion at Port Fairy. Joe Armao Port Fairy resident Nick Abbott remembers old fridges and appliances, pieces of tin and lengths of wire turning up on the beach. The concern was that we were seeing the tip of the iceberg and soon the beach could be littered with unsightly rubbish, he said.

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The following year, Abbott joined other Port Fairy residents in measuring the impact of erosion on local beaches, using posts, rope and laser levels. In 2018, they began using drones, hoping to better understand the problem. With the power of Southern Ocean waves and strong winds battering the shoreline, Port Fairy, in Victorias south-west, remains highly susceptible to coastal erosion, a challenge that is accelerating with climate change. Deakin Universitys Blake Allan at Port Fairy, where erosion has hit beach areas hard. Nicole Cleary While Port Fairy is among the areas hardest hit by sea level rise, new research focusing on a stretch of beach in bayside Melbourne is providing a ray of hope. It shows human intervention can help to stabilise beaches in the face of coastal erosion, particularly when those efforts are in concert with the natural marine environment. At another Port Fairy beach known as the night soil site, erosion uncovered waste including old toilet cans, some of which rolled down the dunes. But vegetation matting has since been installed to stabilise and promote vegetation growth.

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Deakin University national coastal drone program scientific lead Blake Allan said the matting had helped protect the old night soil site. But erosion has continued to eat away at the dunes near the former tip site. A rock wall installed in front of the former tip has protected some of the dune but deflected energy from the waves, resulting in aggressive erosion on either side of the wall. Allan has also been monitoring the effects of coastal erosion at Port Fairy and providing the data to policymakers. You cant rely on memories. And we dont want decisions to be based on one event, because those knee-jerk reactions are really just Band-Aids, he said. Coastal erosion expert David Kennedy in Sandringham. Joe Armao Recently published research by University of Melbourne coastal geomorphologist David Kennedy found strategies for managing erosion at Sandringham on Port Phillip Bay had been largely successful in the past 20 years.

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The peer-reviewed research, published in the Frontiers in Earth Science journal, examined the impact of human-made structures at Sandringham going back more than 140 years. Initially, sea walls were built to stop the cliff eroding. Kennedy said there was wild fluctuation in erosion in the following decades at Sandringham until the 1990s, when a program of sand replenishment began and the rate of erosion then slowed. In the 2000s, the installation of structures known as rock groynes, which extend into the water perpendicular to the shore, helped further stabilise the beach. Sandringham beach from the air. Joe Armao What we want to do with the groynes is keep the sand on that beach for longer, because over time its moving from south to north. Thats where the sand is all going. Its all ending up in South Melbourne over decades, he said.

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Kennedy described the movement of sand as a natural phenomenon, but protecting beaches and human-built structures behind them was part of the response to sea-level rise and climate change. We tend not to view landforms as dynamic systems. But I like to think of them like dogs tails  theyre constantly wagging. Related Article Analysis

Climate crisis Climate whiplash: We can no longer pretend this isnt a crisis He said the more recent human interventions at Sandringham showed it was possible to save beaches by working with nature rather than building hard structures that risked exacerbating erosion. Locations like Port Fairy, which are exposed to the raw power of the open ocean, would require a different management strategy to Sandringham, Kennedy said. Loch Sport in East Gippsland, Inverloch on the Bass Coast and Silverleaves in Phillip Island are other locations where coastal erosion is posing a serious challenge to communities and the authorities that manage those natural areas.

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Its a human-modified world weve created, Kennedy said. Weve got to work with what natures throwing at us to maintain the bits we love. If we dont, were just going to have sea walls all the way along and no beaches. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Analysis WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Europe will not be blackmailed: Sweeping retaliation on the cards after Trumps Greenland threats David Crowe Updated January 19, 2026  11:17am ,first published January 19, 2026  4:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: European leaders are warning of a dangerous downward spiral in relations with the United States in the dispute over Greenland, as they canvass a sweeping retaliation against President Donald Trump for threatening new tariffs on their exports. However, the eight leaders are being careful to avoid any personal remarks that might inflame the dispute with Trump when the argument has the potential to wreck the NATO alliance. Denmarks prime minister says Europe wont be blackmailed by Trumps threat of tariffs against eight NATO member states. AP Instead, they are blasting Trumps policy move as blackmail and framing it as a test of sovereignty for them all. We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, says the statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands.

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Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind. Related Article Trump's White House Trump 2.0 is all about power. His biggest move may be just days away Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty. A key point in the statement is the reference to our sovereignty, not just the borders of Greenland or Denmark. The European leaders see this as a bigger question because Trump is using economic coercion so nakedly against them. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sums this up in a message that welcomes the support from neighbours.

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Europe will not be blackmailed, she writes. At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders. There is no sign, so far, of an urgent meeting of the leaders to show their unity against Trump. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called Trump to urge him to stop the trade threats, while French President Emmanuel Macron has called counterparts to urge a tough response. Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said Greenlands status is not up for discussion. AP Macron is said to want European Union members to use their trade bazooka against Trump  a drastic sanction on US companies that could, in theory, stymie exports worth 93 billion (about $162 billion). The Financial Times said the EU members were discussing the option. Outwardly, at least, the European strategy seems designed to avoid a sense of panic.

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Trump is using tactics that convey drama and heighten pressure by setting a deadline of February 1 for new tariffs of 10 per cent on the eight countries. He says this will climb to 25 per cent on June 1. The president seems have taken offence at a small military exercise by the eight nations to support Denmark in recent days, in an operation called Arctic Endurance. This involves about 15 personnel from France and the same from Germany, but only a single officer from Britain. There is not much time for Trump to cool down, but he has delayed his tariff threats in the past. No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations. Emmanuel Macron, president of France This time, the European leaders may want to avoid the impression that they are rushing to compromise. Many of them have the chance to talk to Trump within days, when he attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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The European Union agreed to a trade deal with Trump in July, claiming it would create certainty in uncertain times. This requires a vote in the European parliament, but it is now on hold because of the threats over Greenland. This is the trouble with trying to mollify Trump when he threatens tariffs. No deal sticks. So why do a deal? The European leaders may end up copying the line taken by Chinese President Xi Jinping. We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one, the Chinese government said last October, during one of several disputes with the US on trade. For the Europeans, the lesson of the past year is that giving ground to Trump in one argument over tariffs will not bring any genuine certainty because there is likely to be another argument and another tariff threat.

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Extreme move While there is talk about Europe reacting with decisions on defence, such as threatening to withdraw their support for American bases in their countries, this would be an extreme move that would only weaken security for them all. The danger to watch for is a decision by Trump to cut military support to NATO forces in Europe, forcing countries to commit more to the alliance. Republicans are declaring he has gone too far with his tariff threat against NATO allies, so they may attempt to restrain him from making things worse. While the message from Europe may not change Trumps mind, there is a chance that the counsel from Republican supporters could prevent him from greater damage to the NATO alliance. The formal rejection from the eight European leaders adds to remarks in the hours after Trump announced his new move.

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Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Trump a reminder that governments should govern, not police Sean Kelly Columnist The most provocative is French President Emmanuel Macron, who appears to draw a parallel between American pressure over Greenland and Russian pressure over Ukraine. No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, Macron says on X. Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Macron, like others, is taking a hard line. There is a chance that sanity might prevail: that Trump may relent on tariffs and accept a security deal on Greenland that gives him more military bases without full ownership.

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This is an argument for Europe to hold firm without inflaming Trump  admittedly, an almost impossible balance with such a volatile president. The alternative is the ruination of NATO. Trump may respond to a trade war by using force against American allies and seizing Greenland despite their protests. In this scenario, previously unthinkable, the alliance is broken and Europe is exposed. And everything depends on who, one day, replaces Trump. 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.
Scale AI has cemented itself as the Data Foundry of the artificial intelligence era. While chipmakers like NVIDIA provide the compute, Scale provides the fuelthe massive volumes of high-quality, human-labeled data required to train frontier models like GPT-4o and Llama 4. By 2026, the company has evolved beyond simple data labeling into a full-stack AI Readiness partner for the US government and the Fortune 500.

The companys most significant strategic move in 2025 was the aggressive expansion of Donovan, its AI-for-Defense platform. Deployed on classified networks (SIPRNet and JWICS), Donovan allows military commanders to query real-time battlefield data using natural language, effectively becoming the digital aide-de-camp for the US Department of Defense. Simultaneously, Scale has pioneered the concept of Frontier Datacreating complex, reasoning-heavy datasets (like advanced math proofs or legal arguments) from scratch to break the data wall that threatened to stall AI progress.

Read more: 34 US startups to watch in 2026

Core Technology: The Data Engine & Donovan

Scale Data Engine: The industry standard for RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback). It manages an army of experts (PhDs, lawyers, coders) who grade and correct AI outputs, teaching models how to reason rather than just predict the next word.

The industry standard for RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback). It manages an army of experts (PhDs, lawyers, coders) who grade and correct AI outputs, teaching models how to reason rather than just predict the next word. Donovan: A specialized AI platform for the public sector that ingests classified datasatellite imagery, intelligence reports, and sensor feedsallowing analysts to ask questions like Show me all tank movements in Sector 4 over the last 24 hours without writing code.

Scale GenAI Platform (SGP): An enterprise infrastructure suite that allows companies to build their own Agentic workflows. Unlike generic chatbots, SGP focuses on Test & Evaluation (T&E), providing the rigorous grading rubrics needed to prove an agent is safe for deployment.

SEAL (Safety, Evaluations, and Alignment Lab): A research division dedicated to Red Teaminghiring hackers and experts to try and break models before they are released, a service now mandated by many government AI safety guidelines.

Business & Market Status

Valuation: Valued at approximately $13.8 Billion following a massive $1 Billion Series F in 2024.

Valued at approximately $13.8 Billion following a massive $1 Billion Series F in 2024. Key Investors: Accel , NVIDIA , Meta , Amazon , and the US Investment Fund (USIT).

, , , , and the US Investment Fund (USIT). Market Position: Uniquely positioned as the Arms Dealer to both sides of the AI racesupplying the training data for the labs (OpenAI, Meta, Cohere) while selling the application layer to the government (DoD, Army).

Company Profile

Founder: Alexandr Wang (CEO).

Headquarters: San Francisco, California.

San Francisco, California. Funding: Raised over $1.6 Billion total.

Raised over $1.6 Billion total. Strategic Role: Often described as the Foxconn of AI, doing the messy, labor-intensive manufacturing work that allows the shiny end-product to exist.

Key Use Cases

Use Case Description Frontier Model Training Labs like OpenAI and Meta use Scale to generate the Golden Datasets of complex reasoning chains needed to train next-generation models (e.g., GPT-5). Defense Intelligence The US Army uses Donovan to process millions of pages of intelligence reports instantly, identifying threats that human analysts might miss due to information overload. Autonomous Driving Scale remains the dominant labeler for the automotive industry, annotating millions of miles of LiDAR and video data to train self-driving cars for companies like Waymo and Toyota.

Why It Matters

Scale AI proves that Data is no longer a commodity; it is a strategic asset. As the internet runs out of high-quality public text to train on, the only way to make models smarter is to manufacture new data. Scale has built the factory for that manufacturing process, making it one of the few companies essential to the entire ecosystems survival.

scale.com | LinkedIn Profile
David Raleigh

The body of a woman has been found in a house that was destroyed in a fire in Limerick on Saturday evening.

The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was found dead inside the property at Chesterfield Downes, Singland, Castletroy.

Firefighters attached to Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene and discovered the womans body.

The fire service received the alert from a member of the public at 5:22pm and were at the scene within four minutes.

Four units from the fire services city station went to the scene and extinguished the blaze. The last unit returned to its Mulgrave Street base at 7:15pm.

Gardai have cordoned off the property, but it is understood they do not suspect foul play.

Friends of the woman paid tribute to her as a hard working mother.

She worked hard all her life, its a terrible tragedy, may she rest in peace, said a family friend.

Gardai said that no other injuries were reported.

The woman's body remains at the scene, which is currently preserved for technical examination.

Gardai said that the outcome of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of the Garda investigation.
Ottoline Spearman

Ryan Tubridy has said that he received therapy to cope with "really dark" feelings after the RTE payments scandal.

In an interview with the Irish Times, the former Late Late Show host said that the period following the controversy left him feeling "constantly attacked" and "hung out to dry".

I wasnt out, but I was down. I was on the ground. I saw myself as a character in this story that I wasnt writing. I was being buffeted all over the place. It was traumatic. I wont sugar-coat it and say: Oh, its fine. Thats life. Its not life. It wasnt normal.

The scandal erupted in June 2023, when it emerged that RTE had understated Mr Tubridy's pay by 345,000 between 2017 and 2022. As a result, RTE could say publicly that his pay each year was below 500,000, when in fact, his total pay was higher.

Some remuneration was secretly funnelled to him by RTE through Renault, the former sponsor of The Late Late Show, and paid via a so-called barter account in the UK. As the Irish Times reports, accountants Grant Thornton found that neither Mr Tubridy nor his agent, Noel Kelly, had orchestrated the scheme.

However, what followed was a substantial fall from grace.

While Tubridy accepted that he should have challenged RTEs public figures at the time, he told the Irish Times that he could not take responsibility for the organisation as a whole.

I think if I had my head screwed on better, and if I was a bit more attentive to that side of my life, I would have shouted louder. Thats on me. I accept that," he said.

But he also said that he could not "take the blame for the entire organisation.

Comparing his mental state at the time of that of George Bailey - James Stewart's character in the old-time Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life - Mr Tubridy told the Irish Times that the criticism he received was so dire that he received therapy to deal with it.

It was through therapy and the support of those around him that he realised he wanted to embrace the world again.

Mr Tubridy also married clinical psychologist Clare Kambamettu last month.

He also said that he is also grateful for the support he gets from ordinary Irish people, and that he took stuff way too seriously before.

I used to be too sensitive, he said. Im a different person now to who I was a couple of years ago. Ive evolved.
Sophie Halligan

Waterfront apartments continue to make their mark on Irelands city markets, offering a mix of style and location. For urban professionals, these homes provide more than just great views. From Cork Harbour to Dublins Docklands and Galways riverside, these three apartments show how waterside addresses are carving out a niche in Irelands property market.

102 The Mizen, Hartys Quay, Rochestown, Co Cork

Selling Agent: Lisney Sotheby's International Realty Cork

Asking Price: 495,000

A two-bedroom penthouse apartment with views over Cork Harbour. Natural light fills the contemporary open-plan living space, while the waterfront is on your doorstep. With secure parking and easy access to Cork city and commuter routes, this home combines waterside living with everyday convenience.

39 Millennium Tower, Grand Canal Dk, Dublin 4

Selling Agent: Owen Reilly

Asking Price: 650,000

A three-bedroom corner apartment in Dublins Grand Canal Dock, with a large terrace with panoramic water and city views. There are high-end contemporary interiors, excellent natural light and a location with cafes, restaurants, transport links and major employment hubs.

1 Spanish Parade House, 13 Merchants Road, Galway City

Selling Agent: O'Donnellan & Joyce Auctioneers Ltd

Asking Price: 425,000

A three-bedroom apartment in the heart of Galways waterfront quarter, steps from the River Corrib and Spanish Arch. Spacious and light-filled, there are cafes, shops, and city attractions just moments away.
Sarah Slater

A woman who was sleeping rough in Dublin City centre was found dead in a tent on Friday afternoon.

The woman was named locally as Natasha Smith and was originally from Clondalkin. She was found on Pearse Street at around 12.30pm on Friday.

Ms Smith was in her late 30s with two sons, and had been using a tent to sleep and live out of.

She was known to homeless organisations.

In a statement, gardai said that they assisted other emergency services at the scene of a medical incident on Pearse Street in Dublin 2.

It is understood that Ms Smiths body was brought to St Jamess Hospital. She was subsequently pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination is due to be held to ascertain the exact cause of death.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive said it had been "made aware of the death of a woman who was sleeping rough in the city. We extend our deepest sympathies to her partner, her family and her friends.

"We would also like to acknowledge Dublin Simon's Outreach team, who worked closely with the deceased over an extended time," a statement added.

Keira Gill, the founder of homeless organisation A Lending Hand, a Dublin-based volunteer outreach group which has been operating for more than a decade, described Ms Smith as always being as happy as she could, being so polite and very grateful for any help they gave her.

Ms Gill continued: Our condolences to all her family, friends and homeless family. We knew her well, and she came to us. We were very fond of her and are heartbroken to hear she has passed away. Her pals on the streets are devastated."

She added that the government needs to seriously look at the reasons why a vulnerable homeless woman felt safer in a tent than the accommodation on offer and why we can't provide people with single room beds".

Putting groups of grown women in a room together is never going to work without the right onsite supports. This causes so many problems that women like Natasha feel safer in a tent. They are literally risking their lives to feel safe.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by family and friends to help with the funeral costs.

The organiser said that Ms Smith passed away suddenly, leaving the family lost".

"Every little help will go a long way (to) helping her Mam get everything paid for and sorted out".

A lifelong friend said online that she was blessed to say a final goodbye to her. Thanks for [your] friendship, your loyalty and trust. Ill never forget you.

The HSE was contacted for comment.

The most recent figures for the number of homeless people in the State have reached almost 17,000 people, including 5,321 children.

Ms Smiths funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
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Vanta has effectively automated the most painful part of the B2B sales cycle: proving you are safe to do business with. Before Vanta, obtaining a SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification was a months-long nightmare of manual screenshots, Excel spreadsheets, and expensive consultants. Vanta replaced this with Continuous Compliance, a software-first approach that installs agents on a companys laptops and servers to monitor security in real-time. By 2026, Vanta has evolved from a compliance checkbox tool into a broader Trust Management Platform, valued at $4.15 Billion following a Series D round in July 2025.

Read more: 34 US startups to watch in 2026

Vanta AI

The companys defining pivot in 2025 was the aggressive rollout of Vanta AI. While its original product monitored internal systems, the new AI suite focuses on external frictionspecifically Questionnaire Automation. Vanta AI now autonomously reads incoming security questionnaires (the hundreds of questions enterprise buyers send vendors), searches the companys internal policy documents, and drafts accurate answers in seconds. This has transformed Vanta from a tool used only by the Security team into a sales accelerator used by Revenue teams to close deals faster.

Core Technology

Continuous Monitoring: Instead of a once-a-year audit, Vantas agents run over 1,200 hourly tests across a companys infrastructure (AWS, GitHub, Okta) to prove that security controls are actually active 24/7.

Vanta AI (Questionnaire Automation): An agentic workflow that ingests a vendors security questions (often in messy Excel formats), retrieves the correct answers from the companys Knowledge Base, and auto-fills the document.

Trust Center

A public-facing, real-time Security Status Page that companies can share with prospects. Instead of emailing PDFs, sales teams send a link that shows live proof of passing security tests.

Vendor Risk Management (VRM)

A system that automates the other side of the equationreviewing the security of the software you buyby using AI to scan and score third-party vendors.

Business & Market Status

Valuation: Valued at approximately $4.15 Billion following its $150 Million Series D in July 2025 led by Wellington Management.

Revenue: Surpassed $220 Million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) by mid-2025, driven by its expansion from Startups to Mid-Market Enterprises.

Customer Base: Serves over 12,000 customers globally, including major tech players like Atlassian, Omni Hotels, and ZoomInfo.

Company Profile

Founder: Christina Cacioppo (CEO, former Product Manager at Dropbox).

Headquarters: San Francisco, California.

Funding: Raised over $500 Million total.

Key Investors: Sequoia Capital, Wellington Management, Goldman Sachs, Craft Ventures, Y Combinator, CrowdStrike.

Key Use Cases

Rapid SOC 2: Startups connect Vanta to their cloud stack (AWS/GCP) to automatically gather evidence, reducing the time to get SOC 2 certified from months to weeks.

Startups connect Vanta to their cloud stack (AWS/GCP) to automatically gather evidence, reducing the time to get SOC 2 certified from months to weeks. Sales Acceleration: Revenue teams use Vanta AI to instantly fill out 500-question security assessments from Fortune 500 buyers, unblocking deals that used to stall for weeks.

Revenue teams use Vanta AI to instantly fill out 500-question security assessments from Fortune 500 buyers, unblocking deals that used to stall for weeks. Vendor Oversight: IT teams use the VRM module to automatically chase their own vendors for updated security certificates, ensuring the supply chain remains compliant.

Why It Matters

Vanta democratized trust. By turning compliance into code, they lowered the barrier to entry for selling to the enterprise. In a world where supply chain attacks are the norm, Vanta provides the Credit Score for the B2B internet, allowing companies to prove their security posture with live data rather than static promises.

vanta.com | LinkedIn Profile
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Lawrence Krowdeed

Faith leaders in the United Kingdom are raising concerns over the Labour governments proposed definition of anti-Muslim hatred, arguing that the plan could threaten religious liberty and freedom of expression.

The debate centers on a definition first introduced in 2018 by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, which characterized Islamophobia as a form of racism. The current UK Labour government has proposed replacing the term Islamophobia with Anti-Muslim Hatred or Hostility in official legal language.

Supporters of the change argue that the revised wording is intended to address physical harm and discrimination against Muslims. Critics, however, contend that the proposal largely repackages what they view as the APPGs flawed original definition, while retaining the same underlying problems.

UK Evangelical Alliance has been among those urging caution. Alicia Edmund, the groups head of public policy, said the government must ensure that Christian ministry and religious dialogue are protected.

Christians sharing about the transformative hope Jesus and His teachings bring with those from other ethnic or religious minorities is not hate speech and must not be criminalized, Edmund told Christian Daily International.

She added, Any definition must make a distinction between fair critique of a belief system and tackling hostility and violence towards individuals  without undermining freedom of expression.

According to the Evangelical Alliance, its representatives have engaged repeatedly with the governments working group to stress the importance of safeguarding religious freedom while addressing genuine acts of hostility.

Similar concerns have been voiced by the Hindu Council UK. Dipen Rajyaguru, the councils director of equality and inclusion, wrote to Communities Minister Steve Reed on Dec. 29, 2025, acknowledging the need to protect Muslims from harm but describing the current proposal as deeply flawed.

Rajyaguru warned that the definition risks serious unintended consequences and noted that existing criminal and equality laws already provide protections against discrimination and violence.

While the first part of the definition refers to criminal acts and prohibited discrimination already clearly covered by existing criminal and equality law, the definition then expands into vague and undefined concepts, Rajyaguru said.

He added, As with the APPG definition, these terms lack clear legal meaning. From a Hindu perspective, this ambiguity is dangerous. It leaves interpretation open to subjective perception rather than objective legal standards, making the definition vulnerable to inconsistent application and politicization.

Rajyaguru further cautioned that open discussion of religious beliefs could be unfairly targeted. Under the proposed definition, there is a real risk that such discussion, especially when robust or critical, could be characterized as prejudicial stereotyping or stirring up hatred, regardless of factual basis or intent, he said.

While emphasizing that hostility toward Muslims must be addressed, Rajyaguru concluded with a broader warning. Hatred against Muslims must be confronted decisively, but this must not come at the cost of free speech, equality before the law, or the legitimate voices of other minority communities.
Home News Court case may decide fate of religious symbols in public buildings

The European Court of Human Rights is reviewing a case that could determine whether religious symbols may be displayed in courtrooms and other public buildings. The case arises from complaints by Greek atheists who say the presence of Christian icons violated their right to a fair trial and religious freedom.

The legal challenge involves two separate hearings held in 2018 and 2019 in the Greek Supreme Administrative Court. In both cases, the applicants requested the removal of a Christian Orthodox icon of Jesus Christ from the courtroom, arguing that its display breached Article 6 and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the right to a fair trial and freedom of religion, respectively, according to the legal advocacy group ADF International.

The Greek court rejected both requests and allowed the religious symbol to remain in place, according to the case summary published by the European Court.

In the 2018 case, the Union of Atheists challenged ministerial decisions relating to religious education. The group claimed that the presence of the icon in the courtroom during a hearing on Sept. 21 that year, which included Christian Orthodox interveners such as the Church of Greece, compromised the courts objectivity.

The court dismissed their application on Oct. 11, 2019, finding the icon request inadmissible and rejecting the argument that the religious imagery affected fairness.

The second case, heard in May 2019, involved two individuals who opposed recording religious affiliation on school documents. They also asked for the removal of the icon, citing similar concerns about neutrality.

The court granted their main request, annulling the ministerial order, but dismissed the icon complaint as unfounded. It cited Greeces Orthodox Christian tradition and long-standing custom as the basis for permitting religious imagery in courtrooms.

The applicants claim that these dismissals violated their rights as non-religious citizens. They argue that the court failed to meet its duty of neutrality and that Greece lacks a legal basis for permitting religious symbols in judicial settings. They further assert that most Council of Europe member states do not allow religious icons in courtrooms.

The European Court has formally asked the Greek government to respond to three questions: whether the presence of religious symbols undermined the applicants right to an impartial tribunal, whether it interfered with their freedom of religion, and whether the practice amounted to discrimination under Article 14 of the convention.

ADF International submitted a third-party intervention in support of Greece, arguing that removing religious symbols is based on a flawed reading of human rights law. The group said the European Court has consistently affirmed a states right to reflect cultural and religious heritage in public spaces, according to ADF Senior Counsel Adina Portaru.

"The display of religious symbols in public spaces is in no way incompatible with human rights law," Portaru said in a statement. "Public spaces should not be stripped of crosses, icons or other symbols with religious, cultural, and historical significance in the name of pluralism.

In its legal brief, ADF stated that no law guarantees a right to avoid offense from religious imagery and that a symbol alone does not infringe belief or fairness. It pointed to the courts previous decision in Lautsi v. Italy (2011), which held that crucifixes in classrooms did not violate human rights. That case also featured an ADF intervention.

The ADF brief noted that religious symbols are common across Europe, citing crucifixes in Italian state offices, religious artwork in court buildings in Austria and Spain, and crosses in Bavarian government offices. It also referenced French rulings that permit religious imagery where it holds cultural or historical value.
Home News Missing Christian girl forcefully held by Islamic police force in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria  A Muslim police force in Nigeria is holding a 15-year-old Christian girl who has been missing since Dec. 1. Her family fears she'll be forcefully converted to Islam.

Pastor Kabiru Usman said he discovered that the Kano State Hisbah Board, a Muslim police force charged with enforcing Sharia (Islamic law) among Muslims, was holding Ummi Tambaya at its post in Rogo, according to media outlet Sahara Reporters.

The girl went missing on Dec. 1, 2025.

After a long search and relentless efforts, we discovered the girl has been kept under the custody of the Hisbah commander of Rogo, Malam Sani, [and] that she wants to convert to Islam, Pastor Usman told Sahara Reporters.

Efforts by the divisional police officer in charge of Rogo, Suleiman Ibrahim, and the village district head, Umar Abdulkadir, failed as the Hisbah commander refused to release the girl, Pastor Usman reportedly said.

Ummi is a native of Kadafa Bari District in Rogo Local Government Area.

Pastor Usman accused the area Department of State Services (DSS) of failing to act.

In fact, one of their officers in the local government collected up to 20,000 naira [$14], claiming that officers from the headquarters needed it to buy fuel, Pastor Usman told Sahara Reporters. We are appealing to relevant authorities to come to our aid. The family of Ummi are traumatized, we dont know her present condition and we are afraid the culprits will escape this because we have had five other similar cases of forceful conversions of our girls in the area.

Pastor Usman reportedly said the Hisbah commander deceitfully told him that human rights people had take custody of Ummi.

The Hisbah commander is fully aware of her whereabouts, he reportedly said. Let those concerned come to our aid.

People close to the Hisbah commander disclosed the identities of those involved in the abduction of Ummi, he told Sahara Reporters.

Close persons to the Hisbah Commander revealed that Abba Sheshu, Mansir Surajo and one Tasiu Bello were the persons who abducted her for a whole month despite her mental illness and prevented her from seeking medical help, he reportedly said.

Ummis family asserted that a young Muslim man who had repeatedly asked her to marry him despite refusals arranged for her abduction. Shamsu Tambaya, a relative of Ummi, told Sahara Reporters that the Muslim man influenced her in such a way that she no longer listened to anybody except him.

Tambaya said the kidnappers moved her to various locations before taking her to the Hisbah commander, Sani.

So this Sani later came and told us that the girl was in a place better than our own house, he told Sahara Reporters.

Tambaya refuted claims that Ummi reported her family to a human rights organization.

And God is my witness, only God knows that this girl has never even known what human rights are in this world, he reportedly said.

The family reported the matter to the police in Rogo and later to the Kano State Police Headquarters, after which the demand for transport fare was allegedly made, and officers took no further action. Tambaya reportedly said Ummi has not reached the legal age for changing her religion, and she also has a mental health problem.

He appealed for government help.

If the government will look into this matter for us, let them look into it and bring our daughter out for us, he reportedly said.

When Sahara Reporters contacted Sani, he requested the name of the complainant; after being informed that it was Ummis family, he declined to provide further details, the outlet reported. Sani insisted that the Abuja-based reporter must visit his office in Kano state to obtain more information.

Ibrahim Dikko, a former Muslim and now a Christian evangelist, appealed for help in a Facebook post.

Why did the Muslims and the Hisbah break the law by snatching a 15-year-old girl and forcefully convert her to Islam? he wrote. They must release that girl back to her parents and the church.

Nigeria ranked seventh on Open Doors 2026 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
Home News More Protestant churches closing than opening in America as older congregations struggle: study

Quick Summary AI Summary 4,000 churches closed in 2024, while only 3,800 were started, Lifeway Research reports.

Older congregations are struggling, with many facing declining attendance.

Churches shuttered in 2024 represent nearly 1.4% of the Protestant churches highlighted in the 2020 U.S. Religion Census. 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

More Protestant churches are being closed in America than are being planted, and older congregations appear to be bearing the brunt of the contraction, according to data from a new Lifeway Research study.

The study published Tuesday used data collected from 35 denominational groups that represent 58% of U.S. Protestant churches. The Tennessee-based research arm of Lifeway Christian Resources also cited information from the Annual Church Profile for 2023 and 2024 of the Southern Baptist Convention  Americas largest Protestant denomination.

While 4,000 Protestant churches were closed in 2024, Lifeway Research estimates that only 3,800 were started in that year. The estimated 4,000 churches shuttered in 2024 represent nearly 1.4% of the 293,000 Protestant churches highlighted in the U.S. Religion Census 2020.

The analysis also found that 1.4% of active Southern Baptist congregations disbanded or shuttered between 2023 and 2024, while some 0.4% left or were disaffiliated over the period.

"The immediate impact of COVID appears to have passed. Denominations have discovered those that closed during quarantine and never reopened. However, the typical church in America has fewer attendees than it did 20 years ago, Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a statement on the research. These assemblies are often weaker than prior generations. But at the same time, new churches are flourishing and a subset of churches are growing.

While most Protestant pastors in the Lifeway study (94%) dont believe their churches will be shuttered in the next decade, about 4% disagree with that outlook, and another 2% said they arent sure.

Pastors leading congregations with fewer than 50 people attending weekly services were the least likely to agree that their churches would endure another decade. The study also found that new congregations were more likely to be growing than older ones.

A review of SBC data showed that churches that began since 2000 grew by 12%, while membership in churches founded between 1950 and 1999 declined by 11%. Those that started between 1900 and 1949 declined by 13% while those that started before 1900 declined by 11%.

While the American church landscape changes slowly, it is not standing still, McConnel said. The future of Protestant churches in America lies in reaching new people with the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. Most growth in the U.S. happens in new communities. Church planting is vital to share the gospel in these new communities as well as communities in which the population is changing or previous churches have closed.

Thom Rainer, a former president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources and the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, warned in January 2025 that about 15,000 churches would close last year and another 15,000 would shift from having full-time pastors to part-time pastors in Americas rapidly shifting religious landscape.

For the first time in modern church history, 15,000 of the churches will cease to exist in a period of one year. Notice that we are projecting that 15,000 churches will close and that 15,000 will move from full-time pastors to part-time pastors, Rainer wrote in op-e published by The Christian Post. Those 30,000 churches represent about 1 out of 12 existing churches. The change is dramatic.

Last November, Boston University theology, philosophy and ethics professor Wesley Wildman, who has researched the impact of secularization on religious groups, blamed the decline on Americas growing secularization as fewer people have a religious affiliation and are attending church services.

The problem is that nobody knows how to confirm these numbers. We have to go by denominational numbers, which are difficult to collect and often not up-to-date, Wildman told BU Today. The 15,000 closures might be overblown. But there is no question that many more than that have closed, and will continue closing, over a period of years.

Among the key conditions in society that drive religious decline, he contends, is a positive attitude to cultural pluralism that has enabled people to "vote with your feet and leave religious organizations without paying any costly social or family or economic penalty. Other conditions he cited are "existential security," "education," and "freedom."

These four factors drive down supernaturalism, which in turn makes religious worldviews and lifeways less plausible for some people, some of whom remain spiritual, Wildman wrote.
Over 50 tons of pork sold as premium Australian meat in Vietnam, police say

A warehouse of counterfeit meat during a police inspection in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City police

More than 50 tons of pork were allegedly processed and sold as premium exotic meats to restaurants across southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City police said.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Departments Economic Crime Division placed Nguyen Van Phong under temporary detention on Jan. 16 along with seven others for producing and trading counterfeit food products.

Those arrested include Tran Thi Van Phuoc, director of Khanh Ngoc SG Production and Trading company, and Nguyen Phi Long, director of Dai Loc Phat Food company.

Police said the fake meat products were distributed to restaurants and eateries in Ho Chi Minh City and several neighboring provinces, raising concerns that consumers may have unknowingly eaten the counterfeit food.

The arrests came as city police launched a heightened crime crackdown ahead of the 2026 Lunar New Year, which peaks in mid-February.

According to investigators, the ring had been operating since late 2024, using pork as the main raw material and processing it through multiple stages to make it resemble high-value meats typically sold at much higher prices. The fake products were marketed as ostrich meat, goat, Australian goat leg, sliced porcupine meat and venison.

After opening a special investigation, police carried out coordinated raids on production sites, cold storage facilities, warehouses and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City as well as Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Dak Lak provinces. Authorities seized large quantities of suspected counterfeit food and identified Phong, Phuoc and Long as the key figures behind the operation.

Investigators estimate that more than 50 tons of fake meat had already been sold. If calculated at the market price of genuine products, the total value would be around VND10 billion (US$380,600), police said, adding that the suspects earned illicit profits of several billion dong.

Authorities warned that the operation posed serious risks to consumer health, damaged public trust and undermined legitimate businesses in the food sector.

Ho Chi Minh City police urged consumers to be cautious when eating out and to prioritize food products with clear origins and traceability. Businesses were advised to register trademarks, apply product authentication technologies and avoid trading in goods of unclear origin.

Police said they are expanding the investigation to trace remaining suppliers and distribution points and to dismantle the network fully.
Home News Pakistan court order police to find abducted 13-year-old Christian girl forcibly married to Muslim man

LAHORE, Pakistan  After multiple setbacks for a Christian family in Pakistan striving to recover their forcibly married and converted 13-year-old daughter, a federal court has finally ordered police to find her and the Muslim man who kidnapped her.

A two-judge bench of the newly constituted Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) ordered the police to present 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz and 30-year-old Shehryar Ahmad in court before Friday.

Ahmad abducted her on July 29, 2025, and forcibly converted her to Islam and married her, Supreme Court Attorney Rana Abdul Hameed said. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Karim Khan Agha admitted the petition by Shahbaz Masih, Marias father.

After our petitions for the childs recovery were rejected by the sessions court in Lahore and the Lahore High Court, we decided to challenge those decisions before the FCC, Hameed told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. We informed the court that the girl is a minor and is being subjected to rape under the guise of Islamic conversion and marriage.

Lahore police colluded with the suspect, leading a magistrates court to discharge the familys abduction complaint, Hameed said.

The girl was forced to record a statement claiming she had willingly converted to Islam and married Ahmad, he said. She also falsely stated that she was an adult, despite official documentary evidence proving that she is a minor and below the legal age of marriage under provincial child marriage laws, which prohibit the marriage of girls under 16.

Rights activist Safdar Chaudhry welcomed the courts order, saying that despite repeated setbacks in Lahore courts, the Masih family had remained steadfast in its pursuit of justice.

We repeatedly petitioned the courts, arguing that the girl was a minor and could not be allowed to remain in the custody of the accused, but our pleas were rejected solely on the basis of the childs statement before a magistrate, Chaudhry said. We are grateful to the FCC judges for admitting our legal arguments and ordering the childs production in court. We are hopeful that the court will take notice of the violation of child marriage laws and order legal action against the accused.

Chaudhry, also chairman of Raah-e-Nijaat Ministry, is assisting the Masih family in the legal battle.

Masih, a driver and father of five, said that his neighbor, Ahmad, abducted his daughter when she stepped outside their home to go to a nearby shop. Masih filed a First Information Report (FIR) with Nawab Town Police Station in Lahore, but on Aug. 1, 2025, police informed him that Maria had recorded a statement on July 31 before Model Town Judicial Magistrate Hassan Sarfaraz Cheema, claiming she had converted to Islam and married Ahmad of her own free will.

Rights advocates say such cases follow a familiar pattern in Pakistan, where kidnapped girls, some as young as 10, are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and raped under the cover of Islamic marriages. Victims are often pressured to record false statements in favor of their abductors, while judges routinely ignore documentary evidence of age and return the children to their kidnappers as legal wives.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on May 29, 2025, signed into law a landmark bill aimed at curbing child marriage in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), setting the minimum marriage age at 18 for both genders. The law was enacted despite fierce opposition from Islamist groups, including the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), the countrys top Islamic body.

The CII declared that classifying marriage under the age of 18 as rape did not conform to sharia (Islamic law).

A similar bill has been pending in the Punjab Provincial Assembly since April 25, 2024. In Punjab, the minimum legal age of marriage for girls remains 16. Nationally, the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2024 raised the marriageable age to 18 only for Christians; however, if Christian girls convert to Islam, they are treated as Muslims under sharia, which allows marriage at a younger age.

Pakistan, where more than 96% of the population is Muslim, ranked eighth on Open Doors 2026 World Watch List of the most difficult countries in which to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The race to power artificial intelligence is on, and tech giants like Google, Meta and Microsoft are placing multibillion-dollar bets on nuclear energy.

Ohio may be ground zero.

The state ranks fifth in the nation for data centers, with more than 200 facilities. Officials lured them here with tax breaks, flat land and relatively low labor costs.

Now comes the tricky part: powering them.

From squeezing more power out of existing nuclear plants to betting on brand-new reactors, Ohio is becoming a test case for howand whopays to power the AI boom.

Limited gains from existing plants

The fastest way to get more nuclear power is by upgrading reactors that already exist. These upgrades, known as uprates, have been used for decades.

The Perry Nuclear Power Plant was uprated in 2000, and Davis-Besse followed in 2008. Whats changing in the AI era is who pays for those upgrades.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently announced plans to help fund uprates at Perry, Davis Bessie and a third plant in Pennsylvania. Details havent been released.

Utilities often uprate by switching to uranium fuels with higher enrichment levels, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This enables the reactor to produce more thermal energy and therefore more steam, driving a turbine generator to produce electricity.

To do this safely, power plants will upgrade their pipes, pumps, transformers and generators. Sometimes they even make major, expensive changes like replacing a plants main turbine.

But uprates cant solve AIs growing electricity demand. Wind and solar cant either. Data centers need power around the clock, and renewables depend on the weather.

Jesse Jenkins, an engineering professor at Princeton Universitys Zero Lab, is working on ways to pair wind and solar with battery storage to make them more reliable. But nuclear will be a major part of any carbon-free future.

Small reactors, big unknowns

Whats striking about Metas Ohio investment isnt the uprates. Its the 1,200 megawatts Meta plans to generate from a partnership with Oklo, a tech startup.

Oklo wants to build small modular reactors, or SMRs. Theyre significantly smaller than traditional plants, designed to be built in pieces, and pitched as faster to deploy.

There are thousands of reactor designs out there, said Raymond Cao, director of the Nuclear Engineering Program at Ohio State University.

But only two SMRs are operating on the planet. One is in China and the other in Russia.

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a handful of SMR designs  but Oklos Aurora reactor isnt one of them. The NRC rejected Oklos design in 2022 for a lack of information.

That means most of Metas nuclear plans come from reactors federal regulators havent approved.

Big reactors, bigger costs

When Ohios Perry Nuclear Power Plant was first planned, it was designed to have a second reactor.

But nuclear fears spiked after disasters like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, and cheap natural gas made new reactors less appealing.

Today, the main obstacle isnt fear. Its cost.

Take Georgias Vogtle plant, for example. It was the first nuclear power plant connected to the U.S. grid in decades.

Vogtle was pitched as a $14 billion project. It ultimately cost more than $30 billion and finished seven years behind schedule.

The reactors work. Engineers consider them a technical success. Financially, though, Vogtle was radioactive.

Vogtle cost Georgia residents about $1,000 each, said Bob Sherrier, a staff attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

It also came online as electricity demand was rising.

People are left feeling like I paid $1,000 so data centers could suck up all that energy, Sherrier said.

Supporters of large-scale nuclear say the industry learned from Vogtles mistakes and new reactors would be much cheaper.

Thats a reasonably compelling argument, but thats a huge bet, Jenkins, of Princeton Universitys Zero Lab, told cleveland.com.

SMRs come with smaller price tags  and at least on paper, less financial risk. When it comes to which path is better, Jenkins said the honest answer is uncertainty.

The reality is no one knows which of those is true, he said. And we wont really know the answer for another five years.

Demand now, power later

By 2030, the International Energy Agency predicts data centers will devour double the amount of energy they do today.

And the United States accounts for by far the largest share of this projected increase.

By the end of the decade, the agency predicts, data centers will use more power than the steel, cement, and chemical industries combined.

That surge is colliding with a hard reality: power plants, especially nuclear ones, take years to build.

Existing nuclear power plants are the hottest thing in power right now, Mark Nelson, founder of Radiant Energy Group, told CNBC in 2024. They are going to be able to nearly name their price to build out to data centers parked right at their gates.

Meta and Oklo hope to have their first Ohio SMR operating by 2030, with the others coming online by 2034.

But the tech giants deal with Vistra included buying 2,000 megawatts of electricity from existing nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

That doesnt change the supply, Jenkins said. Youre moving it around on paper.

He worried about what that means for regular customers.

When a data center connects to the grid, it isnt a small request, Jenkins said. Its a Chicago- or Cincinnati-scale demand plopped down in a single location and built in 18 months.

If demand arrives before supply, he expects prices and fossil fuel emissions to rise.

In Louisiana, for example, regulators are pushing to build three new gas plants to power a massive Meta data center.

Jenkins said that approach, while far from ideal for the climate, at least adds new generating capacity to the grid.

As Nelson put it to CNBC in 2024, Its going to be really rough for the rest of us to have enough power once those nuclear plants find their biggest clients.

Turning up the heat

Rising electricity bills have become a real issue for voters, and the White House has noticed.

I never want Americans to pay higher Electricity bills because of Data Centers, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.

On Friday, the president and a group of governors, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, asked PJM, a regional transmission organization, to consider an emergency power auction.

Unlike PJMs usual one-year auctions, this plan would target tech companies and lock them into 15-year contracts.

PJM said it is reviewing the principles laid out by the White House and governors.

The grid operator also said it plans to improve power forecasts, push data centers to bring their own electricity, and require large users switch to backup generators or reduce their power during peak demand.

Industry groups say the presidents proposal highlights a real problem, but it does not speed up the process of approving new power.

PJM fast-tracked 9,300 megawatts worth of projects in May, but estimates suggest 280,000 megawatts are still waiting for approval.
When a child is upset, most parents reach for the same question instinctively: "What's wrong?"

It's well-intentioned and it comes from care. But after years of teaching conscious parenting and studying over 200 kids, I've seen how often that question does the opposite of what parents hope. Instead of opening children up, it can shut them down.

Emotional intelligence develops when children feel safe enough to reflect. Without that foundation, even the most caring questions can feel overwhelming in the moment.

Across my research, one sentence reliably helped children pause, reflect, and communicate more openly: "Tell me what feels hard right now."

This magic phrase works because it matches how children actually experience emotions in real life. Rather than pushing for clarity or explanations, it creates the conditions where insight can emerge naturally.
The congress will run from Jan. 19 to 25 at the National Convention Center with the theme: "Under the glorious flag of the Party, joining hands and uniting wills to successfully realize the country's development goals to 2030; ensuring strategic autonomy, fostering self-reliance and confidence, advancing firmly in the era of national rise for peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civilization and happiness, and steadfastly progressing towards socialism."

The congress brings together 1,586 delegates representing Party committees directly under the Central Committee, central agencies, the armed forces, and overseas Party organizations, in line with the delegate allocation plan. It will discuss and adopt four key documents: the Political Report; a report reviewing theoretical and practical issues from 40 years of reform (Doi Moi); a report summarizing 15 years of implementation of the Party Charter; and a report assessing the leadership and direction of the 13th Central Committee.

A central task of the congress is the election of the 14th Party Central Committee, expected to comprise 180 full members and 20 alternate members.

The National Convention Center on Pham Hung Street, Hanoi, prepares to host the 14th National Party Congress, January 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

At the 15th plenum of the 13th Central Committee in late December 2025, the Central Committee approved, with a high level of consensus, the list of nominees for the 14th Central Committee, as well as candidates for the Politburo, the Secretariat, and key Party and State leadership positions for the 2026-2031 term. These nominations were submitted to the congress for consideration and decision in line with Party regulations.

"On behalf of the comrades entrusted with nominating members of the Central Committee and key leadership positions for the next term for the 14th National Congress to consider and decide, we sincerely thank the Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat for their trust in assigning us this responsibility," General Secretary To Lam said in his closing remarks at the plenum.
People bear Greenlandic flags as they gather in front of the U.S. consulate protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.

European leaders have hit back at U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose fresh tariffs on them if they oppose his attempt to buy Greenland, describing the ultimatum as "completely wrong" and "unacceptable."

Trump announced on Saturday that eight European allies would face increasing tariffs, starting at 10% on Feb.1 and rising to 25% on June 1, if a deal is not reached so Washington can "buy" the Arctic territory, which is semi-autonomous and part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Eight NATO members' goods sent to the U.S. will face escalating tariffs "until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday.

The proposed tariffs would target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K, the Netherlands and Finland, Trump said.

European leaders were quick to react to the latest threat with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenting Saturday that "applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," while French President Emmanuel Macron described them as "unacceptable."

"Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld," Macron stated on social media platform X on Saturday.

Reuters quoted a source close to Macron as saying he was pushing for the activation of the Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could limit access to public tenders in the EU or restrict trade in services in which the U.S. has a surplus with the bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa issued a statement Saturday in which they said the EU "stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland."

It added that it was committed to further dialogue following talks between Denmark, Greenland and top U.S. officials last week, which ended without a diplomatic breakthrough.

Nonetheless, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Trump's tariffs threat had come "as a surprise" following the "constructive meeting" with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The European Union has called an emergency meeting which will take place at 16:00 p.m. London time on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who, like British PM Keir Starmer is known to have a good relationship with Donald Trump, called for cool heads and further talks.

He warned further tariffs  which would come on top of the 15% tariff on EU exports to the U.S., and the 10% levied on U.K. exports -- would be damaging, however.

"Among allies, issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure," he said on X.

"European countries stand united. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland. Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

'A moderately significant economic problem'

Trump's demands now threaten the EU-U.S. trade agreement struck in August.

Manfred Weber, a senior member of the European Parliament (MEP), said the EU trade deal with the U.S. is "not possible at this stage."

Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank said: "Trump wants to force Denmark and its European backers to sell Greenland to the U.S. by imposing tariffs. For Europe, this is a bad geopolitical headache and a moderately significant economic problem."

He estimated that an additional 10% levy on goods from affected countries could raise U.S. consumer prices by up to 0.15%. But "in the unlikely case" that the EU-U.S. trade deal is not implemented, "the damage to US consumers could then be almost three times as bad in the end," Schmieding told CNBC in a note.

Denmark and its European neighbors have made repeated efforts to dissuade Trump from looking to acquire Greenland, particularly after the president said earlier this month that he would consider all options to obtain the mineral-rich island, including using military force.

Trump says acquiring Greenland is critical for U.S. national security. He has also said that U.S. ownership would prevent Russia and China from gaining a foothold in the territory. Beijing and Moscow have lambasted Trump's claims and his coveting of Greenland, calling them a "pretext ...for selfish gains" and "extraordinary."
Protesters carry a large "Lion and Sun" pre-Iranian Revolution national flag of Iran, during the 'March for a Free Iran', held by Britain's Iranian Committee for Freedom and Stop The Hate, in London, Britain, on Jan. 18, 2026.

At least 5,000 people have been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, an Iranian official in the region said on Sunday, citing verified figures and accusing "terrorists and armed rioters" of killing "innocent Iranians."

Nationwide protests erupted on Dec. 28 over economic hardship and swelled over two weeks into widespread demonstrations calling for the end of clerical rule  resulting in the deadliest unrest since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene if protesters continued to be killed on the streets or were executed. In a social media post on Friday, he thanked Tehran's leaders, saying they had called off scheduled executions of 800 people.

A day later, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a public speech, branded Trump a "criminal" for the casualties he inflicted on Iran by supporting protesters.

"We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished," Khamenei said, acknowledging "several thousand deaths" that he blamed on "terrorists and rioters" linked to the U.S. and Israel.

Iran's judiciary indicated that executions may go ahead.

"A series of actions have been identified as Mohareb, which is among the most severe Islamic punishments," Iranian judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir told a press conference on Sunday.

Mohareb, an Islamic legal term meaning to wage war against God, is punishable by death under Iranian law.

Trump said in an interview with Politico on Saturday: "It's time to look for new leadership in Iran."

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said on Saturday the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review. It said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.

The Iranian official said the verified death toll was unlikely to "increase sharply", adding "Israel and armed groups abroad" had supported and equipped those taking to the streets.

The clerical establishment regularly blames unrest on foreign enemies, including the U.S. and Israel, an arch foe of the Islamic Republic, which launched military strikes in June.

The violent crackdown appears to have broadly quelled protests, according to residents and state media.

One resident in Tehran said he had witnessed riot police directly shooting at a group of protesters, who were mostly young men and women. Videos circulating on social media, some of which have been verified by Reuters, have shown security forces violently cracking down on demonstrations across the country.
Venture capital firm Sequoia is joining Singapore's GIC and U.S. investor Coatue in a funding round for Anthropic, which aims to raise $25 billion at a $350 billion valuation, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, and Coatue will contribute $1.5 billion each for the Claude chatbot-maker, the newspaper said.

Sequoia, Anthropic, GIC and Coatue did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Last year, Anthropic secured commitments from Microsoft and Nvidia totaling up to $15 billion.

Insatiable demand for AI and growing enterprise adoption have driven tech spending higher globally, pushing valuations of AI startups like Anthropic to record levels, even as concerns about an AI bubble loom.

Anthropic last raised $13 billion in a Series F round that valued the company at $183 billion, the company said in early September.

California-based Sequoia, founded in 1972, was an early investor in many top tech names, including Google , Apple , Cisco and YouTube.
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Signage at the Broadcom Inc. headquarters in San Jose, California, June 2, 2025. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Investors contended with bank earnings and geopolitical tensions this week, but the ongoing volatility may help uncover a few attractive stock picks. Stock ratings from top Wall Street analysts can help inform investors as they search for opportunities in the market. These experts arrive at their recommendations following a thorough analysis of the macro and micro factors affecting a company. Here are three stocks favored by some of Wall Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

Broadcom

This week's first pick is Broadcom (AVGO), a semiconductor and infrastructure software provider. The company's custom chips or Application-Specific Integrated Circuits, or ASICs, are seeing strong demand amid the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. Following an investor meeting with Charlie Kawwas, president of Broadcom's semiconductor solutions group, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon reiterated a buy rating on Broadcom stock with a price target of $475. TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating on AVGO stock with a price target of $393. The meeting made Rasgon conclude that investor concerns about the impact of rising competition and customer-owned tooling on Broadcom's AI positioning are "hugely overblown and that the company is unlikely to be dethroned in the ASIC space anytime soon." While Broadcom acknowledges that Nvidia (NVDA) is innovating faster than anyone else, Rasgon noted that the company is confident about being the only partner that can help XPU customers keep up. With innovation related to 3D chip stacking and 400G SerDes to a massive supply chain and in-house substrate production, Broadcom is progressing in a way that no one can match, the five-star analyst noted. Broadcom is also expected to benefit from the growing demand for Alphabet-owned Google's ($GOOGL) tensor processing units, or TPUs, given its partnership with Google in developing these chips. Rasgon highlighted Kawwas' commentary about TPU v7 (ironwood) shipments rising from hundreds of thousands of units in 2025 to "many many millions" in 2026. He added that TPU v8 shipments are expected to touch hundreds of thousands of units per month in a few months, and millions by the end of this year. Also, Rasgon noted that the $73 billion order figure given at AVGO's earnings release is substantially higher today. Rasgon ranks No. 120 among more than 12,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 68% of the time, delivering an average return of 30.7%. See Broadcom Statistics on TipRanks.

Airbnb

Travel stock Airbnb (ABNB) is next on the list. In his research note on the outlook for the U.S. internet space, Mizuho analyst Lloyd Walmsley named Airbnb as one of the top ideas for 2026. The analyst reaffirmed a buy rating on ABNB stock with a price target of $156. TipRanks' AI Analyst is also bullish on Airbnb stock with a price target of $153. Walmsley expects room nights (a key metric in the hospitality industry) growth to reaccelerate, driven by Airbnb's strategy to add hotels to its supply; book now, pay later expansion; and easier comparisons in the domestic market. "We see Airbnb's forthcoming AI product as a call option and see better prospects here than with other OTAs [online travel agents] given the product-focused leadership," said Walmsley. The five-star analyst contends that investors are underappreciating Airbnb's prospects and its potential to reaccelerate room nights growth. Walmsley believes that the company's strength will become more evident this year when it rolls out its hotel strategy in three test markets and expands into more cities, possibly in late 2026. The analyst also expects Airbnb's decision to add hotel inventory to broaden the company's addressable market beyond traditional short-term rentals. Walmsley expects the hotel expansion, along with the book now, pay later conversion benefits, to reaccelerate growth in the second half of 2026 and lift ABNB stock's valuation multiple. Walmsley ranks No. 158 among more than 12,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 63% of the time, delivering an average return of 26.1%. See Airbnb Insider Trading Activity on TipRanks.

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US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2025.

The Trump administration wants nations to pay $1 billion to remain on the Board of Peace, Bloomberg first reported on Saturday night, citing a draft charter for the proposed group.

The Board of Peace is an international body that was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025. The board was established to oversee the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to serve as the group's inaugural chairman, and he will choose which members to invite, according to the draft seen by Bloomberg. While a majority vote would make decisions, the chairman would have final approval.

Member states would serve a three-year term on the board, but could secure a permanent seat by paying $1 billion cash within the first year of the charter's start, according to the draft.

A U.S. official told CNBC there is no cost to join the Board of Peace, but the $1 billion contribution would secure permanent membership. The group's mandate is to "rebuild all of Gaza," and "virtually every dollar" raised would be spent on that mandate. The group will operate without "exorbitant salaries and massive administrative bloat," the official said.

It's unclear where the funds collected from Board of Peace members would be held.

Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Argentine President Javier Milei, to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, which will be part of the larger Board of Peace, Bloomberg reported Saturday.

Several other nations, including Hungary, India, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan confirmed Board of Peace invitations, AP News reported on Sunday.

Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay and Albania had previously been invited. The full list could be announced by the U.S. in the coming days, the Associated Press reported.

Under Trump's leadership, the group has also created a founding executive board to "oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza's stabilization and long-term success," the White House said in a statement on Friday.

Executive board appointees include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. deputy national security advisor Robert Gabriel.
Scott Bessent, US treasury secretary, during an Economic Club of Minnesota event in Golden Valley, Minnesota, US, on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday said it's "very unlikely" that the Supreme Court will overturn President Donald Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, with a potential decision from the court looming as early as this week.

"I believe that it is very unlikely that the Supreme Court will overrule a president's signature economic policy," Bessent said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "They did not overrule Obamacare, I believe that the Supreme Court does not want to create chaos."

In June, the Supreme Court upheld a key Affordable Care Act provision that set up a panel to recommend preventive care services that insurers must provide at no cost to patients.

Bessent's comments come one day after Trump said he would impose a new slate of tariffs on goods coming from Europe until "a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."

Trump did not specify in his Truth Social post which statute he was invoking to impose the tariffs, though the move appears to mirror the "liberation day" duties he has imposed on dozens of nations under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will begin at 10% on Feb. 1, Trump said. They will then escalate to 25% on June 1, Trump said.

The Supreme Court is set to rule on Trump's use of the IEEPA to impose tariffs before the end of its term, but a decision could come as soon as this week. IEEPA gives the president wide latitude to use economic tools in response to an "unusual and extraordinary threat."
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Recently the Australian Senate passed a law to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X. Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Australia's social media ban for children under the age of 16 has grabbed global attention, and governments worldwide are considering implementing similar policies, with the U.K. seen as likely to be next. The Australian government's Online Safety Amendment Act came into effect on December 10, and included major social media platforms, including Reddit, X, Meta's Instagram, Alphabet's YouTube, Bytedance's TikTok. The platforms were forced to implement age verification methods to ensure under-16s are unable to create an account, and the companies can face fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32 million) for not complying. Although teenagers, tech giants, and experts have had mixed reactions since the ban came into force, governments globally are drafting bills to implement an Australia-style ban.

"This is a global issue, and governments everywhere are under pressure to respond," Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of U.K.-based Smartphone Free Childhood, told CNBC. SFC is a grassroots campaign urging parents to delay giving children smartphones and social media access. "We're already seeing countries move in this direction, and as confidence builds and evidence accumulates, more will follow. No one thinks the status quo is working for children, parents, or society  and this is one of the clearest policy responses currently on the table," Greenwell added. Other countries that are considering an under-16s social media ban include the U.K., France, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy and Greece. The U.S. is trailing behind on this front with a national ban being unlikely, however there is certainly state and local interest, according to Ravi Iyer, a managing director of the University of Southern California Marshall School's Neely Center. Iyer has worked closely with social psychologist Jonathon Haidt who wrote the renowned book The Anxious Generation, about the harmful impacts of social media and smartphones on children and teens. "It's really hard to predict Federal policy, but it is one of the few bipartisan issues left, so it certainly is possible," Iyer said in emailed comments. "I'm more confident at the state level and I believe we will see a few U.S. states enact such a policy in the next couple years." Lawmakers in California and Texas are looking at bringing in state-level bans in 2026. But governments looking to implement such bans could face resistance from the tech giants. Following Australia's move, community-focused forum Reddit launched a lawsuit, arguing that the new law goes too far by restricting political discussion online. Facebook and Instagram owner Meta urged Canberra to reconsider the ban. And in a statement to users explaining how the restrictions work, Elon Musk's X said: "It's not our choice  it's what the Australian law requires."

U.K. set to vote on social media ban

Meanwhile, calls for a social media ban for under-16s in the U.K. have grown rapidly at the beginning of this year. The U.K.'s House of Lords is expected to vote this week to amend the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to include a social media ban for under-16s. Greenwell's SFC launched an email campaign this week, which saw more than 100,000 emails sent to local U.K. lawmakers. The SFC template email urged the government to set "reasonable, age-appropriate boundaries that protect children's wellbeing." "We consistently see that the more time children spend on smartphones and social media, the worse their mental health outcomes tend to be. If these platforms are no longer available, the network effects collapse  and young people can reconnect with each other and with the real world," Greenwell told CNBC.
The European Union voiced strong support for Denmark and Greenland, underscoring the importance of territorial integrity and international law, after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on several European countries while reviving his long-standing push to acquire Greenland.

Posting on X, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said, Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole. She added that the EU has consistently underlined its shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO.

A crowd walks to the US consulate to protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Defending recent military activity in the region, she said the pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone. Emphasising unity, the Commission President added, The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US.

She also issued a sharp warning on trade tensions, stating, Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.

European Council President Antonio Costa echoed the same message in an identical statement, reiterating that territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable principles of international law and stressing the importance of dialogue and unity amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.

The EU response follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Saturday imposing tariffs on eight European countriesDenmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finlandlinking the move to what he described as escalating security risks around Greenland.

In a statement, Trump said the United States has subsidised Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union for years by not charging tariffs, adding that now, after centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back.

He claimed Greenland has become central to global security concerns, warning that World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. Trump mocked Denmarks security presence in the territory, saying it currently has two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.

Nobody will touch this sacred piece of land, Trump said, adding that the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. He also alleged that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown, calling the situation very dangerous for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.

The escalating rhetoric has begun to impact EUUS trade engagement. Siegfried Muresan, a Member of the European Parliament, said, We were supposed to ratify very soon in the European Parliament the EU-US trade deal from last July, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%.

That ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context, he added.



We were supposed to ratify very soon in the European Parliament the EU-US trade deal from last July, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European Union to 0%.

That ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context.



 Siegfried Muresan ???????????????? (@SMuresan) January 17, 2026

The developments mark a fresh strain in transatlantic ties, with the European Union signalling that while it remains committed to dialogue with Washington, it will stand firm on sovereignty, international law, and economic stability.
US forces have withdrawn from Iraqs Ain al-Asad Airbase, which housed US-led forces in Western Iraq, and the Iraqi army has assumed full control, the Iraqi defence ministry said on Saturday.In 2024, Washington and Baghdad reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq and a move towards a bilateral security relationship.Ain al-Asad has hosted US and coalition troops for years and has been repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed armed groups during periods of heightened regional tensions, including after the 2020 US killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.An Iraqi army colonel confirmed the US forces withdrawal from the base, saying there were a few soldiers remaining due to some logistical issues. He did not give further details for security reasons.It was not immediately clear when the withdrawal started, but the initial plan stipulated that hundreds of troops would leave by September 2025, with the rest departing by the end of 2026.
Since 2017 an Australian tourism expert has watched Hanoi Train Street evolve from a neighborhood where laundry hung over the tracks into a hotspot, caught between commerce and safety.

When Mark Bowyer first walked along the rail tracks between Phung Hung and Tran Phu streets nine years ago, what struck him most was its ordinariness.

There were no cafes, visitors or even safety barriers; instead, houses clung to the tracks, with residents making use of every spare centimeter.

People cooked meals, did laundry and even plucked each other's grey hairs while sitting on the sleepers.

Data from Vietnam Railways shows this to be the most densely populated inner-city railway segment, where the safety corridor in some places measures less than one meter wide.

The shift became noticeable around 2017 or 2018, when social media began to explode.

Bowyer, who founded Rusty Compass in 2006 to offer tours that showcase the changing landscape of Asia, recalls filming along the tracks in 2017 as children played on the rails and elders looked curiously at the outsider.

"Please speak Vietnamese, we don't understand foreign languages," a woman said, laughing, as he filmed.

He surprised them by asking in fluent Vietnamese: "Oh, so you don't speak foreign languages?"

But his accent was funny for them. As he walked, children swarmed him, practicing their English with a chorus of "What's your name?"

Further down Phung Hung Train Street, amidst the smoke of charcoal stoves, he asked a woman what she was cooking. She brushed off the question, asking him instead: "How many kids do you have?"

Further toward Tran Phu Street, he encountered rows of houses with metal roofs. Outside each, clotheslines sagged under the weight of garments, blankets and mosquito nets drying in the open air.

Clothes drying along Hanoi Train Street in 2017. Photo courtesy of Rusty Compass

Bowyer says trains did not pass frequently, and daily life was calm.

In fact, the area offered a sense of peace rarely found elsewhere in the capital, and walking along the tracks sometimes felt safer than navigating the city's main roads.

According to TripAdvisor data, by 2018 the keyword "Hanoi Train Street" had entered the list of must-try experiences in Vietnam, triggering a wave on Instagram and TikTok clips.

When Bowyer returned to Hanoi in 2019, he was shocked: Old houses had been transformed into cafes, and Vietnamese family greetings had been replaced by "Coffee?"

"The Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit is sharp," he says.

One example was Dung, who opened a cafe in 2018 that also sold craft beer bar themed around trains.

She told him that all the chairs in her shop were railway seats, used by Vietnam Railways to serve passengers for over 50 years.

The artifacts gave the cafe its identity, she told him.

The boom in business there prompted local authorities to order the closure of cafes in October 2019 due to evident safety concerns.

After the pandemic ended Train Street's appeal did not fade but intensified, and the area became a lesson in organic tourism.

By 2023, despite official bans and barriers at the entrance, visitors still found ways to enter, hoping to witness a train brushing past house walls.

Vietnam Railways has urged authorities to address safety violations after incidents of trains knocking over tables placed too close to the tracks and even brushing against tourists standing near the rails for photos.

Hanoi People's Committee recently proposed a plan to reroute traffic routes in the city's center, which would include stopping passenger trains from running through the coffee street.

Today the place is at a crossroads, caught between preserving a cultural identity and complying with regulations.

Even as clotheslines are replaced by neon signs, life continues along the tracks. It is that authenticity that continues to draw foreign visitors, camera-ready, to see for themselves.
Barely has the new year got under way and already the internet has decided its had enough of 2026. Social media is in the grip of a wave of nostalgia for 2016, with a host of celebrities, from Kylie Jenner to Hailey Bieber posting throwbacks from a decade ago.

In Jenners case, they include snaps from her so-called King Kylie era, when she somehow managed to convince every teenage girl on the planet to buy her lip glosses  including my then tweenage daughter, who is also, together with all her friends (now in their 20s), fixated with 2016.

Ah, 2016. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Apple launched its Airpods, the first series of Stranger Things aired, the great British public voted to call a 200million polar research ship Boaty McBoatface, Donald J. Trump won his first presidency and Harry met Meghan. (Indeed, the Sussexes have also indulged the 2016 trend by posting a video  shot by Lilibet  of them dancing barefoot in the grass at their home in Montecito, with the caption: You had to be there.)

The world was obsessed with, in no particular order: Pokemon, bubble tea, Instagram dog filters, Musical.ly (the precursor to TikTok), Victorias Secret, the Brandy Melville alien, vaping, American Apparel, pastel-coloured hair, Hamilton (the musical), skinny ripped Joni jeans from Topshop, Kat von D foundation, Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pomade, Shane Dawson, Tumblr, Lena Dunhams Girls, Effy from Skins, side partings, Nike Air Force 1, patterned leggings. Happy days!

They certainly were for me. My children were still young and life was for the most part pretty good. I was happily married, the world felt relatively sane and, dare I say it, secure  and I had a vibrant circle of intelligent, interesting, successful friends.

That is not to say my life is miserable now  far from it. Its just that if you had asked me then where I would be in ten years time, I probably would not have envisioned that things would have turned out as they have.

Social media is in the grip of a wave of nostalgia for 2016, with a host of celebrities, from Kylie Jenner (pictured in New York in 2016) to Hailey Bieber, posting throwbacks from a decade ago

For me, 2016 means one thing and one thing only, and that thing changed my life irrevocably: Brexit, and the seismic political schism it provoked, dividing the country and cracking open my own safe, comfortable world.

The result of the referendum shattered my family and friendships and, ultimately, cost me my marriage. After that, nothing was ever the same again. Try as I might, I couldnt put Humpty back together again.

But thems the breaks, and Im not complaining. The last ten years have taught me an awful lot about myself and my own flaws and failings, and as hard as some of these truths have been to confront, its been worth it. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger, and all that.

For the wider world, the 2016 trend seems to have a similar bittersweet theme. Looking back, there was a kind of innocence in the air, an almost childlike optimism  exemplified, perhaps, by dear old Boaty McBoatface.

People still knew how to have fun, art still mattered, you could have a conversation with someone without them looking at their phone.

We were not yet all slaves to the algorithm. Because undoubtedly that has been the main driver of change. Social media was still in its infancy and not the angry, toxic, often dangerous place it is today, full of vitriol and hate.

It was a fun place, where people filmed themselves doing silly dances, pretended to be puppies or chased after imaginary Pokemon characters. It wasnt all about shameless self-promotion, monetisation and the constant manufacture of online rage.

Cancel culture had not yet taken hold; the pandemic and its pernicious threat to liberty and livelihoods was not on the radar; politics was not locked in a seemingly endless cycle of crisis; Russia had not invaded Ukraine; AI was not threatening to do all of humanity out of a job, while inundating us with DeepFake porn.

Looking back, 2016 feels like a more emotionally safe time, the calm before the storms of the past decade. And it has been a stormy one, a time when so many certainties have fallen away. In a way its been a cultural revolution, and not necessarily a happy one.

Who would have thought in 2016, for example, that a Supreme Court ruling would be necessary to determine what a woman is, or that the country would be led by someone who doesnt know the answer to that question?

Or that sex-selective abortion would become a thing? Or that there would be open support for terror groups like Hamas on the streets of Britain, or that Jews in this country should fear for their lives?

PERHAPS its only natural, given the state of the world, that people should take refuge in the past. Whats so surprising is to see so many young people doing so.

You expect it of the older generation, but when people in their 20s, whose future should be filled with hope and potential, are hankering after the past, you have to ask: why?

Perhaps Im reading too much into it. Perhaps its just a bit of fun and a chance to see if you can still squeeze into those skinny jeans (answer in my case: no). Or perhaps it will remind everyone that the world wasnt always this divided and judgmental  and encourage us all to take things a little less seriously.

Jesss tragedy is why we need family GPs

Jessica Brady, with her mother Angela, died of cancer in 2020 aged just 24

Jessica Brady was a young woman who died of cancer in 2020 aged just 27. Her mother Angela, with Jessica, has championed the introduction of something called Jesss Rule, a new system urging doctors to think again if they are unable to pin down a diagnosis after seeing a patient three times.

Jess was examined by six doctors at her local surgery, but no referral was made. Eventually her family paid for a private consultation, but it was too late. Jess was diagnosed and died a few weeks later.

This protocol is a fantastic idea, but isnt the real problem the demise of the family GP? Time was, you always saw the same doctor, who knew your medical history. Nowadays you never know who you are going to see.

Often the doctor doesnt have time to go through everything, and quite often they make mistakes, not because they are careless but because they are not allowed to treat patients as people, merely a collection of symptoms.

Why is Anne Boleyn, one of historys most unfairly maligned women, being played on Broadway by a trans woman?

Isnt it enough that a man cut off her head  must she now have her entire identity denied too?

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is said to be decluttering ahead of his move to Marsh Farm in Sandringham.

Much has been made of the pokey accommodation, but at least it doesnt have bars for windows.
A new year might mean new viral threats.

Old viruses are constantly evolving.

A warming and increasingly populated planet puts humans in contact with more and different viruses. And increased mobility means that viruses can rapidly travel across the globe along with their human hosts.

Patrick Jackson, an infectious diseases physician and researcher at the University of Virginia, writes he will be keeping an eye on a few viruses in 2026 that could be poised to cause infections in unexpected places or in unexpected numbers.

Influenza A: on the cusp of a pandemic

Pictured above, a hazmat worker cleans a struck in a quarantine zone during a bird flu outbreak in Victoria, Australia, in 2024

Influenza A is a perennial threat. The virus infects a wide range of animals and has the ability to mutate rapidly.

The most recent influenza pandemic, caused by the H1N1 subtype of influenza in 2009, killed over 280,000 people worldwide in its first year, and the virus continues to circulate today. This virus was often called swine flu because it originated in pigs in Mexico before circulating around the world.

Most recently, scientists have been monitoring the highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 subtype, or bird flu. This virus was first found in humans in southern China in 1997; wild birds helped spread the virus around the world.

In 2024, the virus was found for the first time in dairy cattle in the US and subsequently became established in herds in several states. In the current outbreak, 71 cases have been detected in humans and one person has died in the US.

The crossover of the virus from birds to mammals created major concern that it could become adapted to humans, and some studies suggest there have already been many cow-to-human transmissions.

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While almost all patients in the current outbreak had direct contact with infected birds or cattle, a patient in Missouri became the first to be infected without any exposure to these animals in 2024.

In 2026, scientists will continue to look for any evidence that H5N1 has changed enough to be transmitted from human to human, a necessary step for the start of a new influenza pandemic.

The influenza vaccines currently on the market probably dont offer protection from H5N1, but scientists are working to create vaccines that would be effective against the virus.

As for more common variants of the flu, H3N2 subclade K, dubbed 'super flu,' has swept through the US and shown 'very high' activity in 14 states.

The latest CDC data shows 19 percent came back positive during the week of December 27, finally declining after weeks of surges.

The CDC estimates there have been at least 11 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths this season.

Mpox: worldwide and liable to worsen

The above 2024 image shows a patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) infected with Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox

Mpox virus, formerly called monkeypox virus, was first discovered in the 1950s. For many decades, it was seen rarely, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary to its original name, the virus mostly infects rodents and occasionally crossed over into humans.

Mpox is closely related to smallpox, and infection results in a fever and painful rash that can last for weeks. There are several varieties of mpox, including a generally more severe clade I and a milder clade II. A vaccine for mpox is available, but there are no effective treatments.

In 2022, a global outbreak of clade II mpox spread to more than 100 countries that had never seen the virus before. This outbreak was driven by human-to-human transmission of the virus through close contact, often via sex.

While the number of mpox cases has significantly declined since the 2022 outbreak, clade II mpox has become established around the world. Several countries in central Africa have also reported an increase in clade I mpox cases since 2024.

Since August 2025, four clade I mpox cases have occurred in the US, including three people who did not travel to Africa. Clade I has a mortality rate of 10 percent.

Cases of Clade I Mpox in Africa are not closely tracked, but the most recent estimates from the CDC in late 2024 have counted nearly 46,000 suspected cases in the Central and East Africa, namely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and more than 200 deaths.

It is unclear how mpox outbreaks in the US and abroad will continue to evolve in 2026.

Oropouche virus: insect-borne and poised to spread

Pictured above is a biting midge, which carries Oropouche virus (stock image)

Oropouche virus was first identified in the 1950s on the island of Trinidad off the coast of South America. The virus is carried by mosquitoes and small biting midges, also known as no-see-ums.

Most people with the virus experience fever, headache and muscle aches. The illness usually lasts just a few days, but some patients have weakness that can persist for weeks. The illness can also recur after someone has initially recovered.

There are many unanswered questions about the Oropouche virus and the disease it causes, and there are no specific treatments or vaccines. For decades, infections in people were thought to occur only in the Amazon region.

However, beginning in the early 2000s, cases began to show up in a larger area of South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Cases in the US are usually among travelers returning from abroad. About 100 Americans import the disease every year, though exact figures are not closely tracked. During 2024-2025, the US saw 110 human cases, CDC data shows.

The cases were seen in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Colorado and California.

In 2026, Oropouche outbreaks will likely continue to affect travelers in the Americas. The biting midge that carries Oropouche virus is found throughout North and South America, including the southeastern US

The range of the virus could continue to expand.

Even more viral threats

Chikungunya is transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with it

A number of other viruses pose a risk in 2026.

Continuing global outbreaks of chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness, may affect travelers, some of whom may want to consider getting vaccinated for this disease.

Chikungunya is transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with it and causes sudden high fever and severe, often debilitating, joint pain.

Other common symptoms include rash, muscle pain, headache and fatigue.

Measles infected more than 2,000 people in the US last year, the highest number in three decades (stock image)

Measles cases continue to rise in the US and globally against the backdrop of decreasing vaccination rates. In 2025, more than 2,000 cases of measles were recorded in the US, the most in three decades.

Vaccines are up to 97 percent effective against a measles infection, but, among unvaccinated people, nine in 10 of those exposed to the virus become infected.

HIV is also poised for a resurgence, despite the availability of effective treatments, due to disruptions in international aid.

And as-yet-undiscovered viruses can always emerge in the future as humans disrupt ecosystems and travel around the world.

Around the globe, people, animals and the wider environment are dependent on each other. Vigilance for known and emerging viral threats and the development of new vaccines and treatments can help keep everyone safe.

This article is adapted from The Conversation, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge of experts. It was written by Patrick Jackson, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia, and edited by Emily Joshu Sterne, a senior health reporter at Daily Mail.
It's the million pound question: exactly how often, on average, should a couple be having sex to ensure a long-lasting, meaningful relationship.

The figure may seem deeply personaland dependent on a slew of different factors, including age, whether or not a pair have children and whether they live together.

But a world-leading expert says she knows exactly much sex couples should have to keep the relationship alightand the answer may just surprise you.

Professor of human sexuality Dr Nicole McNichols teaches one of the most popular classes at the University of Washington.

The course, titled The Diversity of Human Sexuality, is packed with more than 4,000 students each year, and almost always has a waitlist.

Students are asked to interrogate what makes for a satisfying sex lifeand told to analyse their own as a jumping off point.

Many people, Dr McNichols explains, often assume that a good time in the bedroom is dependent on having a good relationship with your partner more generally.

But actually, she points out, research has found the opposite to be true: the better the sex a couple has, the more likely they are to think of their relationship as satisfying, and the longer they tend to stay together.

Professor of human sexuality Dr Nicole McNichols says she knows exactly how much sex couples should be having to ensure a successful long-term relationship

Examining longitudinal data mapping the relationship trajectories of thousands of couples over time, Dr McNichols found that sexual satisfaction preceded relationship satisfaction in the majority of cases.

'If you look at couples over time who are asked to keep daily diaries of how satisfied they feel in their relationships and what their mental well-being isincluding how happy and satisfied with life they feel overall, and how satisfying their sex life is what you see is that when an uptick in sexual satisfaction occurs, the joy and satisfaction in the relationship follows,' she explained on the New York Times' Modern Love podcast.

'So its a pathway in that people dont really appreciate enough, I dont think.'

Luckily for busy couples, Dr McNichols says, that doesn't mean you need to be having sex all the time.

In fact, the data shows there is a sweet spot for how often a couple needs to get intimate. And it's less than you might expect: just once a week.

If couples want to have sex more than that, that's fantastic for them, says Dr McNicholsbut it won't necessarily make their relationship stronger.

'When we look at the benefit of sex to relationship well-being, it doesnt increase after about once a week,' she explained.

'That's not an astronomical amount of time.'

And it's not just frequency that Dr McNichols says is important to consider.

Couples with the strongest relationships, research shows, also introduce something new to their sex lives roughly once a month.

'It does not need to mean that youre going to a sex shop and buying a bunch of leather and buying a nurse outfit,' said Dr McNichols.

'Thats fantastic if you want to try that. But it can be as subtle as instead of missionary, lifted missionary.

How often people are having sex Gen Z: 3 times/month Millennials: 5 times/month Gen X: 5 times/month Boomers: 3 times/month Advertisement

'You can either put a pillow underneath the womans hips or her legs around her partners neck, which is going to elevate the pelvis into an angle that is going to be more pleasurable and more likely to lead to orgasm for her, increasing surface area of the places that feel the best for her.

'It could be having sex in a different room, having sex while youre on vacation, having sex at a different time of day than you normally do, having sex, that is, with all the lights on, having sex with the lights off.

'It really is about owning your own particular brand of what makes you come to a sexual situation feeling empowered to show up, assert your own needs, communicate, and have a mutually pleasurable experience.

'And its really about taking ownership, taking that responsibility into your own hands and knowing that you have the power to do it.'

Recent research seems to confirm Dr McNichols's theory.

Scientists from the University of Manchester found that 85 per cent of women who had sex once a week described themselves as 'sexually satisfied', according to a 2025 study of nearly 500 heterosexual women.

In contrast, only 66 per cent of wives and girlfriends who had sex once a month reported the same level of relationship bliss.

And the figure fell to 17 per cent among those women who had intercourse less than this.

The data showed that satisfaction was also higher for women who reported more regular orgasms and rated sex as an important part of their life.

In the UK, many couples have more work to do, it seems.

YouGov figures reveal that six in 10 Britons have sex less often than once a week.

One in 10 claim to have sex weekly, and 15 per cent claim to be sexually intimate more often.

Regular sex doesn't just boost your mood, multiple studies have concluded that it is great for our overall health, and can even potentially help us live longer.
Theres no safe amount of alcohol you can drink before driving. Thats long been the message from the Government and road safety charities. As one famous ad campaign from the early 1980s succinctly put it: Fancy a jar? Forget the car.

But, until now, thats not what the law has said. And the UKs drink-driving limit is far more lenient than most other European nations. In fact, our current limit  80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood  is 60 per cent higher than that of France, Ireland and Spain.

As its long been popularly understood, this means most people can get away with two drinks before getting behind the wheel.

Now thats set to change. Earlier this month, ministers announced that the limit will be cut to 50mg, in line with most of Europe.

Experts say that the effects of alcohol vary wildly depending on age, size, gender and even how much that person has eaten. This means that, under the new guidelines, many people could have a drink  even two  and still be legally allowed to drive, while others could be risking arrest after one glass of wine.

It begs the question: Is there a way to accurately predict who can safely get away with a drink before driving?

To answer this, The Mail on Sunday recruited ten colleagues, of varying sizes and ages, to see how two drinks  either a medium 175ml glass of standard strength white wine or two pints of medium strength lager  would affect their blood-alcohol level.

Our experiment  while light-hearted  also has a serious purpose.

Ethan Ennals - Health Editor, Mail on Sunday

Drinks consumed: Three pints Readings: Over the limit after three First attempt: 10mg Second attempt : 30mg Third attempt : 60mg Ethan, 29, 5ft 9in and 11st 8lb, remained under the new limit after two drinks, consistent with expectations for a younger, averagesized man. His goal of reaching 50mg was achieved after three pints. Advertisement

The Government argues the change to the drink-driving limit will save lives, citing figures that show 16 per cent of road deaths  about 260 people  every year involve drink-driving. However, critics point out that, in Scotland, where the limit has been 50mg since 2014, there has been no noticeable reduction in road accidents and deaths.

Others argue that the new law could put hundreds of village pubs  which rely on customers who drive  out of business.

Our results were startling. While some participants would be legally allowed to drive after two drinks under the new limits, some were over the current, more liberal, limits, after just one.

We also found a clear pattern. The older the participants were  particularly women  the more likely they were to fail the breathalyser test after just one glass of wine or one pint of beer. Women of all ages were also significantly at an increased risk of being over the limit after one drink than men.

The older you are, the more susceptible you are to the effects of alcohol, says Professor Adam Taylor, an anatomy expert at Lancaster University. As you reach your 60s, your bodys ability to handle booze gets worse.

Under these new limits, theres going to be a lot of older people who could find themselves above the legal limit after just one drink.

So how at-risk of drink-driving are you? And is there anything you can do to boost your tolerance?

First, its important to explain how alcohol affects the body.

When it is consumed, it quickly enters the bloodstream via the stomach lining. As it circulates through the body, a proportion of it reaches the brain, where it blocks certain chemical signals, eventually leading to intoxication.

At the same time, alcohol filters through the liver  the organ that removes toxins and waste. How long it takes the liver to filter out booze plays a big part in influencing how drunk people will get.

Quentin Letts  Sketch Writer, Daily Mail

Drinks consumed: Two pints of lager Readings: Over the limit First attempt: 30mg Second attempt: 90mg Quentin, 62, 5ft 10in and 13st 3lb, believed he could drive after two pints. However, he blew a score of 90 after his second drink, which is above both the current and incoming limit Advertisement

Zoe Hardy  Health Reporter, Daily Mail

Drinks consumed: Two medium glasses of white wine Readings: Over the limit First attempt: 60mg Second attempt: 100mg Zoe, aged 25, 4ft 11in and 7st 5lb, was over the new limit after just one glass and far above the current one after two. She reported feeling tipsy even after the first drink and said she would not have felt confident driving. Advertisement

Research shows that, for most people, it takes the body about an hour to rid itself of one unit of alcohol  roughly half a pint of lager or a small glass of wine. For others, often those with underlying medical issues or on certain medicines, this can take longer, so they might feel more intoxicated.

Consuming food before drinking, studies show, can also impact levels of intoxication because a full stomach can slow the rate at which alcohol enters the blood.

However, experts say that, perhaps surprisingly, the most important factor in predicting drunkenness is how much water someone contains in their body.

This is because, according to Prof Taylor, the more water there is in the body, the more diluted the alcohol in the bloodstream becomes, meaning less makes it to the brain.

Alcohol doesnt just go to the brain and liver, it goes everywhere in the body, like the limbs, says Prof Taylor. And if you have high water levels in these areas, the alcohol will be more evenly distributed and less concentrated in the brain.

Crucially, Prof Taylor says water levels in the body are not primarily defined by how much of the liquid we consume, but by the amount of muscle in the body.

Muscles are really effective at holding water, much more so than fat, says Prof Taylor. So the less muscle tissue you have, the higher your blood-alcohol score will be.

Older people are more susceptible to alcohol because, in later life, we lose muscle mass.

And women have, on average, less muscle mass than men, meaning they arent able to consume as much alcohol.

For this reason, boosting muscle mass, through strength-training, like weights or resistance bands, could increase alcohol tolerance and potentially lower a blood-alcohol score on a breathalyser.

Ian Rondeau  Production Editor, The Mail on Sunday

Drinks consumed: Two pints of lager Readings: Under the limit First attempt: 20mg Second attempt: 30mg Ian, 57, 6ft 2in and 12st 7lb, also remained under the new 50mg limit after both drinks. Even so, he personally felt that driving would be unsafe. He was surprised by the results, noting he has always believed two pints was too risky. Advertisement

Rhodri Morgan  Data Journalist, Daily Mail

Drinks consumed: Two pints of lager Readings: Under the limit First attempt: 10mg Second attempt: 30mg Rhodri, 32, 6ft 1in and 13st 3lb, received a score of only 10 after his first pint. After his second, his blood-alcohol level was 30, meaning he would legally be allowed to drive under the incoming limits. However, he believed that after his second drink, he was too intoxicated to drive. Advertisement

All of this science was reflected in our experiment, held over several days last week.

Our ten participants  an equal split of men and women  ranged in age from 25 to 62, heights 4ft 11in to 6ft 2in, and weights 7st 5lb to 16st 5lb. Keen to contribute to science, I volunteered myself.

Subjects were asked to choose between two pints of lager or two glasses of white wine, which contain roughly the same amount of alcohol  four units.

They were asked to consume one drink, wait half an hour, and then blow into a breathalyser, which calculates blood-alcohol scores based on the amount of booze in the breath.

Once their score was recorded, they consumed their second drink, waited another half hour and then had another breathalyser test.

Daily Mail health reporter Zoe Hardy, 25, is 4ft 11in and weighs 7st 5lb. After just one medium glass of white wine, Zoe was over the new drink-driving limit with a score of 60.

After her second, she scored 100  twice the new limit and well over the current ceiling of 80.

Zoe said: I definitely felt tipsy after the first glass and wouldnt have felt confident getting behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, freelance journalist Jane Druker, 59, 5ft 3in and 8st 3lb, fared even worse. After her first glass of white wine, Jane blew a score of 80  meaning she would have risked arrest under the current drink-driving laws.

Jane Druker - Freelance journalist

Drinks consumed: Two glasses of wine Readings: Over the limit First attempt: 80mg Second attempt: 130mg After her first glass of white wine, Jane, 59, 5ft 3in and 8st 3lb, blew a score of 80  meaning she would have risked arrest under the current drink-driving laws. Advertisement

Her second glass raised this score to an astonishing 130  way over the new limit.

Jane said: I was shocked by my readings. I didnt feel even slightly drunk after the first, though by the second I was noticeably under the influence and wouldnt have driven at that point.

Tall men performed better on the breathalyser test.

Data journalist Rhodri Morgan, 32, 6ft 1in and 13st 3lb, received a score of only 10 after his first pint. After his second, Rhodris blood-alcohol level was 30, meaning he would legally be allowed to drive under the incoming limits.

Similarly, The Mail on Sundays production editor Ian Rondeau, 57, 6ft 2in and 12st 7lb, scored 20 on his first blow of the breathalyser and 30 on his second  meaning he would also be allowed to drive under the new law.

Both Rhodri and Ian believed, after their second drink, that they were too intoxicated to drive.

Ian, in particular, was surprised by his results. He said: Ive always believed the unofficial advice that driving after two pints is decidedly risky.

Im not a prolific drinker, anyway. These days I tend to limit myself to a couple of glasses of wine or beer two days a week, and even when I was younger my friends would often tease me for being a lightweight.

One participant who did believe he could drive after two pints was Daily Mail sketch writer Quentin Letts, 62, 5ft 10in and 13st 3lb. He blew a score of 90 after his second drink  above both the current and incoming limit.

After the second pint I felt a slight relaxation of the mind, said Quentin. I think I would have been OK behind the wheel. I normally reckon I can drive on two pints, though I usually drink bitter, which is generally weaker than lager.

Perhaps the most interesting reading, however, was that of freelance journalist Karen Constable, aged 64, 5ft 7in and 11st 5lb.

Xantha Leatham  Executive Science Editor, Daily Mail

Drinks consumed: Two glasses of wine Readings: Over the limit First attempt: 20mg Second attempt: 50mg Xantha, 33, 5ft 6in and 10st 7lb, was shown to be over the drinkdrive limit after two glasses of wine, the equivalent of four units. Advertisement

Paul Burke  Agency Growth Lead, Mail Metro Media

Drinks consumed: Two pints of beer Readings: Over the limit First attempt: 30mg Second attempt: 70mg Paul, 48, 5ft 8in and 16st 5lb, was over the drinkdrive limit after two pints of lager  highlighting the variability of alcohols impact. Advertisement

Jo Macfarlane  Health Writer

Drinks consumed: Two glasses of wine Readings: Over the limit First drink: 30mg Second drink: 90mg Jo, 46, 5ft 4in and 9st 9lb, was over the limit after her second glass of wine. Her performance reinforces the general observation that wine drinkers, especially women, crossed the threshold more rapidly. Advertisement

Her scores  10 after the first drink and 30 after the second drink  initially confused experts. This is because, as a woman in her 60s, Karens tolerance to alcohol should, according to research, be lower than anyone else involved in the experiment.

However, the reason quickly became clear  unlike the other participants, who had consumed their drinks on empty stomachs, Karen had hers straight after dinner.

When she repeated the experiment a day later, this time on an empty stomach, her score was markedly higher  90 after the second drink and well above the new limit.

Food soaks up alcohol and slows the rate at which it enters the bloodstream, says Prof Taylor. So eating right before drinking might mean you feel less drunk and get a lower breathalyser score.

However, I wouldnt rely on food to get round the test. The alcohol will eventually get into the blood, it will just happen at a slower rate. Your score might be lower but you might remain drunker for longer.

As for myself, I was pleased to find that, after two drinks, my score was 30  meaning I would still legally be allowed to drive.

However, this is hardly surprising. As a 29-year-old man of average height and weight  5ft 9in and 11st 8lb  I should be able respond to alcohol better than most others involved in the experiment.

So I decided to see just how many drinks I could consume before I was above the legal limit. I went to the pub nearest the office and ran the experiment again  but this time with the intention of stopping only once I reached a score of 50.

The answer, I quickly found, was three pints, after which my score was 60. By this point, I felt noticeably drunk. Yet, significantly, under the existing law, I would still have been allowed to drive.

And as I left the pub, I had to make a decision about how I was going to get to a dinner with friends in central London.

Usually my transport of choice would one of the many rental Lime electric bikes that clutter the streets of the capital. However, in my somewhat inebriated state, I decided that would be an irresponsible decision that could endanger myself and others, so I jumped on the Tube instead.

To me, it seems mad that I would still legally have been allowed to get behind the wheel of a car in this state.

Perhaps the simplest solution, instead of relying on a test that estimates minuscule changes of alcohol in the blood, is to use your own judgment.
Foreign tourists on a beach in Mui Ne in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Quoc

Several Asian nations implemented major visa policy changes last year, with China, Malaysia and Vietnam already seeing positive results.

Vietnam

Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025 with 21.2 million, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest ever, according to General Statistics Office.

In 2019, the year before the onset of the Covid pandemic, Vietnam received 18 million foreign visitors, the highest number until then.

Tourism industry insiders attributed Vietnam's strong performance to sweeping visa reforms.

In March the government decided to extend visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens of 12 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

In August it waived visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days for citizens of 12 more countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

This expanded the unilateral visa waiver list to 24 countries and the total number including bilateral waivers to 39.

Last week the government added 41 more international border gates where foreigners can use e-visas for entry and exit, bringing the total number of such entry points to 83.

China

According to data from China's National Immigration Administration, authorities inspected 20.1 million foreign arrivals in the third quarter of 2025, a 22.3% increase year-on-year.

Of them, nearly 7.25 million came through the country's special visa-free programs, up 48.3%.

On Nov. 10 China extended its visa-free entry for 45 countries, many in Europe, South America and the Gulf region besides Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, until the end of 2026.

The waivers were scheduled to expire at the end of this year.

Visitors from eligible countries can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 30 days without a visa.

Malaysia

In May Malaysia announced that its visa exemption for Chinese travelers would be extended for another five years, with the option to extend it for an additional five years.

The waiver was first rolled out in December 2023 and has extended until 2026.

As of November last year, Malaysia received 38.3 million tourists, making it the most visited country in Southeast Asia.

For the whole 2024, Malaysia received 38 million visitor arrivals in 2024, including 13 million excursionists.

In 2024 Malaysia received 3.29 million tourists from China, the third highest after Singapore and Indonesia.

The Philippines

In April Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved a digital nomad visa allowing foreign remote workers to stay in the country for up to a year with the option to renew for another year.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, prove sufficient income generated outside the Philippines, have no criminal record, and have health insurance.

One month later the Philippines introduced a 14-day visa-free entry policy for Indian tourists to boost tourism amid declines from major source markets such as South Korea.

Last November the Filipino government resumed its e-visa program for Chinese nationals after nearly two years of suspension.

The Philippines welcomed 5.6 million foreign visitors in 2025, nearly equal to the figure it logged in 2024,

South Korea

In September South Korea began offering visa-free entry for Chinese tourist groups, a measure it hopes will boost the economy and help improve ties with its Asian neighbor.

As part of the pilot program due to run until next June, groups of three or more tourists from mainland China will be able to visit South Korea without a visa for 15 days.

According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, 4.7 million Chinese tourists visited Korea between January and October last year, exceeding the number of visitors in the whole of the previous year.

Indonesia

In July Indonesia made entry visa-free for Brazilian and Turkish passport holders.

It permits a stay of up to 30 days, which cannot be extended or converted into another type of residence permit, and can only be used for tourism, business meetings or medical treatment.

Indonesia was estimated to receive 15.3 million foreign arrivals for the whole year of 2025, marking a 10% year-on-year increase.
A woman who has lived to 101 has revealed her surprisingly laid-back secrets behind her long life.

Jiang Yueqin, a mother-of-seven from Wenzhou City in eastern China, still has a full set of teeth and says she enjoys nothing more than snacking on treats while watching 'trashy' television into the early hours.

Despite her age, Jiang sticks to a relaxed daily routine. She eats just two square meals a day, but isn't shy about indulging in late-night snacks if she feels hungry.

The centenarian often stays up until as late as 2am and usually doesn't wake until around 10am. Once up, she enjoys a cup of fragrant green tea before getting dressed and starting her day.

Living south of Shanghai, Ms Yueqin typically eats her first meal at brunch, followed by dinner at around 6pm, proving that longevity doesn't always require a strict lifestyle or rigid routine.

Her daughter Yao Songping said: 'My mum is just like a teenager, a total night owl!

'She always stays up until the early hours of the morning and then wakes up naturally at around 10am.

The mother-of-seven eats two square meals a day and snacks at night if she's still hungry

Ms Yueqin, who lives in Wenzhou City located south of Shanghai, China, will eat her first meal at brunch and her second meal around 6pm

'She combines breakfast and lunch and eats her second meal around 6pm.

'If she's hungry at night, she'll snack on crisps and cookies.

'But don't let her late nights fool you, her sleep quality is excellent.

'She falls asleep within seconds of lying down.'

She added: 'My mum's late-night habits started a few years ago and there's a reason for it.'

Yao said her mother used to be very active, keeping the house clean and tidy, entertaining visitors, and enjoying long walks.

But she suffered a fall and badly injured her hand and since then her family does more to help her out.

With her days free of tasks, she started to sleep more and soon found it hard to go to bed early at night.

Ms Yueqin's husband Yao passed away many years ago. They lived on the same street for decades where they became known as 'the most romantic couple in the neighbourhood'

Ms Yueqin still has her full set of teeth and enjoys nothing more than snacking on junk food while watching late-night trash TV

She then got into the habit of watching TV and, over time, her new sleep pattern formed.

Ms Yueqin also has a healthy appetite and said her favourite food is water chestnut cake.

Her husband Yao passed away many years ago, but locals still talk about him.

They lived on the same street for many years and they became known as 'the most romantic couple in the neighbourhood'.

Yao said: 'My mother is illiterate and can't read a single character, my father could read and was my mother's personal translator when they were young.

'When they were dating, the first thing my father would do after getting his wages was buy cinema tickets and take her hand as they entered the screening room.

'If my mother couldn't understand the plot, he would whisper in her ear and explain.

'And when there were funny scenes, he would imitate the characters' voices and gestures to make her laugh.'

She has visited over 20 cities in total, fulfilling her travel dream

According to Yao, her elderly mother still reminisces about her trips around China with her husband.

She said: 'When they were in their forties, they went to Huangshan together.

'Whenever she talks about this trip, she always sighs and says 'the mountain was so tall, and the scenery was so beautiful, just like in a painting.'

Despite being widowed and 101 years of age, Ms Yueqin still likes to travel with her children and grandkids.

In the past two years, Jiang has travelled to Dongtou, Yongjia, Jinhua, Suzhou and other places.

She has visited over 20 cities in total, fulfilling her travel dreams.

Yao summarised: 'My mother has spent her whole life taking care of others and rarely thinking about herself.

'Eating well, sleeping well, and drinking a cup of green tea every day are all small things.

'Most importantly, she has a good mindset.

'She doesn't get angry or take things too seriously, she doesn't hold grudges.

'You could say she lives a very enlightened life.'

Elsewhere, Newbury Grove, a residential home operated by Care UK, housed four centenarians as of March last year.

One resident, Barbra Evans, 103, who passed away last September, said: 'the secret to living to 100 is to be yourself, don't be someone that you're not, and always tell the truth.'

Phyllis Inglut, a Newbury resident who passed away last week at the age of 106, said last year that the secret to a long life is acknowledging that nothing really lasts forever.
If Theodor Meron had arrived back at his cramped dwelling in the Jewish ghetto in southern Poland just a few minutes earlier in June 1943, he would have been executed along with his mother and maternal grandparents. The Nazis had raided the ghetto and found secret tunnels being dug outwards from the edge. Instant reprisals followed. All occupants of the border houses were taken out of town and shot.

The next day, the entire Jewish population was gathered for selection. The majority were loaded onto trucks to be executed. It was a second piece of luck that Theodor was deemed old enough to work (he was 13). He was sent to a German labour camp for the rest of the war, forced to make ammunition for the German war effort.

Theodor Meron: President of the War Crimes tribunal

Little did the Nazis know that this boy whom they permitted to live to be a slave labourer would grow up to become an eminent international lawyer, driven by a lifelong desire to make it impossible for such atrocities to happen again, and for individuals who commit and oversee war crimes to be held to account, while being given the full fairness and protection of the law.

Meron lost his mother and all four grandparents in the Holocaust. His paternal grandparents were murdered at Treblinka. He opens his thought-provoking memoir by respectfully disagreeing with another Holocaust survivor, Irene Shashar, who said in a speech at the UN in 2020 that Hitler did not win, because despite his best efforts, shed survived. Did Hitler really not win  at least in part? Meron asks. To kill one-third of a people and destroy for ever whole communities, traditions and cultures was, alas, not a failure. The fact that hatred, bigotry and antisemitism could lead to an efficient technological, scientifically informed bureaucratically run death machine boggles the mind, somehow, he writes.

Determined to catch up on six wartime years of lost education, he went to high school in what was then Palestine, swotted hard, and got into Harvard Law School. His career took off: he went from legal adviser to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, to Israeli ambassador to Canada, to professor of international law at New York University School of Law, to Department of State counsellor on international law in Washington DC, to (in 2001) UN war crimes judge, to (twice) president of International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and finally (aged 92 in 2022) to special adviser of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on international humanitarian law.

Clear-eyed and scrupulously legally minded, he honed his brain to define and judge international war crimes. Sadly for the Middle East, his first-ever legal opinion was not heeded. As a young legal adviser in 1967, he was asked to submit top-secret Palestine opinions to the Israeli government, on the ethics of settling in occupied territory. His legal opinion was that the establishment of civilian settlements in occupied territory contravened the Geneva Convention, as well as the property rights of Arab inhabitants.

Treblinka where Meron's paternal grandparents were murdered

That was a deeply unpopular opinion in Israel. Far from heeding his opinion, the Israeli government chose to go another route, and a wave of settlements followed. The rest is history.

Human rights became his professional remit at NYU. What could be better? he asks. Human rights concerns the protection of individuals by and from their own authorities or governments  exactly what had been lacking in Poland during the Second World War. For four decades, he didnt want to hear of Poland or talk of his wartime experiences. But in 1986 he visited the country to give a lecture, and the catharsis of returning began to exorcise from me the ghosts and nightmares of the past.

Whats it like to be a judge at the International Criminal Court? You must be above the fray, Meron writes. Judges cannot cave in to pressure, nor be swayed by public sentiment or criticism. He would receive opprobrium in the global press in 2012, when he led an appeals panel that acquitted the Croatian General Gotovina whod been convicted of shelling Serb-inhabited towns.

The criticism really hurt, but he knew he must sit it out. The judge must ensure that the protections offered by the law are respected, equally for the victims and the alleged perpetrators. International courts, he writes, avoid the two dangers of trying alleged war criminals in their own countries: excessive leniency on the one hand, and excessive vendetta-driven vengeance on the other.

A Thousand Miracles is available now from the Mail Bookshop

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia put pressure on Serbia to deliver up the Bosnian Serbs Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic to be tried for war crimes. Both were convicted. But Meron stresses that the ICT deserves credit for prosecuting crimes committed on all sides. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, too, he writes, most crimes appear to have been committed by the Russians, but some may have been committed by Ukrainians as well. The ICT is compelled to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by all or any parties. The same in the Middle East: the ICC prosecutor issued arrest warrants against leaders of Hamas for crimes committed on October 7, 2023, and against two members of the Israeli cabinet for crimes committed in Gaza.

Meron and his tribunals established some important new legal principles. One is that genocide can be committed even in a small area or region, so what happened in Srebrenica in 1995 (the massacre in a single town of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims) should be called genocide. Another is that public incitement to commit genocide is an offence, punishable even if no actual act of genocide has resulted. This new category of genocide was needed in the case of the Bosnian Serb military commander General Zdravko Tolomir: the deliberate infliction on a protected group of measures calculated to bring about its physical destruction, such as threats of death and knowledge of impending death.

Meron was reminded of the thousands who died of hunger and typhus in the Warsaw Ghetto. Under the Tolomir ruling, he writes, I would have been a victim of genocide even if no member of my family had been killed.

Case by case, a structure of international justice is being built up. Former US secretary of state Anthony Blinken wrote Meron a grateful letter in 2021, thanking him for implementing tools to ensure that, as Auschwitz survivor Elie Wiesel wrote, Never again becomes more than a slogan.
Whatever your favourite coffee shop order is - be it a simple espresso hit or a dressed-up seasonal latte, if you're buying from a major high street chain, you can assume it'll generally taste the same wherever in the UK you're drinking it.

The price though, is a very different matter, with almost all of the most popular brands - from Starbucks and Costa to Gail's and Caffe Nero - adjusting how much they charge according to the location the drink is being served in.

Two people with the same Starbucks coffee habit in different parts of the UK, for example, could find themselves paying up to 80 pence more or less for identical drinks - with even seemingly minor price additions soon adding up.

For example, a flat white from the Seattle-born brand bought at a branch in Truro, Cornwall, currently costs 3.75. Some 430 miles across the country in Hartlepool, the same drink is priced at 3.95. Over the course of a month, a consumer in the north-east will pay 2.70 more a month if they order three times a week, or 28.80 over the course of a year.

Buying in London's Oxford Street, where the same Starbucks flat white costs 4.30? That'll be 7.80 more a month, or 93.60 a year on what your coffee-drinking peer in Cornwall is spending.

Generally, coffee bean prices soared globally last year as bad weather in major growing regions such as Brazil and Vietnam disrupted harvests.

The UK coffee industry is expected to be worth 7 billion by 2030... but the price of your favourite order can vary across the country, and the pennies can add up if you're a regular coffee drinker

Meanwhile, the general rule of coffee costing more the closer you are to a major UK city doesn't quite ring true in the way it once did.

Other factors such as drive-thrus and franchises - located everywhere from hospitals and service stations to supermarkets and airports - have altered the coffee pricing landscape.

British entrepreneur Scott Martin, who owns Unity Coffee, and co-founded Coffee Nation and Costa Express, tells the Daily Mail that a Starbucks franchise - around 70 per cent of the US coffee giant's UK outlets are franchises - in a rural town might now charge more than an artisan coffee shop in East London.

Why? Because the major brand has to account for 'a layer of pricing to cover central overheads and shareholder expectations'.

He adds: 'There's an element of "what price can you get" too - if you're in a tourist city with a transient customer, rightly or wrongly, brands will apply an element of supply and demand.'

Martin adds that the idea of a simple coffee breaking the 5 barrier, as many have predicted, may actually not happen anytime soon - because consumers will kick back in a saturated market.

'Yes, the price of green beans has gone up, and there are lots of headwinds in it, but I don't think any of that can really justify some of the prices that we're paying for our coffee. It doesn't make any economic sense.'

'There's definitely downward pressure', he adds, suggesting that consumers are more tuned into loyalty than ever.

Join the debate Are YOU paying a postcode premium for your daily coffee?

Factors such as whether a coffee shop brand has a high number of franchises - such as Starbucks - can have a big influence on the price of the coffee you're served

'The price of coffee in central London, for example, is becoming heavily regulated because there's so much competition. An artisanal coffee shop is way more conscious of winning the loyalty of the customer than the big companies.'

How does the price of a flat white vary across the country? We checked out prices at the time of writing at major coffee shop chains in the UK...

GAIL'S

UK PRICE VARIATION: 40 pence

A Gail's flat white costs 4 in Manchester, Bath, Winsdor and London - but only 3.80 in Macclesfield and Reading

Perhaps the UK's most divisive coffee shop, Gail's has become a bellwether on upmarket neighbourhoods and even an influencer of house prices in recent years.

The London-born brand, which started as a single store in Hampstead, has enjoyed a prolific expansion across the capital and beyond, with 180 stores nationwide.

Depending where you are in the country, a flat white made by one of the brand's baristas can come with a 40 pence variation.

Purchase one in branches in Bath, Windsor or London, for example, and you'll pay 4 for the pleasure. Ditto in Manchester.

Meanwhile in branches in urban locations that might be considered a little more down-to-earth, such as Macclesfield and Reading, the price tumbles to 3.80 per cup.

And at the shiny new one at Gatwick Airport a flat white costs 4.20.

BLACK SHEEP COFFEE

UK PRICE VARIATION: 20 pence

Northern branches of London-founded Black Sheep Coffee appear to currently charge 20 pence less than branches in England's south, with a flat white in Liverpool, York and Chester costing 3.89, while the same drink in Oxford, High Wycombe and Colchester costs 4.09

Black Sheep Coffee - still owned by its co-founders, Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth - has grown hugely since it was first set up as a Camden Market stall by the two university friends in 2013.

This was the one coffee chain we looked at that did appear to follow a north/south pricing model.

A flat white on Lion Walk in Colchester, in Oxford city centre or High Wycombe all had a 4.09 price tag, while more northerly locations were sub the 4 mark.

You'll pay 3.89 in Liverpool, York and Chester. Interestingly, there was no major mark-up at the two branches at Gatwick Airport's North and South Terminals, which opened in 2023 and 2024, where a Black Sheep Coffee currently costs 4.09.

GREGGS

UK PRICE VARIATION: 20 pence

Same drink, same price: You'll pay exactly the same in London as you will in Glasgow or Cardiff - 2.25 for a flat white

Yes, Greggs conjures up images of pastry - sausage rolls, steak bakes and glazed doughnuts, before it does coffee but dismiss this high street bakery goliath at your peril.

The blue-and-orange bakery has upped its game when it comes to freshly brewed drinks, with everything from cappuccinos to seasonal lattes on offer.

Crucially too, the brand undercuts every major coffee shop brand on the high street on price - and doesn't charge more depending on where you are.

A flat white bought on St Peter's Avenue in Cleethorpes, for example, costs exactly the same as it does if you're in the leafy environs of Richmond in South West London - 2.25. It's also 2.25 in Paisley in Glasgow, and Caroline Street in Cardiff.

There's just one exception to Greggs price strategy - it has a mark up of 55 pence if you're buying said flat white at an airport. Those jetting off from Birmingham will pay 2.95, for example.

STARBUCKS

UK PRICE VARIATION: 80 pence

The franchise factor makes Starbucks the chain with the biggest variation on price: The Daily Mail found an 80 pence difference between a 3.75 flat white in Truro, Cornwall and the same drink at Gatwick Airport, which costs 4.55

The Seattle-born coffee giant has 32,000 stores in 80 countries, and more than 1,400 branches in the UK.

Because of the heavy franchise element - around 70 per cent of stores in the UK are franchises - the chain's prices vary considerably.

A flat white in the heart of London's shopping district, in the Oxford Street branch costs 4.30.

It's not the most expensive Starbucks flat white you'll find though, with an identical drink at the departure lounge outlets at Gatwick Airport chiming through the tills at 4.55.

In Truro, Cornwall, you'll pay a more modest 3.75 for the same drink, 3.85 at the Westwood Cross shopping complex in Broadstairs, Kent and 3.95 at a Hartlepool branch.

Picking up a coffee while supermarket shopping can bump up the price, a Starbucks coffee at an Asda in Lancaster comes in at 4.00.

Want it without getting out of your car? Expect to pay more; a drive-thru flat white in Ipswich costs 4.10.

CAFFE NERO

UK PRICE VARIATION: 15 pence

3.95 is the standard price for a flat white in the UK at Caffe Nero - although a branch in affluent Harrow-on-the-Hill costs 15 pence more

Describing itself as Europe's Leading Independent Coffee House Brand, Caffe Nero has around 800 UK stores and none of them are franchised.

The price difference around the country is fairly minimal, with the most expensive flat white the Daily Mail could find being sold in leafy Harrow-on-the-Hill in London's North West.

A drink here, at 4.10, cost more than it did at the Trafalgar Square branch in the city's tourist quarter (4.05).

Out of London and around the country, prices were the same across the board in standard branches - for example, you'll pay 3.95 in Bradford (West Yorks), Tunbridge Wells (Kent), Nottingham city centre (Nottinghamshire) and Wilmslow (Cheshire).

COSTA COFFEE

UK PRICE VARIATION: 14 pence

The UK's biggest coffee chain has more than 2,700 branches, with 3.99 the most expensive coffee we found - at London's Charing Cross - and 3.85 the cheapest

Founded in London in 1971 by brothers Bruno and Sergio Costa, Costa Coffee has left other major brands in its wake in recent decades.

There's 2,700 shops plus more than 14,000 Costa Express self-serve machines in supermarkets and petrol stations across the country.

Despite following a franchise model, the price sway between branches was among the most minimal of any chain we looked at.

A flat white at Charing Cross station was the priciest at 3.99, while the cheapest we found were in Grimsby, Southend and Cannock, where you'll pay 3.85.

Elsewhere? A coffee in Blackpool came in at 3.90, while branches in Poole, Harrogate, Darlington, Dover and Henley-on-Thames served it up for 3.95.

MCDONALD'S

UK PRICE VARIATION: ZERO

1.99 wherever you are: McDonald's offers the cheapest big chain flat white on the high street

Coffee expert Scott Martin says the burger chain's bid to enjoy a chunk of the UK's lucrative coffee market - since it first introduced flat whites to the menu in 2018 - hasn't been a huge success.

'There's never been a big success with discounting. You can buy a coffee for 2 at McDonald's but it's never become a big coffee player.'

A McCafe flat white, whether you're in Eastbourne, Newcastle, Swansea or Kensington costs just 1.99. Airports? Ditto.
When Alyssabeth Myers, 26, moved to a new neighborhood an hour away from her hometown in Fort Worth, Texas, her biggest goal was to find a like-minded community filled with fellow moms.

What she didn't expect was to be shut out and abandoned by the only friends she had, especially when her family was battling a health crisis.

'It transported me back to middle school, where I was friends with some of the popular girls but I wasn't quite cool enough to be in the group,' she exclusively told the Daily Mail.

To her, it seemed Ashley Tisdale wasn't the only one claiming to deal with 'toxic' mommy drama.

The High School Musical star, 40, recently exposed what she claimed was the mean girl behaviors of her ex-mom friends  rumored to include Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor  in a viral essay for The Cut.

Tisdale claimed she was left out of plans and 'frozen out' of the group, until one day she decided to leave their 'high school' drama behind.

Myers, who shares two children with her husband Devin, said she felt shocked after learning that a celebrity had dealt with similar mommy group drama that she experienced last year.

Indeed, it is a phenomenon that many women have encountered before.

Alyssabeth Myers, 26, was pregnant when she moved to a new town with her husband, eager to find a like-minded community filled with fellow moms

Ashley Tisdale, 40, went viral when she shared an essay in The Cut about breaking up with her 'toxic' mommy group that's rumored to include Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor (right) once posted a photo on Instagram sharing her A-list 'mom friends' that also included Tisdale (left) and Hilary Duff (center right)

Perhaps that's why Tisdale's essay nearly broke the internet, said Dr Noelle Santorelli, a clinical psychologist who specializes in relational aggression.

'It is such a widely felt experience that women don't know how to name because one, they can't put their finger on it because a lot of the behaviors are so subtle and so covert, and two, there's a lot of embarrassment and shame around it,' she told the Daily Mail.

Of course, it's important to note that not all mom groups are breeding grounds for cliquey, mean girl dynamics. Often these mom-filled text chains are ways to offer advice and provide support for new parents navigating the inevitable challenges of raising a human child.

So then, how is it that these mom groups  which were formed with only positive intentions  can turn so toxic?

For Myers, who was pregnant with her now three-year-old daughter at the time, moving to a new city with her husband where she 'didn't know anybody' felt like a major change.

After her daughter was born, she became a stay-at-home mom and decided to join a local organization that plans walking meet-ups for moms.

There, she met two women who would soon feel 'like family' to her.

'We were together all the time, those are the people I went to about everything. I would say we were pretty much best friends even in the short amount of time that we knew each other,' Myers said.

Myers became a stay-at-home mom after her daughter was born and decided to join a local organization to make fellow mom friends; pictured with her husband Devin Myers

She told the Daily Mail she found friends who felt 'like family' to her, but soon began to feel like her efforts to make plans weren't reciprocated

Much like Tisdale, she began to feel like her efforts to make plans with her two mom friends weren't reciprocated.

'I was always the one reaching out or sending the invitation on my end, but then they would hang out together or make social media content,' she said.

'It kind of put me in this place of, 'Well, maybe they're meant to be friends and I'm just the oddball out.'

Feeling left out or purposefully excluded by a group isn't uncommon, said Dr Santorelli  especially when that group starts to exhibit behaviors that feel less like one built on friendship and more like a high school clique.

'In some mom groups, when a group turns into a clique is when we tend to start seeing these toxic behaviors,' she explained. 'Once you veer from what you're supposed to be doing, that's when the relational aggression starts to come out.'

Dr Santorelli defined relational aggression as any form of aggression that 'targets your standing or your relationships among others, usually within a group,' including gossip, triangulation, reputation damage, silent treatment or pitting two people against one.

'Usually that happens when there's some combination of personalities that want control within the group. When it starts to become a clique, there's unspoken rules and are hierarchies within the group,' she said.

Tiffany Carter, a 35-year-old stay at home mom from outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida, always 'felt like an outsider' in her mom group of three.

Tiffany Carter, 35, always 'felt like an outsider' in her mom group of three, she told the Daily Mail

The stay-at-home mom from outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said she felt 'constantly' excluded by her mommy group; pictured with her husband Aram Boyadjian

She met them in 2020, when she was still working a full-time job as a dental hygienist. At the time, she believed her busy work schedule was the reason why she wasn't extended every invite.

Three years later, Carter left her job after having her second baby, which gave her more free time to plan play-dates with her mom group.

But even then, she continued to feel 'constantly' excluded and things came to a head when they didn't come to her daughter's birthday for the second year in a row.

'When they didn't show up, I was just sitting at home crying to my husband and I said, "This is just not okay. I have to say something. I can't let this keep going and not only is it hurting me, but on top of that, I'm looking at my daughter who's having no one show up to her parties,"' Carter said.

While most mom groups initially begin as a network of support for women, it's easy for other members of their family  including husbands and children  to become just as deeply embedded, and sometimes even extend beyond the moms.

Hilary Duff's husband, musician Matthew Koma, entered the mommy group drama when he appeared to defend his wife against the mean girl accusations in Tisdale's explosive essay for The Cut.

Koma, 38, took to his Instagram Story to poke fun at Tisdale's essay by posting a mock headline that read, 'When You're the Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth, Other Moms Tend to Shift Focus to Their Actual Toddlers.'

He then photoshopped his own head onto Tisdale's body, recreating The Cut image of her seated on a white couch wearing an all-black outfit. The image also featured a smaller headline that read, 'A Mom Group Tell All Through A Father's Eye.'

Hilary Duff's, 38, husband Matthew Koma, 38, weighed in on the recent 'Toxic Mom Group' drama while roasting Tisdale; Duff and Koma seen in 2025

He poked fun of Tisdale's recent essay in The Cut with a photoshopped image and a mock headline that read, 'When You're the Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth, Other Moms Tend to Shift Focus to Their Actual Toddlers'

For Dr Santorelli, his post seemingly attacking Tisdale was 'disappointing' and displayed 'a level of immaturity' that perhaps gave even more evidence to Tisdale's claims of petty behavior.

But even more, it shed a light on how the specific dynamics of mom groups can bleed into other aspects of everyday life.

'Yes, mean girl mom groups are most damaging for the moms involved, but it is a family affair,' Dr Santorelli said.

'It absolutely becomes a systemic issue within the family itself, because husbands get involved, kids get involved, and then communities end up getting involved. What we're watching is a small microcosm of what we see happen in our regular communities.'

Myers realized she wanted to break up with her mom group in December 2024, when her daughter had suffered a health scare and said that nobody checked in on her or her family.

'We were in the hospital. My daughter was having seizures and I never heard from them. They never asked, "Hey, how are you doing?"' she said.

To this day, she still hasn't received a valid reason for their absence during one of the most difficult moments of her life.

'I just had to kind of put myself in a place that I would never do this to somebody, I'm not going to let people do that to me and I would hate for somebody to do that to my daughter or my son,' she said.

Tisdale shares two daughters, Jupiter (seen) and Emerson, with her composer husband Christopher French (pictured in 2022)

For mothers like Tisdale and Meyers, there was no rhyme or reason why they were excluded or ostracized from their mom group  at least, that they were aware of.

But Carter shared her theory why she believes some mom groups can engage in such 'toxic' behavior, and it's not because they are chasing the glory days of high school mean girl hierarchies.

'If you love your husband and you are not miserable being around your kids, the majority of moms are either one of those,' she said. 'If you love your husband and you have a great relationship, it's going to make them extremely jealous and envy you.'

While this may not be the case for every mom group, Ariel Hendrix  a 31-year-old romance author and social media influencer from Texas  said she experienced her fair share of jealousy from her inner circle after she divorced her ex-husband.

Hendrix said she felt 'abandoned' by her group of mom friends when she left her marriage in August 2021.

She likened her relationship with her mom group to 'trauma bonding,' especially because they met when Hendrix was just 22 and didn't feel like she had a supportive partner to help her through her motherhood journey.

The group of three began as a book club; it wasn't long before they were constantly texting and planning trips together. But when Hendrix decided to leave her husband, she felt the support her mom group initially provided her had fallen short.

'Being my friend at that time was a hard thing to be,' she admitted. 'I was really, really, really struggling and the thing about these mom groups is when everyone's a mom and everyone's fighting their own battle at home, it's hard to be like the most supportive friend you can be.'

Ariel Hendrix, 31, said she felt 'abandoned' by her group of mom friends after divorcing her ex-husband in August 2021

Hendrix sought out a new group of friends, one she felt wouldn't exclude her as a single mom, but even that proved to have its own set of challenges.

'I really struggled after my divorce as a single mom to make friends, because a lot of married women don't want single moms around their husbands,' she said.

'It was a group that I was excluded from from the jump. Maybe in all their minds, they never thought about inviting me.'

It took Meyers an entire year to finally get over the feeling that she was 'wronged' by her mom group.

Carter didn't leave her mom group until 2023, almost a year after they skipped out on her daughter's birthday party.

And six months ago, Hendrix finally left all her Texas mom groups behind for Hawaii, with her two children and a new husband.

But their experiences of feeling excluded, ostracized and abandoned by their close-knit mom groups has certainly informed how they approach their future friendships.

Although it's easy to form a connection simply on the basis of having children, Dr Santorelli suggested that the healthiest of mom groups are also built around other common interests, such as reading the same book or taking part in a group sport.

One day at the park with her children, Carter ultimately found the 'no filter' friend she was desperately searching for after they realized their daughters went to the same school.

They exchanged numbers, but instead of planning play-dates and coordinating carpool, their conversations were focused on hair extensions, makeup and self-care.

Looking back, Carter said she wished she had left her 'toxic' mom group sooner.

'If you have that gut instinct that someone is making you feel any sort of way, I promise there's nothing better than leaving,' she said. 'The weight lifted off your shoulders cannot be matched.'
A mom who suspected something was wrong after she noticed an unexplained bruise on her baby's toe has revealed how doctors brushed her off... only for her to later learn he was suffering from a rare condition.

Ceeariah Madden, 31, from Poinciana, Florida, was getting her one-year-old son, Delswan Madden III, dressed for daycare one morning in September 2024, when she saw that one of his toes had become black and blue.

At first, she didn't think much about it since 'kids get unexplained marks all the time.'

'He was acting completely normal, not in pain. Kids are active, they bump into things,' she explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail.

But as the day went on, she couldn't get it off her mind and she had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

'Something didn't sit right with me.

'I went back and forth in my head all day asking myself if I should take him [to the hospital] or not,' she recalled.

'After hours of debating, I decided to trust my gut and bring him to the hospital.'

Ceeariah Madden, 31, from Florida, was getting her one-year-old son, Delswan Madden III, dressed one morning in September 2024, when she noticed a bruise on his foot

As the day went on, she couldn't get it off her mind and she had a nagging feeling that something was wrong, so she took him to the ER

Madden admitted that she felt 'embarrassed' walking into the ER for something that 'seemed so small.'

Doctors looked the youngster over, saw that the bruise 'didn't appear to bother him' much and told her they were good to go. But again, something told Madden to push them to run some tests.

'They told me he was fine and started preparing to discharge us. It felt like they were brushing it off,' she said.

'As they were getting ready to send us home, I begged the doctor to please just run blood work just to be sure nothing serious was going on internally.

'They really didn't want to do it. The doctor reluctantly agreed only after I pleaded.'

Madden's mom senses were right and Delswan's tests showed that his blood sugar was 'dangerously low.'

'They had me try feeding him to see if it would bring his levels up. When they rechecked, his blood sugar dropped even further to 27. That's when they realized this was something serious,' she shared.

Despite doctors originally dismissing her, Delswan was eventually diagnosed with Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI), a genetic condition causing the pancreas to secrete too much insulin

Now, Madden explained that her son, two, requires 'continuous 24/7 feeding through a feeding tube to keep his blood sugar stable'

Delswan was immediately transferred to a bigger hospital in Orlando, where he stayed for eight weeks while doctors worked to figure out what was wrong.

They ran 'countless tests' and 'consulted with multiple specialists,' with no answers.

But after two grueling months, he was finally diagnosed with Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI), a serious genetic condition causing the pancreas to secrete too much insulin.

'Hearing that diagnosis was shocking. I was in complete disbelief and overwhelmed with fear about what his future might look like,' Madden recalled.

Now, Madden explained that her son, two, requires 'continuous 24/7 feeding through a feeding tube to keep his blood sugar stable.'

'Being connected to a feeding pump 24/7 is extremely challenging especially for a toddler who just wants to explore everything,' she shared.

'We carry his pump in a backpack everywhere we go, and normal toddler activities take extra planning and caution.

'Life looks very different now, but we're taking it one day at a time. This is our new normal. It's never dull, that's for sure.'

She has been extremely open and honest on her TikTok page about her son's health journey, where some of her videos have gained immense attention.

She told the Daily Mail that she hopes by speaking out about it she will teach other moms to listen to their gut.

'My message to other parents is simple but important: do not let doctors dismiss you or make you feel crazy,' she stressed.

'Do not be afraid to ask questions, request tests, or demand answers. We know our children. We know our bodies.

'When something feels wrong, we have the right to push for answers. Trust your instincts because doing so may just save a life.'
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney often leaves very little to the imagination in see-through or cleavage-baring dresses, shocking the world with her stunning ensembles.

In fact, her racy outfits landed her on the Daily Mail's list of the most scandalous outfits of 2025 and she is already making a strong case for topping it again this year.

Sweeney, 28, who works with stylist to the stars Molly Dickson (also a favorite with Lana Del Rey, Bella Hadid and Kaia Kerber) has a penchant for ultra-feminine designers like Miu Miu, Dior and Oscar de la Renta.

The White Lotus actress is famously not shy when it comes to baring her cleavage or rocking a micro miniskirt, much like her Euphoria character Cassie Howard, who will be an OnlyFans creator in the upcoming season of the HBO Max show.

The Christy actress has not been a stranger to controversy over the past few years and has worn plenty of scandalous dresses while promoting her movies or posing for Instagram pictures.

This year is already off to a strong start, as Sweeney stripped down to her skivvies for a photoshoot and put her cleavage on display for a Golden Globes party.

Despite being snubbed this awards season, that did not stop Sweeney from hitting the red carpet at a star-studded Golden Globes party hosted by Variety at The Polo Lounge at Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she put a racy spin on a classic LBD.

The Housemaid star stunned in a sultry one-shoulder Vivienne Westwood black mini dress with a scooped one-shoulder minidress.

Sydney Sweeney put her famous cleavage on display as she attended a Golden Globes event despite her back-to-back awards season snubs

Sweeney posed completely nude in just shimmering gold body paint for her raunchiest magazine cover to date

The White Lotus actress, 28, was a vision in white when she hit the red carpet at the premiere of her psychological thriller The Housemaid

Her cleavage-baring minidress was far from the only risque way she ushered in 2026.

The Madame Web actress left little to the imagination as her enviable physique was transformed by shimmering gold paint when she posed for the cover of the issue of W Magazine.

Sweeney appeared to channel Shirley Eaton's famous death scene in Goldfinger from the James Bond franchise for the photoshoot.

The White Lotus actress seemingly adores a retro inspiration. In December, Sweeney channeled Marilyn Monroe when she hit the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere for her movie the Housemaid in a plunging white dress.

She put on a busty display in the custom Galia Lahav halter dress, which looked like the one Monroe wore in the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch. The Israeli luxury bridal and evening wear brand is famous for intricate wedding gowns for celebrities including Beyonce, Millie Bobby Brown, Paris Hilton and Simone Biles.

At the Variety Power of Women: Los Angeles event in October, Sweeney posed up a storm in a sparkly silver dress with a completely sheer bodice sans bra in one of her most astonishing looks yet.

The floor-length crystal waist-cinching gown was from Christian Cowan and Elias Matso's spring 2026 collection.

Her racy ensembles are not new. Back in 2022, Sweeney hit the red carpet at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in Santa Monica wearing a teeny tiny silver sequin miniskirt from Miu Miu paired with an ab-baring white button-down crop top and a matching silver bra peeking out underneath.

Sweeney left very little to the imagination as she went braless on the red carpet at the Variety Power of Women: Los Angeles event

Sweeney often strips down to her skivvies on Instagram to promote swimwear or lingerie brands

The Anyone But You actress hit the red carpet in a stylish and leggy ensemble at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards

Of course, it is not just her red carpet looks that court controversy.

In July, she collaborated with American Eagle for an advertisement which some accused of promoting eugenics and white supremacy, making the denim outfit one of her most contentious of all. The actress later insisted that she 'knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn't affect me one way or the other.'

Still, the denim outfit was not particularly saucy compared to some of the clothing she shows off on social media.

She often strips down to her skivvies on Instagram, like when she modeled for cool girl brand Frankies Bikinis.

The Anyone But You actress has delighted her almost 26 million Instagram followers with plenty of behind-the-scenes snaps, including cheeky Instagram wetsuit thirst traps, boating snaps and Miu Miu modeling.
The patient sitting opposite me in my consulting room is describing a fraught pattern Ive come to recognise only too well. Her relationships are a battleground. Other people call her difficult, dramatic or accuse her of overreacting. Yet she feels her emotions so intensely that any perceived slight can trigger despair.

Her moods can shift rapidly, sometimes within hours, triggering impulsive behaviour that is exhausting and bewildering for her and those around her, who may attribute it to attention-seeking or being over-dramatic.

But as a consultant psychiatrist I know that such behaviour has a clinical name  emotionally unstable personality disorder, or EUPD, sometimes also called borderline personality disorder.

People with the condition  which affects both sexes  have an emotional thermostat that is simply calibrated differently to that of other people.

Its one of the most misunderstood conditions in psychiatry and is also surprisingly common.

Personality disorders affect about one in ten people, yet remain shrouded in stigma in a way that depression and anxiety no longer are. This means that many people suffer for years with EUPD without realising the cause  and, crucially, that it can be successfully treated.

Recognising the hallmarks of this disorder in a loved one or colleague can help you understand behaviour that might seem unreasonable or hurtful.

For those with emotionally unstable personality disorder, overexcitement can quickly turn to despair

And while clearly only a psychiatrist or psychologist can reach a proper diagnosis, learning to spot it might help you encourage someone to seek support and also enable you to understand behaviour that may seem baffling or upsetting.

So apart from intense emotional swings, what other signs should you look out for?

Fear of abandonment is another clear symptom. Someone with EUPD may go to extraordinary lengths to prevent being left  becoming clingy, or conversely even pushing people away before they can be rejected.

Relationships tend to be intense and unstable, swinging between idealisation and bitter disappointment.

A new friend or partner is often seen as wonderful or perfect, then suddenly branded a terrible, untrustworthy enemy  often after a small incident that would not become an issue in normal relationships.

Many people with EUPD describe feeling empty inside. They may struggle to answer questions about who they really are, what they want from life, what their values are.

To an observer it can also seem as though their behaviour changes according to who they are with  and impulsivity is common too.

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This might include spending sprees, reckless driving, substance misuse, binge eating, or unsafe sex. Tragically, self-harm is common, often used as a way of managing overwhelming emotions or a sense of internal numbness.

Suicidal thoughts are also more common in people with EUPD, which is why getting medical help is so vital.

Increasingly psychiatrists have moved away from rigid diagnostic labels and now recognise that personality disorders exist on a spectrum of severity and not everyone will necessarily have all the same features.

There is no single cause of EUPD but often difficult early experiences  such as trauma, neglect, abuse or chaotic family environments  can play a significant role.

And there is also a genetic component, which explains why some people emerge from difficult childhoods relatively unscathed while others develop lasting difficulties.

But the good news is that EUPD is treatable.

For years, the received wisdom was that personality disorders were lifelong and unchangeable. We now know this is not true.

Specialist therapies such as dialectical behaviour therapy, or DBT, which teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, can be transformative.

Treatment takes time and commitment, but people do improve significantly  even to the point where they no longer meet the criteria for a diagnosis.

If you recognise these patterns in someone you care about, approach the conversation gently. Remember that their behaviour, however difficult, comes from profound distress, not conscious choice.

A conversation with their GP is a first step. Most NHS trusts have specialist personality disorder services, though waiting lists can be long.

If you recognise these traits in yourself please be reassured that your experience is real  it has a name, and help exists. You are someone with an illness that deserves compassion and proper treatment, just like any other.

Emma's heartfelt campaign

Emma Willis lived for 48 years with a hole in her heart without knowing

Emma Willis lived for 48 years with a hole in her heart  and had absolutely no idea. The broadcaster discovered her atrial septal defect at a routine health check in January last year, and two months later had keyhole surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital to repair the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.

Now she is campaigning to raise awareness of heart conditions  and her story is a big reminder of something I tell patients regularly: your body can harbour serious problems you know nothing about.

We tend to assume that if something were badly wrong, we would be aware of symptoms. But that is not always the case as the body can compensate, sometimes for a surprisingly long time.

The NHS offers free health checks for adults aged 40 to 74. Private options exist too. Learn from Emmas experience and take advantage of these.

It's not just the time teenagers spend on screens, it's about what they are seeing

A new study claims that screen time spent on social media or gaming does not cause mental health problems in teenagers. Ministers considering a social media ban for under-16s will no doubt take note. But I would urge caution with such findings, which only measure hours spent on screens. The harm from social media is not simply about duration. It is about what young people are seeing. This includes relentless comparison with curated, filtered lives and algorithms that push teenagers towards extreme content. Social media also enables bullying to follow them home and into their bedrooms and leads to disrupted sleep when phones glow under pillows at midnight. None of this is captured by counting hours.

Dr Max prescribes... knitting

Craft activities such as knitting reduce anxiety, stress and depression and boost mood and self-esteem, multiple studies show. Knitting is very effective because the motion is meditative and you end up with something tangible (even if it does have some holes). People with mental health problems described it as bringing calm and structure to their lives, according to University of Gothenburg researchers.
A woman who still lives separately from her partner of nearly ten years has insisted that it has made their relationship stronger.

Maya Kokerov, 27, based in the UK, started dating her boyfriend Kieran Nair, 28, when they were both attending The University of Warwick as teens.

After graduating from college they were planning to move in together when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and put those plans on hold.

'Lockdown happened and we were confined to our homes,' Kokerov explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail.

'This limbo period lasted almost two years, and we started deciding that it's better to save up to buy a house together instead of renting.'

But saving up to get a home 'took longer than they thought' and as time went by, they realized how much they 'enjoyed living apart.'

Then, in 2024, they began discussing the topic of moving in together again, but when Kokerov's father unexpectedly passed away she decided she wanted to continue living with her sister and mom while they 'processed the loss.'

Maya Kokerov, 27, based in the UK, started dating her boyfriend Kieran Nair, 28, when they were both attending The University of Warwick as teens

Despite being together nearly ten years, Kokerov revealed to the Daily Mail that they don't live together - and she insisted it has strengthened their relationship

But despite their unusual dynamic, Kokerov insisted that she and Nair's relationship is just as strong, if not stronger, than most couples who live together.

Kokerov explained that she and Nair usually spend three nights together a week, and always makes sure to plan a 'mid-week date or two' in between.

'We also take lots of holidays/staycations and I sometimes spend longer periods at his place when we have the time,' she shared.

'He lives around 20 minutes away from me so we're able to see each other as much as we can while working. We also make an effort to plan new dates and activities.'

She insisted that living apart has a slew of benefits, explaining it has added 'excitement to their relationship' and has 'helped keep their spark alive.'

'Our intimacy seems to be stronger than that of many other couples our age who live together because it always feels very exciting when we have our long weekends to look forward to,' she dished.

'We feel like we're still in the "honeymoon" phase of the relationship when it comes to intimacy [despite being together for nine years].

Kokerov explained that she and Nair usually spend three nights together a week, and always makes sure to plan a 'mid-week date or two' in between

She said that because they have such a 'limited amount of real-life time together' even the most 'mundane things became more mysterious'

'This doesn't mean that we wouldn't still have our spark if we lived cohabited, but our limited time together has maintained our excitement to see each other and helped build romantic tension throughout the week.

'We also really appreciate each other and don't take each other for granted, making sure we're actively participating in our quality time (through dates, intimacy, conversations etc).'

She said that because they have such a 'limited amount of real-life time together' even the most 'munda0ne things became more mysterious.'

Another benefit is that they're able to 'maintain their hobbies, careers and gym routines.'

'I know we can do these things together, but I really find I don't prioritize some of these extracurricular things as much when I'm around him,' she added. 'With the extra time apart, I can stay focused on my goals.'

She vowed that living apart has stopped both of them from 'losing themselves in the relationship,' which happens to many couples.

'I feel like I have all the advantages of being a single twenty-something, but with the security of a partner,' she gushed.

However, there are some downsides, as she confessed that she does miss her beau a lot when days go by without them seeing one another.

However, there are some downsides, as she confessed that she does miss her beau a lot when days go by without them seeing one another

'If our plans to meet are ever disrupted, it can feel like we're in almost a long-term relationship (like if one of us gets ill or has to travel and we have to skip a weekend/week of seeing each other),' she shared.

'Sometimes, this can create distance in the moment, but it also keeps us so excited for our reunion.'

And while this has worked for them so far, Kokerov said they do plan to move in together down the line before they get married and have kids.

'For now, we're not ready for those steps (especially after my father recently passed), so we're living in the moment and enjoying the time we have as we continue working towards those milestones,' she said.

Unfortunately, she admitted that she's faced judgement from some people on the internet over their abnormal dynamic.

In response, she slammed the common belief that couples need to 'spend practically every second together.'

'Our response [to the haters] is that, even while living apart, we've managed to build a very strong nine-year relationship which has carried us through difficult times, like family tragedies, and kept our relationship very exciting and full of spark,' she stated.
Newly-minted CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil was reportedly caught on tape caving to President Trump's demands after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt threatened that the administration 'will sue' if they didn't comply.

Dokoupil, 45, took over the network's flagship nightly news broadcast earlier this year with a rocky start, as critics accused him of softening coverage on the president.

Following an interview with Trump last week, Dokoupil was reportedly threatened by Leavitt to play the full 13 minute conversation un-edited, or the White House would 'sue your a** off.'

According to a recording obtained by the New York Times, Leavitt issued the blunt warning after the interview concluded, telling Dokoupil and his producers: '(Trump) said, "Make sure you guys don't cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full.'''

'Yeah, we're doing it, yeah,' Dokoupil replied, according to the report.

'He said, "If its not out in full, well sue your a** off,"' Leavitt added.

Kim Harvey, the executive producer of CBS Evening News, reportedly responded excitedly and agreed to air the interview in full.

The exchange offers a candid look into Trump's efforts to influence media coverage in his second term, with the White House having previously sued a number of news organizations including the New York Times, the BBC and CBS News.

Earlier this year, Dokoupil's employer CBS agreed to pay a $16 million settlement to Trump to settle a case over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.

Karoline Leavitt, pictured about with President Trump last July, reportedly threatened CBS with a lawsuit if they didn't air the president's full interview

Tony Dokoupil, pictured above during his first broadcast as Evening News anchor on January 7, reportedly laughed off the threat and caved to the president's demands

CBS aired the full 13-minute interview with Trump at an assembly line last week, pictured above

Following his interview with Trump last week, Dokoupil reportedly laughed off the threat of a lawsuit from Leavitt, joking: 'He always says that!'

However, Leavitt hadn't appeared to be joking and didn't laugh, the report claimed.

'The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full,' she told the New York Times.

The network did air Trump's unedited interview, adding in a statement to the Daily Mail: 'The moment we booked this interview we made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

The 13-minute interview aired from an assembly line in Michigan, and saw Dokoupil grill Trump on a wide-range of issues including Iran, the economy, the investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent, and the president's own morality.

Trump defended the administration's actions abroad and maintained the federal government's position that Good was justifiably shot.

During a discussion about grocery prices and the economy, Trump suggested that Dokoupil would be out of a job if Kamala Harris won the 2024 election.

Dokoupil breezed past the insinuation, but defended himself at the end of the interview, telling Trump: 'For the record, I do think I'd have this job even if the other guys won.'

'Yeah, but at a lesser salary. Thank you very much,' Trump quipped.

Leavitt, pictured above in the briefing room on Thursday, reportedly didn't laugh after threatening to 'sue your a** off' to CBS executives

Trump, pictured at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, has had a controversial relationship with the network after suing CBS in 2024

CBS News has a complicated history with the president. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the network in 2024 for airing an edited interview with Harris.

CBS's parent company, Paramount, settled the lawsuit last July for $16 million. Just a few weeks later, the Federal Communications Commission approved MAGA allies Larry and David Ellison's purchase of the media company.

The acquisition then saw David Ellison tap controversial news figure Bari Weiss as CBS News' editor-in-chief in October.

The network has since experienced massive changes, with anchor shakeups, sensational resignations, and a highly scrutinized decision from Weiss to pull a 60 Minutes segment on the CECOT confinement center in El Salvador.

Critics accused Weiss and the network of pulling the segment because it was critical of Trump's policies.

Sources recently told The Independent that Weiss and Trump kissed each other on the cheek after the president sat down for an interview with 60 Minutes anchor Norah O'Donnell in November.

'He was so happy to see her and she was so excited to meet him, they both leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek,' one source told the outlet.

David Ellison, pictured above with his billionaire father Larry, purchased Paramount last July

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, pictured above in 2022, has been at the center of backlash from critics who believe the network has caved to Trump under her leadership

Another source told The Independent that other reporters and producers in the room were shocked by the chummy exchange.

In response to the report, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung shared a photo on X of CBS producers laughing with Trump.

'Here are the other 60 Minutes executives who were having a great time with President Trump, laughing at his jokes,' Cheung said.

Leavitt's threat to sue CBS isn't unprecedented. In addition to Trump's former lawsuit with the network, ABC News also settled a lawsuit with him for $16 million over a mistake anchor George Stephanopoulos made while reporting on the president's sexual abuse trial.
Saturday Night Live pulled no punches as it returned for its first episode of the new year, taking multiple shots at President Donald Trump and his cabinet.

Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were all mocked during the six and a half minute cold open.

Some viewers were less than impressed, calling the sketch 'boring' and 'not funny', while another said it was 'getting old'.

The bit opened up with James Austin Johnson impersonating the president: 'I hope everyone had a nice holiday and got what they wanted for Christmas.

'I got what I wanted - my very own someone else's Nobel prize!' the comic said, referencing how Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her award to him on Friday.

He continued by saying he would cherish it, before tossing it away like trash.

The comedian then quipped about the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, who was captured in his home in Caracas with his wife on January 3: 'And in my stocking, I got Maduro, Nicolas Maduro.

'We did a reverse Santa on him. We came down the chimney with a bag and took him away.'

The studio audience largely remained quiet as the joke appeared to fall flat.

President Trump played by James Austin Johnson facilitated the faux press conference introducing some member of his cabinet. Marco Rubio was played Marcello Hernandez (middle) and Vance played a new cast member, Jeremy Culhane (right)

Collin Jost played an aggressive Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as he bragged about the capture of former Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro

The skit continued as Trump introduced some of his cabinet members, calling them his 'little freaks', as Rubio, played by Marcello Hernandez, and Vance, played for the first time by Jeremy Culhane, joined him on stage.

The sketch mocked a moment between Rubio and Trump at a US oil executives meeting on January 9.

The Secretary of State passed the president a discreet note, which was then read aloud.

Vance was the subject of mockery next as Trump highlighted his 'new makeover', speaking about the online rumors about the Vice President's use of eye makeup.

The new cast member, who replaced SNL veteran Bowen Yang, then went on to say: 'Thank you, Mr. President. And, America, here is my message to you. You know, I came here to do two things, kick bubble gum and chew a**, and I'm all out of bubble gum.

Brought out next was Ashley Padilla as Noem, who was mocked for her response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good on January 7.

Homeland Security Secretary played by Ashley Padilla, constant wearing of hats was mocked as well

A user on X shared her disappointment of the sketch along with many others

'Thank you, Mr. President, for having me,' said Homeland Security Secretary played by Ashley Padilla. 'Before we start, I'd like to give a quick shout-out to my hair-and-makeup team, who absolutely hate me.

'Now, obviously, there's been clashes on both sides in Minneapolis. And have we been perfect? Yes.'

The final member of Trump's top team on the chopping block was Pete Hegseth, played by Colin Jost, who aggressively bragged about the capture of Maduro.

'We dunked on Venezuela. Next, we're gonna sack-tap Iran. I'm gonna put the Ayatollah in the cuck chair. I'm going to tell him, "If I-ah-tol you once, I-ah-tol-ah you a thousand times: You don't dare kill your protesters! That's our thing!"'

While the in-studio audience seemed to enjoy the cold open, viewers online were less than pleased with the mockery.

'Not funny. Try harder. Make fun of Kamala and her sad book tour. Oh right. You wouldnt dare,' said one person.

President Trump is seen flanked by Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Another added: 'The show is rarely funny. You need new writers and a reset.'

A third wrote: 'Same old, same old' and added a picture of a sleeping baby, captioned 'boring'.

Critics of the show were also outraged after Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard made a vulgar joke about women during his Saturday Night Live monologue.

Wolfhard was one of the star guests on Saturday's show. He spoke about growing up onscreen and going through puberty while being in the spotlight.

'My voice changed on camera, my first kiss was on camera, and I can't actually believe I'm admitting this, but the first time I learned what a woman looks like down there - was on camera as well,' he said.

The broadcast then cut to a clip of a young Wolfhard staring in shock at the sci-fi show's main villain, a howling monster called the Demogorgon.

But the joke did not sit well with some viewers, who took to social media to express their disgust.
The Czech Republic plans to deliver several combat aircraft to Ukraine on short notice, which could be used to counter russian missile and drone attacks. This was announced by Czech President Petr Pavel during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Pavel did not disclose which specific aircraft might be transferred, but emphasized that they could be highly effective against drones. "I hope we will be able to resolve this issue quickly and successfully," he said.

Defense Express note: In the translated video of the press conference, it is stated that the Czech Republic allegedly "cannot transfer medium aircraft to Ukraine in the near future." At the same time, Western media outlets, including Reuters, cite Pavel as referring to plans to transfer aircraft in the near term.

One of the recently shot-down Geran drones, which was equipped with an R-60 missile

In this context, it is worth recalling that as early as May 2023, Czech President Petr Pavel, when considering how his country could further strengthen Ukraine's Defense Forces, spoke about the possible transfer of L-159 light attack aircraft to Ukraine.

At the time, we provided a detailed overview of this aircraft and its capabilities. Briefly, the L-159 is equipped with an airborne radar from the FIAR Grifo L family produced by Italy's Leonardo. It can also carry a Litening targeting pod, enabling the use of precision-guided munitions, among other features.

The weapons available to this light combat aircraft include unguided and guided aerial bombs, aircraft cannons, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Therefore, if Ukraine were to receive such aircraft, they would primarily enhance its ability to counter russian Geran (Shahed) drones.

The L-159 made its first flight in 1997. The single-seat variant entered service with the Czech Air Force in 2001, while the two-seat version followed six years later, in 2007. According to open-source data, the Czech Air Force currently operates 16 single-seat L-159A aircraft and eight two-seat L-159T trainers. It is possible that from this fleet, the Czech Republic could allocate the few aircraft mentioned by President Pavel.

In addition, it should be noted that in 2023, Ukraine and the Czech Republic were also reported to be considering joint projects, including the production of the F/A-259 (L-259) trainer and light combat aircraft, which is essentially a deep modernization of the L-159A. Another option that can be mentioned is the L-39NG trainer/light attack aircraft, which we have previously described as an effective "flying classroom," while also noting the long timelines required for its delivery.

However, in the latter two cases, this is unlikely to be a "here and now" solution. As of today, it also remains unclear whether there is any active cooperation in this direction, either in the form of contracting new aircraft for Ukraine or pursuing joint production programs.
Buying shares in companies that lead the way in cutting edge technology such as AI is both exciting and financially rewarding  as investors in the Magnificent Seven stocks have discovered in recent years.

Yet its not without risk, as evidenced by increasing concerns that the share prices of some of these US companies  Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla  are being driven into bubble territory as a result of the markets euphoria over AI.

Although many fund managers have responded by trimming some (not all) of their holdings in these tech giants, a majority believe that investors should not shut their eyes to some of the key themes that will shape our future.

Opportunities, they say, abound for astute investors as specific companies blossom in areas such as robotics, medical procedures and testing, secure software updating and smart barcodes.

Its an argument that Daegal Tsang, a fund manager with Swiss-based Pictet Asset Management, is keen to expound. Tsang is part of a four-strong management team that runs the 8.7 billion investment fund Pictet Robotics.

Over the past ten years, the fund has generated average annual returns of 18.7 per cent by investing in companies involved in robotics and enabling technologies for use, for example, in factories, the home and hospitals.

Tsang says: Is the robotics investment story running out of steam? My answer is an emphatic no. I believe we are still at an early stage in terms of what robots can and cannot do.

Daegal Tsang, a fund manager with Swiss-based Pictet Asset Management, believes we are still at an early stage in terms of what robots can and cannot do

He points to the fact that last year Amazon installed its millionth robot. For perspective, it has 1.5 million human employees.

He adds: The latest global data indicates that there are 177 robots for every 10,000 workers, a penetration rate of less than 2 per cent, compared to 40 per cent for Amazon. This suggests the robotic journey has a long way to go, especially as it expands into other areas such as the home and hospitals.

Magnificent Seven stocks Alphabet and Nvidia remain among the top ten holdings of Pictet Robotics.

Tsangs view on robotics is shared by other experts.

Christopher Rossbach is chief investment officer of wealth manager J Stern & Co and runs the 335 million World Stars Global Equity Fund. Top ten holdings include Amazon and Nvidia.

Amazon remains a compelling investment right now, as it adds more robotics to its operations, enabling the company to deliver orders faster, cut costs and use less energy, says Rossbach. It is also seeing renewed growth for its cloud platform, AWS.

We also like Nvidia for its clear lead in AI computing and the key role it will play in providing the data required for accelerating the adoption of robotics.

While Rossbach is excited by robotics in surgical procedures, humanoid robots, and some of the Asian-based robotic companies, he has yet to make investments in these areas. But he is adamant that robotics is here to stay.

Ben Kumar, head of equity strategy at Seven Investment Management, agrees. He says robotics are moving from factories into settings that are part of daily life. Surgeons are now using robots in operations, while in Japan and South Korea some robots are assisting in care homes.

So which cutting edge companies are worth contemplating investing in? And if shares are not to your liking, which funds?

SHARES TO CONSIDER

Those keen to invest in companies leading the robotics charge will need to look outside the UK.

In the robot-assisted surgery space, leading firms are US-listed Intuitive Surgical and Medtronic. Their respective one-year results are losses of 6.7 per cent and gains of 15.9 per cent.

These two companies are at the forefront of robotic-assisted surgery, which is still in its early stages of adoption, says Rossbach.

Pictet Robotics has Intuitive Surgical in its top-ten holdings. Tsang also likes US firms Teradyne (a manufacturer of advanced robotics systems) and cloud-based platform Salesforce. Respective one-year returns are 68.8 per cent and losses of 27.3 per cent.

Jamie Mills OBrien manages funds for Aberdeen Investments, which invest in some of the worlds most innovative companies.

He recently identified four best-in-class innovators.

Three were American: Procept BioRobotics (a pioneer in the treatment of enlarged prostates); JFrog (a global software company) and Impinj which makes tiny chips and readers that enable retailers and logistics firms to track individual items using radio tags. The fourth was UK-listed Oxford Nanopore, which is making portable DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequencers that can read genetic information on the spot.

Jamie Mills OBrien manages funds for Aberdeen Investments, which invest in some of the worlds most innovative companies

Its devices, says Mills OBrien, will drive growth in sales as hospitals and drug companies start using them more.

Shares in all of the companies mentioned can be bought through leading investing platforms.

THE FUND ROUTE

Investors who prefer funds could opt for Pictet Robotics or Robocap, both actively managed.

Alternatively, they could choose an exchange-traded fund such as L&G Global Robotics and Automation, which tracks the performance of a basket of companies involved in robotics, automation and AI.

Both Kumar and Jason Hollands of investment platform Bestinvest say this is the best route for investors thanks to broad exposure and low annual charges (cheaper than both Pictet and Robocap).

Hollands says: It tracks 77 stocks, has no exposure to the Magnificent Seven, and nearly a third of its portfolio is invested in Asian robotics companies.

Other exchange-traded funds include ARK Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence, and iShares Automation and Robotics.

BUYER BEWARE

According to Hollands, many cutting edge investment themes such as robotics and automation are very hot, and heavily intertwined with excitement about AI.

As a result, he warns investors to tread carefully, spreading any purchase over a matter of months. Investors should also check if they already have sufficient exposure to the high risk, high reward tech sector through global funds that have shares in the Magnificent Seven.
Is London: a) one of the world's great cities, a superb place to live and do business? Or b) a litter-strewn nest of crime where people barely dare step outside their home or office for fear of being robbed?

The capital has always divided opinion. Having lived here for almost my entire adult life, I love it. Plenty of others, however, seem to think affection for my adopted city is either delusional or a character flaw.

The London question has moved beyond a matter of individual life choices and has become highly politicised.

Opponents have correctly identified crime as a weak point for the mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, in the run-up to the 2028 elections. He insists London is safer than ever. His critics counter that he is cherry-picking data on murders that suit his book.

Numbers, of course, matter far less than perceptions.

A majority of people in the UK believe the capital is dangerous, with the exception of most actual Londoners. Portrayals of the city as corrupt, dirty and violent have a long and sometimes distinguished history.

Engine of the economy: London generates 618billion, more than a fifth of national income, at the latest count in 2023

In his poem London, William Blake describes prostitution, child labour and blood running down walls. Horror seeps from every verse.

For TS Eliot in The Waste Land, it is a spiritual void, inhabited by the living dead. Now that dystopian motif is being turbocharged by social media.

In the Square Mile, there are growing fears that 'misinformation' and 'false narratives' will scare off investors. Dame Susan Langley, the Lady Mayor of the City of London, called at Mansion House last week for the capital's politicians and business leaders to work together to tackle the negativity.

Good luck with that, though she is right to be worried about the potential for economic harm to the whole of the country.

The capital is the engine of the economy, generating 618billion, more than a fifth of national income, at the latest count in 2023.

Talking the talk: Sir Sadiq Khan and Dame Susan Langley, the Lady Mayor of the City of London

London and the South East are the only parts of the country where people put more into the public coffers than they take out, to the tune of around 5,000 surplus per person a year.

The capital is also the site of regeneration projects that show what could be done elsewhere in the country, including Canary Wharf, the biggest in Europe.

At Battersea Power Station, a derelict turbine hall has been restored to its Thirties Art Deco glory as part of a vast development of shops, restaurants and apartments that is still expanding. Tellingly, British investors are not involved in either project. Overseas pension funds and property developers have shown more faith than their UK counterparts.

If new investors become too nervous to put their money here, Britain's loss will be other countries' gain.

And if visitors, already facing a tourist tax on shopping, decide London is unsafe as well as expensive, they will spend their euros and dollars in Paris or Berlin instead.

I am no cheerleader for Khan. If crime were not a real scourge under his stewardship, the hellhole depictions would not have taken root.

London is diverse, multi-faceted, complex and maddening.

It brims with culture and history, it is a financial centre rivalled only by New York, and it is a honeypot for talent.

If it becomes collateral damage in a political dogfight, it will benefit no one.

By all means bash Sadiq Khan, but ideally find a way to do it without undermining London itself.
Ministers are facing calls to launch an inquiry into Standard Chartered after the bank settled a 1.5billion lawsuit over allegations it misled investors about Iranian sanctions-busting.

The lender paid about 800m in fines to US and UK regulators in 2019.

Last month, it settled with more than 200 claimants after the Court of Appeal ruled it would have to disclose sensitive documents.

Sign of the times: Standard Chartered settled with more than 200 claimants after the Court of Appeal ruled it would have to disclose sensitive documents

Tory MPs John Hayes and Gareth Davies have written to City Minister Lucy Rigby, urging her to consider demands for an inquiry from whistleblower Julian Knight.

The former Standard Chartered executive has pursued the bank in the US case known as 'Brutus'. Investors say they suffered losses due to a lack of candour over sanctions-busting.

A Treasury spokesman confirmed it has received the letter. Standard Chartered declined to comment.
Britons are more likely than those in other major economies to fear being left behind by the rise in artificial intelligence, according to a report published ahead of the Davos summit.

The Edelman Trust Barometer revealed that 58 per cent in the UK were anxious about AI, the highest out of the five nations  followed by the US, Germany, Brazil and China.

In the survey by public relations firm Edelman, participants were asked whether 'people like me will be left behind rather than realise any real advantages' from the technology.

And a breakdown of the results showed that anxiety was worst for low-income groups  with 71 per cent in the UK saying they feared being left behind compared with 60 per cent of those on middle incomes and 38 per cent on high incomes. The results may be a reality check for politicians eager to praise the technology and its potential to transform productivity.

A helping hand: Britons are more likely than those in other major economies to fear being left behind by the rise in artificial intelligence

The findings form part of the wider Trust Barometer report, a survey of nearly 34,000 people in 28 countries, which is launched annually at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

It suggested that record levels of economic anxiety are driving a surge in mistrust among people with different beliefs or backgrounds. The extent of pessimism is such that just 32 per cent believe that the next generation will be better off, down from 36 per cent a year ago.

In the UK, just 14 per cent are optimistic, though things are even worse for crisis-wracked Germany and France, at the bottom of the pile on 8 per cent and 6 per cent.

That global trend has helped to deliver an increasing unwillingness to trust 'someone with different values, approaches to social issues, backgrounds, or information sources', the report found.

The firm's chief executive Richard Edelman said: 'People are retreating from dialogue and compromise, choosing the safety of the familiar over the perceived risk of change.

'We favour nationalism over global connection and individual gain over joint progress. Our mentality has shifted from 'we' to 'me'.'
The high-flying son of former Australian prime minister Paul Keating has refuted suggestions he was associated with notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after the US government released a fresh tranche of documents.

Files newly released by the US Department of Justice show the former PM's daughter, Katherine Keating, shared her banker brother Patrick's email address with Epstein in May 2011.

Katherine has long been known as a former acquaintance of the late-financier and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, and was famously captured on video leaving one of Epstein's properties in New York.

In the unearthed emails, dated May 2011, Epstein told his close associate Jes Staley, the now-former CEO of Barclays Bank: 'The son of the former prime minister will take you for fun, I will send you his details.'

Hours later, Katherine forwarded Epstein her brother's email address at UBS, a Swiss financial services firm where he worked at the time. A US government court exhibit, released as part of the Epstein files, suggested the two messages were connected.

When approached about the emails by the Daily Mail, Patrick Keating strongly denied ever meeting Epstein or Staley, let alone taking anyone 'for fun' at Epstein's request.

'I have never had any dealings with Jeffery Epstein or the other person mentioned, Jes Staley,' Patrick said.

'I have never met or communicated with either Epstein or Staley, either directly or indirectly.'

Patrick Keating (left) is the only son of former prime minister Paul Keating (right). Pictured during a Labor party event in 1993 with then-wife Anita and daughters Caroline, Alexandra and Katherine

Patrick Keating (pictured with sister Katherine during an event in Sydney's Paddington in 2004) was referenced by Epstein in an email to an associate, Jes Staley

The Daily Mail does not suggest otherwise, nor is it suggested that Patrick Keating engaged in, or had any knowledge of, any improper or illegal conduct by Epstein or any of his associates.

Staley, a close friend of the disgraced financier, traded more than 1,000 emails with Epstein between 2008 and 2015, describing him as 'family' and a 'cherished friend.'

Patrick, the only son of the former Labor PM, is a veteran international banker whose career has spanned Barclays, Citi, UBS and Savills Commercial.

He is now a partner at London boutique advisory firm Leander Capital Partners, working with ultra-high-net-worth clients and entrepreneurial families.

Patrick was once considered one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. He was once married to model and property agent Amber McDonald from 2002, with whom he had two children before separating in 2012. She later married Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond, although it did not last.

He later dated Sydney celebrity stylist Penny Hunt and had one child, but the couple have since split.

Epstein was a convicted paedophile in 2011 when the emails were sent, having already served 13 months in prison on child sex charges in 2008.

The emails were released after the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law on November 19 2025, compelling the US Department of Justice to release all unclassified Epstein records within 30 days.

The House Oversight Committee in November published thousands of emails from Epsteins estate as part of its investigation into potential cover-ups and political links.

It is well documented that Epstein (pictured) had been in communication with Patrick's sister Katherine

Katherine Keating (pictured) had previously dined with Epstein and former Prince Andrew

Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley was an associate of Epstein's

Emails between Katherine and Epstein were included in the November release, including an exchange that came nine months after Epstein had asked then-Prince Andrew to invite Katherine to dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen.

In an email dated February 16, 2011, Epstein asked Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: 'Would you ask Katherine Keating if she would like to come for dinner with Woody Allen next week in New York?'

'Will do,' Andrew replied.

Two days later, on the eve of Andrew's 51st birthday, Epstein wrote: 'What will you do tomorrow? Sorry I cannot be there as you get older.'

Andrew responded: 'Having a very quiet day. But a dinner party in the evening. On the Keating case.'

Katherine told the Daily Mail: 'I did attend a February dinner at Andrew's invitation, a large social event.

'It was a large social event. A sizable chunk of NY society was there, including [American broadcasters] Barbara Walters, Charlie Rose and Katie Couric.'

'At the time, I had only lived in NY about ten weeks and was happy to accept the odd social invitation.'

Patrick Keating is a veteran financier. Above he is seen in a recent company photo

The most famous interaction involving Epstein and Katherine Keating: Prince Andrew waves to Katherine at Epstein's New York mansion in December 2010 in Mail on Sunday video

The emails were released as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. President Donald Trump (pictured with Epstein in 1997) with Ghislaine Maxwell and Melania Trump

In October 2011, Katherine emailed Epstein and others about a book by her father, Paul Keating.

'Dear Friends, I wanted to share with you the foreword to my father's new book After Words He truly is an inspiration and so is his writing I will be sure to send you a copy, it's a brilliant read. I trust this email finds you well.'

She signed off: 'Katherine X.'

Epstein replied: 'Are you here?'

Katherine responded: 'In NY. You?'

Epstein shot back: 'Send me your phone number.'

The best known interaction between Katherine and Epstein was on December 10, 2010, when she was filmed leaving Epstein's New York townhouse after a dinner party, with Andrew seen waving goodbye.

It is not suggested that Ms Keating or Jes Staley engaged in, or had any knowledge of, any improper or illegal conduct by Epstein or any of his associates. Katherine Keating was approached for comment.
Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor is being investigated after allegedly taking staffers to a strip club on an official trip as multiple employees are placed on leave.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, 57, was one of the president's most popular Cabinet picks to start his second term, confirmed by the Senate with significant support from Republicans and Democrats.

However, she now faces an internal complaint with the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General for both unprofessional conduct and using her position to be a 'boss from Hell,' The New York Post reported.

Beyond the supposed inappropriate romance, Chavez-DeRemer's top staffers are accused of 'travel fraud,' creating made up business trips using taxpayer funds to travel to be with family and friends.

The bombshell complaint led to interviews across the department, with multiple employees being placed on leave pending the investigation. At least one additional staffer and two aides have been placed on temporary leave amid the investigation, sources told NBC News.

Yet, interviews uncovered another unreported incident alleging that Chavez-DeRemer took subordinates to a strip club in Oregon in April, according to documents reviewed by the Post.

The alleged trip on April 18 to the club Angels PDX took place at the end of a five-day trip intended for a meeting with the state's Democratic governor Tina Kotek, a CEO of a truck manfuacturer and a tour of an Intel chip center, the outlet reported.

According to documents seen by the Post, a total of $2,890.06 of taxpayers money was used for the trip to Oregon.

Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor (left) is being investigated over an alleged trip to a strip club with staffers, an 'inappropriate' relationship with an employee and having a 'stash' of alcohol in her DC office

Lori Chavez-DeRemer (pictured with husband Dr. Shawn DeRemer) faces an internal complaint with the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General for both unprofessional conduct and using her position to be a 'boss from Hell'

Chavez-DeRemer has also been accused of drinking on the job in government offices, all accusations a White House spokesperson called 'baseless.'

'Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is an incredible asset to President Trump's team and she will continue advancing the President's America First agenda,' Taylor Rogers told the Post.

Chavex-DeRemer's lawyer told the Post in a statement: 'Secretary Chavez-DeRemer firmly denies any allegations of wrongdoing. Her utmost priority remains to advance President Trumps agenda by continuing her hard and successful work for the betterment of the American people.'

The list of accusations against Chavez-DeRemer includes at least three meetings with her employee and alleged partner in September and October while either waiting for her security team to leave or after Chavez-DeRemer told the security team they weren't needed.

They're also alleged to have traveled to the ritzy Red Rocks Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas during the government shutdown for Chavez-DeRemer's niece's birthday.

The complaint also cites two other trips to Las Vegas during her first year in office in which video allegedly captures them behaving unprofessionally.

She's accused of making ten of her 50 official trips in office to either Nevada, her home state of Oregon, her daughter's residence in Michigan or her adopted home of Arizona where she and her husband have a home, including three of her five trips in November.

It also accuses Chavez-DeRemer of maintaining 'a stash' of bourbon, Kahlua and champagne at her office in Washington.

Chavez-DeRemer, 57, was one of the president's most popular Cabinet picks to start his second term, confirmed by the Senate with significant support from Republicans and Democrats

She is accused of using her government trips to give a brief speech before she 'goes out drinking at night' using government money.

Chavez-DeRemer also allegedly made her aides run personal and other odd jobs while working for her.

The official complaint also lists Chavez-Deremer's Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, according to the Post.

They're accused of being 'involved' and having 'knowledge of these issues.'

Chavez-DeRemer's team has fiercely stood by her, with her husband of over 40 years Dr. Shawn DeRemer flatly denying any impropriety.

'There's not an ounce of truth to this, and anyone who knows my wife would know that,' said DeRemer, with whom the secretary has two children.

Rogers accused The New York Post of 'journalistic malpractice.'

'The New York Post was unable to provide any evidence to corroborate these baseless claims in this "report" supposedly filed by a FORMER disgruntled employee.'

Chavez-DeRemer and the staffer are alleged to have traveled to the ritzy Red Rocks Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas during the government shutdown for Chavez-DeRemer's niece's birthday

'Additionally, they were unable to present any evidence that this 'report' was ever even filed.'

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor also slammed the allegations.

'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 Department's work on behalf of this historic Administration,' Courtney Parella told The Post.

'The Secretary is considering all possible avenues, including legal action, to fight these baseless accusations from anonymous sources.'

The Office of the Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito declined comment to the Post.

'It is the policy of the DOL OIG to neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of any OIG investigation or complaint beyond what is published on our website,' they said.

'DOL OIG remains committed to rooting out fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption through objective, independent oversight of the U.S. Department of Labor.'

The alleged subordinate Chavez-DeRemer was accused of romancing, whom the Post did not name, refused to comment when confronted.

The official complaint also lists Chavez-Deremer's Chief of Staff Jihun Han (pictured left) and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright (pictured right)

Chavez-DeRemer's team has fiercely stood by her, with her husband of over 40 years Dr. DeRemer flatly denying any impropriety

'I got lawyers, so I'm not gonna talk to you. I have nothing to say,' they told the Post.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House, the Department of Labor, Chavex-DeRemer's Office and the Office of the Inspector General for further comment.

In March, Senators voted 67 to 32 with 17 Democrats joining their colleagues to confirm former GOP Rep. Chavez-DeRemer for the position.

Despite being one of the president's final top officials to be Senate confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer had already attended Cabinet meetings at the White House and sat with his other top officials at his address to a joint session of Congress.

She overcame a key hurdle with a procedural vote in the full Senate last week with bipartisan support, but her path to becoming labor secretary was not entirely smooth sailing.

The former congresswoman's nomination was a nod from the president to union workers whom he made inroads with on the 2024 campaign trail.

But during her confirmation process, the former Oregon congresswoman backed away from her prior support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act she once championed as she looked to shore up support from business friendly Republicans.

In the end, three Republican senators, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul and Ted Budd, voted against her confirmation.

In March, Senators voted 67 to 32 with 17 Democrats joining their colleagues to confirm former GOP Rep. Chavez-DeRemer for the position

She previously served as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon just outside Portland and on the city council

McConnell noted her past stance on unions in a statement after voting against her.

Her confirmation hearing also faced delays before it was finally held last month.

Chavez-DeRemer appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee where she faced a tough grilling from senators on February 19.

Committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) expressed during the hearing that there were some in the business community who were concerned about her co-sponsoring the PRO Act.

When he asked if she supported the law, she sidestepped, claiming it was Congress that should pass the laws.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also pressed her over her past support for the legislation.

She told him she no longer supported the part of the legislation that would overturn state Right to Work laws.

Democrats questioned her over how she would respond to Trump or Elon Musk and his DOGE team should they seek data from the department.

During that line of questioning, she vowed to protect Labor Department information but also noted she had not yet been confirmed or spoken about it to the president about it.

On the federal minimum wage remaining at $7.25 an hour, Chavez-DeRemer acknowledged it has not been raised since 2009 while the cost of living has soared, but she said raising the wage was a decision for Congress.

Chavez-DeRemer represented Oregon's 5th District for one term in Congress from 2023 to 2025 after flipping the blue district. But she lost her reelection bid in a close race in November 2024.

She previously served as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon just outside Portland and on the city council.
The photographs show a picture-perfect young family: a handsome man and smiling woman doting on a baby boy with adorable blond curls, who is tentatively petting an equally adorable dog.

But while everyone in the image agrees that they have created the ideal family, all is not quite as it seems.

The young man is Flavio, and he entered the lives of Danielle Winston and her wife, Paige Kennedy-Winston, in 2021 during their months-long search for a sperm donor.

Today, they are the pin-ups for a new type of family unit.

Danielle, 38, and Paige, 32, have since built a business helping hundreds of other couples navigate the perils of the US sperm donor market after despairing at the choices available for those needing help to start their own brood.

'We spent thousands of dollars buying every single subscription to every single known sperm bank in the US,' Danielle told the Daily Mail.

It was like 'choosing between frat boys or creepier older men,' she said.

'You don't even know their name. You don't know what they're like. You can't talk to them. You can't know that they're a good person.'

Everyone in the image above agrees that they have created the ideal family, all is not quite as it seems. The young man is Flavio, and he entered the lives of Danielle Winston and her wife, Paige Kennedy-Winston, (pictured) in 2021 during their months-long search for a sperm donor

Danielle, 38, (left) and Paige, 32, (right) have built a business helping hundreds of other couples navigate the perils of the US sperm donor market after despairing at the choices available for those needing help to start their own brood

Eventually, after interviewing more than 200 candidates in a quest that stretched across international borders, the couple found Flavio.

Danielle describes him as 'an Italian guy who's really close to his grandmother and really cares about his family, friends and his dog.'

'If we could have 10 of him at our dining room table every night, we'd be the happiest people in the world because he's so loving and full of heart and soul,' she said.

Today, Danielle and Paige have a two-year-old boy conceived using sperm donated by Flavio, and they welcomed a daughter conceived in the same way in November.

At every step, Flavio has been there, flying over from his home in Italy to meet their son, and introducing him to his extended family including his mother in Italy.

'We met the whole family, and it's been so beautiful and so amazing. They've become family to us,' said Danielle, who hopes Flavio will meet their newborn daughter in the summer.

She now sees many of her clients forging similar bonds with the men who have helped them bring life into the world.

'It's a new way of building a family,' she reflected.

Demand for sperm in the US is soaring, with the sperm bank market expected to grow from a $5.9 billion industry today to $8 billion by 2030.

Around 10 percent of Americans experience infertility, and rates are rising globally. Same-sex couples and single women are also increasingly looking to start families, fueling a lucrative - and often exploitative - industry.

Human sperm now costs more than gold per gram, with a vial of semen weighing between 0.5 and one gram averaging around between $1,500 and $2,000.

Laura High, a comedian who was conceived by sperm donor and has become an advocate for the community in her stand-up shows and on her Podcast, 'Insemination,' told the Daily Mail that the price had become 'absolutely outrageous.'

Even large sperm banks that once offered a basic service have begun charging extra for the most rudimentary information about the donors.

'You're not even able to get the full medical history unless you pay for a subscription,' High said. 'If you want a photo, that's an extra fee.'

Despite the cost, many major sperm banks still allow donors to remain anonymous, require only cursory health screening and permit a donor to father dozens, or even hundreds, of babies.

This means a donor-conceived person could have hundreds of unknown siblings  potentially in the same geographic area - creating a genetic minefield if they decide to have their own children. Half-siblings could all too easily become unwitting romantic partners.

And that's the regulated side of the industry. Many couples who can't afford the sperm banks are forced to turn to online fertility forums rife with fraud, deception and sexual abuse, where predatory men offer 'natural insemination' to women desperate for babies.

At every step, Flavio (picture with his the then newly born baby) has been there, flying over from his home in Italy to meet Danielle and Paige's son, and introducing him to his extended family including his mother in Italy

Flavio (pictured with his biological son) is 'an Italian guy who's really close to his grandmother and really cares about his family, friends and his dog'

In response, a growing number of luxury and bespoke sperm bank start-ups have emerged offering exclusive services, from curated donors with impeccable pedigrees to concierge matchmaking for families who can afford it.

For Danielle, an attorney, and Paige, a pediatrician, it was the relationship they developed with Flavio that made their experience so positive.

In 2022, they founded Seed Scout, a new kind of sperm bank that offers not just a vial of semen but a relationship with the human being who donated it.

All donors in the Seed Scout database are identified and must meet recipient families. Both parties must agree to the donation, and each donor can donate to a maximum of three families.

Donors are required to commit to at least two in-person meetings with their biological children in later life and must share an annual update of their medical histories.

Despite the stringent requirements, Seed Scout has attracted a large and diverse database of donors, with more than 770 eligible men currently registered.

The payment is a key factor. Traditional sperm banks typically offer between $75 and $150 per donation, even when that donation can be divided into multiple vials.

'You can have one donor who makes $100 per donation but that might be able to make 10 sellable vials,' High explained, 'and then they sell each of those vials for $1,500, so the profit margins are insane.'

Seed Scout, however, pays donors at least $5,000 per donation. Families can choose between a standard package for $10,500 in which a donor can donate to a maximum of three families, or a package for $24,500 in which he is exclusive to one family. In both cases, about half the cost is the fee for the donor.

The company has also tapped into demographics often overlooked by traditional sperm banks, many of which impose physical restrictions on donors, such as height minimums.

Seed Scout assesses donors on a case-by-case basis and is more flexible on physical traits provided that a potential donor meets the strict health screening requirements.

Because all donors are known, the company can also navigate US Food and Drug Administration regulations banning anonymous sperm donations from men who have had sex with men in the past five years.

The gay community has proved to be a significant resource for Seed Scout, with many fit young men signing up out of altruism rather than money, Danielle said.

'The primary motivation is to help someone because they understand how difficult it is to be part of a community that cannot procreate without help,' she explained.

One such donor is Michael LaVallee, a 33-year-old brand strategy expert from Chicago. He heard about Seed Scout from friends who had already signed up.

'I don't want the responsibility that comes with being a dad, but I've always wanted to see how my genes and DNA make another human,' LaVallee said.

'The whole aspect of bringing someone a family that they couldn't have before was also very appealing to me.'

Seed Scout pays donors at least $5,000 per donation. Families can choose between a standard package for $10,500 in which a donor can donate to a maximum of three families, or a package for $24,500 in which he is exclusive to one family

The gay community has proved to be a significant resource for Seed Scout, with many fit young men signing up out of altruism rather than money. One such donor is Michael LaVallee, a 33-year-old brand strategy expert from Chicago

He has already helped one couple conceive. Ginny and Kevin, who both work in marketing, discovered in 2022 that Kevin had a condition called azoospermia, a condition that can cause infertility.

As with Danielle and Paige, they despaired at the lack of information provided by big sperm banks and eventually discovered Seed Scout via a Reddit forum.

It didn't take long to find their match. Handsome, musically talented and working in a similar industry, LaVallee felt like the perfect fit.

During their initial video call, all three realized they were seeking the same thing: a life-long connection that went beyond a single donation in a cup.

They went ahead with the donation and met up throughout the pregnancy, mapping out how their unconventional family would evolve.

'Being a gay adult, your chosen family is your everything so that's when it really all started clicking for me with Ginny and Kevin,' said LaVallee.

'It's the intentionality behind building a family together. I think it's really cool that I get to get to know [them] and do this for the rest of our lives.

Just before Christmas, Ginny gave birth to a girl, one of 44 babies born so far with the help of Seed Scout.

LaVallee has since donated sperm to a second couple and said both families he donated to intend to meet up in the future, pioneering a new type of happy family.

It's a family for which, Ginny said, she and Kevin will be 'eternally grateful.'

She said: 'We're very lucky that Michael helped us build our family. He's just a wonderful person that did the most wonderful thing for us.'
A Queensland mother of two is devastated after a dream Christmas cruise ended with engagement photos so badly edited she could barely recognise her own family.

Jessica Latta's partner, Jayden Bailey, organised the photoshoot to capture the moment he proposed during their first major family holiday.

But instead of treasured keepsakes, the couple say they were left with bizarrely altered images and they say they were met by silence when they raised concerns.

'I can honestly say the edits were horrendous,' Ms Latta told Daily Mail.

'My kids' faces were distorted. Their hairlines were blurred to the point they didn't even look real.

'And in the photo of our engagement where my partner is holding the ring, his finger looked like something out of Shrek.'

The touching proposal took place on Christmas Eve, during a stop at Lifou Island in New Caledonia on their Carnival cruise to the South Pacific.

A photographer travelled on the tender with the family to capture the special moment, and Ms Latta said the photoshoot itself was faultless.

Jessica Latta's partner organised the photoshoot during their first major family holiday

Ms Latta says she could barely recognise her own family

'She was wonderful. She was patient, kind, and amazing with our almost three-year-old who was having tantrums by that stage,' she said.

'When Jayden proposed it was a beautiful moment and we truly thought it had been captured.'

On December 26 the couple spent two hours selecting their package, choosing 36 unedited images, a canvas, and 15 advanced edited photos.

They were told the final images would be delivered by midnight on the last night of the cruise.

That deadline came and went.

At around 4am on the final day, they received a USB containing the unedited photos and a letter stating the edited images would be emailed later that day.

Days passed. Still nothing.

'At that point I thought we've just spent $1800 on photos of our engagement and our first big family holiday and we had nothing,' Ms Latta said.

Ms Latta says her children's faces were completely distorted

Ms Latta says her husband has a Shrek finger in her ring shot

My Baileys iris was missing and his ear had an unusual shape to it

She contacted Carnival and received an automated response advising it could take up to 45 days to hear back.

'I thought, "No! I've spent $1800." I'm not waiting 45 days for photos I've already paid for,' she said.

With no response, she posted in a Carnival social media page, where another passenger who was onboard the ship intervened and contacted the photographer directly.

That night Ms Latta finally received a link to the edited images and says she was horrified by what she saw.

Despite raising her concerns, she has since heard nothing further and has still not received a response from Carnival regarding her original complaint.

To make matters worse, she says the unedited images are also unusable.

'Some were completely blown out, others were too dark. I can't do anything with them,' she said.

'This is our engagement. I waited 10 years for this.

Ms Latta wanted to share the photos with loved ones

'Something that was meant to be captured and remembered and something we paid a lot of money for has just not been delivered.

'We both work full time and pay our mortgage and saved so much to be able to take our kids on this holiday.

'We wanted to share the special moment with family and friends and it's so disappointing.'

Ms Latta says she is now speaking out to warn other families.

'I don't know where to go from here,' she said.

'But no one should pay that kind of money and be left with nothing.'

Daily Mail has contacted Carnival for comment.
The mother of a murder victim who was stabbed to death in Knightsbridge has accused Sadiq Khan of 'celebrating' London's falling homicide rates while her 'beautiful boy lies in his grave'.

Blue Stevens, 24, was knifed in broad daylight outside the 1,650-a-night five-star Park Tower Hotel and Casino, which is opposite the Harvey Nichols department store in central London, on July 9.

More than six months have passed but the killer - whom murder detectives believe could have stabbed the father-of-two in a 'targeted attack' - is still at large.

As mystery surrounds the brazen murder, the Metropolitan Police this week released figures which showed homicide in London has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade. There was just over one unlawful killing (1.07) per 100,000 people last year.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to the results of 'relentless work' to drive down violent crime in the capital, while Mayor of London Mr Khan said 'even the harshest critics of London would have to accept these figures are remarkable'.

It comes amid a long-running spat between Mr Khan and US President Donald Trump, who last year accused the mayor of doing a 'terrible job' and said 'crime in London is through the roof'.

But the 'celebrations' from Mr Rowley and Mr Khan have provoked a furious response from the family of murder victim Blue, whose brazen killer is still at large and may have fled the country.

Charlie Sheridan, Blue's mother, told the Daily Mail: 'It's an absolute insult. I am furious watching them all giving each other a pat on the back whilst my beautiful boy lies in his grave.'

Blue Stevens with his son. He was stabbed outside the 1,650-a-night 5-star Park Tower Hotel and Casino, which is directly across the road from the Harvey Nichols department store in central London, on July 9

Charlie Sheridan, Blue's mother, said it was an 'insult' that Sadiq Khan was 'celebrating' London's falling homicide rates. Pictured: Blue with his mother Charlie

The victim had two children, including a little girl (pictured together)

The murder scene outside the Park Tower Casino in London's Knightsbridge in July last year

The grieving mother added: 'Is Sadiq Khan really bragging about the murder rate in London?

'Are they really celebrating the fabulous news about the number of murderers this last year. One murder is too many. How f***ing dare they?

'When the news broke about what happened to my son, Sadiq Khan refused to comment on any of it. He did not acknowledge what had happened to my son at all, not one word from him.'

Mr Khan had reacted to the latest homicide figures by saying many people had 'been trying to talk London down'.

'Whether it's President Donald Trump, whether it's politicians concentrated in Europe, this country, or other parts of the world, I can understand why they hate London,' the mayor said.

'We are diverse, we are progressive, we are liberal, we are successful, but even the harshest critics of London would have to accept these figures are remarkable.'

Meanwhile, Mr Rowley said: 'The results speak for themselves - fewer lives lost, fewer families shattered.

'Every murder is a tragedy, but we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to drive down serious violence.

'This work will not stop, and neither will our determination to keep Londoners safe.'

There were 97 such deaths in 2025, an 11 per cent reduction on 2024 (109), according to the new data.

This represents the lowest total since 2014 (95 deaths), with London's population having risen by more than half a million since then.

And it works out at 1.07 homicides per 100,000 residents - the lowest rate since comparable data was first collected in 1997, when the figure was 2.38.

The figures also show a particularly stark reduction in violent deaths involving victims under-25, with just 18 last year, compared with the previous record of 31 in 2024.

It was at its highest in 2017, when 69 young people were killed.

Meanwhile the number of murders in London has also reduced, with 93 in 2025, at the lowest rate since 2014.

Scotland Yard said officers have arrested roughly an extra 1,000 criminals every month over the last year.

They have also made more than 21,000 'disruptions' against serious and organised crime groups and individuals during that time, taking thousands of guns and knives from London's streets.

Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry into Blue's death, including whether the murder was a botched attempted watch robbery as he was wearing a gold timepiece when he was attacked.

Blue and his friend were on their way to have dinner at Nusr-Et, the steakhouse run by celebrity chef Salt Bae, when the attacker intercepted them just yards away from the restaurant.

A nearby hotel worker previously told the Daily Mail the pair were walking along the pavement when the knifeman stabbed Blue in the chest before his friend desperately tried to save him.

On July 14, five days after Blue's death, the Met Police announced they had arrested three men in their 20s in connection with the murder.

Blue's sister shared this image and tribute, showing him wearing one of his beloved watches

Blue's partner left flowers at the scene of his murder and said: 'We are absolutely devastated without you. You took a piece of my heart with you. A part of me has gone with you'

Two were detained at an address in Hounslow - one on suspicion of murder and another on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. A third man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three were bailed and no further arrests or charges have come.

The Mail previously revealed how the suspected murderer allegedly fled the country on fake documents within hours of knifing Blue.

Ms Sheridan claimed on Facebook in August: 'They [police] know who did it. He left the country on fake documents hours afterwards. Gone. Makes me sick to my stomach.'

Ms Sheridan has posted a series of emotional tributes to Blue since his tragic death, which came just days before his 25th birthday on July 29.

The family gave Blue an emotional send-off on August 8, driving his body past his grandparents' house and through Yateley.

In one post the night before the funeral, Ms Sheridan wrote: 'Going to bed knowing that I've got to bury my child tomorrow. Oh my god. This can't be real. This can't be true. Please god. Not my handsome blue boy.'

In another, she said: 'Whoever took my son's life took mine as well.'

And in a third, she wrote: 'I was robbed. We have all been robbed. Not just of him, but of who we were before. Still no one paying for what they took.'

Blue is from a family of famous boxers. His grandfather was celebrated heavyweight Les Stevens, who won bronze at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

Stevens went on a 15-fight winning streak as a professional before retiring in 1979. In his career he had 23 wins and just five defeats.

Les then devoted 40 years of his life to training boxers.

The tent showing where Blue was stabbed outside the Park Tower casino in Knightsbridge

Blue's BMW X3 was parked just 100 metres away and was cordoned off behind police tape

The Park Tower Hotel and Casino is next door to Nusr-Et (pictured), the steakhouse run by celebrity chef Salt Bae. Blue was on his way to have dinner here when he was stabbed just yards away

Police swarmed the exclusive area at just before 9.30pm

Friends said Blue loved buying the 'sparkliest' watches he could find.

The Metropolitan Police are probing whether the incident was a targeted attack and said the theft of his watch remains a line of inquiry.

In their most recent statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who leads policing in Central West London, said: 'These arrests mark a significant milestone in this complex and unfolding murder investigation.

'We continue to progress at pace. While we retain an open mind around motive, one line of enquiry is now that this may have been a targeted attack.

'Increased police patrols remain active in and around the Knightsbridge area. Please do speak with an officer if you have any questions or concerns.'
A couple in their twenties have revealed how they're transforming their 'rundown' 1950s detached home into a modern oasis and claim it's better than a newbuild.

Laura Hodson, 23, and her partner Aaron Davies, 25, bought their three-bedroom home in Wrexham for 250,000,

After spending 11,000 on renovations, Aaron says transforming the 'dated' house has worked out better than buying brand new.

So far they have removed four structural walls, got rid of the chimney, added in bifolding doors and have installed new plumbing and electrics.

'The original owner bought the house when it was built in the 1950s and lived there until she was 101,' Aaron told the Daily Mail.

'We knew given the fact that shed been on her own for 30 years it was obviously very dated and it definitely needed a full renovation.'

The couple have been renovating the property on the weekends and after work alongside the help of their parents and grandparents, who have experience in construction.

Laura Hodson, 23, and her partner Aaron Davies, 25, bought their three-bedroom home in Wrexham for 250,000

After spending 11,000 on the most strenuous renovations, Aaron says transforming the 'dated' house has worked out better than buying brand new

So far they have removed four structural walls, got rid of an entire chimney and added in bifolding doors (pictured)

Aaron added: 'The biggest challenge has been converting the traditional style into the modern standard of living, which is open plan.

'Because it was built in the 50s its all solid construction so everything has to have steel support because its all solid brick.

'The chimney had to be taken out all the way through the roof.

'Weve been flying, we got the keys middle of October, and within six weeks the walls were down.

'We both work full time, so it's a case of weekends and evenings and were really really lucky that weve got a great network around us of family and friends.'

One of the biggest benefits of transforming a 1950s house is the hidden details that have been preserved over time.

For Laura and Aaron, it was the solid oak flooring they found hidden beneath the carpet.

'Its a bit like an onion, youre unpeeling the layers,' Aaron explained.

Laura and Aaron found gorgeous solid oak flooring they found hidden beneath the carpet (pictured)

The couple have been renovating the property on the weekends and after work alongside the help of their parents and grandparents

One of the challenges with renovating a 1950s property is that it's all built from solid brick

'There were some interesting carpet choices in the building and then as you pull it back you see this beautiful solid oak flooring, which is amazing.'

The couple love the flooring so much they plan on restoring and extending it into the kitchen.

To source the tiles they contacted a reclaimed timber company who were able to find nearly identical flooring from a stately home in Hungary.

They were shipped over and will be used to patch up any damage.

'Were definitely finding funny things here and there,' Aaron said.

'Just last week when we were pulling up the kitchen floor we found an old exterior door that went to the outside, the floor went down two inches and had been boarded over.

'We also found a receipt for some chairs in the floorboards that dated back to 1954.'

Aaron said his biggest takeaway so far is that you can achieve a lot on a budget.

The property is a 1950s detached home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms

Within six weeks of picking up the keys all the walls in the property were knocked down

Pictured: The original 1950s style kitchen inside the home in Wreckham

He said: 'You can get a lot done for not a lot of money. The stuff that I've seen online doesn't seem right.

'Things seem to be way overpriced for the amount that you can get done.

'It seems when you read things online it's often scare tactics but when you come to do it, it's not as scary.

'If you plan well, you've got the contingency there that you know roughly what it's going to cost then it's not awful.'
For years, the city built up one of the Americas strongest industries of Spanish-language productions, creating an ecosystem that brought work and visibility to thousands of actors and creators

Adriana Barraza likes to remember the Miami of the end of the 1980s as she would an old lover: with gratitude, wonder and nostalgia. The Mexican actress, who is today well-known in Hollywood, walked the halls of the citys first Hispanic studios, right when their industry was beginning to take shape. She remembers this time with surprisingly clarity, as if she could still hear the echoes of those first rehearsals, the frenetic rhythm of shoots and the mix of accents that for many, turned Miami into a starting point on the way to bigger things.

Everybody knows that in 1988, telenovelas [Latin American soap opera] began in Miami, Barranza states precisely, having been a firsthand witness to this foundational era. Something new was being born, a meeting point in which Latino stories could be told from the United States, within reach of an audience that was growing quickly.

If the viewer turned on the television and said, Where is this from? you had already lost them, remembers the actress, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work on the movie Babel in 2006.

Adriana Barraza, in Mexico City on May 24. Aggi Garduno

The mecca of Latino melodrama

That Miami was a city in transformation. Its migratory growth brought new voices, new talents and new work. Its audiovisual industry was developing through studios that had been founded alongside expanding pathways and neighborhoods where Latino communities were beginning to define social and economic landscapes.

Against this backdrop, three production companies arose that would characterize the era: Venevision International, Fonovideo and Telemundo Studios. The three produced between seven and 10 telenovelas a year between them, a volume that would leave Miami the primary center of production of Spanish-language productions in the United States. No other place in the country had anything like it.

This generated a job market for actors, directors, technicians, makeup artists, stylists, scriptwriters, caterers all found their place within Miamis panorama.

There was fresh money, very fresh, remembers Venezuelan director Luis Manzo, who came to Miami to counter the dominant production of telenovelas coming out of Mexico at the time. The dream was to make a competitive product in the United States, says the producer of shows like Perro Amor (Dog Love) and Silvana sin lana (Rich in Love).

His Mexican colleague Fez Noriega points to another structural factor: diversity. Miami enjoyed the tremendous advantage of having actors from all throughout Latin America, he says. It was a blend that enriched stories and facilitated international distribution. An Argentine would play the villain, a Colombian the male romantic lead, a Mexican the female protagonist and the public saw it all as believable, because the city functioned as an intersection of identities.

One show followed another. The citys studios were at work nearly 24/7. Miami was a constant set: residential areas turned fictitious mansions, beaches, offices turned backdrops for scenes at the workplace

For actors, Miami represented a professional leap, like playing in Division I, says Pablo Azar, who arrived in 2005 to record El cuerpo del deseo (Second Chance). He sums things up thusly: If you made a good telenovela, you earned a very large public.

At the time, the Hispanic market was comprised of two major players: Telemundo and Univision, the Spanish-language TV channels that continue to dominate the market today. There was no social media. There were no streaming platforms, remembers Azar, who fought so that telenovela actors could join the SAG-AFTRA union and have better working conditions. People saw what they broadcasted. And if you were on a good project, half the Americas saw you, he remembers.

Pablo Azar at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, on August 25, 2016. John Parra (NBCU Photo Bank/Telemundo via Getty images)

The citys attraction was twofold: exposure and stability. Many actors wanted to go to Miami because they would earn in dollars, and you could live well, says Azar. The areas cost of living was moderate, with accessible rents and continuous audiovisual projects allowing one to imagine a well-rounded life in the city.

There were months of regular work, reasonable wages and economic activity that benefited a metropolitan area that was in the midst of a growth period. Miami became, for more than two decades, the biggest factory of non-English-language productions in the United States. Some called it the Hollywood of telenovelas.

The market shift

For years, Miami believed that its machinery was unstoppable. But three factors changed the equation in recent times: streaming, increases in cost of living, and the elimination of tax incentives in Florida.

Streaming fragmented consumption and pulverized old habits of daily watching loyalty. 120-episode telenovelas were replaced by shorter and more sophisticated series that required less shooting time and had distributed budgets differently.

Concurrently, Miami has become one of the countrys most expensive real estate markets. Costs are not as attractive as they were before, admits Manzo.

And finally, the most important factor: the state of Florida retired the fiscal incentives that allowed it to compete with Mexico and Colombia. For the industry, this was a knockout punch

[Taking away] the incentives was to blame, 100%, states Azar. With them went the shoots. And with the shoots, a lot of the telenovela jobs. Mexico offered 30% tax incentives; Colombia, 40%; Florida, zero. The results were immediate: Venevision stopped producing locally, Fonovideo disappeared. Telemundo Studios continued working in southern Florida  and still does  though it has outsourced some productions to the other locations.

At the Telemundo headquarters, which opened its newest studios in 2018, perspectives are more mixed. Javier Pons, chief content officer and director of Telemundo Studios, steers clear of any fatalism. I dont think the telenovela has lost strength, he says. What is happening is that it is diversifying. I dont like labels. We have adapted.

According to Pons, Telemundo Studios has resisted, transformed its model. And it hasnt just survived  it has grown. Before, we only did long telenovelas. Now we make long series, short series for streaming, films we have multiplied our production, he says. Pons is convinced that the company, which currently produces between three and four projects a year, has not only moved past the era when everything revolved around melodrama, but has also successfully adapted to the new era with formats that better match current audience interests.

avier Pons at the launch of Velvet El Nuevo Imperio at the Telemundo Center on Doral, Florida on February 24. Alexander Tamargo (Getty Images)

The company, whose parent company is Comcast through its NBCUniversal division, continues to be the biggest producer of Spanish productions in the United States, with 22 studios.

Though Pons doesnt hide the fact that producing in the United States is more costly than it was a decade ago, he says the natural home of Telemundo remains in the country. Hes still betting on the nation where the brand was born.

We are committed to producing here, in the United States, he explains. Our audience is here, and we owe it to them. That tie to the Hispanic public  an enormous and extremely loyal audience  is, he says, the motor that guides the studios creative and strategic decisions.

In addition, Pons says that audiovisual production has a significant economic impact on the region: When one invests in these productions, the amount of money that enters and the quantity of jobs that are generated is enormous.

The challenge of tax incentives

But even Telemundo recognizes that without tax incentives, it will be hard to get back to the massive production that once characterized Miami. A variety of those involved agree with him. Alejandra Palomera doesnt mince words on the subject: Incentives are incredibly important. Miami needs incentives, and many of them.

And Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia, who is in charge of the government office that coordinates, facilitates and  when they exist  manages incentives for audiovisual productions in the area, confirms this perception. I am trying to bring better conditions for film and television productions, but those incentives have to come from Florida. The states philosophy does not include them, and that makes it difficult to compete, he says.

When he was a state senator, a position he held for over a decade, Garcia ran a local $10 million fund geared towards attracting productions, but he recognizes that this isnt enough. State-level incentives are the ones that drive large projects, and those simply dont exist anymore.

Despite the decline of productions in Miami, the telenovela has taken on new life. Streaming platforms have reclaimed the genre, exporting it to new audiences, turning it into crossover content.

In the United States, the Latino community now totals more than 62 million, a gigantic market for any channel. Telenovelas, newly baptized with other names like super series and premium series, still work, and are still part of the Hispanic cultural DNA. What has changed is where they are produced, not what they represent.

When you ask those who lived through Miamis golden age of Latino media whether the city can get back its shine, responses vary between prudence and hope.

Its necessary that we re-evaluate the telenovela, says Barraza, who was there at the start of it all. Of course there is hope, says Azar, though he conditions this with as long as the incentives come back. Palomera thinks its possible, with better public policy. And Garcia insists, Miami is still the perfect place to shoot but we need support.

Miami is no longer the absolute capital of Latino melodrama, but it still has its spark. It only needs someone to blow on it. And perhaps  as in any good Latino telenovela  there are unexpected twists still to come.

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A Yazidi woman enslaved by ISIS has described her seven-year ordeal of sexual abuse and torture at the hands of ruthless terror chiefs, including leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and her extraordinary escape to freedom.

Sipan Khalil was just 15 when ISIS swept through the Yazidi village of Kocho, Iraq in 2014 during what the UN later recognised as a genocide.

The now 26-year-old was abducted and taken to Raqqa, Syria - then the capital of the Islamic State caliphate - before being sold into slavery.

She was held by ISIS leaders for seven years. During that time, she was repeatedly sold, sexually abused and forced into marriages.

In captivity, Sipan witnessed young girls being assaulted and was routinely tortured with rape, beatings and hunger by the leaders of the terror group.

She ended up in the residence of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, where she was forced to work as a domestic slave and take care of his children.

Sipan has outlined her ordeal in numerous interviews in recent years, most recently speaking to Rudaw last week where she described how Baghdadi committed 'assaults' against 'very young girls' as young as eight.

In a previous interview she recounted how Baghdadi attempted to rape her while one of his wives held her down after they discovered a secret notebook in which she had been documenting ISIS crimes.

Sipan Khalil, now 26, was a teenager when ISIS kidnapped her and killed her family

Sipan ended up in the residence of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured), where she was forced to work as a domestic slave

Sipan was officially freed and reunited with her family in 2021 (pictured) by Western Nineveh Operations Command

Sipan (pictured speaking to Rudaw last week) was held by ISIS leaders for seven years

They were only interrupted when a wave of coalition airstrikes started, she told Al-Monitor in 2022

The terror leader locked her in a basement and deprived her of food and sunlight and the couple 'committed many assaults' against her, she said.

Baghdadi tortured her with an electric shock baton while he interrogated her about the contents of her diary.

At one point, she was handed to ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani and stripped of her name.

Her captor forced her to call herself 'Baqiyah' ('She who remains'). Her life became a cycle of hunger, abuse and humiliation.

Sipan recounted how she witnessed other Yazidi slaves in the house picked one at a time to be raped by Adnani and prayed she wouldn't be next.

'They came back like corpses. They never said anything,' she said.

However, his abuse eventually reached her, and she described being violently raped by the militant.

Sipan was handed to ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani (pictured)

Sipan's life became a cycle of hunger, abuse and humiliation

'He tied my wrists to the feet of the couch, and started hitting me as he covered my mouth with his elbow. I fainted.

'I didn't realise anything until the sun rose. I started screaming. He kept me tied to the couch and raped me again and again before and after prayers.'

She said the abuse continued for months.

Adnani reportedly trafficked Yazidi girls as young as nine, selling them to places such as Turkey, Lebanon and the Gulf countries.

During her captivity, she was forced to witness extreme violence carried out by ISIS leaders.

Sipan told Al-Monitor how she had been taken by Adnani to watch the notorious execution of captured Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh, who was burned alive in a cage in early 2015.

'I had seen decapitated heads, corpses, but that day I entered a new world,' she said of the horrific killing which shocked the world.

In 2017, Sipan was married off to Abu Azam Lubnani, a 22 year-old Lebanese ISIS fighter.

She said the militant would sit her down and proudly show her videos of him lining up prisoners and shooting them while shouting Allahu Akbar.

Sipan described him as 'an evil man, serving a state that was murdering innocent people'.

She described being taken by Adnani to watch the execution of captured Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh who was burned alive in a cage in 2015

'I had seen decapitated heads, corpses, but that day I entered a new world,' she said of witnessing the murder of Muath al-Kaseasbeh

US special forces move towards the compound of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a raid

At one point, Lubnani located her younger brother Majdal, who was being forcibly trained by the terror group, and brought him to their apartment for a brief visit, where she told her brother to tell their family she was dead.

Soon after, coalition warplanes struck the building where Sipan was living while Lubnani was away.

She survived the strike and during her lengthy recovery learned she was pregnant.

'I wished to die after hearing this because I did not want to have a child who will bear the name of a terrorist father,' she said.

After ISIS was defeated, Lubnani and a smuggler attempted to traffic Sipan to Lebanon in a journey that ended when a land mine exploded near their vehicle, badly injuring her captors.

Although she and her three-month-old baby boy were wounded, she managed to take hold of Lubnani's gun, shooting him and the smuggler.

The compound housing ISIS emir Al-Qurayshi in northwest Syria prior to a raid executed by US forces, February 2, 2022

Sipan now lives in Berlin, where she studies and works with the Farida Organization, a human rights group founded by Yazidi survivors

She said she didn't feel guilty, adding: 'If I hadnt killed them, I would never be free. It was my last chance'.

Sipan wandered the desert with her baby until finding a barn when she sought shelter. Her son tragically died of his injuries along the way.

A local Bedouin family found her and hid her for two years. After saving enough money to buy a phone, she began frantically looking for her family on social media.

Sipan located her mother, four surviving brothers and five sisters, who were shocked to learn she was still alive.

They had dug a symbolic grave for her, believing she had been killed by the 2017 airstrike on Lubnani's home.

The Bedouins helped her return to Iraq, and she was officially freed and reunited with her family in 2021 by Western Nineveh Operations Command following a joint intelligence operation.

Sipan located her mother, four surviving brothers and five sisters, who were shocked to learn she was still alive

Sipan said her family was almost entirely wiped out during the genocide

Sipan, who also uses the surname 'Ajo', now lives in Berlin, where she studies and works with the Farida Organization, a human rights group founded by Yazidi survivors. She also cares for her surviving siblings.

Sipan said her family was almost entirely wiped out during the genocide.

'They killed my father, they killed my brother, they killed many of my uncles, and they killed my cousins,' she told Rudaw in an interview on Tuesday.

'I take care of my brothers and sisters because my parents are gone,' she added.

Despite rebuilding her life, Sipan said recent violence against Kurdish communities in Syria has brought back painful memories.

'It reminded me of those days in 2014 when they attacked us Yazidis and killed all of us,' she said. 'I say this is a recurring genocide.'
He has all the liberal policies and anti-Trump bona fides needed to become California Governor.

But US Rep. Eric Swalwell is facing one major hurdle in his bid to succeed Gavin Newsom - allegedly he doesnt actually live there.

The California constitution requires gubernatorial candidates to have resided in the Golden State for the previous five years.

But a new lawsuit filed by conservative activist and filmmaker Joel Gilbert claims the home address listed on Swalwells election paperwork is actually a lawyers office.

Gilbert claims the Democrats real abode is a $1.2 million, six-bed mansion in Washington, D.C. which he shares with his wife Brittany Watts, 40, and their three children.

According to the complaint, the swish property was listed as the couple's 'principal residence' when they took out a mortgage in April 2022.

Swalwell, who is considered one of the favorites to win the gubernatorial race, does not appear to own any property in California at all, Gilbert claims in his five-page petition for writ of mandate filed against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

He accuses the lefty congressman of perjury and urges Weber to declare him ineligible to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom in November's election.

'Eric Swalwell has no California address,' Gilbert told the Daily Mail.

California Rep Eric Swalwell is facing a lawsuit seeking to block his bid for governor over claims he does not actually live in the Golden State

The filings claim the address Swalwell has listed as his home address is actually that of a law firm in a high-rise building in Sacramento

'So either he's guilty of mortgage fraud in Washington, DC, or he's ineligible to run for Governor of California, he can't have it both ways.'

Swalwell, 45, has represented the San Francisco Bay Area in Congress since 2012. He has been one of President Trump's most vociferous critics on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to the Epstein files.

The former prosecutor has also been a frequent target of Republican ridicule over his alleged entanglement with alleged Chinese honeytrap spy Christine Fang, known as Fang Fang.

Fang came to the US as a college student and spent years cultivating relationships with prominent California politicians, including Swalwell, reportedly working on his 2014 re-election campaign before vanishing a year later.

The scandal broke in 2020 and cost Swalwell his spot on the House Intelligence Committee, though a two-year standards probe ultimately resulted in no further action.

The California progressive announced his gubernatorial bid on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 20 and was quickly endorsed by left wing celebs including Sean Penn and Robert De Niro.

'I'm running for Governor because prices are too high and people are scared,' his Swalwell for Governor website says.

'California's next governor has two jobs. One, keep the worst president in history out of our homes, out of our streets, and out of our lives.

Conservative activist and filmmaker Joel Gilbert filed the lawsuit accusing Swalwell of perjury and seeking to have him disqualified from the ballot

According to Gilbert's complaint, Swalwell's property was listed as the couple's 'principal residence' when they took out a mortgage in April 2022

The California state Constitution requires candidates to reside in the state for at least five years

'The second job of Governor is to bring a new California. It's great that we can say we are the fourth largest economy in the world. But what does that mean if you work your ass off and don't have a stake in it?'

If Gilbert has his way, it's a job Swalwell will never get the chance to do.

A registered California voter, Gilbert is the producer behind the hard-hitting political documentaries Trump: The Art of the Insult and The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud that Divided America.

His lawsuit seeks an order 'prohibiting' Weber from certifying Swalwell as a gubernatorial candidate, arguing the lawmaker 'fails to satisfy the constitutional residency requirement and filed materially false candidate filings under penalty of perjury.'

The petition, filed in Sacramento County, cites Article V, section 2 of the California Constitution, which requires that the governor be a 'resident of this state for five years immediately preceding the governor's election.'

Gilbert says publicly recorded mortgage documents show that Swalwell signed a deed dated April 18, 2022, that describes a house in northeast Washington, D.C. as the borrower's principal residence.

'Public record searches reveal no current ownership or leasehold interest held by Eric Swalwell in California, nor any history of any ownership or leasehold interest based on available public records,' the self-filed suit adds.

'Swalwell's congressional financial disclosures from 2011 to 2024 list no California real estate ownership.'

The lawsuit claims the Democrat's real abode is a $1.2 million, six-bed mansion in Washington, DC, which he shares with his wife Brittany Watts and their three children

Swalwell filed a California Form 501  Candidate Intention Statement  on December 4 giving his address as a business suite in a Capitol Mall, Sacramento, high-rise.

'That address is not a residence. It is the office address of Swalwell's campaign attorneys,' Gilbert claims.

'Form 501 is signed under penalty of perjury, and the use of a non-residential address constitutes a material representation in a filing required to establish candidate qualifications,' he claimed

The suit asks Weber to 'fulfill her constitutional duty' by disqualifying Swalwell from a crowded field that includes Democrat Congresswoman Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.

Failing to do so would cause 'irreparable harm' to California voters and 'undermine ballot integrity.'

On the seven occasions he's run for Congress, Swalwell has designated Dublin, California as his home, according to Federal Election Commission records reviewed by the Daily Mail.

He gave the address of a two-bed house in 2011 and 2013 before switching to a PO box which he was still using when he was last elected in 2024  two years after signing his Washington, DC mortgage.

'Congressional candidates don't have to live in the specific district they represent but they do have to live in the same state,' Gilbert pointed out to the Daily Mail.

Swalwell's Candidate Intention Statement on December 4 lists his address as a business suite in a Sacramento high-rise

Swalwell has represented the San Francisco Bay Area in Congress since 2012 and is one of former President Donald Trumps most outspoken critics

'So these sorts of questions are not a new thing for Eric Swalwell. California voters deserve answers.'

Swalwell had an opportunity to respond to Gilbert's allegations when the filmmaker attended his town hall earlier this month at Santa Monica High School.

Instead, Gilbert claims 'three goons' surrounded him and kicked him out before he had a chance to speak.

'He only took eight questions then cut it off. I was in the photo line when they approached me and asked me what my plan was,' Gilbert said.

'I said I wanted to take a picture with the congressman. They said they weren't going to allow that and told me I had to leave.

'I believe Swalwell recognized me and he was afraid of answering questions.'

Swalwell's office has been contacted for comment. Daily Mail has also reached out to the Secretary of State's Office.
Hard-hit pub landlords have condemned Labour for treating their businesses like 'cash cows' as they fear Rachel Reeves' crippling tax raids will force them to close their doors for good.

The Chancellor's tax hikes last Autumn - including a major business rates setback for the UK hospitality sector - have left owners suffering 'sleepless nights' as they decide between permanent closure or financial ruin.

Pint prices have been ramped up, opening hours cut and staff laid off in desperate bids to make ends meet after hikes on business rates, National Insurance contributions and minimum wage following two punitive Labour budgets.

More than 5,000 pubs are facing the 'staggering' rise in business rates after their property tax valuations doubled, it emerged on Monday.

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 increase in their so-called 'rateable value' - used to calculate their business rates bill.

But the owners of one village pub in Uffington, Lincolnshire, are facing an even bigger rise after being slapped with a 2,000 per cent surge in their rates valuation.

Katie and James Genever, who run The Bertie Arms, said their rateable value will leap from 2,250 to 46,000 this year.

Mrs Genever, a former nurse, said the increase would almost certainly wipe out any profits their thatched village pub, which is grade II-listed, will make.

She told the Daily Mail: 'I really feel that hospitality as an industry has been persecuted and victimised by the government in the last few years. It's one thing after another thing after another.

Katie and James Genever (pictured) run The Bertie Arms in Uffington, Lincolnshire

The couple said their rateable value will leap from 2,250 to 46,000 this year

Dawn Hopkins (pictured), who owns the Rose Inn in Norwich, told the Daily Mail she is struggling to stay afloat

The Rose Inn (pictured) in Norwich keeps being hit by rising costs, its owner said

'At the moment, we will just about keep our head above water for the next couple of years.'

The pub, owned by the couple since 2017, will pay business rates for the first time in April due to Reeves' tax raid on pubs, which will end the pandemic-era rates relief for hospitality businesses.

As things stand, Mr and Mrs Genever will see their rateable value increase from 2,250 to 46,000 this year.

Mr Genever said the increase would leave them paying 17,000 in rates from 2029 onwards.

She explained that this is the money needed to maintain the 1681 property, adding: 'We've done well with turnover, but the profits are minimal because we're raking it all back in to maintain the building.

'It's a grade II-listed thatched cottage, it's very small, we only have service for about 50 people, so we are constantly up against it to make the money.

'While we do turn over a very good amount of money now, it is certainly not profit - it is all being put back into the decor, the upkeep, and obviously the staff.'

To save the pub, Ms Reeves would have to follow through on plans for a major climbdown on the changes announced in the November Budget.

Mrs Genever said her pub also suffered after last year's April Budget, which saw significant increases to Employer National Insurance Contributions.

'With the National Insurance contributions, and the basic wage - the living wage going up across the board - a lot of our employees are part-time and under 18, and all of a sudden you're paying them 10, 12, 14 per cent pay rises. Just our wage costs last year to cover NI and the increase in living wage went up by 47,000,' she said.

Pub landlord Mat Blackwood (pictured), who is facing the possible closure of his pubs

The New Inn, which Mr Blackwood owns. He fears revaluation could be the 'straw that breaks the camel's back' after losing 100,000 due to higher costs over the last three years

The rateable value of one of Mr Blackwood's two pubs, The Old Sun (pictured), has nearly quadrupled from 18,700 in the late 2010s

'I really strongly believe that if any of the MPs or members of the government had to run a small business, they would have gone bankrupt.

'We're a busy pub and we're worried, so these guys that aren't as busy and the guys that are tied to tenancies and lease pubs are in even more trouble.'

Landlords previously warned that punters may be charged more than 18 for a pint as a result of surging costs - with pubs across the country dropping like flies.

Dawn Hopkins, who owns the Rose Inn in Norwich, accused the government of a 'business rates betrayal' after the Chancellor announced she would lower rates for businesses in the hospitality sector - only for them to discover their bills would actually go up.

The landlord told the Daily Mail: 'I absolutely adore my job. I couldn't think of doing anything better. But there comes a point where you put so much effort in, you put so many hours in, to not get anything back - to have to put your whole life savings into it, and to have to put pensions into it.

'It's extremely difficult at the moment for pubs in general [...] because we are just being squeezed so tightly with all the costs from rises in minimum wage, to National Insurance, all the utility rises - everything has risen for us.

'We had a business rates betrayal, basically, they told us they were going to reform business rates.

'So we were told we were going to have a reform, and what happened was totally the opposite.'

Ms Hopkins doesn't know what the future holds for her business, but she admitted questioning whether all the struggle is worth it.

Meanwhile, one Labour-supporting publican has vowed he will never vote for the party again while Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves are at the helm, due to the enormous business rate hikes following two budgets.

Mat Blackwood also said the rate revaluation, leading to a 30 per cent average rise, may have been calculated using the wrong measure, making it costlier still for successful landlords.

Simon Delaney, 60, who runs The Firbank Pub and Kitchen in Wythenshawe, Manchester, said the industry was already in a 'real mess' even before the last Budget

The Firbank Pub and Kitchen in Wythenshawe, which is run by Mr Delaney

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It comes as industry representatives warn rate hikes could lead to a 'catastrophic rate of failure' in the industry.

Mr Blackwood, 56, who once worked for businessman John Mills  a key financial backer of New Labour - was among jubilant crowds attending the party's 1997 victory celebration at its Millbank HQ.

But he told the Daily Mail: 'I never thought I'd be potentially forced out of business by a Labour government. I won't vote Labour again under this leadership.'

Mr Blackwood fears the Valuation Office Agency has calculated revaluations on 'actual turnover' - when it should use 'fair maintainable trade'.

'FMT is what a reasonably efficient operator should achieve under normal conditions,' he explained.

The VOA defended its calculations, saying that 'in most cases', fair maintainable value 'reflects the actual turnover'.

Mr Blackwood, who runs two pubs in the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton, said the use of actual turnover would mean landlords doing well are unfairly penalised compared with those doing the bare minimum to keep a pub in the black.

The rateable value of one of Mr Blackwood's two pubs, The Old Sun, a 17th century inn which has built up a reputation for its food, has nearly quadrupled from 18,700 in the late 2010s.

It reached 39,000 in 2023. From April, it rises again to 65,000  translating to a 20,000 hike in actual annual rate bills.

This follows three successive minimum wage hikes, last year's National Insurance rises, plus a Covid loan to repay.

The landlord - employing 40 staff at the Sun and 10 more at a second town centre pub, The New Inn, which he owns - fears revaluation could be the 'straw that breaks the camel's back' after losing 100,000 due to higher costs over the last three years.

Dave and Keith Bott, directors of Titanic Brewery, are pictured outside Bod at Stoke Railway Station

The former Punch Taverns regional manager fears that in a worst-case scenario, he may have to hand back the Sun, which he lets from Marstons and spent 200,000 of his own money refurbishing.

If this were to happen, he said the impact could be the loss of jobs providing wages worth 600,000 to the local economy every year.

Mr Blackwood said: 'The government must redo the revaluations - or keep things as they are.'

Without a policy change, he warned lives could be at risk, adding: 'I've experience of suicides among publicans in better times. [Now] there's a lot of pressure.'

Fellow Buxton landlord Ian Howarth, who runs the Queen's Head  opposite The Old Sun  asked: 'Why isn't rateable value based on profit?'

Mr Howarth, having to find an extra 14,000 a year after a revaluation he also suspects was mistakenly based on turnover, said while his pub has high takings due to hosting live bands and opening late, it also has high costs as a result due to paying for extra staffing, musicians and security.

The 50-year-old, brother of senior Tory MP Karen Bradley, added: 'Every publican who is busy is being penalised. But we cannot appeal until the new values actually come in, which is wrong.'

Mr Blackwood and Mr Howarth argue that a 'fair maintainable trade' measure for their pubs should take into account that an average landlord might not choose to build up a busy food trade, open late or put on live music, so would have much lower turnover.

Keith Bott, director of Titanic Brewery, based in Stoke-on-Trent, said suspected use of turnover rather than FMT 'will be one of the challenges' his company makes to revaluations.

Bott, whose rates bill for the company's 17 pubs is rising to 333,500 from 148,000 this year, said: 'Looking at the numbers you can only assume (their methodology) is flawed. We'd call on the VOA to start again.'

William Lees-Jones, of Greater Manchester's oldest brewery, JW Lees, said: 'We'll be appealing quite a few valuations, maybe 10. It's a mess.'

William Lees-Jones, of Greater Manchester's oldest brewery, JW Lees, said: 'We'll be appealing quite a few valuations, maybe 10. It's a mess'

The British Institute of Innkeeping told how the 'whole way' the revaluation is 'supposed to be calculated is unfair'.

A VOA spokesperson said: 'We assess the rateable value of pubs using Fair Maintainable Trade, which in most cases reflects the actual turnover. However, we will always take individual facts into account and make adjustments where there is evidence to do so.

'At the last revaluation, many pubs were significantly affected by the pandemic, which resulted in much lower rateable values than they would have seen otherwise. If any pubs have since seen a recovery in their trade, by law we must reflect this in our new valuations.

'New valuations cannot be formally challenged until they come into force on 1 April 2026. Until then valuations are draft and ratepayers can let us know if the information we have used to calculate their valuation is incorrect.'

Simon Delaney, 60, who runs The Firbank Pub and Kitchen in Wythenshawe, Manchester, has managed three pubs and worked in the industry for 30 years.

His utility bill has skyrocketed from 5,000 to 17,000 in the space of two years, while his business rates have doubled since Reeves' Budget.

He told the Daily Mail: 'I have sleepless nights where I just don't know what to do.

'I've gone from earning a very good profit to not earning anything whatsoever; now we're just focusing on keeping the business running, keeping our 20 people employed, [and] continuing to serve the community.'

He added: 'It's not just the business rate hike, it's the national minimum wage increases, and the National Insurance increases. 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 is the money supposed to come from?'

Mr Delaney said he has been forced to increase the price of a pint of lager from 4 to 7 since Covid hit, meaning things have almost doubled in price for punters.

'We've been shouting and shouting and shouting about this and it's like [the government] are ignoring us,' he said.

'If they do a U-turn that would be great, but it won't be enough to save pubs from closing. If I was younger, if I had a mortgage, I'd have to call it a day and close.

'Pubs will still continue to close at an alarming rate and before we know it we won't have a community pub.'

Some pub owners warned they may be forced to close as they can no longer afford to keep running their pub (Stock photo)

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, told the Daily Mail: 'For years pubs have suffered disproportionately high rates and taxes and, for many, soaring employment costs, beer duty, and new business rates will be the last straw, which is why we welcome news that government is looking at support for our locals.'

She added: 'Since 2000 we've lost close to 16,000 pubs and it's vital we halt this decline, which is why we keenly await to see the detail of the upcoming announcement.

'Meaningful change could save pubs, jobs, and allow communities to continue to gather under one roof.'

This week, Sacha Lord condemned Ms Reeves as being worse for pubs than the pandemic, as landlords said 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 this month amid warnings that hundreds could be forced to close.

But industry chiefs said that other sectors such as cafes, restaurants and hotels will also be hit hard, along with music and theatre venues and independent shops.

Industry heads 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.

Chair of the Night Time Industries Association Sacha Lord, who used to advise Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, 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'.

A Government spokesperson said on Thursday: 'We're protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the Budget's 4.3billion support package.

'This comes on top of our efforts to ease licensing to help more venues offer pavement drinks and put on one-off events, maintaining our cut to alcohol duty on draught pints, and capping Corporation Tax.'
Horrifying details have emerged about a Minnesota daycare worker who allegedly admitted to suffocating two babies because 'she wanted attention.'

Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, was arrested Tuesday following a three-month investigation into injuries suffered by two kids while in her care at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare facility, per authorities.

Russell allegedly suffocated a four-month-old twice until she 'foamed at the mouth,' and suffocated 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust to death just five days before his first birthday, according to his obituary.

Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said in a press conference Wednesday that Russell was employed by the center for only three weeks.

'On September 19, [the four-month-old] was found with blood and foam under her nose and mouth,' Juell explained.

The 18-year-old claimed the infant began vomiting and turned 'white purple' while she was burping her, according to documents obtained by KTSP.

She recovered from the first incident, but the following Monday, the infant was discovered unresponsive and not breathing, with blood surrounding her nose and mouth.

A Minnesota daycare worker allegedly admitted to attempting to suffocate two children because she wanted attention, which prosecutors say resulted in the death of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust (pictured)

Muklebust's death prompted a three-month investigation into a worker at Rocking Horse Ranch - a childcare facility - where two children had suffered medical complications

Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, of Savage, was booked into Scott County Jail on second-degree murder and felony assault charges in the first and third degrees

Russell claimed the four-month-old dozed off on her stomach, but she started 'crying' and 'nothing was coming out,' according to the outlet.

The infant recovered after the two harrowing injuries, but the third fatal incident involved Muklebust.

The daycare worker allegedly told investigators that Muklebust was given melatonin by his parents to help him sleep because of his constipation, per KTSP.

After putting him to sleep, Russell 'spontaneously' asked another employee to check on the 11-month-old because she heard him cry, that employee found him 'unresponsive with a blood-like substance pooled on his mattress,' per KTSP.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by KARE 11 News, Russell was allegedly found carrying Muklebust in her arms when authorities got to the daycare, and the infant was described as 'blue.'

The 11-month-old tragically died in the hospital, and the daycare was shut down following his death.

The 18-year-old suspect allegedly confessed to the crimes in an 'attention-seeking act' and provided them with details on how she carried out the acts.

'I want to be perfectly clear, however, Theah Russell has confessed to the attempted murder of our first victim on two occasions and to the murder of Harvey Muklebust,' Juell added in the conference.

The daycare worker allegedly told investigators that Muklebust was given melatonin by his parents to help him sleep because of his constipation

Savage Police Chief Brady Juell speaking about the tragic investigation in a press conference Wednesday

Harvey and his older brother Declan, playing together on the slide

Some attention-seeking incidents involved Russell calling 911 over 'nonsensical' matters, starting fires at church camp and showing 'erratic behavior' toward other children , according to policr

A GoFundMe page raising funds for Muklebusts funeral remembered the baby boy as 'pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born'

'Russell was a common denominator in each of these incidents,' said Juell. 'She had last contact with each of the affected children.'

Juell said the daycare worker's behavior at the scene 'immediately raised suspicion,' causing investigators to view her as the primary person of interest.

Law enforcement began an 'in-depth' review of Russell's background - including interviews with friends, family and previous employers - which they said revealed 'a documented history of attention-seeking behavior.'

Police said they discovered other horrifying past actions that Russell was involved in, including starting fires at church camp and erratic behavior towards other children.

Documents obtained by KTSP show that Russell is facing charges of second-degree murder and assault in the first and second degrees.

She will appear in court on February 4.

A GoFundMe pageraising funds for Muklebusts funeral remembered the baby boy as 'pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born.'

'He could light up an entire room with his contagious smile and filled everyones hearts with joy when he giggled,' it added.
Asylum seekers are up to seven times more likely to be arrested than the rest of the population, official figures suggest.

For every 10,000 asylum seekers, 7.88 arrests were made on Britain's railways last year.

In comparison, the equivalent rate was 1.07 for everyone else.

Ministers today were urged to 'abolish the entire asylum system' on the back of the British Transport Police statistics, obtained via a freedom of information request.

Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe, founder of the Restore Britain thinktank, told the Daily Mail that the Conservatives, 'many of whom now sit in the Reform party' were to blame for importing so many asylum seekers into the country, a process 'accelerated by the Labour government'.

He added: 'Every single migrant who has entered illegally must be detained and deported.

'Then we must abolish the entire asylum system. That is how we make our transport system safe again.'

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The Home Office's data shows 95 per cent of small boat arrivals apply for asylum (stock image)

Last month, an Iraqi asylum seeker was jailed for groping and kissing a 20-year-old on September 22 after spotting her at a train station in Crawley.

Hawre Mohamed, 27, barged through the ticket barriers and boarded the same Thameslink train as the student  who was travelling home from college  telling her 'I want to have sex with you'.

In shocking CCTV footage, he can be seen smirking at the young woman and giving her the thumbs up before the attack.

In court, it was heard that he had spent the day attempting to approach random women.

Another shocking case involved a Sudanese migrant who attacked two train guards, threatening he would 'teach them a lesson' after jumping a station barrier.

Karam Abdulkarim-Mohamed, 30, called the guards 'motherf******' after they stopped him at Reading railway station in January. He punched one man twice in the head and spat at the other.

The BTP police Britain's railways, which includes the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro tram system, Croydon Tramlink, Tyne and Wear Metro, and the IFS cloud cable car.

Its data showed that 81 asylum seekers had been arrested by officers in England and Wales in the calendar year up to November 2025.

Join the debate How should Britain balance compassion for asylum seekers with public safety concerns on its railways?

In September, an Iraqi asylum seeker, Hawre Mohamed, was seen in CCTV footage smirking at a young woman and giving her the thumbs up before he launched a sex attack

Another shocking case involved a Sudanese migrant, Karam Abdulkarim-Mohamed, who attacked two train guards in January, threatening he would 'teach them a lesson' after jumping a station barrier

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What is an asylum seeker? Asylum is protection given by a country to someone fleeing from persecution in their own country. An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for asylum and is awaiting a decision on whether they will be granted refugee status. An asylum applicant who does not qualify for refugee status may still be granted leave to remain in the UK for humanitarian or other reasons. An asylum seeker whose application is refused at initial decision may appeal the decision through an appeal process and, if successful, may be granted leave to remain. In 2024, asylum seekers and refugees made up around 12 per cent of immigrants to the UK. Advertisement

The Home Office told the Daily Mail it does not publicly publish the total number of asylum seekers, but its data shows there are 103,000 asylum seekers currently being supported to live in England and Wales.

Using that population figure allowed us to calculate the arrest rate.

The rate might be lower if there were a significant number of asylum seekers not being supported by the Home Office, however this data is not publicly available.

For the rest of the population, there were 6,619 arrests.

The rate was calculated using the official Office for National Statistics (ONS) population estimates for England and Wales for mid-2024, which gave a figure of 61.7million.

But the section recording immigration status was incomplete in around 95 per cent of arrests made by the BTP in 2025, meaning the rates could in reality be far different. However, this is the best data publicly available on the topic.

There have been calls for Labour to publish more data to when it comes to migrant crime, but so far it has failed to do so  despite promising to last April.

Some have called for Britain to increase transparency on migrant crime by officially publishing league tables shaming nationalities guilty of the highest rates, as Denmark and some US states already do.

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Academics at the Oxford Migration Observatory, the UK's most-respected organisation studying the topic, have said in the past that 'it's likely that asylum seekers are more likely to commit crimes'.

This, they argue, is partly down to the fact that asylum seekers are more likely to be young men, and young men are more likely to commit a crime.

Other factors include the trauma of the journey to Britain, poor mental health more broadly, and socioeconomic status. However, the data we have available can't account for all of these competing factors.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

A BTP spokesperson said: 'As a police force we are required to uphold the law and every crime report we receive is treated objectively.

'Officers will continue to make arrests where necessary when someone is suspected of committing a criminal offence, in order to protect the travelling public and keep the railway safe.'

The BPT also said it was nearly impossible to draw conclusions from its own data because the nationality field was blank 95 per cent of the time in 2025.

It also pointed out that not all suspects arrested are guilty of an offence, as some will only have reasonable grounds for suspicion.

And not all suspects are processed via arrest, for example, someone suspected of an offence may be invited for a voluntary interview.

The data does not break down the asylum seekers' nationality, but in the year to September 2025, the most common for people claiming asylum were Pakistani (11 per cent), Eritrean (8 per cent), Iranian (7 per cent), Afghan (7 per cent), and Bangladeshi (6 per cent).

The Home Office's data shows 95 per cent of small boat arrivals apply for asylum.
A widower who lost the love of his life and the mother of his two children to breast cancer has revealed the unusual way he and those who miss her honour her memory.

'It's what she would have wanted', smiles Mark Rackham, as he tells us about his plans for a 500-capacity memorial rave, 'she was dancing to the end. We planned the first event when she was still with us and she told me to promise to continue it for her.

When Mark's wife Kate passed away in June 2024, at the age of just 46, the pub landlord was 'bereft.'

'Towards the end we knew it was coming, so did Kate', he says, 'but nothing can prepare you for the end.'

Kate, who was diagnosed with incurable oestrogen-receptive breast cancer at the age of 39, lived with the disease for seven years and became a prominent breast cancer campaigner while she underwent treatment.

During her illness, Kate had shared inspiring updates with her followers and helped to set up the Fighting to be Heard charity to raise awareness about incurable cancers.

The teacher from Morecambe, Lancashire, even announced her own death to social media after a seven-year battle with the disease, in a message viewed 1.8billion times on X, writing: 'If you're reading this, I have died.'

'But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to.

When Kate Rackham, 46, passed away in 2024 - her husband Mark was bereft - now he hosts a rave in her honour

Kate is survived by her husband Mark and her two children, Nancy, 12, and Ruby, 14

In her final post she wrote 'If you're reading this, I have died but do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to'

Since 2024, Mark has organised a club night named ' Listen Up' in honour of Kate and all others who have lost their lives to breast cancer

'I joined X because I needed an outlet, what I got was so much more. You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you.'

Kate was first diagnosed with stage 3 oestrogen-receptive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2016 and underwent surgery to remove a 6.5cm tumour from her left breast.

However, subsequent tests showed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and 'I had every treatment thrown at me,' she says  this meant a mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 'which was gruelling, like having the worst hangover and flu simultaneously'.

But soon after Kate's cancer came back, recurring in her bones and liver.

She previously told the BBC her diagnosis came as a 'massive shock' and spoke of her 'massive' struggles with hair loss while going through chemotherapy.

'It's really hard losing your hair. It's not just losing your hair, it's losing your eyelashes and eyebrows as well,' she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

'That's the difference between looking like you are rocking a bald head and looking like you are on chemotherapy.'

Kate left behind Mark and her two children, Nancy, 12, and Ruby, 14, but Mark has ensured that his wife has another legacy too.

Since 2024, Mark has organised a club night named 'Listen Up' in honour of Kate and all others who have lost their lives to breast cancer at Area, Manchester.

The event, which traditionally sells out, has the complete support of the local community and features DJ sets from Craig Charles, Manchester legend Dave Haslam and the Inspiral Carpets Clint Boon.

Mark explained: 'Everyone involved knew Kate, and they have all donated their time so that 100 per cent of the ticket revenue will go to the charity which helps patients and their families with hardship grants.

'Many cancer sufferers are often forced to give up work so anything we can do to raise awareness and improve the support offered to these brave people is vital.'

Last November, Mark and his team at his Urmston pub, the Barking Dog, carried out a secret surveillance mission to unmask the James Bond-style Apple Watch tactics used by a pub quiz cheating trio

Since losing Kate, Mark has tried to keep himself busy for the sake of his own mental health and the welfare of his girls.

Last November, Mark and his team at his Urmston pub, the Barking Dog, carried out a secret surveillance mission to unmask the James Bond-style Apple Watch tactics used by a pub quiz cheating trio.

The sting made national news and resulted in his team being invited to police a media quiz attended by the Daily Mail.

The pub staff made clear that the smartwatch-toting team were welcome as drinking punters yet were barred from taking part in the weekly quiz.

The pub has featured in the Good Pub Guide for the last five years running.

If you would like to find out more about the event, click here.

For more information on Fighting to be Heard, click here.
President Donald Trump has sparked fury after a 2019 promise he made to Greenland resurfaced in an old tweet.

On August 19, 2019, the Republican posted a photo of a Greenland town edited to have a shining gold Trump hotel sitting along the water's edge.

He captioned it: 'I promise not to do this to Greenland!'

That vow looks a lot different than the current state of affairs between the Trump Administration and Greenland officials as the Republican leader is attempting to buy the Denmark-owned country.

Conversations have been terse as Danish officials said the Arctic country does not want to become part of America.

Trump has threatened tariffs against the 56,000 Innuits that live there if they don't support his acquisition.

Now, his resurfaced tweet has caused waves amongst his homeland detractors, who do not like that the president broke his own public promise.

'There's always a tweet,' Claude Taylor, a former White House staffer who worked under Bill Clinton, wrote on X.

President Donald Trump posted a photo in 2019 of a Greenland town edited to have a Trump hotel in it

He captioned the August 2019 post: 'I promise not to do this to Greenland!'

Another wrote, alongside a clown emoji: 'He is well-known to keep his promises.'

A third wrote: 'Bro has the worst digital footprint.'

Another agreed, writing: 'The internet doesn't forget and that's the beauty of it all.'

The 2019 tweet came after Trump had announced during his first term that he was considering buying Greenland for strategic reasons, despite Greenland's insistence that it was not for sale.

'Essentially, its a large real estate deal,' Trump said at the time. 'A lot of things can be done. Its hurting Denmark very badly, because theyre losing almost $700million a year carrying it. So they carry it at a great loss.'

The US military has operated for decades from Thule Air Base in Greenland, which is situated between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

The northern-most US base is part of the militarys global network of radars and other sensors to provide ballistic missile warning and space surveillance.

Now, Trump claimed he wants the Arctic island for 'national security' purposes, although he has not specified more than that.

Trump's wish to acquire Greenland has caused detraction on both sides of the Atlantic, with Americans criticizing his ability to hold a promise he made in 2019

Kremlin officials criticized Trump's ideas and said Russia considered Greenland to be Denmark's territory.

Presidential press secretary and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'The situation is unusual, I would even say extraordinary from the standpoint of international law,' as reported by Russian state news outlet Ria Novosti.

He added: 'On the other hand, given that President Trump is in Washington, he himself has said that international law is not a priority for him.

The press secretary said Russia would be watching alongside the rest of the world to see which 'trajectory' the situation goes.

Moscow said this week that its was unacceptable for the West to keep claiming that Russia and China threatened Greenland, and said that the crisis over the territory showed the double standards of Western powers which claimed moral superiority.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the current situation 'demonstrates with particular acuteness the inconsistency of the so-called "rules-based world order" being built by the West.'

She said: 'First they came up with the idea that there were some aggressors, and then that they were ready to protect someone from these aggressors.'

This comes as Greenland and Denmark's foreign ministers held talks on Wednesday with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid threats by US President Donald Trump to take control of the island.

Trump said he wants Greenland (pictured) for 'national security' purposes. The US currently operates an Air Force base there

The meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt reportedly ended with a 'fundamental disagreement.'

Rasmussen acknowledged that 'we didn't manage to change the American position' but said he hadn't expected to.

President Trump has been insistent on seizing Greenland and has not ruled out taking it by force - although Republicans see that scenario as unlikely.

The 79-year-old has also warned the US may pull out of NATO if America's allies don't agree to the acquisition of Greenland.

'We're going to see. NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland, we need Greenland for national security very badly. If we don't have it we have a very big hole in terms of national security, especially in terms of the Golden Dome,' Trump warned.

The Golden Dome is a proposed multi-layer missile defense system which the president says is reliant on seizing control of Denmark's Arctic territory.

Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska claims a US invasion of the Arctic island might go too far and could prompt his party to launch a third impeachment against the two-term president.

He acknowledged that while the president doesn't like 'being told no,' he might need to accept it in this case, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island chooses to remain part of Denmark

The lawmaker who is not seeking reelection in the fall said that many in the Republican Party are angry with Trump's escalated rhetoric towards Greenland and his refusal to rule out using the military to take the Danish territory.

'I'll be candid with you: There's so many Republicans mad about this,' Bacon said on Wednesday. 'If he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency.'

'He needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren't going to tolerate this and he's going to have to back off. He hates being told no, but in this case, I think Republicans need to be firm,' Bacon insisted.

Trump was impeached by the Democrat-controlled House twice during his first term, but was acquitted both times by the Senate.
They live with glamorous partners in luxury villas on the Portuguese Algarve  three college friends making millions selling canisters of nitrous oxide to Britain.

But here it can be sold on as the party drug laughing gas, or hippy crack, abuse of which has killed hundreds of young Britons.

Our investigation traced the three to their poolsides and exposes how the consequences of their legitimate business have inadvertently swollen a flood of the drug into the UK.

Nitrous oxide, which gives abusers a hallucinogenic high when inhaled, has legal uses in catering and for medical purposes.

And for Dutch former club promoters Luciano De Vries, Jesse Van Der Heide and Nick Houwen it has generated sales of 93 million, and 21million in profit, in 2023 alone.

Their firm, Ramdon, exports the drug legally in canisters branded FastGas to UK suppliers in the catering business. These suppliers sell on the canisters to consumers.

But last night a heartbroken mother who lost her daughter to an unknown brand of nitrous oxide warned it is too easy to buy online to use as a drug.

Sharon Cook, 55, whose daughter Ellen, 24, was killed by the drug in 2023, demanded the Government scrutinise the availability online.

Dutch former club promoter Luciano De Vries is a co-owner in a business that exports nitrous oxide, aka hippy crack, legally in canisters branded FastGas to UK suppliers in the catering business. These suppliers sell on the canisters to consumers

Sharon Cook lost her student daughter, Ellen (pictured), to an unknown brand of nitrous oxide

She said: They need to look at the loophole that allows this stuff to be sold for so-called cooking purposes. It is being abused and has to be stopped. Knowing there are kids able to buy it online in bulk is just horrendous.

The FastGas trio started selling nitrous oxide while working as club promoters in Spains Costa Brava resorts in 2012.

Former law student Mr De Vries, told Dutch university newspaper Ukrant in 2018 that laughing gas is a multi-million-dollar business. He added: We are growing by 50 per cent a month Were really turning over a huge amount.

Their business has expanded rapidly and The Mail on Sunday examined dozens of records from a complex network of holding companies registered across Poland, Malta and Mauritius to track them down to their lavish properties near Faro, Portugal.

Laughing gas, which is transferred to balloons and inhaled, was criminalised in the UK

in 2023. Since then, the FastGas brand has only shipped wholesale to sellers in the UK and does not sell direct to consumers. It can be used in products such as whipping cream and foam cocktails.

But The Mail on Sunday was able to buy FastGas from several UK websites boasting next-day delivery, just by ticking a box stating that our purchase was for catering use.

One seller Muhammad Iftikhar, 31, who runs his laughing gas business from above a fried chicken shop in Romford, east London, says on his website that the gas can create sensations of euphoria, giddiness and uncontrolled laughter.

A young woman openly using laughing gas on Bournemouth beach

Empty canisters of the gas dumped on a street in Bristol

Speaking to an undercover reporter who posed as someone buying laughing gas for a party without her parents finding out, Mr Iftikhar said he could arrange the delivery so she could pick it up from a collection point.

He did not respond to The Mail on Sundays repeated requests for comment.

There is concern that some sellers of FastGas could be making counterfeit canisters and copying its label, due to the popularity of the brand.

Doctors have warned of an epidemic of serious complications from abusers. And some NHS trusts have reported a spike in hospitalisations in recent years.

Between 2001 and 2020 there were 716 deaths related to hippy crack in England and Wales  an average of 36 a year. Ms Cooks daughter Ellen, a student from Buckinghamshire, died after inhaling three large canisters a day.

In the weeks before her death, she could not walk or go to the toilet after burning her legs with a canister and becoming bedbound.

Connor Wilton, 28, of Derbyshire, was hospitalised for three months in 2022 after suffering irreparable nerve damage from inhaling nearly 500 balloons of laughing gas each weekend  a habit he had started as a teenager.

His body was starved of oxygen by the drug and he now has to use a wheelchair.

Hippy crack has also been linked to dangerous driving cases.

Thomas Johnson, 19, was jailed for more than nine years in December 2024 for causing the deaths of three teenage friends, passengers in a car he crashed at 100mph in Oxfordshire while high on hippy crack.

It is unknown whether any of these deaths were specifically linked to FastGas.

Photos taken after the last four Notting Hill carnivals in London show skips full of nitrous oxide containers, almost all appearing to bear the FastGas label, although it is not clear if these were the companys genuine product.

By untangling layers of foreign companies, The Mail on Sunday has been able to establish that the ultimate beneficiaries for FastGas are the trio of Dutch friends who met at university.

Majority shareholder Mr De Vries calls himself a serial entrepreneur who is passionate about philanthropy. He lives with his girlfriend on a sprawling estate just outside Tavira in the eastern Algarve.

When this newspaper visited late last year, major extensions were being added. He has sweeping views over citrus and olive orchards and a farm where he keeps pigs, cows and chickens.

Friend Jesse Van Der Heide, who also holds shares in the brand, owns a palatial, three-floor villa with a large swimming pool on a hillside in Loule.

Jesse Van Der Heide, who also holds shares in FastGas, owns a palatial, three-floor villa with a large swimming pool on a hillside in the Algarve

When The Mail on Sunday visited, neighbours said he was away on honeymoon. They added that they had no idea how Mr Van Der Heide had made his fortune.

His website suggests he has interests related to product development in the catering industry.

Further west along the coast the third business partner, Nick Houwen, lives in a newly built condo in an affluent suburb of Albufeira which looks on to a huge pool encircled by palm trees. He too has a flashy website which nods to his successes in the catering industry and in industrial gases.

Last night a Ramdon spokesman said: Our products are only sold to verified and authorised commercial clients (not private individuals). Our products and sales comply with all relevant local laws. We have a rigorous compliance framework around all of our products.

We condemn improper use of our products and have comprehensive procedures to ensure that they are not mis-sold. We are also aware of the existence of illegal counterfeits designed to closely imitate our products.

We are continually working to prevent this, which includes

significant investment in specific branding elements to make the production of counterfeits more difficult, as well as taking legal action, where possible, against those responsible.
After weeks of backlash, an Oregon city council finally voted to remove a convicted murderer from their police advisory board.

The Salem City Council voted 6-2 during a special meeting held on January 7 to revoke Kyle Hedquist's appointment to the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission.

The nomination sparked outrage in the town, as the board holds a key role in reviewing police conduct complaints and making policy recommendations to the enforcement.

Hedquist, 47, was jailed for life without parole for murdering Nikki Thrasher in 1994, but was released in 2022.

At his trial, prosecutors said the Oregon native led Thrasher down a remote road and shot her in the back of the head to prevent her from telling people about a burglary spree he had embarked on.

When Hedquist was released 28 years into his sentence, then-Oregon Governor Kate Brown argued that his time should be commuted because he was 17 when he murdered Thrasher, which means 'he shouldn't be locked up for life.'

The city council's decision to remove Hedquist's place on the policing board overturned a previous 5-4 vote on December 8 that appointed him to multiple public safety boards.

Kyle Hedquist, 47, is facing scrutiny after he was reappointed to Salem's police oversight board

The Salem city council hosts a meeting in Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library

Hedquist was convicted with killed Nikki Thrasher to stop her from telling officials about a burglary spree

Hedquist's appointment sparked outrage among the community, with the Salem Police Employees' Union vocally opposing Hedquist's position.

'To think that we're providing education on kind of how we do what we do to someone with that criminal history, it just doesn't seem too smart,' the association's president Scotty Nowning told KATU2.

Nowning added that the union's concerns also included fixing the city's oversight structure, and were not exclusively about Hedquist.

'If you move him off there, if you don't change your guardrails or what the requirements are to be on there, you could just put someone else on there with you know equal criminal history or worse,' he told the outlet.

Fox News reported the council had not been told about Hedquist's criminal history before he was appointed.

Past governor Kate Brown granted clemency to dozens of people, including Hedquist

Councilmember Deanna Gwyn said she never would've approved Hedquist if she'd known of his murder conviction, reported the Statesman Journal.

She held up a picture of his victim as his positions were revoked.

Mayor Julie Hoy, who opposed Hedquist's appointment in December, said she voted against him again due to the community's response.

'Wednesday night's meeting reflected the level of concern many in our community feel about this issue,' Hoy wrote on Facebook.

'My vote was based on process, governance, and public trust, not ideology or personalities.'

Hedquist was also appointed to the Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission and the Civil Service Commission, an advisory board that oversees traffic and fair employment issues, in December, according to KATU2.

Hedquist said his family had received death threats as a result of the appointment

Since his release from prison, Hedquist became a policy associate for the Oregon Justice Center and advocated for criminal Justice Reform.

He says he joined the boards to continue serving his community.

Hedquist addressed the council last week, speaking on his own experience as a convicted felon.

'For 11,364 days, I have carried the weight of the worst decision of my life,' he said.

'There is not a day that has gone by in my life that I have not thought about my actions that brought me to prison...

'I can never do enough, serve enough to undo the life that I took,' he said. 'That debt is unpayable, but it is that same debt that drives me back into the community.'

Hundreds of written testimonies were presented by residents who addressed the council during the meeting, both defending and condemning Hedquist.

His family has reportedly received death threats after the appointment received major media attention.

City Councilmembers voted 6-2 to overturn Hedquist's position on the boards

The controversy prompted changes to city rules on board and commission appointments.

Applicants for the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission will now be required to undergo criminal background checks.

Individuals convicted of violent felonies will be disqualified from the boards.

However, the council also voted to reserve one seat on the Community Police Review Board for a member who has been a victim of a felony crime.
A Democratic lawmaker is being blasted after refusing to stand during President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress at the moment the president was honoring families of children raped and murdered by illegal immigrants.

Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar admitted that he remained seated as Trump recognized the families in a speech last year. Among the attendees was the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, a young girl who was allegedly murdered by two illegal immigrants in Texas in June 2024.

Thanedar was joined by several other Democrats who stayed in their seats as the families were introduced during Trump's address last March.

The fallout exploded publicly on Friday when Thanedar was pressed on Fox News by host Sean Hannity, who questioned him: 'Did you stand? Did you give honor to that family who lost so much?'

Asked why he would not stand for grieving families, Thanedar said he remained seated as a silent protest over Donald Trump.

'I did not stand because the president, I was just sick of the president,' Thanedar said.

Hannity shot back: 'You sat on your ass and you wouldn't stand for families that lost children - a 12-year-old girl raped and murdered - and you couldn't stand for them because you were playing politics.'

'I would not stand for this president,' Thanedar shot back. 'He was lying.'

Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar sparked outrage after remaining seated as Donald Trump honored families of murder victims during a joint address to Congress in March 2025

President Donald Trump addresses a Joint Session of Congress in March 2025. Vice President JD Vance is seen, left, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, right

Thanedar refused to stand as Trump spoke about Alexis Nungaray whose daughter, 12-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, was murdered by two Venezuelan illegal aliens

Thanedar went on to accuse Trump of 'using a tragedy' for political purposes.

After some Democrats sparked backlash with their decision to remain seated, Nungaray's mother Alexis condemned their actions in the days after Trump's speech.

'I found it very cowardly that a lot of the Democrats didn't stand, didn't clap, didn't do anything to support anything that Donald Trump was trying to do as president to make this country better,' Nungaray told Hannity at the time.

'It's just very disgraceful to us as US citizens that those are the people we have here in Congress.'

Thanedar has emerged as one of Capitol Hill's most aggressive critics of immigration enforcement, introducing legislation to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement outright.

He plans to introduce the 'Abolish ICE Act,' which his office says would dissolve the agency and end its enforcement authority.

'We must reform ICE, but it looks at this stage, folks, that ICE is beyond reform,' Thanedar said on Wednesday at a news conference. 'ICE is totally out of control.'

On Wednesday, Congressman Shri Thanedar spoke at a press conference with other Democratic members of House Homeland Security Committee on the killing of Renee Good, outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC

President Donald Trump arrived to address a joint session of Congress in March 2025 as Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico held a sign reading: 'This is not normal'

He went further, arguing that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should 'face the consequences' and be impeached, and insisting that immigration enforcement was handled effectively before ICE was created in 2003.

'We can do this without ICE,' Thanedar said. 'We do not need the murders. We do not need this paramilitary organization's members on our streets terrorizing US citizens, terrorizing moms [and] terrorizing our children.'

The push comes amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation with immigration agents in Minneapolis.

The incident has fueled protests and sharpened Democratic criticism of federal law enforcement in cities nationwide. Another shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis days later has only served to inflame the debate further.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose district includes the area where Good was killed has labeled ICE an 'occupying force' acting in 'lawless' fashion.

Other Democrats echoed the call to rein in the agency, with Rep. Ro Khanna saying, 'We should not be giving money for an increase in the ICE budget. We should be fighting this.'

Critics have also revived past allegations involving Shri Thanedar and a shuttered pharmaceutical testing lab, where more than 100 dogs were found abandoned in 2010

Thanedar has repeatedly denied the claims which he said were falsely attributed to him. One of 118 Beagles rescued from the New Jersey testing lab is pictured

Recent polling suggests a narrowly divided public. An Economist/YouGov survey found 46 percent support abolishing ICE, while 43 percent oppose the idea.

While Thanedar has been critical of the president, the congressman has been at the center of controversies of is own including the alleged abandonment of more than 100 dogs after a pharmaceutical testing lab connected to his former company closed during bankruptcy proceedings in 2010.

Thanedar has always forcefully denied the allegations.

'These attacks are completely false and have been repeatedly litigated,' he told DailyMail.com last year, saying all animals were placed in homes and that 'no animal was hurt or died under my watch.'

He has said the facility was under bank control at the time and that he had no knowledge of the animals' care after he left the company.
It has been a year of movement, albeit with no new faces, on the list of the 20 richest people in the world. All those who were on the ranking at the end of 2024 remain, but with positions swapped, especially at the top. And only one of the 20 members has seen their fortune diminish. As such, 2025 can certainly be described as a good year for the billionaires who make up the list, compiled using Bloomberg data updated as of December 26. Once again, tech titans dominate the top spots: Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX; Larry Page, chairman of Google; Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon; Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle; Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google; and Mark Zuckerberg, of Meta, are the six richest people in the world.

Musk remains on the throne for another year, despite briefly losing it. The fortune of the Tesla and SpaceX founder and CEO suffered during his time in the Trump administration, a position marked by controversy that ultimately damaged his image and that of his electric car company. The decline in vehicle sales impacted the companys stock, of which he owns approximately 12.5%.

But since leaving the White House, Musks fortune has only grown and he is now the first person to surpass $600 billion in wealth. Specifically, he is worth $645 billion, compared to $468 billion last year. This spectacular rise is largely thanks to Teslas stock market rebound and the fact that SpaceX  of which he owns around 42%, according to various specialized media outlets  reached $800 billion in its latest valuation a few days ago. It is possible that Musk will soon break the $700 billion barrier and even reach $1 trillion. This year, 75% of Tesla shareholders approved paying its founder a salary of almost $1 trillion in stock to lead the company for the next decade, provided he meets a series of objectives. And there are also plans to take SpaceX public, a listing that could break historical records, both for its magnitude and the anticipation it has generated, and which could further bolster Musks coffers.

There have been changes in the other positions on the podium. Larry Page now occupies second place, climbing from sixth. The Google co-founders fortune has increased from $173.2 billion to $270.1 billion, aided by the tech giants strong stock market performance in recent months, especially after the unveiling of the new version of its artificial intelligence model, Gemini 3.0.

The third-richest person in the world is Jeff Bezos, who drops one place despite increasing his fortune from $245.9 billion to $254.6 billion. This year, the Amazon founder was the subject of vast news coverage due to his lavish wedding in Venice last summer. In the fall, the company he founded announced the layoff of approximately 14,000 employees from its corporate workforce, after reporting third-quarter results that showed a net profit of $21.187 billion.

In fourth place is Larry Ellison, who briefly overtook Musk in September due to the sharp rise in the stock price of Oracle, the company he founded and of which he owns around 40%. In a single day, the firms shares surged 36.1% to an all-time high of $328 after it released its growth forecasts for the coming years for its cloud storage business, which will be driven by AI. Ellisons fortune reached $393 billion at that time, but it has since declined, along with Oracles valuation, to $251.4 billion. The tycoons name has recently been in the headlines due to the hostile takeover bid launched by Paramount, led by his son David Ellison, for Warner Bros., after the latter reached a sale agreement with Netflix. This battle in the U.S. audiovisual industry is far from over.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin climbs from seventh to fifth place, increasing his fortune from $163 billion to $251.1 billion. He is followed by Mark Zuckerberg, who drops three places. The founder of Meta, Facebooks parent company, saw his fortune rise from $213.4 billion to $235.8 billion.

Far from the top spot he once held, Bernard Arnault remains the richest European in the world. The French businessman, who owns almost half of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, the worlds largest luxury group, has not seen his fortune shrink this year, unlike in 2024. In 2025, his wealth increased from $176.4 billion to $204.7 billion, thanks to the improved performance of the luxury sector driven by the strength of the U.S. market and the return of Chinese consumers.

Eighth place is held by Steve Ballmer with $169.8 billion, up from $151.9 billion last year. The former Microsoft CEO moves up one spot, aided by the tech giants strong performance in recent months. In its first fiscal quarter, which begins August 1, Microsoft earned $27.7 billion, a 12.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Jensen Huang, CEO and co-founder of Nvidia, continues the climb that began in 2024, driven by the development of AI. Although this years rise has been more modest, climbing only three places to ninth, compared to a jump of 17 spots in the previous ranking, his fortune has increased from $122.2 billion to $156.2 billion. The tech executive experienced a dark day last January when $20.1 billion of his fortune vanished due to the sharp drop in the stock price of the AI chip company following the emergence of Chinas DeepSeek with a seemingly cheaper model. Since then, Nvidia has been recovering, with periods in which its value has doubled, and others in which its shares have suffered somewhat more.

Rounding out the top 10 is a familiar face on this list, Warren Buffett, who has held the same position for two years and has been wealthy for most of his life. The 95-year-old investor surprisingly announced in May that he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, during which his fortune has grown from $143.6 billion to $150.7 billion.

Michael Dell, founder of the computer company that bears his name, also retains his position at number 11. In 2024, he climbed five places and saw his fortune increase more than this year, rising from $128.5 billion to $141.3 billion. Other regulars on the list are the Walton siblings, heirs to the Walmart empire. Jim is in 12th place with $136.4 billion, while Rob remains at number 14 with $133.7 billion, and Alice at number 15 with $133 billion. Among this family of billionaires, Spains richest man, Amancio Ortega, sneaks in at number 13. The founder of Inditex climbs three places, with his fortune rising from $101.7 billion to $135.6 billion. The textile giant, of which the businessman owns 60% of the capital, registered its all-time high on the Spanish Stock Exchange on December 18, reaching a value of 175 billion ($205 billion), after presenting third-quarter results that exceeded all expectations.

Bill Gates has fallen from 8th to 16th place, the only billionaire on the list to see his fortune decline, from $161.9 billion last year to $117.8 billion now. His earnings no longer depend on Microsoft, the company he founded and in which he owns only 1%, but rather on Cascade Investment, through which he holds stakes in other publicly traded companies, as well as in real estate and energy assets.

Meanwhile, Carlos Slim climbed one spot, from 18th to 17th, in a year in which his fortune increased from $81.9 billion to $112 billion. With these figures, the Mexican telecommunications magnate and owner of America Movil is the richest person in Latin America. Mukesh Ambani, the largest shareholder in Indias Reliance Industries, dropped one place, despite his fortune growing from $91.3 billion to $107.2 billion in a year. Conversely, Francoise Bettencourt, the French heiress to the shares her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, held in the LOreal group, rose one position to 19th. Her fortune increased from $74.6 billion to $92.2 billion.

The ranking concludes with a figure who reached the podium in 2022. When Gautam Adani, founder of the Indian firm Adani Group, was at the pinnacle of the worlds wealthiest with $121.1 billion, the investment firm Hindenburg Research accused him of accounting fraud and manipulating the stock prices of his subsidiaries. Although an investigation by the Supreme Court of India concluded that the accusations were not credible, the businessmans fortune never recovered to similar levels. It now stands at $84.5 billion, compared to $76.9 billion last year.

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Alleged Bondi Beach mass shooter Naveed Akram made two demands while under police guard from his hospital bed, just days after allegedly killing 15 innocent people.

Naveed Akram is accused of opening fire on a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach alongside his father, Sajid Akram, on December 14.

Sajid, 50, was fatally shot by police while Naveed, 24, was severely injured.

While being detained at Long Bay Hospital following the attack, which is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, Naveed asked to speak with a Muslim chaplain.

Reportedly, Sydney-based Muslim chaplain Ahmed Kilani, who works as a private contractor for NSW Corrective Services, agreed to the request.

A source from inside corrective services told the Sunday Telegraph that Mr Kilani spoke with Akram for 10 to 15 minutes and described him as 'polite' and 'compliant'.

It's understood Mr Kilani is the only non-legal or medical visitor Akram has had since he has been detained.

Akram's second request was to receive a copy of the Quran.

Naveed Akram (pictured) asked to speak with a Muslim chaplain and receive a copy of the Quran

Naveed Akram is accused of killing 15 innocent people and injuring dozens more during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach alongside his father on December 14 (pictured, a memorial at Bondi Beach on December 21)

The father and son duo are alleged to have opened fire on a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah

The shooting at Bondi Beach is being treated as a terrorist attack. Akram and his father are accused of hanging an Islamic State flag on their vehicle shortly before the alleged shooting.

The widely-declared terrorist organisation follows a twisted version of Islam which has been condemned as appalling by mainstream Muslim leaders.

Akram has been transferred to the Goulburn High Risk Management Unit, also known as Goulburn Supermax, on 59 charges.

Those include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and single counts of discharging a firearm in public, causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol and placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm.

The 24-year-old is classified as a Category AA prisoner, the highest security classification in NSW, and is allowed access to a chaplain under specific circumstances.

Mr Kilani is one of several chaplains who does work with the corrective department alongside others from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Sikh faiths.

Jewish leader Rabbi Eli Schlanger was another of the chaplains who worked with detainees. He was killed in the Bondi shooting.

Mr Kilani offered his condolences to Rabbi Schlanger's family following the massacre.

NSW inmates have the opportunity to speak with chaplains from several different faiths (pictured, flowers left on a footbridge Naveed Akram allegedly shot from)

Naveed Akram (pictured) has been transferred to Goulburn Supermax prison

'As a Muslim, I want to say this clearly: violence against innocent people has no place in my faith or in any faith,' he wrote.

'Islam teaches the sanctity of life, compassion, and standing for humanity in moments of pain like this.

'My deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Especially my Prison Chaplain colleague Rabbi Eli Schlanger and his family.

'There are no words that can ease this kind of grief, but please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.'

Mr Kilani has worked as a prison chaplain for more than 10 years and his LinkedIn claimed he has spoken with 'some of Australia's most notorious prisoners'.

He described himself as a 'highly experienced and respected Countering Violent Extremism expert who has worked extensively with convicted terrorists providing theological mentoring, assessments and de-radicalisation'.
Donald Trump declared economic war on Nato on Saturday as he vowed to impose punishing tariffs on the UK and seven other nations over their support for Greenland.

In an extraordinary move sparking a transatlantic crisis, the US President accused Britain and other European countries of playing a 'very dangerous game' after they deployed a small number of military personnel to the Arctic last week.

Mr Trump stunned Whitehall with his out-of-the-blue announcement that, from February 1, Nato countries that oppose an American takeover of Greenland  including the UK, France and Germany  will have a 10 per cent tariff imposed on all goods imported by the US. The tariff will rise to a swingeing 25 per cent on June 1.

The President also threatened that the extra tariffs would be payable until a deal is reached for the US to acquire Greenland from Denmark.

Sir Keir Starmer, who has often been criticised for pulling his punches with Mr Trump, partly to secure the best deal for Britain on tariffs, unequivocally condemned the move on Saturday night.

The Prime Minister said: 'Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

'We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato, and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

'Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer with Donald and Melania Trump at Chequers during the President's second state visit to the UK last September

On Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital braved near-freezing temperatures to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance

Emmanuel Macron also reacted furiously to the news, promising consultation with EU leaders. The French president said: 'No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

'Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and co-ordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We know how to uphold European sovereignty.'

John Bolton, Mr Trump's former national security adviser, said: 'Donald Trump's extraordinary tariff threat against the UK and other countries for things they have said or done regarding Greenland is without doubt his most dangerous and destructive assertion during the five years of his presidency.

'To say it is without precedent radically understates how foolish and contrary to fundamental American interests it is. Its ramifications for the special relationship and Nato alliance  indeed for the credibility and trust the United States has spent decades trying to establish  is incalculable.'

The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US, after Mr Trump introduced a wave of taxes on countries around the world on his 'Liberation Day' last April.

Mr Trump's announcement is the latest twist in the White House's new foreign policy strategy  dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine' after the earlier Monroe Doctrine  in which it seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and prevent foreign control of vital assets.

The UK has deployed just one military officer, at Denmark's request, to Greenland to join a reconnaissance group ahead of an exercise named Arctic Endurance.

Mr Trump has insisted the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force. He has claimed it is vital for his planned missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome.

Sir Keir said the UK Government would be 'pursuing' America over the threat of tariffs and called Mr Trump's plan 'completely wrong'

Greenland's Head of Government (Naalakkersuisut) Jens-Frederik Nielsen, holds his country's flag as he took part in a demonstration outside the US consulate in Nuuk on Saturday

People take part in the 'Hands Off Greenland' protest outside the US embassyin Copenhagen, Denmark, on Januay 17

A woman pulls her children on a sled during a protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

People protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against the US President's plans to take Greenland, on January 17, 2026

A crowd walks to the US consulate to protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

However, critics claim his interest is linked to Greenland's untapped mineral wealth rather than defence. The island possesses at least 25 of the 34 raw materials considered 'critical' by the EU.

A source close to Mr Trump told The Mail on Sunday: 'What President Trump wants, President Trump gets. Some might see this as an escalation of tensions with our Nato allies, but all attempts to negotiate have failed.'

They added that a meeting at the White House last Wednesday, led by Vice President JD Vance with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ended in impasse.

'The President has made it clear anything less than full US control of Greenland is unacceptable,' they added. 'President Trump is the master of the art of the deal and he knows what he is doing. If we don't go in, Russia or China will.'

On Saturday thousands of protesters took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland's capital Nuuk, chanting 'Greenland is not for sale' amid anger over the threats.
A violent career criminal on parole for ferociously bashing a prison officer who died six weeks later has committed a string of crimes without being forced to complete his original sentence.

Carl Edward Little remained at liberty despite being convicted of domestic violence, carrying a knife and driving a vehicle with an illicit drug in his system.

The 56-year-old is also the subject of an apprehended violence order made barely a year after he was granted parole and has failed to appear in court.

He was charged with having custody of knife in a public place just six months after being released on parole and allowed to go free with no bail conditions.

Little has been in and out of jail since he was a teenager and has convictions for scores of offences including robbery in company, serious assaults, escaping lawful custody and parole breaches.

His disciplinary record in prison is appalling - featuring multiple assaults, threatening behaviour, acts of intimidation, destruction of property and failed drug tests.

Police issued a public appeal for help finding Little last Thursday in a press release which said he was wanted for domestic violence offences but made no mention of his shocking criminal history.

He had been living in the Riverina district of southern NSW since being released in August 2024 with more than three years left to run on his maximum sentence for a savage and unprovoked assault on prison officer Wayne Smith.

Carl Edward Little, a violent career criminal on parole for ferociously bashing a prison officer who died six weeks later, has committed a string of crimes without being forced to complete his original sentence. Little is pictured

Little was serving a sentence for armed robbery in western Sydney's minimum security Silverwater Correctional Centre when he set upon Mr Smith in December 2006 after being told he was being moved to a more secure facility.

The then 37-year-old inmate repeatedly punched Mr Smith in the face until he fell unconscious to the ground then continued to kick and stomp on his head.

Mr Smith's injuries, which including multiple jaw fractures, were so severe they were compared to what would normally be seen as the result of a high-speed car crash.

The 57-year-old married father-of-two underwent surgery to reconstruct his face but had suffered a catastrophic brain injury.

He remained in a semi-conscious state, went into cardiac arrest at Westmead Hospital almost six weeks after the attack, and two days later was taken off life support.

Little had been moved to Silverwater from Lithgow in October 2026, a week after his security classification was reduced from A2 (maximum) to C1 (minimum) without passing through the intermediate B (medium) category.

Upon arrival at Silverwater, now known as Dawn de Loas Correctional Centre, he had begun standing over and assaulting other inmates, prompting prison authorities to upgrade his security classification to B.

Little pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder Mr Smith, as well as assaulting three other prison officers during the same rampage.

Little was in Sydney's minimum security Silverwater Correctional Centre when he set upon prison officer Wayne Smith in December 2006. The jail, now known as Dawn do Loas Correctional Centre, is pictured

He was sentenced to a minimum 15 years and three months with an additional parole period of five years and three months by Judge Roy Ellis.

'It's hard to imagine a worse example of a determined effort to kill a man for no real reason,' Judge Ellis said in sentencing.

Little served most of his time surrounded by serial killers, terrorists and other uncontrollable inmates in Goulburn's High Risk Management Correctional Centre, better known as Supermax.

His longest stint in Australia's most secure jail ran from 2010 to 2023 when his fellow prisoners included backpacker killer Ivan Milat, mass murderer Malcolm Baker and Brothers 4 Life gang founder Bassam Hamzy.

Little's minimum prison term expired in January 2023 but that year the Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) advised parole was not appropriate.

In July the following year the State Parole Authority (SPA) revealed SORC and Community Corrections supported Little's supervised release and he left custody on August 5, 2024.

'Keeping him in custody is only likely to lead to further institutionalisation (but) release to parole with close supervision and good family support... is more likely to foster his reintegration and the protection of the public,' SORC determined.

The State of NSW had made not submissions to SPA opposing parole for Little.

Little has been in and out of jail since he was a teenager and has convictions for scores of offences including robbery in company. He is pictured 11 days after attacking Mr Smith

Among the specific conditions placed on Little's parole were that he not use a prohibited drug, in addition to the usual orders he be of good behaviour and not commit any offences.

Little's parole does not expire until April 24, 2028.

The Daily Mail can reveal Little was charged with having custody of knife in a public place in February last year and was issued a court attendance notice without any bail conditions.

He faced Wagga Wagga Local Court five times between March and July on the knife charge before he was arrested in October on further offences.

Little was refused bail on a domestic violence-related charge of stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm from October 9 to December 3 when he was sentenced.

On November 5, while in custody, he agreed to the variation of an apprehended violence order taken out on October 7 to protect his partner.

That order was made by magistrate Gareth Christofi in Wagga Wagga Local Court and put in place for one year, 11 months and three days.

Little faced the same court on December 3 when he pleaded guilty to the stalk/intimidate charge. He was convicted, placed on a 12-month community correction order by Mr Christofi and again released.

Little's disciplinary record in prison is appalling. Dawn de Loas Correctional Centre, formerly known as Silverwater Correctional Centre, is pictured

On the same day, Little pleaded guilty to the knife charge from February and was convicted and fined $100 by Mr Christofi.

Little was arrested again on January 7 and spent a night in custody.

He was back before Wagga Wagga Local Court on January 8 charged with 'police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously', exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h and possess/attempt to possess a prescribed restricted substance.

Acting magistrate Ray Plibersek - the brother of federal social services minister Tanya Plibersek - granted bail on condition Little attend Calvary rehabilitation centre in Wagga Wagga and adjourned all matters to January 19.

He was released into the custody of a particular individual and was to advise the officer in charge of Wagga Wagga police station of his residential address by 5pm.

Community Corrections provided the SPA with a breach of parole report regarding Little on January 13.

Little did not show up at Wagga Wagga Local Court last Wednesday when he was listed to appear on a charge of driving a vehicle with an illicit drug in his system.

He was convicted in his absence by Mr Christofi, fined $250 and disqualified from driving for three months.

He was charged with having custody of knife in a public place just six months after being released on parole and allowed to go free with no bail conditions. Dawn de Loas jail is pictured

The next afternoon - last Thursday - police issued a public appeal to locate Little, stating he was wanted on outstanding warrants for domestic violence offences.

Police released a mugshot of the wanted man and described him as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm-175cm tall, of medium build with grey hair and brown eyes.

No mention was made of his criminal history.

Users of a Facebook page popular with serving and retired prison officers, The Last Governor, were stunned Little had ever been released.

'One of the spicier lowlives you get to know doing the circuits, behaviour and odour,' one commented.

'Scum sucking, oxygen thieving piece of s***,' another wrote.

A third added: 'When I was working at Parramatta Court, I took him for sentencing, real POS.'

'I see some people call him a grub, that is a an insult to grubs and all small organisms that break down rubbish. This man should never have been let of gaol.'

Police issued a public appeal for help finding Little last Thursday in a press release which said he was wanted for domestic violence offences. A cell at Dawn de Loas prison is pictured

Little was arrested on Friday morning and hit with a string of fresh domestic-violence related charges which saw him refused bail by police.

He is now accused of 13 new offences including two counts each of being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm and contravening an AVO.

He is further charged with two counts of aggravated break, enter and steal, and one count of intentionally choking a person, destroying or damaging property, entering a prescribed premises, carrying a cutting weapon and common assault.

When Little's case was mentioned in an online bail court on Saturday, Legal Aid solicitor Palistha Chitrakar said her client would not be making a release application.

'I'm not surprised,' replied acting magistrate McLachlan.

Ms Chitrakar submitted Little had not breached his bail by failing to attend Calvary rehab as he was not given a specific date to attend.

Mr McLachlan agreed, formally refused bail and adjourned all matters to be mentioned in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Monday.

The SPA's general practice is to not make any decision about revoking an offender's parole until all outstanding charges against them are finalised by the courts.

Little was first locked up as an adult aged 18 in November 1987 and has been behind bars at Long Bay, Goulburn, Lithgow, Bathurst, Maitland and Parklea.

He is currently in Junee Correctional Centre.
The lunchtime bell rang out at a school in east London and both students and teachers alike reached for their bags. Yet instead of grabbing lunchboxes, they proceeded to take out Palestinian flags and drape themselves in keffiyehs before rushing towards the exit.

One Jewish teacher watched in horror: 'It was like a zombie movie.'

It was just weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, and was the first of many 'days of solidarity' with Palestinians led by Britain's biggest teaching union.

The National Education Union (NEU) has half a million members, and while the issue of Palestine and the demonisation of Israel had long been a focus, in 2023 it became an obsession.

The teacher, who has asked to remain anonymous, says: 'While children aren't meant to leave school at lunchtime, you can't stop them. The doors were locked but they were following staff out of the exits. They escaped wherever they could, pushing open fire doors.'

The mob was heading to a rally at the town hall, where the Tower Hamlets mayor, Lutfur Rahman, spoke. The young children joined in genocidal chants of 'From The River To The Sea' and calls to 'globalise the intifada' alongside cheers from their teachers.

And they were not alone. Across the country educators led students out to protests like pro-Palestinian Pied Pipers, with shouts calling for a ceasefire and, in squeaking tones: 'Israel is a terror state.'

More than two years later this madness hasn't stopped. Just yesterday, the union's London HQ hosted the 'Sumud Festival For Palestine', which involved 'a day of political and cultural talks'.

Jewish MP Damien Egan was 'banned' from visiting a school in his constituency amid fears his presence would 'inflame teachers'

Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian activists take part in the 32nd National March for Palestine on October 11, 2025 in London

But last week the union came under fire after it emerged that it was involved in the cancellation of a visit by a Labour Jewish MP to the Bristol Brunel Academy in September.

Damien Egan had been due to speak at the school in his constituency about democracy and his role as an MP, before teachers from the union collaborated with pro-Palestine activists to ensure it was called off.

A school pastoral worker, Micaela Wilde, recalled how staff mobilised against the MP: '[We had been] talking about things like people wearing keffiyehs to work... and the work that members could do with students in preparation for that visit.'

Indeed, their protest plans went further, a spokesman for the school explained: '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 of the school day, we opted to postpone Mr Egan's visit.'

Rejoicing on its Facebook page, Bristol's NEU wrote: 'We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity and the power of the NEU trade union staff group.'

When approached by The Mail on Sunday last night, the NEU said: 'It is good that MPs... seek to engage with schools.' Its head office spokesman did not comment on Mr Egan's cancellation, but said: 'The NEU believes in democratic engagement... and sometimes this will include a robust exchange of views.'

If you are wondering how this country's education system has descended into a place where activist teachers are stopping elected officials from visiting schools in their area, we need to look at what happened after the incident.

The story was revealed last Sunday by the Labour Communities Secretary Steve Reed.

Micaela Wilde (pictured), NEU branch secretary for the schools, led the movement to stop Mr Egan from addressing students

In 2021, the union's now general secretary, Daniel Kebede (pictured), was filmed calling to 'globalise the intifada', a chant recognised as an incitement to violence against Jews

While the Labour Government may now purport to be up in arms about this failure to tackle anti-Semitism towards one of their own MPs, the incident happened in September and yet nothing was done.

In fact, nothing has been done about the anti-Semitism within our education system for a long time.

The question is, will this scandal force the Government to look at how teachers are being radicalised by their unions and, worse, bringing prejudices into the classroom?

Palestinian statehood is a cause celebre for many unions, but in the NEU it is akin to a cult. In 2024, 'Palestinian envoy' Husam Zomlot appeared at an NEU conference. He praised his acolytes: 'You have been the strongest supporters of Palestine historically.'

And perhaps they have. Incredibly, four of the 14 directors of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)  the group that organises the protests in Britain that some have come to view as hate marches  also hold senior roles in the NEU.

In 2021, the union's now general secretary, Daniel Kebede, was filmed calling to 'globalise the intifada', a chant recognised as an incitement to violence against Jews and banned by the Met Police. While he apologised for this on Thursday, he said only that he would not repeat it in his new position.

Yet Kebede is one of many: data taken from 41 PSC protests between 2023 and 2024 showed that the NEU had 23 official speakers.

In 2024 the NEU symbol was even placed next to extremist Islamist groups on a promotional graphic for a march in Leicester something that, an NEU spokesman explains, they would never 'consciously' do. Indeed, they 'regularly call for a peaceful solution' to the Israel-Palestine conflict when speaking at PSC rallies.

Pictured: an NEU conference delegate wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh

Peter Block, a retired teacher who was heckled at the NEU conference in 2024 after saying 'shalom' and asking for a more nuanced conversation on Israel, left the union last year after he was refused permission to speak at the annual event.

'I tried, but I've realised they are never going to allow another voice to be heard, they are never going to allow any debate,' he says.

He is one of several Jewish NEU members who have been interviewed by Karon Monaghan KC, who is investigating anti-Semitism in the union. Yet in 2024 she was one of 600 legal professionals to sign a petition demanding the Government stop selling arms to Israel.

Among her previous clients is Shaima Dallali, a former NUS president, who was fired over allegations of anti-Semitism.

'I am worried that the anti-Semitism is going to be glossed over in the report,' says Mr Block. 'It might end up a whitewash.'

The radicalisation of these teachers has, of course, worked its way into the classroom. An 'Educators for a Free Palestine' event organised in 2024 described how teachers could 'hear from educators who have made and are using resources to teach about Palestine.' One speaker was said to have stated: 'We need to target even the youngest.' And two Jewish activists told the MoS: 'They talked about bringing keffiyehs to schools and putting up maps of Palestine.'

But the NEU says its 'teachers have a legal obligation to remain neutral when discussing events or issues in schools and colleges'. 'The NEU teaching materials on the Israel-Palestine conflict make this clear,' says a spokesman.

Nonetheless, parents have begun to note the subtle demonisation of Israel in schools and the grip that the NEU teachers have on their children. One non-Jewish father ended up asking for the help of UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) when his son came home upset after a one-sided debate in class about the evils of Israel.

'The teacher had presented an article from a Left-wing newspaper... and it represented Israel as criminal, genocidal and indiscriminately murdering people.'

The father adds: 'I wrote to the headmaster and my letter was ignored. That's when I asked UKLFI to get involved.'

But the problem continued: 'There were some Muslim kids in the class and they were talking about how Jews are racist.

'When my son pushed back, they asked him if he supported Israel. When he didn't say anything, they started having a go at him. It got quite nasty, but he wouldn't let me talk to the headmaster.'

For Jewish children the pain can be twice as hard as they often know people affected.

Georgia (not her real name) is half-Israeli and her mother lives in Sderot, which was attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Her daughter, now ten, goes to a Catholic school in east London and a few weeks before Christmas came home furious.

'The teacher had been telling them the story of David and Goliath, and they said that David was from Palestine. The teacher even wrote Palestine on the board,' says Georgia. 'She was upset because she thought that would mean people who were pro-David would be pro-Palestine and hate Jews.'

Georgia confronted the teacher and explained that David was Jewish and became one of the central figures of Judaism. She also said Palestine didn't exist at the time. 'The teacher said because David was born in Bethlehem, that was Palestine now, and that was all that mattered.' When Georgia complained to the head teacher, she was ignored.

A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator is seen in Whitehall wearing a keffiyeh during a national demonstration for Palestine in June 2025

'I've tried to keep my daughter away from anything to do with Israel and Palestine because I know she worries about her grandmother  we didn't expect to get this sort of rewriting of history in primary-school RE.'

Another Jewish parent went to UKLFI after being shown around a potential primary school for her son only to find a large piece of work on display saying that Israel was deliberately stopping Palestinians from having water.

'I was shocked and worried and wondered what on earth they were teaching these children,' she says.

'The NEU has been pushing teachers to promote pro-Palestine propaganda in schools, and in many cases this has happened,' says Caroline Turner of UKLFI.

Jewish teachers have also been bullied by colleagues and even pupils. One supply teacher described how children in his classroom would put swastikas near his desk and draw holes in every map showing Israel.

Among those fighting their own union is non-Jewish member Andy Porter, a recently retired Scottish teacher. He believes his union, the Educational Institute Of Scotland (EIS)  which is affiliated with the NEU  is anti-Semitic.

The final straw, Mr Porter explains, was seeing a one-sided article in the union's magazine  only a few days after the Manchester synagogue attack.

'As a union we are obsessed with criticising Israel,' he says. 'We are anti-Semitic, either by design or ignorance. It's one or the other, and both are unforgivable.'

For its part, the EIS 'refutes any allegations of anti-Semitism'. Its spokesman added that the organisation 'campaigns strongly against discrimination of all kinds'.

But Alex Hearn, director of Labour Against Antisemitism, says: 'This state of affairs must be urgently addressed by the Government to safeguard schoolchildren and staff.

'The NEU and their members must adhere to the law and stop infecting schools and young impressionable minds with hateful bias.'
A House Republican investigation into Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar has been launched after newly filed financial disclosures showed her family's reported wealth exploding to more than $30 million in a single year.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, is examining how the 'Squad' lawmaker and her husband rapidly amassed millions - at a time that a $9 billion Somali social services fraud scandal also exploded in her state.

Investigators are openly weighing subpoenas as they probe whether politically connected businesses tied to Omar's family warrant deeper scrutiny, House Republicans said.

The investigation follows federal prosecutors opening a broader investigation into alleged industrial-scale fraud involving billions of dollars in social service funds in Minnesota.

Republicans say that scandal alone makes Omar's apparent financial windfall impossible to ignore.

'We're going to get answers, whether it's through the Ethics Committee or the Oversight Committee, one of the two,' Comer said to the New York Post.

The scrutiny intensified after Omar's 2024 financial disclosure revealed her family's net worth ballooned, jumping from negligible assets to a valuation that could reach as high as $30 million in a single year, according to the ranges reported on the form.

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is under scrutiny after her 2024 financial disclosure showed her familys reported net worth jumping to as much as $30 million in one year

Two businesses linked to Omars husband, Tim Mynett, pictured here in a post from February 2024, showed dramatic valuation spikes between 2023 and 2024

House Oversight Committee Chairman, Republican James Comer is examining the source of the sudden wealth increase

In a video she posted to Instagram this week, the congresswoman scoffed at questions about whether she was connected to the fraud scandal emerging in her state this month.

'Why would there be an allegation that I'm complicit? How would I be complicit?' Omar snapped at a reporter.

When pressed further, she lashed out: 'Do you just ask stupid questions?'

'Nine billion, really?' Omar said sarcastically referencing the reported level of the alleged fraud. 'That is more than half of the resources that are allocated. So, you genuinely think 0 your brain has told you that it is possible for half of the resources for our public service to have disappeared? Listen to yourself.'

When the reporter cited Comer's concerns during a House Oversight hearing, Omar doubled down.

'That's what Comer believes because he's as smart as you are,' she said. 'There's absolutely no goddam way.'

Omar has forcefully rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing. She has never been charged or formally accused of a crime in relation to the alleged Minnesota fraud scandal nor her husband's soaring net worth.

The congresswoman was particularly curt to a reporter who was asking her questions about whether she was connected to the fraud scandal that is emerging

Omar listed Rose Lake Capital LLC as one of her assets on her most recent financial disclosure form. The company is operated by her husband Tim Mynett (pictured)

Two companies tied to Omar's husband, Tim Mynett, showed extraordinary gains in recent years.

A venture capital firm, Rose Lake Capital, was listed in 2023 as being worth between $1 and $1,000.

Just one year later, Omar's disclosure placed its value between $5 million and $25 million.

A second company, a California winery known as ESTCRU, jumped from a valuation topping out at $50,000 to as much as $5 million over the same period.

Comer said that in his opinion, the math simply does not add up. 'There are a lot of questions as to how her husband accumulated so much wealth over the past two years,' he said to The Post. 'It's not possible. It's not.'

Republican investigators say their concerns are compounded by what they describe as unusual business characteristics.

Court records from a lawsuit involving a related entity show Rose Lake Capital had just $42.44 in its bank account late in 2022. Yet within roughly a year, the firm was being reported as worth tens of millions of dollars.

Sources familiar with the inquiry say associates raised concerns to federal investigators after becoming unsettled by the firm's rapid rise, its alleged lack of a public investment track record, and shifting disclosures about who was involved.

Mynett is the president and co-founder of Rose Lake Capital. The company's asset value increased from between $1 and $1,000 to between $5 million and $25 million in just one year

Omar's financial disclosure form from 2024 lists Rose Lake Capital's value of a maximum of $25 million

Omar also listed ESTCRU LLC as an asset on her financial disclosure form. The winery was valued at a maximum of $50,000 in 2023 and $5 million in 2024

Omar didn't list any assets or unearned income on her financial disclosure form in 2018

Rose Lake Capital's LinkedIn page appears to have been taken down amid growing scrutiny over the company's assets

The company's public footprint has also changed. Its website once listed prominent political and diplomatic figures as advisers, but those names have since disappeared.

Former Senator Max Baucus confirmed he had only limited contact with one of the firm's partners in 2022 and said nothing materialized from those discussions.

Other former advisers have likewise said they had no financial stake and only brief or preliminary involvement.

Wall Street sources reportedly told investigators they had never heard of Rose Lake Capital, despite online claims that its officers had previously managed tens of billions of dollars in assets - an assertion that raised further questions about whether the firm should be registered with federal regulators.

The investigation has unfolded against the backdrop of a sweeping fraud case in Minnesota involving social service programs - a case federal prosecutors have described as industrial in scale.

Assistant US Attorney Joseph Thompson said during a news conference in December that investigators uncovered what they believe to be billions of dollars siphoned over nearly a decade.

'What we see in Minnesota is not a handful of bad actors committing crimes,' Thompson said. 'It's a staggering industrial-scale fraud.'

Tim Mynett and Ilhan Omar and their blended family in a photo posted by Mynett on his X feed in August 2024, with caption: 'Ilhan is a wonderful mother to our blended family. She shares her big heart (and delicious Somali cooking) every chance she gets - guiding our children with the awe-inspiring wisdom that comes from her journey'

Rose Lake Capital was listed as worth between $1 and $1,000 in 2023 and up to $25 million a year later. A second company, ESTCRU, increased in reported value from under $50,000 to as much as $5 million

Mynett's venture capital firm Rose Lake Capital LLC's assets were valued at between $5 million to $25 million in the 2024 disclosure

His Santa Rosa winery eStCru had assets worth between $1 million to $5 million, despite the company having to settle a lawsuit

Omar told her social media followers last February to 'try checking public financial statements and you will see I barely have thousands, let alone millions'

Rep. Comer put it bluntly, accusing Omar and her husband of raking in millions 'while Minnesotans have been getting fleeced.'

Omar has forcefully rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing. She has never been charged or formally accused of a crime in relation to her husband's soaring net worth.

No criminal charges have been filed against Omar or her husband, but Republicans say the investigation is ongoing and expanding

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said the alleged fraud involved billions of dollars over nearly a decade

This is Ilhan Omar's home in Washington D.C with her Minnesota plate car outside

Conservative watchdog groups have confirmed they are reviewing the filings, while Republicans say the matter could end up before the House Ethics Committee if Oversight findings warrant it.

Omar has previously faced scrutiny over campaign finance questions and business ties involving Mynett, who advised her congressional campaign before the two married in 2020.

She has consistently denied any impropriety and has said their relationship began after professional work concluded.

No charges have been filed against Omar or her husband.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Rep. Omar for additional comment.
A nurse who was suspended for calling a transgender paedophile 'Mr' while treating them as a patient could be sacked for speaking out about the ordeal.

Jennifer Melle, 40, was disciplined by St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey, after refusing to use the pronouns of the individual, who was convicted of child sex offences, during an incident in May 2024.

In October that year, she was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a 'potential risk' for allegedly breaching its conduct policy, which states nurses should not express their beliefs 'to people in an inappropriate way'.

The senior nurse, who served at St Helier hospital for twelve years, was later escorted from the premises during a shift and immediately suspended for allegedly speaking out about her treatment last year.

She told the Mail on Sunday, who broke the story, at the time: 'I am devastated to have been suspended just for whistleblowing. Despite being the one placed at risk, I am the one being punished.'

Ms Melle now faces a disciplinary hearing with her employer on Tuesday, where she will be informed of the action against her, which could mean she loses her job.

A previous hearing was scheduled to take place in December, but was cancelled following an intervention from shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho, who warned any action would be a 'great injustice'.

The Tory MP has also launched a petition calling for Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust to halt the disciplinary process and allow Ms Melle to return to work.

Jennifer Melle, 40, who addressed a transgender paedophile as 'Mr' was suspended by her employer last year

St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey have suspended Ms Melle after she refused to use the pronouns of the individual, who was convicted of child sex offences

Ms Melle said she was 'deeply moved' by people's support, adding: 'This petition shows that people of all parties believe in fairness and truth.

'I have always sought to provide the highest standard of care to every patient, but I cannot compromise reality or my faith. I pray that the Trust will do the right thing and allow me to return to the job I love.'

She has also garnered support from Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who said no one 'should be punished at work for stating biological reality to paedophiles'.

Ms Melle previously said this period has been one of 'the darkest of my life,' marked by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty as a single mother facing the potential loss of her livelihood.

She also faces a full Employment Tribunal hearing in April this year after filing a claim against the Trust for harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of her freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Her case follows the landmark tribunal decision on Friday in favour of seven Darlington nurses who launched a challenge against a transgender woman being allowed to use their changing room.

The explosive ruling ripped apart County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's trans policy, with the trust being accused of breaching the nurses' human rights.

It also piled pressure on equalities minister Bridget Phillipson to speed up the introduction of guidance on singlesex spaces to the NHS across England.

Ms Melle now faces a disciplinary hearing with her employer on Tuesday where she will be informed of the action against her - which could mean she loses her job

Seven Darlington nurses won a landmark legal case on Friday after taking on a health trust claiming sexual discrimination and sexual harassment because a transgender nurse was able to share the female changing room

The dispute began in May after the senior nurse had been discussing using a catheter on her patient, a paedophile.

The patient took issue with her use of the word 'Mr', prompting the nurse to explain, 'Sorry, I cannot refer to you as "her" or "she", as it's against my faith and Christian values, but I can call you by your name.'

The patient then subjected her to a racially and religiously aggravated assault, flew into a rage and used the n-word three times.

Ms Melle was investigated and disciplined by the hospital later that year and referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which states that nurses should not express their personal beliefs.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said Ms Melle had been disciplined 'for nothing more than believing and expressing a basic truth, that men are men and women are women, a conviction rooted in her Christian faith'.

She added: 'Following the win in the Darlington nurses' case, the Trust should immediately end the disciplinary process against Jennifer and reinstate her to the job she loves.

'The issue is not complex, the law is not complex. The Trust just needs to do the right thing and follow the law.'

A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'Racial abuse of our staff is never acceptable, nor is discussing a patients private medical information publicly.

'We are sorry that Miss Melle had this experience, and we issued a written warning to this patient, but we expect all staff to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.'
Top doctors have warned that the use of mobile phones among children has become a 'public health emergency', with screen time and harmful online content having dangerous effects on their wellbeing.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has written to ministers after a meeting revealed the level of damage witnessed in NHS facilities caused by mobile phones, The Times reports.

The meeting, held in October and attended by more than 20 senior medics, saw clinicians give their own testimony about the cases they had seen.

Chair of the academy, Dr Jeanette Dickson, said: 'Without doubt, we are seeing the beginning of a public health emergency with our own eyes. Everywhere we look, we see children and adults glued to their screens.

'I really worry for children, some of whom are self-evidently imprisoned in a digital bubble.'

Dr Dickson added that some of the stories she had heard at the meeting were 'genuinely shocking,' and said they had left people 'close to tears.'

President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, Dr Zara Haider, said her colleagues were becoming increasingly concerned by the stories they were hearing every day.

Many involve young women being forced to act out dangerous sexual behaviour because their partner had seen something online, she said.

Top doctors have warned that the use of mobile phones among children has become a 'public health emergency'. Stock image shows a child using a mobile phone

'We know, for example, that strangulation is now a common feature because it is thought to heighten sensation. It can, of course, lead to brain injury and death in some cases, because it takes less than a minute to kill someone by compressing the trachea, yet incredibly, we are normalising this behaviour', she said.

One doctor described treating a teenage girl with serious injuries after her boyfriend used sharp knives during foreplay, an act they had seen online. The teen later died.

Those who attended the meeting also included a police psychiatrist who said that half of teens between the ages of 13 and 14 had watched beheading videos on their phones.

Meanwhile, Dr Rebecca Foljambe, a GP, reported seeing multiple cases of harm to children from online content.

Optometrist Daniel Hardiman also warned that more children were needing glasses at younger ages due to excessive screen time, while Professor Michael Absoud, a paediatrician, said children with ADHD are particularly at risk.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has called for a review of its research on the issue to help doctors identify the issues harming children.

The review is expected to be completed within three months.

The letter from the academy comes as the government prepares to announce plans to restrict the use of social media to minors under the age of 16.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) is calling for 'action' on children using social media over concerns that it is harming the 'life chances of young people'

Sir Keir Starmer said he has not ruled out introducing an Australia-style ban on young people using social media.

It comes despite the Prime Minister previously opposing such a ban - and follows Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch vowing that the Conservatives would block under-16s from social media if they win the next election.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to follow Australia, which became the first country to ban social media for children last month, with MPs privately pushing for Labour to follow suit.

Wes Streeting is calling for 'action' on children using social media over concerns that it is harming the 'life chances of young people'.

The Health Secretary warned the technology has been 'unleashed without properly understanding the consequences' and when asked if he backed the ban for under-16s, Mr Streeting told Sky News: 'I'm certainly in favour of action in this area.'

It is expected to come to a head next week as the House of Lords is due to vote on a Tory amendment to the children's wellbeing and school bill that would prevent under-16s from accessing social media.

If it passes, a Commons showdown would follow.

Labour MPs have been urged not to rebel and back the amendment, which is fuelling speculation that the Government might move first.

Sir Keir Starmer said he has not ruled out introducing a ban on young people using social media

Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch has vowed that the Conservatives would block under-16s from social media if they win the next election

After indicating he was open to reconsidering his opposition earlier this week, Sir Keir said this week: 'We need to better protect children from social media.

'We're looking at what's happening in Australia, but all options are on the table in relation to what further protections we can put in place, whether that's under-16s on social media, all options on the table.

'Or an issue I'm very concerned about, which is under-fives and screen time. And we're the first government to take action in relation to that, because children are turning up at school aged four, to reception, having spent far too much time on screen.'

The Prime Minister added: 'So, across the board, we will take further action to protect children.'

It is understood that 'discussions are taking place' in the Government about a ban, but there are concerns among some that the Australian ban has not been as straightforward as anticipated.

Officials also point to opposition to a blanket ban by the NSPCC and suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation, which have said that banning social media for under 16s is 'not the answer'.

The NSPCC has warned that a ban 'would be a blunt approach to a complex problem' while Molly Rose expressed concerns about the 'unintended consequences of bans', arguing that they risk 'pushing harm to unregulated areas rather than making products safe by design for children'.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the foundation, said: 'Government should respond to overwhelming calls from parents for decisive action by fixing regulation with evidence-based solutions, not simplistic and populist calls for social media bans that would risk causing more harm than good.'

However, a source said the Government is not 'running away' from a fight with big tech, pointing to this week's confrontation with X over Grok AI, which Downing Street is claiming as a 'vindication'.

A Government spokesman said: 'Through the Online Safety Act, we have taken some of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences online, mandating that social media companies protect children from harmful content.

'A social media ban is not our current policy but we keep all options under review based on the evidence. We are striking the right balance: protecting children from harm while ensuring they can benefit safely from the digital world.'
Andrew Neil on Saturday night branded British Airways bosses numpties and accused them of having a business model with suicide written all over it.

Broadcaster and Daily Mail columnist Mr Neil said that after 55 years as a BA customer he will no longer fly with it exclusively, lambasting its cheapskate service.

He said BA cant even organise an orderly queue at departure gates, adding he will now fly with the likes of Emirates, Qatar Singapore and Etihad whose business and first seats are far superior.

His attack follows a decade of cost-cutting at the airline and a backlash from fliers over changes to its Club loyalty plan.

This month BA scrapped hot breakfasts for business class passengers on eight domestic and European routes. They now get fruit, yoghurt and a pastry.

Mr Neil, 76, said on X that he always co-ordinated his extensive and expensive travel plans through London to use BA, but he added: These days are over. I will now use whatever airline is most convenient and competitive.

He said on recent BA flights to Nice and New York that staff at the departure gate failed to call forward passengers with priority boarding, and on his first class flight last week to New York the free wifi service did not work, forcing him to pay.

BA [is] now run by numpties who put no value on long-standing, big-spending loyal customers, of which Ive been one for 55 years! he said. They cant even get the little things right.

Broadcaster and Daily Mail columnist Mr Neil (pictured) said that after 55 years as a BA customer he will no longer fly with it exclusively, lambasting its cheapskate service

BA told Mr Neil it was sorry to hear about his experience and said he could request a wifi refund (file image)

He said staff have lost any pride working for what was once the worlds favourite airline.

Now BA is just another middling airline, charging over the odds for service barely above the cheaper budget airlines. A business model with suicide written all over it.

BA was criticised last year after overhauling its loyalty deals, making it more expensive to earn coveted silver or gold status.

Mr Neil, who has lifetime gold status, said the airlines new points structure sets impossible hurdles even for frequent flyers regularly using business or first [class].

BA told Mr Neil it was sorry to hear about his experience and said he could request a wifi refund.

It said later that it was implementing a 7 billion transformation programme, investing in new seats, cabins and lounges.

It added: Coming months will see the introduction of free Starlink wifi across our fleet.

We continue to reward loyalty through the British Airways Club.

We know weve got further to go and dont always get things right, and well continue to learn from feedback from customers.
A Democrat congressman running for California governor has vowed to strip federal immigration agents of their driving licenses if elected.

Rep. Eric Swalwell made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during a summit in Los Angeles hosted by the Empowerment Congress, as he took a firmly anti-ICE stance in the wake of the shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good.

Asked from the stage how he would 'protect' Californians from ICE, Swalwell did not mince words.

'They're going to lose their immunity, they're not gonna be able to drive. I will take your driver's license,' he said.

As the remark drew laughter from the crowd, Swalwell added: 'Good luck walking to work, a**holes.'

Swalwell went further, promising an aggressive stance against ICE agents operating in the state, particularly those who wear masks during enforcement actions.

'I will direct law enforcement to use every power to prosecute them for battery, false imprisonment, and murder,' he said.

'And you know over the last 10 years, I worked on the Russia investigation with Adam Schiff. You know me, I'm not shy. I'm not naive about who he is,' Swalwell went on, referring to President Trump.

'There's only one side of the ball to be on, on behalf of Californians when it comes to ICE,' Swalwell added. 'And it's offense.'

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell running to succeed Gavin Newsom as Californias next governor said he would revoke drivers licenses from ICE agents who wear masks if elected governor

The gubernatorial hopeful took a firmly anti-ICE stance as protests against Donald Trump's immigration enforcement swept the nation

The congressman cited his past work with Sen. Adam Schiff in investigating claims Trump colluded with Russia during the 2016 election as evidence that he is willing to confront powerful institutions head-on.

Swalwell served as a leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He is now ramping up his campaign to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom when California voters head to the polls later this year.

According to a poll last week from the Independent Voter Project, Swalwell sits in third place in a crowded field, behind Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco.

Swalwell's rhetoric reflects a broader escalation among Democrats who have sharply intensified attacks on ICE, in particular following Good's shooting on January 7 in Minneapolis.

According to The Hill, Swalwell is working with New York Rep. Dan Goldman to introduce legislation that would strip ICE agents of qualified immunity, a legal shield that often protects government officials from civil liability.

'Trump's ICE thugs inflict cruelty on our communities every day. Enough,' Swalwell wrote on Facebook earlier this week. 'I'm fighting to end impunity for ICE and hold them accountable for their actions.'

Critics were quick to seize on Swalwell's words, brushing them off as little more than grandstanding.

'Lol, I live here and he has 0% chance... if not less,' wrote one user on X.

'What a stupid, stupid thing for Eric to say,' added another.

'If he thinks he has the authority to revoke federal officers drivers licenses he is dumber than I thought,' stated a third.

Swalwell's comments come amid heightened scrutiny of ICE following the shooting death of Renee Good during an encounter involving immigration agents

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fugitive Operations Team members are seen during a raid in Los Angeles. When ICE were in LA, agents picked up people who had already been deported or who are criminal aliens

Protesters carry a large sign reading 'ICE out of SD', near San Diego's Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building during a protest against ICE in downtown San Diego, California earlier this month

'Its open hostility to federal law enforcement and a blueprint for state-level retaliation politics. A governor cant nullify federal authority. But he can sure make California even less safe by prioritizing illegal immigrants over the people trying to enforce the law,' tweeted another critic.

Swalwell's comments come in the aftermath of the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month during an encounter involving immigration agents.

The case has inflamed tensions and fueled calls from Democrats to rein in or dismantle ICE altogether.

Across the country, anti-ICE protests have erupted, with Democratic lawmakers increasingly framing the agency as an occupying force rather than a law enforcement body.

Swalwell's comments come in the aftermath of the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month during an encounter involving immigration agents

Swalwell's hardline posture on immigration arrives as his own political future is clouded by legal trouble. The 45-year-old congressman is facing a federal criminal referral related to alleged mortgage and tax fraud.

Swalwell's hardline posture on immigration arrives as his own political future is clouded by legal trouble.

The 45-year-old congressman is facing a federal criminal referral related to alleged mortgage and tax fraud.

In a statement following news of the referral, Swalwell has said he appropriately filed paperwork over a home he shares with his wife, and vowed that the investigation would not silence him.

He said he would 'not stop speaking out against the president and speaking up for Californians,' and indicated he would continue pursuing his legal claims.

Under California law, gubernatorial candidates cannot hold office if convicted of certain felonies, including bribery, embezzlement of public money, extortion, theft of public funds, perjury, or conspiracy to commit those crimes, according to guidance from the California secretary of state.

No charges have been filed to date.
A barber was taken to court after he shaved off a patch of hair when his customer refused to pay him the full amount for his haircut.

Ali Akil, 22, gave a zero fade haircut to Alireza Kashef, 21, at his store Barberatzzi in the Westfield Miranda, south Sydney, on November 25, 2024.

Mr Akil said the service would cost $40 when Mr Kasef said he could only pay $30.

The barber sat the man back down in the salon stool and shaved a 10cm by 5cm section of hair off the top of his head.

Mr Kashef reported the incident to police, who charged Mr Akil with common assault on December 3.

The dispute ended in Sutherland Local Court on Friday after police agreed to drop the charge.

Mr Akil's lawyer Ahmed Dib argued the case was weak and there was not enough evidence to prove an assault had occurred.

'I'm feeling good I got some justice out of it. It was so draining,' Mr Akil told Daily Mail.

Kashef Alireza (pictured) went to the police after he refused to pay the $40 bill for his haircut, prompting barber Ali Akil to shave a section of his hair off

Barber Ali Akil (pictured) said he's just a young guy trying to earn a living doing what he loves

'This happens more often than you think.'

Mr Akil said he was just a young guy trying to earn a living doing what he loves.

'If you do a service it's about getting paid. You just want to make people look good,' he saud,

Mr Akil said defending himself was stressful and expensive and he was disappointed the matter even made it to court.

The matter was listed for a hearing on Friday, before the court was told that Mr Kashef had not shown up to give evidence and was overseas.

Police then told Magistrate Tania Johnson the charge would be withdrawn.

Court documents showed police took a photo of Mr Kashef's head, which showed where the chunk of hair had been shaved off, and were set to use it as evidence in the case.

According to police documents, Mr Kashef had never been to the barber shop before he attended on November 25, 2024.

Mr Akil said defending himself was stressful and expensive and he was disappointed the matter even made it to court

'(Mr Kashef) asked for a zero fade on the side and scissors on the top,' the police documents said.

'About 30 minutes later the haircut was completed and (Mr Kashef) was happy with the result and went to the counter to pay.'

Mr Kashef handed over $30, only to be told by Mr Akil that the haircut cost $40.

'There was a back and forth between the two, with (Mr Kashef) stating he had no (more) money,' the documents said.

It was then that Mr Akil directed the man back to the chair and shaved a long strip off the top of his head.
Both US corporations have handed over control of their business to local partners to keep up presence in a market that is becoming less friendly

During the 1980s and 1990s, when China was immersed in the process of economic reform, foreign restaurant chains became one of the most visible symbols for that process of opening up to the outside world. Eating a hamburger with fries, or a pizza, was synonymous with the modernity and access to other countries that was still a far-off prospect for the majority of the population. They were also experiences that were exclusive to the big cities, which were slowly incorporating such establishments as a way to showcase the new, urban China.

When the countrys first Starbucks opened in 1999, in the financial center of Beijing, the Seattle coffee titan didnt only sell a beverage that was practically unknown to a society traditionally tied to tea. It also offered a space to socialize, work, and to see and be seen; an aspirational meeting point for an incipient middle class that was beginning to distinguish itself through global consumption habits. Today, this panorama is quite different. Starbucks has fallen behind strong local competitors, who have been able to adapt their offerings to consumers who are extremely dependent on home delivery, and increasingly sensitive to price and novelty.

The clear winner of the coffee wars has been Luckin, the Chinese business that was founded in 2017 and since then has bet on a digital model oriented toward fast consumption, with small locations and a strong dependence on cell phone orders. It presents itself as a stark contrast to Starbucks, which is based on the in-store experience. The result has been a significant decline in the U.S. companys position: Starbucks market share fell from 34% to 14% in just five years, according to Euromonitor International, and its earnings decreased by 19% between 2021 and 2024, according to Financial Times.

Amid those storm clouds, Starbucks has made a strategic shift: selling 60% of its business in China to Hong Kongs Boyu Capital, in an operation valued at $4 billion. The decision is much more than a financial maneuver, and reflects a diagnostic evolution: the model that brought it practically unrivaled growth in China (its second-biggest market) for decades has ceased to be competitive. Handing over control has now become the price to pay in order to earn flexibility and the ability to react in a growingly hostile environment. This new association with Chinese partners appears to be a way to split the risks.

More competition

The pressure is not minor. Growing competition from Chinese firms has become the second-largest challenge for U.S. companies that operate in the Asian country, even ahead of economic deceleration, according to a fall report published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. The push from ever-more-solid local entities has come to occupy a central position among the concerns of U.S. businesses, surpassed only by the impact of geopolitical tension between Beijing and Washington.

In a move similar to that of Starbucks, Burger King has also handed over the reins. The hamburger giant has announced the transferral of 83% of its business in China to the Beijing firm CPE through a joint venture valued at some $354 million. With the operation, it seeks to relaunch its brand beyond large urban centers, where the market is less saturated, and has set a goal of doubling its number of restaurants in five years and getting to more than 4,000 locations by 2035, as compared its current total of 1,250.

European and U.S. brands problem is structural, conclude analysts at the WEGO Institute, a research group based in Beijing. While local brands have grown at top speed over the last decade, the Western ones, which have heavier organizational structures and elevated cost models, react more slowly. Faced with this scenario, the analysts say, options are limited: Transform, divest assets, or even sell them to survive.

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A Danish lawmaker stunned an MS NOW anchor with a shocking slur aimed at White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller following his remarks on the US taking control of Greenland.

MS NOW anchor Alex Witt immediately apologized to viewers after Danish parliamentarian Rasmus Jarlov insulted Miller live on the air, as he said the Trump insider has the 'mentality of a rapist.'

Jarlov made the remark as he reacted to a clip of Miller arguing why the US should take over Greenland, in which Miller told Fox News that Denmark 'is a tiny country with a tiny economy and a tiny military.'

'They cannot defend Greenland. They cannot control the territory of Greenland. Under every understanding of law that has existed about territorial control for 500 years,' Miller said.

'To control a territory, you have to be able to defend a territory, improve a territory, inhabit a territory. Denmark has failed on every single one of these tests,' he added.

After Witt played a clip of Miller's remarks for Jarlov, the Denmark legislator didn't mince words as he compared Miller's approach to international diplomacy to that of a sexual predator.

'I hope he's kept away from young women, because that's the mentality of a rapist,' Jarlov responded.

'You can't defend yourself, so I'm going to take you. That's basically what he's saying.'

Danish lawmaker Rasmus Jarlov stunned MS NOW anchor Alex Witt with a shocking slur aimed at White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller following his remarks on the US taking control of Greenland

Jarlov likened Trump adviser Stephen Miller's views on Greenland to 'the mentality of a rapist' after the White House official said the US should take the territory because Denmark 'is a tiny country with a tiny economy and a tiny military'

Jarlov went on to reject Miller's interpretation of international law, insisting the United States has long recognized Denmark's authority over Greenland.

'United States have signed several treaties with Denmark recognizing the ownership, one of them was in 1917,' Jarlov said.

He warned that Washington's posture risked shattering trust between allies.

'So, this is a new position from the American government, and we have to be able to trust the promises, the words and the alliances that we make with the Americans, because otherwise it's not worth anything, being an ally of the Americans,' he said.

'And I think it's very crucial that we stay together because our alliance, our partnership, has kept us safe.'

The explosive moment came as President Donald Trump once again escalated pressure on Denmark and Greenland as he suggested the United States had a legal and strategic right to take control of the autonomous territory.

Before cutting to commercial break, Witt stepped in to distance the network from Jarlov's language.

Thousands of Greenlanders marched to the US Consulate in Nuuk on Saturday chanting 'Greenland is not for sale'

People protest against US President Donald Trump's policy towards Greenland on Saturday

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined what organizers described as one of the largest protests in the islands history

'I will say that there was a very harsh analogy that you made there at the top of this answer,' Witt told him.

'I understand that is your opinion and the analogy you wanted to make. I will say that we don't share in that opinion here at MS NOW, but I do appreciate your conversation overall in all of the points that you have made.'

The explosive exchange aired as tensions over Greenland spilled onto the streets of the Arctic island itself.

On Saturday, thousands of Greenlanders marched across snow and ice in and around the capital city of Nuuk, waving flags and holding signs declaring 'Greenland is not for sale' as they protested Trump's renewed push to bring the strategically located, mineral-rich territory under US control.

The demonstrations culminated near the US Consulate just as news broke that Trump plans to impose a 10 percent import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries, including the UK, citing their opposition to US claims over Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States should own Greenland, framing the issue as one of national security, economic development, and Arctic dominance

Greenland's Head of Government (Naalakkersuisut) Jens-Frederik Nielsen, holds a Greenlandic flag as he attends a demonstration at the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined what organizers described as the largest protest in the island's history, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuk's population.

Solidarity rallies were also held across Denmark, including in Copenhagen, and in Canada's Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States should own Greenland, framing the issue as one of national security, economic development, and Arctic dominance.

The island, while self-governing, has been under Danish sovereignty since 1814 and remains deeply opposed to any transfer of control.
Actress Melissa Gilbert sent a letter pleading for a judge to 'protect' her husband Timothy Busfield as the West Wing actor remains in custody on child sex abuse charges.

Busfield, 68, surrendered to law enforcement in New Mexico on Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor.

In a motion filed by his attorneys on Friday night, Busfield's wife, who starred in the Little House on the Prairie series in the 70s and 80s, begged a judge to release her husband.

I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over, I can't help it. I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole,' Gilbert wrote.

'As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me.'

The actor is accused of inappropriately touching twin boys who worked with him on the set of the television series, The Cleaning Lady, from 2022 until 2024. Only one brother accused him of sexual contact.

Following the initial allegations, Busfield was also accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl while she was auditioning for a show. He denies all allegations against him.

Busfield is currently being held without bond at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.

Melissa Gilbert penned a pleading letter to a judge asking for him to protect her husband, Timothy Busfield, after he was thrown in jail on child sex abuse charges. The couple is pictured together above in November

Busfield turned himself in to law enforcement in New Mexico on Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor. He's pictured above in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County

Busfield is widely known for his role in the West Wing (pictured opposite Allison Janey)

His attorneys filed the motion late on Friday night, arguing that prosecutors haven't provided proof that Busfield poses a danger to the community if released on bond.

Gilbert said in her letter that her husband is an honorable and compassionate man, insisting that he 'has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known.'

She recalled that the two met in the 1980s but fell in love in 2012, calling her husband her 'love,' 'rock,' and 'partner in business and life.'

Gilbert gushed that Busfield brought 'sparkle' to her life, adding that multiple people who have worked with him on set have called him their favorite director.

She said that one of the 'joys' in her life was watching Busfield raise her youngest son, Michael.

Gilbert compared Busfield to her father, praising the men in her life for their military service and their principles of 'honor, integrity, compassion and care.'

She concluded that the letter was the 'strangest' she ever had to write and admitted to struggling to toe the line between logic and feelings.

The recent filing also included a psychosexual evaluation conducted by a certified sex offender treatment specialist, detailing that Busfield is a 'very low risk' case.

His wife reported that the two had a 'satisfying sex life' but enjoyed cuddling more due to their age.

Gilbert described her relationship with Busfield and defended his character in a letter written to the judge

Gilbert pleaded with the judge to 'protect' her husband in a court filing asking for Busfield to be released on bond

Gilbert, pictured with her husband in 2019, said Busfield was her 'rock' and 'partner in business and in life'

The brief stated that Busfield would sometimes masturbate while taking a shower, as it is 'easier', saying the last time he masturbated was six months ago.

In addition to Gilbert's letter of support, Busfield's colleagues in the film industry also wrote to praise his character.

Busfield's co-stars including Peter Horton, sitting at the front, and Patricia Wettig, right in Busfield's arms, both issued statements to the court via his attorneys

Actor and director Peter Horton, who worked with Busfield in the 80s television series Thirtysomething, described his co-star as 'a good man.'

'I offer this perspective to you from not only a fellow artist and friend, but as a fellow father of two girls who knows the power and necessity of having a good dad,' he added.

The star of the series, Patricia Wettig, said Busfield was always professional and was 'humble and caring' when they filmed intimate scenes.

Wettig added that Busfield would always make sure any kids on the show 'felt comfortable and safe', adding 'he is a wonderful man and I trust him completely'.

Mackenzie Astin, who worked with Busfield on the early 2000s show, First Years, praised him for his help after a stint in rehab.

Gilbert, pictured above last January, said in her letter that one of her greatest joys was watching Busfield raise her son

Gilbert even compared Busfield to her father, adding that her husband had 'the strongest moral compass of any human' she knew

Busfield has denied all the accusations against him, telling TMZ in a video that he never inappropriately touched the twin boys and discredited the claims as lies.

His attorneys have alleged that the accusers lost their role on The Cleaning Lady, creating a financial and retaliatory motive.

Investigators told The Daily Mail that Warner Bros., which produced the series, made it difficult for them to obtain evidence.

The lead officer on the case, Marvin Brown, wrote in an arrest affidavit that the company 'waited almost three months to comply with a court order to produce the independent investigation.'

Since Busfield's arrest, the case has drawn national attention, and past accusations against the actor have resurfaced.

Mackenzie Astin, seen here, worked with Busfield on two episodes of First Years in the early 2000s and also expressed support for the embattled star

An unrelated allegation of sexual abuse was included in a pretrial detention motion filed Wednesday, accusing Busfield of having abused a 16-year-old girl while she was auditioning for a show in Sacramento.

Documents in a pretrial detention motion filed Wednesday stated that Busfield allegedly kissed a teenage girl 'and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates' at the B Street Theatre.

A spokesperson for the theatre told People that they conducted an internal investigation and subsequently banned Busfield from the premises.

Busfield's next court date is set for January 20, when a judge will determine whether to release him on bond.
The parents of a 16-year-old boy who took his own life after suffering from 'screen addiction' have joined calls for a new social media ban for children and young teenagers.

Chris and Jo Barber lost their son Leo in November 2023 after the youngster suffered months of depression linked to his extreme phone and computer use.

The youngster from Beckenham, southeast London, who was also diagnosed with autism, became increasingly withdrawn after using chat and gaming platforms to speak to people over the internet.

His favoured sites were Discord and Steam, which are both currently available to those who are 13 or older.

Mr Barber, 51, said he feared his son had also 'suffered self-radicalisation' after he stumbled across a US 'suicide' chat site.

Last night, he told the Mail on Sunday a social media ban for under-16s could help parents navigate difficult conversations with their children about the dangers of the internet.

He said: 'Jo and I support a ban on social media for under-16s as you could at least have a conversation with your kids and tell them that the government would consider you to be a bad parent if you let your child access them before 16, in much the same way that you'd be a bad parent if you were to facilitate their smoking habit.'

Chris and Jo Barber lost their son Leo in November 2023 after the youngster suffered months of depression linked to his extreme phone and computer use. Leo and Jo are pictured

After Leo's inquest at South London Coroners' Court in September, assistant coroner Edmund Gritt recorded a verdict of suicide

However, he added: 'Although a good first step, the ban would only protect children in Leo's situation if the parents had full sight of their online activity, for example if you could review what your child was accessing.

'Leo would have had no problems bypassing security measures and accessing sites such as this with a VPN.

'Ultimately the only solution is to make platforms liable for what their users publish then these sites would disappear overnight.'

Mrs Barber, 53, said that vulnerable children - particularly those who are neurodiverse - were suffering with isolation, which then led to an over-reliance on screens.

She said: 'No child should feel like suicide is their only option and the trauma of how Leo died will never leave me.

'There are too many neurodiverse teens in crisis and too many being lost to suicide.'

For the year leading up to his death, Leo had not been able to attend school due to his poor mental health.

On the night of November 28,2023, he crept out of the home he shared with his parents and twin siblings to take his own life at a nearby train station.

Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner, delivering a speech in November 2025 during the King's Fund conference on children's health

After his son's death, Mr Barber managed to access Leo's laptop where he was horrified by what he found.

'Parents desperately need more help in getting children off smartphones and online platforms,' Mr Barber said.

'He had been looking at suicide forums for quite a while. He'd used a fake date of birth.'

After Leo's inquest at South London Coroners' Court in September, assistant coroner Edmund Gritt recorded a verdict of suicide.

Afterwards, he wrote a Prevention of Future Deaths report copying in Google's vice president and managing director, outlining his concern that a teenager could access a suicide site.

He said in his report: 'For an extremely vulnerable person such as Leo, it would provide an environment in which he might find collective approval for taking the step of ending his life and be reinforced in that step by that approval.

'I conclude that Leo's exposure to the website probably would have acted to reinforce his decision to end his life and as such contributed to causing his death.'

Australia has become the first country to ban under 16s from using almost all social media apps.

Meta announced this week that it had blocked almost 550,000 accounts in the first month of the ban - 330,639 on Instagram, 173,497 on Facebook and 39,916 on Threads.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Federal officials have launched an investigation into Renee Good's partner following accusations that she impeded an ICE agent in the moments before her wife's death, sources say.

Good, 37, was shot three times through the window of her car by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on January 7 after she refused to get out of her vehicle.

According to insiders familiar with the investigation speaking to NBC News, the Justice Department is now moving forward with an investigation into Good's grieving widow, Rebecca.

The probe will reportedly focus on Rebecca's ties to activist groups and actions leading up to her wife's death, according to the report.

The reported action against Good's wife comes days after at least six federal prosecutors resigned in protest at being ordered to investigate Rebecca.

Donald Trump previously described the couple as 'professional agitators', and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Good's actions as 'domestic terrorism.'

In footage that swept social media capturing the moments leading up to the shooting, Rebecca appeared to struggle with the car door before telling her wife to 'drive' as an ICE agent attempted to coax Good from her vehicle.

Witnesses said the couple had attended the protest to film and act as legal observers, and the footage showed Rebecca confronting and taunting ICE agents seconds before they opened fire.

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

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, was shot three times by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7

Good's Lawyer told NBC News 'there has been no contact from the FBI or federal officials indicating Becca Good is the subject of an investigation.'

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has been hit with his own DOJ investigation this week over his anti-ICE rhetoric, has criticized the federal government's handling of the investigation into Good's death.

'The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her,' he said.

Six federal prosecutors previously resigned after they were ordered by the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota to look into Rebecca Good.

Joe Thompson, the former acting US Attorney of Minnesota and the lead in the Feeding Our Future food fraud case, was one of the major names who submitted his resignation.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz spoke out about Thompson's resignation and the swath of others that followed.

'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 on X.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has criticized the government's handling of the federal investigation into Good's death

Joe Thompson (pictured), the federal prosecutor leading the massive Somali fraud investigation, resigned from the Minnesota US Attorney's Office on Tuesday

Good (left) and Rebecca (right) were reportedly at the scene to act as legal witnesses

'Its also the latest sign Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the justice department, replacing them with his sycophants.'

Assistant US Attorneys Harry Jacobs, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Melinda Williams, among others, followed suit.

The Justice Department has also launched an investigation in Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Officials allege the Democrat pair conspired to impede federal agents through public statements.

Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly sent out a memo in December, emphasizing the Justice Department's mission to stop 'domestic terrorism' by investigating groups with an 'anti-fascist platform.'

Bondi provided a list of statutes with which to charge 'culpable actors,' including impeding federal officers, which Rebecca, Walz and Frey have been accused of.

At least six federal prosecutors resigned after the Justice Department allegedly ordered them to investigate Renee Nicole Good's wife, Rebecca Good

Renee Good was shot three times after refusing to get out of her vehicle for an ICE agent

Assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers is punishable by up to 20 years in prison if the offense includes the use of a 'deadly or dangerous weapon,' according to Cornell Law.

As the federal government looks to probe Good's widow, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has said there was 'currently no basis' for an investigation into Ross.

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.
Australians are rallying behind Spanian's estranged wife after she launched her first food review video, with many fans calling it much more grounded.

Angela McColl, 37, shared a video of her trip to the Sydney Fish Market on Friday, which has racked up nearly 260,000 views since it was uploaded two days ago.

Ms McColl was married to Spanian, whose real name is Anthony Lees, for two years before the pair split in 2025.

Her food review channel, which has 30,000 subscribers, puts her in competition with her ex, who reviews food for his 1.2million subscribers on his YouTube series 'It's All Eats'.

And, in what would appear to be a deliberate move, Ms McColl uploaded her first review days after Spanian posted a seafood video, comparing a $10 meal to an $800 one.

'I am so excited to be doing this,' Ms McColl said. 'I am a little bit nervous. I'm not going to lie.'

Ms McColl reviewed a selection of meals, including the Sydney Rock Oysters, a raw sashimi platter and the market's famous lobster rolls.

Many viewers praised the amateur food reviewer for her authenticity.

Australians are rallying behind Spanian's estranged wife after she launched her first food review video, with many fans claiming it is much more grounded

In her debut video Angela McColl (pictured) reviewed Sydney's Fish Market

'This is honestly so refreshing. No over-polishing, no fake energy - just raw, natural talent and real personality,' one said.

'You can tell this is 100 per cent you, and that's exactly what makes it relatable. People are tired of perfect.'

'She is more real/ authentic. No one likes a big head, full of themselves constantly needing validation,' another commented.

'Her ex will one day be a little embarrassed of his mindset in his 30s.'

'Spanian she's coming for you and by her personality, humbleness and authenticity she will blow up,' a third added.

'Honestly, it reminds me of Spanian when he was down-to-earth before he changed.'

Some took aim at Spanian, complaining his channel was not the same as when it launched.

'People are a little tired of the ex, beating his chest about the G Wagon, superiority complex, and need for validation from others,' one wrote.

'It's embarrassing to watch sometimes. He's like a child.'

Spanian's latest review, released just days before his ex released hers, sees him visiting three seafood spots in Sydney at wildly different price points to see if you get what you pay for

'I've unsubbed him like heaps of others have also,' a second chimed in.

'I've subbed you, I'm so glad you are doing this! Great first video girl you've got this on your own.'

'Liked, subscribed and commented. I respect the hustle and lets be honest old mate is carrying on like a bonehead nowadays,' another said.

Ms McColl's debut video came just days after Spanian posted his YouTube review where he compared a $10 seafood meal to a $60 one and an $800 experience.

In the review, he visited three different seafood spots, with the cheapest meal being a humble fish burger, and the most expensive a seafood platter.

Earlier this month, Ms McColl revealed she would be launching a food review channel, saying she was going to 'shoot her shot' and see how it went.

'I'm actually really funny, that sounds cocky saying that, but I'm kinda funny,' she said.

'And you guys will see my personality in the videos,' she said.

Spanian (pictured) split from his wife Angela McColl (pictured) and is now publicly dating a much younger woman Ava Jean Walke

The new Sydney Fish Market is set to open on Monday, with visitor numbers expected to double to more than six million as it moves next door to a striking new harbourside location on Blackwattle Bay.

Sydney Fish Market CEO Daniel Jarosch said they've waited 'decades' for the new market.

'It's the end of an era and the beginning of something extraordinary,' he said.

The new market will feature more than 40 retailers, diverse dining options and immersive visitor experiences.
Terrified villagers have been forced to sleep on rooftops or abandon their makeshift homes over fears a rampaging elephant which has killed 22 people will return.

The young male, which has one tusk, is still at large in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, around 730 miles east of the Indian capital Delhi.

The elephant  thought to be in a mating phase known as musth, a period of increased sexual libido and aggression which can last for up to 20 days  started its killing spree on January 1.

Four children, including an eight-month-old baby, are among the dead.

Indian authorities have deployed at least 80 forest officers to find the elephant and tranquilise it.

Villagers run from a rampaging elephant in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand

While some seek refuge on their rooftops, a vigilante group has formed to find the elephant

Some villagers have sought refuge in treetops and on flat roofs.

Aditya Narayan, a division forest officer of the Chaibasa district, said: Anyone who came in front of it was trampled.

'In one family alone four people were killed. It is unprecedented.

'We have seen elephants in musth in the past, but theyd rarely harm people.
President Trump has put a $1 billion price tag on membership for nations who wish to permanently join his new 'Board of Peace'.

Trump announced his plans for the new organization on Friday, explaining that the initiative was a 'vital step' in implementing his 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

'The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place,' the president later said on Truth Social.

Critics have speculated that the Board of Peace may be intended to replace the United Nations.

A draft charter for the BOP, first reported by Bloomberg, stated that each member state would serve a maximum of three years, unless $1 billion is contributed within the first year.

A US official confirmed to the Daily Mail that there is no requirement to contribute the funds, but those who do are granted permanent membership rather than a three-year term.

The money raised by the board is intended to fund the administration's efforts to rebuild Gaza, officials said.

The Board of Peace was described in the charter as, 'an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.'

Trump says he will serve as chairman of the board, and as such he would control the money. Sources familiar with the board told Bloomberg that several nations have strongly opposed the draft.

Donald Trump, pictured above on Friday, has asked nations to contribute $1 billion for permanent membership to his newly established Board of Peace

Under the BOP, a separate board will oversee the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip, pictured above last week

The Israeli prime minister's office said the BOP's Gaza Executive Board was 'at odds with Israeli policy.' An Egyptian official on the board previously compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured above, to Adolf Hitler

The BOP resembles the mission of the United Nations, with critics reportedly concerned that Trump is attempting to replace the organization with his own.

Even though the mission began as a means to end the war in Gaza, letters sent to world leaders suggested the board would take a broader approach to resolving international conflicts.

'This is a US shortcut in an attempt to wield its veto power on world affairs,' Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press.

A US official clarified to AP that the BOP wasn't intended to replace the UN, but suggested it could motivate international leaders to act.

However, two diplomats told Reuters that the letter sent to international leaders called the BOP a 'bold approach to resolving Global Conflict.'

'It's a "Trump United Nations" that ignores the fundamentals of the UN charter,' one diplomat described the BOP to Reuters.

The Board of Peace for Gaza would operate under the BOP. As chairman, Trump would also have the power to choose who would be invited to the board, the group's official seal, and would have final approval over all voting matters, according to the draft charter.

The BOP would be responsible for broader peace relations, while the Gaza Executive Board is specifically tasked with rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

Join the debate Should any one leader have sole control over a new global peace organization's funds and membership?

The BOP was announced as the second phase of Trump's plan to rebuild Gaza. Pictured above is destruction in the city on Thursday

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured above in September, will serve on the BOP Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board

Several US officials including White House Advisor Jared Kushner and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will also serve on both boards

Billionaire Mark Rowan, Sir Tony Blair, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and former member of the European Parliament were also named to the Gaza Executive Board Nickolay Mladenov

Trump would also reportedly have the power to remove members and approve the agendas.

The charter states that the BOP would meet once a year for voting meetings and at least quarterly for non-voting meetings.

In addition, as the board's chairman, Trump would have the power to choose his successor.

Sources told Bloomberg that several European nations have been invited to join the BOP.

Argentinian President Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have reportedly been asked to join the BOP for Gaza.

Trump has already appointed several members to the BOP's Executive Board, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel and White House advisor Jared Kushner.

Sir Tony Blair, billionaire businessman Marc Rowan, and President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga were also named as Executive Board members.

The president also announced additional members of the Gaza Executive Board. In addition to the members of the BOP, Turkish politician Minister Hakan Fidan, senior Qatari official Ali Al-Thawadi, Egyptian intelligence leader General Hassan Rashad, United Arab Emirates Minister Reem Al-Hashimy and former member of the European Parliament Nickolay Mladenov.

Mladenov is expected to liaise between the board and the Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

United Arab Emirates Minister Reem Al-Hashimy (middle) will also serve on the Gaza Executive Board alongside Rubio (right). The two are pictured above with US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Martina A. Strong

Ali Shaath is serving as the general commissioner of the Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza, which will work with the BOP and Trump to rebuild the region. He's pictured above at a meeting on Friday

Ali Shaath, the general commissioner of the NCAG and former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, said the committee would work to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the guidance of the BOP and Trump.

The Israeli prime minister's office said the BOP's Gaza Executive Board was 'at odds with Israeli policy.'

The appointment of multiple Turkish and Egyptian figures has been viewed as anti-Israeli.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and praised Hamas.
Anthony Albanese has been slammed for bragging about the social media ban for under-16s and suggesting alternative activities on his social media account.

The Instagram post sparked a mix of amusement and bewilderment as the Prime Minister marked one month since the restrictions came into effect.

In the sevenpart post, Albanese is pictured with a group of netballers, riding his bicycle around the neighbourhood in work attire, and reading books to children.

He also suggests kids could head to their local beach or pool, help cook dinner, kick the footy, or draw, paint or build something 'special.'

'That means more time for reading, bike rides and sport - and less time lost to scrolling,' the post read.

Social media users swiftly mocked the irony of the post and questioned whether the photos reflected realworld holiday life for most families.

'The irony that this is a post on social media,' one said.

'I like the laws but he is right  it's ironic,' another agreed.

The staging of the post needs work with Albanese (pictured) unconvincingly riding his bike around the neighbourhood in his work attire while men in suits look on

Albanese has made a raft of school holiday activity suggestions for children affected by the social ban

'This whole post looks like a parody! Have you been hacked?' a third questioned.

Others argued the ban had not been effective.

'My 15 year old sister is still able to use Instagram so not the greatest job in the world,' one commented.

'I am under 16 and using instagram Anthony Albanese and I am not f****ing going to draw an artwork cuz,' another said.

Some used the post to raise broader concerns about childcare, accessibility and family support.

'So are you going to give parents enough leave from work to cover all the school holidays? And build safe accessible communities for families? Including single parents, parents with disability etcetera,' one said.

'Definitely all great things to do. But younger children need their parents there to do any of these things, which isn't compatible with how we currently structure work.

'I'm grateful I had some leave to take over the school holidays, but it never covers the full month and a bit.'

Some parents have used the post to raise broader concerns about childcare, accessibility and family support for parents during school holidays

But not all the feedback was negative. Others praised the social media ban and the Prime Minister's message.

'This is exactly what our kids should be doing. Thanks for saving our generation.'

'We're seeing way more kids out on bikes than before the ban, including our son.'

Australia became the first country in the world to ban teenagers under 16 from social media.

Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, Kick, X, YouTube, and Reddit are among the platforms banned, with fines of almost $50million for failing to take action in removing under-16s from their platforms.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the list of sites is dynamic and may expand if children migrate to other platforms not already included in the ban.

Online bullying, exposure to harmful content and 'predatory algorithms' have been cited as the main reasons for the ban.

Grieving parent Robb Evans sees his late daughter Liv's battle with anorexia nervosa, which ended in tragedy in April 2023, as sparked by schoolyard bullying and fanned by Instagram.

'The claws were in so deeply she couldn't see a place to recover,' he said.

Emma Mason has a similar tragic story about her daughter, Tilly, who was bullied on social media, including having a fake nude image of her circulated online.

However, there are other emerging arguments that preventing children from developing social media habits at a young age may have wider health benefits.
Donald Trump has moved to place more than 1,500 Army paratroopers on standby as chaotic anti-ICE protests sweep Minnesota.

In the wake of violent clashes in Minneapolis between demonstrators and law enforcement, the White House has reportedly asked federal troops to stand at the ready.

Defense officials revealed the plans to ABC News on Saturday, saying the active duty soldiers would be deployed from the 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska.

The base is reportedly one of the Army's premier infantry units positioned to help deter China, but Trump is set to move resources to crush protests that erupted in Minneapolis over the ICE shooting of resident Renee Good on January 7.

Officials reportedly said Trump has not yet decided if the troops will be deployed.

'We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces,' one official said. 'This doesn't mean they will deploy; we are preparing options.'

The potential military deployment comes as protests in Minneapolis have resembled war zones in recent days, with tear gas and violent confrontations taking hold on the streets of the city.

The FBI has also reportedly asked US agents to travel to Minneapolis for temporary duty, according to Bloomberg.

President Trump has moved to place more than 1,500 Army paratroopers on standby as chaotic anti-ICE protests sweep Minnesota

Approximately 1,500 troops in Alaska are set to be prepared for deployment to Minneapolis, insiders revealed

Trump addressed the growing tensions on Sunday morning, writing on Truth Social: '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!'

The move to crush the protests comes as FBI Director Kash Patel vowed on social media that his bureau would 'crack down' on 'violent rioters' in Minneapolis.

'This team is working 24/7 here, cracking down on violent rioters and investigating the funding networks supporting the criminal actors with multiple arrests already,' he wrote.

It remains unclear what agents who volunteered for temporary transfer would be tasked with while on duty in Minneapolis.

On Thursday, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy US military forces in Minnesota.

The law from 1807 gives the president the legal authority to send out troops on American soil to quell civil disobedience. It was first invoked by Thomas Jefferson to deal with a plot to create a separate nation in the American West.

'If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota dont obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

'Many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State,' he added.

It comes after a District Court Judge ordered ICE not to retaliate against protesters who have taken to the streets following the killing of Renee Good.

Judge Kate Menedez, a Biden appointee, ruled that ICE agents can't detain or tear gas protestors or people observing agents.

The ruling followed the ICE shooting of Good earlier this month, sparking debate nationwide over the use of lethal force on anti-ICE protesters.

Good was shot in the face three times in her car while she and her wife were allegedly acting as legal witnesses to the ongoing protests against ICE, and the ruling prohibits ICE officers from detaining drivers and passengers in vehicles when there is no reasonable suspicion that they are obstructing or interfering.

Safely following agents 'at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a vehicle stop,' the ruling said.

Join the debate Should the government use military force to control domestic protests, or does that cross a dangerous line?

The potential military deployment comes as protests in Minneapolis have come to resemble warzones in recent days (seen on January 15, 2026), with tear-gas and violent confrontations taking hold on the streets of the city

A protester seen being hit by pepper balls and gas on the streets of Minneapolis on January 14, 2026

Protests have kicked up after Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 7

The violent clashes led a District Court Judge to order ICE not to retaliate against protesters who have taken to the streets this week

Army troops are reportedly standing at the ready as president Trump cracks down on protests in Minneapolis. Pictured: Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers in Minneapolis on January 17, 2026

Menendez said agents would not be allowed to arrest people without probable cause or reasonable suspicion the person has committed a crime or was obstructing or interfering with the activities of officers.

At the same time, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to support the state patrol, reported CNN.

The Minnesota State Guard has yet to be deployed but is under orders from Walz to support state law enforcement.

ICE has been at the forefront of President Donald Trump's wide-ranging immigration crackdown over the past year, as the Republican president has surged officers to Democratic-led US cities in a bid to drive up deportations.

The agency has faced particular scrutiny in the past week after an ICE officer in Minneapolis fatally shot Good, a US citizen and mother of three.
A boy has been rushed to hospital after a shark attack in Sydney Harbour.

Police pulled a boy, believed to be aged between 12 and 13, from the water near Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, following reports a shark had bitten him about 4.20pm on Sunday.

Nielsen Park offers swimming at Shark Beach with both netted and unprotected areas.

It's understood the boy was jumping off rocks at one end of the beach when he was attacked by the shark.

Photos from the scene showed police and paramedics at the Rose Bay West Boat Ramp, about 7km east of the CBD.

The boy was given two medical tourniquets and treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and first responders for serious leg injuries.

'The beach has been closed and swimmers are advised to avoid swimming in the water at this time,' NSW Police said in a statement.

'There is no further information available at this time.'

A 12-year-old boy suffered serious leg injuries in a shark attack on Sunday afternoon

Police and paramedics attended the scene at the Rose Bay West Boat Ramp

NSW Police confirmed the boy, 12, suffered serious leg injuries

It's understood the boy was rock jumping at Shark Beach

The boy was airlifted by a Careflight helicopter to The Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick in a critical condition.

'Swimmers are advised to avoid entering nearby waters at this time,' NSW Police said.

'The injuries are consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark.'
Analysts, academics, and security experts are divided on how the number of missing persons in Mexico should be measured, while the government compiles a new registry

On Thursday, January 8, during President Claudia Sheinbaums daily press conference, the Mexican government touted a historic reduction in nearly all crime categories in the country. In terms of homicides, 2025 saw the fewest victims in a decade, and there were also decreases of between 15% and 20% in femicides and violent robberies. This is the result of a security strategy that is yielding results, declared Sheinbaum, accompanied by her Security Cabinet. And  as is the case every month when the Mexican government boasts about these figures  some civil society organizations and groups of mothers searching for their missing children asked: Why isnt there any talk about the disappeared?

According to the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons of the Ministry of the Interior, 14,072 people were reported missing and unlocated during Sheinbaums first year in office. This represents a 20% increase over the 10,924 reported the previous year and more than double the 7,802 registered in 2019, the first year of the presidency of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaums mentor. Furthermore, 2025 was a particularly horrific year for those looking for their missing loved ones, with seven murders and four disappearances among the coalitions of searchers themselves. Analysts, academics, and security experts are divided on whether this figure, along with other crimes, may be masking murders or if it actually represents a different phenomenon that should be considered separately.

Mexico is one of the countries in the world that best knows how to count homicides, but this is not the case with the crime of disappearance, says academic Carlos Perez Ricart. The missing persons registries in Mexico are designed to search for people, regardless of whether there are duplicates or triplicates, but they are not designed to measure, so when they are compared with homicide registries, its like comparing apples and oranges, he argues.

The researcher from the Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE) explains that, as reporting a disappearance has become easier in many states, this has led to an increase in the number of missing persons reports and, consequently, in the total number of disappearances. But a missing person report is not necessarily a missing person, since these can encompass various situations such as disappearances due to criminal activity, people who went to the United States, people who dont want to be found... some of which are related to enforced disappearance and others not, he explains.

Search for missing persons in the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, in Mexico City, October 21, 2025. Nayeli Cruz

On the diametrically opposed side is Armando Vargas, coordinator of the security program at the think tank Mexico Evalua. The homicide data reported by the authorities is no longer valid, he asserts. On the one hand, he maintains, prosecutors and police lack the capacity and the will to classify them properly. On the other, organized crime  which sets the rules in some territories  disables the justice system and uses disappearances as a mechanism that goes unnoticed by the public and the state. Associations of mothers searching for their missing loved ones summarize it in the phrase: No body, no crime.

In this context, certain anomalies in the data are explained, which show that while homicides are decreasing, other phenomena are increasing or remaining the same, he says. These include femicide, manslaughter, other crimes against life, and missing and disappeared persons. Different data sources are also mixed, such as figures from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System and those from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, and they measure non-equivalent periods. If the same periods and the same sources are compared, the methodologically correct annual reduction is much smaller, he explains. According to his analysis, if all crimes associated with lethal violence in Mexico are added together and compared, the decrease compared to 2024 was 5%.

Last week, Sheinbaum announced that a new registry for missing persons in Mexico is ready and will be presented shortly, probably in the coming days, at one of her press conferences. We will provide information on both the registry and the new regulations implemented last year, how they are being carried out, and how we are working with groups representing families of missing persons, she said. Sources close to the Security Cabinet indicate that the total numbers have been thoroughly analyzed.

Portraits of missing persons at the Prosecutor's Office in Irapuato, Guanajuato, in September 2025. Rodrigo Oropeza

The National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons, which compiles figures from state prosecutors offices and search commissions, currently lists more than 133,000 victims. During Lopez Obradors six-year term, during which he made insecurity and disappearances a key political issue in his presidential campaigns, a project called the National Strategy for Generalized Searches was launched. As reports of missing persons increased, efforts were made to determine the real number of disappearances. A similar plan will be presented by the presidents office next week.

According to a report by the specialized media outlet Where Do the Disappeared Go?, this strategy was abandoned due to the falsification of signatures on forms from victims who had supposedly been located and from officials who validated them, the loss of hundreds of questionnaires completed by families of missing persons, and the erasure of names from the official registry without formalizing the process. The issue was simply allowed to die, disappearing from the public agenda.

Almost two years ago, in March 2024, the federal government issued its last public report on the number of people located through the national search strategy. The figures indicated that over 20,000 people had been located out of a total of 133,000 registered. This process led to the resignation of Karla Quintana as Commissioner for the Search for Missing Persons. Respected by search collectives, she stated at the time that the intention, very clear and regrettable, is to reduce the number of missing persons, especially under this administration.

When you bring up disappearances, government defenders argue that, since the registry isnt reliable, its irresponsible to talk about it, complains Vargas of Mexico Evalua. We do see a reduction in intentional homicides, but also an increase in other phenomena such as disappearances, which in the Mexican context makes sense to use to manipulate data or as criminal strategies. What Vargas is calling for is a review and discussion of all this data with and by the federal government.

We must be very careful with the assertion that homicides are decreasing but disappearances are increasing, Perez Ricart urges. Yes, reports have increased, and I am certain that crime has also increased, but we cannot know for sure, he says. It doesnt seem to me to be statistically significant enough to obscure the bigger picture: the 40% reduction in homicides last year. However, the crisis of disappearances is real and of enormous proportions. That is the difficulty in measuring it. The records we have today cannot do so.

The historic decrease in homicides, an achievement celebrated by the Mexican government, raises suspicions among the more skeptical analysts. No body, no crime, some say. Its not the central issue, others reply. While the new national registry is expected to shed light on this dark area, the mothers searching for their missing loved ones continue to ask: Why is there no talk about the disappeared?

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The number of schools commemorating the Holocaust has halved since the October 7 attacks three years ago.

More than 2,000 secondary schools signed up to events for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2023, according to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

Until then, the number of schools taking part annually on January 27 had steadily increased each year since 2019.

However last year just 854 schools participated in events to commemorate the day, falling by 60 per cent in the years following the Hamas terror attack in Israel.

In 2024, around 800 fewer schools took part, with another 350 dropping out in 2025. There are currently around 4,200 secondary schools in the UK.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi, said he feared that teachers were following the 'path of least resistance, by choosing not to mark the event.

He added: 'Holocaust Memorial Day is not a platform for political debate. It is not an endorsement of any government, perspective or conflict. It is an act of human memory.

'I fear for what will happen this year. For if we cannot teach our children to remember the past with integrity and resolve, then we must ask ourselves what kind of future they will inherit.'

More than 1,200 people were killed on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that resulted in hundreds being taken hostage.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2025

The Houses of Parliament lit up in purple light during International Holocaust Remembrance Day last year

They fired thousands of rockets before breaching the border fence in dozens of places using explosives, bulldozers, and motorbikes.

The militants then stormed into nearby Israeli communities, killing civilians in their homes and on the streets.

Olivia Marks, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, told The Sunday Times it was important for teachers to organise lessons and classroom activities to mark the occasion.

The trust was set up by the government in 2005 to remember the murder and suffering of Jews during the Second World War.

Each year the trust brings a new theme in the resources it sends to schools across the country. The theme for 2026 is 'bridging generations'.

It comes after a Jewish MP was 'banned' from visiting a school in his constituency amid fears his presence would 'inflame teachers'.

Labour MP Damien Egan's trip to Bristol Brunel Academy in September was cancelled after a campaign by far-left protesters from Bristol's National Education Union (NEU) branch and its local Palestine Solidarity Campaign group.

The Bristol North East MP was barred because of 'safeguarding concerns' after the activists, who claimed to be representing the views of teachers, parents, and residents, highlighted his links to the Labour Friends of Israel group.

Westminster Abbey's glass chandeliers are lit in purple to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in 2025

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.

In 2021, the union's now general secretary, Daniel Kebede, was accused of antisemitism after was filmed calling to 'globalise the intifada', a chant recognised as an incitement to violence against Jews and banned by the Met Police.

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.'
Keir Starmer is facing demands to cancel the King's state visit to the US over Donald Trump's 'gangster' Greenland threats.

The president has shocked NATO allies by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1.

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June.

He singled out the UK, as well as France, Germany and Denmark.

The intervention drew a furious response from Western leaders, amid fresh fears that Mr Trump is intent on ripping apart the military alliance that has maintained world peace for the past eight decades.

MPs also joined the backlash, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the Spring to be cancelled. 'The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate,' senior Tory Simon Hoare said.

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'.

'We believe it is wrong, we believe it is deeply unhelpful,' she told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg of Mr Trump's tariff threat.

But pressed on the issue of the state visit she merely referred to the 'depth' of the Transatlantic relationship.

Donald Trump has shocked NATO allies by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1

Sir Keir delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump last night, having expended huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the president

MPs also joined the backlash, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the Spring to be cancelled

Sir Keir said the UK Government would be 'pursuing' America over the threat of tariffs and called Mr Trump's plan 'completely wrong'

Senior Tory Simon Hoare said Mr Trump was behaving like a 'gangster pirate'

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the State Visit should be dropped if the tariffs go ahead

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June

Economists have raised concerns that the UK will be back on 'recession watch' if the US goes ahead with tariffs.

Senior MEPs have warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals, with the spectre of a full-blown global trade war again looming.

Sir Keir delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump last night, having expended huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the president.

The PM said: 'Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

'We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato, and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

'Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.'

Emmanuel Macron also reacted furiously to the news, promising consultation with EU leaders. The French president said: 'No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

'Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and co-ordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We know how to uphold European sovereignty.'

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US president, posting on X: 'We don't always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don't. These tariffs will hurt us.'

The Reform leader had been due to appear on the airwaves this morning but was replaced by Richard Tice after being struck down with a heavy cold.

Mr Tice told the BBC that Mr Trump was worried about China getting a foothold in the Arctic. 'He's correct in that, but the approach in the way you work with your closest allies... is completely wrong,' he said.

He added: 'On this the president has got it wrong.'

Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said he did not believe Mr Trump would follow through on invading Greenland.

'To invade the sovereign territory of a Nato ally would mean the end of Nato... it would dissolve that alliance overnight,' he told the BBC.

However, Mr Hunt acknowledged that it would be 'squeaky bum time' to see whether Europe could hold out.

Tory peer Lord Hannan said: 'This is demented. Outright batsh** crazy. Where are the adults in the room? Why will no one rein him in?'

John Bolton, Mr Trump's former national security adviser, said: 'Donald Trump's extraordinary tariff threat against the UK and other countries for things they have said or done regarding Greenland is without doubt his most dangerous and destructive assertion during the five years of his presidency.

'To say it is without precedent radically understates how foolish and contrary to fundamental American interests it is. Its ramifications for the special relationship and Nato alliance  indeed for the credibility and trust the United States has spent decades trying to establish  is incalculable.'

The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US, after Mr Trump introduced a wave of taxes on countries around the world on his 'Liberation Day' last April.

Mr Trump's announcement is the latest twist in the White House's new foreign policy strategy  dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine' after the earlier Monroe Doctrine  in which it seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and prevent foreign control of vital assets.

The UK has deployed just one military officer, at Denmark's request, to Greenland to join a reconnaissance group ahead of an exercise named Arctic Endurance.

Yesterday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital braved near-freezing temperatures to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US president

The Labour chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs committee, Emily Thornberry, insisted the UK 'will not be intimidated'

Manfred Weber, president of the powerful EPP bloc in the European Parliament, warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals

Mr Trump has insisted the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force. He has claimed it is vital for his planned missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome.

However, critics claim his interest is linked to Greenland's untapped mineral wealth rather than defence. The island possesses at least 25 of the 34 raw materials considered 'critical' by the EU.

A meeting at the White House last Wednesday, led by Vice President JD Vance with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ended in an impasse.

Yesterday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland's capital Nuuk, chanting 'Greenland is not for sale' amid anger over the threats.

Mr Trump is known to be a huge admirer of the Royal Family. Sir Keir wooed him with an unprecedented second state visit to the UK last year, when he was feted with great pomp and ceremony.

The King has been expected to visit the US in April, while a trip by the Prince of Wales has also been pencilled in.
An anti-capitalist group that threw custard over the Crown Jewels has plans for a 'mass shoplifting at Waitrose'.

Take Back Power (TBP) has vowed to shoplift from high-end supermarkets in the coming months to redistribute the stolen food to the needy, in a protest at economic inequality.

The organisation, which describes itself as a 'nonviolent civil-resistance group', is demanding the UK government establishes a 'permanent citizen's assembly - a House of the People, which has the power to tax extreme wealth and fix Britain'.

Its members pledge to resist the 'super-rich' who are 'driving us towards social collapse'.

The group  viewed as a successor to Just Stop Oil  sparked outrage last year when its members threw apple crumble and custard over a glass case containing the Crown Jewels inside the Tower of London.

The people involved revealed a sign saying 'Democracy has crumbled - tax the rich'. Four people were arrested in the aftermath.

Just days before, Take Back Power activists had emptied bags of manure under the Christmas tree at The Ritz in Mayfair in protest against the 'obscenely wealthy'.

Security guards swiftly removed the protesters after the manure was emptied under the tree.

Privately educated Arthur Clifton, 25, is a leading organiser for anti-capitalist group Take Back Power and attended Latymer Upper School, one of the country's top public schools

Four people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after Take Back Power activists smeared apple crumble and custard over a glass case containing the Crown Jewels last year

Two of those involved unfurled a banner saying 'democracy has crumbled, tax the rich' after targeting the glass case

Among those taking part in the protests were an NHS worker and a former doctor.

At the group's formal launch at Limehouse Town Hall, east London, on Saturday, January 17, founder members set out a strategy for further disruption this spring.

According to the Telegraph, Arthur Clifton, co-founder of TBP and a former prominent JSO activist, told an audience of around 200: 'We have seen that food is locked behind skyrocketing prices. Less and less people can afford less and less food.'

He added: 'We'll be coming down to London in April for a week of action  a massive take-back with 50 to 100 people just going in and clearing out a Waitrose.'

Take Back Power has raised 56,000 in an online fundraiser for its campaigns to 'tackle economic inequality' and impose greater taxes on the rich.

The group said it intended to earmark 26,000 to run public meetings and training in eight cities to 'mobilise new people into action from January to March'.

A further 20,000 will compensate new members who undertake actions, 12,000 will pay for their accommodation, 6,000 their travel costs and 4,000 their equipment.

Mr Clifton, originally from Chiswick, West London, said the group was also planning 'takeovers' of high-end stores in areas such as Oxford Circus.

Take Back Power officially launched itself by projecting messages onto the Houses of Parliament

Clifton grew up in an upmarket West London property and attended Latymer Upper School, one of the top public schools in the country, where annual fees are 30,000.

Clifton's father, Michael, 58, is a boss at international insurance brokers Chaucer, which boasts of having taken 2.3 billion in premiums in 2024.

Records show he was recently living in a 2 million house.

The group has come to prominence in recent months with a series of eye-catching stunts, including throwing custard over the Crown Jewels and dumping manure in The Ritz.

In a statement following the action, the group said: 'Since 2011, the poorest 10 per cent of households have paid a combined tax rate of 44 per cent on their income and wealth gains, while the richest paid 22 per cent.

'Our political class, be it this government, Reform or Tory, serve the super-rich; they do not care about working people.

'That's why we must demand real democracy, with ordinary people at the heart of decision making, through a citizen-led assembly that has the power to tax the rich.'

A Waitrose spokesperson said: 'Our priority is to keep our employees, who are partners in our business, and our customers safe. Waitrose is employee-owned and we do everything we can to return any profits to our partners, not external shareholders. So in targeting Waitrose, the group would be harming ordinary workers, the very people they claim to be helping.

'We're proud of our quality, higher welfare and provenance - that's why customers choose us. It would be ironic to target a business that's run on democratic principles and tries to do the right thing.'
A former council leader who called Rotherham grooming gang victims 'poor white trash' could keep his seat for an extra year without an election.

Labour councillor Dennis Jones stepped down from his role at Peterborough City Council and was suspended from the party after his messages to a fellow official were made public.

They were revealed by former councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who had resigned from the party last May over bullying accusations.

Following her departure, she shared messages from Cllr Jones in which he appeared to say: 'Oh so white British cops f***ing poor white trash in Rotherham is OK, is it? Get a f***ing grip Daisy. You are aiming for populist votes and attention.

'Forgive me but you are bright enough to know what you are doing and, politically, I wish you no luck at all. But you know what you are setting out to do.'

The message was in reply to one from Cllr Blakemore-Creedon which said: 'I care about safety and why should immigration put women's safety at risk.'

Cllr Jones now sits as an independent councillor and was due to face re-election in May.

However this week the Labour council voted unanimously in favour of delaying this year's elections.

Peterborough City Council is one of 26 across the country which has asked the government for permission to postpone the vote.

Peterborough City Council leader Dennis Jones pictured with former Labour councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the council's Labour leader said the decision was due to a 'lack of capacity' while a reorganisation of local government takes place.

Councils across the country in areas which could receive a regional mayor are also making the same argument to postpone their local elections.

The decision means Cllr Jones may be able to sit for another year in the council as an independent.

In September, Cllr Blakemore-Creedon shared the messages along and accused the then-council leader of using 'offensive slurs' and politicising the suffering of victims.

She wrote: 'This is what passes for leadership in our city.

'Use of offensive slurs. The phrase "white trash" is demeaning and classist. It dismisses victims of grooming gangs as if their suffering is less serious or less worthy of respect because of their background. That is completely unacceptable, especially from someone in public life.

'Politicisation of victims' suffering. The suggestion that you are "aiming for populist votes and attention" trivialises real issues of women's safety and exploitation. It frames your concern as nothing more than a political ploy, instead of treating it with the seriousness it deserves.'

Another councillor who could remain in his job is Rylan Ray, who is currently facing more than 20 criminal charges, including counts of child sex offences.

Cllr Blakemore-Creedon was just 18 years old when she was elected as a councillor in 2024

He is facing trial but the delay means Cllr Ray could keep his seat in the council for another year.

The delay has been slammed as 'damaging our democracy', with Reform UK accusing Labour of 'running scared'.

The Government is expected to cancel at least 27 council elections, more than a third of the 63 up for re-election, meaning hundreds of councillors will avoid the risk of being voted out.

Around two-thirds of the councils involved are controlled by Labour.

Some 168 Labour councillors who were up for re-election are now expected to serve another year after they requested that polls be put back.

Around 174 Tory councillors are not expected to face voters after asking for a postponement  a number that is expected to rise for both parties.

Nigel Farage is planning to launch a legal bid to prevent dozens of councils scrapping the May elections.

He is expected to start court proceedings to get the decision overturned due to the expectation that his party were likely to have picked up many of the seats.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to cancel at least 27 council elections, more than a third of the 63 up for re-election

He has called the delays 'the kind of outrageous behaviour you expect from a banana republic. Labour and the Tories are damaging our democracy and running scared of voters.'

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Qayyum said: 'There has been much commentary in recent days from fellow city councillors about their desire to see elections take place this year, with some omitting the important fact that the Council is being asked to express a view on postponement for 12 months, not cancellation of the elections.

'Let me be clear, expressing this view to Government is not about taking democracy away or cancelling elections, Council is being asked for its views on postponement for one year, meaning local elections would instead take place in 2027.

'Elections are an essential part of the democratic process and many members, like myself, welcome the chance to go to the ballot box to give residents the chance to decide who they want to represent them.

Therefore, Cabinet members have not taken this response to the question from Government lightly. We are looking after services that really do look after life and death scenarios as they attempt to navigate a path through Local Government Reorganisation.

'In my mind, the most important consideration here is Peterborough City Council's capacity to deliver Local Government Reorganisation for our residents, whilst maintaining service delivery for every resident of our city who relies on the services that we provide. Local Government Reorganisation is not just a boundary tweak, but a complete rebuild of the council system.

'Getting Peterborough City Council into a position to transfer statutory services to a new authority safely and legally is not without its challenges, with financial challenges remaining in the new financial year, huge demands for service in some areas, ongoing focus on the improvement and development of Children's Services, and a desire to make progress on hugely important projects including plans for a new swimming pool and leisure centre and the transformation of the station quarter.

'If postponing local elections for one year means we are able to release the essential capacity needed to achieve those aims and deliver Local Government Reorganisation successfully, then we must support it. It is now the Secretary of State's decision on whether the elections in May proceed as planned or not.'

Now Nigel Farage is planning to launch a legal bid to prevent dozens of councils scrapping the May elections

Labour's overhaul of local authorities will replace the remaining two-tier systems of district and county councils with new 'unitary' bodies responsible for delivering all council services in their area.

Sir Keir Starmer said: 'What is happening is the biggest reorganisation of councils for 50 years and it is only right that we ask whether it's sensible to elect people to councils that are actually going to change in their composition in a few years.

'The Government is not taking the decision on this. It's down to individual, locally-led decisions, and different councils have taken different positions. Some Labour councils have asked for a delay. Some Tory councils have asked for a delay, and a Lib Dem council.

'So, it's a local issue, but what sits behind it is this common sense question of whether it makes sense to elect people to positions when the council itself is going to change in a very short period of time.'

A government spokesman said: 'There is a clear precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisation is in progress, as happened between 2019 and 2021.'

The Government is expected to confirm which elections will be postponed in the coming days.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed down on the most controversial part of his post-Bondi hate speech bill in an effort to minimise political damage - as new polls show his popularity is taking a beating.

The PM announced he would scrap a plan to criminalise racial vilification. It is his government's second backflip since the December 14 Bondi attack, which claimed the lives of 15 innocent victims, following his about-turn on a royal commission.

A new Resolve Political Monitor, published Sunday night by Nine, showed Labor's primary vote dropped 5 points in a month to 30 per cent - its lowest since February 2025 - while its two-party lead dropped to 52-48 per cent from 55-45 per cent.

Personally, Albanese's net performance rating plunged from plus 6 in early December to minus 22. His lead as preferred prime minister over Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has narrowed by 11 points and is now 33 per cent to 29 per cent.

Some 56 per cent thought Albanese's response to the Bondi attack was poor; while 53 per cent rated Ley's response as good.

Similarly disappointing results for Labor were recorded in the latest Newspoll, published in The Australian on Sunday night, which found Albanese's net approval had dropped to minus 11.

Surprisingly, both polls showed a strong surge in voter support for One Nation. The Resolve poll had the minor party at 18 per cent - nipping at the heels of the Coalition, which was up just 2 points to 28 per cent.

But the Newspoll found One Nation had overtaken the Coalition's primary vote, with the former claiming 22 per cent while the latter sat at just 21 per cent.

Anthony Albanese's (pictured) approval rating has dropped to minus 22 in a new Resolve poll

Of those surveyed, 56 per cent thought Albanese's response to the terror attack at Bondi beach was poor

Both polls underscore that a vast number of Australians are dissatisfied with the major parties.

Newspoll says that Labor and Coalition combined are now registering the lowest support in the poll's history, with nearly half (47 per cent) backing minor parties and independents.

Albanese's flip-flops since December have not done him any favours, but cracks had been appearing beforehand in the form of the parliamentary expenses scandal.

The PM will be able to pass gun reform laws post-Bondi - including an expensive buyback plan - with the backing of the Greens, even though the Nationals are firmly against them.

The key measures now up for negotiation with the Coalition include migration and hate crime-related provisions, including to facilitate the banning of extremist organisations, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, that promote hatred on the basis of race.

There was still no deal done late Sunday and Ley had already described the bill as 'pretty unsalvageable'.

Once the Greens said late last week they would not support the legislation in total at this week's special parliamentary sitting, Albanese quickly threw in the towel on the section that would have outlawed racial vilification.

Opposition figures attacked the anti-vilification provision as limiting free speech. This was despite the Coalition having said Labor should implement a report from the envoy on combating antisemitism, Jillian Segal, who recommended action on vilification.

Albanese's lead over Opposition Leader Sussan Ley (pictured) has narrowed by 11 points to 33 per cent and 29 per cent

A survey by Newspoll found One Nation had overtaken the Coalition in the primary vote (pictured, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson)

Albanese made it clear the racial vilification measure will be abandoned entirely and not brought back later.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive, Peter Wertheim, on Sunday expressed concern the dropping of the proposed vilification offence would send a message that the 'deliberate promotion of racial hatred is not considered serious enough to be criminalised'.

'How much worse do things need to get before we as a nation finally have the courage to tackle the deliberate promotion of antisemitic hatred that is the heart of the problem,' Wertheim said.

'We exhort the major parties to work together to get legislation passed now that will advance us further down the road towards having effective laws against the deliberate promotion of racial hatred.'

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, while welcoming the retreat on the vilification measure, expressed concern about what was still proposed.

Council president Rateb Jneid said: 'When power to outlaw organisations rests on secret evidence and political discretion, it stops being about the law and becomes ideology and politics with the force of the state behind it'.

Parliament will devote Monday to condolences following the Bondi massacre. On Thursday, Australia will have a national day of mourning.
A huge fire has swept through a multi-storey shopping mall in Pakistan's largest city, claiming the lives of at least six people, including a firefighter.

Emergency services rushed to the Gul Plaza in Karachi shortly after 10pm local time on Saturday following reports of the blaze, police and rescue officials said.

Videos showed flames rising from the building as firefighters laboured through the night to stop the inferno from spreading in the dense business district.

Hundreds of people had gathered around the building, including distraught store owners whose businesses had turned to ash.

According to local media, most shop owners were closing their stores or had already left when the fast-spreading fire broke out.

'When we arrived, the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames,' Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan said.

Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said six bodies had been brought to Karachi's Civil Hospital and 11 people had been injured, adding that police were 'invoking mass disaster protocols'.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police said an investigation would be launched once the blaze was extinguished.

Emergency services rushed to the Gul Plaza in Karachi shortly after 10pm local time on Saturday following reports of the blaze, police and rescue officials said

Videos showed flames rising from the building as firefighters laboured through the night to stop the fire from spreading in the dense business district

Hundreds of people had gathered around the building, including distraught store owners whose businesses had turned to ash

According to local media, most shop owners were closing their stores or had already left when the fire broke out and spread quickly

South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso told Geo News their information desk had received the names of 16 missing people from their families so far.

'We have cordoned off the area and are trying to extinguish the blazes phase-wise,' DC Khoso said, adding that authorities were gathering information about the number of people trapped inside the building.

Delhi Colony residents Mansoor and Jameel told local DawnNewsTV that they were unable to contact six of their family members who had come to Gul Plaza last night for shopping.

They said their last contact was at around 10:10pm last night, after which their mobile numbers were not reachable.

The missing members comprised three women, two men, and a 14-year-old girl.

Speaking to the media at the site on Sunday, Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad said the search for missing people will begin after the fire has been put out and the cooling process has been completed.

A firefighter identified as Furqan Shoukat also lost his life during the fire-extinguishing efforts, according to a statement by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

'In this time of grief, we stand with the family of martyred Furqan, and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will provide full support to its martyred employees,' the mayor said, as per DawnNews.

Most structures in Karachi, and other parts of the country, lack fire prevention and firefighting systems, which often results in damage and casualties.

TV footage showed firefighters in protective gear battling the flames.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police said an investigation would be launched once the blaze was extinguished

Thick black smoke billowed into the night sky and was visible from several blocks away

Smoke rises as firefighters spray water to extinguish a massive fire that broke out in the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre building, in Karachi, Pakistan, January 18, 202

TV footage showed firefighters in protective gear battling the flames

Local media reported that parts of the building had started to collapse, and rescue officials feared the whole structure could come down

Several fire trucks used ladders, water cannons, and hoses to douse the building's floors, where flames shot out of windows and balconies.

Thick black smoke billowed into the night sky and was visible from several blocks away.

Images of the mall's interior revealed the charred remains of stores and a bright orange glow as flames continued to rise throughout the building.

Authorities said the fire spread rapidly after erupting in an area of the mall where shopkeepers had stored imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods, which helped fuel the flames.

Local media reported that parts of the building had started to collapse, and rescue officials feared the whole structure could come down.

Karachi is the capital of southern Sindh province, where such incidents are common. In November 2023, a fire tore through a shopping mall in the city, killing 10 people and injuring 22 others.
For David Cameron, there were two types of politician. Team Players. Or Tossers. Although he preferred a slightly saltier description for the latter type.

For a year I was the member of his team whose principal job was tosser-hunter. As Government Chief Whip between 2014 and 2015, I was responsible for maintaining parliamentary discipline, unity and cohesion. I wasnt a roaring success.

I was in a swimming pool on holiday in France when the news broke that our Clacton MP, Douglas Carswell, had defected to Nigel Farages UKIP. Far from proving a George Smiley whose formidable intelligence skills had smoked out a double agent, I was proving more of a Mr Barrowclough from Porridge, the warder easily outwitted by the lags I was supposed to be supervising.

The contrast with the grip, and ruthlessness, displayed by Kemi Badenoch and her pre-emption and smoking out of Robert Jenricks defection couldnt be greater. Rather than being blind-sided by events, she controlled them. Instead of debility, she displayed strength.

When defections occur, there is an immediate escalation of concern that where one has led, others could follow. So in that summer of 2014 I was charged with tracking down anyone tempted to join Douglas. His closest pal in parliament was the Rochester MP, Mark Reckless, just as hardline a eurosceptic, just as rebellious a spirit. We didnt place a mole in his office or monitor his photocopier. Instead, in the true Tory spirit, I took him out for a slap-up lunch.

Mark was fidgety, nervous and sweaty throughout the meal. But then that was his natural mode. With all the subtlety of Harriet from The Traitors, I asked him direct if he was planning to defect. He assured me he had no intention of ratting  while avoiding my gaze and staring straight at the plate in front of him.

At the end of our lunch I moved to pick up the bill. Mark insisted on paying his full share. Deeply atypical behaviour for any Conservative MP at the time. While he might be able to dissemble, just, he couldnt bring himself to accept a freebie. It was evidence so obvious that even a chief constable of the West Midlands Police could not have ignored it. I, however, returned from the lunch to assure No10 that Mark was committed to our cause. A week later he ratted.

Douglas Carswell, left, with Mark Reckless, who defected to Nigel Farage's then UKIP party

The defection has echoes of last week's switch by Robert Jenrick to Reform

For Team Tory at the time, Douglas and Mark were top tossers. We were going into an election with Ed Miliband ahead in the polls and Faragistas, literally, eating our lunch. So I understand exactly how Conservative MPs feel at the moment about the Rob Jenrick demarche. And it wont be detached curiosity.

But time lends perspective. And the course of politics is never predictable. Far from the UKIP defections capsizing the Tory Party, we went on to win the 2015 election. The Tory pledge to offer a vote on our membership of the EU had made a UKIP vote superfluous and we secured an outright majority with a mandate to deliver that referendum. Where I, and indeed a majority of Conservative MPs and members, found myself on the same side of the argument as Douglas and Mark and opposed to David Cameron. Which team, by that point, were the tossers?

Theres an old maxim from the 17th century: Treason doth never prosper: whats the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason. Its no surprise that turbulent times gave rise to that principle. It was the age of rebellion, civil war and shifting allegiances in which nobles moved from Charles I to Cromwell to Charless heirs.

Centuries later, Winston Churchill not only ratted but re-ratted, starting his parliamentary career as a Tory, then joining the Liberals and becoming a Cabinet minister, before defecting back to become a Conservative prime minister. Arguably the greatest of all time.

How defections are viewed at the time depends to a significant extent on whether they are believed to be actuated by principle or calculation. But all politicians are driven by both principle and calculation. A politician who cannot calculate is as useful to a cause as a soldier who cannot shoot.

And, despite the casual cynicism that holds that politicians are motivated only by the basest motives, I have yet to meet anyone who has chosen to endure the risks and loss of privacy that public life inevitably entails who was not motivated, at least in part, by public-spiritedness.

Kemi Badenoch has shown a grip and and ruthlessness in smoking out Robert Jenrick

Michael Heseltine will forever be seen as a traitor by diehard Thatcherites, his own ambition to be prime minister having been laid out on the back of a restaurant napkin when he was in his 20s.

But Heseltine is also, and much more consequentially, a minister of rare achievement, driven by a principled attachment to One Nation Toryism.

For Gordon Browns closest circle, Tony Blair was the usurper who selfishly elbowed his spiritual elder brother aside in 1994 to claim the Labour leadership. For Blairites, Gordon was the Incredible Sulk, who could never reconcile himself to Tonys superior appeal and whose brooding ego destabilised the government.

But both were indispensable, in their way, to the achievements Labour partisans still celebrate.

There are uncanny echoes of the Brown/Blair rivalry in the turmoil currently racking this Government, with those still loyal to the stolidly Brownite Keir Starmer plotting to remove the self-consciously Blairite Wes Streeting.

For most voters, this internecine conflict, the appeals to loyalty and invocations of treachery, must appear to be a self-indulgent game, which is criminally irresponsible when the economy, health service, immigration system and national security demand politicians full attention. If they want to occupy themselves with intrigue, why dont they get Claudia Winklemans number and head to a castle in Scotland?

I sympathise. But I sympathise with the politicians, too. Because I know what its like to wrestle with questions of loyalty and principle. As Kemi Badenoch once said, quoting Woody Allen: Democracy is like sex. If its not messy, youre not doing it right.

Ill forever be criticised by some for treachery for breaking with my colleagues to back Brexit in 2016, and by others for blind loyalty to Theresa May or Rishi Sunak when they were implementing policies thought insufficiently Tory.

I think my motives were justified. But I also think my critics positions are honourable too.

Not because I am a milksop, split-the-difference, consensus-monger. Quite the opposite. Just ask the teachers unions. No, its because I think politics should be about ideas, not individuals, about policies, not people. I think we should spend less time speculating on motives and trying to make windows of mens souls and more time assessing whether the case being made for a particular course is right.

What eventually drains peoples faith in politics is not too much turbulence but a failure to get things done. I think the real divide in politics is not between team players and others but between different visions of what is right and between those who dare to make a difference and those who prefer not to act.

I am with Teddy Roosevelt, the US President who broke with his party but always loved his country, and who argued that credit belongs not to the critic but to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Vladimir Putin may set his gaze on a tiny town in eastern Europe in a bid to invade Nato, an expert has said.

Tim Willasey-Wilsey, a former diplomat, has warned that the brutal Russian leader's 'project' is not yet finished as he anticipates Putin will 'have a good year in 2026'.

The King's College London professor forewarned that even if strikes and gunfire cease in Ukraine, the Kremlin overlord's next moves could be even more audacious.

The expert thinks Putin will first begin by 'nibbling away at the edges of Ukraine' to test the waters of assurances made by allies.

And a point of particular danger to Nato's foundations will be Narva  a small town on the Estonian-Russian border, he said.

'The one I've always thought is very dangerous is Narva, which has an 80 per cent Russian population,' Willasey-Wilsey told The Sun.

'Do we really believe that the United States is going to go to war for one town in Estonia? I'm not sure I do anymore.'

It comes as the UN Security Council was set to hold an emergency meeting after Putin launched an Oreshnik ballistic missile at Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin may set his gaze on a tiny town in eastern Europe in a bid to invade Nato, an expert has warned

A point of particular danger to Nato's foundations will be Narva  a small town on the Estonian-Russian border, says Tim Willasey-Wilsey, a former diplomat

Kyiv also accused Russia of reaching an 'appalling new level of war crimes and crimes against humanity by its terror against civilians'.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Russia duped African troops into joining its ranks before using them as 'meat for the meat grinder' in the ongoing war.

In November, Kyiv said it had identified 1,426 fighters from 36 African countries serving in the Russian army, but warned the actual number could be higher.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha claimed they were being used as cannon fodder.

Elsewhere, warnings of the small Estonian town, Narva, have emerged from experts at Chatham House amid speculation Moscow views it as an unfinished project.

Situated on the eastern border of the country, Narva is separated from Russia by an eponymous river with the city of Ivangorod directly opposite.

The two towns were divided after Estonia established its independence, making Narva one of the most eastern points of not only the EU but Nato.

And the town's demographics only further risks, with around 97 per cent of locals speaking Russian, as well as many locals having familial connections in Russia.

Shortly following Estonia's independence, the city and surrounding areas also voted for independence from the country in an unofficial referendum.

Narva's demographics only further risks, with around 97 per cent of locals speaking Russian, as well as many locals having familial connections in Russia (Pictured: The town's border with Russia)

However, the vote was labelled as unconstitutional by the Estonian government, with many assuming it was a move quietly pushed by Moscow.

But worries only grew after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, following comments by Putin suggesting Narva would need to be 'taken back' in 2022.

And while the country is one of Ukraine's biggest backers, and has given more aid in line with GDP than any other nation, daily life in the town of Narva is complex.

After being under the USSR for decades, the town's deep cultural and linguistic connections with Russia did not evaporate when it became autonomous.

The animosity between the two nations remains clear today, with Estonia aggressively trying to get as far away from its Soviet past as possible, urging its citizens to avoid travel to Russia.

Meanwhile, crossing the border, something that was once routine, can now take as long as ten hours.

It comes after Russia said Ukraine and its European allies were an 'axis of war' earlier this month.

The Kremlin also warned that foreign troops could become a legitimate military target after Britain vowed to base soldiers in Kyiv as part of a peace deal.

The message from Moscow comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky's allies said they had agreed to key security guarantees for Ukraine at a summit in Paris.

Russia slammed the plan as 'militarist'  with its Foreign Ministry saying that 'all such units and facilities will be considered legitimate military targets'.

'The new militarist declarations of the so-called Coalition of the Willing and the Kyiv regime together form a genuine "axis of war",' a statement from Russia's Foreign Ministry said, calling the plans drafted by Kyiv's allies 'dangerous' and 'destructive'.

'The plans of these participants are becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive for the future of the European continent and its inhabitants, who are also being forced by Western politicians to finance these aspirations out of their own pockets,' it added.

Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has repeatedly warned that it would not accept any NATO members sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and threatened that they too could come under fire.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer signed a declaration of intent in Paris with France's Emmanuel Macron and Zelensky outlining the deployment of forces in the event a peace deal is reached in January.

However, specific details on how it would engage were absent, as Zelensky reiterated he had yet to receive an 'unequivocal' answer on what would happen if Russia attacked again.

A destroyed house in the direction of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on December 31, 2025

Pictured: A Russian missile attack on a residential block in Kyiv on January 9

Ukraine also said that the most difficult questions in any possible deal to end the fighting  territorial control of the eastern Donbas region and the fate of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant  were still unresolved.

Starmer assured that any deployment of UK forces under the declaration would be subject to a parliamentary vote.

'I will keep the house updated as the situation develops, and were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the house for a vote,' Starmer told parliament.

He said the number of troops would be determined under UK military plans, which were being drawn.

Starmer also said he had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump about security guarantees for Ukraine twice over Christmas and assured lawmakers there was 'no question of acting on this without full discussion with the Americans'.

The Prime Minister's move prompted a fiery reaction from Kremlin senator and space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin.

'Even after Russia's defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856, such thoughts never occurred to England, France, or the Turks and Sardinians,' Mr Rogozin said.

'Of course, Starmer is illiterate and a fool in the grand scheme of things, but he should still understand what we will do to their shi*** kingdom if they actually try to implement this nonsense.'

Zelensky said the bilateral security guarantees between Kyiv and Washington were 'essentially ready' to be finalised with US President Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian President said a meeting between both countries' representatives discussed 'complex issues' as they discussed a path to end the nearly four-year war.

'We understand that the American side will engage with Russia, and we expect feedback on whether the aggressor is genuinely willing to end the war,' Zelensky wrote on X.
Britain faces a renewed threat of recession if Donald Trump follows through on his Greenland trade war threats.

Alarm has been raised that the US president's latest extraordinary salvo at long-standing allies could crush the paltry growth being eked out.

As well as heaping costs on British exporters there could be substantial damage from the international instability caused by Mr Trump.

There was a sigh of relief last week after better-than-expected GDP figures for November were released.

However, UK plc has still been effectively stagnating for months amid the brutal tax raids by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Keir Starmer had boasted his trade deal with Mr Trump put Britain in a good position to weather the US president's 'Liberation Day' tariffs assault on partners.

Keir Starmerhad boasted his trade deal with Donald Trump put Britain in a good position to weather the US president's 'Liberation Day' tariffsassault on partners

The economy scraped into positive territory in the three months to November, having flatlined in the three months to October

However, there was still a 10 per cent levy on almost all products under those terms, and some of the other provisions have never materialised.

In a bombshell post on his social media site yesterday, Mr Trump said tariffs will be imposed on all Nato allies that do not bow to his demand to take over Greenland - Danish territory.

The levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June.

He singled out the UK, as well as France, Germany and Denmark.

The intervention drew a furious response from Western leaders, amid fresh fears that Mr Trump is intent on ripping apart the military alliance that has maintained world peace for the past eight decades.

David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project, said confidence in the US sticking to commitments would be shattered.

'So much for the deals the US already did. They always were likely to be temporary, but now this is proven,' he posted on X.

He added: 'Tariffs will always be negative but the fact that US trade policy has been thrown back into chaos is worse.

'Total uncertainty for importers and exporters who might have been hoping for a quieter year.'

The UK government's former chief trade negotiator, Crawford Falconer, told Times Radio that a 25 per cent tariff, on top of the existing 10 per cent baseline, would 'take pretty well everybody out of the US market'.

That would be 'very damaging' even though the bulk of UK exports are in services rather than goods.

'We told ourselves that if we did a deal with them, we might be able to stabilize it, but what it shows is even if you were, if you're like the best kid in the class, you still cop it when another issue comes along. So there is no real security in dealing,' he added.

Marco Forgione, of the Institute of Export and International Trade, told the Telegraph: 'We're going to see goods trading with the US suddenly becoming uncompetitive in the marketplace.

'So the impact for the UK will be huge, particularly at a time when we are struggling with very anaemic growth.

Join the debate Should Britain rethink its reliance on the US if Trump's tariffs threaten our economy and jobs?

UK plc has still been effectively stagnating for months amid the brutal tax raids by Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured in Darlington last week)

'If he imposes these tariffs and they remain for any period of time, it is going to put extreme pressure on the UK economy, and could potentially be enough to tip the UK into recession.'

Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the tariffs would be damaging for the UK's critical pharma sector and car manufacturers.

However, he cautioned that it would also impose huge costs on the US.

'What it says is that Amrica is an unstable market. It's not a market that you can count on,' he added.
The images and stories of flash flooding coming out of Victoria's Great Ocean Road have been described as 'terrifying'. It's easy to see why.

Holidaymakers at Victoria's Wye River watched as cars filled with their belongings were swept out to sea and a caravan park was rapidly inundated. Some had to get new clothes at an op-shop.

One resident at nearby Separation Creek told the ABC: 'We missed being killed probably by about ten seconds. We just ran for our lives.'

On the one hand, this was a shocking event, due partly to such a heavy downpour occurring in an area with many geographic risk factors for flash flooding.

On the other hand, it was not surprising. These one-in-hundred chance floods will occur somewhere every year, and with climate change these kinds of events will become more intense and more frequent.

In fact, due to global warming over the last 30 years, there is clear evidence that the intensity of such thunderstorm events have increased by 15 to 20 per cent due to more water being evaporated into the air.

'The rain will fall over a similar period of time, but there was more water there, so it falls out more intensely,' as University of NSW professor Jason Evans said.

The challenge with these kinds of floods is that they are caused by thunderstorms so it's notoriously difficult to predict exactly where they will occur. You might see a thunderstorm on the radar and know it's heading in a certain direction, but it's very hard to know exactly where it will actually impact.

Cars were swept out to sea and a caravan park was rapidly inundated

A house sits very close to a gouged out Separation Creek, after flash flooding near the Wye River in Victoria

With the flooding receded the wrecks of dozens of cars were littered across the landscape

In this case, it just happened to hit the Wye River.

This area features very small and steep catchments draining the southern slopes of the Otways (a forested mountain region in Victoria).

These catchments respond very quickly to thunderstorms; it doesn't take long for rainfall to produce runoff from all parts of the catchment.

This is a real problem for catchments along the surf coast areas of Victoria as there is little or no opportunity to provide effective flood warning.

At Wye River, the most intense part of the thunderstorm was only a tiny percentage of the whole area of forecast rainfall. That makes things really difficult to predict.

In a catchment like that, flash flooding can happen unbelievably quickly  things can go within minutes from okay to really dangerous.

All that was needed was maybe a few hours of intense rainfall. Most of the rain appeared to fall on the upper reaches of the catchment, so it wouldn't necessarily have been evident to campers and holidaymakers.

But once it's in the waterways, the floodwaters can rapidly shoot down the river system. The first anyone might know there is a problem is when the flood suddenly arrives.

One upturned car was swept out to sea then washed onto rocks after the Cumberland River flooded

The clean up is expected to last weeks

The flooding tore through the area before the owners could get to their vehicles

A supplied image obtained on Sunday, January 18, 2026, of flooding in Sydney's northern beaches

The best thing we can do to reduce risk is educate communities about what warnings mean and how to respond when authorities say there's a storm on the way.

If you're in a high risk area, you shouldn't just be saying, 'Oh it's just a bit of rain, we'll wait it out'.

Look at the effort governments have put into raising awareness about bushfire risk and response. They have worked hard on grading messages so people leave high risk areas when the risks are catastrophic, often before there are any fires in their actual area. We have learned to take such warnings seriously.

I don't think the community is there yet with floods  but we do need to get better at this.

The campgrounds in such areas are typically on nice flat grassy areas next to the river bank, so you can see why people camp and holiday there. But when floods arrive, that's the worst place to be.

So, what would I have done, as someone who knows floods?

If I was in a floodplain or on a flat area next to a river, and had a warning severe thunderstorms are predicted to occur in this region, I would probably  at the very least  get the kids up and drive to higher ground. At least, I hope I would.

Even though I am attuned to flood risks in my professional life, I can imagine being caught out in holiday mode and being slow to respond. I can well imagine staying put and hoping for the best.

Experts called for better warnings systems following the flash floods (pictured, large swells on the coast in north Sydney)

People in high risk flood areas were warned to not shrug off warnings and have plans in place

It can be difficult to think about risk when you're on holidays; it's easy to switch off and just think you'll wait the rain out.

Nature can be capricious, floods especially so, and with climate change we must be more aware of risks.

I spend a lot of time researching the impact of climate change on these events.

In Victoria, we can expect small floods will get smaller (due to drying soils), and large floods will get bigger (due to more intense rainfalls).

The risk of flooding will double by the end of this century. The impacts of floods caused by thunderstorms will tend to be larger.

A similar pattern is being seen in Queensland and NSW.

Authorities on Sunday downgraded a flood alert for a Sydney suburb after residents were evacuated due to rising waters sparked by torrential rains.

Flooding was 'receding and no further significant rise in flood levels is expected,' State Emergency Services said on Sunday afternoon, referring to the suburb of Narrabeen, a beachside area with a population of around 8,000.

Stronger storms are possible if the climate becomes warmer (pictured, Sydney's north on Sunday)

North Queensland has been hit with widespread flooding this month

Residents and holidaymakers in the low-lying area of New South Wales capital Sydney had been told late on Saturday to evacuate to higher ground due to dangerous flash flooding, according to state authorities.

Emergency crews responded to more than 1,700 incidents in New South Wales since the heavy rain hit on Saturday, the state authorities said.

A woman died on Saturday amid the wild weather after being hit by a falling tree branch near Wollongong, about 66 km south of Sydney.

Meanwhile, several flood warnings remain active across Central Queensland.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has continued to drive floodwater through several major catchments and killed more than 68,700 livestock.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned the final toll would likely surpass 100,000.

River systems across the state are still rising as floods sweep through.

Those in affected areas have been asked to keep up to date with warnings and avoid floodwaters.
Seminar Held on Assyrian Rights in Syrian Constitution

Coinciding with the issuance of Decree No. 13 by President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmad al-Sharaa recognizing the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria, the Syriac Union Party in Syria (Gabo d'?uyodo Suryoyo, SUP) held a dialogue seminar on 17 January 2026.

The seminar discussed ways to secure the rights of the Assyrian people in the new constitution and was attended by representatives of the Assyrian people from political parties, church representatives, civil society, as well as independent thinkers.

The session began with a historical reading of Syrian constitutions and a critical reading of the 2025 constitutional declaration issued by the newly formed government at the time. Concepts such as decentralization, pluralism, and equal citizenship were discussed, in addition to the question what role political parties, social organizations, and churches can play in securing the rights of the Assyrian people within the new Syrian constitution. There was active participation from the attendees, who put forward a wide range of opinions and proposals. The seminar concluded with a set of recommendations and proposals that could be added to the articles of the new Syrian constitution.

On the sidelines of the seminar, SUP member Sabah Shabo told our reporter that the resulting recommendations are of great importance to the Assyrian people, who have faced religious and national marginalization under all previous Syrian constitutions. That is why, she added, the seminar focused on the high necessity to secure the religious and national rights of the Assyrian people within the new constitution. The invitation to a broad representation of the Assyrian people to participate in the seminar aimed to gather all the different opinions and to come to a definitive formulation of articles and recommendations that cover the voice of the Assyrian people, and which protect their survival in their historical territory.

Shabo emphasized that the vast majority of Syrians in general objected to the 2025 constitutional declaration due to its inclusion of a singular ideology and character that excluded and marginalized many Syrian components. Shabo pointed out the demand of various communities for a decentralized system, stressing that the inclusion of equitable articles for the peoples of Syria in the constitution must be accompanied with a practical implementation mechanism and a commitment by the Syrian government.

Lawyer Antoinette Ardish thanked the SUP for the invitation and stated that the Syrian people are made up of many ethnicities, sects, and denominations, which she considers a source of strength and wealth for a future Syria. She expressed the hope that a Syrian constitution would be drafted that encompasses the rights of all Syrian citizens.

Attorney Shakir Suweis described the seminar as timely, positive, and appreciated its importance and subject matter. "The seminar is intended to answer questions about the form of government and rights and duties under the constitution, as well as possible means to guarantee the rights of the population and the principles that should be recognized in the constitution." Suweis added that he participated to hear various opinions, proposals, and perspectives from participants, and to give his own vision for the drafting of the future Syrian constitution.
The possibility of the US overthrowing the communist regime seems more plausible than ever, even more than during the Cold War. In Havana, a mixture of emotions hangs in the air, sometimes contradictory, but always permeated by the extreme precariousness of the present and anxiety about the future

Sixty-seven years have elapsed, and Havana still remembers the triumphant entry of Fidel Castro and his bearded revolutionaries. After departing from a military academy in the morning, a convoy of trucks advances at midday from the Malecon, traversing the city along the same original route. Riding atop the olive-green trucks are young men and women with red flags, raised fists, and shouts of Long live Fidel! On the sidewalk, a crowd has gathered: there are a few flags, a few banners, but what stands out the most are the yellow shirts of the telemarketers from the state tourism agency, and the school uniforms. It is also a tradition that every January 8, public sector workers and students are granted leave  to use the official euphemism  to take a break and go out to celebrate the unprecedented armed triumph of socialism on this Caribbean island. An experiment that, after so many decades of geopolitical balancing acts, idealism, authoritarian rule and isolation, is going through one of the most fragile and difficult periods in its history.

Three gray-haired officials who have just come down from a building that still bears a sign on its roof that reads, in large red letters, Patria o Muerte (Homeland or Death), chat about the delicate moment in which this years anniversary is being observed, barely a week after the United States attack on Venezuela. Im almost as old as the Revolution and Ive spent my whole life preparing for an attack, says one of them. Weve grown up and grown old with this tension. We dont know how to live any other way. So let Trump and all the gringos come, were going to defend ourselves.

To justify his warlike fervor, the Cuban official cites none other than the CIA, which recently admitted in a declassified document that it had attempted to assassinate Castro at least eight times. The revolutionary leader died in his bed nine years ago. Cuban intelligences figures are slightly higher: 638. We hold the Guinness World Record for foiled assassination attempts, he says, pointing to a photo of the Commander-in-Chief displayed in the park next to the road, in a photo that bears another epic slogan: Hasta la victoria siempre! (Until victory, always!). According to this Interior Ministry clerks logic, if after so much time, the leaders of the revolution have survived snipers, explosives, missiles, ground landings, and even poisoned cigars and a fungi-laced diving suit, by now they must be practically impervious to any American attack.

An abandoned car on Belascoain Street in downtown Havana. MARCEL VILLA

The fervent optimism, steeped in all the myths and legends surrounding the Castro revolution, is just one of the prevailing moods in Havana during these days of heightened tension and uncertainty. Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a strategic ally of Castroism and its main economic backer through the shipment of tons of oil, Trumps sights are now explicitly set on Cuba. The threat of overthrowing the troublesome, communist neighbor seems more plausible than ever before, even more so than during the Cold War. And in the Cuban capital, a mixture of emotions hangs in the air, sometimes contradictory, but all permeated by the extreme precariousness of the present and anxiety about the future.

The cocktail of emotions ranges from the weariness of a retired military engineer whose monthly check is only enough to buy a carton of eggs; the hope of the mother of a young man sentenced for sedition and held in a maximum-security prison after the massive protests of 2021; the pain and anger of the friend of one of Maduros Cuban bodyguards killed during the attack in Caracas; the frustration of a family on the outskirts of the city suffering blackouts of more than 10 hours a day; the desperation of the taxi driver in a pink 1950s Cadillac who has neither gasoline nor tourists to take for rides; the sadness of a grandmother living among garbage and rubble in Old Havana; the uncertainty and expectation of a small business owner who has been doing well with the slight economic opening of recent years; or the desolation of the young people living on the streets, hooked on new synthetic drugs that are beginning to eat away at the most forgotten people on the island.

The attack on Venezuela, which has turned the international order upside down, comes at a particularly fragile moment for the Castro regime, which is accumulating an endless succession of crises: the worst blackouts due to the lack of oil to fuel its aging Soviet-era thermoelectric plants; shortages of medicine amid a health crisis that includes dengue, chikungunya, and other respiratory viruses; mass migration  at least a million people in the last five years, more than 10% of the population; inequality, and even poverty and infant mortality, which the Castro regime had managed to avert until now, delivering on its promises; and an economic collapse, which even the regimes most ardent supporters no longer deny, although they continue to point to the very long-standing U.S. embargo as its main cause. President Miguel Diaz-Canel himself, in an unprecedented move this summer, dismissed the Minister of Labor for grotesque statements denying that there were beggars in the country, but rather people disguised as beggars.

Man under the influence of the drug "the chemical" in downtown Havana. MARCEL VILLA

The era of the thaw is long gone. A decade ago, Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced the resumption of diplomatic relations after 57 years. The embargo wasnt completely lifted, but Obama visited Havana and eased sanctions, allowing the arrival of U.S. cruise ships and airlines. In return, the Castro regime released political prisoners and agreed to increase internet access and open itself up somewhat to private businesses. All of that came to nothing a few years later with the Covid pandemic and Trumps first term in office. The harsh repression of the 2021 protests, with hundreds of young people still imprisoned, made it difficult for former U.S. president Joe Biden to justify easing restrictions. With Trumps second term, the tightening of the screws further reinforced the economic strangulation with more sanctions.

Since then, almost everyone on the island agrees that things are even worse now than during the so-called Special Period, when Cuba lost its main lifeline in the early 1990s, with the fall of the Soviet bloc. Since then, street slang, the vernacular language, explains things better than any sophisticated analysis could. Cuba is a bayu, meaning a mess, and in Cuba, everyone is in the fight. That is, desperately trying to find a way to survive.

Faithful, worthy, heroic!

The January 8 pageantry began with a minute of silence for the 32 Cuban military personnel who were part of Maduros security detail. Diaz-Canel said he would defend the Bolivarian and Chavista Revolution, alluding to his ally and strategic partner, with a policy of exchanging Venezuelan oil for Cuban doctors and security and intelligence advisors. Just hours later, Diaz-Canel offered a peculiar mea culpa, saying, We must feel responsible for everything that is going wrong in Cuba. Granma, the historic newspaper founded in 1965 as the information and propaganda arm of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, published one of its epic front pages a few days later: Faithful, Worthy, Heroic!

One of the 32 soldiers killed during the U.S. attack in Venezuela was Yunio Estevez Samon. At age 32, he was one of the youngest members of the Cuban security detail protecting Nicolas Maduro. Yunio  spelled without an r at the end because the civil registrar made a mistake on his birth certificate, as recalled by his friend Claudia Rafaela Ortiz  grew up in a rural town in Guantanamo province, where on rainy days, he would arrive at our house made of palm fronds and dirt on horseback, through the mud. He was the first in his family to attend university and the first to travel the world, against all odds, given the poverty into which he was born. With an army scholarship, he studied mathematics and cryptography in Russia. He had three children and spoke with his friend for the last time at Christmas: He wanted to buy a house with the savings from his work on the mission in Venezuela.

He had arrived in Caracas a little less than two years ago, and his friend says that he was killed in hand-to-hand combat after two hours of fighting, waiting for backup that never came. Ortiz is bothered by the dehumanization of the dead soldiers in order to attack our government. With the publication of the names and faces of the bodyguards, accusations of abuses inside and outside the island have begun to surface in recent days. Ortiz believes that all countries have security and intelligence agreements. What I want is for food and medicine to return to Cuba. For the country where I was born to return. But not for it to become like Panama or Puerto Rico; I want it to move toward freedom and justice, not toward inequality.

Victory Convoy on 23rd Street, Vedado, in Havana. MARCEL VILLA

The oil-for-doctors-and-military agreement was forged in 2004, shortly after Hugo Chavez won a referendum in Venezuela following a failed coup against him and coinciding with the founding of ALBA, a regional integration initiative among the leftist governments of the time. Three years later, Chavez himself inaugurated the ALBA House in Cuba. At the elegant colonial mansion in the Vedado neighborhood, a photo of Chavez and Fidel Castro with the motto infinite loyalty presides over the entrance. Inside, one of the staff members recounts that even before Chavezs arrival, Maduro had studied for several months in Havana, receiving training in Marxist ideology at a political school. It must have been around 1986, when he was a young activist in the Socialist League.

Dismantling the Caracas-Havana connection was one of the obsessions of the current U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. In 2019, when Juan Guaido challenged Maduro with the backing of the first Trump administration and proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela, this power struggle led to a few dizzying months marked by an atmosphere of imminent regime change. It didnt happen, and Rubio, then still a Republican senator from Florida and the son of Cuban exiles, said that the only reason Maduro hasnt fallen is because of Cubas support. U.S. intelligence also asserted that the Venezuelan president even had a plane ready for his escape to Havana. The White House has learned its lesson and is seeking to trigger a chain reaction. Without Venezuelan oil, Cuba is ready to fall, Trump said recently.

Soviet plants, Cuban crude

This entire affluent Havana neighborhood has been without power for hours, but Ernesto Lopez, who agrees to speak under a pseudonym, is a calm man because he knows the ropes. He was a soldier, he studied thermoelectric engineering in Russia, and worked for over 50 years meticulously maintaining the Russian, Czech, and Hungarian power plants built in Cuba during the Cold War. With the fall of the Soviet allies, who supplied light fuel oil to power the plants, the government had to start burning its own heavy, viscous, sulfur-laden crude oil. That crude wasnt meant for that; the pipes started bursting and going out of service. Maintenance is very expensive, and weve been dealing with this problem ever since, he explains, sitting in his living room, one of the few homes in the neighborhood still lit thanks to a digital device that stores electricity.

Blackout on Belascoain Street in downtown Havana. MARCEL VILLA

Others have a generator, but that also needs gasoline, and it makes a lot of smoke and noise. I prefer this, he says, pointing to a black cube with a screen under the television set that tells him how much electricity he has left. The device costs about $400, and it was a gift from his daughter in Spain, where she works as an engineer for an international company. If it werent for the help of relatives who emigrated, like almost all Cubans, Lopez would need to spend more than three years of his pension just to pay for the device. He receives 3,000 pesos, about $10 a month, which is only enough to buy a dozen eggs.

Were fed up, he says, not raising his voice much. He doesnt have much faith that the Chinese photovoltaic plant projects will significantly improve the situation, which currently barely covers a third of the countrys electricity demand. Lopez hasnt taken his car out of the garage for weeks. Hes been waiting for over a month for his turn to go to a gas station, according to the digital app the government launched to try to organize the chaos and shortages. Lopez also recently contracted chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness that knocks you out with a fever and can even kill you. He took acetaminophen, which costs about three dollars at pharmacies, but it was almost nowhere to be found. He had to resort to the black market, where a box costs almost $20, and only with his daughters help could he afford it.

Lopezs desperation is similar to that of a taxi driver who prefers not to give out his name. He too has had the mosquito-borne virus, he too has suffered from medicine shortages, but on top of that, he barely has any customers. Tourism has fallen by almost 50% since the pandemic, and with the restrictions imposed by the United States, traditionally the largest source of tourists, now its mainly Chinese and Russians who show up, and even then, only in dribs and drabs. Leaning on his pink 1950s convertible Cadillac outside a downtown hotel, he explains that hes had to sign up for La Nave, a kind of Cuban Uber service, though much more rudimentary and only payable in cash, because the Chinese and Russians dont understand anything, its like theyve got blinkers on and they dont spend that much money.

Manuel Rodriguez, also a pseudonym, hasnt been as badly affected by the drop in tourism. His customers are locals. Taking advantage of the first easing of restrictions for the private sector, he opened up a restaurant in Vedado a few years ago, serving cocktails and Spanish tapas. He spent some time in Madrid and has experience in the classic, touristy establishments, which are now scarce in Havana, and which used to bring in a steady stream of dollars. His own business has been growing, and the next step will be to become a micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME), which even authorizes him to import products. The proliferation of MSMEs has created a supply network that few on the island have access to. Rodriguez, 39, says he imports acorn-fed pork from Spain. Ive worked my ass off to get where I am, but I have to keep a low profile, because here, if you stick your head out, theyll cut it off. Well see if things improve with Trump.

Cuba needs outside help

He was arrested in his neighborhood, Vibora Park, in the south of the city. One afternoon in July 2021, eight plainclothes officers got out of a car with no license plates and dragged Duannis Leon away, beating him. His mother, Yenisey, recounts the story in the house where he lived with his three sisters. Duannis, 27, was one of the thousands who took to the streets in the largest protests since the Maleconazo of 1994, during the height of the Special Period. Before they took him away, he told me that what happened was crazy, that the police were shooting at them and that they responded with stones, his mother says in a humble kitchen that also serves as a living room and almost a bathroom. During the conversation, Yenisey receives a call. Its her son calling from the maximum-security prison, where he is serving a 14-year sentence for sedition. Duannis, who worked as a barber, agreed to speak briefly with this newspaper: I want a Cuba where there are several parties and the people can elect a president and not die of hunger.

His mother recounts that her son can barely see out of his left eye after one of the beatings he suffered at the hands of prison guards, and that he spent weeks in solitary confinement. The UN has condemned the repression in Cuba, which it describes as the country with the most convictions for arbitrary detention in the world. Yenisey, who also denounces the constant harassment against her, says that the last time she visited her son, last week, he whispered in her ear: Maduro is already rotting away, what do you think will happen now? His mother didnt answer, but she believes that Cuba needs outside help. What happened to my son is something I wouldnt believe if I hadnt experienced it.

Yenisey Taboada, mother of Duannis Leon Taboada, at her home in Havana. MARCEL VILLA

Marina, also a pseudonym, couldnt believe that after 45 years living in Old Havana, the citys historic heart, she would end up having to paint a sign by hand asking, Please dont litter. Its nighttime, and Marina has come out with her grandson to enjoy the fresh air outside the half-ruined modernist building, now divided into eight small apartments. There are piles of garbage on the corner, as there are on almost every corner. Its been there for days; they tell us theres no gasoline to collect it. She doesnt even want to talk about Trump, only saying that in recent years her neighborhood has also become more unsafe and that this is a ship adrift. The center of Havana, once a symbol of that majestic and decadent beauty so often portrayed, is now an open-air garbage dump, barely lit due to the power outages.

A little further on from Marinas house, in the arcades of Galiano Avenue, where hardly any of the salsa and jazz clubs that made it famous remain, a barefoot young man sits with his head tucked between his knees, barely concealing his trembling. When it hits you, it stiffens your penis, you lose your mind. Its the most horrible thing that can happen to you, says a man in his sixties, with a cowbell and drumsticks under his arm, who has stopped to check if the young man is alright. Whats happening to him are the effects of El Quimico (the chemcial), a very cheap and addictive mixture of synthetic drugs that has been circulating on the streets for some time. The man with the drumsticks, an old jazz musician who earns a living playing around here, draws an analogy with the crack epidemic in New York in the late 1980s. Deep down, it doesnt matter if the Americans come to Cuba, because all the evils of capitalism are already here.

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Former Democratic strategist James Carville has predicted a 'wipeout' for Republicans at the 2026 midterms.

Carville forecast a startling loss for Republicans in the upcoming midterms, with Democrats managing to pick up a 'minimum' of 25 seats and likely regain control of the Senate.

'Frankly, it's going to be a wipeout,' Carville told Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday in America.

'Your viewers need to know that the Democrats are going to pick up at a minimum 25 seats, maybe as high as 45. In all likelihood, the Democrats will carry the Senate.'

The pair had discussed a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times by David Plouffe, which conversely predicted a grim future for Democrats.

'Right now, Democrats have no credible path to sustained control of the Senate and the White House,' Plouffe wrote.

Plouffe, a former senior advisor to former President Obama, predicted that the expected adjustments to the Electoral College map would have dire effects on a Democratic presidential candidate come 2028.

'After the adjustments to the Electoral College map that look likely to come with the next census, the Democratic presidential nominee could win all the states won by Kamala Harris, plus the blue wall of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and still fall short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win,' Plouffe wrote.

'An already unforgiving map becomes more so.'

Former Democratic strategist James Carville told Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany that Republicans would face a 'wipeout' loss at the 2026 midterms

Carville said Fox viewers should be prepared for Democrats to win 25 seats 'at a minimum,' and predicted a likely Democratic win for control of the Senate

McEnany countered Carville's 'bold' stance by pointing out that an 'economic revival' expected from the Trump Administration would secure a Republican win in the midterms

Plouffe's encouragement for the Democrats was advising a completely 'fresh agenda' instead of the 'same recipes, slightly warmed over.'

The Fox News host countered Carville's 'bold' stance by pointing out that an 'economic revival' expected from the Trump Administration would secure a Republican win in the midterms.

'Well, I guess anything is possible,' Carville responded.

The former strategist then condemned the president's comments earlier this week, after Trump suggested there was no need for an election due to the administration's accomplishments.

President Trump also feared that if Democrats regain control come the midterms, he would certainly be impeached.

Following the comments from Trump, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made it clear that the president was 'joking' to reporters on Friday.

'The president was simply joking. He was saying were doing such a great job. Were doing everything the American people thought, maybe we should just keep rolling, but he was facetiously,' she declared.

Join the debate How do you think big political swings like a predicted 'wipeout' impact trust in American democracy?

Carville condemned President Trump's 'joke' that there was no need for elections following the Trump Administration's fast accomplishments

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters, seen with the president, said the Republicans 'secret weapon' was Trump for the party to 'defy history'

McEnany similarly remarked to Carville that the comments made were 'in jest.'

In a separate segment, Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters argued that the Republican's 'secret weapon' would allow the party to 'defy history.'

It is typically uncommon for the party in power to perform well at midterm elections.

'Our secret weapon is President Trump,' Gruters declared. 'Hes accomplished more in this first 12 months than most presidents accomplished in eight years.'
The fatal shooting of mother-of-three Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minnesota sent shockwaves across America, and in many cities, it has sparked the mobilization of anti-ICE boot camps.

Thousands of people from cities in New York to Washington state are quietly preparing for a civil war against the Trump administration's aggressive deportations after the 37-year-old's death served as a casus belli for a wider uprising.

Jacob Frey, the Mayor of Minneapolis, where Good was killed, has told ICE agents to 'get the f*** out' of his city, while the state of Minnesota has sued the government in criminal court, accusing them of orchestrating a 'federal invasion'.

As Kristi Noem's department prepares to target more metro areas across the US in the coming months, liberal armies are training people to disrupt deportations by taking on the ICE agents themselves.

In Seattle, the new socialist mayor Katie Wilson urged people to sign up for 'Washington for All ICE Mobilization Alerts', a group which is training to 'mobilize a unified response' to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) group in Manhattan is mustering more than 4,000 anti-ICE activists to form 'rapid response' teams, according to the New York Post.

'This will take all of us,' the Seattle Mayor said in a rallying call to residents via a video message posted on her X account, while she also joined protests in the city.

'We already have laws in place that forbid our local police from aiding ICE in most instances. The police will adhere to these laws. That's an important step,' added Wilson, who was sworn in as mayor on January 1.

The fatal shooting of mother-of-three Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minnesota sent shockwaves across America, and in many cities, it has sparked the mobilization of anti-ICE boot camps. (Pictured: Anti-ICE protesters clash with police in Minneapolis on Saturday)

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (pictured) has urged residents to sign up for 'Washington for All ICE Mobilization Alerts', a group which is training to 'mobilize a unified response' to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the liberal Washington state city

'But it's also true that we have limited authority with regard to the actions of federal agencies, and I know that our existing laws are not enough to keep people safe.

'So I'm working with Police Chief Barnes, City Attorney Evans, immigrant rights groups and local leaders to identify every possible legal argument, public resource and creative tool we can use to keep the people of Seattle safe.'

Wilson went on to urge residents to sign up for Washington for All ICE Mobilization Alerts, a group which is training to 'mobilize a unified response' to ICE activities.

'And don't stop there,' she added. 'I encourage you to raise your voices and demand that every elected official does what they can to protect the people who make our neighborhoods home.

'This is a scary situation, and situations like this are when we show ourselves who we are, and what we believe. Here in Seattle, we practice solidarity. Everyone should be safe in their homes, in their workplaces, and in their cities.

'My message to our immigrant neighbors: this is your city, you should be safe here, and I'm determined to make it that way.'

Meanwhile, members of the group affiliated with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), are mobilizing in Manhattan.

Join the debate Do YOU think this puts ordinary residents at risk?

Thousands of people from cities in New York to Washington state are quietly preparing for a civil war against the Trump administration's aggressive deportations after 37-year-old mother-of-three Renee Nicole Good's death served as a casus belli for a wider uprising

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) group in Manhattan is mustering an army of more than 4,000 anti-ICE activists to form 'rapid response' teams, according to the New York Post. Pictured: The group meeting at the People's Forum on January 12 to coordinate anti-ICE action)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Kristi Noem (pictured), said it has recently more than doubled the number of ICE officers deployed across the US from 10,000 to 22,000

Around 100 people met at the People's Forum in the city's Midtown on Thursday to coordinate the training of 2,000 DSA members and 2,000 non-members, according to a New York Post reporter who attended the meeting.

The group plans to show up en masse to confirm ICE sightings, then use rape whistles to alert people about the presence of the federal agents.

'There are more of us than them,' one of the group's leaders, Leemah Nasrati, told the meeting.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it has recently more than doubled the number of ICE officers deployed across the US from 10,000 to 22,000.

'With these new patriots on the team, we will be able to accomplish what many say was impossible and fulfill President Trumps promise to make America safe again,' the department said in a statement about the numbers boost released this month.

The DHS said it received more than 220,000 applications to join ICE in just four months, and it is continuing to accept applications.

Last month, the DHS also celebrated removing more than 2.5 million people from the US during the first year of Trump's second administration.

'This will take all of us,' the Seattle Mayor said in a rallying call to residents via a video message posted on her X account, while she also joined anti-ICE protests in the city, as shown above

Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan 'Jon' Ross in Minneapolis

They said that more than 605,000 'illegal aliens' had been deported by DHS enforcement operations, while 1.9 million had 'voluntarily self-deported'.

The department launched the CBP Home app which allows illegal immigrations to take a free flight home, while receiving $1,000 as an extra incentive.

'Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now,' Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

'They know if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.'

Jonathan 'Jon' Ross, the ICE agent who shot Good, is unlikely to face any charges, and Donald Trump has defended him, saying he is lucky to be alive.

'She behaved horribly,' Trump told the New York Times of Good. 'And then she ran him over. She didn't try to run him over. She ran him over.'

Federal officials have claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense.
Tony Blair today denied playing any role in the $1billion price tag for countries wishing to join Donald Trump's new 'Board of Peace' permanently - amid questions over whether the UK will pay.

The former PM has been appointed to the 'founding executive board' of the US president's fledgling outfit.

Mr Trump said on Friday that creating the body was a 'vital step' in implementing his 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

However, critics have speculated that the Board of Peace may be intended to replace the United Nations.

A draft charter for the BOP, first reported by Bloomberg, stated that each member state would serve a maximum of three years, unless $1billion is contributed within the first year.

A US official confirmed to the Daily Mail that there is no requirement to contribute the funds, but those who do are granted permanent membership rather than a three-year term.

The money raised by the board is intended to fund the administration's efforts to rebuild Gaza, officials said.

Asked whether Sir Tony was aware of the price tag for permanent membership, a spokeswoman said: 'He is not involved in determining membership of the Board of Peace.

'He will be working on the implementation of the Gaza peace plan that has been endorsed by the UN in an unpaid role.'

The Board of Peace was described in the charter as, 'an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.'

Trump says he will serve as chairman of the board, and as such he would control the money. Sources familiar with the board told Bloomberg that several nations have strongly opposed the draft.

Donald Trump, pictured with Tony Blair last year, has asked nations to contribute $1 billion for permanent membership to his newly established Board of Peace

Under the BOP, a separate board will oversee the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip, pictured above last week

The Israeli prime minister's office said the BOP's Gaza Executive Board was 'at odds with Israeli policy.' An Egyptian official on the board previously compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured above, to Adolf Hitler

The BOP resembles the mission of the United Nations, with critics reportedly concerned that Trump is attempting to replace the organization with his own.

Even though the mission began as a means to end the war in Gaza, letters sent to world leaders suggested the board would take a broader approach to resolving international conflicts.

'This is a US shortcut in an attempt to wield its veto power on world affairs,' Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press.

A US official clarified to AP that the BOP wasn't intended to replace the UN, but suggested it could motivate international leaders to act.

However, two diplomats told Reuters that the letter sent to international leaders called the BOP a 'bold approach to resolving Global Conflict.'

'It's a "Trump United Nations" that ignores the fundamentals of the UN charter,' one diplomat described the BOP to Reuters.

The Board of Peace for Gaza would operate under the BOP. As chairman, Trump would also have the power to choose who would be invited to the board, the group's official seal, and would have final approval over all voting matters, according to the draft charter.

The BOP would be responsible for broader peace relations, while the Gaza Executive Board is specifically tasked with rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

Join the debate Should any one leader have sole control over a new global peace organization's funds and membership?

The BOP was announced as the second phase of Trump's plan to rebuild Gaza. Pictured above is destruction in the city on Thursday

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured above in September, will serve on the BOP Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board

Several US officials including White House Advisor Jared Kushner and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will also serve on both boards

Billionaire Mark Rowan, Sir Tony Blair, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and former member of the European Parliament were also named to the Gaza Executive Board Nickolay Mladenov

Trump would also reportedly have the power to remove members and approve the agendas.

The charter states that the BOP would meet once a year for voting meetings and at least quarterly for non-voting meetings.

In addition, as the board's chairman, Trump would have the power to choose his successor.

Sources told Bloomberg that several European nations have been invited to join the BOP.

Argentinian President Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have reportedly been asked to join the BOP for Gaza.

Trump has already appointed several members to the BOP's Executive Board, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel and White House advisor Jared Kushner.

Sir Tony, billionaire businessman Marc Rowan, and President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga were also named as Executive Board members.

The president also announced additional members of the Gaza Executive Board. In addition to the members of the BOP, Turkish politician Minister Hakan Fidan, senior Qatari official Ali Al-Thawadi, Egyptian intelligence leader General Hassan Rashad, United Arab Emirates Minister Reem Al-Hashimy and former member of the European Parliament Nickolay Mladenov.

Mladenov is expected to liaise between the board and the Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

United Arab Emirates Minister Reem Al-Hashimy (middle) will also serve on the Gaza Executive Board alongside Rubio (right). The two are pictured above with US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Martina A. Strong

Ali Shaath is serving as the general commissioner of the Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza, which will work with the BOP and Trump to rebuild the region. He's pictured above at a meeting on Friday

Ali Shaath, the general commissioner of the NCAG and former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, said the committee would work to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the guidance of the BOP and Trump.

The Israeli prime minister's office said the BOP's Gaza Executive Board was 'at odds with Israeli policy.'

The appointment of multiple Turkish and Egyptian figures has been viewed as anti-Israeli.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and praised Hamas.
Hundreds of people have taken to the streets today to protested over controversial plans to house 540 migrants in a former cadet camp.

Male asylum seekers are set to move into army barracks in Crowborough as part of a government plan to reduce the number of hotels it uses to house them.

Since the announcement, furious locals have marched through the Sussex town every Sunday in opposition to the plans.

Today they resumed their protest, with hundreds gathering outside the former barracks before marching through the town with a police escort.

Campaigners have accused the Home Office of 'shameful and deceitful' behaviour after photos emerged of equipment being 'smuggled' into the site.

Pictures show trucks delivering what campaigners say is a large amount of food and refrigeration units have been spotted at the camp.

It comes after the Home Office stressed no final decision on whether to use the camp had been made.

A crowd of campaigners took to the streets of Crowborough waving flags for the 12th week in a row

Since the announcement, furious locals have marched through the Sussex town every Sunday in opposition to the plans

Campaigners are furious at a lack of consultation with the community and accused the Home Secretary of 'riding roughshod' over the feelings of a community.

Many say the former sheltered housing should instead be used by the under-pressure NHS to relieve bed-blocking in hospitals.

They also fear that if the proposal goes ahead, it could house single men about whose backgrounds they know nothing, leaving them feeling unsafe in their own homes.

Crowborough Shield - a community action group - has raised more than 93,000 to help fund legal action to seek a Judicial Review of the Home Office plans.

Campaigner, Eddie Fahey, said: 'When you see equipment being smuggled in under the cover of darkness then you know that decision has already been taken and any claims to the contrary are lies.

'It's a disgrace we are being treated like this. It is shameful that our justifiable concerns are being ignored.'

Paddy Mounfield said: 'This is more evidence that the Home Office has made a decision to proceed . Show this to the courts and they will see what liars the government are.'

Jenni Lin said: 'I am expecting the camp to be occupied by next week. No information, transparency or honesty from any politicians, local or national.

'Starmer keeps saying he's closing asylum hotels to ease pressure on communities yet is sending 540 to a community that does not have the infrastructure to support its existing community.'

Locals waved the St George's and Union Flag and held up banners reading 'Crowborough says no'

A group of locals adorned in British flags watch as the marchers make their way through the town

Campaigners are furious at a lack of consultation with the community before the plans were made

Campaigners meet and greet over a shared disappointment of the Home Office decision

Ben Reid said: 'The behaviour of the Home Office is nothing short of shameful. They are being completely deceitful to the people of Crowborough who deserve to be consulted about something that will change the town so much.

'It's an absolute disgrace that the lives of a community are being run over roughshod in this fashion. The Government will see that at the ballot box.'

Crowborough Shield says there has been a lack of transparency surrounding the decision and are angry at a lack of consultation from the Home Office.

It has raised serious concerns about staffing at the camp, police provision and the impact on infrastructure and health services.

Kim Bailey, a director, yesterday said: 'We know there's been a lot of activity up at the camp with food trucks and lots of other things going on up there.,

'Now we don't know when the asylum seekers are coming. We don't have any further information form the Home Office. They still maintain they haven't made any decision yet. We all know that's not true.

'We think it's really important to come out and remind the Home Office and the Home Secretary that we are steadfast in what we are saying.

'These reckless decisions about our town that impact on our way of life is not just something we are going to stand by and let happen.

'There needs to be due process, there needs to be impact assessment and there needs to be involvement with us as residents.'

Locals held up placards to voice their disapproval of plans to house migrants in a former army barracks

One sign read 'Betrayed by our leaders. We have rights too', while another read: Stop the madness

Today marchers took to the streets for the 12th time to protest against the Home Office plans.

In a letter to the local authority, Wealden District Council, the Home Office wrote: 'The final decision on whether to use the Crowborough site for accommodating asylum seekers has not yet been taken.'

It has apologised for its handling of its plans to use the Crowborough camp to house asylum seekers, but says it is determined to stamp out the use of hotels to house migrants.

A spokesman previously said: 'We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

'This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.

'We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across government so that we can accelerate delivery.'
An ex-deputy in Sacramento was fatally shot by his own men after stabbing his 11-year-old son to death and triggering a high-speed chase.

Marvin Morales, 40, was killed on December 2 after he brutally stabbed his son at their Elk Grove home, body cam footage showed.

Morales fled the scene as officers responded, resulting in a high-speed chase reaching speeds of over 100mph along Interstate 5, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The ex-deputy, who had been let go from the department in 2024 with a history of drug abuse, was treated as a high-risk counter due to his access to weapons and military background.

'Just after 8.30am that morning, the sheriff's office received information from the Elk Grove Police Department that they were investigating the stabbing of an eleven-year-old child,' Sheriffs Office spokesman Lt. Amar Gandhi said.

The EGPD identified the suspect of the stabbing to be Morales, the father of the boy, according to Gandhi.

Morales had been home with his son and six-year-old daughter when their mother called law enforcement to report that security footage captured Morales assaulting the boy, Fox News reported.

At around 9.30am, an unmarked law enforcement vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 5 identified Morales and was later joined by two K-9 units.

Marvin Morales, 40, was gunned down on December 2 after he brutally stabbed his son at their Elk Grove home

After a high-speed chase, Morales' car veered off the highway and was briefly airborne before crashing into a tree

Morales was shot by officers after defying commands to put his hands up and walk toward them

'Morales drove recklessly - swerving around other civilian vehicles on the shoulder and reached speeds of over 100mph,' Gandhi continued.

Dashcam footage saw Morales weaving around cars and trucks along the interstate. One unit involved in the chase deployed spike strips, which appeared to puncture one of Morale's tires, Gandhi said.

At around 9.45am, Morales lost control and veered off the freeway before the vehicle flew in the air and crashed into a tree in an embankment.

Body camera footage saw the car flip, as an officer parked and grabbed a rifle from the patrol vehicle.

'Door's open! Door's open,' the officer called out before commanding Morales to put his hands in the air.

'Deputies and officers gave multiple commands for Morales to exit the vehicle and to walk back to them,' Gandhi said. 'Morales continued to ignore commands to surrender and then began reaching back into his vehicle, despite multiple commands to stop.'

'Marvin walk towards us. Don't reach. Put it down,' an officer could be heard shouting.

Morales was said to have pulled out an object that officers believed to have been a rifle. At that time both K-9 deputies fired multiple rounds toward Morales, who went down and became unresponsive.

Gandhi said that Morales had worked for with sheriff's office since 2017 before he was terminated for misconduct

Investigators said Morales admitted to using drugs that were later found to contain fentanyl. Morales had said he had struggled with his mental health and expressed suicidal thoughts

Morales was said to have pulled out an object that officers believed to have been a rifle. At that time both K-9 deputies fired multiple rounds toward Morales, who went down and became unresponsive

A K-9 was deployed as Morales remained unresponsive before he was taken to hospital and later pronounced deceased, according to Gandhi.

Officials have not confirmed if the item in Morales' hand was in fact a rifle or whether he fired a weapon. No officers were injured.

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting as required under state law.

Gandhi said that Morales had worked for the sheriff's office since 2017 before he was terminated for misconduct.

He had been involved in an internal investigation after overdosing on confiscated drugs while on duty in October 2023, according to the Bee.

Investigators said Morales admitted to using drugs that were later found to contain fentanyl. Morales had said he had struggled with his mental health and expressed suicidal thoughts, according to an internal affairs report.
The family of a beloved mother-of-four has been left devastated after she was killed by a speeding driver while on her way to work in California.

Laura Teniz, 57, was fatally struck by a vehicle on January 14 in San Bernardino as she was headed to the Denny's branch where she was a manager, according to KTLA.

The speeding driver also died in the four-car collision and injured another person after they caused a chain reaction where multiple vehicles became engulfed in flames.

The San Bernardino police responded to a call for a welfare check following reports of a man being slumped over the steering wheel of a Volvo sedan at an ARCO gas station.

As officials approached the driver, he suddenly sped off, reaching nearly 90 mph, according to the outlet.

Officials pursued the driver but could not stop him before the collision at the intersection of Highland and De la Rosa Avenues.

A Toyota waiting at a red light was slammed into by the Volvo, instantly bursting both cars into flames as they slid into the intersection and smashed into two other vehicles.

Firefighters arrived and found Teniz and the unidentified driver dead on the scene, as well as a third driver, minorly injured, and the fourth unharmed.

Laura Teniz, 57, was fatally struck by a vehicle on January 14 in San Bernardino. She was on her way to work at Denny's, where she was a manager

Teniz was instantly killed after a driver fleeing from police smashed into her while she was at a redlight

The mother-of-four was described as a 'hardworking and compassionate woman,' according to a GoFundMe launched to support her children.

'She was their rock, their biggest supporter, and the heart of our family,' wrote Teniz's sister Patricia Recinos, who started the fundraiser.

'Laura worked tirelessly to provide for them and always put their needs before her own. This tragedy happened in San Bernardino, just minutes from her workplace, and it was caused by a reckless driver whose actions have forever changed our lives.'

The GoFundMe described the difficulties of dealing with the loss and thanked supporters for their kindness and compassion. At the time of this report, nearly $10,000 has been raised for Teniz's family.

Recino told KTLA what a good mom her sister was: 'She loved her kids. She always made sure they had everything.

'It's the most painful grieving,' she added. 'And the way it happened to her, it's even worse.'

The collision caused a chain reaction killing the unidentified driver, Teniz, and injuring another

A vigil will be held at the scene of the crash on January 18 for the mother-of-four

Teniz's remains have not yet been released to the family, making it even more difficult to grieve, said the sister.

A vigil will be held at the scene of the crash on January 18 for the mother.

Officials are still investigating the tragedy, and the results of the toxicology report have not yet been released.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the San Bernardino Police Department for comment.
A Chinese student who made up false rape claims against a serving policeman has been jailed and told she faces possible deportation.

Hao Li, 29, was warned by a judge that her conduct risked deterring 'genuine victims from coming forward'.

A court also heard the accusation had a serious impact on the police officer, who was arrested and held in cells for 35 hours before being suspended for five months.

It was only due to the 'foresight' of the officer, who had set his phone to record an earlier conversation between the pair and left it on, recording the sexual encounter, that he was not charged.

Li, a master's degree student, was charged with perverting the course of justice but fled Britain before the case could be heard.

She was subsequently arrested at Manchester Airport after arriving on a return flight and remanded in custody last July.

Durham Crown Court heard the pair engaged in sexual activity in November 2024 - with her the 'driving force'.

The officer, who was not on duty, had then driven her home when she rang police, accusing him of rape, and he was apprehended in his car half an hour later.

Hao Li, 29, was convicted because police officer's phone had recorded their sexual encounter

Li, 29, formerly of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, denied three counts of perverting the course of justice but was convicted after a two-week trial in December.

WhatsApp messages she sent to the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the rape allegation was false and asked for help to avoid getting into trouble.

Li, appearing before the court via video link from HMP Low Newton, was jailed for six years on Friday.

Sentencing, Judge Nathan Adams said: 'You engaged in sexual activity with him but, clearly, you were the driving force in that activity.

'Had it not been for the recording he made, he would have been charged with multiple counts of rape.

'You maintained your insistence over the allegations, but you were clearly disbelieved at trial.'

Judge Adams added: 'Rape is about the most serious allegation you can make. You know (police) would have to take your word for it.

'Anyone making false complaints and proceeding with them creates a wider-still impact on genuine victims coming forward, with a further impact with him being a police officer.

Li was sentenced at Durham Crown Court having been found guilty of rape lies after a trial

'I can't downplay how serious these allegations were and the impact they had on the victim in this case.'

Duncan Bould, defending Li, who had no previous convictions and no issues with drugs or alcohol, she was considered a 'low risk' of reoffending.

He added the convictions have 'had a salutary effect on her.'

In addition to the prison term, Li was given a six-year restraining order, prohibiting contact or approached to the victim.

The judge told her she would serve about half of the six-year sentence in custody before being released on licence, when she will probably be deported to China.
A sick career criminal who was out on bond when he stabbed a woman to death in her DC hotel room has been sentenced to 40 years in jail.

George Sydnor, 46, who had 25 prior arrests, pleaded guilty in October to murdering Christy Bautista, 31, with a kitchen knife on the evening of March 31, 2023.

Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz handed him a lengthy jail term as he was sentenced on Friday, with the Department of Justice slamming him as a 'monster'.

Prosecutors said Sydnor stabbed Bautista 30 times, and police found him trying to smoke a cigarette beside her dead body when they entered the hotel room.

Bautista's heartbroken family said she had been visiting Washington DC from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to attend a concert when her life was cruelly taken away.

Sydnor was on bail for an attempted robbery case, according to the Department of Justice, and the Daily Mail previously unearthed his lengthy rap sheet.

The attack was seemingly random, as he was seen on surveillance footage riding his bike to the Ivy City Hotel before scoping out rooms on the ground floor.

Bautista had checked into the northeast DC hotel just an hour before and had parked her car directly in front of room 116, where she was staying.

Christy Bautista, who graduated from Virginia's James Madison University, was killed at the age of 31 in a random attack in her DC hotel room by career criminal George Sydnor, 46

The attack was seemingly random, as he was seen on surveillance footage riding his bike to the Ivy City Hotel (pictured) in DC, before scoping out rooms on the ground floor

Sydnor parked his bike beside her car, then stood outside the hotel room as though listening before suddenly bursting in and slamming the door behind him.

He launched a bloody attack on the innocent woman as witnesses said they heard her screaming for help. Loud thuds could be heard on the surveillance footage.

Sydnor stabbed Bautista 30 times at around 7pm, prosecutors said during his trial.

Police arrived within 10 minutes after people reported hearing screaming from room 116, and Sydnor told officers everything was fine.

However, police noticed blood on his hands, and they retrieved the master key and went into the room, according to court documents seen by the Daily Mail.

Officers entered the room to find Bautista on the floor with multiple stab wounds, while Sydnor was trying to smoke a cigarette.

The woman was declared dead on the scene 11 minutes later, and cops found a large kitchen knife with a broken blade on the bed next to his jacket.

A closer inspection of Sydnor also found that he had blood on his pants, shoes, and vest.

He was taken to the hospital to be treated for lacerations before being discharged and taken to the police station for questioning.

Sydnor had 25 prior arrests and was originally denied bond over the robbery due to his criminal history. However, another judge released him two weeks later.

Bautista's heartbroken family said she had been visiting Washington DC from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to attend a concert when her life was cruelly taken away. She is pictured on the left

Bautista's family has said they believe her killer was a complete stranger, and remembered her as a 'shining light' in a heartbreaking GoFundMe page which has raised more than $42,000

When he attacked Bautista, he was wanted in DC and Prince George's County for failing to appear in court.

Bautista's family has said they believe he was a complete stranger.

They said in a statement: 'Our family is devastated by the loss of our beloved Christy.

'She brought joy to everybody who knew her and was a shining light in all of our lives. Please respect our privacy as we mourn her at this time.'

Their GoFundMe page quickly exceeded its $10,000 goal and has collected more than $42,000 to date.

Police did not release a mugshot of Sydnor at the time. The Daily Mail has contacted the Department of Justice for an image.

'The victim, Christy Bautista, was visiting D.C. to attend a concertan experience that should have been safe and routine,' US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement following Sydnor's sentencing.

'Instead, this monster brazenly rode his bike up to her motel, entered her room, and launched a deadly stabbing attack against an innocent woman.

'Today's 40-year prison sentence delivers justice and sends a clear message: those who commit acts of extreme violence will be held fully accountable.'
More than 100 Britons are under investigation amid growing fears they may be spying for hostile foreign states including Russia, Iran and China, a senior counter-terrorism chief has revealed.

Security services are currently handling around 160 investigations linked to state threats, with the vast majority focused on suspected proxies operating inside the UK.

In some cases, individuals are believed to have been recruited without realising they were feeding information to foreign governments.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London and the national lead for counter-state threats, told the Times that there has been a sharp rise in foreign powers recruiting people from across society including criminals, professionals and even those working in legal and financial sectors.

He said the activity ranged from cyber operations and intelligence gathering to far more serious plots.

'The breadth of activity is so significant,' he said, adding that it could extend 'right through to an assassination plot in the United Kingdom'.

Security officials are now disrupting hostile-state activity with increasing frequency. 'There are disruptions happening on an extraordinarily regular basis,' Murphy said. 'Almost every month we're disrupting something and often much more regularly than that even.'

The warning comes as concerns grow in Westminster over espionage operations linked to China, Russia and Iran - described by Murphy as 'the big three' conducting proxy operations in Britain.

Dylan Earl, 21, from Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, was handed 17 years in prison for acting on the plans of Wagner mercenaries after they recruited him online

He had been involved in an arson attack in east London that destroyed vital Starlink satellite equipment destined for Ukraine

Dramatic footage captured the moment Dylan Earn, who was recruited online by Russian spies to carry out a terrifying campaign of arson and kidnap, was hauled to the ground by armed police in April 2024

In November, MI5 warned that UK parliamentarians had been targeted on LinkedIn by Chinese agents posing as headhunters.

More recently, two British men were charged with passing political information to a Chinese intelligence officer, though the case was later dropped and the men denied any wrongdoing.

Russia-linked activity has also led to criminal convictions. Dylan Earl, 21, from Leicestershire, was convicted under the National Security Act 2023 after being recruited by the Wagner Group and instructed to carry out arson on a London warehouse storing aid for Ukraine.

Earl and his five stooges were lured in by an automated Russian chatbot trawling for recruits on the encrypted Telegram app before their communication was taken over by Russian intelligence operatives, according to security sources.

Counter-terrorism police said the men were part of a Europe-wide campaign of sabotage by 'grey-zone proxy actors' on behalf of the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, former British soldier Daniel Khalife was sentenced to 14 years in prison earlier this year after being found guilty of spying for Iran and passing sensitive information, including the names of elite special forces personnel, to Tehran.

The 23-year-old, who claimed to be on a one-man 'double agent' mission but was labelled an 'attention seeker' by a judge this afternoon, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London and ordered to pay 10,000 towards prosecution costs.

Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Khalife - who was ignored when he contacted MI6 and MI5 in his attempts to become a double agent - had been motivated by 'a selfish desire to show off' and described him as 'a dangerous fool'.

Khalife was in the British Army when he 'exposed military personnel to serious harm' by collecting sensitive information and passing it to agents of Iran. He was paid in cash and told handlers he would stay in the military for 25-plus years for them.

Former soldier Daniel Khalife was sentenced for spying for Iran and escaping from prison

Daniel Khalife pictured after his arrest on a canal towpath in London on September 9, 2023

Murphy said Iran was particularly active in using proxies to target dissidents living in the UK, warning: 'The Iranian threat in that respect is quite substantial.'

Many of those recruited are not ideologically motivated, he said, but driven by money and recruitment is largely happening online, particularly via encrypted platforms such as Telegram.

'Most of the time, this is very much an online environment,' Murphy said, warning that social media algorithms could be making it easier for vulnerable individuals to be targeted.

Some people caught up in investigations may not even realise they are participating in espionage.

Murphy said private investigators and legitimate businesses have sometimes been used unwittingly under the guise of debt recovery, corporate disputes or due diligence work.

'People do need to wake up to the way in which Russia particularly, but other countries too, are operating differently now and how vulnerable they could be to committing serious offences without really realising,' he said.

The warning follows a rare public intervention by the new head of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, who recently cautioned that Britain was entering an 'age of uncertainty' as hostile states rewrite the rules of conflict.

Security officials believe the threat from foreign proxies will only intensify amid global instability, the war in Ukraine and the mass expulsion of foreign intelligence officers from the UK following the Salisbury Novichok poisoning.

This comes as plans for China's proposed new 'mega-embassy' by the Tower of London were blocked by the last Tory government on security grounds, but they have been put back on the table by Sir Keir Starmer who is hoping to fly to China at the end of the month for trade talks.

Pictured: Concept plans for the new Chinese 'mega embassy' which will be located on the former Royal Mint site

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The Mail on Sunday has led the way in revealing the concerns of British security experts about the planned development over the past year, including the presence of a 'spy dungeon' in the basement close to sensitive City data cables.

Security sources denied reports that they had dropped their concerns over the embassy, saying that EU countries had raised fears that it may not just become a hub for China intelligence operations in the UK, but for their spying throughout Europe.

A source said: 'At the moment, their people are spread out across different sites in the capital. That makes it easier for us to track them. They're moving around.

'They're using electronic comms to communicate. We can have eyes on them. But if their operations become centralised in this giant hub it would become much harder to penetrate them.'

The source added: 'They are obsessed with infiltrating Parliament. It's a major focus of their activity here in the UK.

'We're not sure if it's because they've misinterpreted how influential your average MP is. But they are still deploying major time and assets to getting inside the Commons and the Lords. And that will intensify if the super embassy gets the green light'.
President Donald Trump has withheld his support for a sitting GOP senator running for reelection this year, instead endorsing another candidate in the Louisiana Senate race.

Republican Representative Julia Letlow, who was elected in a special election in 2021 to fill the seat of her late husband who died of COVID before he could be sworn, is Trump's new candidate of choice.

Trump tweeted out an endorsement of Congresswoman Letlow, urging her to get into the race Saturday evening, reigniting his skirmish with the incumbent Republican, Bill Cassidy.

'RUN JULIA RUN!!!' Trump wrote in a post on his social media site, Truth Social, on Saturday night, adding: 'Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement.'

Sources told Politico on Sunday that Letlow is 'preparing to jump into the Louisiana Senate' and could make her announcement as soon as Monday.

Although Cassidy has done his best to stay on Trump's good side since the president was inaugurated to his second term last year, Trump is known to hold grudges.

Cassidy voted to convict Trump 'on a single article of impeachment charging him with "incitement of insurrection"' on February 13, 2021, just over a month after the January 6 incident at the US Capitol.

At the time, Cassidy released the following statement after the trial concluded, noting that 'our Constitution and our country is more important than any one person. I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.'

Republican Representative Julia Letlow, who was elected in 2021 to fill the seat of her late husband, is Trump's new candidate of choice December 11, 2025

Senator Bill Cassidy (pictured in September) previously voted to convict Trump 'on a single article of impeachment charging him with "incitement of insurrection"'

Nevertheless, Cassidy was selected to chair the powerful Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) committee after Republicans retook control of the Senate last year, and he has played a key part in enacting Trump's agenda this year in his best efforts to get back into the President's good graces.

Cassidy, a doctor by trade, cast a critical vote during the confirmation process of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the role of Health and Human Services Secretary, and has since done his best to hold Kennedy's feet to the fire in congressional oversight hearings without angering the president.

After Trump's endorsement of Letlow, Cassidy's campaign account posted the following statement on X, sharing his intention to stay in the race: 'I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win.'

Letlow's own response to Trump Saturday night was slightly more cryptic and did not appear to be a firm confirmation of her entry into the race.

US President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside the Capitol building in Washington D.C., United States on January 06, 2021

'I'm honored to have President Trump's endorsement and trust. My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger,' Letlow noted in an X post, adding that 'this United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver.'

Despite Trump winning Louisiana with over 60 percent of the vote in 2024, 58.46 percent in 2020, and 58.09 percent in 2016, Cassidy's voting record has been far from ruby red.

During the Biden administration, Cassidy was one of 15 GOP Senators who caved on the Second Amendment and sided with Democrats to deliver one of, if not the biggest, wins of President Biden's tenure, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Whether Letlow decides to enter the Senate race or not, Trump's decision to usher in a challenger to Cassidy has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into a state Republicans need to win this year to hang onto the Senate majority at a time when Democrats are prepared to play in races across the country with serious challengers.
People have the feeling that everything happens very quickly. But normal things in our everyday lives happen extraordinarily slowly compared to the speed of events in the microscopic world. This is a world beyond the limits of human perception where matter is determined, where combinations of particles make up all the substances in the universe. There are events that occur in attoseconds (as), a trillionth of a second. An attosecond is equivalent to 0.000000000000000000001 second or 1x10-18 of a second and corresponds, approximately, to the time it takes light to pass through an atom and the natural scale of electronic motion in matter. The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) has also achieved a soft X-ray pulse of just 19.2 attoseconds.

The Hungarian Ferenc Krausz, the Frenchwoman Anne LHuillier and Frenchman Pierre Agostini were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2023 for developing extremely brief pulses of light to measure the hitherto immeasurable process of the movement or exchange of energy of electrons. They received it eight months after this research obtained the BBVA Foundations Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Basic Sciences category.

The BBVA Foundation and the Royal Spanish Society of Physics (RSEF) have once again awarded a prize to a researcher in this almost unexplored field whose map, which until this century could only be mapped through theories on paper. The Young Researcher Award in Experimental Physics has gone to Allan Johnson, Ramon y Cajal scientist at IMDEA Nanoscience Institute for his experiments generating ultrafast pulses of light  the compass for discovering a world where what we know begins to take shape, enabling the study of materials, the understanding of the quantum universe, and even the observation of the bodys cells in an unprecedented dimension.

Johnson was born 35 years ago in Ottawa, Canada, where he studied physics and math. After obtaining his doctorate at Imperial College London, he came to Spain on account of his wife, with whom he has two children. In other places, I have the feeling that life means suffering, that the present is worse than the past. In Spain, I feel that there is a brighter future. Its a good country to live in, he says.

He received the award for his work with the so-called overdriven regime, a technology that uses extremely powerful lasers to generate attosecond-long X-ray pulses with which he can measure complex materials. We used a very high-power laser and focused it to reach such a high intensity that, in the hottest focus, it could reach temperatures higher than those on the Suns exterior. You get a superheated plasma that pulls electrons out of atoms and breaks matter, he explains.

The technology of Johnsons team is the key to other research. When we generate plasma with a very powerful laser, it emits an X-ray pulse of one attosecond and it is this emitted pulse that we use for other experiments. The supercharged regime is a way to generate attosecond pulses with X-ray energies in the laboratory. All downstream applications use ultrafast X-rays, but they are not specific to the supercharged regime.

Among the applications is the understanding of the dynamics of electrons, fundamental in the quantum field, which, according to physics, explains nature: The correlations between electrons are very important. In a normal material, such as a piece of aluminum or glass, we imagine that each electron functions independently. Thats not entirely true, although weve built every semiconductor in the world and computers based on this idea. But in quantum materials, the model doesnt work like that and thats why we need to understand how electrons interact.

To exemplify the importance of these investigations, Johnson explains that 10% of electricity generated is lost along the way. Reducing these losses can help a lot with the fight against climate change or with Europes energy independence, he explains.

Supercharged regime technologies are also fundamental in metrology and with practical applications in the construction of microprocessors or, as Johnson explains, to look at cells at a higher resolution than that of any existing optical microscope.

Another field opened up by these attosecond pulses is materials science. But the field is wide: On the nanometer scale, we can take materials and turn them into something magnetic or the other way around. There is some work that suggests that we can actually convert a material that is not a superconductor into a superconductor. We can trap materials in very different states than are achieved in other ways.

The dream, Johnson says, would be to create materials that do not exist in nature with unique properties, on demand. But he recognizes that we are still a long way off. However, he believes that the path is open and that there are already feasible applications in information processing, sensors, space technology and neuromorphic computing, that mimic the human brain.

ICFO record

In the same field, a group of researchers from the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) has set a new record by generating the soft X-ray pulse of only 19.2 attoseconds, considered the shortest to date. This is the fastest flash of light, even faster than the atomic unit of time (24.2 attoseconds), which corresponds to the time it takes for an electron to complete an orbit around the hydrogen atom: the atomic year, reports the ICFO in a note based on the research published in Ultrafast Science.

ICFO researchers Jens Biegert and Fernando Ardana-Lamas. ICFO

This new capability paves the way for advances in physics, chemistry, biology and quantum science, enabling direct observation of processes that drive photovoltaics, catalysis, correlated materials and emerging quantum devices, says ICFO German physicist Jens Biegert.

The institute explains that the key to these findings is understanding how matter behaves and interacts at atomic and subatomic scales: Electrons determine everything: how chemical reactions develop, how materials conduct electricity, how biological molecules transfer energy, and how quantum technologies operate. But the electronic dynamics occur on attosecond timescales, too fast for conventional measurement tools.

Our results demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of attosecond technology and lay the groundwork for its widespread use in fundamental and applied science, the scientists conclude in their study, where they note a similar achievement  though in a different range  published in the journal arXiv.

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Piers Morgan has revealed he has been hospitalised after breaking his hip in a painful fall.

The broadcaster shared the news with fans on Instagram, posting two pictures; one showing him lying in a hospital bed and another displaying an X-ray of his broken hip.

Mr Morgan explained that he fractured the neck of his femur after tripping on a small step inside a London hotel restaurant, with the injury so severe that it required a full hip replacement.

The injury means Morgan is facing up to three months of restricted movement, with doctors advising against long-haul travel for at least 12 weeks as he recovers from surgery.

The TV presenter appeared in good spirits despite the ordeal, even ending his post by jokingly blaming Donald Trump for the mishap.

The fall is said to have taken place inside a London hotel restaurant, with Morgan admitting he 'fell like a sack of spuds' after misjudging a small step.

Piers Morgan has revealed he has been rushed to hospital after breaking his hip in a painful fall

Mr Morgan explained that he fractured the neck of his femur after tripping on a small step inside a London hotel restaurant

Friends and fans flooded the comments section with well-wishes, praising his humour and wishing him a speedy recovery, including from Fred Sirieix who wrote 'jeez speedy recovery'.

Lorraine Kelly added: ' You daft bugger - hope you are OK!'

While Eamonn Holmes said: 'Well, sincere sympathy my friend but I am the expert in this field . if u want advice or a visitor! Lucozade and Grapes?'

Monty Panesar wrote: 'Wishing you a quick recovery so you can celebrate Arsenal's success!'

His post is similar to one he made in 2019 when he had to be hospitalised for gastritis and duodenitis, and blamed 'vegan sausage rolls, Brexit and Donald Trump.'

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach while duodenitis is swelling of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Taking to Twitter back then he said: 'If you really want to know, I was diagnosed with stomach gastritis and duodenitis.

'I blame eating a mouthful of vegan sausage roll, Brexit & Donald Trump.'

Explaining his reasoning behind the tweet, he wrote: 'Monday, 6.40am: I eat one mouthful of vegan sausage roll.

'Friday, 11am: hospitalised for gastroscopy on inflamed, exploding innards.

'I'm doing the maths'
Keir Starmer joined European allies warning of a 'dangerous downward spiral' in Nato today after Donald Trump threatened a trade war over Greenland.

A joint statement from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK said they stood 'firmly behind' the 'principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity'.

The president has shocked the military alliance by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1.

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June.

But in a joint response this afternoon, the European powers said: 'As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.

'We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

'Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.'

Mr Trump's intervention has sparked fresh fears he is intent on ripping apart the Western pact that has maintained world peace for the past eight decades.

MPs also joined the backlash, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the Spring to be cancelled. 'The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate,' senior Tory Simon Hoare said.

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'.

'We believe it is wrong, we believe it is deeply unhelpful,' she told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg of Mr Trump's tariff threat.

But pressed on the issue of the state visit she merely referred to the 'depth' of the Transatlantic relationship.

Donald Trump has shocked NATO allies by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1

Sir Keir has delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump, after expending huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the president

MPs also joined the backlash, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the Spring to be cancelled

Sir Keir said the UK Government would be 'pursuing' America over the threat of tariffs and called Mr Trump's plan 'completely wrong'

Senior Tory Simon Hoare said Mr Trump was behaving like a 'gangster pirate'

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the State Visit should be dropped if the tariffs go ahead

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June

Economists have raised concerns that the UK will be back on 'recession watch' if the US goes ahead with tariffs.

Senior MEPs have warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals, with the spectre of a full-blown global trade war again looming.

Sir Keir delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump last night, having expended huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the president.

The PM said: 'Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

'We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato, and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

'Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.'

Emmanuel Macron also reacted furiously to the news, promising consultation with EU leaders. The French president said: 'No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

'Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and co-ordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We know how to uphold European sovereignty.'

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US president, posting on X: 'We don't always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don't. These tariffs will hurt us.'

The Reform leader had been due to appear on the airwaves this morning but was replaced by Richard Tice after being struck down with a heavy cold.

Mr Tice told the BBC that Mr Trump was worried about China getting a foothold in the Arctic. 'He's correct in that, but the approach in the way you work with your closest allies... is completely wrong,' he said.

He added: 'On this the president has got it wrong.'

Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said he did not believe Mr Trump would follow through on invading Greenland.

'To invade the sovereign territory of a Nato ally would mean the end of Nato... it would dissolve that alliance overnight,' he told the BBC.

However, Mr Hunt acknowledged that it would be 'squeaky bum time' to see whether Europe could hold out.

Tory peer Lord Hannan said: 'This is demented. Outright batsh** crazy. Where are the adults in the room? Why will no one rein him in?'

John Bolton, Mr Trump's former national security adviser, said: 'Donald Trump's extraordinary tariff threat against the UK and other countries for things they have said or done regarding Greenland is without doubt his most dangerous and destructive assertion during the five years of his presidency.

'To say it is without precedent radically understates how foolish and contrary to fundamental American interests it is. Its ramifications for the special relationship and Nato alliance  indeed for the credibility and trust the United States has spent decades trying to establish  is incalculable.'

The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US, after Mr Trump introduced a wave of taxes on countries around the world on his 'Liberation Day' last April.

Mr Trump's announcement is the latest twist in the White House's new foreign policy strategy  dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine' after the earlier Monroe Doctrine  in which it seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and prevent foreign control of vital assets.

The UK has deployed just one military officer, at Denmark's request, to Greenland to join a reconnaissance group ahead of an exercise named Arctic Endurance.

Yesterday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital braved near-freezing temperatures to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US president

The Labour chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs committee, Emily Thornberry, insisted the UK 'will not be intimidated'

Manfred Weber, president of the powerful EPP bloc in the European Parliament, warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals

Join the debate Should the UK and Europe stand up to Trump's Greenland demands even if it risks a trade war with the US?

Mr Trump has insisted the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force. He has claimed it is vital for his planned missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome.

However, critics claim his interest is linked to Greenland's untapped mineral wealth rather than defence. The island possesses at least 25 of the 34 raw materials considered 'critical' by the EU.

A meeting at the White House last Wednesday, led by Vice President JD Vance with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ended in an impasse.

Yesterday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland's capital Nuuk, chanting 'Greenland is not for sale' amid anger over the threats.

Mr Trump is known to be a huge admirer of the Royal Family. Sir Keir wooed him with an unprecedented second state visit to the UK last year, when he was feted with great pomp and ceremony.

The King has been expected to visit the US in April, while a trip by the Prince of Wales has also been pencilled in.
A firm has designed a pair of glasses that will help people with dementia remember names and stay safe.

The glasses, installed with an AI tool called Cross Sense, have been created as a 'gentle anchor' to help those suffering from Alzheimer's in their daily lives.

Developed by Animorph Co-operative, the device not only points out what is in front of users, but also walks them step-by-step through everyday tasks.

From reminding them of medical appointments or where their keys are, the technology could transform the lives of millions living with the condition.

Installed with a microphone and a live display, the glasses can tell users the names of relatives, doctors or carers by recording the identity of their important people.

Wispy, its AI companion, also provides users with emotional support, regular check-ins and helps dementia sufferers keep track of appointments, and even records their daily rhythms.

Meanwhile, three in four people with various stages of dementia who have used the spectacles have experienced meaningful improvement after using them one time.

Rosalind Tranter, a retired dentist with dementia, said the device has prevented her from being a 'burden' on her 30-year-old son, Joshua.

The glasses, installed with an AI tool known as Cross Sense, have been created as a 'gentle anchor' to help those suffering from Alzheimer's in their daily lives

Developed by Animorph Co-operative, the device not only points out what is in front of users, but also walks them step-by-step through everyday tasks

'My mum was a runner,' she told The Times. 'She would get out and couldn't find her way home.'

'What I want is to stay living in my flat and not be a burden to my son. And I think technology like this can help do that. It can help me stay independent. And it is not speaking down to me.'

Szczepan Orlins, who is a software architect at Animorph said the firm hoped to 'defy' the disease, and 'not just mitigate it.'

He added that the project's vision had been helped by recent leaps in AI technology as well as strides in ultralight smart glasses.

And thanks to this combination, an idea which began with virtual reality helmets has now developed into trendy smart glasses reminiscent of high-end fashion firms.

The software is set to go on the market as an app by the end of 2026, which can be installed into the glasses that currently come with a price tag upwards of 700.

Animorph plans to charge 50 a month for the app. However, there is a tiny flaw with the gadget.

When journalists at The Times used the device to make a cup of tea, it advised to smell the milk before adding boiling water and finally, the tea bag.

The glasses are one of five projects which have been shortlisted for the Longitude Prize on Dementia, an initiative seeking to fund tech that will help those with the disease live as independently as possible.

From reminding them of medical appointments or where their keys are, the technology is set to transform the lives of millions

The five projects, shortlisted from countless across the globe, were handed 300,000 each to bring their own visions to life.

Among those shortlisted are SenS2, a British-designed WiFi hub that records people's movement patterns without invasive cameras.

Australian Memory Aid, a headset created to help users stay connected with relatives via video call, is also among the list of nominees

An American project, called Theora 360, designed to detect and foresee falls, has been shortlisted, while Autonomous, a Portuguese app recording home routines to create a safe environment, also made the cut.

The winner of the 1million prize is set to be announced in March of this year.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey did not mince his words in his latest message to the Trump administration.

Appearing on CNN's State of the Union Sunday, Frey told host Jake Tapper that his city is 'under siege' after being 'invaded' by ICE agents during the recent immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security.

'This is ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government,' Frey told Tapper.

Earlier this week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board wrote that Minnesota is 'under siege' and compared the situation in Minneapolis to a 'military occupation,' and Frey agreed with that analysis.

Frey told Tapper that his city is 'under siege, occupied, you know, use whatever word or superlative that you wanna attach, but the bottom line is what is taking place is designed to intimidate.'

Frey also told Tapper that the Trump administration's actions are 'not fair' and 'completely unconstitutional,' while also adding that the residents of his city are standing up in the face of 'adversity' and that he was 'so proud to be from Minneapolis.'

It was reported on Sunday morning that 1,500 troops are 'on standby' for a deployment to Minnesota amid protests in the state, following two shootings in the city involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers since last week.'

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appears on CNN's State of the Union Sunday, where he was interviewed by host Jake Tapper

A anti-ICE protester shouts as he and others like him confronted a Minneapolis police armored vehicle in a corner in downtown Minneapolis after a small group of right wing activists showed up to attend a 'Americans Against Islamification' rally near City Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 17, 2026

Trump's Department of Justice launched an investigation Friday into the Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, as well as Frey, over volatile protests against ICE in the city.

Both Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Frey are under investigation for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement, CBS News reported.

Frey doubled down Sunday on the fact he has still not 'received anything, a subpoena or otherwise,' telling NBC's Meet The Press moderator Kristen Welker that it is his 'responsibility to speak on behalf of Minneapolis residents.'

'It's my responsibility to do everything possible to keep our city safe. And so while I haven't received a subpoena or anything else at this point, this should be deeply concerning, not just for Minneapolis but for anybody out there,' Frey added.

A US official told CBS that Walz and Frey's anti-ICE rhetoric is what spurred the investigation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi posted to social media Friday night: 'A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.'

Walz told The Daily Mail the investigation is part of a pattern of targeting lawmakers who don't comply with Donald Trump.

'Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic,' said Walz, who was forced to drop his re-election bid after facing scrutiny over government fraud involving Somali-run daycare centers.

'The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.'

Sources in Walz's office and a spokesperson for Frey both told The Daily Mail on Friday they had received no notice of an investigation.

Join the debate How should cities respond when federal agents are deployed in their communities without local support?

Confrontations break outside of the Minneapolis City Hall as controversial activist Jake Lang hosts rally calling for deportation of all Muslims in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, January 17 2026

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is seen Friday, January 16, 2026, in Minneapolis

'This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets. I will not be intimidated,' Frey told The Daily Mail Friday.

'My focus will remain where it's always been: keeping our city safe. America depends on leaders that use integrity and the rule of law as the guideposts for governance. Neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid,' he added.

Earlier Friday, Trump posted to Truth Social: 'In Minnesota, the Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists are, in many cases, highly paid professionals. The Governor and Mayor don't know what to do, they have totally lost control, and our currently being rendered, USELESS! If, and when, I am forced to act, it will be solved, QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY!'

The liberal leaders have been heavily critical of federal law enforcement in the wake of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an agent on January 7.

Frey told ICE agents to 'get the f**k out of Minneapolis' as tensions have escalated in the city.

Walz, the Democrat nominee for vice president in 2024, has also taken shots at the president and told ICE to leave.

On Wednesday, Frey slammed ICE officials again for 'creating chaos' in his city after an agent who was 'ambushed' during an arrest shot a suspect in the leg.

The Department of Homeland Security said the suspect was an illegal migrant from Venezuela who ran away on foot Wednesday night before joining two others to attack the agent with a 'broomstick or shovel.'

The suspect was shot in the leg and remains in a stable condition in hospital. Two accomplices were also in police custody, and the agent involved was also taken to hospital after he was violently set upon by the trio.

Law enforcement officers wearing masks were using tear gas and flash bangs on protesters at the scene, just 4.5 miles north of where Good was shot, in an effort to control the crowds.

Frey urged protesters who had arrived at the scene to 'go home', warning they were making matters worse and 'taking the bait.'

'For anyone who is taking the bait tonight: stop,' he said at a late-night press conference to address the second ICE shooting to rock his city in a week.

'It is not helpful. Go home. We cannot counter Donald Trump's chaos with our own chaos.

'You are not helping the undocumented immigrants in our city, you are not helping the people who call this place home.'

The Trump administration has sent nearly 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota.
Distressing footage captured the sickening moment a Texas man savagely beat up a three-year-old boy while he cried out in terror.

Paul Thames, 29, was seen on Ring doorbell footage repeatedly punching the young child in the torso with a closed fist at The Legend Apartments complex in Waco on Friday, around 5.30pm.

After striking the boy at least five times, Thames was then seen picking him up with one arm while telling the child: 'Stop playing with me!'

He then put his hand over the child's face before asking him: 'You gonna stop playing with me?' The child continued to shriek after Thames walked out of the frame with the boy.

The recording quickly went viral online, prompting an investigation by the Waco Police Department into the alleged assault.

The boy was taken to the hospital and evaluated by medical staff before being released later that day, authorities said.

Thames was arrested on Friday after turning himself in, the agency said. The relationship between him and the boy is unclear, but police said they 'know each other.'

He's been charged with injury to a child and booked into McLennan County Jail on a $200,000 bond, KWTX reported.

Doorbell footage captured the moment Paul Thames repeatedly hit a three-year-old boy at an apartment complex in Waco, Texas, on Friday evening

At one point, Thames was seen picking the boy up with one arm before placing his hand over his face

The Daily Mail contacted the Waco Police Department for comment.

Thames' arrest comes just months after an Alabama teacher was seen whipping her own child more than 20 times with a belt.

Nicole Staples, 44, was arrested in November and charged with willful child abuse of a child under the age of 18 after footage resurfaced online of her abusing her 12-year-old son.

Staples, a once-celebrated educator at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, was allegedly seen violently beating her younger son over unfinished chores after her eldest son shared the clip online.

'I didn't feel like, you know, she should be working at the school or even doing that to my little brothers,' her son Jackson Staples previously told Fox 10 News.

'You know, she done it to me my whole life, so I'm 24,' he added.

In the video, which appears to have been filmed inside the family home, a woman believed to be Staples was seen aggressively screaming profanities at the distraught child, who leans over the arm of the couch in tears.

Moments later, the woman raised a folded belt and repeatedly hit the boy on the rear, leaving him clinging to the couch and crying from the blows.

Thames was arrested on Friday after turning himself in. The relationship between him and the boy is unclear, but police said they 'know each other'

She then manhandled him by his hair, slamming him to the floor before hoisting him up again and shoving him against the wall, all while continuing to yell at him.

After posting a $7,500 bond, Staples was released from jail and seen quickly bolting away in a gold cart, according to the outlet.

According to court documents obtained by WKRG News, Staples pleaded not guilty and requested a preliminary hearing in Mobile County District Court.

While the alleged incident took place off campus, the school where Staples worked swiftly responded, announcing in a statement that she had been fired from her teaching position, where she was previously crowned Teacher of the Year.

'Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the well-being of children above all else,' Head of School Chris Brazell told WKRG.

'We will always act promptly, transparently and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community,' he added.
The father of a teenager who took her own life after being bombarded with harmful social media content has warned Sir Keir Starmer against banning under-16s from the platforms.

Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died aged just 14, spoke out as charities warned a ban could drive vulnerable youngsters towards unregulated internet spaces like gaming platforms  or darker sites such as suicide forums.

Mr Russell, whose daughter died in 2017, warned against an 'ambition-led, politically-led, panic-led' drive towards 'hasty, non-evidence based decisions'.

He called for better enforcement of existing laws rather 'sledgehammer techniques like bans'.

Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said 'all options are on the table' regarding the possibility of a ban, following Australia's move last month.

Banning under-16s from social media is backed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch  who would also ban smartphones in schools - and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Streeting's potential Labour leadership rival Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, has also agreed with 'a lot of what Kemi Badenoch is saying' about social media use.

This coming week, members of the House of Lords are likely to vote on a ban as part of an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, tabled by former Tory education minister Lord Nash.

Ian Russell has attacked the proposals for a social media ban as 'ambition-led, panic-led'

It is jointly-sponsored by Lib Dem peer and former children's television presenter Baroness Benjamin, Labour peer Baroness Berger and independent peer Baroness Cass, a paediatrician.

But Mr Russell, who chairs suicide prevention charity, the Molly Rose Foundation, said: 'We seem to now be choosing this moment to rush into making hasty, non-evidence based decisions. And to me, it's ambition-led, politically-led, panic-led.

'The notes that Molly left help us have a glimpse into the way she was thinking, gain a little understanding into the thoughts that she had that led to her death.

'She said: 'This is all my fault. I should have told someone'. How do you tell the people that you love that you want to end your life?

'If Molly had found that courage and told us, she may well still be here now.

'Bans make that courage-finding and that connection between the generations even harder'.

According to early research on Australia's new restrictions, one in 10 teens seeking mental health support were said to have cited the social media ban as a factor.

Mr Russell said pressure from the government and regulator Ofcom can force tech giants into action, citing Elon Musk's climbdown over his AI chatbot Grok making sexualised deepfake images. Ofcom has launched an investigation under the Online Safety Act.

Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after being bombarded with harmful online material

The campaigning father said while internet companies are putting 'profit over safety', a ban would have 'unintended consequences', causing 'more problems'.

In their statement, more than 40 charities including the Molly Rose Foundation and NSPCC, experts and bereaved parents said: 'Though well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing.'

The groups fear a ban could drive children to riskier sites, create a 'cliff edge' at 16 where youngsters would suddenly face online pressures without any prior experience, and deprive lonely teens of a place to socialise.

The signatories, also including child mental health practitioners, called for 'broader and more targeted' action, with existing law 'robustly enforced' to ensure social media sites, personalised games and AI chatbots were not accessible to under-13s.

All social media platforms should allow users to block features considered risky for children, the letter added.

An inquest into Molly's death, held in 2022, found social media content contributed 'more than minimally' to the tragedy.

Anna Edmundson, NSPCC head of policy said social media, told BBC Breakfast on Sunday social media could be 'vital' for children.

She said: 'It's also really important for peer support and access to trusted sources of advice and help'.

Kemi Badenoch supports a ban on smartphones in schools as well as blocking under-16s from using social media

Wes Streeting is concerned about how social media affects children's mental health

Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he is considering a ban, after Australia brought one in last month

Appearing on Sunday with Laura Keunssberg, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged the UK is 'not doing enough' to keep young people safe.

She said: 'There are strong arguments for banning under-16s from social media but there are also real concerns raised by the NSPCC and others about whether it pushes children to darker, less regulated places on the internet.'

She added: 'Not enough enforcement action is taking place (under existing laws)'.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he believes the UK should delay a ban under the Australian measures are reviewed.

For confidential support, call The Samaritans on 116123.
Two 16-year-old boys have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed at a city centre German Doner Kebab shop.

A 19-year-old man was stabbed at German Doner Kebab in Granby Street, Leicester, on Thursday at around 1pm.

The area was cordoned off by Leicestershire Police in the aftermath, while three teenage boys were arrested, two of which have now been charged.

The boys, who cannot be named due to their ages, have also been charged with possessing offensive weapons, and they are due at Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

The third boy, also 16, who was arrested in connection with the incident remains in custody.

The police said in a statement this afternoon: 'Officers investigating a stabbing in Leicester's Granby Street have made a total of three arrests.

'Two boys, both aged 16, who were arrested on Friday and yesterday, have both been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

A 19-year-old man was stabbed at German Doner Kebab in Granby Street, Leicester, on Thursday

Two 16-year-old boys have been charged with attempted murder after the incident

'A third 16-year-old boy has also been arrested today in connection with the incident. He currently remains in police custody.'

The 19-year-old victim was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service, where he is in a stable condition and is continuing to receive treatment, police said.

They added: 'We are continuing to appeal for anyone who can help police with their ongoing inquiries to get in touch. This includes anyone who is able to provide mobile phone, CCTV or dashcam footage.'

You can pass on information on the Leicestershire Police website, quoting incident crime reference 26*27799. Alternatively, call 101.

On Friday, Simon Wallis, chief executive of German Doner Kebab (GDK), said: 'We are aware of an incident that took place yesterday in Leicester city centre. Our thoughts are with those affected.

'GDK Leicester temporarily closed while we cooperated fully with the ongoing police investigation and have now been advised that the restaurant can reopen this evening.

'The safety of our team and customers remains our top priority, and we continue to support the authorities in any way we can.'
The Prime Minister today faced mounting pressure from his own MPs to back a ban on under-16s accessing social media  despite opposition from the father of a teenager who took her own life.

A total of 61 backbench Labour MPs, led by Fred Thomas, have signed a letter, sent to Sir Keir Starmer, highlighting the 'clear' harm caused by 'harmful, addictive' content on the platforms.

Last week, the PM said 'all options are on the table', regarding a possible ban  which was brought in by Australia last month.

The MPs, mostly members of the 2024 intake but also longer-serving politicians including Graham Stringer and Richard Burgon, highlighted how 'Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece are expected to follow suit' and 'Britain risks being left behind'.

It comes after Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died aged just 14, spoke out alongside 40 charities, campaigners and doctors, against a ban.

They warned restrictions could drive vulnerable youngsters towards unregulated internet spaces like gaming platforms  or darker sites such as suicide forums.

Mr Russell, whose daughter died in 2017, warned against an 'ambition-led, politically-led, panic-led' drive towards 'hasty, non-evidence based decisions'.

He called for better enforcement of existing laws rather 'sledgehammer techniques like bans'.

MP Fred Thomas published a letter signed by 61 Labour backbenchers in support of banning under-16s from social media

The MPs' letter, published by Mr Thomas yesterday afternoon, with list of signatories (right)

But, publishing a copy of the letter on X yesterday, Mr Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: 'We all know the harm social media causes to young people's mental health.

'The Labour Government has acted in recent months. Today, 61 Labour MPs have written to the PM urging him to go further. We back an Australia-style model with the onus on tech firms to block under 16s access.'

The MPs point to research showing over 500 children a day are now being referred for anxiety treatment in England alone, with going from zero to just five hours' daily access to social media doubling boys' rates of depression and trebling those of girls.

They added: 'The average 12-year-old now spends 29 hours a week on a smartphone, much of it on social media platforms rife with harmful content'.

Banning under-16s from social media is backed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch  who would also ban smartphones in schools - and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Streeting's potential Labour leadership rival Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, has also agreed with 'a lot of what Kemi Badenoch is saying' about social media use.

This coming week, members of the House of Lords are likely to vote on a ban as part of an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, tabled by former Tory education minister Lord Nash.

It is jointly-sponsored by Lib Dem peer and former children's television presenter Baroness Benjamin, Labour peer Baroness Berger and independent peer Baroness Cass, a paediatrician.

Molly Russell's father Ian fears a ban would have 'unintended consequences' and instead urges better regulation of social media platforms instead

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from within his own party for action to tackle concerns regarding the impact of social media on under-16s

But Mr Russell, who chairs suicide prevention charity, the Molly Rose Foundation, said: 'We seem to now be choosing this moment to rush into making hasty, non-evidence based decisions. And to me, it's ambition-led, politically-led, panic-led.'

Mr Russell said pressure from the government and regulator Ofcom can force tech giants into action, citing Elon Musk's climbdown over his AI chatbot Grok making sexualised deepfake images. Ofcom has launched an investigation under the Online Safety Act.

The campaigning father said while internet companies are putting 'profit over safety', a ban would have 'unintended consequences', causing 'more problems'.

In their statement, more than 40 charities including the Molly Rose Foundation and NSPCC, experts and bereaved parents said: 'Though well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing.'

The groups fear a ban could drive children to riskier sites, create a 'cliff edge' at 16 where youngsters would suddenly face online pressures without any prior experience, and deprive lonely teens of a place to socialise.

The signatories, also including child mental health practitioners, called for 'broader and more targeted' action, with existing law 'robustly enforced' to ensure social media sites, personalised games and AI chatbots were not accessible to under-13s.

An inquest into Molly's death, held in 2022, found social media content contributed 'more than minimally' to the tragedy.

Anna Edmundson, NSPCC head of policy said social media, told BBC Breakfast on Sunday social media could be 'vital' for children.

She said: 'It's also really important for peer support and access to trusted sources of advice and help'.

Appearing on Sunday with Laura Keunssberg, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'There are strong arguments for banning under-16s from social media but there are also real concerns raised by the NSPCC and others about whether it pushes children to darker, less regulated places on the internet.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he believes the UK should delay a ban under the Australian measures are reviewed.

For confidential support, contact the Samaritans on 116123.
A Texas father is accused of gunning down an Amazon delivery driver, mistaking him for his daughter's boyfriend.

Jonathan Ross Mata, 39, is accused of murder after fatally shooting Desmond Butler, 25, at around 1am on Christmas day, per the Houston Police Department.

The department released shocking surveillance footage that captured the moments leading up to and during the shooting.

Butler was driving his gray Honda Pilot through a gas station in Bellaire when he passed Mata's black GMC Acadia at the pumps.

As Butler drove past, Mata's wife got out of the SUV, chased his Honda, and tried to open the car door.

She believed her daughter was inside, and at the same time, Mata got out and fired shots at Butler's car, the police said.

Butler then tried to drive away but crashed into a pole. The husband and wife left the scene, according to the department.

Desmond Butler, 25, was gunned down after a Texas father allegedly thought he was his daughter's boyfriend

Mata's wife got out of the SUV, chased his Honda, and tried to open the car door, per the police

Butler's gray Honda driving out of the gas station after shots were fired

Houston Fire Department paramedics rushed Butler to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to investigators, Mata and his wife went to the gas station after receiving a call from their daughter saying she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, believing she had been dropped off there.

There was a woman in Butler's passenger seat, and the couple initially believed it was their daughter, according to the HPD.

Police said that, upon further investigation, the victim and the shooter did not know each other.

Court documents showed that Butler's female passenger testified and said Mata drove up to the Honda after he crashed into the pole, KHOU 11 reported.

Mata allegedly opened the vehicle's door, looked inside, said he was searching for his 'kidnapped' daughter, apologized, and said he would call the police, according to the outlet.

The shooter confessed that he fired two shots to stop the Honda but didn't realize he had struck Butler, according to court documents obtained by KHOU 11.

Butler in his high school graduation portrait, he had just moved from their home in Georgia to Houston in 2023 to work for Amazon, becoming a manager

Butler and his family, they are devastated over his tragic death

Surveillance footage of the shooting unfolding, allegedly Mata's wife exiting the car, per the police

More surveillance footage of the shooting incident, upon further investigation, the victim and the shooter did not know each other

Mata added that he didn't call 911 because he was 'scared,' per the outlet.

Butler's family spoke out about his death, saying they are 'devasted' and that he was a 'light of joy.'

The 25-year-old had moved from their home in Georgia to Houston in 2023 to work for Amazon, becoming a manager.

'We're keeping each other tight and close and keeping his memories alive,' his sister Destiny told the outlet.

Mata turned himself in on Wednesday and was booked into the Harris County Jail. He has been released on $50,000 bond, per the outlet.
At least 18 people have been killed and 50,000 evacuated as rampant wildfires burn through Chile, officials say.

Fourteen blazes have ripped across 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) for two days in the Nuble and Biobio regions - about 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Chile's capital, Santiago.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency as nearly 4,000 firefighters battled the flames being whipped up by gusting winds and hot weather.

However, the Government's response has been criticised by local officials as people die and their homes burn.

Matias Cid, a 25-year-old student who lives in Penco, described fast-moving flames burning through the night and devouring homes.

He said: 'We had to leave with the shirts on our backs. If we had stayed another 20 minutes, we would have burned to death.'

The armed forces will now be involved following the declaration of a state of emergency in the Nuble and Biobio regions, which President Boric made on the social media platform X.

He added: 'All resources are available.'

Nearly 4,000 firefighters, pictured today, have been battling the flames as the engulf southern Chile

Fourteen wildfires have been reported to have torn through 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres). Here in Concepcion (pictured) 253 homes are said to have been destroyed

Most of those evactuated were from Penco (pictured) and Lirquen, which hace a combined population of 60,000 people

Despite this, local officials reported that for hours on Sunday, destruction was everywhere and help from the federal government was nowhere.

Rodrigo Vera, the mayor of the small coastal town of Penco in the Biobio region, said: 'Dear President Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no (government) presence.

'How can a minister do nothing but call me to tell me that the military is going to arrive at some point?'

All but one of the fatalities so far were in Penco, Mr Vera added, where the flames surprised residents in the town, appearing after midnight and trapping people in their homes.

John Guzman, 55, surveying the scene in Penco, where smoke blanketed the sky in an orange haze, said: 'Many people didn't evacuate. They stayed in their houses because they thought the fire would stop at the edge of the forest.

'It was completely out of control. No one expected it.'

Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde added: 'We face a complicated situation.'

Most of the evacuations were in the Biobio towns of Penco and Lirquen, which have a combined population of around 60,000 people, the director of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response Alicia Cebrian said.

Juan Lagos, 52, who lives in Penco, said: 'We fled running, with the kids, in the dark.'

Eighteen people have been killed while 50,000 have been evacuated. Residents mourn the loss in Concepcion (pictured)

Charred bodies were found across fields, homes, along roads and in cars

The fires caught those in Penco unaware, engulfing the town after midnight, trapping people in their homes

Mayor of Penco Rodrigo Vera has criticised the Government response despite President Gabriel Boric declaring a state of emergency in the region

Chilean Carabineros, the national gendarmerie, were seen putting bodies into bags

Wildfires commonly effect Chile, with 138 people being killed in fires in February 2024 (pictured: today)

Concepcion has been devastated by the fires with 253 homes being destroyed. It is not yet known how many have been burned nationally

The fire engulfed most of the city, burning cars, a school and a church. Charred bodies were found across fields, homes, along roads and in cars.

Residents of Lirquen, a small port town, had to save themselves by rushing to the beach after the inferno engulfed the settlement, resident Alejandro Arredondo, 57, said.

'There is nothing left standing,' he said as he looked over the smouldering landscape of metal and wood left where homes once stood.

The weather has not helped firefighting efforts with more high temperatures and strong winds predicted in the coming days, said Esteban Krause, the head of a forest preservation agency in Biobio. Today, there were reports of 38C (100F) in the region.

The total number of homes burned nationwide remained unclear, but one municipality, Concepcion in Biobio, reported 253 homes destroyed.

Victor Burboa, 54, said: 'From what we can see, there are people who died... and we knew them well.

'Everyone here knew them.'

Wildfires have severely impacted south-central Chile in recent years.

More than 130 people died in several fires that broke out simultaneously near the city of Vina del Mar, northwest of Santiago in February 2024, according to the public prosecutor's office.

About 16,000 people were affected by those fires, authorities said.
Sir Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump that 'applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong' in a telephone call this afternoon, Downing Street has said.

It comes after the US President said he would charge the UK a 10% tariff 'on any and all goods' sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Mr Trump said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.

Sir Keir held a flurry of calls on Sunday afternoon, including with the US President, No10 said.

Starmer also spoke to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Chief Mark Rutte.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland.

'He said that security in the High North is a priority for all Nato allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.

'He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong.'

Donald Trump has shocked NATO allies by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1

Sir Keir Starmer reportedly told Donald Trump that 'applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong' in a telephone call this afternoon, Downing Street has said

People attend a protest on January 17, 2026 in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland against President Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the United States

The Prime Minister joined European allies warning of a 'dangerous downward spiral' in Nato today after the US President threatened a trade war over Greenland.

A joint statement from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK said they stood 'firmly behind' the 'principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity'.

The President has shocked the military alliance by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1.

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June.

Mr Trump also appeared to take issue with a Danish-led military exercise conducted with allies in Greenland this week, saying the countries had 'journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown'.

The UK sent a single military officer for the Arctic endurance exercise.

In a joint response this afternoon, the European powers stressed that the exercise was preplanned - and reiterated their solidarity to Denmark and Greenland.

They said: 'As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.

'We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

'Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.'

Meanwhile Danish PM Mette Frederiksen described Mr Trump's threats over Greenland threats as 'fundamentally unacceptable', Danish newspaper Berlinske reported.

'It is fundamentally unacceptable to threaten a good ally like Denmark,' she told national broadcaster TV 2.

'It is serious, and I think the threats are unacceptable.'

Mr Trump's intervention has sparked fresh fears he is intent on ripping apart the Western pact that has maintained world peace for the past eight decades.

Danish soldiers in uniform disembark at the harbor in Nuuk, Greenland on January 18, 2026

The Danish Defense, the unified armed forces of the Kingdom of Denmark, is strengthening its military presence in Greenland and is set to expand joint exercises with NATO allies as part of a broader effort to increase alliance responsibility for security in the Arctic and North Atlantic

Sir Keir has delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump, after expending huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the President

A man attending an NBA game at London's O2 Arena yelled 'leave Greenland alone!' as actress Vanessa Williams sang the American national anthem before the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic tipped off on Sunday.

The remark drew a round of applause from the crowd as President Trump continues his saber rattling over the island.

British MPs also joined the backlash, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the Spring to be cancelled. 'The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate,' senior Tory Simon Hoare said.

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'.

'We believe it is wrong, we believe it is deeply unhelpful,' she told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg of Mr Trump's tariff threat.

But pressed on the issue of the state visit she merely referred to the 'depth' of the Transatlantic relationship.

Economists have raised concerns that the UK will be back on 'recession watch' if the US goes ahead with tariffs.

Senior MEPs have warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals, with the spectre of a full-blown global trade war again looming.

Sir Keir delivered some of his strongest criticism of Mr Trump last night, having expended huge effort trying to maintain warm ties with the President.

The PM said: 'Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

A hackler shouted 'Leave Greenland alone!' as Vanessa Williams (pictured) sang the US national anthem ahead of the NBA London Game 2026 at the O2 arena in London on Sunday

MPs also joined the backlash against Mr Trump's Greenland plans, with calls for the mooted trip by King Charles to Washington in the spring to be cancelled

Sir Keir said the UK Government would be 'pursuing' America over the threat of tariffs and called Mr Trump's plan 'completely wrong'

Senior Tory Simon Hoare said Mr Trump was behaving like a 'gangster pirate'

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the State Visit should be dropped if the tariffs go ahead

In a bombshell post on his social media site, Mr Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent - and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June

'We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato, and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

'Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.'

Emmanuel Macron also reacted furiously to the news, promising consultation with EU leaders. The French President said: 'No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

'Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and co-ordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We know how to uphold European sovereignty.'

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US President, posting on X: 'We don't always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don't. These tariffs will hurt us.'

The Reform leader had been due to appear on the airwaves this morning but was replaced by Richard Tice after being struck down with a heavy cold.

Mr Tice told the BBC that Mr Trump was worried about China getting a foothold in the Arctic. 'He's correct in that, but the approach in the way you work with your closest allies... is completely wrong,' he said.

He added: 'On this the President has got it wrong.'

Yesterday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital braved near-freezing temperatures to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance

Running the gauntlet of broadcast studios for the government this morning, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed that support for Greenland's sovereignty was 'non-negotiable'

Earlier this month former Trump press secretary Katie Miller, who is married to White House deputy chief of staff for policy Steven Miller, posted a map of Greenland covered by the American flag on social media

Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said he did not believe Mr Trump would follow through on invading Greenland.

'To invade the sovereign territory of a Nato ally would mean the end of Nato... it would dissolve that alliance overnight,' he told the BBC.

However, Mr Hunt acknowledged that it would be 'squeaky bum time' to see whether Europe could hold out.

Tory peer Lord Hannan said: 'This is demented. Outright batsh** crazy. Where are the adults in the room? Why will no one rein him in?'

John Bolton, Mr Trump's former national security adviser, said: 'Donald Trump's extraordinary tariff threat against the UK and other countries for things they have said or done regarding Greenland is without doubt his most dangerous and destructive assertion during the five years of his presidency.

'To say it is without precedent radically understates how foolish and contrary to fundamental American interests it is. Its ramifications for the special relationship and Nato alliance  indeed for the credibility and trust the United States has spent decades trying to establish  is incalculable.'

The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US, after Mr Trump introduced a wave of taxes on countries around the world on his 'Liberation Day' last April.

Mr Trump's announcement is the latest twist in the White House's new foreign policy strategy  dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine' after the earlier Monroe Doctrine  in which it seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and prevent foreign control of vital assets.

The UK has deployed just one military officer, at Denmark's request, to Greenland to join a reconnaissance group ahead of an exercise named Arctic Endurance.

Nigel Farage gave a more limited rebuke to the US President

The Labour chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs committee, Emily Thornberry, insisted the UK 'will not be intimidated'

Manfred Weber, President of the powerful EPP bloc in the European Parliament, warned that the EU-US trade deal will be frozen in reprisals

Join the debate Should the UK and Europe stand up to Trump's Greenland demands even if it risks a trade war with the US?

Mr Trump has insisted the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force. He has claimed it is vital for his planned missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome.

However, critics claim his interest is linked to Greenland's untapped mineral wealth rather than defence. The island possesses at least 25 of the 34 raw materials considered 'critical' by the EU.

A meeting at the White House last Wednesday, led by Vice President JD Vance with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ended in an impasse.

Yesterday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland's capital Nuuk, chanting 'Greenland is not for sale' amid anger over the threats.

Mr Trump is known to be a huge admirer of the Royal Family. Sir Keir wooed him with an unprecedented second state visit to the UK last year, when he was feted with great pomp and ceremony.

The King has been expected to visit the US in April, while a trip by the Prince of Wales has also been pencilled in.
Against the iron facade of the secretive SNP state stands one man, who is doing more than anyone else in public life to hold the Scottish Government to account. He is the one man ministers truly fear.

He is not the leader of an opposition party and you cant vote for him in May. Hes not even a politician. He is the Scottish Information Commissioner, and his name is David Hamilton.

His office is not terribly powerful and the work involved is mostly dry, technical and legalistic.

Its his job to enforce freedom of information laws and make sure public bodies  from local councils to the Scottish Government  are in compliance.

What sets him apart is his doggedness. Since his appointment in 2023, Hamilton has established a reputation for independence, one he is burnishing again by threatening to take the Scottish Government to court.

The row stems from a freedom of information request submitted to the Scottish Government in 2021 by Benjamin Harrop, a member of the public.

He asked civil servants to provide documents relating to the ministerial code inquiry into the Alex Salmond affair and the Scottish Governments role in sexual misconduct allegations levelled at the former First Minister.

Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton

Alex Salmond speaking outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January 2019

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Two probes  one conducted by the Scottish parliament and the other by former Irish prosecutor James Hamilton  were launched after an internal government investigation into the Salmond allegations was ruled unlawful, procedurally unfair, and tainted with apparent bias.

In separate criminal proceedings, Salmond was prosecuted on 13 counts of sexual assault and cleared by a jury on all 13.

While the Holyrood inquiry concluded former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had misled MSPs, James Hamiltons review determined she had no case to answer. When Mr Harrop lodged a freedom of information request to see the evidence from the latter inquiry, the government declined on the grounds that, since the Irish barrister was independent of ministers, they did not hold the material requested for the purposes of the Act.

Mr Harrop took the matter to the Information Commissioner and, in November, David Hamilton ordered ministers to hand over some of the evidence submitted to James Hamilton (no relation).

The government has said it will comply but has yet to do so.

Its concern stems from the risk that the documents in question could make it easier to identify the complainers against Salmond.

Everything must be done to safeguard the anonymity of these women, but anonymity cannot be used as a pretext for disregarding freedom of information laws and keeping secret documents the public has a right to see.

That is why Hamilton has warned ministers they have until Thursday to hand over the papers or he will go to the Court of Session. They can drag their heels with the Information Commissioner, but the court has the power to hold them in contempt.

At long last, some accountability.

Hamilton rebuked ministers for a habit of last-minute communication, such as their 11th-hour admission they would not meet an earlier deadline.

This practice, he said, reflects poorly on the ministers and disrespects the applicant and wider Scottish public on a matter of significant public interest.

We have been waiting a long time to hear talk like this. It tells us there are still public servants prepared to do their jobs, whatever brickbats might come their way.

Accountability should not be a cause for celebration, it should be standard. There should be nothing remarkable about how David Hamilton goes about his duties. Yet, under the SNP, affairs of state have become so enshrouded in secrecy, and the leadership of the public and third sector so eager to keep in ministers good books, scrutiny has fallen by the wayside.

This is about more than the handling of one freedom of information request. It is about how the government conducts itself and what obligation to openness and transparency it considers itself to have.

SNP politicians are never done lecturing us on democracy when it comes to independence referendums, but democracy is more than scribbling on a ballot every few years. Representative government is impossible when the government denies those it represents their right to know what the powerful are doing in their names with their taxes.

Incidentally, ideological affinities are wholly irrelevant here. It shouldnt matter what your personal politics are. You could be the most full-throated supporter of Scottish independence, and still you ought to be suspicious when your government gets out the black redacting marker.

Of course there are limits to what can be disclosed and where those limits are imposed. But the culture of cover- up which permeates the Scottish Government goes far beyond reasonable exceptions and legal exemptions.

It represents a collective attitude of aloofness, if not downright contempt, for ordinary Scots. We will only be allowed to know what they think we need to know, and nothing more.

That culture was equally on display when Sturgeon and First Minister John Swinney deleted their Covid-era phone messages; when former minister Michael Matheson dragged his heels on explaining how he had run up a vast data bill on his parliamentary iPad; when Justice Secretary Angela Constance misrepresented the views of an expert but had to be browbeaten into correcting the record.

Those of a certain vintage might recall an earlier SNP which was enthusiastic about giving the public access to the documents ministers and others rely on when making decisions.

Thats always the way of it. In opposition, the SNP regularly availed themselves of freedom of information legislation. They demanded transparency from the Labour-led Scottish Executive and used freedom of information requests to expose ministers missteps or misstatements.

But in government the Nationalists have proved to be allergic to transparency. It is as though they are so convinced of their own saintliness they do not need the kind of oversight other governments require. If anything, they require much, much more.

Government by whispers, chat groups, unminuted meetings and heavily redacted documents is a poor excuse for democracy. Is it any wonder nothing seems to work in Scotland when decision-makers need not fear being held to account for the decisions they take and the outcomes they unleash?

Have ministers asked themselves why Reform is polling so well or wondered if it is a symptom of a wider public malaise about ministerial candour and their answerability to the electors?

Justice Secretary Angela Constance

It is dispiriting but that is how it feels to be an ordinary voter in Scotland. We dont have a government in this country so much as a keep out sign with a parliament attached.

In this atmosphere of distrust and disdain it is inevitable the public will have more and more doubts about the official line presented by the government and public bodies. Some will try to get to the truth themselves by filing a freedom of information request, only to be rebuffed as has happened in this case. Their cynicism will only grow as a result.

David Hamiltons dogged efforts on behalf of our right to know are commendable but Holyroods secrecy culture can only be defeated if there are more David Hamiltons.

We are not all in it together. There is the government and then theres the rest of us. It is in our interests to know what they are up to and in theirs to prevent that from happening.

Scrutiny is not bias, or a vendetta, or any other such nonsense  it is the lifeblood of democracy.
Authorities have revealed that heavy rainfall may have been a contributing factor in a horrific shark attack that left a young boy fighting for life.

The 12-year-old boy was swimming with five friends at the western end of Nielsen Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs at 4.20pm on Sunday.

The park includes Shark Beach, where swimmers can access both netted and open swimming areas in Sydney Harbour.

It's understood the boy was jumping off a six-metre-high rock ledge known as 'jump rock' - where there are no nets - when he was attacked by a bull shark.

He suffered severe leg injuries, and remains in intensive care on Monday morning.

NSW Police said heavy rainfall over the weekend, along with splashing caused by jumping, may have created the 'perfect storm environment' for the attack to occur.

'The water yesterday was extremely brackish due to the heavy rain Sydney has experienced over the weekend,' Marine Area Commander Superintendent Joe McNulty said.

'They were jumping into muddy water, and we believe a shark was in the vicinity.'

The young boy remains in a critical condition after both his legs were mauled in the attack

Superintendent McNulty revealed how the 12-year-old boy's friends helped save him.

'One of the boy's mates jumped in to pull him from the water to the rock platform, which also helped save his life,' he said.

'CPR was performed on the rock shelf and again on the boat. Combined with the tourniquets, we believe this prevented catastrophic blood loss.

'He's in for the fight of his life.

'He's undergone operations throughout the night at the Children's Hospital at Randwick. He's now in critical condition and with his parents.'

Superintendent McNulty said the boy's friends were 'extremely brave' and that police were on scene within five minutes after receiving triple-zero calls from horrified onlookers.

'The police boat behind me, a new addition to our fleet, was able to manoeuvre directly up to the rock platform,' he said.

'Senior Constable John Morris jumped off the vessel carrying two tourniquets, which were immediately applied to severe leg injuries.

Bull sharks are common in Sydney Harbour - the last known attack in the area was in 2024

Paramedics treated the boy for more than a hour before he was taken to hospital

'From what we believe, a large shark bit both of the boy's legs. The double tourniquets were applied on the rock shelf, assisted by Eastern Suburbs police, and they stemmed the bleeding, giving the boy a fighting chance.

'He was immediately evacuated onto the bow of the police boat. We couldn't wait for an ambulance due to how critical his condition was. The boat travelled at high speed across the bay to Rose Bay, where NSW Ambulance was waiting.'

Superintendent McNulty added: 'He was taken straight from the bow of the vessel into paramedics' care. That immediate, coordinated response made a significant difference.'

The boy was transported by road ambulance to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick at about 6pm.

While paramedics worked to save the boy's life, detectives arrived at the scene and cordoned off the rock ledge where the children had been jumping.

Water police then began a search for the shark involved in the attack and advised other swimmers not to enter the water.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said authorities are working to determine the species of shark involved in the attack.

Superintendent Joe McNulty said the 'combination of the brackish water, the fresh water, the actions of the splashing, may have made that perfect storm environment' for the shark attack

Police officers could be seen consoling distressed children near the entrance to the beach

Police then searched for the shark involved in the attack, which is believed to be a bull shark

The attack is believed to be the fourth in Sydney Harbour in over 50 years.

Lauren O'Neill was bitten on the leg while swimming at Elizabeth Bay in early 2024 - a few kilometres west of Nielsen Park.

Ms O'Neill had jumped off a jetty when she was attacked and was forced to undergo surgery to save her leg.

In 2009, navy clearance diver Paul de Gelder suffered catastrophic injuries when he was attacked by a bull shark during a counter-terrorism exercise in Sydney Harbour and lost a hand and part of one of his legs.

In 1963, actress Marcia Hathaway was killed by a bull shark as she swam in the shallows of Sugarloaf Bay near Castle Cove.
It would be a Valentines date fit for royalty.

Loving couples are being offered the chance to dine in regal splendour after King Charles and Queen Camilla decided to open the doors of Balmoral Castle for the romantic special occasion next month.

The Aberdeenshire castles restaurant is hosting intimate and elegant meals on February 13 and 14 , including a complimentary glass of bubbly upon arrival for guests.

For 45 a head, visitors can enjoy delicious Scottish produce including Highland beef sourced from cattle reared by local a farmer.

Other offerings on the menu include vegetable Wellington, hand-cut chips and strawberry cheesecake made by chefs at the royal estate.

Bookings for the exclusive dinners will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are expected to sell out quickly. Only 64 spaces will be available, with each night limited to 32 guest couples.

In a statement Balmoral Castle and Estate said: Celebrate Valentines with an intimate dining experience at Balmoral.

Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner for two at Balmoral - for just 90

Beef will be on the menu for the lucky diners...

...along with onion rings

Strawberry cheesecake will be an indulgent treat for the loved-up couples

Our Valentines dinner is now live and available to book, offering an elegant evening in a truly special setting.

The menu for the evening will be prepared using fresh produce from the Estate and locally sourced ingredients, including Highland beef from Balmorals own cattle, reared close to the Estate by Grace Noble and renowned for its exceptional quality.

Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne before enjoying a thoughtfully curated menu, designed for a memorable evening together.

The Valentines dinner will take place on 13th and 14th February, with just 32 spaces available per evening, making this an exclusive and intimate occasion for you and yours. The menu for the dinners also includes plum tomato, flat-cap mushrooms, watercress salad, onion rings, garlic bread, lemon meringue tart and raspberry sorbet

In 2024 new tours of Balmoral which allowed people to see parts of the Royal Familys impressive private home for the first time sold out in a day.

The tours, which took place in July and August, cost 100, or 150 with afternoon tea.

Balmoral said it was the first time that private interior room tours had been offered.

A second tranche of tours last year also sold out quickly despite a price increase.

The guided tours visited rooms used by generations of the Royal Family, from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the current King and Queen.

There was also the chance to experience an evening at Balmoral, with an after-hours event, beginning with a private castle tour before guests were invited to sit down to an exclusive seven-course tasting menu.

This came with paired wines and live music  all inspired by the rooms that had just been explored, including some of those most loved by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Balmoral, in the heart of Royal Deeside, has been a much-loved Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family for decades.

The King and Queen are happy to allow visitors to see Balmoral's stunning castle and grounds

Queen Elizabeth II, Britains longest-reigning monarch, died there aged 96 in September 2022.

It is said to have been her favourite home, where she relaxed by going for walks on the sprawling estate, eating picnics and cooking barbecues.

The estate, near the picturesque village of Crathie, was originally bought by Queen Victorias consort Prince Albert for 32,000 in 1852.

Soon afterwards, the existing house was found to be too small, and the current castle was commissioned.

It is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, sheep and ponies.

Yesterday, King Charles and Queen Camilla made an appearance at Crathie Kirk.

The outing came after Balmorals official Instagram account announced that tickets to visit the castle in spring and summer 2026 are now available to book online.
One Nation's popularity has skyrocketed with Australian voters, tying it with the Coalition for the first time.

The first major poll of 2026, conducted by Demos AU for Capital Brief, has found almost a quarter of the electorate (22 per cent) would choose firebrand Pauline Hanson's party in primary voting.

That cut-through has been buoyed by its hardline conservative positions, trumpeting anti-immigration stances after the Bondi Beach massacre, where 15 people were gunned down on December 14.

Support has drawn higher than the Coalition under Sussan Ley, on 21 per cent, after a disastrous result in May when it was trounced by Labor.

'Australia is now on the cusp of following several European countries where a far-right populist party is now challenging for government in the polls,' Demos AU head of research George Hasanakos said on Friday.

'With the rising support of One Nation before this event (Bondi massacre), it makes this fertile ground for a long-standing anti-immigration voice in Ms Hanson to gain further support,' he explained.

But prominent pollster Kevin Bonham said the results should be treated with caution.

He questioned two-party preferred votes showing Labor and One Nation were tied neck and neck at 50 per cent.

Polling shows Pauline Hanson's One Nation is challenging the long-held Liberal and Labor duopoly. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Pauline Hanson's anti-immigration stance is gaining traction with voters

Basking in its populist rise, One Nation said on Friday the poll showed voters were disenchanted with the 'two-party stranglehold' and explicitly sending a warning shot to Anthony Albanese.

'It is the first time a party outside Labor and the Liberals has surged to this level in a national poll, and it comes at the direct expense of both sides of the tired old duopoly,' the party said on Facebook.

'In plain English, voters are walking away from Anthony Albanese in numbers he has not faced before.'

The survey of 1027 people showed One Nation had jumped a whopping 17 per cent since the May federal elections.

Data showed that 31 per cent of Coalition voters in particular had been attracted to the party led by Ms Hanson, who has been a mainstay of Australian politics for three decades.

About a quarter of women (23 per cent) are more likely to give their first preference to One Nation over the Coalition, and men are evenly split at 24 per cent.

The populist shift was also marked among Australians earning less than $45,000 a year, with 26 per cent saying they would vote for the party, while 28 per cent would choose Labor.

'With the electorate's increasing frustration over the rising cost of living, it's no surprise that many Australians are looking for alternatives,' Mr Hasanakos said.

The senator courted controversy in November for a stunt wearing a burqa in Parliament and refusing to apologise, which prompted a seven-day suspension from the upper house.

Ms Hanson and Nationals defectorturnedOne Nation member Barnaby Joyce were warmly received when they arrived at the Bondi vigil in December to meet the family of the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda.

Many in the crowd greeted them with applause, with some gathered yelling for the pair to 'make Australia great again.'
A left-wing activist has shared a video of the moment the Secret Service turned up at her door after she posted a cryptic threat about Karoline Leavitt.

Nebraska native Jamie Bonkiewicz was questioned by agents on her front porch over a potentially threatening X post about Donald Trump's press secretary.

'When Karoline Leavitt gets what she deserves, I hope it's televised,' Bonkiewicz wrote on Thursday.

Twenty-four hours later, two men with Secret Service badges turned up to quiz her about whether the post was a 'veiled threat' against Leavitt.

The agents quizzed Bonkiewicz about her political affiliations, and she explained that she wanted to see the Trump administration, including Leavitt, be placed on trial for alleged crimes against US citizens.

'The Secret Service came to my door today because of a tweet. No threats. No violence. Just words. Thats where we are now,' she wrote alongside the video.

'If they can come intimidate you over non-threatening X posts where are we heading?' one person wrote as they re-shared Bonkiewicz's video, which was viewed more than one million times.

Bonkiewicz has also used the same X account to share a photograph of herself wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'Is he dead yet?', in an apparent reference to Donald Trump, who faced an assassination attempt in July 2024.

Activist Jamie Bonkiewicz (pictured) has shared video of the moment the Secret Service turned up at her door after she posted a cryptic threat about MAGA firebrand Karoline Leavitt

Bonkiewicz was questioned by agents on her front porch over a 'potentially threatening' X post about Donald Trump's press secretary. (Pictured: The agent who spoke with Bonkiewicz)

The X post which triggered federal agents to knock on Bonkiewicz's door is shown above

The video, which was filmed by a man at Bonkiewicz's side during the interaction, starts in the middle of the conversation between her and the unidentified agent.

'You don't want to perceive any ill will towards these people, other than what you're saying?' the agent can be heard asking, in relation to the Leavitt post.

'Yeah, I want to see her trial,' Bonkiwicz replied. The agent asked whether she goes to 'any demonstrations or anything like that', but she refused to answer.

The agent said he was 'just curious', then moved on to ask whether she had 'any weapons in the house', to which she said 'no'.

Part way through the interaction, the man filming interjects to ask what the Secret Service considers to be 'crossing the line on social media'.

'That's a very good question,' the agent replied.

'Technically, I believe in freedom of speech, everybody has that.

'Crossing the line is when you issue a direct threat, like "I will go kill the president"... statements like that.'

'Something like this, a veiled threat,' he added, referring to Bonkiewicz's X post.

'Is it a threatening nature? Now that I know that you didn't mean anything by it, it's basically a non-issue, so it'll basically end here. I'll go back, and write up a report.'

'I never said anything about killing anybody,' Bonkiwicz said.

The agents quizzed Bonkiewicz about her political affiliations, and she explained that she wanted to see the Trump administration, including Leavitt (pictured), be placed on trial for alleged crimes against US citizens, comparing them to the Nazis in the Nuremburg trials

Leavitt is Trump's press secretary and often travels with the president around the world

Bonkiewicz frequently blasts Donald Trump and his inner circle on her social media accounts

The federal agent then checked again what her intention was with the Leavitt tweet, and she replied: 'The trials, the Nuremburg trials.

'When all of this s*** it over, I want to see all of them (the Trump administration) go to trial, and I want it to be televised, so I can watch it.'

The Nuremberg trials were the international criminal hearings for Nazis accused of committing atrocities against their citizens while conspiring to invade several European countries in the 1930s and 1940s.

Bonkiewicz frequently blasts Donald Trump and his inner circle on her social media accounts.

She is pictured on Facebook wearing t-shirts reading 'F*** Pete Ricketts' - the Republican Senator for Nebraska - and posing with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

In 2023, she streamed state debates on abortion and transgender health, and in 2024 she spoke at a state Board of Education hearing on sexually explicit books in school libraries.

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment on the Secret Service agent video.
Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem erupted at a CBS journalist after she named the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot Renee Good.

Noem joined Margaret Brennan on Sunday morning to discuss Good's death in Minneapolis earlier this month after the mother-of-one allegedly refused officers' demands during an anti-ICE protest.

But when Brennan brought up the ICE officer who shot her dead on January 7 - whose name has been widely reported - Noem grew angry.

'Let me talk to you about the officer, Jonathan Ross. He was struck, he was hospitalized,' Brennan said as Noem quickly cut the reporter off.

'Well don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement when they have an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them,' Noem snapped at Brennan.

'His name is public,' the CBS reporter responded swiftly.

'I know, but that doesnt mean it should continue to be said,' Noem said, adding that Ross was 'attacked' by Good's car, and that he and his family have been suffering ever since.

'People have attacked him and his family, and they are in jeopardy. And we have law enforcement officers every day who are getting death threats, and getting attacked at their hotels,' Noem continued.

Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem got angry after a CBS reporter said ICE agent Jonathan Ross's name on Sunday

Margaret Brennan was quickly cut off by Noem after mentioning the agent's name, as she told the reporter 'we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement'

Ross was seen in a now-viral video fatally shooting a gun at Renee Good on January 7 during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Brennan then tried to ask about Ross's current 'status' as it was revealed last week that he suffered internal bleeding in his torso following the incident.

The extent of his condition remains unclear, as internal bleeding can also be classified as a bruise or contusion that causes mild or serious injury.

Noem continued to talk over her as Brennan said: 'Well, of course no one condones violence against anyone as Noem quickly stated: 'I can tell you that he's healing,' referring to Ross.

When asked if Noem could share how Ross is doing now, she refused to and instead replied: 'We followed the exact same protocols that we always have for years, as to investigations into these situations.

'But I'm not gonna talk about his medical records. I know that you know that it in itself is his prerogative to discuss his health,' Noem added.

Brennan then asked if there would be an investigation into Ross following Good's death, as it's been reported that an investigation has been launched into her wife, Rebecca.

The investigation stems from accusations that Rebecca, who was with Good at the anti-ICE protest, impeded a federal agent in the moments before her wife was shot.

Brennan said: 'Im asking you about your policies. I asked you if you had put him on administrative leave. This is in question because the governor of Minnesota said the only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.

Good was driving a Honda SUV just moments before she was shot and killed. Noem and the Trump administration have claimed she was intentionally trying to run Ross over, while others said she was just trying to drive away

'Is he correct that the federal agent is not being investigated in any way?'

Noem then replied: 'We are following the exact same investigative and review process that we always have under ICE and under the Department of Homeland Security and within the administration.

'The exact same policy that the Biden administration used.'

After appearing to give Brennan the run around, Noem said there is a probe into Ross's actions that day.

'So there is some review of his actions, is what I understand you saying there,' Brennan said.

'There always is. Every law enforcement officer knows that. When they take the oath to step up and to protect the public and put their lives on the line, they absolutely know that everything that they do will be analyzed and investigated,' Noem responded.

Good suffered four gunshot wounds and bleeding from her ear following the deadly clash.

An investigation has been launched into Good's wife Rebecca (pictured) following her death. The prob stems from accusation that Rebecca impeded a federal agent in the moments before her wife was shot

The 37-year-old mother-of-three was found unresponsive inside her car by paramedics. Blood was on her face and torso, according to a Minneapolis Fire Department report obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Good was discovered not breathing and her pulse was 'inconsistent.'

First responders reported finding a total of four gunshot wounds: two in her chest, one on her left forearm, and one on the left side of the head.

Paramedics then lifted Good out of the car and brought her to the sidewalk in an attempt to revive her as protesters and law enforcement officers began to clash on the street.

At that point, they reported that Good was still not breathing and had no pulse.

Paramedics continued to provide lifesaving measures at the scene, in an ambulance and at a nearby hospital before CPR was finally discontinued at 10.30am.

In footage from the scene, an officer was seen approaching Good's stopped SUV and grabbing the door handle as he allegedly demanded she open the door.

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.

Good is seen driving her car as ICE agents approached her. She was shot after she allegedly refused officer's demands during a protest

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.

Prior to the shooting, Good is believed to have blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before she was killed.

About 20 seconds after she pulled up to the street, a passenger - believed to be her wife Rebecca - 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 said Good and her wife, Rebecca, were acting as legal observers and filming the protest.

The newly reported probe into Good's grieving wife will focus on Rebecca's ties to activist groups and actions leading up to her wife's death, according to NBC News.

The reported action against Good's wife comes days after at least six federal prosecutors resigned in protest at being ordered to investigate Rebecca.

Good's death has sparked an uproar in protests across the state and the country.

On Sunday morning it was reported that 1,500 troops are 'on standby' for a deployment to the state because of the demonstrations.
Another Tory MP has defected to Reform in a blow to Kemi Badenoch.

Andrew Rosindell, who has been MP for Romford for almost 25 years and was Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, blamed the Conservatives' stance on Chagos for his decision.

He had been a Tory party member since he was 14 and becomes the third senior figure to cross over to Reform UK in the space of a week, following former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.

His move came just two days after opposition leader Ms Badenoch declared she was '100 per cent confident' that no other members of her Shadow Cabinet would switch sides.

Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage said: 'Andrew is a great patriot. The Tories' lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks.

'He will be a great addition to our team ahead of the elections on May 7th.'

Mr Rosindell announced his defection on the social media platform X.

He said: 'This evening, with sorrow, I have decided to resign from my position as an Opposition Shadow Minister and as a member of the Conservative & Unionist Party.

Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrew Rosindell (pictured) has defected to Reform UK

Nigel Farage welcomed Robert Jenrick into the fold on Thursday, hours after he had been sacked by Kemi Badenoch for plotting a betrayal

On Mr Rosindell's defection, Mr Farage said: 'Andrew is a great patriot. The Tories' lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks'

Welcome @AndrewRosindell



A great champion of Romford, a true patriot and now Reform MP!  https://t.co/0SxdHg4STP  Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) January 18, 2026

'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.'

He said the failure of the Tories both in government and opposition over the Chagos Islands - the British territory in the Indian Ocean now being handed to Mauritius - was a 'clear red line'.

Mr Rosindell said: 'Both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power.

'This was made abundantly clear by the failure of Conservative peers to vote down the British Indian Ocean Territory Bill at third reading earlier this month, following direction from the top of the party.'

The defection will renew claims that Reform - which at the weekend set a May deadline for defections - is now home to too many former Tories and so will not be seen as a radical new movement by voters at the next general election.

Earlier this week Ms Badenoch claimed her party was stronger and more united after she dramatically sacked her leadership rival, Mr Jenrick, having discovered he was planning to defect, and thanked Mr Farage for doing her 'spring cleaning'.

She also insisted she would never do a deal with Reform UK despite growing pleas for the two parties to work together so they can together defeat Labour at the next election.

Former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was all smiles as he posed alongside Farage, despite having once branded his vision for Britain as 'frightening'

Mr Jenrick claimed he was in fact uniting the Right by changing allegiance and denied his move was motivated by personal ambition.

But he was warned by Tory grandee Lord Michael Gove that he too may now become best known for his treachery while Reform risks becoming the 'Slytherin House' of British politics.

In a round of interviews on Friday as the fallout continued from Thursday's dramatic events, Ms Badenoch said: 'I'm thrilled because Nigel Farage is doing my spring cleaning for me. The problems are leaving the Conservative party and going to Reform.'

Responding to Mr Rosindell's defection today, Mr Jenrick wrote on X: 'Welcome @AndrewRosindell.

'A great champion of Romford, a true patriot and now Reform MP!'

The Mail on Sunday this weekend revealed Mr Jenrick's surreal defection notes - in which he was styled as the 'new sheriff in town'.

The plan also described him as 'the most popular Tory Shadow Cabinet member, leader-in-waiting if Kemi ever falls and the most dynamic politician in the Conservative Party', while notes scrawled on it in what appeared to be Mr Jenrick's handwriting included lines about Mr Farage such as: 'Only person in British politics [to have] been consistent. Obviously right person to lead the charge.'

The notes, along with a draft of Mr Jenrick's resignation speech, were obtained by a mole in the MP's office and sent to Ms Badenoch before he could make his dramatic move, prompting her to sack him and kick him out of the party on Thursday.

Mr Jenrick was bounced into formally defecting at a joint press conference with Mr Farage later that day, just three days after former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi had also switched to Reform.

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch speaks to the media during her trip to Scotland on Friday

Ex-Tory Robert Jenrick arriving at Reform UK's headquarters in London on Friday. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch sarcastically thanked Mr Farage for doing her 'spring cleaning' following Mr Jenrick's defection to Reform UK

A significant Labour figure joining Reform would cause more damage to Keir Starmer (pictured)

Full list of defections by councillors to Reform announced earlier this week... and their former political allegiance  Tony Hogben  Independent  Horsham District Council  Kathryn Hodson  Conservatives  Wirral Borough Council  Andrew Hodson  Conservatives  Wirral Borough Council  Graham Davies  Conservatives  Wirral Borough Council  Laurence Ball  Conservatives  Sevenoaks District Council  Clarence Mitchell  Conservatives  Reading Borough Council  Barry Manners  Independent  Thanet District Council  Patti Mulcahy  Conservatives  Suffolk County Council  Dakota Dibben  Conservatives  Gravesham Borough Council  Louise Fox  Conservatives  Bolsover District Council  David Hawley  Green Party  St Helens Borough Council  Sarah Milne  Conservatives  Havant Borough Council  Tim James  Conservatives  Waltham Forest Borough Council  John Cook Woodman  Conservatives  Somerset Council  Dr Chandra Kanneganti  Conservatives  Stoke-on-Trent Council  Heather Blurton  Independent  Stoke-on-Trent Council  Donald Waldron  West Suffolk Independents  West Suffolk Council  Peter Hunt  Conservatives  Calderdale Council  Marion Fitzgerald  Conservatives  Waltham Forest Council Christine Cooper  Independent  Middlesbrough Borough Council Advertisement

In a move that took Westminster by surprise, Mr Zahawi announced that Britain needed Mr Farage as Prime Minister.

He insisted that only Mr Farage had what it takes to run the country, saying of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch: 'She's got the baggage of what I think is a defunct brand, a brand that the nation has decided they can no longer trust.'

Meanwhile Deputy Reform leader Richard Tice has revealed a Labour defector to the party will be unveiled 'probably on Tuesday'.

On Saturday, Mr Tice said: 'You'll see an interesting surprise I think early next week from the other side of the political spectrum.'

He would not comment on whether the 'figure' is an MP, councillor or former politician.

Labour heads are sure to be swimming with fears over who the defector could be, though Chancellor Rachel Reeves looked to play matters down on a visit to County Durham on Friday.

'Nigel Farage says a lot of things and I think we should all take those with a pinch of salt,' she said.

This evening, former Labour MP Kate Hoey congratulated Mr Rosindell on his defection.

She said: 'Simply the best defector yet.

'Andrew is someone who stands up for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all our overseas territories.

'A true Brexiteer and someone who will bring his knowledge of Parliamentary procedures and campaigning to Reform UK.

'Will be interesting to see if Conservative HQ try to demonise him. Will be difficult for them!'

Lee Anderson, Reform MP, added: 'And then there were seven.'

On Wednesday Reform UK announced 20 new councillors in England as Mr Farage welcomed a fresh batch of defectors from other parties.

In a strengthening of its presence in local government, the party unveiled new recruits across a string of councils.

They included an ex-BBC reporter, a former Iraqi hostage, and even one councillor who had made the surprising switch from Zack Polanski's left-wing Green Party.

The defectors announced on Wednesday came across Reading, Sevenoaks, Thanet, Horsham, Bolsover, St Helens, Havant, Somerset, Stoke-on-Trent and West Suffolk councils.

They comprised 14 former Conservatives, five independents and one Green.

Mr Tice said: 'I'm thrilled to welcome 20 new councillors from across the political spectrum into Reform UK.

'We have all the momentum in British politics and increasingly people are turning to us as the last, best hope to save this country.'
The Education Secretary will review anti-Semitism in schools after it emerged the number commemorating the Holocaust has more than halved since the October 7 attacks.

Bridget Phillipson said she had genuine concerns about the ability of schools to deal with 'hatred and prejudice'.

It comes after a Jewish MP's visit to a school in his constituency was cancelled after a pro-Palestine campaign.

While figures show the number of schools signing up to mark Holocaust has more than halved since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

More than 2,000 UK secondary schools signed up to events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in 2023, according to data from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

Until that year, those taking part had increased annually since 2019. But after the Hamas killings, the number fell to fewer than 1,200 in 2024 and 854 last year.

There are more than 4,000 secondary schools in the country.

More than 1,200 people were massacred when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel in October 2023. They attacks prompted Israel to start a war on Gaza.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she had genuine concerns about the ability of schools to deal with 'hatred and prejudice'

Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been due to speak to students at Bristol Brunel Academy in his constituency in September before the visit was cancelled

Writing for The Telegraph, Ms Phillipson said the treatment of Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East who was prevented from visiting a school, was 'completely unacceptable'.

She wrote: 'But this is not the first concern we've heard about anti-Semitism in schools, and that is a problem.

'It is clear to me that there is not enough support for school and college leaders across the country, to help them tackle hatred and prejudice whenever and wherever it arises.

'I want to leave no stone unturned, and I want all schools and colleges to have the tools they need to tackle anti-Semitism.'

She added: 'This anti-Semitism in Britain's schools and colleges ends on my watch.'

Ofsted will carry out an inspection of the Bristol Brunel Academy after it emerged Mr Egan's visit in September last year was called off after the Bristol branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) intervened, reportedly helped by members of the National Education Union (NEU).

Ms Phillipson has also asked the school's academy trust to commission an independent investigation.

The school has previously said it rearranged Mr Egan's visit for 'an alternative date' and that his visit was cancelled because of 'plans for a public protest outside the school'.

Jewish members of Britain's biggest teaching union have accused the organisation of 'institutional anti-Semitism'.

Bristol Brunel Academy which is being inspected by the schools watchdog after claims it 'may have been intimidated into cancelling a visit' from their local MP who is Jewish

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi (pictured in August) said teachers were following 'the path of least resistance' by choosing not to mark the day in the face of opposition from pupils

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, said he felt fear for the education system.

Teachers were following 'the path of least resistance' by choosing not to mark the day in the face of opposition from parents and pupils he said.

He said: 'Holocaust Memorial Day is not a platform for political debate. It is not an endorsement of any government, perspective or conflict. It is an act of human memory.'

'I fear for what will happen this year,' Sir Ephraim. 'For if we cannot teach our children to remember the past with integrity and resolve, then we must ask ourselves what kind of future they will inherit.'

Olivia Marks-Woldman, the chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said it was important for schools to mark the occasion - on January 27 - and encouraged teachers to organise lessons, classroom activities and assemblies.

Holocaust Memorial Day remembers the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution.

The Holocaust Education Trust, a separate charity founded in 1988, said teachers were anxious when telling pupils about Jewish persecution and feared a backlash from parents.

Karen Pollock, its chief executive, said many pupils 'arrive in the classroom with views shaped by social media trends rather than evidence' and Holocaust survivors 'are being asked to navigate questions about a contemporary conflict just because they are Jewish'.

The Anne Frank Trust said three schools in England and Wales had postponed their Holocaust education programmes in 2024 because of 'community tensions'. None are known to have cancelled this year.

Dan Green, the charity's chief executive, told the Sunday Times that marking Holocaust Memorial Day had never been more vital than 'during this time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust denial, revisionism and distortion'.

The NEU said it took 'all forms of racism seriously' and confirmed it had organised a 'programme for national executive members with the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism as part of wider anti-racism training for our national executive'.

On the declining participation in Holocaust Memorial Day events, the NEU said: 'It is more important than ever that we commemorate the Holocaust, remember the victims and learn the lessons that the Holocaust must teach us.'
Have YOU been affected by the derailment? Email perkin.amalaraj@dailymail.co.uk

At least 39 people have been killed and dozens are seriously injured after two high-speed trains derailed in Spain's worst rail crash in more than a decade.

The crash happened in Adamuz, near the city of Cordoba, at around 6.40pm local time on Sunday when one train derailed and crossed over onto another track, with a second ploughing into the wreckage.

The trains - one travelling from Malaga to Madrid, the other from Madrid to Huelva and running on an adjacent line - both overturned as they travelled at high speed.

One of the deceased was the driver of the Huelva-bound train, according to Spanish media.

The full scale of the incident is not currently known, although the country's ministry of transport said 39 bodies had been removed from the scene on Monday.

Officials said 75 people were in hospital with injuries, five of whom had 'very serious injuries' and another 24 in a 'serious' condition, in the early hours of Monday morning. Local reports say there are at least 100 people injured.

Some 317 people were on the Madrid-bound train while 200 passengers were on the Huelva-bound train.

Rescue crews worked desperately through the night to save passengers who remained trapped in the hours after the collision. Horrifying footage showed rescue teams frantically working in pitch-black conditions to free those stuck.

'The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside,' Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Cordoba, told public broadcaster RTVE.

Spain's transport minister Oscar Puente said the cause of the crash was unknown.

He called it 'a truly strange' incident because it happened on a flat stretch of track that had been renovated in May. He also said the train that jumped the track was less than four years old.

That train belonged to the private company Iryo, while the second train, which took the brunt of the impact, was part of Spain's public train company Renfe.

Members of the Spanish Civil Guard work next to one of the trains involved in the accident, at the site of a deadly derailment of two high-speed trains near Adamuz, in Cordoba, Spain, January 19, 2026

The crash happened in Adamuz, near the city of Cordoba, at around 6.40pm local time on Sunday

Horrifying footage showed rescue teams desperately working in pitch-black conditions to free those trapped in the trains that derailed in Adamuz near Cordoba

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'We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work,' he added.

One witness told RTVE that one of the carriages of the first train had completely overturned. Television images showed medical crews and fire services at the scene.

Journalist Salvador Jimenez of Radio Nacional de Espana (RNE), who was on the train, said the derailment felt 'like an earthquake'.

He said the train's crew immediately called out for medical personnel onboard to help the injured, adding that at least one of the derailed carriages 'had completely overturned' and had broken windows.

Passengers then began to exit the train as crew members grabbed hammers to force open the windows and door of the derailed carriages, he said.

Another passenger said the train began 'shaking a lot' around 10 minutes after it departed the previous station before it derailed from car six backwards.

And Lucas Meriako, who was travelling on the first train that derailed, told La Sexta television that 'this looks like a horror movie'.

'We felt a very strong hit from behind and the feeling that the whole train was about to collapse, break... there were many injured due to the glass,' he said.

A large emergency response was mobilised, made up of dozens of ambulances, mobile ICUs and support vehicles, to treat the injured.

Firefighters from seven stations in the area were also dispatched.

The president of the Madrid region, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said its hospitals were available to the Andalusia region if required.

Crash survivors were urged by the emergency agency in the region of Andalusia to contact their families or post on social media if they were alive.

The regional Civil Protection chief, Maria Belen Moya Rojas, said the crash happened in an area that is hard to reach. She added that local people were taking blankets and water to the scene to help the victims.

Francisco Carmona, the firefighter chief of Cordoba, said that one of the trains was badly mangled, with at least four wagons off the rails.

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Drone photos show one of the trains on its side after the collision

Spain's transport minister, Oscar Puente, said information coming in about the crash on Sunday night was 'very serious'

Passengers wait in the hall of Madrid train station on January 18, 2026, following the announcement of the suspension of service due to an accident

Interior footage from the high-speed train derailment shows passengers waiting to be evacuated in Adamuz, Cordoba, Spain

The twisted wreckage of the trains made it difficult to recover passengers trapped inside the carriages, rescue teams said

Crash survivors were urged by the emergency agency in the region of Andalusia to contact their families if they were alive

The number of people still trapped in the wreckage of the two trains is still not known

Images on local television showed a reception centre set up for passengers in the town of Adamuz with locals leaving food and blankets amid night-time temperatures of around 6C.

ADIF and train operator Renfe have set up spaces at stations in Atocha, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, and Huelva to assist family members of the victims who may need it.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a post to X: 'Tonight is a night of profound sorrow for our country due to the tragic train accident in Adamuz.'

He added: 'No words can alleviate such great suffering'.

Earlier, the leader wrote: 'Very concerned about the accident between two high-speed trains that have derailed in Adamuz (Cordoba).

'The Government is working with the rest of the competent authorities and emergency services to assist the passengers.'

Puente said information coming in about the crash on Sunday night was 'very serious'.

In a post on X, he wrote: 'The latest information coming in is very serious.

'The last units of the Iryo train heading toward Madrid have derailed, with those cars invading the opposite track where, at that moment, a Renfe train heading towards Huelva was travelling.

'The impact has been terrible, causing the first two units of the Renfe train to be thrown off as a result.

'The number of victims cannot be confirmed at this time. The fundamental priority now is to assist the victims.'

Spain's military emergency relief units joined the deployment of other rescue units as the Red Cross also provided support to health care officials.

Officials said 75 people were in hospital with injuries, 15 of whom were in critical condition, in the early hours of Monday morning

Dozens of people are believed to have been seriously injured following Sunday's crash

Surviving passengers described the incident as a 'horror movie'

The crash occurred in an area that is hard to reach for emergency services

The horror unfolded close to Adamuz, Cordoba at around 6.40pm local time on Sunday

Ambulances gather at the Puerta de Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain, 18 January 2026

The King and Queen of Spain - who, at the time of the crash, were in Athens with their daughters for the Monday funeral of Princess Irene of Greece - have said they are following developments in the tragedy 'with great concern'.

The Royal Household of Spain said in a statement: 'We continue to follow with great concern the serious accident between two high-speed trains in Adamuz.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, as well as our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.'

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission, sent her 'deepest condolences'.

In a post on X, she wrote: 'I received the terrible news from Cordoba.

'My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the railway accident and to the Spanish people.

'I wish the injured a swift and full recovery. Tonight you are in my thoughts.'

French President Emmanuel Macron said: 'A railway tragedy has struck Andalusia. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Spanish people. France stands by your side.'

All high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva will be suspended throughout Monday at least, per ADIF, Spain's national rail network operator.

The cancellations of the high-speed trains left dozens at Madrid's Atocha Station scrambling for alternative transport or last-minute accommodation.

Relatives of victims arrive at Huelva train station as they await information about their loved ones

The full scale of the incident is not currently known, although authorities confirmed at least 39 people had died by Sunday night

ADIF and train operator Renfe have set up spaces at stations in Atocha, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, and Huelva to assist family members of the victims

El Mundo reported that queues at car rental offices at the station have long queues of weary travellers, while many are demanding buses to complete their journeys.

The crash came just months after three British nationals, Kayleigh Smith, 36, William Nelson, 44, and David Young, 82, were among 16 people who died in the Gloria funicular tram disaster in Lisbon when the streetcar derailed and crashed in the Portuguese capital.

In 2013, 79 people died after a high-speed train veered off the track on a sharp bend near the Spanish northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela, slammed into a concrete wall and burst into flames.

Another 143 people were injured in Spain's worst train crash in decades.

The Daily Mail has contacted the UK's Foreign Office for comment.
Simon Byabakama (L), chairperson of Electoral Commission, talks with his colleague during the announcing of Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the presidential election 2026 at National Tally Center in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan. 17, 2026. Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni won the country's presidential election, the Electoral Commission (EC) said on Saturday as it released the final results at the National Tally Center in the capital, Kampala. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

KAMPALA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday secured a seventh five-year term after winning the country's presidential election.

According to final results announced by the Electoral Commission, the country's electoral body, Museveni garnered more than 7.9 million votes out of about 11.3 million valid ballots cast.

His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, received over 2.7 million votes, while the remaining votes were shared among six other presidential candidates, the results showed.

Announcing the outcome, EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama described the polls on Thursday as generally peaceful, with no major incidents reported, and urged those contesting the results to seek redress through the courts.

Hours before the results were declared, unconfirmed reports emerged that Kyagulanyi had been arrested at his home in Magere, central Wakiso District. Police later dismissed the claims, saying he remained at his residence while officers were deployed in the area as a preventive measure.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke also urged political actors to refrain from issuing inflammatory statements.

Days before the elections, the United Nations Human Rights Office said the elections were taking place in an environment marked by repression and intimidation against opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders -- claims the government rejected as baseless.

Museveni's victory extends his time in power to more than 40 years. He first came to office after a five-year guerrilla war following the country's 1980 elections. Since the restoration of general elections in 1996, he has won successive presidential contests.

Kyagulanyi, a former popular musician who has now challenged Museveni twice, campaigned under the slogan "Protest Vote," drawing strong support from younger voters and accusing the government of corruption and human rights abuses.

Richard Twodong, secretary general of the ruling National Resistance Movement party, described the party's presidential victory as largely free and fair, apart from a few issues raised by the opposition, saying Museveni's campaign focus on poverty alleviation resonated with voters.

The opposition National Unity Platform, led by Kyagulanyi, rejected the results. Party official Benjamin Katana said the outcome did not reflect events on election day and called for public legal protests.

In a preliminary report issued Thursday, the African Union (AU) observer mission said the elections were held in an environment calmer than in 2021.

The AU team, which worked with regional blocs, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, however, noted issues of harassment of opposition figures, suspension of some civil society organizations, and the internet shutdown. 

People celebrate after Yoweri Museveni won in the presidential election 2026 at National Tally Center in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan. 17, 2026. Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni won the country's presidential election, the Electoral Commission (EC) said on Saturday as it released the final results at the National Tally Center in the capital, Kampala. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Electoral Commission officials announce the President Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the presidential election 2026 at National Tally Center in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan. 17, 2026. Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni won the country's presidential election, the Electoral Commission (EC) said on Saturday as it released the final results at the National Tally Center in the capital, Kampala. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
CBS News claimed no outside influence helped their decision to air their interview with President Donald Trump after they were threatened to be sued by the administration if any of the conversation was edited.

The news outlet told The New York Times on January 17: 'The moment we booked this interview, we made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety.'

The statement followed an interview with the president on January 13 by newly-minted CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil.

Dokoupil was caught on tape caving to Trump's demands after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt threatened that the administration 'will sue' if they didn't comply.

Leavitt also told the Times about the effects her threat had on CBS's footage: 'The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full.'

Dokoupil, 45, took over the network's flagship nightly news broadcast earlier this year with a rocky start, as critics accused him of softening coverage on the president.

Following an interview with Trump last week, Dokoupil was reportedly threatened by Leavitt to play the full 13 minute conversation un-edited, or the White House would 'sue your a** off.'

According to a recording obtained by the New York Times, Leavitt issued the blunt warning after the interview concluded, telling Dokoupil and his producers: '(Trump) said, "Make sure you guys don't cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full.'''

Karoline Leavitt, pictured about with President Trump last July, reportedly threatened CBS with a lawsuit if they didn't air the president's full interview

Tony Dokoupil, pictured above during his first broadcast as Evening News anchor on January 7, reportedly laughed off the threat and caved to the president's demands

CBS aired the full 13-minute interview with Trump at an assembly line last week, pictured above

'Yeah, we're doing it, yeah,' Dokoupil replied, according to the report.

'He said, "If its not out in full, well sue your a** off,"' Leavitt added.

Kim Harvey, the executive producer of CBS Evening News, reportedly responded excitedly and agreed to air the interview in full.

The exchange offers a candid look into Trump's efforts to influence media coverage in his second term, with the White House having previously sued a number of news organizations including the New York Times, the BBC and CBS News.

Earlier this year, Dokoupil's employer CBS agreed to pay a $16 million settlement to Trump to settle a case over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.

Following his interview with Trump last week, Dokoupil reportedly laughed off the threat of a lawsuit from Leavitt, joking: 'He always says that!'

However, Leavitt hadn't appeared to be joking and didn't laugh, the report claimed.

'The American people deserve to watch President Trumps full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full,' she told the New York Times.

The network did air Trump's unedited interview, adding in a statement to the Daily Mail: 'The moment we booked this interview we made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

Leavitt, pictured above in the briefing room on Thursday, reportedly didn't laugh after threatening to 'sue your a** off' to CBS executives

Trump, pictured at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, has had a controversial relationship with the network after suing CBS in 2024

The 13-minute interview aired from an assembly line in Michigan, and saw Dokoupil grill Trump on a wide-range of issues including Iran, the economy, the investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent, and the president's own morality.

Trump defended the administration's actions abroad and maintained the federal government's position that Good was justifiably shot.

During a discussion about grocery prices and the economy, Trump suggested that Dokoupil would be out of a job if Kamala Harris won the 2024 election.

Dokoupil breezed past the insinuation, but defended himself at the end of the interview, telling Trump: 'For the record, I do think I'd have this job even if the other guys won.'

'Yeah, but at a lesser salary. Thank you very much,' Trump quipped.

CBS News has a complicated history with the president. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the network in 2024 for airing an edited interview with Harris.

CBS's parent company, Paramount, settled the lawsuit last July for $16 million. Just a few weeks later, the Federal Communications Commission approved MAGA allies Larry and David Ellison's purchase of the media company.

The acquisition then saw David Ellison tap controversial news figure Bari Weiss as CBS News' editor-in-chief in October.

The network has since experienced massive changes, with anchor shakeups, sensational resignations, and a highly scrutinized decision from Weiss to pull a 60 Minutes segment on the CECOT confinement center in El Salvador.

Critics accused Weiss and the network of pulling the segment because it was critical of Trump's policies.

Sources recently told The Independent that Weiss and Trump kissed each other on the cheek after the president sat down for an interview with 60 Minutes anchor Norah O'Donnell in November.

'He was so happy to see her and she was so excited to meet him, they both leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek,' one source told the outlet.

David Ellison, pictured above with his billionaire father Larry, purchased Paramount last July

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, pictured above in 2022, has been at the center of backlash from critics who believe the network has caved to Trump under her leadership

Another source told The Independent that other reporters and producers in the room were shocked by the chummy exchange.

In response to the report, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung shared a photo on X of CBS producers laughing with Trump.

'Here are the other 60 Minutes executives who were having a great time with President Trump, laughing at his jokes,' Cheung said.

Leavitt's threat to sue CBS isn't unprecedented. In addition to Trump's former lawsuit with the network, ABC News also settled a lawsuit with him for $16 million over a mistake anchor George Stephanopoulos made while reporting on the president's sexual abuse trial.
The Liberal Party has been thrown into fresh turmoil after a shock Newspoll showed Pauline Hanson's One Nation overtaking the Coalition for the first time in Australian political history.

The first major poll of 2026 puts One Nation on 22 per cent of the primary vote, a dramatic seven-point surge.

In contrast, the LiberalNational Coalition has fallen three points to 21 per cent, slipping into third place behind Labor and One Nation for the first time.

Labor has also lost support, dropping four points to 32 per cent, but still maintains a commanding two-party-preferred lead over the Coalition of 55 to 45.

The polling shock comes just weeks after the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack, which killed 15 people and has dominated the political agenda.

Inside the Liberal Party, the mood is grim. MPs arriving in Canberra on Sunday night privately expressed alarm as the Newspoll circulated.

One staffer described the atmosphere as 'a funeral' ahead of Parliament's return.

The result marks the Coalition's worst Newspoll showing on record, with internal fears One Nation could claim up to six Senate seats at the next election if the trend continues.

Coalition insiders fear that One Nation could take as many as six Senate seats next election

The Coalition has recorded its worst Newspoll result ever, placing third behind One Nation

Coalition MPs will meet late on Monday night in a joint party room to debate Labor's hate-speech and gun-reform legislation, drafted in response to the Bondi attack.

Insiders expect the meeting to be particularly volatile, with several MPs said to be panicking about the party's electoral prospects, especially in the Senate.

Some within the party, however, have urged caution, arguing the Newspoll may be a statistical outlier.

They point to a separate Resolve poll conducted around the same time that shows the Coalition well ahead of One Nation, leading 28 per cent to 18 per cent.

That survey also placed the Coalition within striking distance of Labor, with Labor on a 30 per cent primary vote and a narrower two-party-preferred margin of 52 to 48.
A new poll from a conservative think tank has revealed a majority of Australians support keeping the date of Australia Day.

The Institute of Public Affairs found 76 per cent of respondents back the national holiday and don't want to see it moved.

The figure marks a seven per cent increase from the 69 per cent recorded the previous year, and a significant boost from the 63 per cent in 2024.

Opposition to the current date has declined, with 17 per cent calling for it to be changed in 2024, 14 per cent in 2025, and now ten per cent in 2026.

Nationals leader David Littleproud told Channel Nine's Today on Sunday that Australians had 'got to a point in our nation that we are proud of what we've done'.

'And we've got a lot to be proud of, and I think people are just sick and tired of us being told how bad we are and (that) we should actually not celebrate what we are and who we've become,' he said.

'We should have our chest out and our chin up about what we've created here in this country.

'We've still got some problems, and that's why we owe it to go back to parliament and fix some of those.'

A new poll from a conservative think tank has revealed a majority of Australians support keeping the date of Australia Day

Opposition to the current date has declined, with 17 per cent calling for it to be changed in 2024, 14 per cent in 2025, and now ten per cent in 2026

Littleproud said Australians were 'sick of being told and being educated at school about all the doom and gloom that's been created'.

'But the reality is I think there's a lot to be proud of ... and young Australians are seeing how lucky they are to live in a country as great as this,' he said.

His comment comes as a renewed push to resolve the long-running dispute over Australia Day gains momentum.

A 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, which has the support of more than 14,000 people, 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.'
Before they became Britain's King and Queen Consort, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were once embroiled in a scandal so damning that it shook the monarchy to its very core.

In January 1993, a six-minute, 1,574-word transcript of the then Prince of Wales speaking to Camilla four years prior was leaked to the press in a sordid controversy dubbed 'Camillagate' or 'Tampongate'.

During the notorious phone call, recorded while Charles was still married to Princess Diana, Charles, now 77, spoke of wishing to be close to Camilla, now 78, in intimate terms - and even referred to being reincarnated as a tampon.

Their private conversation was supposedly taped by an amateur radio enthusiast who claimed to have stumbled across their conversation while moving between audio channels, and then sold the recording to a little-known Australian New Age magazine.

On January 17, 1993, the damning transcript hit the front pages and sent shockwaves globally. The ensuing scandal also sparked calls for Charles, then 44, to step down from the succession in favour of his eldest son, then 10-year-old Prince William.

To make matters worse, William and his brother, Prince Harry, then eight, had returned to Ludgrove school from their Christmas holidays just a few days prior.

'There could be no shielding William and Harry from the ear-nose-and-toe-cringing embarrassment of "Camillagate",' wrote royal author Robert Lacey.

The transcript was so catastrophic that after reading the scandalous headlines, Princess Diana reportedly declared with triumph: 'game, set and match', according to her former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe.

In January 1993, a six-minute, 1,574-word transcript of the then Prince of Wales speaking to Camilla four years prior was leaked to the press in a sordid controversy dubbed 'Camillagate' or 'Tampongate'. Pictured: Charles and Camilla seen publicly together for the first time in 1999

Writing in his book, Battle of the Brothers, Mr Lacey claimed that the Princess of Wales 'leapt joyfully' at the prospect of William succeeding his father.

'William is going to be in his position much earlier than people think now,' the princess allegedly told Andrew Morton.

'If I was able to write my own script I'd say that I would hope my that my husband would go off, go away with his lady and sort that out and leave me and the children to carry the Waless name through to the time William ascends the throne,' Diana was said to have claimed.

'The boy should not only seek to be a good king. Now, William must be a better king than his father,' added Mr Lacey.

When Diana sat down with Martin Bashir for her notorious 1995 interview, the journalist posed how the princess would feel in the event that her son succeeded the Queen ahead of his father.

'My wish is that my husband finds peace of mind, and from that follows other things - yes,' Diana responded.

The Princess of Wales was also said to have held the view that her husband should 'stand aside' to let William become King because Charles wasn't up to the job.

In Channel 4 Programme Diana: The Truth Behind the Interview, released in 2020, it was revealed that the princess poured her heart out to former Daily Telegraph editor Sir Max Hastings just three months before her notorious Panorama interview.

During the notorious phone call, recorded while Charles was still married to Princess Diana, Charles, now 77, spoke of wishing to be close to Camilla, now 78, in intimate terms - and even referred to being reincarnated as a tampon

On January 17, 1993, the damning transcript hit the front pages and sent shockwaves globally. The ensuing scandal also sparked calls for Charles, then 44, to step down from the succession in favour of his eldest son, then 10-year-old Prince William (pictured)

Reflecting on their meeting in Berkshire 25 years prior, Sir Max said: 'She said that all she cared about was William's succession to the throne and she said to me, quite explicitly, "I don't think Charles can do it".'

'The outcome she wanted to see was for Charles to stand aside as heir... and for William to occupy the throne. This was pretty dynamic stuff,' he added.

There was certainly good reason to believe that there was public backing for such an unprecedented scenario - with a Daily Express opinion poll revealing that 37 per cent of respondents believed that Charles 'should not succeed if the Queen dies tomorrow'.

Up to seven out of 10 believed that the tapes had caused 'great damage to the monarchy,' while 64 per cent reported feeling 'let down' by the prince's actions.

Writing in her bestselling book Palace Papers, royal author Tina Brown revealed that following the release of the tapes, Tampax jokes occupied every comedy show, while cartoon programs even included Charles 'talking dirty to his plants'.

'In Italy, they called him Prince Tampacchino,' Ms Brown revealed - an indication of how the tapes scandal had quickly become global.

Charles and Diana's young children were also said to have struggled with the interest their school peers had in their father's ensuing controversy.

To make matters worse, William and his brother, Prince Harry, then eight, had returned to Ludgrove school from their Christmas holidays just a few days prior. 'It's excruciating to imagine what kind of Tampax-related ridicule of his father William endured,' wrote Tina Brown

The transcript was so catastrophic that after reading the scandalous headlines, Princess Diana (pictured in 1993) reportedly declared with triumph: 'game, set and match', according to her former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe

'It's excruciating to imagine what kind of Tampax-related ridicule of his father William endured,' wrote Ms Brown.

The royal author added that shortly after the release of the notorious 'Camillagate' tapes, William 'regressed in his studies'.

Indicative of his seeming despair at his parent's marriage decline, the future King was also said to have been 'involved in a bullying incident against a fellow student because the boy impugned his feuding parents'.

Meanwhile, for Camilla, the onslaught of press intrusion and public interest following 'Camillagate' eventually became too much to bear.

In a desperate bid to escape the public interest, Camilla retreated to Middlewick House, the home she shared with her then-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, for a year.

'She had never felt more isolated,' added the royal author, with Charles and Camilla said to have stopped communicating altogether due to fears that their telephone calls could be bugged.

Reflecting on her year-long hiatus in 2017, Camilla told Geordie Grieg: 'I couldn't really go anywhere. But the children came and went as normal - they just got on with it - and so did great friends.

'I would pass the time by reading a lot. And after a while, life sort of went on.'

Camilla's divorce to Captain Andrew Parker Bowles (both pictured on their wedding day) was finalised on March 3, 1995, followed by Charles and Diana's divorce the following August

While the future King sought to win the public over in a 22-year campaign later dubbed 'Campaign Camilla', the catastrophic implications of 'Camillagate' still hung a dark shadow over the pair, who would eventually wed in April 2005

In her bestselling book The Palace Papers royal author Tina Brown described how the notorious tapes became subject to 'the mockery of the world'. The scandal was, she noted, the first time that Charles had 'nowhere to hide' when it came to his romantic rendezvous

While Charles and Camilla would eventually return to public life, the 'Camillagate' scandal left an irreversible mark on the public's perception of the pair, with their long-running affair no longer resolved as mere speculation.

Camilla's divorce was finalised on March 3, 1995, followed by Charles and Diana's divorce the following August.

However, it would be another four years before Charles and Camilla would be seen publicly together. In front of the eyes of the world's press, the pair were captured leaving The Ritz hotel in London following a 50th birthday party on January 28, 1999.

It was seen by many as official confirmation of their romance.

But while the future King sought to win the public over in a 22-year campaign later dubbed 'Campaign Camilla', the catastrophic implications of 'Camillagate' still hung a dark shadow over the pair, who would eventually wed in April 2005.

Describing how the notorious tapes became subject to 'the mockery of the world', Ms Brown noted that the historical scandal served as the first time that Charles, heir to the throne, had 'nowhere to hide' when it came to his romantic rendezvous.

'The Camillagate tape robbed the two lovers of any cover at all,' she explained.

'The brutal exposure ended any murmuring mystique around the status of "royal mistress" and reduced it to something that sounded furtive and squalid.'
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first decided to step back from senior royal duties, the pair had hoped to forge a unique 'half-in, half-out' position in the Firm.

On January 8, 2020, the couple sent shockwaves around the world when they released a statement on their @sussexroyal Instagram that confirmed their plans to 'carve out a progressive new role' between the UK and US.

Then, five days after their unprecedented 'Megxit' announcement, Her Majesty gathered Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry for notorious peacekeeping talks, soon dubbed the 'Sandringham Summit' by the media.

But while Harry was hopeful that the 90-minute meeting at Norfolk's Sandringham House would produce a desirable outcome for him and Meghan, the Monarch ultimately had the final say.

On January 19, Buckingham Palace released a statement which confirmed that the Sussexes would lose the use of their HRH titles - a far cry from the 'half-in, half-out' proposal the pair had initially hoped for.

'With The Queen's blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty,' read the statement.

'The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family,' it added.

Harry and Meghan's feelings towards the decision were made clear in a statement released by their spokesperson shortly after: 'Service is universal.'

On January 19, Buckingham Palace released a statement which confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would lose the use of their HRH titles - a far cry from the 'half-in, half-out' proposal the pair had initially hoped for

'As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role,' the statement added.

Harry, who at that stage was sixth in line to the throne, would no longer hold an active royal role and his military titles and patronages would also be removed.

'Meghan too had zero constitutional importance,' explained royal author Robert Jobson, while Meghan's Duchess of Sussex title would now be rendered 'purely symbolic'.

The couple volunteered to forgo all access to the Sovereign Grant and public cash and would also repay the 2.4million of taxpayer funds used to renovate their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.

While the pair would retain their HRH titles, they were now unable to use them 'as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family'.

Allowing the pair to keep their titles was, the Daily Mail's renowned royal expert Richard Kay believed, due to the repercussions of the Queen's ruthless decision to strip Princess Diana of her HRH title after her divorce from now-King Charles in 1996.

As a result of the onslaught of public backlash, the royal expert deemed it unlikely that the same step could ever be taken for Harry and Meghan.

For members of the Royal Family, the Sandringham summit was a 'defining moment' that served as a clear reminder of 'the personal cost of stepping away,' added Mr Jobson in his book, The Windsor Legacy.

Harry and Meghan's (pictured on January 7, 2020) feelings towards the decision were made clear in a statement released by their spokesperson in response: 'Service is universal'

According to royal author Robert Jobson, while the Queen's unprecedented decision to strip her grandson of his military titles and patronages would no doubt have 'stung', Harry 'felt he had no choice but to leave'

Five days after Harry and Meghan's unprecedented 'Megxit' announcement, Her Majesty gathered then-Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry for notorious peacekeeping talks at Sandringham House (pictured), soon dubbed the 'Sandringham Summit' by the media

But for Harry, the notorious summit was a 'hard lesson' - with the prince ultimately forced to concede far more ground than he anticipated, in exchange for his and Meghan's 'freedom'.

However, while the Queen's unprecedented decision to strip her grandson of his military titles and patronages would no doubt have 'stung', Harry 'felt he had no choice but to leave'.

Adding insult to injury, Her Majesty then ruled several weeks later that Harry and Meghan would also be barred from using Sussex Royal as the brand name to market their merchandise in the US.

When the Palace announced on January 19 that the initial terms of 'Megxit' had been agreed by the Queen, a strong sentiment of the monarch's sadness towards her grandson's exit was littered throughout the statement.

'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,' Her Majesty said.

At the time of the announcement, Mr Kay wrote: 'Not since 1997 in the aftermath of the death of Diana has the Queen issued such a personal bulletin.'

However, while Her Majesty acknowledged the need to take a firm approach towards the Sussexes' royal exit, her fond feelings for her grandson never wavered, even in the final few years of her life.

According to royal author Robert Hardman, despite the Sussexes' estrangement from the Royal Family, the Queen 'adored Harry right to the end and Harry adored her'.

Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine, the acclaimed royal expert added: 'I think she was one of the conduits between Windsor and California, and it would have been one of her dearest wishes that [the family] patch things up.'
Princess Eugenie has cut off all contact with her disgraced father in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles in October over his links to the paedophile financier, is said to be 'devastated' at the estrangement from his younger daughter, which followed months of further damaging revelations last year about his relationship with Epstein.

It is understood Eugenie, 35, is refusing to speak to Andrew and did not visit him at Christmas.

Eugenie, who established The Anti-Slavery Collective to help counter sex trafficking, is said to be taking a dim view of her father's refusal to apologise to Epstein's victims.

A source told the MoS the rift is like that between the Beckhams: 'There is no contact at all, nothing. It's Brooklyn Beckham level - she has completely cut him off.'

Meanwhile, sources say her older sister, Princess Beatrice, is taking a nuanced approach by trying to remain in contact with her father and maintaining her reputation in the Royal Family.

Beatrice invited Andrew to the christening of her 11-month-old daughter Athena in London last month but, perhaps tellingly, he did not attend a party held afterwards in a local pub.

It is not clear whether Eugenie spoke to her father at the celebration.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (left), Princess Eugenie (centre) and Princess Beatrice (right) at St Paul's Cathedral in London in June 2016

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor horse riding with his groom near Windsor Castle on Saturday

Andrew is accompanied by a groom, seen here stifling a laugh as they ride near Windsor Castle

'Beatrice is trying to walk the fine line of not cutting her father off and yet remaining close with the Royal Family,' the source said.

'They aren't exactly in regular and close contact at the moment, but Eugenie isn't trying to walk that line. She's not speaking to him.'

The breakdown of relations between Andrew and Eugenie heaps humiliation on the disgraced former prince as he prepares to leave Royal Lodge, his home on the Windsor Estate for two decades.

A removals van was seen at the property last week as he begins the process of sifting through years of belongings.

Andrew is expected to move into a temporary property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in the next few weeks until renovations are complete on nearby Marsh Farm, his new home, at Easter.

Andrew was said to have been urged to remain in London over Christmas to avoid being close to the Royals as they spent the festive season at Sandringham.

Beatrice and Eugenie faced a difficult decision over where to spend Christmas. Ultimately they attended the royals' Christmas Day church service in Norfolk and joined their extended family at Sandringham afterwards.

They were invited by King Charles, who is said to be keen to protect the Princesses.

Join the debate Should family loyalty ever outweigh holding loved ones accountable for serious wrongdoing?

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie on a visit to University College Hospital in London last April

However, social media sleuths watching TV footage of the event suggested relations may have been tense. It is claimed that Prince William tried to avoid eye contact with Eugenie during the traditional walkabout after the church service.

Some suggested he was 'scarfing' her - a term coined by royal watchers to describe moments when the Prince appears to adjust his scarf whenever someone he wishes to avoid comes into sight.

Another source added: 'Perhaps Christmas Day would have been an opportunity for William to break with tradition by publicly walking with his cousins, or at least smiling in their direction, "fab four" style. For whatever reason that opportunity was missed.'

However, a source close to the Royals last night insisted Prince William did 'spend time' with Eugenie and Beatrice over Christmas and that there was 'no animosity between them'.
A surge of whistleblowers, new congressional mandates and mounting political pressure are pushing the US toward what insiders say could be its first true UFO disclosure in 2026.

Researchers told the Daily Mail that a growing number of insiders from the military and intelligence community are now prepared to testify publicly, making continued secrecy increasingly difficult to maintain.

That pressure intensified after the November 2025 release of The Age of Disclosure, a documentary featuring 34 current and former US government, military, and intelligence officials discussing an alleged decades-long UFO cover-up.

The film's director, Dan Farah, said its revelations have placed the issue directly on President Trump's radar, reinforcing his campaign promise to declassify what the government knows about unexplained aerial phenomena.

At the same time, Congress has moved to force transparency through the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates new briefings on UAP encounters dating back to 2004. The legislation also requires a review of whether key UFO-related data has been over-classified or improperly withheld from lawmakers.

Whistleblowers such as David Grusch continue advising congressional caucuses into 2026, adding legal and political weight to calls for disclosure.

Grusch, a former US Air Force intelligence officer and decorated veteran who became a prominent whistleblower, alleged the US government possesses secret programs for recovering and reverse-engineering crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft, including non-human 'biologics.'

Mark Christopher Lee, director of The Rendlesham UFO: Britain's Roswell, told Daily Mail that 2026 stands out as a pivotal year due to 'escalating congressional momentum, whistleblower activity, and cultural shifts that are building unstoppable pressure on government secrecy.'

Wagering on Polymarket recently skyrocketed, with predictions that the US will declassify documented encounters with UFOs (Pictured) by 2026

It has been suggested that Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison's claims of having a lead on 'new' UFO whistleblowers could be further evidence that disclosure is approaching.

Burlison previously drew attention after presenting video footage showing a U.S. military drone firing a Hellfire missile at an unidentified object, only for the weapon to appear to bounce off the craft with minimal damage.

Lee said recent legislative action is adding to that pressure.

'The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes key provisions mandating the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office to brief Congress on UAP intercepts since 2004, review over-classification of related data, and streamline reporting,' he explained.

He added that much now depends on how far the current administration is willing to go in revealing some of the nation's most closely guarded secrets.

'With ongoing efforts like the proposed UAP Disclosure Act amendments and whistleblowers such as David Grusch continuing to advise congressional caucuses into 2026, the legislative push is intensifying,' Lee said, arguing that secrecy may be nearing a breaking point for the intelligence community.

Alongside official action, speculation has intensified in popular culture. Some conspiracy theorists believe Steven Spielberg's upcoming film Disclosure Day could act as a carefully staged reveal rather than a conventional leak.

UFO analyst Chris Ramsay claimed on X that Spielberg may have been granted 'unprecedented access to real UAP footage, or even an actual UFO.'

The November 2025 documentary 'The Age of Disclosure' alleged that there's been an 80-year cover-up on UFOs and alien technology

The coming release of Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' (Pictured) has convinced UFO fans that real disclosure is drawing near

Other observers, including That UFO Podcast, have linked recent congressional hearings, Trump's statements, and Spielberg's project, suggesting the pattern points to a shift in disclosure discussions in 2026.

Talk-show host Steve Deace predicted that at least one elected official may publicly claim to have communicated directly with non-human intelligence, highlighting what he described as escalating activity around UAPs.

Moving further into speculation, Lee also pointed to ancient prophecies that some interpret as signaling a pivotal moment.

He cited figures such as Nostradamus and Baba Vanga, whose visions have been linked by believers to extraterrestrial contact, noting that Vanga specifically referenced 2026 as a year marked by a major global event.

This vision by Baba Vanga, a blind Bulgarian mystic and clairvoyant, has previously been interpreted to suggest that alien contact should have been made in 2025, but no major televised event witnessed such an encounter.

Skeptics cautioned that 'disclosure' is often misunderstood.

Nigel Watson, author of Portraits of Alien Encounters Revisited, noted that while governments have released thousands of UFO files, none provide definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitors.

'Media hype and repeated unverified claims have fueled belief,' Watson said. 'Until concrete evidence emerges, what is called disclosure remains largely mythology.'

Despite skepticism, researchers argue the current combination of legislative action, whistleblower testimony, and heightened public attention makes 2026 different.

Even if the definitive proof some hope for does not appear, Lee said, the year could see major revelations about UAPs and government handling of anomalous phenomena.
One of the most famous UFO encounters in history, the Rendlesham Forest incident, is drawing renewed attention following claims that a US Army sergeant received cryptic binary messages linked to the event.

Staff Sergeant Jim Penniston has long maintained that he was exposed to a strange code after coming face-to-face with a landed craft during the 1980 Rendlesham incident in England.

The complete binary code Penniston claimed to receive ran for 16 pages of ones and zeros, which, when decoded, read: EXPLORATION [OF] HUMANITY CONTINUOUS BEYOND 8100. EVOLUTION NOT OPTIONAL FOR PLANETARY SURVIVAL THE GREAT AWAKENING NEARS CONSCIOUSNESS MUST EXPAND OR THE CHAIN FRACTURES

' WE RETURNED TO WARN FROM WHERE YOU WILL BE IF YOU CHOOSE THE PATH ORIGIN YEAR 8100 RETURN COORDINATES SEALED IN ANCIENT STONES ADVANCE OR PERISH THE CHOICE IS NOW.'

The Rendlesham Forest incident occurred in December 1980 near RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge, twin air bases in Suffolk used by the US Air Force during the Cold War.

Penniston, a US Air Force security policeman stationed at the base, said he approached the object and examined it at close range, describing it as triangular and metallic, with a surface unlike any known aircraft.

He later recalled: 'I estimated it to be about nine feet tall and about nine feet wide at the base.

'No landing gear was apparent, but it seemed like she was on fixed legs. I moved a little closer I walked around the craft, and finally, I walked right up to the craft. I noticed the fabric of the shell was more like a smooth, opaque, black glass.'

How the event was reported at the time

PC Brian Cresswell of Suffolk Police examining a triangle of marks with Capt. Mike Verrano in Rendlesham Forest after daybreak on the morning of 1980 December 26

Often called 'Britain's Roswell,' the incident remains one of the most documented and controversial UFO cases ever recorded.

At the time, multiple US military personnel reported seeing strange lights moving through the forest. Unlike most UFO sightings, witnesses did not describe a distant object in the sky; they said the craft landed.

Several senior officers recorded their observations on audio tape, creating an official record that still exists today.

Another key witness, thenDeputy Base Commander Colonel Charles Halt, later described the encounter in a memo that became one of the most cited documents in UFO history.

'While in Rendlesham Forest, our security team observed a light that looked like a large eye, red in color, moving through the trees,' Halt wrote. 'After a few minutes, this object began dripping something that looked like molten metal.'

The case gained further notoriety years later when Penniston claimed that the encounter did not end in the forest. He said that long after the incident, he somehow received a stream of binary code connected to the craft. Penniston produced 16 pages filled with handwritten ones and zeros, claiming the information was transmitted to him mentally.

When decoded, believers say the binary text translates into English phrases that include 'Exploration of Humanity' and 'Origin Year 8100,' along with geographic coordinates that appear to point to ancient sites around the world.

Some interpret this as evidence that the craft's occupants were not aliens, but time travelers, possibly humans from the distant future returning to observe or warn their ancestors.

The location itself has only deepened the mystery. RAF Bentwaters reportedly housed tactical nuclear weapons during the Cold War, according to Robert Hastings' book UFOs and Nukes.

Join the debate Do you believe these mysterious messages point to hidden government secrets or something beyond our world?

Penniston, a US Air Force security policeman stationed at the base, said he approached the object and examined it at close range, describing it as triangular and metallic, with a surface unlike any known aircraft (STOCK)

Hastings alleges that another unidentified craft was once seen hovering above a weapons storage area at the base, fueling theories that UFOs may be drawn to nuclear technology.

Skeptics, however, have offered far more mundane explanations. Some argue that the supposed landing marks in the forest were nothing more than rabbit holes, and that flashing lights could have been explained by nearby lighthouses or military activity.

Others have suggested that stress, darkness, and expectation played a role in shaping what witnesses believed they saw.

Now, filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee said he experienced a remarkably similar phenomenon while investigating the site for his documentary.

Lee, who describes himself as a skeptic with a science background, claimed he later visualized binary code that translated into an ominous warning about humanity's survival.

Together, the accounts have reignited debate over whether the Rendlesham encounter involved extraterrestrials, time travelers, or classified Cold War technology.

Lee, director of 45 Years Later: Rendlesham, Britain's Roswell, said he once shared those doubts, particularly regarding Penniston's binary code claims. But that changed after he spent a night filming in Rendlesham Forest.

The official report from Charles Halt, the deputy base commander

He told Daily Mail that during filming, his crew encountered unexplained electronic disturbances and strange visual phenomena.

'Whilst filming, we did manifest a weird electronic noise that was coming from the woods, the EMF reader we had was also peaking, there was definitely something in the woods interacting with us. We tried to find the source of the sound, but it kept changing directions. We would also see orbs of light flashing,' he said.

Lee, who said he approaches paranormal claims cautiously, said he was unable to find a conventional explanation. 'I always try to debunk stuff as I have a science degree, but I couldn't see any natural reason for the phenomenon we all experienced,' he said.

'This has made me a firm believer in something weird that happened and is still happening at Rendlesham Forest since 1980.

'Was it due to alleged secret weapons testing using EMP, which may have ripped open a portal to other dimensions or time? It sounds crazy, but the only other alternative is that future humans came back in a craft to give Pennington this apocalyptic warning?'

Lee believes the incident may not have been extraterrestrial at all, but rather tied to classified Cold War experiments conducted in the region. He pointed to nearby facilities such as Orford Ness and Martlesham Heath, which were known for radar and weapons research.

But Lee said the most unsettling moment came after filming had ended. According to him, he returned to his hotel exhausted and unable to sleep when something unexpected happened.

'I came back after a long day filming, and I was just lying in bed unable to sleep, and all I could see were ones and zeros in front of me. I thought initially I was just tired, but I've never had anything like that before,' he said.

'We also never covered the Penniston Binary Code in the days of filming, so it wasn't on my mind at all.'

Lee claimed he wrote down the sequence he visualized and later had it translated into English, resulting in the same message the US sergeant had received.
The James Ossuary, a first-century carved limestone box, has been described as 'the most significant item ever found' from the time of Christ.

The 2,000-year-old ossuary made global headlines in 2002 when it was exhibited in Washington, hailed as the first potential physical evidence of Jesus's existence.

Its fame comes from an Aramaic inscription, which reads: 'Ya'akov bar Yosef achui de Yeshua', meaning 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus'.

Because the names correspond to those of Jesus of Nazareth's brother and father, many speculate that the box once held the remains of James the Just, the first leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem after the crucifixion.

The inscription has caused ripples worldwide, sparking debate over whether the 'brother of Jesus' portion is authentic, archaeologist Bryan Windle told Daily Mail.

'In my view, the evidence suggests the James Ossuary is a legitimate first-century CE bone box and that the entire inscription is authentic,' he said.

While archaeologists agree that the box itself is authentic and dates from the right period, the inscription is another matter, with some having suggested that the 'brother of Jesus' part was added at a later date.

The evidence hinges on whether the letters of the second half of the inscription 'match' the first half, and whether the 'patina' of ageing is the same across both halves.

Its fame comes from an Aramaic inscription, which reads: 'Ya'akov bar Yosef achui de Yeshua', meaning 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus'

Israeli antiquities dealer Oded Golan was acquitted of faking the relic

The James Ossuary was not discovered in a formal archaeological excavation, but surfaced on the antiquities market in the 1970s.

Its exact original findspot is unknown, though it was likely unearthed in the Jerusalem area or the West Bank, where many first-century tombs containing ossuaries have been found.

Controversy over the ossuary began in 2003 when its owner, Oded Golan, was accused of forging the inscription, including the 'brother of Jesus' portion, and applying a patina to make it appear ancient.

Golan was acquitted after a long trial, though the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) had declared the ossuary a forgery on June 18, 2003, a ruling Golan said ignored proper examination.

He had acquired the ossuary in the 1970s from dealers in Jerusalem and the West Bank, revealing it three decades later.

Golan was found guilty only of lesser charges. Windle acknowledged the difficulties in proving authenticity, telling Daily Mail: 'It is admittedly problematic that the James Ossuary was not discovered in a controlled archaeological excavation but surfaced through the antiquities market, complicating definitive authentication.

'However, expert testimony presented by proponents of forgery collapsed under cross-examination at the forgery trial associated with the artifact.'

After the trial, Golan said: 'The hot-air balloon released by the prosecution and the IAA has finally popped.

The limestone box, or ossuary, features the inscription 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,' written in ancient Aramaic

An artifact believed to have once contained the bones of Jesus' brother James sits on display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto in 2002

'The court has said its word and unequivocally determined that all the attempts to label others forgers were refuted in entirety.'

The judge, however, noted the acquittal 'does not mean that the inscription on the ossuary is authentic or that it was written 2,000 years ago.'

Windle said later analysis supports authenticity, despite the IAA's position.

The ossuary was broken during shipping to the Royal Ontario Museum in 2003, providing a rare opportunity to study it closely.

Bryan Windle told DailyMail.com 'In summary, I believe the ossuary once held the bones of James, who was known in the first century as the 'brother of Jesus.'

Edward J. Keall, former Senior Curator at the ROM, wrote: 'We were able to show that the so-called 'two-hand' theory was baseless.

'Our examination showed that part of the inscription had been recently cleaned, a little too vigorously, with a sharp tool. And for some reason, whoever did it cleaned the beginning of the inscription, but not the end.'

The Talpiot tomb, discovered in a construction site in Jerusalem in 1980, contained ten ossuaries with inscriptions naming figures such as Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Some researchers have suggested that the James Ossuary could be the 'missing' tenth ossuary from this tomb, potentially connecting it directly to the family of Jesus of Nazareth.

James is said to have died as a martyr either in 62AD by being stoned to death on the order of a high priest, or in 69 AD by being thrown off the pinnacle of the Temple by scribes and Pharisees and then clubbed to death

However, archaeologists have largely rejected this theory because the James Ossuarys dimensions and style differ from those of the other ossuaries found in Talpiot, making it unlikely that it originated from the same tomb.

The controversy has fueled ongoing debate among scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts over whether the ossuary is authentic, related to Jesuss family or simply a coincidental first-century artifact.

The debate continues, but Windle says modern testing strengthens the case for authenticity.

'Claims that the latter part of the inscription ('brother of Yeshu'a [Jesus]') was added later have been undermined by further testing that demonstrates the presence of ancient patina in letters in both portions of the inscription,' he said.

'In summary, I believe the ossuary once held the bones of James, who was known in the first century as the 'brother of Jesus,' a designation also attested by Josephus (Antiquities 20.9.1).'
If you've got a sneaking suspicion that there is alien life out there, you are, er, not alone!

In fact, a study shows 95 per cent of us  including top academics, doctors and scientists  believe in extra-terrestrial beings  but we won't admit it.

Fear of being laughed at has meant most people say they don't believe in galaxies far, far away.

To investigate belief in extra-terrestrial life, researchers from Harvard University in the US and Reichman University in Israel quizzed 6,114 highly-educated and scientifically interested people with degrees, postgraduate qualifications and doctorates.

The average age was 49, with most based in the UK, US, Spain and Canada.

The study found that 95 per cent believed extra-terrestrial intelligent life exists. Only one per cent  just 60 people  believed alien life definitely or probably does not exist.

But the group also estimated only half (48 per cent) of their peers would share their belief that intelligent alien life exists.

The researchers wrote: 'Beliefs about extra-terrestrial intelligence existence remain socially constrained despite near-universal private acceptance.

A new study shows that 95 per cent of highly-educated people believe alien life exists. Pictured: The character E.T. from Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic of the same name

The group also estimated only half (48 per cent) of their peers would share their belief that intelligent alien life exists (Stock image)

'Concerns about appearing unscientific, particularly among educated people, may suppress expression.

'The association of extra-terrestrial intelligence beliefs with fringe communities and conspiracy theories creates reputation risk.

'This misperception creates a self-perpetuating cycle: individuals remain silent about their beliefs, interpreting others' silence as sceptics.'

Those questioned also underestimated the strength of the conviction of experts, believing that only 21 per cent definitely thought there was alien life, when nearly 60 per cent of astrobiologists  scientists who study the possibility of life beyond Earth  believe in aliens.

The study  reported in Cornell University's ArXiv science journal  termed the hidden beliefs as people staying in the 'cosmic closet', adding that it 'represents one of the largest documented cases of pluralistic ignorance'  where people conform to a norm they disagree with, as they mistakenly believe most others accept it.

Last month one of Britain's top space scientists declared she is 'absolutely convinced' there are aliens out there.

Dame Maggie AderinPocock, from University College London's Department of Physics and Astronomy, said she expects a 'positive detection' of life on another planet by 2075.
MANILA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- More bodies were recovered from beneath heaps of garbage and twisted steel at the site of a collapsed facility in the central Philippine city of Cebu, bringing the death toll to 35, the city's Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Saturday.

Authorities said the search continues for a lone worker who remains missing.

The victims were among workers trapped inside the facility when a portion of a dumpsite collapsed on Jan. 8, sweeping the structure in its path.

"Search, rescue, and retrieval operations are ongoing, with responding teams continuing efforts on the ground," the BFP said in a social media post.

Cebu City officials said 18 people were rescued from the incident, all of whom sustained injuries. 
A guest on Antiques Roadshow was amazed to learn the eye-watering value of her soup bowls - as their 'amazing' history was revealed.

Presented by Fiona Bruce, the BBC show paid a visit to Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in Ealing, West London.

One of the visitors brought along the pair of soup bowls, along with a painting, for valuation.

The guest's grandfather was Reginald Skelton, one of the first officers of the first major Scottish expedition to the Antarctic.

Furthermore, the painting depicted Antarctica, as painted by the artist Edward Wilson.

The soup bowls came from the expedition itself, with expert Fuschia Voremberg offering her assessment of them.

An Antiques Roadshow guest was surprised to discover the value of her soup bowls, which she had brought in for inspection

The guest's grandfather was Reginald Skelton, one of the first officers of the first major Scottish expedition to the Antarctic - with the bowls being from the expedition

Alongside the bowls, she also brought in a painting of the Antarctic that had been painted by Edward Wilson

She said: 'These soup bowls are so fun, and they're actually made by Royal Doulton as you can see on the crest on the back.'

Fuschia added: 'This is the actual china that the officers would've eaten their soup out of.

'But anyway, let's take a look at this painting, I think the colours are amazing.'

Upon valuing the items, Fuschia said: 'These soup bowls, I'm going to give them a value of 3,500 each.

'And this painting, which is so lovely and has a really nice inscription on the back from Wilson to your grandfather, I'm going to give that a value of 7,000. How do you feel about that?'

The guest replied: 'A bit astonished, quite honestly. I've never really sort of thought about value.

'And certainly we would never sell them. They'll just go down through the family.'

In a previous episode, a guest was stunned after discovering the value of his dad's rare watch - only for a jaw-dropping twist to follow.

The visitor brought in a rare Omega watch, which, as a child, he had seen his father wear on special occasions.

Clock expert Alastair Chandler, who carried out the valuation, branded the timepiece as a 'real classic'.

He shared: 'This is a fabulous Omega Speedmaster made in Switzerland.

In a previous episode, a guest brought his dad's Omega watch - which had been purchased for 59 for 1971 - in for a valuation

'Its a real classic watch. However, what really caught my attention was its such an unusual dial configuration for an Omega Speedmaster.'

The guest recounted how his dad bought the watch back in 1971, for just 59 at the time.

Alastair noted that given this model's rarity, they do not come up for sale often, making it difficult where to place the watch.

The expert added: 'I can say in December 2024, a similar watch, same model, sold for just over 50,000 at auction.'

But despite this eye-watering sum, the guest revealed he had no intention of selling the watch.

The guest said: 'Wow, surprising. Very surprising', before agreeing with Alastair that the watch had been a good investment on his father's part.

He added: 'It's very, very good actually, very good. Dad chose wisely.'

Antiques Roadshow continues Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer.
Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard made his debut as a Saturday Night Live host this weekend and featured in a scathing spoof of the show that made him a child star.

Fans of Stranger Things were left groaning with exasperation when the final episodes dropped on Netflix last month, including a widely derided scene of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) coming out of the closet to his loved ones as gay.

Viewers mocked the scene for dragging on across more than five minutes, and for the fact Will apparently decided that the time to handle a personal announcement was right as he and his friends were facing a major battle.

One viral meme even claimed that the recent U.S. raid on Venezuela - which resulted in the abduction of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores - lasted less time than it took for Will to come out.

On this week's Saturday Night Live, Wolfhard starred in a sketch about the future lives of Stranger Things characters after the events of the 1980s-set show.

Wolfhard and his co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin were seen meeting for drinks as their characters in 1990s New York City - but Will was absent because, a narrator explained, 'his coming out scene is still going on.'

Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard made his debut as a Saturday Night Live host this weekend and featured in a scathing spoof of the show that made him a child star

The last episodes of Stranger Things dropped on Netflix last month, including a widely derided scene of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp, center) coming out of the closet to his loved ones as gay

Will, played by Saturday Night Live regular cast member Jeremy Culhane, was then seen burbling endlessly to his friends about his identity.

'Guys, I'm gay. I need the courage to tell you the truth, and the truth is I'm ga...zing at all of your faces,' he said, his voice cracking with emotion. 'And you should know that I like D...and D, Dungeons and Dragons, just like you guys!'

Noah Schnapp, who played Will, announced his real-life homosexuality on TikTok in 2023 to a chorus of support from fans and co-stars like Wolfhard.

Two years later, when his character's coming out scene came in for widespread criticism, Schnapp staunchly defended the viral moment.

'No part of that scene felt forced or produced,' he insisted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter when asked about his personal connection to the material.

'Part of that was how much I spent preparing, and part of that was my cast and how gracious they were. But watching it back onscreen and getting to see everyones reactions was really sweet and emotional for me,' he said.

He added that he became 'teary' watching how Will's older brother Jonathan Byers, played by Charlie Heaton, reacted tot he news.

'After we cut, I remember hugging Charlie for real and crying, and it all felt so real,' added Schnapp, who earned $7 million for the show's last season.

Saturday Night Live included a sketch about Stranger Things characters years later, not including Will 'because his coming out scene is still going on' (the real scene is pictured)

Will, played by Saturday Night Live regular cast member Jeremy Culhane, was then seen burbling endlessly to his friends about his identity

'I need the courage to tell you the truth, and the truth is I'm ga...zing at all of your faces,' he said, his voice cracking with emotion

The coming out takes place on the second-to-last episode The Bridge, which dropped Christmas Day, nearly a week before the series finale on New Year's Eve.

When Schnapp received the screenplay for the episode containing his character's coming out, he 'read it alone and just cried and I was like: "Its perfect,"' he said.

When he acted the scene with his co-stars, he felt 'a weight off my chest reading that scene aloud with everyone. I felt like: "Ok, I can do this."'

Will turns out to have a crush on Finn Wolfhard's character Mike Wheeler, but the characters never become romantically involved.
Amanda Bynes was the shining star of Nickelodeon and the lead actress in numerous blockbuster teen comedies.

But a public mental breakdown and a battle with drug addiction caused the former 2000s icon to retreat from public life and transform her appearance entirely.

These days, however, it would seem the What A Girl Wants actress, 39, has turned a corner.

Between her recent weight loss journey aided by Ozempic, and a new man in her life, inside sources have exclusively told the Daily Mail that Bynes's loved ones are hopeful the troubled star may be returning to her old self.

Much of that, they said, is thanks to her new 'level-headed' boyfriend, 40-year-old business owner Zachary Khan. Sources said he has given Bynes 'some stability' two years after her whirlwind engagement to ex-fiance Paul Michael.

'It's still going,' one insider told the Daily Mail about Bynes and Khan's relationship. 'It's not serious serious, like they're not going to get married right away, but he's really supportive of her, really good to her.'

Amanda Bynes, 39, showcased her slimmed-down figure on December 15, 2025, in Los Angeles amid her ongoing weight loss journey aided by Ozempic

Bynes's new relationship with business owner Zachary Khan (pictured) is 'not serious serious' but he 'gives her some stability,' a source told the Daily Mail

It's a welcome change for the troubled star, who was placed under a nine-year conservatorship by her parents in 2013 following a string of erratic behavior, legal problems and drug abuse.

Bynes's fall from grace isn't unlike the many sordid stories of former child stars, having landed her big break at just 10 years old in 1999 on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That.

It was there she met Nickelodeon's controversial producer Dan Schneider, who set Bynes up with her own spin-off comedy series, The Amanda Show, which ran from 1999 to 2002.

Schneider departed from the network in 2018 amid various allegations of misconduct, including fostering an abusive and toxic workplace environment, gender discrimination and the sexualization of the child actors he hired. He has denied the allegations.

Bynes transferred her expert comedic talents to the big screen with lead roles in films Big Fat Liar, What a Girl Wants and She's The Man.

From 2006 to 2010, she furthered her career with blockbuster movies such as Hairspray, Sydney White and Easy A.

But by 2010, Bynes shocked the world when she announced she was quitting Hollywood at what seemed like the height of her career.

It wasn't until years later, during a 2018 interview with Paper Magazine, that she revealed her performance in 2006's She's the Man - in which her character impersonates her twin brother - had sent her into a months-long 'deep depression for 4-6 months because I didn't like how I looked' as a boy.

Bynes (pictured in 2002) retreated from the spotlight in 2010 amid a well publicized mental health breakdown

Bynes revealed her performance in the 2006 comedy film She's The Man sent her into a months-long 'deep depression because [she] didn't like how [she] looked' as a boy (pictured)

Bynes was put under a conservatorship in 2013 after suffering from multiple mental health issues and having repeat run-ins with the law. It ended in March 2022 (Bynes is pictured with parents, Rick and Lynn Bynes)

In that same interview, Bynes shared she 'couldn't stand my appearance' in Easy A, though she acknowledged that being 'high on marijuana' had 'absolutely changed my perception of things.'

It was because of her self-esteem issues that Bynes underwent a dramatic physical transformation - dying her hair platinum blonde, getting a tattoo of a heart on her cheek and receiving lip fillers and a blepharoplasty surgery to lift her eyelids.

Her drastic appearance was coupled by erratic behavior on social media, where she tweeted bizarre statements about Barack Obama and infamously asked Drake to 'murder' her vagina.

Her public spiral also included two DUI arrests - the first in 2012 and another in 2014. Bynes was sentenced to three years of probation for her first DUI, while the Los Angeles City Attorney decided not to prosecute her for the second arrest.

In 2013, Bynes's parents, Rick and Lynn Bynes, placed their daughter under a conservatorship. One year later, Bynes went public with her bipolar disorder diagnosis.

While a California judge granted Bynes's petition to end her conservatorship in March 2022, her mental health struggles weren't entirely in the past.

Just one year later, she was placed on a psychiatric hold after being found 'roaming the streets naked and alone', TMZ reported at the time.

She was later released from a mental health facility following a three-week stay, as sources previously told the Daily Mail her split from Michael 'was a catalyst in her breakdown and that he is not a healthy and safe person for her to be around.'

Bynes (pictured in 2012) was arrested for the first time for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was only sentenced to three years probation for the first DUI

Bynes (pictured in January 2025) now seems happier and healthier, sources told the Daily Mail

Bynes (right) was previously in an on-again, off-again relationship with ex-fiance Paul Michael (left), which came to an end in 2023

Between her erratic behavior and a public battle with her mental health, fans often wondered whether Bynes would ever turn her situation around.

But according to insiders, her 'healthy' relationship with Khan has ignited a new lease on life.

Bynes and Khan, who owns event and security business In House Event Operations, went public with their relationship in September when she posted it on her Instagram Stories.

Most recently, the pair enjoyed a 'quiet dinner' on New Year's Eve together, the first source shared.

It is understood by the Daily Mail the pair have been friends for over a decade, though they didn't spark up a romance until after she called it quits with Michael in 2023.

'He's in business, he has owned his own company for years,' the insider continued.

'She needs that. He's very nine-to-five, very level-headed. He can talk her down when she gets upset, but also makes her laugh. Amanda used to say she wasn't ever going to find another boyfriend, and then she and Zachary got closer. It was a deep friendship that turned to more.

'I've seen him calm her down when she gets in her mood, he just handles her. He really is helping her.'

Bynes posted a selfie to her Instagram and tagged what appears to be Khan's Instagram account, @vipinhouse, with the caption: 'Ur my type'

She also re-shared a photo from @vipinhouse showing a plate of food on a bed, with the caption: 'Staying in'



Bynes gained more than 20 pounds in 2024 due to depression. But a second source told the Daily Mail that she is now 'losing lots of weight with Ozempic and she is loving it.

'She's starting to see her old self and that has made her extremely happy, which has been a big boost to her mental health. She hasn't been in this much of a good mood and in bright spirits in some time.'

The second source added that Bynes has 'lost about 20 to 30 pounds, and she is looking to lose 20 or 30 more and have a big reveal in a few months.'

Back in June, Bynes revealed on Instagram she was taking the once-weekly semaglutide injection.

'I'm 173 now so I hope to get down to like 130, which would be awesome so I look better in paparazzi pictures,' Bynes said in a video posted to her Instagram Stories.

'I will post about my Ozempic journey, of course.'

As for her career, Bynes has pivoted away from acting to pursue a career in art and fashion.

Bynes has been open on social media about her Ozempic journey after she gained 20 pounds in 2024 due to depression

A second source told the Daily Mail that Bynes is 'losing lots of weight with Ozempic and she is loving it'

Bynes graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2019. She hosted a show in 2024 in collaboration with fashion designer Austin Babbitt to show off her art and T-shirt designs.

She also revealed in 2022 that she was working toward obtaining her manicurist license, and was seen attending cosmetology school in October of that year.

Bynes's friends and loved ones are hopeful that she has turned a new leaf, insiders said, though they largely credit Khan for inspiring her change.

'Her family and friends are so happy for her,' the second source shared.

'There was a time not so long ago where it was all doom and gloom and an uphill battle, but that has changed drastically, and Amanda is living her best life right now.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Bynes for comment.
READ MORE: Alligator snaps at Robert Irwin as he tries to give huge reptile a hug in wild video

A Queensland man has won the coveted title of Australia's best Robert Irwin lookalike.

Ben Marshall, a married father from Caloundra, took out the crown and won $500 in cash for his striking resemblance to Robert, 22.

The contest was held in Robert's hometown on Saturday, with 30 hopeful contestants battling it out on Kings Beach.

Ben, who showed off his rippling muscles in an unbuttoned khaki shirt, told the Today show that he's frequently stopped by Robert's fans, who mistake him for the real thing - something he has been experiencing 'for years'.

'At least once every week or two, someone comes up to me and says, "You look like Robert." Some people ask, "Are you Robert?"' Ben said.

The Queenslander said that he has not been asked to sign any autographs yet, but hopes to after winning the competition.

A Queensland man has won the coveted title of Australia's best Robert Irwin lookalike. Winner Ben Marshall (left) is a dead ringer for the real Robert (right)

The contest was held in Robert's hometown on Saturday, with 30 hopeful contestants battling it out on Kings Beach. Pictured: An entrant in the contest

The competition was announced last week, with Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel explaining that the aim was to celebrate Robert's return to Australia after his winning run on Dancing with the Stars. Pictured: Contestants on Saturday

Ben launched into his best Robert impersonation with a fake snake around his neck.

'This snake here, this is a beautiful creature, this one. She's an absolute beauty mate!' Ben drawled in a thick Aussie accent.

'This thing will bite your head off, and I've just got her around my neck. I just do not care. Have a look at it!' he joked.

Ben also showed off his dance moves to pay tribute to Robert's efforts on Dancing with the Stars US.

'I was up all night practising, so yeah, I'm glad I took out the win,' he said.

The competition was announced last week, with Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel explaining that the aim was to celebrate Robert's return to Australia after his winning run on Dancing with the Stars.

'To welcome Robert Irwin home after six months, we had a bit of fun,' Stoeckel said.

He added: 'If Bindi Irwin had been here, she would have done a double take.

Ben (pictured front), who showed off his rippling muscles in an unbuttoned khaki shirt, told the Today show that he's frequently stopped by Robert's fans, who mistake him for the real thing - something he has been experiencing 'for years'

'At least once every week or two, someone comes up to me and says, "You look like Robert." Some people ask, "Are you Robert?"' Ben (left) said

The Queenslander said that he has not been asked to sign any autographs yet, but hopes to after winning the competition

'You had to own the crikey with confidence, you had to have that Robert Irwin physique and really be able to entertain the crowd with a bit of dance moves and some croc wrestling.'

Robert himself was deeply amused by the contest, calling it 'classic' in a social media post.

The real Robert took to social media to describe the contest as 'classic'.

It's certainly been a big 12 months for Robert, after winning the US version of Dancing with the Stars and a new season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! premiering next Sunday.

Robert still works at Australia Zoo, his family's Queensland-based conservation park, and carries on his late father Steve's conservation mission.
The Night Manager's leading lady Camila Morrone has forever been surrounded by Hollywood A-listers, having grown up in Beverly Hills.

So spotting icons like Brad Pitt in cafes was somewhat 'normal' for Camila in her neighbourhood, she once recalled.

Over the years the glamorous star has adopted an A-list girl squad made up of Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Suki Waterhouse, all of whom she calls her 'besties'.

The actress, 28, is the daughter of Argentinian actors Maximo Morrone and Lucila Polak in 1997, who performs under the stage name Lucila Sola.

Her parents divorced in 2006, with Lucila soon embarking on a four-year relationship with Hollywood legend Al Pacino, who Camila refers to as her stepfather to this day.

Aside from her famous family connection, Camila is best known as the ex-love of movie star Leonardo DiCaprio, 51.

The Night Manager's leading lady Camila Morrone, 28, has forever been surrounded by Hollywood A-listers, having grown up in Beverly Hills (pictured in the BBC drama)

The actress is best known as the ex-love of movie star Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, whom she split with after four years together in 2022 (pictured in 2018)

The former lovebirds were together for four years before calling it quits in 2022 - just two months after she turned 25.

But Camila says she has fought hard to get to the place she is now.

Reflecting on her past decade, Camila said she feels 'really proud' of where she has come, adding it 'wasn't her reality ten years ago'.

Despite attending LA's prestigious Beverly Hills High School, Camila said she watched her parents struggle to put food on the table which nearly made her avoid a career in acting entirely.

She told the Los Angeles Times: 'I saw them struggle their whole lives to be financially independent actors, and seeing them go through that, I was kind of turned off to it.

'There was so much angst around acting, and it was such a topic of conversation  never knowing where your next paycheck is going to come from. I thought: "I'm going to go to college. I'm going to have a normal 9-to-5 job."

'And of course, I ended up exactly like them.'

Camila would subsequently bag a role in BBC drama The Night Manager after a decade of flitting between acting and modelling.

Over the years the glamorous star has adopted an A-list girl squad made up of Hailey Bieber (pictured in 2022), Kaia Gerber and Suki Waterhouse, all of whom she calls her 'besties'

Camila struck up a friendship with actress Suki after starring in Daisy Jones & The Six together and have become inseparable since (pictured together)

She also spent last summer chasing sunsets with model Kaia, which Camila plastered across her Instagram

Her highly publicised romance with Leonardo has made Camila want to prove herself as an actress more than ever.

'When you're an actor people will always find things about your personal life,' Camila said in an interview with The Times.

'Perhaps with projects that will change, but it's something that comes with the territory. Having grown up in Hollywood, I was around it. I was around celebrities. It's normal [for people] living in LA to see Brad Pitt at the coffee shop, you know?'

At the time, a source told E! News that distance played a major role in their split, citing the pair's demanding travel schedules and career commitments.

Another insider told The Sun that there were 'no bad feelings between them,' adding that the relationship simply 'came to a natural conclusion'.

Camila, who is 23 years younger than Leonardo, was first introduced to the actor in 2008 when she was just 12 years old, through Al - a longtime friend of Leonardo's.

The Revenant star reportedly remained close with Camila's family for years before their romantic relationship began a decade later.

Camila got her start as a model, and transitioned into an acting career; her first film role was in 2013 in the project Bukowski.

Speaking about her friendship group, Camila said: 'I love my girls. Suki Waterhouse is one of my best friends and we became like sisters' (pictured with Suki in 2023)

She added: 'But its hard to keep up with these women who have these grand lives. Sukis on tour, Kaias doing multiple projects, Hailey Bieber is, you know, raising a family and a multibillion-dollar business' (pictured with Hailey last summer)

Camila, daughter of Argentinian actors Maximo Morrone and Lucila Polak who divorced, calls Al Pacino her 'stepfather' after he struck up a romance with her mother (pictured in 2014)

Her biggest role to date was the role of Camila Dunne in the series Daisy Jones & The Six, a series that aired on Amazon Prime.

It was where she struck up a friendship with actress Suki, both of whom have become inseparable and even attended Adele's birthday together.

Rhode founder Hailey is another A-lister in Camila's circle.

The girlfriends spent last summer travelling at sea on a yacht with model Kaia, which Camila plastered across her Instagram with sunset pictures.

Speaking about her friendship group, Camila said: 'I love my girls. Suki Waterhouse is one of my best friends and we became like sisters.

'But its hard to keep up with these women who have these grand lives. Sukis on tour, Kaias doing multiple projects, Hailey Bieber is, you know, raising a family and a multibillion-dollar business.'

Thanks to her star-studded contacts list, Camila knew the director of The Night Manager and reached out to beg for the role.

She said: 'I do that with no shame. I will harass a director via email and send a love story about what I feel about a character.

The show, starring Tom Hiddleston and Diego Calva (pictured), was an instant hit following its initial release in 2016

Camila has filled the shoes previously worn by Elizabeth Debicki, who played leading man Tom's love interest before winning her role as Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown

The actress is now in a relationship with Cole Bennett, 29, who is rumoured to have a huge net worth due to his highly successful career as a music video director and record executive

'When I knew they were casting season two, I asked if there were any female roles and they were reading women a little older than me in their mid-thirties.

'When I heard they were looking for a Latin character I was like, you guys, come on, this is written for me!'

The show, starring Tom Hiddleston and adapted from the late John Le Carre's 1993 novel, was an instant hit following its initial release in 2016.

Camila has filled the shoes previously worn by Elizabeth Debicki, who played leading man Tom's love interest before winning her role as Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown.

The actress is now in a relationship with Cole Bennett, 29, who is rumoured to have a huge net worth due to his highly successful career as a music video director and record executive.
One of 80s television's most glamorous actresses made a rare appearance on Wednesday, and her youthful beauty had fans doing a double take.

The star, now 69, who first lit up screens in 1984 as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on the police drama Hunter, looked like she had stepped through a time machine while running errands in Los Angeles.

Voted 'the most beautiful woman in the history of television' in a 1988 TV Guide poll, she still carried herself with effortless sophistication in a chic black-and-white ensemble.

A touch of rock-and-roll flair peeked through in the bold print of her outfit, nodding to the musical ambitions that led her to leave Hunter after seven seasons to pursue a record deal.

Her career also includes memorable stints on Starsky & Hutch, Dynasty, Bosom Buddies, and Knots Landing.

Can you name the mystery star who looks just as stunning as the day she guest-starred on the 1983 sitcom We Got It Made?

One of 80s televisions most glamorous actresses, now 69, turned heads on Wednesday with her youthful beauty while running errands in Los Angeles, looking as if shed stepped straight out of 1984 as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter

Once named the most beautiful woman ever to grace television by a 1988 TV Guide poll, she showed the years have done nothing to dull her elegance in a striking black-and-white outfit

Her career also includes memorable stints on Starsky & Hutch, Dynasty, Bosom Buddies, and Knots Landing

If you guessed Stepfanie Kramer - yes, spelled just like that - youre right.

After leaving Hunter, Kramer continued her prolific career in television and film.

She appeared in Coins in the Fountain (1990), Twin Sisters (1992), Beyond Suspicion (1994), Deceived by Trust (1995), Abducted: A Fathers Love (1996), Thrill (1996), The Dogwalker (1999), and The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006).

She also reprised her role as Dee Dee McCall in two Hunter TV movies in 2002 and 2003.

However, a 2003 NBC revival of the series was canceled after just four episodes, despite strong ratings.

Her contributions to television have been widely recognized. In 2015, she was honored as an Icon of Television at the 55th Monte-Carlo Television Festival and returned the following year as a member of the festivals Fiction Jury.

Most recently, in 2025, she was celebrated at the 35th Shanghai Television Festival for her work on Hunter, which became one of the most popular shows in China.

Beyond acting, Kramer has written and produced for both film and television, teaming with writers and producers like David Chisolm and Chip Hayes.

If you guessed Stepfanie Kramer - yes, spelled just like that - youre right; (pictured in Hunter 1984)

She also reprised her role as Dee Dee McCall in two Hunter TV movies in 2002 and 2003; (pictured with Fred Dryer)

However, a 2003 NBC revival of the series was canceled after just four episodes, despite strong ratings

She appeared in Coins in the Fountain (1990), Twin Sisters (1992), Beyond Suspicion (1994), Deceived by Trust (1995), Abducted: A Fathers Love (1996), Thrill (1996), The Dogwalker (1999), and The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006); (pictured 1989)

Most recently, in 2025, she was celebrated at the 35th Shanghai Television Festival for her work on Hunter, which became one of the most popular shows in China; (pictured 2022)

She has also remained active in theater and music, including a staged reading of the award-winning musical A Twist of Fate in New York, a co-produced reading of Doc Holliday: The Musical in Los Angeles, and a special guest appearance in Menopause: The Musical.

Kramer has embraced new media as well, hosting the YouTube podcast Reflections with Stepfanie Kramer, where she shares insights on weekly quotes.

She is currently in production on a new interview podcast, The Other Side with Stepfanie Kramer.

On the personal front, she married Mark Richards in 1992 and divorced in 2001.

The couples daughter, Lily Richards, born in 1994, has followed in her mothers creative footsteps as an actress, writer, and director.

Kramer proudly notes on her official website that Lily is 'the greatest production Ive ever been involved in.'
Having spent years as a member of Harvey Weinsteins PR team, Hollywood attack dog publicist Matthew Hiltzik is, you could argue, a dab hand at handling a crisis.

So it made perfect sense that, when Nicola Peltz  the US heiress married to Brooklyn Beckham  found herself at war with her husbands high-profile parents, David and Victoria, Hiltzik was seen as the right man to help her navigate the fallout.

With a little help from her father, the notoriously aggressive billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz, she secured his extremely expensive services last June.

And as the Beckhams continued to garner the lions share of public sympathy during the feud, Nicola set out to get even in the best way she knows how: by throwing money at the problem.

Hiltziks mission was to protect and restore the Peltzes reputation and to make sure the wider Peltz family, including Brooklyn, won the briefing war.

It wasnt long before the claims being pushed out from Nicola and Brooklyns Californian camp began to escalate.

There were accusations of misogyny slung at the Beckhams, who have long blamed Nicola, 31, for the complete breakdown in relations with their eldest son.

Indeed, Nicola appeared furious when I wrote that Brooklyn, 26, had been nicknamed The Hostage in the Beckhams circles over claims that he is simply following her lead.

Nicola appeared furious when I wrote that Brooklyn had been nicknamed The Hostage in the Beckhams circles over claims that he is simply following her lead

More recently, a story emerged from their shores that they had instructed their lawyers, London-based Schillings, to send David and Victoria a cease and desist letter last summer, which requested that any contact between the warring parties should go through them.

But now, I can reveal, the conflict has become too much even for Hiltzik to bear. Seven months after engaging his services, the couple have parted ways with the publicist, with both sides claiming they ended the agreement.

Sources tell me it was Nelson who called time on the partnership after growing increasingly irate that his youngest daughter was continuing to be upset at her negative portrayal in the media. Nicola and Brooklyn are also insisting they let him go, Im told.

Meanwhile, others say it was Hiltzik who walked away, having grown tired of Nicola using social media to antagonise her in-laws, including a post that saw her fawning over her mother, Claudia, on her birthday last week (the couple famously failed to attend any of the celebrations for David Beckhams 50th birthday last year). Certainly some who know Nicola agree she is extremely hard work.

Whatever the truth, sources agree on one thing: its a blow for Nicola and Brooklyn.

Matthew is no longer working with Nicola and Brooklyn, says my source. It really is quite the blow for them, Nicola seemed to enjoy getting her feelings out there to the Press on the rift.

Seven months after engaging Matthew Hiltziks (pictured) extremely expensive services, Nicola and Brooklyn have parted ways with the publicist, with both sides claiming they ended the agreement

Had Hiltzik tired of snaps like this... the couple sharing VBs favourite 5,000 wine?

While many arent fond of Matthews fiery manner, he is used to a crisis, it is what he specialises in, so to not have him working with them anymore means that they are, arguably, in a much weaker situation.

From the outside Nicola had become quite forthright, if not a little obsessed, with getting back at David and Victoria.

But it has all got a bit pathetic now. It has become a bit of a he said, she said now. Nicola will never want anyone to think Hiltzik has left her. For her, and her father, coming out on top is a must.

Anyone who knows Hiltzik knows that by hiring him it would have meant he would aggressively pressurise the media not to print anything anti Nicola or Brooklyn. It is a real statement that she wanted to bullishly lead the narrative.

Hiltzik, who is based in New York, stopped representing Weinstein in 2005 and has long since washed his hands of the serial sex offender after he was jailed in 2018. The PR man has gone on to work with Justin Bieber, Johnny Depp and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Soon after Hiltzik parted company with the Beckham-Peltzes, Brooklyn shared a snap of himself and Nicola enjoying a glass of Victorias favourite 5,000 wine.

He treated his wife to the Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc while celebrating her 31st birthday earlier last week.

One source said: As a couple of nepo-babies who dont really do a lot with their days or have really had a job theyve had to graft at, they are desperately worried about their reputations, but then they post a picture of themselves sipping 5,000 wine.

Perhaps thats the kind of thing that Matthew was getting fed up with  who knows?

It was in April last year that I first revealed Brooklyn had fallen out with his parents after failing to attend any of his fathers 50th birthday celebrations.

Former England captain David, and fashion designer Victoria, 51, were left devastated  but placed the blame firmly at Nicolas door.

Nicola, of course, denies this. Through Hiltzik, she briefed the media that Brooklyn could make his own decisions about the type of relationship he wanted to have with his parents.

But is evidence starting to emerge that perhaps Brooklyn is keener for a reconciliation than Nicola would have people believe?

A story briefed to the New York Post (by someone who I believe to be a very well-placed source) certainly suggests so.

They claimed that things had calmed recently before the incendiary story about the legal letter emerged.

And the insider, who is said to know the couple, told the publication: Brooklyn wants to do anything to make Nicola happy, but this is all getting out of control. I cant imagine a world where Brooklyn wouldnt want to see his parents again.

In the meantime, Im told that David and Victoria have reluctantly accepted that Brooklyn, who was once so close to them  and who appears to have named his hot sauce company, Cloud 23, after his fathers squad number at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy  does not want to see them at the moment.

But perhaps they now have a small glimmer of hope that, one day, he may return to them.

It is clear that Brooklyn is very keen to please Nicola but maybe, just maybe, he will at some point want to get back in touch with his parents, my source says. Nothing would make them happier.
Leida Margaretha was charged with 24 felonies in the state of Wisconsin following her multiple arrests last year.

The 90 Day Fiance star, 36, has been charged with seven counts of bail jumping, six counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of forgery and one count of stealing over $10,000 from a business.

It was first reported by TMZ, and per the outlet, she committed the crimes in the time span of just five months between November 2023 and March 2024.

She has a court hearing scheduled for Sunday, February 18 in Juneau County but has not yet been arrested, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

This comes after her estranged husband Eric Rosenbrook, whom she met on the show, was arrested on misdemeanor charges in early July for allegedly hitting Margaretha.

Just several days later, their newborn daughter Alisa died at five weeks old, and the on-off couple later separated for a brief period.

Leida Margaretha was charged with 24 felonies in the state of Wisconsin following her multiple arrests last year

The cause of their baby's death is unknown, but Rosenbrook previously revealed that their newborn died after being on life support for five days.

The Adams County Sheriff's Office has an ongoing investigation into the baby's death.

At the end of that same month, Margaretha filed a petition for legal separation from Rosenbrook, 48, after seven years of marriage, but the filing was later dismissed.

She was granted a temporary restraining order against him as she alleged he had been abusing her since they got married in 2018.

Rosenbrook and Margaretha first appeared on and met during season six of 90 Day Fiance, which aired in 2018.

This was not the first time Margaretha has had a run-in with the law.

Early last year, she was arrested and charged with domestic disorderly conduct and mistreatment of an animal in the state of Wisconsin.

She was also charged with one count of bail jumping last summer following her arrest on July 17 after she failed to update her phone number with the court in a separate pending criminal case.

The 90 Day Fiance star, 36, has been charged with seven counts of bail jumping, six counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of forgery and one count of stealing over $10,000 from a business

This was not the first time Margaretha has had a run-in with the law. She was arrested in 2023 and also early last year

This comes after her estranged husband Eric Rosenbrook, whom she met on the show, was arrested on misdemeanor charges in early July for allegedly hitting Margaretha

Just several days later, their newborn daughter Alisa died  an investigation is ongoing into the manner of her death  and the onoff couple filed for legal separation after seven years of marriage. The petition was later dismissed, and the pair seemingly got back together

She was released shortly thereafter, but the judge ordered her to surrender her passport.

Prior to her arrest, she had reportedly traveled to bring her son to Indonesia following her baby's death.

She was also later charged with two counts of identity theft in September of last year.

Wisconsin prosecutors filed court documents accusing her of using customer banking information from a local business where she worked to pay her personal bills or to pay the bills of a company she co-owned called Proud American Logistics.

Per Us Weekly, a detective from the City of Portage Police Department was investigating her and the executives of the company made claims that she was making fraudulent transactions with the company's checking account.

At the time, the outlet reported that she faces up to six years behind bars and up to $10,000 in fines if she were to be convicted.

She was also arrested in 2023, but the charges were later dismissed in November 2024.
Sarah Abo has revealed the very surprising reason her mysterious husband, Cyrus Moran, prefers to stay out of the spotlight.

The Today star, 40, who co-hosts the Channel Nine breakfast show with Karl Stefanovic, tells this week's Stellar magazine that her husband likes to keep a low profile.

'It's not as though he's hiding. It's just that he's not in the media,' Sarah told the Something To Talk About podcast.

Sarah said people are always surprised that her husband of 13 years does not want to pursue a media career.

'For some reason that seems to be hard to understand for some people. It's like, "No, mate. I've got a weird job and a weird life... he doesn't,"' she said.

The couple's commitment to privacy has led to some awkward situations, such as when he declined to appear on a special edition of the Today show to mark her 40th birthday.

Sarah Abo has revealed the very surprising reason her mysterious husband, Cyrus Moran, prefers to stay out of the spotlight

'Today wanted to get my family in Melbourne up via video link, but they were like, "Oh, Cyrus, can you just come on set and just wish Sarah a happy birthday,"' she said.

'And he was like, "Absolutely not." He said to me, "Are you gonna kill me if I don't come on the telly? I'm really sorry. Do you mind if I don't do it?"

Sarah revealed that one of the key strengths of their relationship was their mutual support  and she told her husband she would be happy with whatever decision he made.

'He said, "I will if you really want me to, but I really don't want to." I was like, "I don't want you to do anything youre not comfortable with." It's just not who he is,' she said.

The Syrian-born presenter has been married to Cyrus since 2012.

Cyrus works as a trader at a Victorian steel mill and helps facilitate trade between Australian and international companies.

Both are graduates of Monash University, with Cyrus completing his Bachelor of Arts History degree in 2004, the same year Sarah began studying journalism there.

While Sarah usually keeps tight-lipped about her relationship status, she does occasionally post sweet photos of her and Cyrus on social media.

The Today star, 40, who co-hosts the Channel Nine breakfastshow with Karl Stefanovic, tells this week's Stellar magazine that her husband likes to keep a low profile

'It's not as though he's hiding. It's just that he's not in the media,' said Sarah

One Instagram snap from May 2023 shows the lovebirds celebrating Cyrus' 40th birthday as Sarah lovingly embraces him at a party.

Sarah captioned the photo with some heartfelt words: 'Happy birthday. Beautiful, blurry, you. #fortyandfine.'

Channel Nine announced in November 2022 that Sarah, a former 60 Minutes reporter, would be replacing Allison Langdon on the Today show alongside Karl Stefanovic.

'I am thrilled to be joining the wonderful and hard-working team at Today, who manage to inform the nation every morning while also having a lot of fun,' Sarah said in a press release.
A Love Island star has allegedly been arrested on suspicion of 'sexual assault, stalking and coercive control' as he landed into the UK.

The man, who is in his 20s but has not been identified for legal reasons, has also been accused of 'criminal damage, assault by beating and threats of revenge porn against his alleged victim'.

According to new reports the suspect was arrested as he disembarked at an airport after a woman contacted the police with the allegations.

The TV star is not connected to the current series and has been released on bail.

A source told The Sun: 'These incredibly serious allegations are the last thing the show and ITV need given all the problems Love Island has faced in the past.

'The network bosses will make sure they keep this guy away from the show, and any links to ITV, if any of this is proven. We know the police are taking this very seriously.'

A Love Island star has allegedly been arrested on suspicion of 'sexual assault, stalking and coercive control' as he landed into the UK

According to new reports the suspect was arrested as he disembarked at an airport after a woman contacted the police with the allegations

The publication reported that The Met launched an investigation on November 15 and he was arrested 12 days later.

A spokesman said: 'He was arrested on suspicion of multiple offences, including sexual assault, stalking, criminal damage and assault. A woman has been offered specialist support by officers.'

Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

The third series of Love Island All Stars, hosted by Maya Jama, hit our screens on Thursday evening.

The dating show was supposed to air on Monday (12 January 2026), after it was due to start filming last Saturday, but was postponed due to the South Africa wildfires.

The show's launch had been scheduled for Monday evening but was delayed after dangerous wildfires over the weekend made filming impossible.

The setback reportedly cost ITV more than 15,000 an hour, covering commitments to crew, staff, camera operators, and psychologists, all of whom were on the ground in South Africa awaiting their duties.

Host Maya flew to Cape Town last week ahead of filming, while the 12 confirmed Islanders, including Millie Court and Tommy Bradley, were staying in high-end accommodations.

The third series of Love Island All Stars, hosted by Maya Jama, hit our screens on Thursday evening

A number of 'bombshells' who are yet to be revealed are also waiting on standby.

On Monday, the Daily Mail revealed that one of the surprise bombshells is former Islander Curtis Pritchard, who will make his fourth stint in the villa as part of the All Stars cast.

Curtis will now take on the role of the new Casey O'Gorman, who appeared on the show four times before winning last year's All Stars alongside Gabby Allen.

One ex who certainly won't be following him into the villa is Maura, who raised her profile on Sunday night by attending the Golden Globe Awards.

Rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-listers at the ceremony due to her current appearance on The Traitors US, Maura has managed to distance herself from her first villa stint back in 2019.

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed this year's cast, with the starting line-up including former winners Millie and Jess Harding, runner-up Whitney Adebayo, and Ronan Keating's son Jack.

On Wednesday, Maya ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived at the Love Island villa for filming the new series of All Stars.

The presenter looked incredible in newly released snaps where she slipped into a white sleeveless dress.

The garment featured a plunging neckline and a deep, open back with low cut sides.
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday the U.S. troops' withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad Airbase in Iraq signifies the strengthening of the Arab state's independence and sovereignty.

Araghchi made the remarks during a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the country's army has taken full control of the Ayn al-Asad Airbase in the western province of Anbar following the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"The U.S. military forces' withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad Airbase and the conclusion of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) are clear signs of the strengthening of Iraq's independence, stability and national sovereignty, and we are very happy about it," Araghchi said.

Iraq is capable of "playing a positive role in promoting dialogue and interaction and resolving the existing obstacles to relations in the region," he said, voicing Iran's readiness to raise the level of bilateral relations.

He also commended Iraq's supportive stance toward the Iranian people, following his detailed briefing to the Iraqi counterpart on Iran's recent unrest.

For his part, the Iraqi foreign minister said he believes that the security of Iraq and Iran is intertwined with that of the region.

Hussein highlighted the need for continued Iran-Iraq dialogue, saying, "We underline the principle of the indivisibility of the region's security and believe that each regional state's stability guarantees the neighbors' security."

"We stressed non-interference in countries' internal affairs and agreed to continue consultations to counter regional challenges," he added. 

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) shakes hands with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) attends a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The Apprentice has come under fire after it was reported one of its upcoming contestants shared 'racist and sexist' comments online.

Entrepreneur Levi Hague, 33, who is starring in the upcoming season of the BBC show, shared the vile comments in a series of tweets in the early 2010s as he threw his support behind far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Levi's abhorrent posts saw him refer to Muslims as 'dirty', call women 's**gs' and label seven police officers who arrested him back in 2012 as 'pigs'.

In one tweet, Levi reportedly said: 'Thank f*** that extremist dirty Muslim preacher getting took out of this country. Just a waste of money and waste of space. F*** off.'

The Sun on Sunday reported the tweets were visible on his X account until the publication spoke to the BBC. They were later removed.

In a grovelling apology, Hague said: 'I am ashamed and embarrassed to have made these posts over a decade ago and I offer my sincere apologies to all who I've offended, as well as my fellow candidates, for the truly awful language and views that they contain.

The Apprentice has come under first after it was reported one of its upcoming contestants, Levi Hague (pictured), shared 'racist and sexist' comments online

A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We were completely unaware that this contestant had made such abhorrent comments'

'I take full accountability for the publishing of those posts. They are not a reflection of the values I uphold today.'

Levi went on to say that he had not brought the account to the attention of The Apprentice producers during the vetting process.

The Daily Mail has contacted Levi for comment.

A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We were completely unaware that this contestant had made such abhorrent comments.

'We have asked the independent production company for further assurances on their social media checks given the process has not been completed to a satisfactory standard in this instance.

'The views presented are totally unacceptable and we are taking this extremely seriously.'

A spokesperson from production company Naked added: 'We pride ourselves on producing a series that promotes diversity and inclusion and has done throughout its 20 series.'

'Levi's historical posts contain language which is unacceptable and Levi has been spoken to about this behaviour. He has apologised and insists that these posts do not reflect the man he is now.'

'We work with reputable third-party providers to carry out comprehensive background and social media checks on all of our candidates as part of our rigorous due diligence before casting.'

Former RAF Levi Hague, 33, who is starring in the upcoming season the entrepreneur show, shared the vile comments in a series of tweets in the early 2010s

'On this occasion, these checks failed to flag the offensive posts, therefore we will be reviewing this process moving forward.'

It comes just days after 'arrogant' former NHS doctor and The Apprentice contestant Dr Asif Munaf was struck off over a series of antisemitic, racist and sexist social media comments.

He, 37, appeared in the 2024 BBC series before being axed from a spin-off show after a string of complaints about his conduct.

He failed to appear before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing which heard details of the charges against him.

Asif - who also uses the name Mohammed - reposted comments on X, formerly Twitter, which claimed Israel had 'forfeited any right to exist', was a 'Nazi state' and that Zionists are not Jews but 'today's Nazis', together with an image of a red flag with the Star of David above a swastika.

Other posts claimed that Jews 'have no limits to their depravity' are 'sick in the head' and are 'born with an inherent ability to deceive'.

One post, in June 2025, read: '9/11 wasn't an inside job. Let's call it for what it really is. A Jewish job.'

There were further comments about an 'inherent Jewish supremacy', the Jewish 'victim complex' and Jews having 'a genocidal impulse'.

Striking him off the medical register, a panel has now accused Dr Munif of an 'arrogant disregard for patients and colleagues' which displayed a 'deep-seated and ongoing attitudinal issue'.

His posts and reposts, dating from 2023 to 2025, also included a racist slur to describe ex-world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather and claimed he'd been in contact with Israel Defence Forces.

Further comments were aimed at women, saying most men 'cannot tell the difference between an asset and a liability' and this was reason why many were 'broke and miserable'.

It comes just days after 'arrogant' former NHSdoctor and The Apprentice contestant Dr Asif Munaf was struck off over a series of antisemitic, racist and sexist social media comments

Dr Munaf set up an online service which claimed to 'beat the GP wait' and provide sick notes 'in as little as two hours'

Women 'should not be pilots', the doctor claimed.

Dr Munaf also commented: 'Female 'empowerment' is one of the great tricks of Satan.

'Islam gives us the blueprint. When will the world wake up?'

Last year The Apprentice was embroiled in another race row as contestant Jana Denzel quit the show after being reprimanded by producers for describing a black person as 'coloured'.

The Harley Street dentist had been part of a team on the BBC reality show creating a character for a marketing campaign when he is understood to have used the phrase.

Two women on his team were said to have been particularly upset by the comment, which was reported to show bosses who then made him undergo diversity training.

Dr Denzel, who has spoken of pride at his Sri Lankan heritage and refugee parents, sat in on talks with producers to ensure he understood the remark was offensive.

The contestant's exit was first revealed a fortnight ago on February 13, but was finally shown to millions of viewers in Lord Sugar's show on BBC One last night.

However the BBC insisted that the departure was not related to the comment, which was not broadcast during the episode. And Dr Jana said he was leaving because he felt the other contestants wanted to win the 250,000 investment more than him.

Speaking about the racism row, a show source told The Sun earlier this month: 'The team had been discussing what the character should look like, and there were suggestions from some members to make sure the character was inclusive.

'It was then that Jana made the 'coloured comment', which particularly upset two female candidates on his team.'

'While his co-stars did push back and make it clear to Jana the comment was unacceptable, it was then escalated further when it was flagged to the production team, who pulled Jana aside.'
The father of former Nickelodeon child star Kianna Anderson has shared his shattering thoughts on her death in a hit-and-run.

Kianna, 33, who featured on popular shows like All That and Little Bill, was killed by an unidentified driver just before 7am Friday, sources told the New York Post.

The New York Police Department confirmed to The Daily Mail that a 33-year-old woman was killed while crossing Pitkin Avenue in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn.

The driver fled the scene and left the victim's body on the street. Underwood was dragged two blocks and suffered severe trauma.

One day later, her devastated father Anthony Underwood shared a heartbreaking Facebook post in which he compared his daughter's death to the time he saw a fox get run over in the Catskills Mountains.

'Another driver pulled over and picked the fox up who was still alive and put it on the side of the road,' he recalled. 'All I can think about is did anyone show my baby that same compassion, as someone ran her over like roadkill.'

Anthony Underwood, the father of former Nickelodeon child star Kianna Anderson, posted this collage of throwback pictures showing him with his late daughter

Kianna, pictured above as a child on All That, was identified as the victim of a hit-and-run incident on Friday morning

Anthony concluded: 'Did anyone try to comfort my baby as she layed dying in the street alone, or did they just stand around with their phones.'

Kianna was pronounced dead Friday when emergency responders arrived at the scene, law enforcement said.

The unidentified driver in the hit-and-run was in a grey vehicle. No arrests have been made, and police are still on the hunt for the suspect.

Video footage from a local laundromat obtained by the New York Daily News showed the driver dragging the victim for over two blocks before her body rolled onto the street.

Several people appeared not to notice the body until a few witnesses reached for their phones.

One of her family members, Anthony Underwood, shared the devastating news of her death on Facebook, writing: 'Please give me and my family time to process this. Thank you.'

Sparkle Mathis, a local restaurant owner, told the New York Daily News: 'We, around here, know her as the Disney child star. But the show is actually, I just found out today, Nickelodeon.'

Another man in the neighborhood, who refused to give his name, told the publication that Underwood's boyfriend informed him of her death.

Underwood (far right) appeared on the hit Nickelodeon sketch comedy series alongside stars including Kenan Thompson (middle)

Underwood, pictured with Frances Fisher at Hairspray's opening night in Los Angeles, was struck by an unidentified driver at an intersection in New York City

Underwood was reportedly struck while crossing an intersection at the corner of Watkins Street and Pitkin Avenue in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, pictured above

He said that her boyfriend was cooking breakfast for Underwood when she left in the morning, adding, 'He was just talking to her and he was begging her to stay inside the house.'

'Im very devastated, you know, I see her all the time,' he added.

'She always had good spirits, happy, good energy. It was very sad to hear that it was her.'

The former child star got her big break on the infamous Nickelodeon sketch comedy series.

She appeared in All That for seven episodes in 2004 and 2005, according to her IMDB page.

The show produced several stars, including longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson and Amanda Bynes.

Underwood replaced Jamie Lynn Spears on the sketch comedy series for its tenth and last season.

She also appeared in the film The 24 Hour Woman, starring Patti LuPone, and voiced a character in the animated movie Santa Baby!.

Underwood appeared on All That's final season. She's pictured above with the cast at Nickelodeon's 18th Annual Kids Choice Awards in 2005

Underwood also starred in an on-stage production of Hairspray and is pictured above on opening night with actress Jennifer Tilly

The young actress also dabbled in stage production, touring with the musical Hairspray.

Underwood didn't continue acting as an adult and seemed to be living in New York City at the time of her death.

A resurfaced video on social media appeared to show Underwood being filmed by a New Yorker asking her if she was in All That.

'The show I am on is All That on Nickelodeon,' she told the man filming her.

When asked if she was currently living in New York, Underwood responded: 'Yes, of course.'

The NYPD is actively investigating the hit-and-run crash.
David and Victoria Beckham showed off their playful sides as Harper captured them dancing the night away at home in an Instagram video on Saturday.

Harper, 14, filmed her loving parents practising some moves to a Bruno Mars song in their loungewear ahead of his upcoming tour.

Reposting Harper's Instagram Story, Victoria wrote: 'We are preparing for the concert', before tagging sons Cruz and Romeo in the post.

Victoria later posted a snap of David sleeping, writing: 'All that dancing has worn him out! (But how cute does he look sleeping!)'

The couple's son Brooklyn and daughter-in-law Nicola are at the heart of an acrimonious divide that has resulted in them snubbing all significant family celebrations over recent months.

The widening rift has had a notable impact across social media, where Brooklyn makes an income through online cooking tutorials and the continuing promotion of his hot sauce brand, Cloud 23.

David, 50, and Victoria Beckham, 51, showed off their playful sides as their daughter Harper, 14, captured them dancing the night away at home in an Instagram video on Saturday

Victoria later posted a snap of David sleeping, writing: 'All that dancing has worn him out! (But how cute does he look sleeping!)'

While the influencer still commands an impressive 16 million followers on Instagram, the decision to cut ties with his immediate family is understood to have lost him an average 188 followers a day over the last month.

Not so his parents, whose already prodigious following on the social media platform  David boasts 88.5 million followers to Victoria's 33.4 million  has dramatically risen by an average 2,633 a day.

A source for Ace.com, who collate the day-to-day figures, told The Sun: 'Follower trends show where audience attention and engagement sit.

'The data points to a notable divergence in public sentiment.'

David and Victoria, as well as Brooklyn's brothers Romeo and Cruz, were not part of the 200-strong guest list at his 'second' wedding ceremony, which took place at the Peltz estate in Westchester County, New York.

Brooklyn's 14-year-old sister Harper, his grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles were also absent on the day.

'Victoria's heart is breaking behind closed doors,' a source told The Mirror. 'Brooklyn is her firstborn and she's worried she's never going to get him back.

'Seeing him and Nicola renew their vows without her and David was tough. They have missed out on some big family moments already and Victoria is afraid that the longer this goes on, the less chance there is of it being resolved.'

Join the debate What do you think is the real cost of family feuds when fame and privacy clash in the public eye?

Harper filmed her loving parents practising some moves to a Bruno Mars song in their loungewear ahead of his upcoming tour

Reposting Harper's Instagram Story, Victoria wrote: 'We are preparing for the concert', before tagging sons Cruz and Romeo in the post

Brooklyn and Nicola are at the heart of an acrimonious divide that has resulted in them snubbing all significant family celebrations over recent months

Brooklyn is currently estranged from his entire family (pictured L-R: Cruz, Harper, Romeo, Victoria and David Beckham)

The Daily Mail revealed that relations between the Beckhams broke down so completely last summer that at one point, Brooklyn asked his parents to contact him only via their respective lawyers, Schillings and Harbottle & Lewis.

One source told the Daily Mail: 'David was told to speak to them via Schillings. That was the only way for them to communicate.'

It's understood that Brooklyn doesn't want his parents to contact him directly, 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.

However, Brooklyn still remains in regular contact with both sets of grandparents.

An insider told The Sun: 'Brooklyn absolutely adores them, and knows how much pain this is causing everyone. So he has reached out in his own time, but tried to keep it low-key so as not to drag them into it.

'Brooklyn is navigating this soul-crushing family feud as best he can but it isn't easy on anyone. Nicola remains his absolute rock.'
Hilary Duff has officially touched down in London ahead of her nostalgic concert amid Ashley Tisdale's 'toxic mom group' drama.

The former Disney Channel star, 38, is currently in the midst of a comeback thanks to her new single Mature, which some believe to be a thinly-veiled swipe at Leonardo DiCaprio.

And amid her comeback, Hilary is playing a string of four concerts, kicking off with a date at London's O2 Shepherd Bush Empire before heading back across the pond to perform in Toronto, New York City, and Los Angeles.

The sold-out gig takes place on Sunday - and will be her first live gig in 10 years.

Ahead of the gig, Hilary looked radiant as she touched down at Heathrow Airport on Saturday evening.

She sported a huge longline black coat as she wrapped up for the chilly January UK weather paired with black and white Adidas trainers.

Hilary Duff officially touched down in London on Friday ahead of her nostalgic concert amid Ashley Tisdale's 'toxic mom group' drama

In addition to releasing a new album, Hilary is also preparing for her own Las Vegas residency and is working on a docuseries about her return to music with concert film director Sam Wrench.

Announcing the album, Hilary steamed up social media feeds in November to promote her music comeback.

She took to Instagram to share a sexy new snap along with the announcement that her sixth studio album - titled luck ... or something - will be released in February 2026.

The sultry photo showed Hilary laying on the carpet wearing black thigh-high stockings.

Hilary captioned the image: 'my new album luck ... or something is out on feb 20th [sparkle emoji] so much love, late night anxiety and a little chaos went into making this album - hoping you see yourself in here the way I have [mirror ball and cherry emojis] I love you and excited is the largest understatement. psssst ... you can pre-order it now!'

It was accompanied with the announcement that there will be a 'mature edition' vinyl on sale with two re-records of old tracks Wake Up and So Yesterday.

Hilary's fellow Disney alum Ashley Tisdale recently wrote an article for The Cut titled 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group.'

The group consists of a number of stars including Hilary and Mandy Moore. Meghan Trainor has been rumoured to also be a part of the group - but she recently insisted that she is not in it.

Hillary certainly steamed up social media feeds to promote her music comeback album - titled luck ... or something - which will be released in February 2026

Hilary had created the group and the friends will often message each other, go on vacations, have shared play dates and attend baby classes together.

Ashley claimed in the article that she had felt 'frozen out' by the group during her postpartum period.

While the High School Musical actress did not list any names in the story, fans were quick to point out that she unfollowed both Hilary and Mandy on Instagram around the time of the article's release.

Ashley wrote that she had been left out from some gatherings and added, 'All of a sudden I was in high school again, feeling totally lost as to what I was doing "wrong" to be left out.'

She continued, 'I texted to the group after being left out from yet another group hang: "This is too high school for me and I don't want to take part in it anymore."

'To be clear I have never considered the moms to be bad people (maybe one) but I do think our group dynamic stopped being healthy and positive - for me anyway.'

Ashley had posted about the group over the years, such as in 2022 when they enjoyed a girls trip with Hilary Meghan and others.

The article detailed Ashley's feelings of feeling frozen out by friends during her postpartum period (Ashley seen in May 2025 in LA)

Hilary's husband recently stepped in to defend her as he called out 'self obsessed and tone deaf' Ashley

'Moms weekend away! I love being surrounded by these ladies. What an amazing group of women to journey through this mom-hood together! So grateful for this trip.' she had shared at the time.

Hilary's husband recently stepped in to defend her as he called out 'self obsessed and tone deaf' Ashley.

On Instagram, he shared a fake headline which read 'When You're the Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth, Other Moms Tend to Shift Focus to Their Actual Toddlers.'

He then photoshopped his own head onto Ashley's body in a move to recreate an image shared by The Cut.
Jane Fonda was seen being pushed along in a wheelchair as she arrived at LAX this week to catch a plane out of Los Angeles.

The 88-year-old Hollywood legend, whose careers as an actress and activist are still in full swing, cut a glamorous figure for her latest flight.

She was wrapped in a luscious fur coat, warding off the California rays with a gleaming pair of bronze-tinted butterfly sunglasses.

Fonda accessorized with gold jewelry, including rings and earrings, and wore her silver hair in a curly bob that brought back memories of the 1950s.

Her luminous complexion - which she has confessed to using plastic surgery to keep looking youthful - was accentuated with subtle makeup.

The wheelchair was operated by a woman who appeared to be from the airline staff, with Fonda carrying two small bags in her lap as her other luggage sat on a trolley.

The Daily Mail has contacted Fonda's representatives for comment.

Jane Fondawas seen being pushed along in a wheelchair as she arrived at LAX this week to catch a plane out of Los Angeles

The wheelchair was operated by a woman who appeared to be a member of airline staff, with Fonda carrying two bags in her lap as her other luggage sat on a trolley

The 9 to 5 star's sighting comes weeks after she revealed she saw Rob and Michele Reiner the night before their murder, for which their son Nick is awaiting trial.

Fonda and the Reiners had all been guests at Conan O'Brien's star-studded Christmas party on the evening before the bodies were discovered, allegedly by the late couple's daughter Romy, 28, who lived across the street.

Nick, 32, who had a history of substance abuse and was also reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia, is said to have argued fiercely with his parents at the party.

Fonda however made no mention of any family dispute when she shared her own memories of seeing the Reiner couple on the final night of their lives.

'Rob and Michele Reiner were wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people, always coming up with ideas for how to make the world better, kinder,' she wrote on Instagram the day after they were found dead.

'They had been helping me launch the Committee for the First Amendment. I saw them the night before last looking healthy and happy. I am reeling with grief. Stunned.'

The Committee for the First Amendment was originally founded in 1947 by Fonda's movie star father Henry Fonda in response to the Hollywood blacklist of communist talent during the Red Scare. His daughter relaunched the organization late last year.

At the party Fonda attended with the Reiners, Nick was seen having what sources described as a 'very loud argument' with his parents, according to TMZ.

Join the debate Does this sighting change how YOU see Hollywood ageing icons?

The 9 to 5 star's sighting comes weeks after she revealed she saw Rob and Michele Reiner the night before their murder; pictured 2013

The couple's troubled son Nick Reiner, pictured last September, has been arrested in connection with the death of his parents and is now awaiting trial

Michele, by that point, was alleged to have spent months telling friends about trying to cope with Nick's drug and mental problems, saying: 'We've tried everything.'

'Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous,' a source told People while describing the party.

One insider told the Daily Mail: 'They got in an argument, the father and son. It got so bad and loud someone wanted to call the police to report it.'

The source added that 'Conan stepped in and said: "It's my house, my party, I'm not calling the police." He talked them out of calling the police.'

Jane Fonda and Rob Reiner were both showbiz legacies - she as Henry Fonda's daughter and he has the son of The Dick Van Dyke Show creator Carl Reiner.

Dick Van Dyke's character on the sitcom was named Rob Petrie after Rob Reiner, who was 14 years old when the pilot episode aired on CBS.
Gwyneth Paltrow recently opened up about adjusting to life as an empty nester after her kids moved out.

The 53-year-old Oscar-winning actress shares daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19, with ex-husband Chris Martin, 48.

Earlier this month she chatted with Demi Moore at a Q&A for her movie Marty Supreme.

'My kids went off to college, and I had this big vacancy in my purpose and orientation. And then this guy, Josh Safdie, called me and I was so embarrassingly out of the [loop]. I had never even seen Timothee Chalamet in a movie, which is...I swear. Now I have,' she said, according to People.

Paltrow, who curbed her movie career to raise kids and head the lifestyle brand Goop, said her path back to acting was a 'confluence of things.'

'I realized I did such an insane number of films before I had my kids,' she shared.

Gwyneth Paltrow recently opened up about adjusting to life as an empty nester after her kids moved out; pictured January 10

The 53-year-old Oscar-winning actress shares daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19, with ex-husband Chris Martin; pictured in December

Paltrow recalled, 'Some years, I was doing four movies a year, five movies a year. I think I kind of didn't give myself permission to take my time and be strategic.

'I was just on this train and going and going and when I had my daughter, I really wanted to stop.'

The silver screen siren added, 'I stopped for three years completely and since then have sometimes dipped my toe. But I kind of wanted to not be in some far-flung location; I was a single mom.'

She plays a retired movie star in Marty Supreme, and during the event the blonde beauty explained why she opted for the role.

'I felt for Kay so much and her loss and her...I don't know, there was something so tragic about her and sort of cold,' she described.

'And then she makes this choice to go back. Anyway, of course, there was the meta thing of her unquitting, which I was doing,' Paltrow noted.

Last year she and Chalamet, 29, made headlines when photos of them kissing on the Marty Supreme movie set went viral.

Recalling her friends' reactions to the steamy smooch, she said on Good Morning America last month, 'You should have seen my mommy group chats when the paparazzi pictures came out of us kissing in the park. All the moms were pretty stoked.'

'I realized I did such an insane number of films before I had my kids,' Paltrow shared

The mother-of-two pictured with son Moses in Los Angeles in December

Apple has set her sights on modeling and music, releasing a song and music video with the band Jade Street in October

Apple is studying at Vanderbilt University and told Interview magazine in 2025 that she is 'a law, history and society major.'

Following the release of her fashion campaign with Self Portrait last year, she insisted her parents have taught her the value of having a strong work ethic.

She told The Daily Telegraph in October, 'I know this is not a normal way to grow up by any means.

'But my parents did a really good job of instilling in me that I shouldn't be entitled to anything. I have to work.'

Apple has set her sights on modeling and music, releasing a song and music video with the band Jade Street in October.

Meanwhile, Moses is also following in their famous father's  who is the longtime frontman of the band Coldplay  footsteps.

He is part of a three-piece band called Dancer and attends Brown University.
Mia McKenna-Bruce has revealed she spent nearly a decade partying and spending her savings from her role on Tracy Beaker Returns after years of being 'careful' as a BBC child star.

The actress, 28, starred in the series until she was 18, and has now shared that after struggling with the 'hell' of auditions, moved to Australia where she spent eight years travelling and partying.

Mia revealed that her wild 20s were a contrast to the pressure of being seen as 'an ambassador to the BBC' during her time on Tracy Beaker, with it forcing her to be careful about her behaviour and comments on social media.

The star had decided to quit acting after leaving the family show, but decided to return to the profession in 2019.

Following that, she landed a critically-acclaimed role in the film How To Save Sex, for which she was given the BAFTA Rising Star Award, and this year she's starring in the Netflix series Agatha Christie's Seven Dials.

Reflecting on her time as a child star, Mia said she decided to leave her agent and quit acting when she finished work on Tracey Beaker Returns telling The Sunday Times Culture Magazine: 'I was doing auditions and it was hell. Absolute hell.

Mia McKenna-Bruce has revealed she spent nearly a decade partying and spending her savings from Tracy Beaker Returns of years of being careful (pictured in How To Have Sex)

The actress, 28, starred in the series until she was 18, before moving to Australia where she spent eight years travelling and partying

'I was auditioning with people that had been to drama school and I didn't know how to talk about character or how to approach a script,' she says. 'I'd be having a panic attack before and after. My dad said to me one day, ''Why are you still doing it?''

The actress said she quit her agent and moved to Australia with her best pal Georgia, and despite plans to only spend a month there, ended up living Down Under for eight years.

Detailing how she let loose after years of being careful, she added: '[On Tracy Beaker] we were constantly told, even when we're not on the job we're ambassadors for the BBC.

'I think someone once posted a swear word on my Instagram and the BBC got in touch with my agent and said, ''She needs to take it down.'''

Mia has landed the leading role of Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent in Netflix's adaptation of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, as she sets out to solve an enigmatic murder.

Helena Bonham Carter stars as Bundle's mother, Lady Caterham, and Martin Freeman is the stoical Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard whom Bundle is always trying to outmanoeuvre.

The series' 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.

Mia revealed that her wild 20s were a contrast to the pressure of being seen as 'an ambassador to the BBC', and it was during her time abroad she decided to return to acting

Mia has landed the leading role of Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent in Netflix's adaptation of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, as she sets out to solve an enigmatic murder

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'.

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.

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.
Baywatch icon Erika Eleniak looked worlds away from her role as the swimsuit-clad Shauni McClain as she made a rare appearance at an LA fundraiser on Saturday.

Following the first anniversary of the devastating wildfires, the actress, 56, attended The Brave and the Rescued Honouring LA Fire Department First Responders event at the LA City Fire Museum.

In stark contrast to her appearance in the famous 90s show, Erika displayed her intricate arm tattoos as she arrived for the event.

The siren made her film debut in Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in 1982, and she later changed up her image as a Playboy Playmate for Hugh Hefner.

The television star is best known for slipping into a red swimsuit to star on Baywatch for three years, from 1989 to 1992, alongside iconic stars David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.

Since then, Erika has continued to act, starring in Under Siege, A Pyromaniac's Love Story, and 1993's The Beverly Hillbillies.

Baywatch icon Erika Eleniak looked worlds away from her role as the swimsuit-clad Shauni McClain as she made a rare appearance at an LA fundraiser on Saturday

The television star is best known for slipping into a red swimsuit to star on Baywatch for three years, from 1989 to 1992, alongside iconic stars David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson

Having began getting tattoos in her 20s, Erika opened up about her intricate inkings in an appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.

She said: 'I have a lot of tattoos. It's been a long road.'

At the time, Erike detailed that 'every tattoo that she is significant of something,' sharing that one on the inner part of her arm is dedicated to her late mother Irish.

She added: 'I love tattoos. I love that my body is a canvas to tell my stories. It's fun.'

While Baywatch was known for its swimsuit-clad cast running across the idyllic beaches of Calfornia, Erika had recently revealed that filming the series was wholly different.

She told Fox News: 'When we shot that show it was January. It was the coldest time of the year. We would use these huge lights to make it look hot and sunny. I remember running in the water on the coldest day of the year.

'Our lips were so blue that we couldn't use the footage. It was ridiculous. It was so cold.'

Erika left the show following its third season and has shared the struggles to land roles due to being typecast.

Following the first anniversary of the devastating wildfires, the actress attended The Brave and the Rescued Honouring LA Fire Department First Responders event

In stark contrast to her appearance in the famous 90s show, Erika displayed her intricate arm tattoos as she arrived for the event

Since Baywatch, Erika has continued to act, starring in Under Siege, A Pyromaniac's Love Story, and 1993's The Beverly Hillbillies

Having began getting tattoos in her 20s, Erika previously said: 'I love tattoos. I love that my body is a canvas to tell my stories. It's fun'

Erika left Baywatch following its third season and has shared the struggles to land roles due to being typecast

She added: 'I'm so grateful to the show. I left because it was time for me to go at the height and hopefully be able to use that in my mind.

'What happened to me is I had to end up working three times as hard than I thought I would because of, ''Oh, bouncing breasts, blonde, here she comes thinking she's going to get the role.'' And I did get some great roles but I busted my a*s.'

Eleniak was born in Glendale, California, to parents of Ukrainian, Estonian and German descent whose family had previously settled in Canada.

The star was a part of cinematic history in 1982 when she was cast as a girl who kisses E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial child star, Henry Thomas during a classroom scene.

Her next film role was in 1983's Imps*, which only received a belated release in 2009.

In 1987, she began appearing on television with guest roles on Silver Spoons, Still the Beaver and Boys Will Be Boys.

After a multi-year absence, she returned to film to play one of the victims in 1988's gross-out remake of The Blob, which is now considered a science fiction horror cult classic.

She followed it up with roles in bigger budget films, including the Steven Seagal action film Under Siege, the 1993 film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies, the 1995 rom-com A Pyromaniac's Love Story and the 1996 Tales From The Crypt spinoff film Bordello Of Blood.

Her subsequent films in the late '90s, 2000s and 2020s were less frequent and were small-budget independent productions.

Eleniak's most recent film was 2024's Lolipop Gang, in which she appeared as herself five years after her previous film role.

The beginning of her Baywatch career in 1989 coincided with her appearing on the cover of the July 1989 issue of Playboy Magazine.

Just before her stint on Baywatch, Eleniak appeared as a Playmate on the July 1989 cover of Playboy Magazine when her roommate, a model for the magazine, introduced her to its photo editor, who encouraged her to model.

Eleniak said she became known as 'the difficult' Playmate in the late '80s because she found shooting for the magazine uncomfortable and bristled at ideas from photographers. 'I viewed it as a modeling job,' she clarified on Still Here Hollywood, and she stressed that she always considered herself 'an actress who did Playboy,' rather than a real Playmate.

Eleniak later married the bodybuilder Philip Golgia in 1998, but they divorced after just six months. In the early 2000s she began dating the film worker Roch Daigle, and they moved to Calgary, Canada, before tying the knot in 2005 and later welcoming a daughter together.

Erika's most recent project was narrating an eight-episode podcast series, The Murder Years, from last year, according to IMDb.
Less than a month after their lavish wedding, Holly Ramsay has shown her husband Adam Peaty has wasted little time showering her with gifts, as she supported him at a swimming event in Romania.

The couple tied the knot in a grand ceremony at Bath Abbey on December 27, but the grand occasion was noticeably tarnished by a dramatic feud which saw almost all of Adam's family banned from the ceremony.

After enjoying a honeymoon in Mauritius, Holly, 26, shared that she and Adam, 31, have flown back to Europe so he can take part in the Sprint With The Stars event.

And in snaps on Instagram Stories, she also revealed that Adam treated her to a trio of designer handbags, totalling over 9,000.

Holly showed off her first new bag, the 2,400 Dior Toujours Vertical Nano Tote bag in powder pink, after taking her seat poolside to watch Adam race.

She then shared snaps of her 3,550 LOEWE Amazona 31 Panta Shoulder Bag, and a 3,450 Dior D-Journey bag.

Holly Ramsay has shown her husband Adam Peaty wasted little time showering her with gifts, including a 2,400 Dior bag, as she supported him at a swimming event

The couple tied the knot at Bath Abbey on December 27, but the grand occasion was tarnished by a feud which saw almost all of Adam's family banned from the ceremony

The latter proved an unlikely addition to Holly's luggage alongside Adam's swimming gear, but the influencer still showed her appreciation for her spouse in the post.

She wrote: 'The most chic hand luggage, thanks to my husband!'

It comes after Adam's family reportedly told friends they have 'given up hope' of reconciling with their son after Holly's father Gordon's latest comment.

The celebrity chef, 59, referred to himself as 'dad' in a comment on Adam's wedding video where the Olympian said he would 'always choose' his new wife Holly.

An insider told The Sun: 'It's been a really emotional time for them as a family. They're coming to terms with what has happened and that Adam has picked his side.

'It's dashed any hope of reconciliation in the near future. They're keeping their heads down and trying to move on quietly. It's clear Adam's made his choice.'

On Adam's wedding video, which he shared on Instagram, Gordon wrote: 'Beautiful words @adamramsaypeaty True Love. Congratulations love you both so much Dad.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Adam's reps for comment.

And in snaps on Instagram Stories, she also revealed that Adam treated her to a trio of designer handbags, totalling over 9,000 including a 3,550 LOEWE Shoulder Bag

She also shared a snap of her 3,450 Dior D-Journey bag, joking it was an unlikely addition to her hand luggage, which included Adam's swimming gear

Holly had revealed this week that she and Adam were heading to Romania for the Sprint With The Stars event after their honeymoon to Mauritius

The couple's big day was overshadowed by an ugly family dispute that led to Adam's own mother being barred from the service, with his sister Bethany the only loved one from his side to attend on the day.

The Sun reported that in his father of the bride speech Gordon commented on how beautiful Holly looked and told Adam he was a 'lucky man', adding: 'Look at Tana and that's what you have to look forward to.'

The publication went on to claim that Gordon couldn't resist a sly dig at Adam's absent parents  he told his daughter Holly: 'Shame you don't have the same.'

It was later revealed that swimmer Adam's estranged mother had been left 'outraged' and 'hurt' that Gordon referred to their bitter family feud in his speech.

A family source told the Daily Mail she was left horrified by the moment in the speech and believed the celebrity chef had 'pre planned' the swipe against her, calling it 'cruel' and 'very hurtful'.

The roots of the family conflict go back to September 2024, when Adam and Holly snubbed wider members of the Peaty family by not inviting them to their engagement party.

Caroline, who spent years ferrying her son to earlymorning training sessions, was also not invited to Holly's glamorous hen do at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds, even though the bride's mother, Tana, and friends including Victoria Beckham were at the extravagant bash.
Maya Hawke and her younger brother Levon enjoyed a sibling outing to the Prada show during Milan Fashion Week on Sunday.

Stranger Things star Maya, 27, arrived hand in hand with her actor brother Levon, 24, for the Mens A/W 2026 show.

The siblings matched their chic, understated looks with Maya teaming a mini skirt with a long grey jacket accessorised with socks and loafers, whilst Levon rocked a brown leather jacket and turquoise sweater.

Posing for photographers, Maya and Levon looked the spitting image of their famous parents Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, who were married from 1998 until their divorce in 2005.

The brother and sister were joined at the star-studded show by the likes of Nicholas Hoult and Wallis Day.

Men's fashion week in Milan heralds the first runway shows of the A/W 2026 season, which will continue after Milan in Paris later this month before New York hosts the first runways of the A/W 2026 womenswear season in February.

Maya Hawke and her younger brother Levon enjoyed a sibling outing to the Prada show during Milan Fashion Weekon Sunday

Maya and Levon looked the spitting image of their famous parents Ethan Hawkeand Uma Thurman, who were married from 1998 until their divorce in 2005 (pictured in 2000)

Maya and Levon's actor dad Ethan recently voiced his 'regret' over his nepo baby daughter's 'really hard' upbringing.

The 55-year-old actor - who recently starred in the comedic drama Blue Moon - got candid about the topic during Variety and CNN's Actors on Actors interview that was published on Thursday.

'There were a lot of things about her childhood that were really, really hard and complicated, and things I regret for her,' Hawke said of his eldest daughter while joined by Sydney Sweeney for the interview.

While the Before Sunrise star did not offer further details, he then reflected on how Maya's creativity was notable at a very young age - and explained he knew she would 'be an artist' one day.

'I knew that she was gonna be a very good one. That was her safe place, water-coloring, dancing, singing all throughout her childhood.'

The actor added how his daughter had always been drawn to 'human communication.'

'I remember some teacher said, "Maya, are you happy?" Cause they were worried about her. And she said something to the effect of, "Do you really think that's the question?" I thought, "I love this kid."'

Hawke continued, 'She was about 13. [Maya said] "I don't think that's a very interesting question.'

Stranger Thingsstar Maya, 27, arrived hand in hand with her actor brother Levon, 26, for the Mens A/W 2026 show

Maya and Levon's actor dad Ethan recently voiced his 'regret' over his nepo baby daughter's 'really hard' upbringing

'There were a lot of things about her childhood that were really, really hard and complicated, and things I regret for her,' Hawke said of his eldest daughter; seen in 2023 in Toronto

'I think there's a lot more interesting questions than whether Im happy or not. Am I happy? No. But I don't aspire to be happy."

'So I never worried about her going into the arts, because I knew that was gonna save her life.'

Maya is known for starring in a number of projects, such as portraying the role of Robin Buckley in the Netflix series Stranger Things.

The brother and sister were joined at the star-studded show by the likes of George Tabor-King and Wallis Day Men's fashion week in Milan herald the first runway shows of the A/W 2026 season, which will continue after Milan in Paris, later this month before New York hosts the first runways of the A/W 2026 womenswear season in February

Men's fashion week in Milan herald the first runway shows of the A/W 2026 season- pictured Louis Partridge and Nicholas Hoult

The fashion crowd will move to Paris later this month before New York hosts the first runways of the A/W 2026 womenswear season in February

Nicholas looked smart for the show

Jack Harlow, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Nicholas Hoult and Akinola Davies Jr.

He posed up a storm as he arrived

Louis wore a light blue coat

He added pale chinos to the look

She has also appeared in the films Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019), Do Revenge (2022) and Maestro (2023).

Levon meanwhile most recently appeared in awards season favourite movie Marty Supreme. He has also starred in the Zoe Kravitz directed movie Blink Twice.
BRUSSELS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned on Saturday that U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland would undermine transatlantic ties and risk a "dangerous downward spiral."

"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," they said in a joint statement.

Von der Leyen and Costa said territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, essential for Europe and the international community. They added that Europe would remain "united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."

Their comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, rising the levy to 25 percent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
Adam Frisby and his fiance Jamie Corbett have announced the arrival of their baby girl.

The founder of new fashion brand, Reasn, 38, and his partner welcomed their daughter via surrogate in Connecticut, America on Friday.

A spokesperson for Adam said: 'Adam and Jamie are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful baby daughter.

'They are overjoyed to have become fathers and are cherishing this special time together as a family. Baby, surrogate and dads are all doing great.'

The couple have not yet decided on a name for their baby girl, who was born weighing 6lbs 15oz.

Daily Mail revealed Adam, who is the former founder of In The Style, and Jamie were expecting their first children together during an exclusive interview in August.

Adam Frisby and his fiance Jamie Corbett have announced the arrival of their baby girl

The couple have not yet decided on a name for their baby girl, who was born weighing 6lbs 15oz (pictured Adam)

They excitedly shared: 'We've kept it such a big secret! It has been really special sharing the news with our friends and family.

'I don't think anyone was expecting it, and everyone was just so shocked and emotional. I think that has been our favorite part of the process in a way, like letting people who love us know because they really wanted this to happen for us.'

Adam and Jamie explained that it has been a complex process, and that they previously had a match, but she sadly had a miscarriage.

'We did match with a surrogate back in 2022 and went through the full process, but unfortunately, last year she miscarried, and then she pulled out of the process.

'It was obviously a lot for her to go through, and then we were kind of back to the start of the process, which was gutting for us after three years.

'We were relying on matching with another surrogate. We had three or four calls with other potential surrogates that just didn't feel the right fit, and then we finally met one last year. It just felt great, and we flew out to meet her.'

Adam and Jamie are based in the UK, but decided to go through the surrogacy process in America due to it being less complicated.

They explained: 'In the US, it's completely different. You join an agency, and it's legally documented from day one. We're always in terms legal parents, so the process is just much easier.

The founder of new fashion brand, Reasn, 38, and his partner welcomed their daughter via surrogate in Connecticut, America on Friday

A spokesperson for Adam said: 'Adam and Jamie are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful baby daughter'

The spokesperson added: 'They are overjoyed to have become fathers and are cherishing this special time together as a family. Baby, surrogate and dads are all doing great.'

Jamie beamed as he cradled his newborn daughter in hospital

It was revealed by Daily Mail in July that the former In The Style founder, 38, and his partner, 37, were et to welcome a baby via surrogate

The spokesperson added their daughter, surrogate and dads are all doing well

Adam and Jamie told Daily Mail last August that it has been a complex process having a baby, and that they previously had a match with a surrogate, but she sadly had a miscarriage

'The only real complication around it is flying to America for the scans, and when the baby is born, we will fly to America. We will have to wait four to six weeks before flying home while we wait for the passport. But it is a small price to pay.'

Adam and Jamie are godfathers to Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers' two children, Alba and Pixi, and said that spending quality time with them has taught them a lot.

They shared: 'We're lucky to be godfathers to Charlotte and Jake's children, and it is amazing. We love them to bits and we've had so much useful and special time with them already, like checking nappies and staying over that we wouldn't have got to practice.

'Charlotte's lots of things like crazy, funny, you know, but most of all, she is an incredible mother. We've learned so much from her. And I think she's just so excited.

'When we told her she couldn't speak, she was crying, and she's just delighted. So yeah, we got some great tips from her and Jake, and lots from our friends and family.'

Since leaving In The Style, Adam has been building a new brand and has been working on a behind-the-scenes mini series.

Last year, Adam broke his silence after staff were 'made redundant without any pay' after the retailer collapsed into administration, owing 21million.

The fashion company was founded by Adam in 2013, but was acquired by UK-based private equity firm Baaj Capital for 1.2million in March 2023.

Ben Armstrong became managing director in December 2023 when Adam stepped down from his position, but he has since left the business.

He told Daily Mail: 'I'm underway with a new career path, which is exciting and coming in the next few weeks. And over the last 10 years, Jamie has helped me out and works in the businesses, and I wouldn't be able to do it without him.

'It's been nice to have a little bit of time off prior to this, to be in the moment and recover from what has been a really busy time here.'

Speaking about juggling work and the baby, Jamie added: 'When we get back to the UK, because of the line of work that Adam does, he is and always has been his own boss. And I'm there as well. If there are days when we're both in the office, we can take baby with us. We've always worked like that.'
Reese Witherspoon playfully revealed that her BFF Jennifer Garner has a 'dark side' in a behind-the-scenes clip from their recent FaceTime call.

The 49-year-old star - who left fans stunned with her uncanny resemblance to daughter Ava - uploaded a clip to her Instagram page on Sunday as she opened up to her followers about the 13 Going On 30 actress.

The pair promoted a new book they are reading earlier this month and in between their phone call to discuss the novel, Witherspoon decided to dish on Garner.

While sitting on a chair inside a cozy living room, the Legally Blonde star asked a person filming her, 'You're not recording, right?'

When the camera operator said no, Witherspoon jokingly said, 'Jen Garner is just so hard to work with.'

The reel then jumped to Garner, 53, lounging on her own couch as she tried to reach her pal via FaceTime.

Reese Witherspoon, 49, playfully revealed that her BFF Jennifer Garner, 53, has a 'dark side' in a behind-the-scenes clip from their recent FaceTime call

The star uploaded a clip to her Instagram page on Sunday as she opened up to her followers about the 13 Going On 30 actress

Witherspoon was seen in her own home once again as she continued, 'People think of her as this nice lady from West Virginia and she like, takes care of kids that are under served and she's got three children - she makes her own pop tarts.'

The actress brushed strands of hair away from her face and then added, 'But like, she's got a dark side.'

'I don't know what it is,' the star continued after sending a look towards the camera. 'But she has it.'

Someone off camera chimed in to add, 'And she's late,' before the reel jumped back to Garner still waiting for Witherspoon to pick up the FaceTime call.

The Morning Show actress explained, 'She's actually two minuets late for this phone call. Like my time doesn't matter.'

As Witherspoon talked, the video kept cutting to Garner still waiting for her friend to pick up the call.

At one point, the Alias alum - who was previously married to Ben Affleck - expressed, 'Boss lady never misses a call.'

Back in her living room, Witherspoon continued to tell people waiting off camera with feigned frustration, 'Like my time is not important.'

The reel then jumped to Garner lounging on her own couch as she tried to reach her pal via FaceTime

The actress brushed strands of hair away from her face and then added, 'But like, she's got a dark side'

'I don't know what it is,' the star continued after sending a look towards the camera. 'But she has it'

Someone off camera chimed in to add, 'And she's late,' before the reel jumped back to Garner still waiting for Witherspoon to pick up the FaceTime call

However, someone then pointed out to the actress that Garner 'just said she tried you'

However, someone then pointed out to the actress that Garner 'just said she tried you.'

Witherspoon replied with, 'Oh!' followed by a laugh as she picked up her phone. The clip ended as she added 'She tried me twice!' followed by more laughter.

In the caption of the post, the actress penned to her 30.4 million followers: 'I love you @jennifer.garner.'

Witherspoon first launched her book club in 2017 and earlier this month, both she and Garner promoted the novel The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave in another lighthearted Instagram video.

The two stars have developed a close bond over the years and are known for their longtime friendship.

The pair have worked on a number of collaborations, such as being executive producers on the Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me - which Garner also stars in.

Garner and Witherspoon have also given each other special shout outs and birthday tributes on social media.

Back in 2023, the mom-of-three recalled Witherspoon being by her side when she went through a difficult time.

Witherspoon replied with, 'Oh!' followed by a laugh as she picked up her phone. The clip ended as she added 'She tried me twice!' followed by more laughter

Witherspoon first launched her book club in 2017 and earlier this month, both she and Garner promoted the novel The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave in another lighthearted Instagram video

The two stars have developed a close bond over the years and are known for their longtime friendship; the pair seen in 2013 in Beverly Hills

'I think back to going through a very public, very hard moment in my life. [Reese] was right there,' Garner recalled at Hello Sunshine's Shine On event at the time, per People.

She also acknowledged the Sweet Home Alabama actress supporting her as a mother as well.

'She'll also look at you and say, "Okay, you need to be finding a preschool. This kid is two and a half and they need to start next month. You actually have to get on this."'

Garner additionally credits Witherspoon for inspiring her to be a producer in Hollywood.

'Honestly, Reese is behind that, she has really pushed me,' the actress previously told The Hollywood Reporter.

'She said to me a few years ago, "Nobody is sitting around thinking, what can I shoot in L.A. that's going to have a 50-year-old woman in it?" She's like, "You've got to create your own stuff."'

Garner sweetly gushed, 'All women in this town owe a debt of gratitude to Reese.'

Garner additionally credits Witherspoon for inspiring her to be a producer in Hollywood

'She said to me a few years ago, "Nobody is sitting around thinking, what can I shoot in L.A. that's going to have a 50-year-old woman in it?" She's like, "You've got to create your own stuff,"' Garner further said of Witherspoon; seen earlier this month in Beverly Hills

The two stars have been keeping busy and Garner is set to reprise her leading role in the AppleTV+ thriller series The Last Thing He Told Me.

The second season the show - which is also executive produced by Garner and Witherspoon - is set to premiere next month on February 20.

And the Legally Blonde actress has been playing the character of Bradley Jackson in the series The Morning Show additionally starring Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup.

The fourth season aired last fall in September 2025 and a fifth season has since been renewed.
Wayne Lineker has recalled his terrifying near-fatal health scare which saw his spend seven weeks in hospital after suffering from two severe attacks of pneumonia.

The O Beach Ibiza founder, 63, revealed he began to feel unwell on a flight to the UK from Dubai after visiting his daughter, Tia.

After arriving home, Wayne woke up in the night in 'agony' and feared he was having a heart attack.

He managed to crawl over to his phone and call for an ambulance and spent the next four weeks in Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital, with chronic pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid.

Wayne told The Mirror: 'After three days at home, I had another really big attack - I was in a severe state. The doctor told my son I was in big danger and my blood pressure was ridiculously low. But they said, "We're just going to tell your dad he's ok. We'll get an ambulance".

Wayne Lineker has recalled his terrifying near-fatal health scare which saw his spend seven weeks in hospital after suffering from two severe attacks of pneumonia

The British entrepreneur, 63, was discharged at the end of December from Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital following his lengthy stay over the festive period

'There were two times I nearly passed away - it was a real eye opener for me. I became worried about my life. Am I going to make it?... I lost so much weight, I lost 11 kilograms of weight because I was lying in bed for seven weeks.

'When I came out, I just looked awful. I couldn't look in the mirror for weeks and that was just really scary. I lost a lot of weight off my face as well, and all across my chest, and I looked very frail.'

Wayne said the health scare was another wake up call, after turning his life around six months earlier.

The British entrepreneur admitted himself into rehab after struggling with alcohol and drugs - and thinks if he had not of done this, he wouldn't have survived his pneumonia battle.

Wayne began drinking heavily and taking drugs whilst he was in Ibiza to cope with his anxiety.

He would wake up in the morning and head to a bar where he would have a vodka Red Bull and a cheese and tomato toastie.

Wayne said he would often turn off his phone to ignore worried pleas from his family and continue drinking into the night and it became a vicious cycle.

The brother of Gary Lineker revealed it was his children who urged him to seek help after his son Freddie, 21, cried on his chest after witnessing the binges while living with him in Ibiza.

Wayne said the health scare was another wake up call, after turning his life around six months earlier. The British entrepreneur admitted himself into rehab after struggling with alcohol

Now out of hospital, Wayne is taking things slowly and trying to improve his health by going to the gym and taking supplements.

Of if he will return to his Ibiza beach club, Wayne said his focus has changed, to get better, stronger and 'carry on being sober because I'm enjoying it, and it's got a lot of benefits'.
She's enjoying a carefree trip to South Africa this week.

And Kelly Brook was making the most of her time in Cape Town this weekend as she enjoyed a boozy dance at a lunch spot before strolling along a picturesque beach.

The model, 46, was out for drinks and food with celebrity makeup artist Gemma Wheatcroft who was celebrating her birthday.

Gemma has been working on the current Love Island: All Stars series which is now filming in South Africa.

Kelly rocked a stylish leopard print dress for her day out as she shared videos to her Story dancing at the restaurant.

She then headed to the beach with her group of friends as she ran along the shore and shared fun selfies.

Kelly Brook was making the most of her time in Cape Town this weekend as she enjoyed a boozy dance at a lunch spot before strolling along a picturesque beach

The model, 46, was out for drinks and food with celebrity makeup artist Gemma Wheatcroft who was celebrating her birthday

Kelly had a busy end to 2025 as she took part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Slim Fast ambassador Kelly lost a stone in just two weeks during her jungle stint and has channelled body positivity for some time.

Kelly recently revealed she was offered a weight-loss jab before heading into the jungle.

Speaking on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Day podcast, Kelly said: 'I was offered Mounjaro literally last week by a doctor. Isn't that insane?

She added: 'I said, 'What do I need that for?'

He said 'everyone's on it' and I'm like 'Well, I'm not'. I said, 'What are the side effects?, he was like, 'There aren't any'.

'There was a whole conversation, but I don't comply. He knows I don't comply because they try and give me all sorts of things. I know what I like.'

While discussing surgical procedures and tweakments, Kelly admitted she wasn't averse to some 'intervention' here and there, but she draws the line at using weight-loss jabs.

Kelly missed out on a place in the I'm A Celeb final after becoming the fourth campmate to be voted off the show in December.

Kelly rocked a stylish leopard print dress for her day out as she shared videos to her Story dancing at the restaurant and on the beach

She then headed to the beach with her group of friends as she ran along the shore and shared fun selfies

Gemma has been working on the current Love Island: All Stars series which is now filming in South Africa

They enjoyed some wine and dancing at lunch

She looked great in the animal print dress which she teamed with large sunglasses as she headed to the beach

She ran along the sand as her pal filmed her

Following her exit, Kelly opened up about her alleged feud with Jack Osbourne and made the shocking claim that she was closest with him in the jungle.

She was the fourth contestant to be voted off the show after 18 days but during her first week fans noticed tension between her and the media personality.

The pair appeared to have a feud over cooking in the camp and Jack's older sister, Kelly Osbourne, hit out at Kelly branding her a 'bully' to her four million followers.

Telling the Daily Mail about her relationship with campmate Jack, Kelly has since said: 'Jack honestly, we get on so well.

'I probably got on with him the best out of everyone, like Jack, Martin and Vogue - they were my people in there.'

When asked about their tensions over the cooking in the first week, the actress said: 'I think what it is is that you're trying to find your place in the camp and your role in the camp, and we hadn't really given each other chores, or didn't really know what each each other were doing.

'So I just think that it was just Jack who was very much kind of like, he's been camping before. He's the adrenaline junkie guy, he knows the outdoors and he knows everything.

'And obviously at home, you know, I do a lot of cooking, and I do a lot of cleaning and that, for me, was going to kind of keep me going and keep me occupied.

'So when that was kind of taken away, it does make you a bit disorientated, because you're like, 'Well, if I'm not doing that, then what am I going to do?'

'And then in the end, I loved sitting back and watching people cook for me like it became, actually my greatest joy to look in that bag and go, 'Oh, okay, good luck with that.'

'It's funny how in the beginning you're so desperate to mimic what you do at home, and then the minute you get in there after a few days, you're like, 'Oh, I don't need to do that, because there's someone here that's maybe better at that than I am.''

Jack echoed her comments when his time to leave the jungle came days later.

Kelly looked like she was having a great holiday in the sunshine

He told The Sun: 'Kelly is not a bully at all. Kelly Brook is awesome. We had an absolutely fine friendship in camp. There was never anything, at least on my side. We were chill the whole time. We got on great, just like everyone.'

He added: 'I think it was just the protectiveness. I haven't seen the whole episodes yet, so I don't know what went out there, what was said.'

Unfortunately it did not come across like that on screen, with many fans speculating about how tensions were boiling over between the pair.

Jack's sister Kelly blasted the model branding her a 'bully' and 'performative' and the 41yearold took aim at Kelly in a fiery Instagram Story.
Just over two weeks into 2026 and big named retailers have already announced store closures and things are only going to get worse, experts told Daily Mail.

The ongoing retail bloodbath saw Macy's announce last week that it was to close 14 'underproductive' stores across 12 states and on Tuesday luxury department store Saks Global group filed for bankruptcy, marking one of the largest retail failures since the pandemic.

This comes after more than 8,000 chain retail store locations across multiple companies shut down in 2025.

Ward Kampf, president of Northwood Retail, told Daily Mail: 'America has been over-retailed.

'We built and built, focusing on growth, expansion, and development, and now the focus is on profitability, performance, and margins.'

Neil Saunders, another retail expert, told Daily Mail he doesn't see this trend slowing down in 2026.

'Against the backdrop of rising costs, a lot of retailers are looking to become more efficient,' Saunders told Daily Mail.

'Part of this involves closing underperforming stores that are not producing sales growth or contributing to profits.'

Starbucks closed 400 stores last year with its CEO saying they weren't meeting customers' needs

'America has been over-retailed,' Ward Kampf, president of Northwood Retail, told Daily Mail

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But he doesn't necessarily see it as a bad thing, saying it's a 'healthy exercise to keep store portfolios lean.'

Kampf agreed, saying the US retail market is at an 'inflection point.'

'We are in a K-shape economy, and brands are trading on a narrow pool of shoppers for discretionary spending,' he said.

Another reason companies may be closing so many stores is because of the overwhelming amount of choice consumers have while shopping. Each sector, from food to clothing to tech, is 'highly competitive,' Saunders said.

'At the same time, every sector is seeing a slowdown in growth. Some of this imbalance is being addressed via store closures,' he told Daily Mail.

Data shared with Daily Mail last month shows 8,234 US stores permanently closed last year - a staggering figure that marks a fresh blow to brick-and-mortar retail.

Thats 12 percent more than last years total of 7,325 closures, according to Coresight Research, and the highest number ever recorded.

Starbucks closed more than 400 stores in the 2025 fiscal year as part of its restructuring program after Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said many cafes failed to create the environment customers expect.

Join the debate Have YOU lost a favourite store to closures in the past year?

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However other stores, such as Walmart, are continuing to grow.

Saunders said this is due to the companies selling essential items, leading to the consumer engaging with its products frequently.

Walmart also has a step up due to keeping prices low, which attracts a larger consumer base.

'Walmart has always understood the importance of value and affordability, which is top-of-mind for shoppers now,' Kampf told Daily Mail.

'Walmart appeals high-to-low, has two-hour delivery nailed down, from timing to logistics and supply chain, through their concentration of neighborhood stores. Walmart is within 15 minutes and 10 miles of 90 percent of the US population.'

Walmart also saw its online revenue bump up 27 percent, helping it grow its base.

The affordable grocer's stock grew 25 percent year-to-date, while Kroger declined 0.1 percent, according to Yahoo Finance.

Although Target also sells essential items, it saw its stock shrink 30 percent, according to the outlet.

Joann Fabrics and Crafts has closed 815 stores. 'Against the backdrop of rising costs, a lot of retailers are looking to become more efficient,' Saunders told Daily Mail

'Target has a long way to go to recapture customers and repair the cultural damage,' Kampf said.

'Recent attempts at innovation, like bringing ULTA shop-in-shops, did not work. As with everything, demographics are at play, with older customers seeking the value and convenience of Walmart, and younger shoppers turning away from Target on cultural alignment.

'Target needs to do some soul searching, but can continue to grow market share.'

The upscale market saw massive fallout with shoppers after debuting tuck-friendly swimwear as part of its pride collection.

The retail giant sparked backlash after releasing a new line of clothing to celebrate Pride month in June 2023, which included a label advertising 'tuck-friendly construction' and 'extra crotch' coverage. The design was made to help conceal a person's private parts.

Kampf also had similar harsh judgements for Starbucks, saying: 'Starbucks created the coffee craze, but peoples loyalties change, and Starbucks has too many stores. They need to figure out who they are.'

Shoppers are also shifting to online stores and shops with the ability to pick up orders, rather than shopping exclusively in stores.

E-commerce generated $310.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of nearly two percent from the quarter before and a 5.1 percent difference compared to the same period in 2024, according to the US Census.

Retail expert, Neil Saunders, told Daily Mail he doesn't see the trend of store closures slowing down in 2026

E-commerce sales equated to more than 15 percent of total sales in the third quarter, the Census found.

The government agency said consumers have been shifting away from brick-and-mortar stores in favor of online retailers since the pandemic.

However, around 45 percent of shoppers still prefer to shop in-person, a report by Adyen, a payment platform, found.

It also found that 37 percent of shoppers like to have the option to shop both in-store and online, while 19 percent exclusively prefer digital shopping.

Baby Boomers have the highest preference for in-store shopping with 53 percent enjoying it, followed by Gen-Z at 41 percent.

Saunders believes in-store shopping will still be a thing in the future, as 'the vast majority of sales are still made in-store.'

'And many of the closures are not related to online - they are related to business issues like excess debt or poor operations,' he told Daily Mail.

Kampf agreed, he said: 'Physical stores remain critical for profitability, and an omnichannel approach is vital.'

Party City closed 738 stores last year. Despite the mass closures, more than 40 percent of shoppers still prefer an in-store experience

Last year several companies shut down their entire US footprints after sliding into bankruptcy.

Rite Aid, Joann's, and Party City - once-dominant chains that all filed for bankruptcy - led this year's closure list after rapidly winding down operations nationwide.

In total, 30 companies filed for bankruptcy in 2025, down from 51 in 2024. Analysts say this indicates that stronger operators are surviving, while weaker chains are simply being cleared out of the market.

Other struggling chains, including CVS, Claire's, and Torrid, also ranked among the top 20 for store closures - though each has kept several locations open as they scale back their footprints.

Some closures had long been planned.

GameStop, which has refocused on cryptocurrency trading rather than video game sales, and Foot Locker, which was acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods in November, both moved ahead with previously announced store reductions.

Even as closures mounted, retailers opened 5,252 new stores nationwide this year. Dollar General led all chains in ribbon-cuttings, opening 611 new locations across the US.

Dollar Tree followed with 442 openings, while Circle K (342), Aldi (225), and 7-Eleven (198) rounded out the top five.
Andrew Peller Ltd (TSE:ADW.A  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$5.19 and traded as high as C$5.39. Andrew Peller shares last traded at C$5.35, with a volume of 12,108 shares changing hands.

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The stock has a market capitalization of C$233.57 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.89 and a beta of 0.73. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$5.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$5.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 94.21, a current ratio of 3.72 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

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Andrew Peller (TSE:ADW.A  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$0.20 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$105.50 million for the quarter. Andrew Peller had a negative return on equity of 0.94% and a negative net margin of 0.60%. Research analysts forecast that Andrew Peller Ltd will post 0.1202054 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Andrew Peller

Andrew Peller Ltd is a wine producing company. It is engaged in the production and marketing of wine and spirit products in Canada. Some of the companys brands are Peller Estates, Trius Winery, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Calona Vineyards and many more. The Company owns and operates over 100 well-positioned independent retail locations in Ontario under The Wine Shop, Wine Country Vintners, and Wine Country Merchants store.

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BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) fell 1.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $6.16 and last traded at $6.19. 126,477,365 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 64% from the average session volume of 76,943,508 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on BBAI shares. HC Wainwright restated a buy rating and set a $8.00 target price on shares of BigBear.ai in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of BigBear.ai in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded BigBear.ai from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut BigBear.ai from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the company from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given 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 a consensus price target of $6.00.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BBAI

BigBear.ai Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 3.13 and a current ratio of 3.13. The company has a market cap of $2.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.32 and a beta of 3.46. The company has a fifty day moving average of $6.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.43.

BigBear.ai (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.07) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $33.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.82 million. BigBear.ai had a negative net margin of 274.70% and a negative return on equity of 26.11%. BigBear.ais revenue for the quarter was down 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.05) earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. will post -0.28 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at BigBear.ai

In related news, Director Dorothy D. Hayes sold 22,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.08, for a total value of $133,760.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 236,150 shares in the company, valued at $1,435,792. This represents a 8.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Sean Raymond Ricker sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.06, for a total value of $35,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 488,716 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,450,334.96. This represents a 1.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BigBear.ai

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of BigBear.ai by 32.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,604,836 shares of the companys stock worth $179,984,000 after acquiring an additional 6,790,890 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in BigBear.ai during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,407,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 125.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,074,311 shares of the companys stock worth $34,456,000 after purchasing an additional 2,820,698 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of BigBear.ai by 165.5% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 4,903,920 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,974,000 after purchasing an additional 3,056,597 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of BigBear.ai by 40.8% in the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 2,873,864 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,738,000 after purchasing an additional 832,420 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.55% of the companys stock.

BigBear.ai Company Profile

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BigBear.ai is a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics solutions designed to deliver actionable insights for public sector and commercial clients. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, the company specializes in advanced analytics, machine learning, predictive modeling and network analysis to support decision-making in complex, data-rich environments. Its clientele spans defense and intelligence agencies, civil government organizations and enterprise businesses seeking to enhance mission outcomes and operational efficiency.

The companys flagship offerings include an AI-driven analytics platform that integrates data engineering, algorithm development and visualization tools.

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Shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) rose 2.1% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $248.75 and last traded at $247.62. Approximately 6,461,884 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 24% from the average daily volume of 8,525,178 shares. The stock had previously closed at $242.61.

Key Stories Impacting Boeing

Here are the key news stories impacting Boeing this week:

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Boeing from $277.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Zacks Research raised Boeing from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Boeing from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. BNP Paribas set a $150.00 price target on Boeing in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $240.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Boeing has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $237.46.

Boeing Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $188.28 billion, a P/E ratio of -18.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.16. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $208.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $217.11.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share (EPS) 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 analyst estimates of $21.61 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($10.44) earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Dana S. Deasy acquired 554 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was bought at an average price of $178.88 per share, with a total value of $99,099.52. Following the completion of the purchase, the senior vice president owned 28,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,087,704.96. The trade was a 1.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the companys 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 14,656 shares in the company, valued at $2,896,904.96. This trade represents a 8.53% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boeing

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 43.3% during 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 during the period. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $62,859,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Boeing by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,773,360 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $13,991,022,000 after acquiring an additional 1,118,316 shares during the period. SteelPeak Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Boeing by 50.4% during the 3rd quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 26,360 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $5,689,000 after acquiring an additional 8,833 shares during the period. Finally, Patton Fund Management Inc. grew its position in Boeing by 734.4% in the 3rd quarter. Patton Fund Management Inc. now owns 10,322 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $2,228,000 after acquiring an additional 9,085 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.82% of the companys stock.

Boeing Company Profile

(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.

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Chesapeake Financial Shares (OTCMKTS:CPKF  Get Free Report) is projected to release its results before the market opens on Tuesday, January 20th. Analysts expect Chesapeake Financial Shares to post earnings of $0.82 per share for the quarter.

Chesapeake Financial Shares (OTCMKTS:CPKF  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The bank reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.39. Chesapeake Financial Shares had a net margin of 6.72% and a return on equity of 11.80%. The business had revenue of $21.64 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.40 million.

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Chesapeake Financial Shares Stock Performance

Shares of CPKF stock opened at $28.25 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $26.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $23.63. Chesapeake Financial Shares has a 12-month low of $18.10 and a 12-month high of $28.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $133.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.18 and a beta of 0.24.

Chesapeake Financial Shares Increases Dividend

About Chesapeake Financial Shares

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This is an increase from Chesapeake Financial Sharess previous dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 278.0%. Chesapeake Financial Sharess payout ratio is currently 48.57%.

(Get Free Report)

Chesapeake Financial Shares, Inc is the bank holding company for Chesapeake Bank, a Virginiachartered community bank. The company operates as a locally focused financial institution, offering a comprehensive suite of banking services to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Through its subsidiary, Chesapeake Bank, it aims to deliver customercentric solutions while supporting economic growth in its communities.

Chesapeake Financial Shares primary business activities include retail and commercial banking.

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Shares of Community Bancorp. (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $24.59 and traded as high as $28.00. Community Bancorp. shares last traded at $28.00, with a volume of 40,910 shares.

Community Bancorp. Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market capitalization of $156.60 million, a P/E ratio of 9.68 and a beta of 0.30. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.05.

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Community Bancorp. (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $12.61 million for the quarter. Community Bancorp. had a net margin of 24.43% and a return on equity of 15.91%.

Community Bancorp. Company Profile

Community Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for Community National Bank that provides financial services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities in northern and central Vermont. It offers financing for commercial business properties, equipment, inventories, and accounts receivable, as well as standby letters of credit; and business checking and other deposit accounts, cash management services, repurchase agreements, ACH and wire transfer services, card processing, and remote deposit capture.

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday hailed the "historic" entry into force of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

"Today marks a watershed moment for the ocean," Guterres said in a video message to celebrate the agreement coming into force on Jan. 17.

"This is a historic achievement -- for people and planet; for international cooperation and the United Nations," he said.

The UN chief said the treaty establishes the first legal framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean that lies beyond national borders, and provides "binding global rules" to share fairly the benefits from marine genetic resources.

"In a world of accelerating crises -- climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution -- the Agreement fills a critical governance gap to secure a resilient and productive ocean for all," he said, urging all countries to join the treaty and calling for its swift universal and full implementation.

The negotiation process for the agreement began in 2004, and the agreement was adopted by consensus in June 2023. 
Wi-LAN (OTCMKTS:QTRHF  Get Free Report) and Indra Sistemas (OTCMKTS:ISMAY  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Wi-LAN and Indra Sistemas, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wi-LAN 0 0 1 0 3.00 Indra Sistemas 0 2 0 3 3.20

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Wi-LAN and Indra Sistemass revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Wi-LAN $153.30 million 0.51 -$11.02 million ($0.17) -3.96 Indra Sistemas $5.24 billion N/A $300.33 million $1.22 27.97

Indra Sistemas has higher revenue and earnings than Wi-LAN. Wi-LAN is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Indra Sistemas, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Wi-LAN and Indra Sistemas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wi-LAN -12.64% -16.03% -8.71% Indra Sistemas 7.66% 27.69% 6.94%

Volatility & Risk

Wi-LAN has a beta of 1.08, meaning that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Indra Sistemas has a beta of 0.51, meaning that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Indra Sistemas beats Wi-LAN on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Wi-LAN

(Get Free Report)

Quarterhill Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates in intelligent transportation system business in Canada and internationally. The company offers riteSuite, which offers mobility solutions, such as all-electronic tolling, dynamic pricing, agency interoperability, hosted mobility solutions, and machine learning; back-office solutions, which offers account management, customer service, violation processing, and technical services operations; roadside solutions, which offers onsite and remote maintenance and field operations services, including tolling facility support, lane equipment control, and cash management services; and international road dynamics products and services, which offers automated truck weigh stations, toll road systems and equipment, red light and speed enforcement systems, and traffic management and safety systems. It also provides VectorSense, a tire sensor suite; Vehicle Information-In-Motion traffic intelligence system, an integrated traffic control system; permanent Weigh-InMotion systems; portable slow speed Weigh-In-Motion systems; portable wheel load scales; traffic data collection products, vehicle and axle detection equipment, and automated vehicle identification services and equipment; and other hardware and software products and offerings. The company was formerly known as Wi-LAN Inc. and changed its name to Quarterhill Inc. in June 2017. Quarterhill Inc. was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Indra Sistemas

(Get Free Report)

Indra Sistemas, S.A. operates as a technology and consulting company for aerospace, defense, and mobility business worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Defence, Air Traffic, Mobility, and Minsait. It offers Mova Consulting for planing and designing transport infrastructures; Mova Collect for ticketing, tolling, and back office applications; Mova Traffic for building traffic management and control solutions; Mova Protect for protection of businesses and people; Mova Experience; Mova Comms for connecting the transportation ecosystem with personalized communication solutions; Mova Care that provides infrastructure operation and maintenance, technology operation and maintenance, and transportation services operation and maintenance; and In-Mova Space, a technological mobility and infrastructure management platform. The company also provides Indra Air Automation; Indra Air Communication; Indra Air Navigation; Indra Air Surveillance; Indra Air Drones; Indra Air Information; and Indra Air Services for air traffic applications. In addition, the company offers defence and security solutions, including Platforms, defence systems, security, cyberdefence, space technologies applied to military operations, military and civilian training solutions, and logistics and maintenance services; and other technological solutions for public administration, industry and consumption, financial services, energy, and telco and media sectors. Indra Sistemas, S.A. was founded in 1921 and is based in Alcobendas, Spain.

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Shares of Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM  Get Free Report) traded down 19.5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 941.50 and last traded at GBX 941.50. 3,357,217 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 213% from the average session volume of 1,072,808 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,170.

Key Headlines Impacting Dunelm Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Dunelm Group this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on Dunelm, providing some support from a retail broker and cushioning the selloff. Shore Capital Reaffirmation

Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on Dunelm, providing some support from a retail broker and cushioning the selloff. Neutral Sentiment: Berenberg trimmed its price target from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 but kept a buy rating  a mild downgrade in expected upside that tempers investor enthusiasm without changing the positive recommendation. Berenberg Target Cut

Berenberg trimmed its price target from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 but kept a buy rating  a mild downgrade in expected upside that tempers investor enthusiasm without changing the positive recommendation. Negative Sentiment: Reporting and market reaction: coverage notes Dunelm shares tumbled after management flagged that festive demand weakened and Q2 sales growth slowed, with fullyear profit now expected at the low end of prior guidance  this operational update is the core reason for the downward pressure. Investors Chronicle: Festive Demand Hit

Reporting and market reaction: coverage notes Dunelm shares tumbled after management flagged that festive demand weakened and Q2 sales growth slowed, with fullyear profit now expected at the low end of prior guidance  this operational update is the core reason for the downward pressure. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction piece reporting a steep intraday decline (about 19.5% in one report), reflecting investor selling after the trading statement and amplifying volatility. American Banking News: Trading Down

Market reaction piece reporting a steep intraday decline (about 19.5% in one report), reflecting investor selling after the trading statement and amplifying volatility. Negative Sentiment: Earnings/forecast coverage: a detailed note warns Q2 sales growth slowed and reiterates the warning that fullyear profit will sit at the low end of expectations  this is the fundamental catalyst for the selloff. Investing.com: Q2 Sales Slow

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Dunelm Group in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Dunelm Group from GBX 1,140 to GBX 1,240 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Dunelm Group from GBX 1,755 to GBX 1,817 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,360 price target on shares of Dunelm Group in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Berenberg Bank cut their price target on Dunelm Group from GBX 1,480 to GBX 1,425 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 1,390.25.

Dunelm Group Stock Up 0.7%

The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 1,110.15 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 1,138.85. The firm has a market cap of 1.91 billion, a PE ratio of 12.34, a P/E/G ratio of -10.32 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 236.84.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Clodagh Moriarty sold 51,119 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,148, for a total transaction of 586,846.12. Also, insider Daniel Taylor bought 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,163 per share, with a total value of 46,520. In the last quarter, insiders purchased 17,790 shares of company stock worth $20,056,160 and sold 61,854 shares worth $70,913,541. 34.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Dunelm Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dunelm is the UKs market leader in homewares with a purpose to help create the joy of truly feeling at home, now and for generations to come. Its specialist customer proposition offers value, quality, choice and style across an extensive range of c.70,000 products, spanning multiple homewares and furniture categories and including services such as Made to Measure window treatments.

The business was founded in 1979 by the Adderley family, beginning as a curtains stall on Leicester market before expanding its store footprint.

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Shares of Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. (OTCMKTS:FSAM  Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.01 and traded as high as $0.0144. Fifth Street Asset Management shares last traded at $0.0141, with a volume of 38,100 shares.

Fifth Street Asset Management Trading Down 2.1%

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.01.

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About Fifth Street Asset Management

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Fifth Street Asset Management (OTCMKTS:FSAM) is a registered investment adviser specializing in private credit and specialty finance strategies. The firm focuses on structuring and managing credit-oriented solutions designed to meet the financing needs of middle-market companies. Headquartered in New York, Fifth Street Asset Management serves a broad range of institutional investors, including pension funds, endowments, foundations and insurers.

The companys core activities include direct lending, mezzanine debt, sponsor-to-sponsor financing and special situations investments.

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Altona Rare Earths Plc (LON:REE  Get Free Report) insider Louise Adrian purchased 546,701 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 2 per share, with a total value of 10,934.02.

Altona Rare Earths Stock Performance

Altona Rare Earths stock opened at GBX 1.26 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 1.62. Altona Rare Earths Plc has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1.05 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2.76. The company has a market capitalization of 4.06 million, a P/E ratio of -2.14 and a beta of -0.15.

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Altona Rare Earths (LON:REE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported GBX (0.59) earnings per share for the quarter.

About Altona Rare Earths

Altona Rare Earth (LSE: REE) is a resource exploration and development company, specializing in Critical Raw Materials exploration and development in Africa.

The Company is currently involved in copper and silver exploration at the Sesana project in the Kalahari Copper Belt of Botswana, in rare earths exploration at the Monte Muambe project in Mozambique, and is also assessing the possibility to rapidly develop a fluorspar mining operation, also at Monte Muambe.

Monte Muambe, a significant REE mining project, is a carbonatite-hosted REE deposit.

Further Reading

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iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSEARCA:EPOL  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,141,335 shares, a growth of 68.3% from the December 15th total of 678,320 shares. Approximately 8.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 283,646 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 283,646 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days. Approximately 8.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

iShares MSCI Poland ETF Trading Down 0.6%

EPOL stock traded down $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $35.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 424,084 shares, compared to its average volume of 469,662. The stock has a market cap of $522.64 million, a PE ratio of 9.04 and a beta of 1.22. The companys 50 day moving average is $34.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.42. iShares MSCI Poland ETF has a fifty-two week low of $22.00 and a fifty-two week high of $36.67.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Poland ETF

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 1,646,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,126,000 after buying an additional 132,755 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,494,000. UBS Group AG boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 39.9% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 421,313 shares of the companys stock worth $13,566,000 after buying an additional 120,195 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Poland ETF during the second quarter worth about $9,929,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 41.5% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 297,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,608,000 after buying an additional 87,298 shares in the last quarter.

iShares MSCI Poland ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Poland IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of the broader Polish equity market. EPOL was launched on May 25, 2010 and is managed by BlackRock.

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NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NC  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 14,036 shares, a drop of 46.5% from the December 15th total of 26,249 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 11,087 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days. Approximately 0.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Approximately 0.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 11,087 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of NACCO Industries in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy.

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NACCO Industries Stock Down 0.5%

NC stock traded down $0.24 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $46.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,434 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,933. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $344.91 million, a P/E ratio of 11.86 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 3.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. NACCO Industries has a 52-week low of $30.00 and a 52-week high of $53.88.

NACCO Industries (NYSE:NC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $76.61 million for the quarter. NACCO Industries had a return on equity of 7.01% and a net margin of 10.32%.

NACCO Industries announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, November 18th that permits the company to buyback $20.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 5.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

NACCO Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.2525 dividend. This represents a $1.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. NACCO Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.90%.

Insider Activity at NACCO Industries

In other news, SVP Elizabeth Loveman sold 2,997 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.22, for a total transaction of $135,524.34. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 20,069 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $907,520.18. The trade was a 12.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 43.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NACCO Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,318,000. M&T Bank Corp purchased a new stake in NACCO Industries in the second quarter valued at $953,000. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in NACCO Industries in the third quarter valued at $609,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of NACCO Industries during the first quarter worth about $219,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of NACCO Industries by 88.4% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,174 shares of the companys stock worth $555,000 after purchasing an additional 6,182 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.10% of the companys stock.

NACCO Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NACCO Industries, Inc is a Cleveland, Ohiobased diversified holding company with a history spanning more than a century. Through its principal subsidiaries, the company operates in two primary business areas: coal mining and material-handling system design and manufacturing. Originally incorporated in 1913, NACCO has maintained a presence on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NC since the 1920s, evolving its portfolio to meet changing market demands while preserving its core expertise in bulk commodities and industrial services.

The North American Coal Corporation, NACCOs coal mining segment, is among the largest producers of lignite coal in the United States.

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PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund (NYSEARCA:LONZ  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 7,745 shares, a growth of 50.7% from the December 15th total of 5,140 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 30,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 30,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund (NYSEARCA:LONZ  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 150,716 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,685,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 1.10% of PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund Trading Up 0.0%

NYSEARCA:LONZ traded up $0.02 on Friday, hitting $50.56. The stock had a trading volume of 20,638 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,849. PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund has a 52-week low of $47.79 and a 52-week high of $51.29. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $50.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $50.75.

About PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund

The PIMCO Senior Loan Active Exchange-Traded Fund (LONZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund seeks current income through the active management of US dollar-denominated senior floating rate bank loans that are rated below investment grade. LONZ was launched on Jun 8, 2022 and is managed by PIMCO.

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Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE:NX  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,100,051 shares, a decline of 30.3% from the December 15th total of 3,014,034 shares. Currently, 4.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,003,906 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,003,906 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Currently, 4.7% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quanex Building Products

In related news, insider Teleios Capital Partners Gmbh sold 119,485 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.94, for a total transaction of $1,904,590.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 4,421,879 shares in the company, valued at $70,484,751.26. This represents a 2.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.15% of the companys stock.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Quanex Building Products

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Quanex Building Products by 5.6% during the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 11,517 shares of the construction companys stock worth $218,000 after acquiring an additional 614 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its position in shares of Quanex Building Products by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 22,136 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $418,000 after purchasing an additional 698 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its stake in Quanex Building Products by 104.5% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,468 shares of the construction companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Quanex Building Products by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 18,240 shares of the construction companys stock worth $345,000 after buying an additional 754 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in Quanex Building Products by 6.8% in the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,061 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $228,000 after buying an additional 764 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.48% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on NX. Zacks Research raised Quanex Building Products from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Benchmark dropped their price target on Quanex Building Products from $30.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Quanex Building Products from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Quanex Building Products in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Quanex Building Products

Quanex Building Products Trading Up 0.7%

NX traded up $0.12 during trading on Friday, reaching $18.69. 729,477 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 628,921. The companys fifty day moving average price is $14.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $853.75 million, a PE ratio of -3.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.93. Quanex Building Products has a fifty-two week low of $11.04 and a fifty-two week high of $24.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 2.04.

Quanex Building Products (NYSE:NX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The construction company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.33. Quanex Building Products had a positive return on equity of 12.46% and a negative net margin of 13.65%.The company had revenue of $489.85 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $472.62 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.61 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Quanex Building Products will post 2.18 EPS for the current year.

Quanex Building Products Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Quanex Building Productss dividend payout ratio is -5.83%.

Quanex Building Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Quanex Building Products Corporation engages in the design, manufacture and distribution of components for the window, door and building products industries in North America. The company operates through two primary segments: Window Products and Door & Building Products. Its Window Products segment supplies vinyl window profiles and related accessories, while its Door & Building Products segment offers engineered door skins, panels, siding products, specialty moldings and other exterior building components.

Within its Window Products segment, Quanex produces extrusion profiles used by window fabricators to assemble vinyl casement, double-hung, slider and picture windows.

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Scandium Canada Ltd. (CVE:SCD  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 18.5% on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.20 and last traded at C$0.22. Approximately 6,091,916 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 150% from the average daily volume of 2,439,512 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.27.

Scandium Canada News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Scandium Canada this week:

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Scandium Canada Stock Up 13.6%

The stock has a market capitalization of C$83.69 million, a PE ratio of -50.00 and a beta of 4.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$0.13 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.08.

Scandium Canada Company Profile

Scandium Canada Ltd. operates as a mineral exploration company in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, scandium, and base metal deposits. It also holds 100% interests in the Crater Lake project comprising 96 contiguous claims covering an area of 47 square kilometers located to the northeast of Schefferville, Quebec; and the Opawica project, which includes 42 contiguous claims covering an area of 23.45 square kilometers situated the Gand and Lesperance townships. In addition, the company holds interests in the La Ronciere project, which consists of 45 mining claims covering an area of 25.1 square kilometers in Gand and La Ronciere townships.

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F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE:FG  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,542,256 shares, a growth of 70.5% from the December 15th total of 904,498 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 832,696 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days. Currently, 1.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 1.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 832,696 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days.

F&G Annuities & Life Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of FG stock traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $27.53. The stock had a trading volume of 778,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,082,146. F&G Annuities & Life has a 12-month low of $27.11 and a 12-month high of $47.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.27. The firms 50-day moving average is $31.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.07 and a beta of 1.46.

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F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE:FG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.20. F&G Annuities & Life had a net margin of 8.40% and a return on equity of 11.41%. The business had revenue of $737.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.40 billion. On average, analysts predict that F&G Annuities & Life will post 5.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

F&G Annuities & Life Increases Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This is an increase from F&G Annuities & Lifes previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 17th. F&G Annuities & Lifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.33%.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of F&G Annuities & Life from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays set a $31.00 target price on F&G Annuities & Life in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of F&G Annuities & Life in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut F&G Annuities & Life from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler set a $33.00 target price on F&G Annuities & Life in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, F&G Annuities & Life currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $37.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on FG

Insider Buying and Selling at F&G Annuities & Life

In other F&G Annuities & Life news, CEO Christopher O. Blunt bought 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $29.56 per share, for a total transaction of $147,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,117,396 shares of the companys stock, valued at $33,030,225.76. This represents a 0.45% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of F&G Annuities & Life during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $3,863,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in F&G Annuities & Life by 23.4% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 365,343 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,684,000 after buying an additional 69,242 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. purchased a new position in F&G Annuities & Life in the second quarter valued at $1,916,000. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC acquired a new position in shares of F&G Annuities & Life in the third quarter worth about $1,434,000. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of F&G Annuities & Life by 5.6% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 6,309 shares of the companys stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the period. 95.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About F&G Annuities & Life

(Get Free Report)

F&G Annuities & Life is the principal life insurance and annuity subsidiary of F&G Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: FG), a publicly traded financial services holding company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The company focuses on designing and issuing retirement income solutions that address longevity risk, capital preservation, and wealth transfer for individual and institutional clients.

Its product suite includes fixed indexed annuities, which offer the potential for market-linked growth with downside protection; fixed-rate annuities, delivering guaranteed interest over a defined term; and a range of life insurance policies such as term, universal, and variable universal life.

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge on Friday ordered immigration agents to stop using pepper spray, making arrests, or detaining people who are peacefully protesting immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.

U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued a preliminary injunction barring such actions by federal agents involved in Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area. The order will remain in effect until the operation concludes. It also prohibits agents from stopping vehicles that are safely following enforcement activity without reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.

Operation Metro Surge began in early December 2025 with about 2,000 agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and has since expanded to nearly 3,000. The Department of Homeland Security has described it as the largest immigration operation in U.S. history.

Menendez said protesters were likely to succeed in proving violations of their constitutional rights, including free speech and protections against unreasonable searches. She described some allegations against agents as "disturbing," citing reports that protesters were threatened or followed to their homes.

Friday's ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed in December by the American Civil Liberties Union's Minnesota branch on behalf of six individuals who said their rights were violated while observing immigration enforcement activities. 
Xiaomi Co. (OTCMKTS:XIACF  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 80,043,727 shares, an increase of 65.7% from the December 15th total of 48,308,716 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 108,612 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 737.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 108,612 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 737.0 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Xiaomi from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. One 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.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Xiaomi Trading Down 3.2%

Xiaomi Company Profile

Shares of OTCMKTS:XIACF opened at $4.76 on Friday. Xiaomi has a fifty-two week low of $4.15 and a fifty-two week high of $9.00. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $5.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.24.

(Get Free Report)

Xiaomi Corporation, founded in April 2010 by entrepreneur Lei Jun and a group of partners, is a Chinese multinational electronics company headquartered in Beijing. The company began with the launch of its proprietary MIUI operating system and quickly expanded into hardware design and manufacturing. Over the past decade, Xiaomi has established itself as one of the worlds leading smartphone vendors, focusing on delivering high-performance devices at competitive price points.

In addition to its core smartphone business, Xiaomi operates two main hardware sub-brands: Mi and Redmi.

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Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (NYSEARCA:HIGH  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 43,378 shares, an increase of 77.4% from the December 15th total of 24,447 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 81,002 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 81,002 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Simplify Enhanced Income ETF by 74.0% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 39,588 shares of the companys stock worth $914,000 after purchasing an additional 16,836 shares in the last quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Simplify Enhanced Income ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $553,000. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Simplify Enhanced Income ETF by 52.3% during the 3rd quarter. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 39,205 shares of the companys stock worth $905,000 after buying an additional 13,465 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Simplify Enhanced Income ETF by 36.8% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 18,022 shares of the companys stock valued at $416,000 after buying an additional 4,848 shares during the period. Finally, B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Simplify Enhanced Income ETF by 37.1% in the third quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 49,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,143,000 after buying an additional 13,386 shares in the last quarter.

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Simplify Enhanced Income ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA HIGH traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $22.26. 30,402 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 50,009. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.09. Simplify Enhanced Income ETF has a 1-year low of $20.98 and a 1-year high of $25.15.

About Simplify Enhanced Income ETF

The Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund seeks to provide monthly income by holding a short-term portfolio of income-producing US Treasurys and utilizing an option spread writing strategy. HIGH was launched on Oct 27, 2022 and is managed by Simplify.

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Tavistock Investments Plc (LON:TAVI  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 3.91 and traded as high as GBX 4. Tavistock Investments shares last traded at GBX 3.77, with a volume of 729,529 shares traded.

Tavistock Investments Trading Up 5.3%

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is GBX 3.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 4.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.56, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 3.89. The company has a market capitalization of 17.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.40 and a beta of 0.02.

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Tavistock Investments (LON:TAVI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 23rd. The company reported GBX (0.33) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Tavistock Investments had a negative return on equity of 3.14% and a negative net margin of 3.23%. Research analysts anticipate that Tavistock Investments Plc will post 0.1312566 EPS for the current year.

Tavistock Investments Company Profile

Tavistock Investments Plc provides investment management and advisory support services to a network of financial advisers in the United Kingdom. The company offers investment planning, financial planning, pension and retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, protection and insurance, will writing, bereavement notification, employee benefits, protects families from financial difficulty, finance for homes and mortgages, financial management, financial planning, and tax saving services. Tavistock Investments Plc was incorporated in 2004 and is based in Ascot, the United Kingdom.

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Vista Gold Corp. (NYSE:VGZ  Get Free Report) traded up 1.9% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $2.20 and last traded at $2.19. 1,520,822 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 1% from the average session volume of 1,537,592 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.15.

Vista Gold Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $280.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.67 and a beta of 1.14. The firms 50-day moving average price is $1.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.66.

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Institutional Trading of Vista Gold

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brookstone Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Vista Gold during the third quarter valued at $26,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in Vista Gold in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new position in Vista Gold in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Redmond Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vista Gold by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Redmond Asset Management LLC now owns 945,110 shares of the companys stock worth $922,000 after purchasing an additional 20,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft purchased a new stake in shares of Vista Gold during the third quarter worth about $44,000. 27.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vista Gold Company Profile

Vista Gold Corp is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold resource projects. The companys primary objective is to bring high-quality gold deposits into production through systematic exploration, feasibility studies and environmental permitting. Vista Golds technical team applies modern exploration and development methodologies to de-risk assets and demonstrate the economic potential of its mineral holdings.

The companys flagship asset is the Mt Todd gold project, located in the Northern Territory of Australia.

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Shares of West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (CVE:WHY  Get Free Report) traded up 35.3% during trading on Saturday . The company traded as high as C$0.46 and last traded at C$0.46. 273,638 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 142% from the average session volume of 112,900 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.34.

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Volume spike and momentum  Trading volume today (~273,638 shares) was well above the companys average (~112,900), suggesting fresh buying interest and short-term momentum that likely pushed the share price higher. MarketBeat

Volume spike and momentum  Trading volume today (~273,638 shares) was well above the companys average (~112,900), suggesting fresh buying interest and short-term momentum that likely pushed the share price higher. Positive Sentiment: Technical signal  the share price is above the 50day simple moving average (C$0.39), which can attract momentum/technical traders and trigger additional buying.

Technical signal  the share price is above the 50day simple moving average (C$0.39), which can attract momentum/technical traders and trigger additional buying. Neutral Sentiment: Size and volatility profile  market cap is modest (C$53.4M) and the 12month range (C$0.22C$0.86) shows the stock is thinly traded and prone to large percentage swings; this can amplify moves in either direction.

Size and volatility profile  market cap is modest (C$53.4M) and the 12month range (C$0.22C$0.86) shows the stock is thinly traded and prone to large percentage swings; this can amplify moves in either direction. Neutral Sentiment: No clear fundamental press release cited  todays move appears driven more by market flow/technical activity than a disclosed corporate development (no specific company announcement linked in public feeds at the time of this summary).

No clear fundamental press release cited  todays move appears driven more by market flow/technical activity than a disclosed corporate development (no specific company announcement linked in public feeds at the time of this summary). Negative Sentiment: Weak liquidity and balance-sheet metrics  low quick (0.26) and current (0.03) ratios signal limited shortterm liquidity, increasing operational risk if cash needs rise.

Weak liquidity and balance-sheet metrics  low quick (0.26) and current (0.03) ratios signal limited shortterm liquidity, increasing operational risk if cash needs rise. Negative Sentiment: Negative earnings dynamics  trailing P/E is not meaningful (reported as -11.50), indicating the company is unprofitable; combined with a highly negative debttoequity figure, fundamentals remain a concern for longerterm investors.

Negative earnings dynamics  trailing P/E is not meaningful (reported as -11.50), indicating the company is unprofitable; combined with a highly negative debttoequity figure, fundamentals remain a concern for longerterm investors. Negative Sentiment: High volatility/risk  the same factors driving todays pop (low float, thin volume, technical buying) can reverse quickly; investors should expect potential rapid pullbacks and wide intraday swings.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Fundamental Research set a C$1.56 target price on West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$1.56.

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -87.98, a current ratio of 0.03 and a quick ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of C$53.39 million, a PE ratio of -11.50 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.41.

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in British Columbia, Canada. The company explores for gold, nickel, silica, and magnesium deposits. Its flagship property is its 100% owned Record Ridge property comprising 29 contiguous mineral claims, eight crown-granted claims, and one privately owned claim covering an area of 8,972 hectares located near southwest of the city of Rossland, British Columbia. The company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Zumtobel Group AG (OTCMKTS:ZMTBY  Get Free Report) shares fell 8.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as 1.92 and last traded at 1.92. 1,200 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 50% from the average session volume of 800 shares. The stock had previously closed at 2.10.

Zumtobel Group Stock Performance

The firms fifty day simple moving average is 2.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is 2.41.

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Zumtobel Group Company Profile

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Zumtobel Group is an Austria-based lighting technology company founded in 1950 by Dr. Walter Zumtobel. Headquartered in Dornbirn, the group has grown into a leading supplier of professional lighting solutions for commercial, industrial and public spaces. Its core business encompasses the design, production and distribution of architectural luminaires, lighting management systems and components under the Zumtobel, Thorn and Tridonic brands.

The companys product portfolio includes LED and conventional luminaires, intelligent control systems and modular components for interior and exterior applications.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 8,475 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,375,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 24,968.0% in the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 11,275,606 shares of the companys stock worth $2,041,223,000 after buying an additional 11,230,626 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 142,857,055 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,018,555,000 after acquiring an additional 2,235,380 shares during the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 69.0% in the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 4,512,311 shares of the companys stock worth $821,826,000 after purchasing an additional 1,842,754 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 88.9% during the 2nd quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,138,118 shares of the companys stock worth $389,415,000 after purchasing an additional 1,006,014 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 142.2% in the second quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,512,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $275,474,000 after purchasing an additional 888,148 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

PM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.00.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

NYSE:PM opened at $173.66 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $119.30 and a fifty-two week high of $186.69. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $157.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $161.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $270.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.46, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.40.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $10.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.67 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.91 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th were paid a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.

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Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the fourteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have given a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $110.6667.

Several analysts have issued reports on AFL shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Aflac from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Aflac from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $120.00 target price on shares of Aflac in a report on Monday, December 15th. Barclays set a $101.00 price target on shares of Aflac and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Monday, December 22nd.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aflac

In related news, EVP Frederic Jean Guy Simard sold 1,722 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $193,725.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 1,364 shares in the company, valued at $153,450. This trade represents a 55.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, EVP Steven Kent Beaver sold 5,492 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.53, for a total value of $601,538.76. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 38,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,202,447.04. This represents a 12.52% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 31,766 shares of company stock worth $3,549,706 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in shares of Aflac by 188.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the period. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Aflac during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Aflac by 1,526.7% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Finally, Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.44% of the companys stock.

Aflac Stock Down 0.0%

Aflac stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $109.57. 6,139,904 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,764,035. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. The company has a market cap of $57.42 billion, a PE ratio of 14.30, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.67. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $110.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $107.81. Aflac has a 12 month low of $96.95 and a 12 month high of $115.83.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.77 by $0.72. Aflac had a net margin of 23.55% and a return on equity of 14.97%. The firm had revenue of $4.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.36 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.16 EPS. The companys revenue was up 59.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Aflac will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.61 per share. This is a positive change from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.85%.

Aflac Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflacs product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.

Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.

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Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE:PAAS  Get Free Report) (TSE:PAAS) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $44.3333.

PAAS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Pan American Silver in a report on Monday, December 29th. CIBC lifted their target price on shares of Pan American Silver from $50.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an outperformer rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Pan American Silver from $46.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Pan American Silver in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Pan American Silver from $36.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Pan American Silver Stock Performance

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PAAS. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in Pan American Silver by 51.8% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 45,142,060 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,748,355,000 after buying an additional 15,405,762 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pan American Silver by 21.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,191,611 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $666,192,000 after acquiring an additional 3,006,055 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Pan American Silver by 38.7% during the third quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 14,462,912 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $560,149,000 after purchasing an additional 4,037,311 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Pan American Silver by 9.8% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 9,898,397 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $383,365,000 after purchasing an additional 882,135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of Pan American Silver by 5,674.3% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 6,141,108 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $174,406,000 after purchasing an additional 6,034,755 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.43% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:PAAS traded down $0.76 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $55.12. The company had a trading volume of 7,881,307 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,662,476. Pan American Silver has a one year low of $20.55 and a one year high of $57.19. The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The companys 50-day moving average price is $47.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.59. The firm has a market cap of $23.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.86, a PEG ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.67.

Pan American Silver (NYSE:PAAS  Get Free Report) (TSE:PAAS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The basic materials company reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.01). Pan American Silver had a return on equity of 11.66% and a net margin of 19.52%.The firm had revenue of $854.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $867.76 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.32 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 19.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Pan American Silver will post 1.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pan American Silver Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th were issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. This is a positive change from Pan American Silvers previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Pan American Silvers payout ratio is currently 32.37%.

Pan American Silver Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) is a Vancouver-based mining company and one of the worlds largest primary silver producers. The companys core activities encompass the exploration, development, extraction and processing of silver, with significant by-product production of gold, zinc and lead. Pan American Silver maintains a vertically integrated operating model, covering the full mining value chain from resource discovery through to refined metal production.

With a geographic footprint concentrated across the Americas, Pan American Silver operates multiple mines in Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia, and is advancing several development and exploration projects in Chile and Ecuador.

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Shares of ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Buy from the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company.

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of ASM International from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of ASM International in a report on Friday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of ASM International from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th.

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ASM International Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:ASMIY traded up $19.50 during trading on Friday, hitting $801.02. 10,316 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,703. The firms 50 day moving average price is $622.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $583.75. ASM International has a 12-month low of $372.61 and a 12-month high of $802.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.33 and a beta of 1.87.

ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $4.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.74 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $932.68 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $814.93 million. ASM International had a return on equity of 21.55% and a net margin of 24.50%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that ASM International will post 14.46 EPS for the current year.

ASM International Company Profile

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ASM International (OTCMKTS: ASMIY) is a Netherlands-based supplier of wafer processing equipment for the global semiconductor industry. The company develops and manufactures systems used in the deposition and formation of thin films on semiconductor wafers, with a strong reputation for atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. Its equipment is used in the production of advanced logic, memory, power devices and related semiconductor components where precise control of film thickness and composition is critical.

ASMs product portfolio centers on deposition and epitaxy platforms that support a range of process chemistries and materials, including ALD and other chemical vapor deposition techniques.

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Giant panda Jingliang enjoys bamboo at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo taken on Jan. 17, 2026 shows giant panda Rongyao at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A staff member explains the development history of giant panda protection in Fuzhou, at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Giant panda Ailun enjoys bamboo at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Tourists purchase panda-themed merchandise at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Giant panda Rongyao roams at an outside area at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A visitor tries out a virtual reality headset at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A child shows her ticket to the Panda world at the entrance in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Tourists purchase panda-themed merchandise at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Keepers put panda dolls inside their new "houses" during a reopening ceremony at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo taken on Jan. 17, 2026 shows a view of the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Visitors watch giant panda Ailun enjoying bamboo at the Panda World in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province on Jan. 17, 2026. Five giant pandas, arriving from Chengdu, met the public at the reopened Fuzhou Panda World on Saturday, following a 20-day adaptation period. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. (OTCMKTS:MOJGF  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 12.4% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $0.3518 and last traded at $0.3518. 2,542 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 25,944 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.4018.

Benjamin Hill Mining Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average is $0.45 and its 200-day moving average is $0.42.

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Benjamin Hill Mining Company Profile

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Benjamin Hill Mining (OTCMKTS:MOJGF) is a mineral exploration and development company focused on precious and base metal projects in Mexico. The companys core objective is to advance high-potential silver, gold and copper targets through systematic exploration and resource definition. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Benjamin Hill Mining carries out field work, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and drill programs designed to identify and delineate mineralization in underexplored districts.

The companys flagship asset is a portfolio of contiguous concessions in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Sonora State, an emerging mining jurisdiction known for its significant precious metal belts.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of 0.0535 per share on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th.

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Stock Down 0.0%

NYSE:MUC traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.85. The stock had a trading volume of 159,112 shares, compared to its average volume of 309,786. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $10.70 and a 200 day moving average of $10.57. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund has a one year low of $9.97 and a one year high of $11.20.

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About BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund

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BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund (NYSE: MUC) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high-quality, federally and California tax-exempt income. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of entities located in California, including general obligation bonds and revenue bonds that finance public projects such as schools, transportation infrastructure and utilities.

The funds portfolio construction emphasizes credit quality and geographic concentration, targeting bonds rated at or above investment grade by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of 0.054 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th.

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE MUJ opened at $12.17 on Friday. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund has a 12-month low of $10.50 and a 12-month high of $12.19. The company has a 50-day moving average of $11.97 and a 200 day moving average of $11.49.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Company Profile

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BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund (NYSE: MUJ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income exempt from federal and New Jersey state income taxes. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities issued by or on behalf of the State of New Jersey and its municipalities, authorities, and instrumentalities. By concentrating on high-quality New Jersey public finance obligations, MUJ aims to offer tax-efficient income for investors with exposure to the states credit profile.

The funds portfolio is actively managed by BlackRocks municipal fixed income team, which conducts credit analysis and sector allocation to identify opportunities within New Jerseys diverse municipal marketplace.

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BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MIY  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be paid a dividend of 0.0545 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th.

BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Price Performance

BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund stock opened at $12.20 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $11.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.40. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund has a 52 week low of $10.57 and a 52 week high of $12.32.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 6.8% during the second quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. now owns 52,790 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $583,000 after purchasing an additional 3,363 shares during the last quarter. Foresight Capital Management Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. Foresight Capital Management Advisors Inc. now owns 28,723 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $317,000 after purchasing an additional 2,199 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its position in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 8.4% in the second quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 34,700 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $383,000 after buying an additional 2,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 117.0% in the 2nd quarter. FSA Advisors Inc. now owns 218,413 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,411,000 after buying an additional 117,754 shares during the period. 24.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund

BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund (NYSE: MIY) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income exempt from federal and Michigan personal income taxes. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities issued by state and local governments within Michigan. Its portfolio typically includes a diversified mix of general obligation bonds and revenue bonds backed by public utilities, transportation projects, and other essential municipal services.

The funds investment strategy emphasizes credit quality and diversification across sectors and maturities.

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British American Tobacco p.l.c. (OTCMKTS:BTAFF  Get Free Report)s share price fell 0.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $56.7160 and last traded at $57.50. 1,421 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 5% from the average session volume of 1,502 shares. The stock had previously closed at $57.76.

British American Tobacco Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $57.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $55.10.

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British American Tobacco Company Profile

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British American Tobacco plc (OTCMKTS:BTAFF) is a global consumer goods company primarily engaged in the manufacturing and sale of tobacco and nicotine products. Founded in 1902 through the merger of the Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Companys international operations, the firm is headquartered in London, England. Over more than a century, the company has grown into one of the worlds leading tobacco producers, known for its extensive brand portfolio and international distribution network.

The companys core business encompasses the production and marketing of cigarettes, including signature brands such as Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall and Rothmans.

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Shares of DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DOCN  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $49.9231.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on DOCN shares. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of DigitalOcean from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Bank of America upgraded shares of DigitalOcean from an underperform rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $34.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Oppenheimer started coverage on DigitalOcean in a research report on Monday, November 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Piper Sandler upped their target price on DigitalOcean from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of DigitalOcean in a research report on Monday, December 29th.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on DOCN

DigitalOcean Price Performance

NYSE DOCN opened at $52.79 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $48.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $39.20. The company has a market capitalization of $4.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.29, a PEG ratio of 7.57 and a beta of 1.76. DigitalOcean has a 1-year low of $25.45 and a 1-year high of $57.00.

DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.23. DigitalOcean had a negative return on equity of 92.51% and a net margin of 29.15%.The company had revenue of $229.63 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.55 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.52 earnings per share. DigitalOceans quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. DigitalOcean has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.350-0.400 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 2.000-2.050 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that DigitalOcean will post 1.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of DigitalOcean by 54.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 724 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional raised its position in shares of DigitalOcean by 780.5% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 921 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of DigitalOcean during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in DigitalOcean during the third quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in DigitalOcean by 42.3% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,924 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 572 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.77% of the companys stock.

DigitalOcean Company Profile

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DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc is a cloud infrastructure provider that focuses on simplicity, performance and developer experience. The company offers a range of cloud services designed to help software developers, startups and small- to medium-sized businesses deploy, manage and scale applications. Its flagship offering, Droplets, provides virtual private servers that can be configured with various CPU, memory and storage options. In addition to compute instances, DigitalOceans platform includes managed Kubernetes, scalable object and block storage, managed databases, load balancers and networking capabilities such as Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Floating IPs.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City, DigitalOcean was created with the goal of making cloud computing more accessible to individual developers and smaller teams.

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Brookfield Business Partners LP (TSE:BBU.UN  Get Free Report)s share price rose 0% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$50.94 and last traded at C$50.28. Approximately 36,174 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 13% from the average daily volume of 32,092 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$50.27.

Brookfield Business Partners Price Performance

The company has a market cap of C$4.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 2.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 241.05. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$47.89 and a 200 day moving average price of C$42.84.

About Brookfield Business Partners

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Brookfield Business Partners LP is a business services and industrials company. It focused on operating businesses that are either low-cost producers and benefit from high barriers to entry. The companys operating segment includes Business services; Infrastructure services; Industrials and Corporate and others. It generates maximum revenue from the Business Services segment. Geographically, it derives a majority of revenue from the United Kingdom and also has a presence in the United States of America; Europe; Australia; Canada; Brazil; Mexico and Other Countries.

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Buffalo Coal Corp. (CVE:BUF  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$0.01 and traded as low as C$0.01. Buffalo Coal shares last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 26,000 shares traded.

Buffalo Coal Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of C$7.37 million, a PE ratio of -3.33 and a beta of 0.58. The firms 50-day moving average is C$0.01 and its 200 day moving average is C$0.01.

About Buffalo Coal

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Buffalo Coal Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a coal mining company in South Africa. It primarily focuses on the Aviemore anthracite mine covering an area of approximately 5,513 hectares and Magdalena mine covering an area of approximately 1,844 hectares located in the Kwa-Zulu, Natal Province of South Africa. The company was formerly known as Forbes & Manhattan Coal Corp. and changed its name to Buffalo Coal Corp. in July 2014. Buffalo Coal Corp. is headquartered in Dundee, South Africa.

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Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Free Report) (TSE:CNR) had its target price lifted by Barclays from $97.00 to $101.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the transportation companys stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on CNI. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Canadian National Railway from $117.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Canadian National Railway in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Vertical Research upgraded shares of Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $106.00 to $102.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Cibc Captl Mkts raised shares of Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $117.64.

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Canadian National Railway Price Performance

NYSE:CNI opened at $100.09 on Thursday. Canadian National Railway has a 52 week low of $90.74 and a 52 week high of $108.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.60. The company has a market capitalization of $61.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.99, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50-day moving average of $97.23 and a 200-day moving average of $96.57.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The transportation company reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.05. Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 21.50% and a net margin of 26.86%.The company had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.15 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.72 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Canadian National Railway will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 9th were paid a $0.8875 dividend. This is a boost from Canadian National Railways previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $3.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 9th. Canadian National Railways payout ratio is presently 48.01%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Canadian National Railway by 124.0% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 271 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth $28,000. Curio Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 31,600.0% during the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 317 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the period. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in Canadian National Railway in the third quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC increased its position in Canadian National Railway by 83.3% in the third quarter. Costello Asset Management INC now owns 330 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.74% of the companys stock.

Canadian National Railway Company Profile

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Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE: CNI) is a Class I freight railway that operates an integrated rail network across Canada and the United States. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, CN provides long-haul freight transportation and related logistics services that connect major ports, industrial centers and inland markets throughout North America. Its transcontinental system enables cross-border movement of goods and supports supply chains that span coast-to-coast in Canada and into the central and eastern United States.

CNs core business is the railborne transportation of a broad mix of commodities, including intermodal container traffic, forest and paper products, grain and other agricultural products, metallurgical and industrial products, petroleum and chemical products, coal and automotive shipments.

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Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of Citigroup (NYSE:C  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $121.00 price target on the stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on C. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Citigroup from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $107.00 to $124.00 in a report on Friday, December 12th. HSBC restated a buy rating and set a $87.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $150.00 price target on Citigroup in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Citigroup from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Citigroup currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $124.65.

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View Our Latest Research Report on C

Citigroup Stock Up 0.6%

Citigroup stock opened at $118.21 on Thursday. Citigroup has a 12 month low of $55.51 and a 12 month high of $124.17. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $101.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The firm has a market cap of $211.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.18.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.16. Citigroup had a return on equity of 8.28% and a net margin of 8.50%.The company had revenue of $19.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.99 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.34 earnings per share. Citigroups revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Citigroup will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 2nd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.43%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Citigroup

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Citigroup by 166.9% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,407,000 after buying an additional 12,499 shares in the last quarter. Balefire LLC boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 40.6% during the second quarter. Balefire LLC now owns 7,850 shares of the companys stock worth $668,000 after acquiring an additional 2,268 shares during the last quarter. Baron Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Citigroup during the second quarter valued at $280,000. Sunpointe LLC purchased a new position in Citigroup during the second quarter valued at $251,000. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Citigroup by 20.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 9,805 shares of the companys stock valued at $835,000 after acquiring an additional 1,669 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.72% of the companys stock.

Citigroup News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

Citigroup Company Profile

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Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

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Jane Fonda hopes to reflect on a good life when she is on her deathbed.

Hollywood legend Jane Fonda

The Hollywood legend credits a healthy lifestyle as the driving force behind her contribution to the world, be it with her acting career that spans over six decades, becoming a bestselling author, and using her platform to bring about change for women, equality, as well as the environment.

Revealing the secret to live a full life, Jane, 88, told the new issue of Australia's Marie Claire magazine: "Well, you have to be healthy to live your best life, so taking care of your health is very important.

"For me, that means being active physically. Yesterday, I walked up and down the Champs-Elysees a lot, for example. [It's also] eating fresh, healthy food, sleeping enough. These things are very important, especially, especially as you get older.

The two-time Academy Award winner - who has had breast cancer and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - continued: "I haven't [always had the best health].

"I mean, I've had cancer, l've had lots of cancer, but the underlying foundation is I'm healthy, so that allows me to also do things in life that make me feel that I'm contributing to the world.

"When I get to my deathbed ... I want to be able to feel I did my best."

The author of My Life So Far - which reached number one on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller list - said she feels "more confident" as a person now, compared to her younger years.

Jane explained: "I didn't used to pay very much attention to how I looked, and you know who made me think about it? [Actress] Katharine Hepburn.

"We did a movie together called On Golden Pond. And one day she came up behind me, and she reached [over], took a hold of my cheeks and said, 'What? What does this mean to you?'

"She said, 'This is your box, your container, what do you want to say to the world with your container?' It took me years to understand what she was even talking about."

And Katharine's words have stuck with the star ever since.

Jane - who is a member of the independent movement group Greenpeace, and said the Vietnam War made her stand up for what she believes in - continued: "It took me years to understand what she was even talking about. But once I understood, I started paying more attention to how I present, how I look, my posture.

"Up until then, I had thought that being self-conscious was bad, but Katharine taught me that being conscious of self is a good thing, that how you present [yourself] is important."
Syrian army forces deploy in the town of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province, northern Syria, Jan. 17, 2026, following days of clashes and security operations as government troops move to reassert control over the area. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Military tensions between Syria's interim authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sharply escalated on Saturday across northern Syria, as clashes erupted despite a withdrawal agreement announced a day earlier.

The day began with renewed fighting in eastern Aleppo countryside after the SDF accused the Syrian army of entering the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskanah before a 48-hour withdrawal period had expired.

The Syrian army, meanwhile, said it was deploying to secure the area following what it described as SDF violations of the agreement, including attacks on its troops that killed two soldiers.

As the confrontation widened, Syrian forces announced advances beyond eastern Aleppo toward Raqqa province, declaring all territory west of the Euphrates a closed military zone.

State media reported that the army had seized key sites near Tabqa, including the Safyan and al-Thawra oil fields, the al-Rasafa junction, and several towns and villages, while beginning to enter Tabqa from multiple axes and encircle the military airport.

The SDF rejected claims that Raqqa province was covered by the withdrawal agreement, insisting that the deal applied only to Deir Hafer and Maskanah. It accused Syrian forces of attacking its positions with tanks and artillery in areas not included in the arrangement, including Dibsi Afnan and around the al-Thawra oil field.

The SDF also imposed a full curfew across Raqqa, warning that continued escalation could destabilize security, including at prisons holding Islamic State detainees.

The flare-up came just hours after SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced that his forces would begin withdrawing east of the Euphrates on Saturday morning following calls from international mediators.

The United States, which has long backed the SDF but now also supports Syria's transitional authorities, urged restraint. U.S. Central Command called on Syrian government forces to halt offensive operations between Aleppo and Tabqa, warning against further escalation.

The latest developments follow the Syrian army's removal of SDF forces earlier this month from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, after which Damascus demanded a full SDF withdrawal from territory extending eastward to the Euphrates. Although both sides officially committed to implementing a March 2025 integration agreement, repeated accusations of violations and clashes on the battlefield have kept the process stalled.

As of Saturday night, fighting remained ongoing in parts of eastern Aleppo countryside and western Raqqa. 

A drone photo shows Syrian army forces deploying in the town of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province, northern Syria, Jan. 17, 2026, following days of clashes and security operations as government troops move to reassert control over the area. (Str/Xinhua)

Syrian army forces deploy in the town of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province, northern Syria, Jan. 17, 2026, following days of clashes and security operations as government troops move to reassert control over the area. (Str/Xinhua)
QRG Capital Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 60.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,659 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 24,433 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Deere & Company were worth $7,160,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DE. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Deere & Company during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in Deere & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA acquired a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 406.7% in the 2nd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 76 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp lifted its position in shares of Deere & Company by 182.1% in the second quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 79 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. 68.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on DE shares. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $525.00 to $515.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $440.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Wall Street Zen cut Deere & Company from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and set a $580.00 price target on shares of Deere & Company in a report on Monday, December 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Deere & Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $524.20.

Deere & Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DE opened at $514.62 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $139.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $478.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $481.76. Deere & Company has a fifty-two week low of $404.42 and a fifty-two week high of $533.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 2.22 and a quick ratio of 2.01.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The industrial products company reported $3.93 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.96 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $12.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.77 billion. Deere & Company had a net margin of 11.00% and a return on equity of 20.54%. The firms revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.55 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Deere & Company will post 19.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Deere & Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 35.01%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO John C. May II sold 41,472 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $501.49, for a total value of $20,797,793.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 117,970 shares in the company, valued at approximately $59,160,775.30. This trade represents a 26.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Cory J. Reed sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $510.00, for a total transaction of $6,120,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,603,920. This represents a 36.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 64,578 shares of company stock worth $32,471,682 over the last quarter. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Deere & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Company, commonly known by its brand John Deere, is a global manufacturer of agricultural, construction and forestry machinery, as well as turf care equipment and power systems. Founded in 1837 by blacksmith John Deerewho developed a polished steel plow to improve tillage in tough prairie soilsthe company is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, and has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable names in equipment manufacturing worldwide.

The companys principal businesses include a broad portfolio of agricultural equipment such as tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, harvesters and tillage implements, complemented by precision agriculture technologies and telematics that support farm management, yield optimization and equipment connectivity.

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Maryland State Retirement & Pension System increased its stake in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG  Free Report) by 11.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 273,383 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 27,562 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension Systems holdings in Essential Utilities were worth $10,908,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Essential Utilities by 2.3% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,407,634 shares of the companys stock worth $1,129,340,000 after purchasing an additional 693,988 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 8,972,565 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,057,000 after buying an additional 1,822,306 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its stake in Essential Utilities by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 5,637,022 shares of the companys stock worth $218,997,000 after acquiring an additional 146,960 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,734,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $175,313,000 after acquiring an additional 173,319 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc grew its position in Essential Utilities by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,488,920 shares of the companys stock valued at $129,578,000 after acquiring an additional 136,270 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.78% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on WTRG. Baird R W lowered shares of Essential Utilities from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Essential Utilities from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $47.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Essential Utilities from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded shares of Essential Utilities from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays set a $38.00 price objective on shares of Essential Utilities and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $43.29.

Essential Utilities Stock Performance

Shares of Essential Utilities stock opened at $39.86 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. Essential Utilities Inc. has a 52 week low of $33.38 and a 52 week high of $42.37. The firms 50 day moving average is $38.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.54 and a beta of 0.81.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.06. Essential Utilities had a net margin of 28.09% and a return on equity of 10.20%. The business had revenue of $476.97 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $472.40 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.25 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Essential Utilities Inc. will post 1.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were given a dividend of $0.3426 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Essential Utilitiess payout ratio is 56.85%.

Essential Utilities Company 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.

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First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 337,418 shares, a growth of 44.4% from the December 15th total of 233,692 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 228,752 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 228,752 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Price Performance

NYSEARCA:EMLP traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $39.32. The companys stock had a trading volume of 243,398 shares, compared to its average volume of 287,209. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund has a twelve month low of $32.62 and a twelve month high of $39.34. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.98. The company has a market capitalization of $3.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.59 and a beta of 0.65.

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Institutional Trading of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Keystone Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 21.5% during the second quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. now owns 77,458 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,922,000 after acquiring an additional 13,694 shares during the last quarter. Lee Johnson Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at about $351,000. G&S Capital LLC grew its stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 2.5% during the second quarter. G&S Capital LLC now owns 22,514 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $845,000 after purchasing an additional 554 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.5% during the second quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,842,513 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $144,133,000 after purchasing an additional 129,664 shares during the period. Finally, Barry Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 1.4% in the second quarter. Barry Investment Advisors LLC now owns 424,868 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $15,937,000 after purchasing an additional 6,063 shares in the last quarter.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Alerian MLP index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in North American energy infrastructure MLPs and LLCs. EMLP was launched on Jun 21, 2012 and is managed by First Trust.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,755,818 shares, an increase of 47.9% from the December 15th total of 1,187,068 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 310,403 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 310,403 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of FMS. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. acquired a new position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 398.2% during the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,380 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 568.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 1,768 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank increased its position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 219.5% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,355 shares of the companys stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,618 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.37% of the companys stock.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:FMS traded up $0.37 during trading on Friday, hitting $22.00. 1,845,082 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 393,797. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $23.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $25.07. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 52-week low of $21.02 and a 52-week high of $30.46. The company has a market cap of $12.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.90.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.72% and a return on equity of 7.42%. The firm had revenue of $5.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.72 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.51 EPS for the current year.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on FMS shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 20th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a sell rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $28.00 target price on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $28.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FMS

About Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

(Get Free Report)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KGaA is the worlds largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. The companys primary business activities encompass the operation of dialysis clinics and the manufacture and distribution of dialysis equipment, dialysis machines, dialyzers, consumables and related therapies. Through its global network of clinics, Fresenius Medical Care delivers comprehensive kidney care, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, patient education and support services.

In its products segment, the company designs and produces dialysis machines, water treatment systems and disposables such as highflux dialyzers and bloodlines.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLF  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 1.1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.7301 and last traded at $1.7301. Approximately 1,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average daily volume of 4,850 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.75.

Great Wall Motor Price Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $1.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.97.

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Great Wall Motor Company Profile

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited is a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer based in Baoding, Hebei Province. The company specializes in the design, development and production of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks and electric vehicles. Its portfolio includes the Haval brand of SUVs, the WEY luxury SUV line, the Tank series of off-road vehicles and the ORA electric vehicle brand. Great Wall Motors vertical integration spans steel stamping, welding, painting and final assembly, allowing the company to maintain control over key production processes and quality standards.

Founded in 1984 as the Baoding Great Wall Foundry Factory, the company adopted the name Great Wall Motor in 1996 to reflect its automotive ambitions.

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Paymentus (NYSE:PAY  Get Free Report) and Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, profitability and valuation.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Paymentus and Green Dots revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Paymentus $1.12 billion 3.25 $44.17 million $0.46 63.26 Green Dot $1.72 billion 0.39 -$26.70 million ($0.85) -14.21

Analyst Ratings

Paymentus has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Green Dot. Green Dot is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Paymentus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Paymentus and Green Dot, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Paymentus 0 4 4 0 2.50 Green Dot 2 5 1 0 1.88

Paymentus currently has a consensus price target of $37.50, suggesting a potential upside of 28.86%. Green Dot has a consensus price target of $12.56, suggesting a potential upside of 3.99%. Given Paymentus stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Paymentus is more favorable than Green Dot.

Profitability

This table compares Paymentus and Green Dots net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Paymentus 5.29% 12.68% 10.68% Green Dot -2.33% 9.81% 1.59%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

78.4% of Paymentus shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.6% of Green Dot shares are held by institutional investors. 75.4% of Paymentus shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of Green Dot shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Paymentus has a beta of 1.49, suggesting that its share price is 49% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Green Dot has a beta of 0.82, suggesting that its share price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Paymentus beats Green Dot on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Paymentus

(Get Free Report)

Paymentus Holdings, Inc. provides cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers electronic bill presentment and payment services, enterprise customer communication, and self-service revenue management to billers through a software-as-a-service technology platform. Its platform's payment processing includes credit cards, debit cards, eChecks, and digital wallets. It serves utility, financial service, government, insurance, telecommunication, real estate management, education, consumer finance, healthcare, and small business industries. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About Green Dot

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Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs. It offers money processing services, such as cash transfer services that enable consumers to deposit or pick up cash and pay bills with cash at the point-of-sale at any participating retailer; and simply paid disbursement services, which enable wages and authorized funds disbursement to its deposit account programs and accounts issued by any third-party bank or program manager. In addition, the company offers tax processing services comprising tax refund transfers, which provide the processing technology to facilitate receipt of a taxpayers' refund proceeds; small business lending to independent tax preparation providers that seek small advances; and fast cash advance, a loan that enables tax refund recipients. Green Dot Corporation was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

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Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 4,579 shares, an increase of 30.9% from the December 15th total of 3,498 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 19,731 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 19,731 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold.

Hong Kong & China Gas Trading Down 4.2%

Shares of Hong Kong & China Gas stock opened at $0.91 on Friday. Hong Kong & China Gas has a 12 month low of $0.68 and a 12 month high of $1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $0.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.86.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,860 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

About Hong Kong & China Gas

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, commonly known as Towngas, is a long-established utility and energy services company founded in 1862. It is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of town gas and related energy products, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers. Towngas operates through an integrated model that covers gas production facilities, transmission and distribution networks, customer metering and billing, and after-sales services.

Core products and services include piped town gas for household and commercial use, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution, gas appliances and fittings, and engineering, installation and maintenance services.

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Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HHH  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Hold from the five research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $83.3333.

HHH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Howard Hughes in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Howard Hughes from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Howard Hughes from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on HHH

Insider Activity at Howard Hughes

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Howard Hughes news, Director Mary Ann Tighe sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.83, for a total value of $532,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 13,495 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,198,760.85. The trade was a 30.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director R Scot Sellers acquired 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $77.94 per share, for a total transaction of $389,700.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 67,517 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,262,274.98. The trade was a 8.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 48.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HHH. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Howard Hughes by 134.2% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 363 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Howard Hughes by 291.0% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 391 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Howard Hughes during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Howard Hughes by 191.5% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 516 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC increased its holdings in Howard Hughes by 69.6% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 665 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.83% of the companys stock.

Howard Hughes Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of HHH opened at $83.69 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.18. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $83.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $78.79. Howard Hughes has a 1-year low of $61.40 and a 1-year high of $91.07. The stock has a market cap of $4.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.31 and a beta of 1.22.

Howard Hughes (NYSE:HHH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.46. The firm had revenue of $390.24 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $331.52 million. Howard Hughes had a return on equity of 11.06% and a net margin of 14.95%.Howard Hughess revenue was up 19.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.95 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Howard Hughes will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Howard Hughes

(Get Free Report)

Howard Hughes Holdings Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate development company in the United States. It operates in four segments: Operating Assets; Master Planned Communities (MPCs); Seaport; and Strategic Developments. The Operating Assets segment consists of developed or acquired retail, office, and multi-family properties along with other retail investments. Its MPCs segment develops, sells, and leases residential and commercial land designated for long-term community development projects in and around Las Vegas, Nevada; Houston, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona.

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iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (NYSEARCA:EWK  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 15,705 shares, a drop of 20.3% from the December 15th total of 19,704 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,103 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days. Currently, 1.5% of the companys shares are sold short. Currently, 1.5% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 5,103 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Belgium ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EWK. Flow Traders U.S. LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 98.6% in the third quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 61,263 shares of the companys stock worth $1,423,000 after buying an additional 30,408 shares during the period. Moran Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,378,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 26.2% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,769 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 782 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,502,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 157.9% during the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 91,296 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,013,000 after purchasing an additional 55,890 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF stock opened at $25.33 on Friday. iShares MSCI Belgium ETF has a 12-month low of $18.10 and a 12-month high of $25.35. The company has a market cap of $26.34 million, a P/E ratio of 18.50 and a beta of 0.81. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $24.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $23.43.

iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Belgian market, as measured by the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Belgian equity market. It is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 99% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization.

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Japan Airlines Ltd (OTCMKTS:JAPSY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 42,521 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 26% from the previous sessions volume of 33,784 shares.The stock last traded at $9.30 and had previously closed at $9.32.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Japan Airlines from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Japan Airlines has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Japan Airlines Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $9.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.14 billion, a PE ratio of 9.82 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.46.

Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Japan Airlines had a net margin of 6.48% and a return on equity of 11.17%. The company had revenue of $3.48 billion during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts expect that Japan Airlines Ltd will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Japan Airlines Company Profile

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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.

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LIMA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Peruvian government has extended the state of emergency in Lima and the neighboring port province of Callao for 30 days to curb crime and organized criminal activity, the Prime Minister's Office said Saturday.

The cabinet also approved a 60-day extension of the measure in the northern provinces of Tumbes and Zarumilla, as well as in Trujillo and Viru in the La Libertad region.

Under the decree, authorities may temporarily restrict constitutional rights related to personal liberty, home inviolability and freedom of assembly and movement. The National Police will continue to oversee internal security, with support from the armed forces.

The government said that the extensions are part of a broader security strategy aimed at strengthening public safety and reducing criminal incidents in high-risk areas. 
John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $13.75 and traded as high as $13.76. John Hancock Investors Trust shares last traded at $13.7350, with a volume of 18,177 shares changing hands.

John Hancock Investors Trust Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $13.75 and a 200-day moving average of $13.91.

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John Hancock Investors Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, December 11th were issued a $0.3649 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th. This is an increase from John Hancock Investors Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.6%.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Investors Trust

John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in John Hancock Investors Trust in the second quarter worth approximately $69,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in John Hancock Investors Trust by 63.3% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 21,231 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 8,228 shares in the last quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Investors Trust by 18.2% during the second quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 32,485 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 5,011 shares in the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 3.8% in the second quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 32,854 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $455,000 after buying an additional 1,204 shares during the period. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 40,157 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $562,000 after acquiring an additional 1,644 shares during the period. 27.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE: JHI) is a closed-end management investment company that offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of global securities. Established in 1929, the trust seeks to combine long-term capital growth with income generation through active portfolio management. Shares of the fund trade on the New York Stock Exchange, providing investors with the liquidity of an exchange-traded security alongside the diversification benefits of a professionally managed fund structure.

The funds investment strategy emphasizes a multi-asset approach, allocating capital across global equities, fixed-income instruments and convertible securities.

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Kenmare Resources plc (OTCMKTS:KMRPF  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 635 shares, a decline of 38.6% from the December 15th total of 1,035 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,953 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,953 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Kenmare Resources Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS KMRPF opened at $3.52 on Friday. Kenmare Resources has a 12 month low of $3.00 and a 12 month high of $5.94. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.92.

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Kenmare Resources Company Profile

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Kenmare Resources plc is an Irelandbased mining company primarily engaged in the extraction and processing of titaniumbearing minerals. The company operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in northern Mozambique, which is one of the largest rutile and rare earthbearing mineral sands deposits globally. Kenmares primary products include highgrade ilmenite, rutile, and zircon, which are used as feedstocks for pigment, welding, foundry, ceramics, and refractory markets.

Kenmare began commercial production at the Moma operation in the mid2000s and has since developed an integrated supply chain that includes a mineral separation plant at the port of Nacala, a purposebuilt rail link, and modern shipping facilities.

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Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its holdings in Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES  Free Report) by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 197,949 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 22,689 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension Systems holdings in Western Midstream Partners were worth $7,777,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new position in shares of Western Midstream Partners in the second quarter worth about $156,967,000. Militia Capital Partners LP boosted its position in Western Midstream Partners by 6,733.3% in the 2nd quarter. Militia Capital Partners LP now owns 205,000 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $7,934,000 after buying an additional 202,000 shares during the period. BROOKFIELD Corp ON grew its stake in Western Midstream Partners by 19.1% in the 2nd quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 904,361 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $34,999,000 after acquiring an additional 145,094 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC purchased a new position in shares of Western Midstream Partners during the second quarter worth approximately $4,748,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Western Midstream Partners during the second quarter valued at approximately $4,748,000. 84.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Western Midstream Partners Price Performance

Shares of WES stock opened at $41.61 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $39.59 and its 200 day moving average is $39.07. Western Midstream Partners, LP has a 1-year low of $33.60 and a 1-year high of $43.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The company has a market cap of $16.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.31 and a beta of 0.76.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Western Midstream Partners ( NYSE:WES Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.87. Western Midstream Partners had a net margin of 35.18% and a return on equity of 39.37%. The business had revenue of $952.48 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $965.55 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.74 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Western Midstream Partners, LP will post 4.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WES has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $43.00 price objective on Western Midstream Partners in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Western Midstream Partners from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. Citigroup assumed coverage on Western Midstream Partners in a report on Monday, October 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $39.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of Western Midstream Partners from $39.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Western Midstream Partners from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Western Midstream Partners currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.50.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Western Midstream Partners

About Western Midstream Partners

(Free Report)

Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) is a midstream energy infrastructure company that owns, operates and develops an integrated network of crude oil, natural gas and produced water gathering, processing, transportation and storage assets in the United States. The partnerships primary offerings include pipeline transportation, fractionation services, natural gas liquids (NGL) logistics and produced water handling. Through its fee-based and commodity-based contracts, Western Midstream provides its customers with essential services that support efficient energy production and distribution.

The companys asset portfolio spans key onshore basins, including the Delaware Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and Colorado, and the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 3.6% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 15,759,419 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 541,047 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing comprises approximately 1.4% of Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $4,401,448,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. New Insight Wealth Advisors raised its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 24.2% in the third quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors now owns 12,241 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $3,419,000 after buying an additional 2,389 shares in the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,500 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 171.9% during the 3rd quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 1,198,764 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $335,573,000 after acquiring an additional 757,926 shares during the last quarter. Bank Hapoalim BM purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the third quarter worth about $278,000. Finally, Aviance Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.9% in the third quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,617 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $731,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $342.37 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 2.69 and a quick ratio of 2.47. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a one year low of $134.25 and a one year high of $351.33. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $299.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $273.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.77 trillion, a P/E ratio of 32.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.29.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 EPS for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 45.13% and a return on equity of 36.18%. The company had revenue of $32.50 billion for the quarter. Analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.9678 per share. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 28.64%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on TSM shares. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $325.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. UBS Group set a $330.00 target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $381.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile

(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.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in shares of BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,213,561 shares of the asset managers stock after purchasing an additional 143,126 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,414,854,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of BLK. Pacifica Partners Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock by 450.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 22 shares of the asset managers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. TruNorth Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 1,000.0% in the 3rd quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 22 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of BlackRock by 107.1% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 29 shares of the asset managers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, Creekmur Asset Management LLC lifted its position in BlackRock by 87.5% during the second quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC now owns 30 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at BlackRock

In other BlackRock news, CFO Martin Small sold 1,258 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,043.38, for a total transaction of $1,312,572.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 6,209 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,478,346.42. This represents a 16.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,165.04, for a total value of $13,980,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,394,113.20. This trade represents a 62.48% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.98% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Cowen downgraded BlackRock from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of BlackRock in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on BlackRock from $1,310.00 to $1,340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on BlackRock from $1,300.00 to $1,275.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Argus lifted their target price on shares of BlackRock from $1,165.00 to $1,330.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,314.71.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BlackRock

Key Stories Impacting BlackRock

Here are the key news stories impacting BlackRock this week:

BlackRock Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of BLK opened at $1,164.72 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 3.33, a quick ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm has a market cap of $180.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.88, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.47. The stocks 50 day moving average is $1,071.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,105.02. BlackRock has a 12 month low of $773.74 and a 12 month high of $1,219.94.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The asset manager reported $13.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $12.55 by $0.61. The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.80 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 22.93% and a return on equity of 15.14%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $11.93 EPS. Analysts predict that BlackRock will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $5.73 per share. This is an increase from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.21. This represents a $22.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is presently 58.84%.

BlackRock Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of products and services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors. Its core activities include portfolio management across active and index strategies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the iShares brand, fixed income, equity and multi-asset solutions, as well as alternatives such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure. The firm also offers cash management and liquidity solutions and retirement-focused products designed for defined contribution and defined benefit investors.

In addition to traditional investment management, BlackRock is known for its technology and risk management capabilities, most prominently its Aladdin platform, which combines portfolio management, trading and risk analytics and is used both internally and licensed to external clients.

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Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA reduced its position in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 12,361,185 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 442,161 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings in CRH were worth $1,482,106,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in CRH by 1.0% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 64,405,066 shares of the construction companys stock worth $5,912,385,000 after buying an additional 649,598 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,007,932,000. Boston Partners grew its holdings in shares of CRH by 9.4% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 9,654,828 shares of the construction companys stock worth $888,810,000 after purchasing an additional 832,027 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of CRH by 4.0% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 9,185,200 shares of the construction companys stock worth $843,201,000 after purchasing an additional 354,711 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in CRH by 3.9% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,667,093 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $792,185,000 after purchasing an additional 325,170 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the companys stock.

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CRH Price Performance

Shares of CRH stock opened at $123.08 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $121.71 and a 200 day moving average of $113.72. Crh Plc has a 1-year low of $76.75 and a 1-year high of $131.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.50 billion, a PE ratio of 24.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.34.

CRH Announces Dividend

CRH ( NYSE:CRH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The construction company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.27. CRH had a return on equity of 16.25% and a net margin of 9.30%.The firm had revenue of $11.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.15 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.97 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. CRH has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.490-5.720 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st were given a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. CRHs payout ratio is presently 22.11%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on CRH shares. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of CRH from $110.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on CRH from $131.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. UBS Group lifted their price target on CRH from $138.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Barclays raised their price objective on CRH from $110.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on CRH in a research note on Friday, September 26th. They issued a buy rating and a $128.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CRH currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $136.20.

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About CRH

(Free Report)

CRH plc, originally formed as Cement Roadstone Holdings in 1970 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global building materials group. The company has grown from its Irish roots into one of the largest international suppliers of construction materials, expanding primarily through acquisitions and regional business development. CRH operates an integrated network of manufacturing and distribution businesses that serve both public and private construction markets.

CRHs core activities include the production and distribution of aggregates, cement, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and other bulk materials, together with a broad range of value-added building products such as precast concrete, masonry, bricks, roofing products, pipe and drainage systems, and construction accessories.

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mBank S.A. (OTCMKTS:MBAKF  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 13,760 shares, a decline of 23.6% from the December 15th total of 18,011 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days.

mBank Stock Performance

Shares of MBAKF stock opened at $117.79 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $117.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $117.79. mBank has a 12 month low of $69.19 and a 12 month high of $117.79.

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About mBank

(Get Free Report)

mBank is a leading digital financial institution headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, with roots dating back to its founding as BRE Bank in 1986. Since its rebranding to mBank in 2013, the company has focused on delivering a fully integrated suite of banking services through advanced online and mobile platforms. As one of the first banks in Central and Eastern Europe to embrace direct banking, mBank has established itself as a pioneer in digital financial solutions.

The bank serves a diversified customer base that includes retail clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate customers.

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NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Barclays from $84.00 to $85.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. New Street Research set a $84.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Monday, October 13th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $98.00 to $97.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Argus set a $90.00 price target on NextEra Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, HSBC boosted their price objective on NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.50.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NEE

NextEra Energy Stock Performance

NEE opened at $83.65 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a market cap of $174.21 billion, a PE ratio of 26.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $82.32 and a 200-day moving average of $78.23. NextEra Energy has a 52-week low of $61.72 and a 52-week high of $87.53.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $7.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.13 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 24.72%.The firms revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.03 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that NextEra Energy will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

NextEra Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were paid a dividend of $0.5665 per share. This represents a $2.27 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. NextEra Energys payout ratio is currently 72.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. sold 145,140 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.91, for a total transaction of $12,178,697.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 162,693 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,651,569.63. This trade represents a 47.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NextEra Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in NextEra Energy by 0.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 213,799,521 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,139,726,000 after acquiring an additional 922,500 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,724,229 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,161,774,000 after purchasing an additional 526,996 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,375,545,000. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 16,787,191 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,267,265,000 after buying an additional 373,088 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,786,728 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,165,896,000 after buying an additional 340,315 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.72% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc (NYSE: NEE), headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, is a leading clean energy company with both regulated utility operations and competitive renewable generation businesses. The companys principal operating subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a regulated electric utility serving customers in Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, which develops, constructs, owns and operates a large portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Together these businesses provide electricity supply, transmission and distribution services as well as utility-scale renewable generation and related services.

NextEras activities cover the full lifecycle of power assets, from project development and construction to operation, maintenance and asset optimization.

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Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 12.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 55,110 shares of the payment services companys stock after buying an additional 6,240 shares during the quarter. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $18,305,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,897,335,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 31,595.9% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,742,009 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $555,666,000 after buying an additional 1,736,513 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in American Express by 11.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $4,282,984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,349,746 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in American Express by 26.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,125,133 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $988,676,000 after acquiring an additional 646,039 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Provident Trust Co. raised its position in American Express by 136.6% during the second quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 1,108,971 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $353,740,000 after acquiring an additional 640,214 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at approximately $894,359.15. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total transaction of $1,753,650.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,709,739.98. This represents a 39.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 57,515 shares of company stock valued at $20,658,509 over the last quarter. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

American Express Stock Up 2.1%

NYSE AXP opened at $365.03 on Friday. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $220.43 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $368.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $341.19. The firm has a market cap of $251.45 billion, a PE ratio of 24.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.15.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.91 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is presently 22.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on AXP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $425.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Express from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Truist Financial raised their target price on American Express from $395.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, UBS Group set a $385.00 price target on American Express in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $352.82.

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About American Express

(Free Report)

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and cobrand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

Further Reading

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Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH  Free Report) by 15.6% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 176,890 shares of the companys stock after selling 32,590 shares during the quarter. Cardinal Health comprises approximately 1.2% of Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings in Cardinal Health were worth $27,765,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of CAH. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Cardinal Health by 3.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,389,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,069,005,000 after purchasing an additional 205,539 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Cardinal Health in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $584,420,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Cardinal Health by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,037,782 shares of the companys stock valued at $510,347,000 after buying an additional 207,750 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc increased its position in shares of Cardinal Health by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 2,349,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $394,761,000 after purchasing an additional 45,812 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in shares of Cardinal Health by 19.1% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,930,967 shares of the companys stock worth $324,402,000 after purchasing an additional 309,335 shares during the period. 87.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CAH. Barclays started coverage on shares of Cardinal Health in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set an overweight rating and a $243.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup raised Cardinal Health from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $244.00 in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Leerink Partners set a $240.00 price target on shares of Cardinal Health in a research report on Tuesday. Mizuho set a $222.00 target price on shares of Cardinal Health in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $250.00 price target on Cardinal Health in a report on Wednesday. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $216.33.

Cardinal Health Stock Performance

Shares of CAH opened at $212.44 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.48 billion, a PE ratio of 32.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.65. The companys fifty day moving average is $205.37 and its 200 day moving average is $174.71. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $120.72 and a fifty-two week high of $215.48.

Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.22 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $64.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $59.41 billion. Cardinal Health had a net margin of 0.68% and a negative return on equity of 84.37%. The businesss revenue was up 22.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.88 EPS. Cardinal Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.650-9.850 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Cardinal Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were paid a $0.5107 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 2nd. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.77%.

Key Stories Impacting Cardinal Health

Here are the key news stories impacting Cardinal Health this week:

Positive Sentiment: Recent earnings and guidance support continued upside  Cardinal beat EPS and revenue last quarter and set FY2026 guidance of $9.65$9.85, which underpins bullish analyst commentary and sentiment.

Recent earnings and guidance support continued upside  Cardinal beat EPS and revenue last quarter and set FY2026 guidance of $9.65$9.85, which underpins bullish analyst commentary and sentiment. Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade and higher price target  Wells Fargo raised its price target to $237 and kept an overweight rating, signaling institutional confidence and an ~11.6% upside vs. current levels. Wells Fargo raises PT to $237

Analyst upgrade and higher price target  Wells Fargo raised its price target to $237 and kept an overweight rating, signaling institutional confidence and an ~11.6% upside vs. current levels. Positive Sentiment: Momentum: 52-week high and positive coverage  Zacks notes CAH reached a 52week high and highlights fundamentals that could sustain the run, supporting momentum traders. Cardinal Health Hit a 52 Week High

Momentum: 52-week high and positive coverage  Zacks notes CAH reached a 52week high and highlights fundamentals that could sustain the run, supporting momentum traders. Neutral Sentiment: Income/dividend profile noted  A TalkMarkets dividend analysis flags CAH as a major distributor with dividend appeal for income investors, but its not a near-term price catalyst. Dividend Stock Analysis: Cardinal Health, Inc.

Income/dividend profile noted  A TalkMarkets dividend analysis flags CAH as a major distributor with dividend appeal for income investors, but its not a near-term price catalyst. Neutral Sentiment: Multiple Zacks pieces highlight CAH for earnings-beat potential and strong interest coverage  useful context for investors but not an immediate trigger. Will Cardinal Beat Estimates Again?

Multiple Zacks pieces highlight CAH for earnings-beat potential and strong interest coverage  useful context for investors but not an immediate trigger. Neutral Sentiment: General market/quote pages note price action  coverage from Globe and Mail and Economic Times provides market/quote context but no new company developments. Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies

General market/quote pages note price action  coverage from Globe and Mail and Economic Times provides market/quote context but no new company developments. Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking and valuation concerns pushing a pullback  after the 52week high and analyst hype, investors appear to be trimming positions; intraday volume is below average and the stock carries a relatively rich P/E (~32) and other metrics (negative trailing ROE) that may prompt caution.

About Cardinal Health

(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.

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Inbound passengers wait for border inspection procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Foreign travelers wait for border inspection procedures at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 15, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua)

Inbound passengers go through border inspection procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

An inbound passenger goes through border inspection procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Inbound passengers go through border inspection procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

An inbound passenger is pictured after passing border inspection procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Inbound passengers go through border inspection procedures at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 15, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua)

Flight DE2362, operating on the Frankfurt-Bangkok-Sanya route, arrives at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 14, 2026. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in passenger convenience.

According to statistics, the island has seen more than 310,000 entries and exits in the first month since special customs operations began. Foreign nationals accounted for 59 percent of these border crossings with 186,000 entries and exits. Meanwhile, visa-free entry policies welcomed some 87,000 foreign travelers to Hainan, which accounted for 93 percent of all foreign arrivals in the province. (Xinhua)
Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 75,280 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 680 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for about 2.4% of Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $57,439,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Steph & Co. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Bare Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Key Headlines Impacting Eli Lilly and Company

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on LLY. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Guggenheim reiterated a buy rating and set a $1,163.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Scotiabank started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, National Bankshares set a $1,286.00 price objective 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, nineteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $1,174.70.

View Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of LLY opened at $1,038.26 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $1,051.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $870.84. The company has a market capitalization of $981.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $623.78 and a 1-year high of $1,133.95.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.35%.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 13.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $13.70 and last traded at $14.36. 375,761 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 2,190,110 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.69.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 16.4%

The firms 50 day moving average price is $4.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a PE ratio of -1.48 and a beta of 0.09.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ground Swell Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the third quarter worth $25,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, C2C Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 78.2% during the second quarter. C2C Wealth Management LLC now owns 98,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 43,000 shares during the last quarter. 23.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing novel, non-antibiotic anti-infective products designed to regulate the innate immune response. Leveraging its proprietary Aganocide Technology, the companys synthetic antimicrobial compounds target and neutralize pathogens without contributing to antibiotic resistance. NovaBays research and development efforts concentrate on ophthalmic, dermatological and wound care applications, aiming to address unmet needs in infection control and inflammation management.

The companys primary commercial products include Avenova, an eyelid and lash cleaning solution indicated for managing chronic blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, and NeutroPhase, a pure hypochlorous acid wound and skin cleanser used in acute and chronic wound irrigation.

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Oak Ridge Investments LLC lowered its stake in shares of Celestica, Inc. (NYSE:CLS  Free Report) (TSE:CLS) by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 63,281 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 11,211 shares during the period. Celestica accounts for about 1.0% of Oak Ridge Investments LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Oak Ridge Investments LLCs holdings in Celestica were worth $15,591,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CLS. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its stake in Celestica by 42.5% during the third quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 124 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp bought a new stake in shares of Celestica during the third quarter worth $31,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Celestica by 102.5% in the 2nd quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 164 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Avion Wealth purchased a new position in Celestica during the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its stake in Celestica by 43.3% in the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 182 shares of the technology companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.38% of the companys stock.

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Celestica Stock Down 0.0%

Celestica stock opened at $313.52 on Friday. Celestica, Inc. has a 52 week low of $58.05 and a 52 week high of $363.40. The firm has a market cap of $36.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.90 and a beta of 1.87. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $311.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $256.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Celestica ( NYSE:CLS Get Free Report ) (TSE:CLS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The technology company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.01 billion. Celestica had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 30.53%. The businesss revenue was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.04 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Celestica, Inc. will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Laurette T. Koellner acquired 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $341.67 per share, for a total transaction of $2,050,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 6,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,050,020. The trade was a  increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.52% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on CLS shares. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and issued a $385.00 price objective (up previously from $230.00) on shares of Celestica in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. CIBC lifted their price objective on shares of Celestica from $315.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Celestica in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of Celestica in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a hold rating and set a $238.00 price target on shares of Celestica in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Celestica presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $336.13.

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Celestica Company Profile

(Free Report)

Celestica Inc is a multinational electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company that provides design, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain solutions to original equipment manufacturers across a range of industries. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Celestica works with customers to develop and produce complex electronic and electro-mechanical products, integrating activities from product design and prototyping through high-volume assembly, testing and final system integration.

The companys service offering typically includes product engineering and design support, printed circuit board assembly, box-build and systems assembly, automated test and inspection, aftermarket repair and refurbishment, and end-to-end supply chain and logistics management.

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OneSoft Solutions Inc. (CVE:OSS  Get Free Report)s share price fell 1.1% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$0.87 and last traded at C$0.87. 20,071 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 86% from the average session volume of 143,659 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.88.

OneSoft Solutions Trading Down 1.1%

The stock has a market cap of C$106.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -70.90 and a beta of 1.22. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$0.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.87.

About OneSoft Solutions

(Get Free Report)

OneSoft Solutions Inc provides software solutions to the oil and gas pipeline industry in Canada, Australia, and the United States. It also offers Cognitive Integrity Management, a software-as-a-service solution for use in the business process flow of oil and gas pipeline integrity processes, including assessment planning, integrity compliance, dig management, threat monitoring, data management, and dataset analysis. The company's ILI Management software module automatically normalizes, ingests, aligns, and analyzes pipeline in-line inspection (ILI) data files using data science and proprietary machine learning algorithms.

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Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the twenty brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, thirteen have given a hold recommendation, four have issued a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $27.8824.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on PFE shares. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Pfizer from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $29.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 target price on the stock.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PFE

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Pfizer Trading Down 0.8%

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Pfizer by 2.9% in the second quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,542 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 46,103 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,118,000 after buying an additional 395 shares during the last quarter. Mattern Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Mattern Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,161 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Peak Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Pfizer by 1.4% during the second quarter. Peak Asset Management LLC now owns 28,768 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $697,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Pfizer by 1.3% in the third quarter. Quest Investment Management LLC now owns 31,768 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $809,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

NYSE PFE opened at $25.68 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $146.01 billion, a PE ratio of 14.93 and a beta of 0.47. Pfizer has a 12 month low of $20.92 and a 12 month high of $27.69. The companys 50-day moving average price is $25.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations 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. Equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd will be paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.7%. Pfizers payout ratio is 100.00%.

About Pfizer

(Get Free Report)

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas.

Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business.

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Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the twelve analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, ten have given a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $118.80.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on PRU shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded Prudential Financial from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Prudential Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of 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.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on PRU

Prudential Financial Stock Down 4.0%

Shares of NYSE PRU opened at $111.76 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $39.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.35, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.97. The firms fifty day moving average is $112.09 and its 200 day moving average is $107.21. 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 has a 52 week low of $90.38 and a 52 week high of $123.88.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $4.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.72 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $17.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.77 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.60% and a net margin of 4.65%.During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Prudential Financial will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. Prudential Financials payout ratio is currently 74.18%.

Insider Activity

In other Prudential Financial news, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,242,204.15. This trade represents a 40.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Caroline Feeney sold 6,555 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.28, for a total transaction of $762,215.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 22,523 shares in the company, valued at $2,618,974.44. This represents a 22.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 62,719 shares of company stock valued at $6,796,067 in the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PRU. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Prudential Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $122,778,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 1.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 42,502,160 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,566,432,000 after purchasing an additional 600,482 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 49.2% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,720,781 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $184,192,000 after purchasing an additional 567,571 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 183.3% during the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 804,316 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $83,440,000 after purchasing an additional 520,425 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in shares of Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $40,552,000. 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.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 4,373 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $2,288,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new position in Tyler Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Tyler Technologies during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies during the first quarter worth about $38,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 137.9% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 69 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Tyler Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.30% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Tyler Technologies

In related news, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $448.51, for a total transaction of $448,510.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 17,148 shares in the company, valued at $7,691,049.48. This trade represents a 5.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Glenn A. Carter sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $458.73, for a total value of $229,365.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 3,172 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,455,091.56. This represents a 13.62% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 3,500 shares of company stock worth $1,605,605 in the last quarter. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on TYL shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. They set a buy rating and a $550.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Tyler Technologies from $525.00 to $470.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Tyler Technologies in a report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $560.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on Tyler Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $560.00 price objective for the company. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Tyler Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $617.57.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Tyler Technologies

Tyler Technologies Trading Down 1.3%

TYL stock opened at $440.29 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $18.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.24, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.91. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $430.00 and a twelve month high of $661.31. The companys 50 day moving average is $457.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $512.34.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The technology company reported $2.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.88 by $0.09. Tyler Technologies had a net margin of 13.72% and a return on equity of 10.57%. The business had revenue of $595.88 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $594.34 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.52 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. Tyler Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.300-11.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 8.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Tyler Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Tyler Technologies, Inc is a provider of software and technology services for the public sector, delivering integrated systems that help government and public agencies manage operations, finances and citizen services. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company focuses on developing and implementing solutions for local and state governments, school districts, courts and public safety organizations. Its offerings are aimed at modernizing administrative workflows, improving transparency and enabling digital interactions between governments and the communities they serve.

Tylers product portfolio spans enterprise resource planning and financial management, tax and billing systems, court case and records management, public safety solutions (including computer-aided dispatch and records management), land and property management, permitting and licensing, and enterprise asset management.

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Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 936,179 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 122,390 shares during the quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $48,297,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Permanent Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $649,000. Boston Common Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Bank of America by 10.5% during the second quarter. Boston Common Asset Management LLC now owns 259,680 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,288,000 after buying an additional 24,740 shares during the last quarter. Disciplined Investments LLC bought a new position in Bank of America in the second quarter worth approximately $217,000. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC raised its position in Bank of America by 7.3% in the second quarter. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $306,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the period. Finally, CCG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 2nd quarter worth $287,000. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BAC shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Bank of America from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Bank of America from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.74.

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Bank of America Price Performance

BAC stock opened at $53.02 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $387.18 billion, a PE ratio of 13.84 and a beta of 1.29. The companys fifty day moving average price is $54.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.22. Bank of America Corporation has a one year low of $33.06 and a one year high of $57.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.80.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $28.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.73 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 16.23% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.82 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 29.24%.

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 9,093,779 shares, a growth of 31.1% from the December 15th total of 6,935,780 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,617,094 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently, 5.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Currently, 5.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,617,094 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Price Performance

Shares of ARE stock traded up $0.69 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $57.95. 2,688,755 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,206,411. The company has a market capitalization of $10.02 billion, a PE ratio of -23.46, a PEG ratio of 6.99 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 12-month low of $44.10 and a 12-month high of $105.14. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $50.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.00.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $751.94 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative net margin of 13.43% and a negative return on equity of 1.89%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess revenue for the quarter was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.37 EPS. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is -116.60%.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Monday, December 8th that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the real estate investment trust to repurchase up to 6.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Alexandria Real Estate Equities this week:

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, Director Sheila K. Mcgrath bought 3,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $45.60 per share, for a total transaction of $141,360.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,392 shares in the company, valued at approximately $382,675.20. This trade represents a 58.58% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.08% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the second quarter worth $29,000. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the third quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 5,916.7% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 361 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 355 shares in the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ARE has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Friday, January 9th. They set an equal weight rating and a $55.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $62.00 to $47.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $61.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $83.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alexandria Real Estate Equities currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.13.

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About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Get Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE) is a real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, development and management of collaborative life science and technology campuses. The companys properties are designed to support research and innovation by providing specialized laboratory, office and manufacturing space tailored to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic and related industries.

Since its founding in 1994, Alexandria has cultivated a diversified portfolio of campuses across leading innovation clusters in North America and Europe.

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Stenger Family Office LLC increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 49.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,766 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 582 shares during the period. Stenger Family Office LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,395,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.2% during the third quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,218 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $970,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 14,993 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $11,940,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 145,647 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $115,986,000 after purchasing an additional 10,957 shares during the last quarter. Hartline Investment Corp boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 153.3% in the 3rd quarter. Hartline Investment Corp now owns 1,421 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,132,000 after purchasing an additional 860 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Occidental Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the third quarter valued at about $241,000. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Key Headlines Impacting The Goldman Sachs Group

Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $1,050.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $980.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. HSBC set a $604.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $891.57.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 1.5%

GS stock opened at $961.54 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $288.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.13. The businesss 50-day moving average is $868.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $793.05. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $984.70.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $14.01 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $11.52 by $2.49. The company had revenue of $13.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.30 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 13.73%.The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $11.95 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a $4.50 dividend. This represents a $18.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $4.00. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 35.09%.

The Goldman Sachs Group 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.

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Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Baghaei has rejected a claim by the U.S. State Department that Tehran is planning attacks on U.S. targets in West Asia. He made the remarks in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, which was published on Saturday evening, describing such allegations as "being in line with the U.S. ongoing policy of causing tension in the region." (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has rejected a claim by the U.S. State Department that Tehran is planning attacks on U.S. targets in West Asia.

He made the remarks in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, which was published on Saturday evening, describing such allegations as "being in line with the U.S. ongoing policy of causing tension in the region."

Baghaei also stressed the Iranian armed forces' determination to maintain and improve their military capabilities to defend the country, saying that Iran would obviously react strongly to any "aggressive" move.

In a Persian-language post on Saturday on social media platform X, the U.S. State Department claimed it had received reports suggesting that Iran was preparing options to target American bases.

It said that "all options remain on the table" and any attack on U.S. assets would be met with "very, very strong force."

Over recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened potential military action against Iran under the pretext of supporting protesters. Iran, in turn, has consistently warned the U.S. against interfering in its internal affairs and inciting "riots and terrorism" within the country.

Protests erupted since late December in several Iranian cities over the sharp depreciation of the rial. Authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and said they are prepared to address economic grievances, while warning against violence, vandalism, and unrest.

Initially held peacefully, the protests gradually became violent, leading to casualties and damage to public property, mosques, government buildings and banks, especially on Jan. 8 and 9, for which Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel. 

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Baghaei has rejected a claim by the U.S. State Department that Tehran is planning attacks on U.S. targets in West Asia.

He made the remarks in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, which was published on Saturday evening, describing such allegations as "being in line with the U.S. ongoing policy of causing tension in the region." (Xinhua/Shadati)
Shares of The Property Franchise Group PLC (LON:TPFG  Get Free Report) were down 0.4% on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 506 and last traded at GBX 506.21. Approximately 35,219 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 241,203 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 508.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on TPFG. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 637 price objective on shares of The Property Franchise Group in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 645 price target on shares of The Property Franchise Group in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 641.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on The Property Franchise Group

The Property Franchise Group Stock Performance

The Property Franchise Group Company Profile

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 509.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 540.29. The stock has a market cap of 322.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.42.

(Get Free Report)

The Property Franchise Group PLC (AIM: TPFG) is the UKs largest multi-brand property franchisor, with a network of over 1,946 outlets delivering high quality services to residential clients, combined with an established Financial Services business.

The Company was founded in 1986 and has since strategically grown to a diverse portfolio of 18 brands operating throughout the UK, comprising longstanding high-street focused brands and two hybrid brands. The Property Franchise Group is also a member of two leading mortgage networks through its mortgage brokers, Brook Financial (MAB) and The Mortgage Genie (Primis).

TPFGs brands are: Belvoir, CJ Hole, Country Properties, Ellis & Co, EweMove, Fine & Country, Hunters, Lovelle, Martin & Co, Mr and Mrs Clarke, Mullucks, Newton Fallowell, Nicholas Humphreys, Northwood, Parkers, The Guild of Property Professionals and Whitegates.

Headquartered in Bournemouth, the Company was listed on AIM on the London Stock Exchange in 2013 and entered the AIM 100 in July 2024.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 3,061 shares of the railroad operators stock, valued at approximately $724,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 3.7% in the third quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 15,750 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,723,000 after acquiring an additional 566 shares during the period. Fiduciary Family Office LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 15.7% during the 3rd quarter. Fiduciary Family Office LLC now owns 5,153 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,218,000 after buying an additional 701 shares during the last quarter. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 9.4% in the third quarter. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $243,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 3.8% in the third quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,846 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $2,091,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lmcg Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 17.9% during the third quarter. Lmcg Investments LLC now owns 36,112 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $8,536,000 after acquiring an additional 5,495 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $229.75 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $136.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.52, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $256.84. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $230.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $227.15.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The company had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.75 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.90%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UNP. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. TD Cowen cut their target price on Union Pacific from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $259.58.

View Our Latest Research Report on Union Pacific

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.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 8,899 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $994,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of AFL. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in Aflac by 188.5% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Aflac by 1,526.7% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in Aflac in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Aflac news, EVP Steven Kent Beaver sold 5,492 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.53, for a total value of $601,538.76. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 38,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,202,447.04. This trade represents a 12.52% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total transaction of $114,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 23,615 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,692,110. The trade was a 4.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 31,766 shares of company stock worth $3,549,706 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AFL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Aflac in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an underperform rating and a $104.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Aflac from $101.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Aflac from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $110.67.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Aflac

Aflac Stock Performance

NYSE AFL opened at $109.57 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $110.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.81. Aflac Incorporated has a 12-month low of $96.95 and a 12-month high of $115.83. The company has a market capitalization of $57.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.30, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.72. The company had revenue of $4.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.36 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 23.55% and a return on equity of 14.97%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 59.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.16 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. This is an increase from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Aflacs payout ratio is currently 31.85%.

About Aflac

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflacs product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.

Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 26,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $817,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of HMC. WealthCollab LLC boosted its holdings in Honda Motor by 66.2% in the second quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 916 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its position in Honda Motor by 1,105.1% in the 2nd quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 952 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 873 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Honda Motor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Honda Motor by 99.8% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 532 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Honda Motor in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 5.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on HMC. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Honda Motor in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Honda Motor from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Nomura Securities upgraded Honda Motor to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Honda Motor Stock Performance

Shares of HMC stock opened at $30.86 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $29.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.41. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has a 1 year low of $24.56 and a 1 year high of $34.89. The firm has a market cap of $48.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.09, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.38.

Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $34.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $35.95 billion. Honda Motor had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 5.18%. Analysts predict that Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will post 3.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Honda Motor Profile

(Free Report)

Honda Motor Co, Ltd. is a global manufacturer and mobility company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. The companys core businesses include the design, manufacture and sale of automobiles and motorcycles, along with a diverse portfolio of power products, engines and related components. Honda also operates in aviation through Honda Aircraft Company and offers financial services that support vehicle sales and leasing.

In automobiles, Honda is known for a range of passenger cars, crossovers and light trucks, and in motorcycles it is one of the worlds leading producers by volume and model breadth.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 24,432 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $3,272,000. Abbott Laboratories makes up 1.1% of Tred Avon Family Wealth LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ABT. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,026,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $823,804,000 after acquiring an additional 6,011,891 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $23,502,644,000 after acquiring an additional 2,977,715 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 180.7% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,063,443 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $416,659,000 after purchasing an additional 1,972,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 98.6% during the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 3,467,896 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $471,669,000 after purchasing an additional 1,721,523 shares during the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

ABT opened at $121.82 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $211.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $126.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $128.95. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $113.39 and a 1 year high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The company had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 31.58%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on ABT shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $162.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Benchmark initiated coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.42.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 2,968 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $774,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ITW. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 90.9% during the second quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 105 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Corsicana & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 103.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 124 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In other Illinois Tool Works news, Director Pamela B. Strobel sold 1,521 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.25, for a total transaction of $373,025.25. Following the sale, the director directly owned 39,249 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,625,817.25. This trade represents a 3.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:ITW opened at $263.56 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $250.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $254.83. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $214.66 and a 12-month high of $278.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.56, a PEG ratio of 14.16 and a beta of 1.15.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.72 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $4.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.09 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 93.26% and a net margin of 19.05%.The companys revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.91 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.400-10.500 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $1.61 dividend. This represents a $6.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 62.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on ITW. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $298.00 to $275.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Wolfe Research boosted their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $264.00 to $278.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $261.00 to $253.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $258.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $261.08.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

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Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 19.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 44,583 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 7,166 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF comprises about 0.8% of Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $5,292,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 26,900.0% during the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 269 shares during the period. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF in the second quarter worth about $38,000. Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 200.4% in the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 902 shares during the period. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 53.3% during the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 538 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.92% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance

IJR stock opened at $128.62 on Friday. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a fifty-two week low of $89.22 and a fifty-two week high of $129.48. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $121.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.05. The company has a market capitalization of $94.12 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.

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W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE:WTI  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $1.83 and traded as high as $1.86. W&T Offshore shares last traded at $1.8150, with a volume of 1,174,030 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of W&T Offshore in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold.

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View Our Latest Report on WTI

W&T Offshore Stock Down 1.9%

The firm has a market capitalization of $270.04 million, a PE ratio of -1.83 and a beta of 0.32. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $1.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.83.

W&T Offshore (NYSE:WTI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.12) by $0.07. The company had revenue of $127.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.69 million. On average, analysts anticipate that W&T Offshore, Inc. will post -0.45 earnings per share for the current year.

W&T Offshore Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th were given a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. W&T Offshores dividend payout ratio is presently -4.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. AXQ Capital LP acquired a new stake in W&T Offshore in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of W&T Offshore during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of W&T Offshore in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in W&T Offshore by 181.6% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 16,908 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 10,904 shares during the period. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in W&T Offshore in the third quarter worth $32,000. 42.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About W&T Offshore

(Get Free Report)

W&T Offshore, Inc is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused primarily on offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The company acquires, develops and produces crude oil and natural gas reserves, operating a portfolio of producing properties that encompasses both shallow-water and deepwater assets. W&T Offshore leverages its technical expertise and asset management capabilities to optimize field development and production efficiency across its portfolio.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, W&T Offshore has built a track record of disciplined growth through strategic acquisitions and targeted exploration activities.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei speaks during an address marking a religious holiday in Teheran, capital of Iran, on Jan. 17, 2026. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that Iran had defeated the United States and Israel "once again" and had "extinguished the sedition" he alleged was incited by Washington and Tel Aviv. He described U.S. President Donald Trump as a "criminal" for his administration's support of the demonstrations, accusing Washington of causing economic and social harm to the Iranian people.(The Office of the Supreme Leader in Iran/Handout via Xinhua)

TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that the country had defeated the United States and Israel "once again" and had "extinguished the sedition" he described as being incited by Washington and Tel Aviv.

Speaking during an address marking a religious holiday, Khamenei accused the United States of planning the unrest with the aim of "swallowing up Iran."

He described U.S. President Donald Trump as a "criminal" responsible for the killings and destruction in the recent riots in Iran, noting that Trump personally intervened, commented publicly, and encouraged the rioters by pledging military support.

Khamenei said that while Iran would not seek war, it "will not refrain from punishing those responsible for unrest, both inside the country and abroad."

His remarks came as domestic protests appeared to have subsided after weeks of nationwide demonstrations that began in late December over economic grievances but later turned violent.

Iranian authorities said the peaceful protests had been hijacked by "vandals," and the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that security forces had detained about 3,000 people in connection with the unrest.

Amid the easing tensions, short message service in Iran was resumed on Saturday, while schools will reopen on Sunday after a one-week closure, according to Iranian media.

Also on Saturday, Lebanon's Hezbollah voiced firm support for Iran. In a televised address on the Hezbollah-controlled al-Manar channel, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called Iran a "stronghold of resistance" and accused the United States of seeking global domination.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement Friday night strongly condemning what it called "meddlesome" remarks by the Group of Seven nations concerning the recent unrest, urging the group to stop interfering in Iran's internal affairs. 
Blalock Williams LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 4,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $857,000.

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Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 7,392 shares of the companys stock worth $1,371,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the third quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC now owns 9,110 shares of the companys stock worth $1,689,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Heritage Oak Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 3.5% in the third quarter. Heritage Oak Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,639 shares of the companys stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 3.4% in the third quarter. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,683 shares of the companys stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Finally, Wynn Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 15,930 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,954,000 after buying an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Johnson & Johnson Price Performance

JNJ stock opened at $218.81 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $205.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $186.95. The stock has a market cap of $527.18 billion, a PE ratio of 21.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.34. Johnson & Johnson has a one year low of $141.50 and a one year high of $220.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is 50.19%.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on JNJ. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $203.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $193.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $190.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Guggenheim upped their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $206.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $213.33.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

(Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.

The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.

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Bfsg LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 117,069 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $4,816,000. Bfsg LLC owned 0.07% of iShares China Large-Cap ETF at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Spear Holdings RSC Ltd purchased a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth $188,976,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 57.1% during the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 5,674,694 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $208,602,000 after buying an additional 2,063,028 shares during the last quarter. Natixis boosted its position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 63.3% in the 2nd quarter. Natixis now owns 4,976,144 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $182,923,000 after buying an additional 1,928,592 shares in the last quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd boosted its position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 35.5% in the 2nd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 2,980,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $109,545,000 after buying an additional 780,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $20,432,000.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of FXI opened at $39.30 on Friday. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $28.41 and a 12-month high of $42.00. The stock has a market cap of $6.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a 50-day moving average of $39.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.20.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF Profile

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (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 FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. The underlying Index is designed to represent the performance of the companies in the Chinese equity market, which are available to the international investors.

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Bfsg LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 1,947.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,357 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 14,607 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $3,716,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 18.5% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 28,093 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,062,000 after purchasing an additional 4,381 shares during the last quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $234,000. New England Private Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. New England Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 29,016 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $6,429,000 after acquiring an additional 553 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 386,528 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $93,524,000 after acquiring an additional 4,061 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American National Bank & Trust lifted its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 52.7% during the 2nd quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 11,874 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,562,000 after acquiring an additional 4,098 shares during the period.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance

iShares Russell 2000 ETF stock opened at $265.76 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $249.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $239.54. The company has a market cap of $77.77 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $171.73 and a fifty-two week high of $267.22.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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Bfsg LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 71,111 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $5,704,000.

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A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Front Row Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $51,000. 64.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Up 0.1%

EWJ opened at $85.48 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $82.56 and a 200 day moving average of $80.11. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12 month low of $59.84 and a 12 month high of $86.00. The firm has a market cap of $16.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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LONDON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said in a statement on Sunday that the announcement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Greenland, including the decision to impose tariffs on several European Union (EU) members, Britain and Norway, is "completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable."

McEntee said, "Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law.

Peace and security depend on all United Nations (UN) Member States abiding by the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, McEntee said, adding, "There can be no lasting peace and security in a world where these principles are ignored and undermined."

"Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable. It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law. It is what keeps all countries -- large or small, militarily aligned or neutral -- safe and secure," McEntee said in the statement. 
Csenge Advisory Group cut its holdings in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 29.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 29,695 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 12,347 shares during the period. Csenge Advisory Groups holdings in Bank of America were worth $1,532,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Bank of America by 246.5% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Steph & Co. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 224.3% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares during the period. CGC Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in Bank of America by 585.4% in the 2nd quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Bank of America during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BAC shares. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $66.00 to $64.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. HSBC raised shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $50.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Evercore ISI set a $59.00 price target on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Bank of America from $62.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $59.74.

Bank of America News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Bank of America Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of Bank of America stock opened at $53.02 on Friday. Bank of America Corporation has a twelve month low of $33.06 and a twelve month high of $57.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $54.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.22. The firm has a market cap of $387.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.84 and a beta of 1.29.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $28.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27.73 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 16.23%.The firms revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.82 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.24%.

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Csenge Advisory Group lowered its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 21.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,793 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 1,821 shares during the period. Csenge Advisory Groups holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $2,346,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% during the 2nd quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 105 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $34,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 2.3%

NYSE UNH opened at $331.25 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $330.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $322.09. The company has a market capitalization of $300.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $234.60 and a 52 week high of $606.36.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $113.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $113.19 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The firms revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $7.15 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th were given a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is presently 46.14%.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNH has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. KeyCorp increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $423.00 to $417.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $386.00 to $391.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $385.75.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on UNH

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Inc is a diversified health care company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, that operates two primary business platforms: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Founded in 1977, the company provides a broad range of health benefits and health care services to individuals, employers, governmental entities and other organizations. Its operations span commercial employer-sponsored plans, individual and Medicare and Medicaid programs, and services for customers and health systems in the United States and selected international markets.

UnitedHealthcare is the companys benefits business, administering health plans and networks, managing provider relationships, and offering coverage products for employers, individuals, and government-sponsored programs.

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GatePass Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 5,391 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $837,000.

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A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Perigon Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Chevron by 19.3% in the third quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 73,448 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $11,406,000 after acquiring an additional 11,875 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Chevron by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 1,620,231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $251,606,000 after purchasing an additional 215,345 shares in the last quarter. Solitude Financial Services grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Solitude Financial Services now owns 25,325 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,626,000 after purchasing an additional 1,913 shares during the period. Pictet North America Advisors SA purchased a new position in shares of Chevron in the 3rd quarter valued at about $5,662,000. Finally, Shell Asset Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 21.4% in the second quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 51,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $7,319,000 after purchasing an additional 9,002 shares during the period. 72.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chevron News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Insider Activity

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

In other Chevron news, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total value of $41,456,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, CFO Eimear P. Bonner sold 28,334 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.05, for a total value of $4,676,526.70. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 4,366 shares in the company, valued at approximately $720,608.30. This represents a 86.65% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 635,190 shares of company stock worth $100,254,408. Corporate insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

CVX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of Chevron in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Mizuho upped their price target on Chevron from $204.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Chevron from $190.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Zacks Research upgraded Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, HSBC set a $169.00 price target on Chevron and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chevron currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $168.27.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Chevron

Chevron Stock Performance

Chevron stock opened at $166.27 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.15. Chevron Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $132.04 and a fifty-two week high of $169.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $153.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $154.22. The company has a market capitalization of $334.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.39, a PEG ratio of 10.29 and a beta of 0.70.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.14. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 6.57%.The firm had revenue of $48.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $46.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.48 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were given a $1.71 dividend. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. Chevrons payout ratio is currently 96.20%.

Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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Hartline Investment Corp lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 153.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,421 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 860 shares during the quarter. Hartline Investment Corps holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,132,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.5% in the third quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC now owns 388 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC now owns 429 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Avion Wealth grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 31.1% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 59 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the period. KPP Advisory Services LLC increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.1% during the second quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC now owns 668 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $473,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FAS Wealth Partners Inc. lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.2% in the second quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 653 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $462,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key The Goldman Sachs Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $961.54 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $984.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.13. The company has a market capitalization of $288.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a fifty day moving average of $868.57 and a 200 day moving average of $793.05.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $14.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $11.52 by $2.49. The business had revenue of $13.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.30 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 13.73%.The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $11.95 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a $4.50 dividend. This represents a $18.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $4.00. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 32.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on GS shares. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased 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. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $1,048.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, HSBC set a $604.00 target price on The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $891.57.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

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.

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Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 171.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,198,764 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 757,926 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing accounts for about 3.0% of Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $335,573,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the period. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

TSM stock opened at $342.37 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $299.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $273.91. The firm has a market cap of $1.77 trillion, a P/E ratio of 32.15, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a current ratio of 2.69. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1 year low of $134.25 and a 1 year high of $351.33.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 earnings per share for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.18% and a net margin of 45.13%.The company had revenue of $32.50 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.9678 dividend. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 28.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group set a $330.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Barclays upped their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $380.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $381.67.

View Our Latest Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

More Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(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.

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A new dedicated body is to be established to support controlled schools in Northern Ireland.

Controlled schools are state-funded, nondenominational schools managed by the Education Authority (EA).

The new body confirmed by Education Minister Paul Givan aimed to deliver school improvement and governance support.

The announcement came in the wake of an eight-week public consultation that involved more than half of all controlled school principals.

More than 90% of respondents agreed that support for controlled schools must improve and 84% backed the creation of a dedicated organisation.

Mr Givan said school leaders have spoken with a clear and united voice.

Controlled schools, which educate half of our pupils, have long lacked the parity, advocacy and tailored support they need, he said.

The new organisation would become the managing authority for controlled schools, and its remit would mirror that of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).

In responding to the consultation, CCMS said that establishing a dedicated organisation for controlled schools would bring the sector into line with the statutory arrangements that have long benefited the Catholic maintained sector, strengthening equity and balance across the education system.

Mr Givan said he would move immediately to bring these proposals back to the Executive and press for their inclusion in the legislative programme.

READ NEXT: Politics needs to reconnect with ordinary people  UUP leader-elect Jon Burrows

We must act decisively to deliver the dedicated support that controlled schools both need and deserve, he said.
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Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (L, on the snow) is seen during a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

COPENHAGEN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- By Saturday noon, thousands had gathered in central Copenhagen, bundled against the January cold, as Danish and Greenlandic flags rippled overhead and chants of "Greenland is not for sale" and "Hands off Greenland" echoed through the crowd in protest against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over the island.

Among the protesters were Luna Schulz and her 12-year-old son, Noa Benjamin Joensen. Standing in Copenhagen's City Hall Square, Noa clutched a hand-drawn cartoon depicting U.S. President Donald Trump as a crying baby, reaching out and whining, "I WANT, I WANT GREENLAND." The cartoon drew smiles, cameras and knowing nods from fellow demonstrators.

"I want to tell Trump that Greenland is not for sale," Noa told Xinhua. "You can't just buy a country. You may want it, but it's not for you."

Schulz said she wanted her son to see people standing up for respect. "We definitely don't want anything to do with Trump -- not in Greenland and not in Denmark -- unless it's in a kind and respectful way," she said.

Moving through the crowd in traditional Inuit attire was Sika Nuunu Kristensen, one of the protest's organizers. With a Greenlandic father and a life now rooted in Copenhagen, she said her personal ties only strengthened her resolve.

"Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland," she said. "We hope everyone listens to this message and truly hears it."

Kristensen added that Trump's statements, in her view, violate international law, while expressing hope that "the rest of America does not support this."

Laila G. Frederiksen, who moved from Greenland to Denmark three years ago, voiced deep concern over the increasingly aggressive U.S. takeover rhetoric. "If we were to fall under the U.S., the cost of living, including medical care, would rise, making life in Greenland more difficult," she said.

Jan E. Jorgensen, a veteran Danish politician from the Liberal Party, also voiced his frustration over U.S. treatment of its allies. "This is out of the ordinary. It's sad, frustrating and a huge disappointment," he noted.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland.

Despite widespread outcry and firm rejection by Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies, Trump doubled down on his bid to take over Greenland.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the United States would levy a 10-percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned the rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

European leaders quickly hit back by pledging a united response and vowing to stay committed to upholding Europe's sovereignty.

The episode has also reignited debate over whether the EU should activate stronger defensive trade tools, including the bloc's so-called "bazooka," the Anti-Coercion Instrument.

Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, also said on Saturday that, given Trump's threats over Greenland, approval of the EU-U.S. trade deal signed in July last year was "not possible" at this stage and that any move toward zero tariffs on U.S. products should be put on hold.

The deal, which sets U.S. tariffs on imports from the EU at 15 percent in exchange for the bloc not applying levies on American exports, has already been partially implemented but still needs a nod from parliament.

Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said late Saturday it had called an emergency meeting for Sunday, with ambassadors from the EU's 27 member states set to convene to coordinate next steps. 

People attend a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

People attend a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

Demonstrators gather to protest against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

Demonstrators gather to protest against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhichao/Xinhua)

Demonstrators gather to protest against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhichao/Xinhua)
Sinn Fein councillor for Dundalk Antoin Watters has welcomed the decision of the British Government to scrap so-called "Brit Cards", a digital identity system set to be introduced for working people in the UK by 2029.

Cllr Watters said there had been no consideration given to a sizable number of workers who live in the South and work in the North, particularly those who live in North Louth.

It was announced this week that Digital IDs will no longer be required for the right to work, but the British Government have said it remains committed to having mandatory checks but said people will be able to use digital chips in their passports instead.

According to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer the scheme would be introduced as a way to "curb the prospect of work for illegal immigrants".

"Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure," he said.

Read Next: 'Historic Boyne Task Force bill to be debated in the Dail

Cllr Watters said although "common sense has prevailed I should point out that the Labour Party did not do a U-turn on this policy because of the chaos and havoc it would wreak on Ireland, it was because of

widespread opposition in his own country".

He said when he'd previously raised concerns about the scheme it was "obvious that no consideration was given to Ireland or to the Good Friday Agreement where identity forms an important basis.

"There was no consideration given to the implication the scheme would have on the common travel area or the tenets of the Good Friday Agreement, he said.

The Sinn Fein councillor said he is pleased that Ireland will not be "collateral damage" as a result of the scheme.

The sooner we have this country re-united the better. The British Government have only ever treated us with disdain. Ireland and its people deserve so much better than that.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Robert Nash has called for out of hours litter wardens in Dundalk.

It comes as it was revealed Dundalk had fallen nine places in the in the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey. The town ranked 34th out of 40 towns and cities.

Cllr Nash told the January meeting of Dundalk Municipal District that the report was "very disappointing" and noted an increase in dumping over the Christmas period.

He said there needs to be more visibility of litter wardens and said it's "too easy" for people to litter.

"Cameras on the Racecourse Road were removed, and then dumping seems to have returned. Who monitors these cameras?," he asked.

Read Next: Concerns raised amid claims Louth County Council are outbidding first-time buyers

Cllr Nash said people were predominantly littering early hours of the morning and late at night. He said any litter patrol needs to be done out of hours.

He also noted an "awful lot of rubbish and drug paraphernalia" on Quay Street, in Dundalk.

The Fine Gael councillor also called for a roads crew to be sent to Peter Street weekly, and asked about the possibility of a new gate for the alleyway on the street to stop ongoing drug use.

"It's happening regularly, where people are going down the alleyway using drugs and leaving syringes around," he said.

However, Cllr Nash acknowledged that fire safety regulations may not permit a gate to be installed.

Sinn Fein councillor Kevin Meenan said dog waste on the main street is also a huge problem.

He said it is "so easy to pick up dog litter" and called it a "lousy thing to do".

Patrick Callan, Executive Engineer with Louth County Council agreed that the IBAL ranking was disappointing, but said the council have already met on the issue and hope to have more regular meetings with Tidy Towns.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Sinn Fein councillor for Dundalk Sionainn McCann has encouraged Louth parents to report AI deep fakes of nudity by Grok AI.

Cllr McCann said parents are "deeply concerned at the dark turn of the social media platform X". The platform has been criticised due to its ability to produce non-consensual images of women and children.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to meet with the Attorney General to discuss the matter which he described as "very grave and very serious".

Cllr McCann said people are using AI tools on a more regular basis and urged caution to parents and children about the dangers of the technology.

"If your child comes to you with this, please report it immediately until such times as the government forces X to disable the nudification functionality in its AI tools, our children are vulnerable," she said.

Read Next: Louth TD calls for end to rent arrangements for senior public servants

She criticised Elon Musk, owner of X for the platform's response. The platform formerly known as Twitter, had originally said it had restricted its image generation to paid subscribers.

However, late on Wednesday night X announced Grok will no longer be able to generate photos of real people in revealing clothing. Yet, there have been reports that users are still able to create sexualised content from photographs of fully clothed, real women.

Cllr McCann said this form of content is "domestic, sexual and gender-based violence on a whole new scale."

"Women in particular who are already suffering at the hands of violent

male partners or ex-partners are fearful of this new level of violence.

Minister with responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth said she will meet with X, and accused the platform of showing "total disregard" to the Irish Government and to "many European states".

Funded by the Local Democracy 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 on Friday 9 January 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.
Cothrom, a disability rights and equality organisation, co-founded by well-known advocates and activists, Dr Margaret Kennedy from Wicklow and Michael ODowd from Louth, is launching a nationwide campaign calling on councillors to adopt higher employment targets for people with disabilities within their local authorities, and "to lead by example where central government has fallen short".

Local authorities across Ireland are being urged to take decisive action to increase the employment of people with disabilities, following what disability advocates describe as a "persistent failure of ambition, transparency, and accountability at national level".

The campaign calls for, 8% employment by 2027, and 10% employment by 2030. This stands in stark contrast, Cothrom says, to the Governments recently published strategy, which maintains a 6% target until 2030, a figure Cothrom says should be regarded as a "minimum baseline, not a ceiling".

Speaking ahead of the campaign launch, Michael ODowd said: The 6% figure was never intended to be an end point. It should be seen as a baseline  the floor, not the ceiling. Freezing it until 2030 turns a minimum standard into a permanent limit.

He added that the Government had ignored the outcome of its own consultation process, during which disability organisations and advocates explicitly called for a 10% target by 2030.

Stakeholders engaged in good faith and provided clear, evidence-based feedback. That feedback was not reflected in the final strategy. This undermines trust and raises serious questions about how consultation is being used.

Read also: North Louth sees significant water savings thanks to Uisce Eireann leak repairs

Cothrom said that despite local authorities submitting their disability employment figures at the start of each year, the 2024 outcomes have only now been published, significantly limiting scrutiny and accountability.

Councils already hold this data. Delayed publication weakens oversight, prevents timely corrective action, and undermines confidence in the system.

Cothrom also highlighted what it said are structural flaws in how disability employment data is collected and interpreted, noting that survey questions and definitions of disability are not applied consistently across public bodies.

If disability is defined differently from one organisation to another, the resulting figures are not genuinely comparable. That weakens national targets and makes meaningful accountability impossible.

The organisation further noted that the Governments own consultation feedback report explicitly recognised that disability is not a single or uniform experience, and that different groups face distinct employment barriers: There are distinct challenges faced by people born with a disability, those who acquire a disability early in life, those who acquire a disability during their working life through illness, injury, or ageing, and those who receive a diagnosis  such as autism, ADHD, or a mental health condition  while already in employment.

Cothrom said that these findings were not reflected in the final strategy, resulting in policies and targets that are overly blunt and insufficiently responsive to real-world barriers.

While recruitment decisions are operational matters, Michael O'Dowd says that policy direction and ambition rest with elected members: Members are elected to drive and effect change. While recruitment decisions are an operational matter for management, policy direction and ambition lie with elected members.

"By setting these higher targets, councillors can demonstrate genuine leadership and ensure local government reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. Councillors have a mandate on issues, and they can really lead on this issue and drive for real change as they form policy which is crucial.

"As part of our strategy, we are determined that there is an increase in the numbers of people with disabilities employed in local authorities to 8% by 2027 and 10% by 2030.

Councillors set strategy and priorities. By adopting higher targets and demanding better data and transparency, councils can show leadership and demonstrate that inclusion is a core public value, not a box-ticking exercise.

Cothrom said it will now write to all local authorities nationwide, calling on councillors to submit motions committing their councils to:

Higher disability employment targets,

Robust Disability Employment Implementation Plans,

Timely publication of disability employment data.

People with disabilities are not lacking in ability. What they face is systemic exclusion  reinforced when minimum compliance is mistaken for maximum ambition.
Louth TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy Joanna Byrne, has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to end their "nod-and-a-wink practice of allowing the retired and current public servants to pay minimal rents on houses in the Phoenix Park".

The local TD made her remarks following todays meeting of the PAC where the OPWs admission that its properties in the Phoenix Park were being rented out at "inexplicably" low rates of between 670 and 4,160 per annum.

Deputy Byrne said: The lack of oversight and mismanagement by the OPW of their properties in the Phoenix Park must come to an end.

For years, the OPW, and indeed the Minister with responsibility for the OPW, have refused to answer questions on those properties. But now we know that the nod-and-a-wink rents paid on the properties range from 670 per annum to 4,160 per annum - tiny, tiny sums.

Who decided these paltry amounts? What processes and procedures, if any, were followed to determine that these figures were appropriate? Or were they decided on a whim - a nod and a wink?"

Read also: A disqualified driver drove past gardai wearing sunglasses at night

The Louth TD continued: The entire state is in a housing crisis and the fact that senior public servants can get homes, even after retirement, in the picturesque Phoenix Park, in the heart of Dublin, at such inexplicably low rates simply beggars belief.

The preferential rent arrangements for senior public servants will not be lost on those working on the very frontline of our emergency services struggling to keep a roof over their heads. It is yet another slap in the face.

Those who have benefited from this practice are and were senior well-paid senior public servants - not emergency services crews that need to roll out at a moment's notice.

If they are contractually obliged to be there, then more suitable rents should be charged, and the fact that they are being housed in such a prime location should also be examined thoroughly.

The veil has finally been drawn back, and what we see from the OPW in terms of their management of the state's assets simply is not good enough.

At today's meeting, I asked that the OPW be written to and requested that they review this matter urgently. It must be put to them in the strongest terms that this practice must end.
SYDNEY, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Police in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Sunday that a man had been seriously injured after he was shot during a public place shooting in Sydney's west overnight.

Police said that emergency services were called to a home in Lalor Park, a suburb of Sydney, at about 11.35 p.m. local time on Saturday, following reports of a public place shooting.

Officers were told unknown people had fired multiple gunshots into a home, hitting one resident before leaving the scene in a vehicle.

The resident, a 46-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a gunshot injury before being taken to the hospital in a stable condition. 
Cork County Council is inviting private owners, custodians, and community groups to apply for funding to support the care, conservation, maintenance, protection, and promotion of archaeological monuments in their area.

The 2026 community monuments fund will enable conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments deemed to be significant and in need of support. 7.5m has been made available nationally for the scheme in 2026.

The fund aims to build resilience in monuments, enabling them to withstand the effects of climate change, to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

The scheme has three streams of funding, all of which offer cover up to 100% of eligible costs and include conservation works, conservation management plans and enhanced access and interpretation as well as emergency works.

Applications can be made electronically by emailing corkheritage@corkcoco.ie or a hard copy may be submitted to: Community Monuments Fund, Cork County Council, Heritage and Conservation Office, Floor 3, Planning Department, County Hall, Cork.
A Latvian man who was banned for driving for 12 years in 2019 was caught driving while disqualified on five occasions in 2025, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that 52-year-old Andrejs Brics of Kippagh, Dunmanway, Co Cork, was charged with driving offences on five dates between February and October 2025, as well as one count of failing to appear in court. Brics was observed driving three times and was stopped on two occasions, the court was told.

On February 13, 2025, he was spotted by a garda who knew him driving a blue Peugeot 308 on Sackville Street in Dunmanway at 6.40pm.

On April 23, 2025 at Drinagh East, Dunmanway, he was seen driving while not wearing a seatbelt. He was followed and stopped at Lisbealad East and arrested on suspicion of drink driving. A blood sample confirmed a blood alcohol level of 120mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, where the legal limit is 50mg.

On May 20, 2025, Brics failed to appear in court. On May 23, 2025, at 6.15pm, he was observed driving a silver Kia Sportage at Underhill, Dunmanway. On July 24, 2025, Brics was seen driving a silver Kia Sportage at Lisbealad East, Dunmanway.

The final incident occurred at 6.55am on October 15, 2025, when Brics was again seen driving the silver Kia Sportage at Inchafune, Dunmanway.

Strugg

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said Brics had two children and was the main breadwinner for his family. She said he lived in a remote rural area and went back driving because the family was struggling.

She said Brics was a valued employee and his employer had now arranged transport to work for him. The court was told Brics could not give any other excuse. The court heard Brics had 54 previous convictions, including using a false instrument and also received a 12-year driving disqualification in 2019.

Judge Joanne Carroll said Brics got behind the wheel of a car with alcohol while disqualified and left her with no option but to impose a custodial sentence.

For driving while disqualified on April 23, he was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years and disqualified from driving for four years. He received the same penalty for having no insurance and for driving while intoxicated, he was sentenced to four months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years. He was also fined 500 and given six months to pay the fine.

For driving while disqualified on May 23 and July 24, he was sentenced to four months in prison for each offence and disqualified from driving for four years on each offence.

For driving while disqualified without insurance on October 15, he was disqualified from driving for four years on each offence and sentenced to four months in prison for each offence. The charge of failing to appear in court was struck out.

For driving while disqualified on February 13, he was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in September 2026.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
A man who allowed his Revolut account be used by a third party to deposit funds from a text message scam has pleaded guilty to making gain or causing loss by deception contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Kinsale District Court sitting in Bandon that the injured party in the case reported to her bank she had been the victim of a fraud in March 2024.

The court heard the woman received a text message claiming to be from An Post. She clicked on a link in the message and a short time later she received a phone call from somebody claiming to be from Permanent TSB bank, who spoke to her in relation to the fake text message.

The woman was persuaded to divulge details to the caller and subsequently was defrauded of 4,600 that was removed from her account in two separate transactions of 2,300 each. The court was told the injured party was reimbursed by her bank, who reported the incident to gardai, who then began an investigation.

Deposited

The funds were deposited into the Revolut account of 22-year-old Emmanuel Okoye, with an address at River Village, Monkisland, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Okoye was interviewed at Galway Garda Station, where he said he had shared his Revolut details with a third party but did not know who had used the account.

Defence solicitor Myra Dinneen said Okoye had been approached by someone at the Atlantic Technological University in Galway, where he is studying software development, who asked him if he was short of money.

She said Okoye was offered 1,000 to allow his Revolut account to be used for a few days on condition that he did not look at the account for that period. She said Okoye ultimately did not receive the 1,000, and was now obliged to repay the 4,600 to the bank.

The court was told Okoye works nights in a pharmaceutical factory to fund his education and goes to college in the day.

The court was told at the time of the incident that he was working one or two days per week in a nursing home and was in difficult financial circumstances as he had no financial support from his parents or the State for his studies.

Ms Dinneen said: He got nothing. He was the fool, the idiot in all of this.

Very serious offence

Judge Joanne Carroll said it was a very serious offence and asked Ms Dinneen why she should not send Okoye to prison. She said Okoye was clearly an intelligent man and he knew the purpose of giving someone access to the account was criminal activity.

At its very best, he aided and abetted others to defraud at least one individual. If the account was used for a few days, it could have been countless individuals.

The judge said she was willing to consider asking for a probation report on Okoye before sentencing, as he was young and had no previous convictions but added: There is no gold star for making admissions if you are caught red-handed.

You either have a price or you dont and this man had a price.

The case was adjourned to March 5, 2026 to allow time for the completion of the probation report.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
It is now a quarter of a century since Moonduster was last seen sailing away from Crosshaven, taking with her a level of emotional attachment that few boats can match.

Moonduster means so much to so many people. She has been a part of Irish and international sailing for over 40 years. She has spent over 20 years of life in Norway, but she has not changed, she is wonderful.

Two quotes about the legendary Cork yacht, Denis Doyles Crosshaven-built Frers 51 Moonduster, on which restoration is continuing in Norway after extensive damaged caused by a ferry.

Moonduster was sold to Norway in 2002 after Denis Doyle died in 2001. She was to be the centre of a sea school project in Trondheim. But resources and support faded away and she started to deteriorate.

On the national maritime website, Afloat, this week noted sailing writer, WM Nixon, recalls that she was a very special boat from the moment she first sailed in May 1981.

Restoration

Current owners John Kavanagh, originally from Kinsale and now resident in Estonia, and Norwegian Tom Solberg, have devoted time, effort and financial involvement to the restoration.

Kavanagh first saw Moonduster in the 1980s.

As a Flying Fifteen sailor in Kinsale, I longed to race offshore, I dreamt of the Round Ireland Race, the Fastnet, and Whitbread Round the World Race. Racing in Kinsale with Conor Doyle aboard his Dragon Elsa, Moonduster powered into and through the harbour. I exclaimed that it was the most beautiful racing yacht I have ever seen.

He tells Nixon that he met Denis Doyle and got to race aboard Moonduster. Then, when it was deteriorating, became friendly with Tom Solberg, one of the owners trying to maintain Duster, as she was known in Cork waters.

Tom and I became good friends. We have the same goal in mind, to bring Moonduster back to life. In 2024 we agreed the time was right and so it began. By the Spring of 2025, Moonduster really was coming back to life. The yacht we knew was becoming herself again, but in July while at her berth in Trondheim, disaster struck.

The Munkholmen Passenger ferry, carrying 100 passengers and driven by an unlicensed skipper, crashed through the side of Moondusters hull, causing extreme damage. Over the coming months we remediated the damage in a temporary but effective style.

They then sailed her from Trondheim westerly to Hitra.

Majestic

Moonduster was majestic as always as her powerful hull graced its way through the waves. Even with the breach in her side, her repair didnt allow a drop of water inside. Her engine and hydraulics working flawlessly. I realised Moonduster means so much to so many people.

Denis Scully, maste shipwright who worked on her original construction in Crosshaven Boatyard has joined our small team with his wealth of knowledge and passion for the old girl. Mark Mansfield of Quantum Sails, one of the crew on Moonduster Admirals Cup Team 1981 has pledged his allegiance and will work alongside our team to bring her back to full racing life.

Tom Solberg posted on the Moonduster IR399 Friends Page on Facebook which has 850 members.

Moonduster is currently indoor for the winter at Skarsvaag Boats in Hitra, where she will undergo repairs after having been rammed by Munkholmbaten. A further refurbishment will have her shipshape."

John Kavanagh tells WM Nixon: Perhaps she will have a homecoming visit in the near future with her beautiful spinnaker overshadowing Roches Point once again.

Cork Port 2026 Forecast

Port of Cork CEO, Ann Doherty, says that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the port as we progress our deepwater berths and infrastructure to support Irelands offshore wind ambitions. We are also anticipating a robust cruise season at Cobh Cruise Terminal, and more cruise visitors to Bantry.

Forecasting the year ahead in a post on LinkedIn she adds: Were looking forward to working closely with harbour stakeholders to ensure growth in trade tourism and jobs aligned with environmental stewardship.

New boat At NMCI

The National Maritime College at Ringaskiddy has a new freefall/side-launch lifeboat and fast rescue boat simulators. Operational for training this month.

These systems create new opportunities for emergency services, coast guard and first-responder training, supporting realistic multi-agency exercises in mass evacuation, rescue co-ordination and casualty recovery. The simulators, supplied by Virtual Marine, feature replica lifeboat and rescue boat control cabins, allowing trainees to operate equipment exactly as they would at sea, across a wide range of weather conditions, sea states and day or night scenarios, said the NMCI.

This upgrade is part of a wider investment in simulation and training capability reinforcing NMCIs role as Irelands centre of excellence for maritime safety, emergency response and offshore operations training.

Cork River Weirs

A 14m national project by Fisheries Ireland to improve river weirs includes several in Cork: On the Glashaboy; at Ovens Bridge/Bride River; two weirs at Doneraile, and at Araglin Bridge.

My SEASCAPES: Podcast on major Podcast platforms and on tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie

Email me: tommacsweeneymarine@gmail.com.
My Dad, Seamus White, and his lifelong friend and fellow barman, Tony OSullivan, had both worked in a number of city centre pubs in their time. They recently took a stroll down Oliver Plunkett Street to recall the pubs, shops, and characters that made that part of Cork city such a vibrant place in the 1960s.

Dad started as a barman on 19 June 1960, as a 17-year-old, in the business of J S McCarthy Tea and Wine Merchants based at 96 Oliver Plunkett Street, which gave the pub the name by which it was more commonly known: the 96.

Well, in fact he started the previous Monday. Another McCarthys employee had gone to London, initially on a holiday, which turned out to be permanent, leaving a vacancy that Dad was to fill.

The corner of Oliver Plunkett Street and Cook Street in 1973. The sign for J McCarthys is visible on the premises next to the Clancarty Buildings.

Con OCallaghan, a charge hand in the 96, brought him to see the managing director, Cashel ORiordan, and Mr ORiordan enquired if he was free to staff the bar at an outdoor catering function that McCarthys had been contracted to provide in the City Hall for a function hosted by then Lord Mayor, Stephen Barrett. 250 international journalists attended a function in the City Hall that night, 13 June 1960. As a raw lad from Mitchelstown, he recalls having to ask a shawlie for directions to the City Hall, which drew a slightly shocked and sarcastic response from the woman, who pointed to the obvious building and said, Over there, boy! After the function in the City Hall, he took the number 11 Tivoli bus to its last stop and hitch-hiked home to Mitchelstown.

He recalled some of his colleagues in the 96, such as Lily Lynch, Mamie OShea, and Margaret Crowley, who were the female bar assistants. Mr Leahy was the secretary, and Mick Finegan was a lorry driver, while Ted OBrien, from Glen Rovers, worked in the office, and a Mr Muldoon was the tea blender. John Linehan was another charge hand, and as chance would have it, Johns brother, Billy, was to be a neighbour of ours when we lived in Togher.

A section of Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork pictured in December 1962.

Good-natured banter was the order of the day, and regulars would slag him about being from cheese country and he would in turn wind them up by pretending to be a sort of country buffoon who was intrigued by the sight of one bus on top of the other whenever he saw a double-decker.

Starting on the Grand Parade end, Dad and Tony immediately pointed out the Bodega, where now stands JJ Walsh and Co, and which was at one time Turners Hotel. In their time, Cork and Glen Rovers hurler, Paddy Donovan - a great character, they both agreed - had owned the Bodega before moving on to get a top job in Clover Meats. Upstairs, he had the Stella Restaurant, that Mary and Martin Burke owned after him: older Cork people will remember that they also had the Step-In 1 and the Step-In 2 restaurants.

Next along, they identified Jack Mackesys, where now stands the Barbarossa and Voodoo Rooms, which had a back entrance that could be accessed from the Market.

Mackesys was a restaurant by night. Jack Mackesys brother, Liam, owned the Vineyard in Market Lane, and a sister of his owned a pharmacy further along Oliver Plunkett Street, where Silver Wood Jewellers is now found.

Where now stands the Examiner office, was once Norvans pub, at the Princess Street corner, they recalled.

If its name sounds unusual to Cork ears, it was because it was formed of the amalgam of the names of the two owners, each adding part of their surnames to the title.

A view of Oliver Plunkett Street in 1962.

Across the street, they noted Cronins Menswear was still trading - many decades after first established.

Mention of Cronins prompted the recollection that Mr Cronins sister, Mrs Bennett, ran the Bargain Stores on North Main Street, and a recollection that Arthur Beasley, a scion of Cork Constitution FC, ran a drapers store across the street from Cronins.

The Plough and Horses had been at the corner of Marlborough Street. It was run by Pidgie and Con Horgan, a brother and sister who lived overhead, on a site where the Dulce Bun House now operates.

Other pub names bubbled to the surface of their memories, like the Mall Tavern, Cons American, and Jerry Sullivans.

Down Marlborough Street, you could find Davy McDonnells, a pub with the sort of swing doors that you now only see in cowboy movies. This prompted the observation that it had only one toilet and meant that if a lady was using it, Dave McDonnell stood guard to avoid males gaining access in the meantime. The fact that there was only one toilet may not have been all that unusual because it caused Tony to recall that Corrigans, near to Mooneys, also only had only toilet and its female clientele would often cross to Mooneys on a Saturday night to use their ladies toilets.

Burns pork butchers nearby was the source of many a fine feed of cheap bodice, they said, and likewise, they remembered Mortells and Quaines fish shops, which faced each other across Oliver Plunkett Street. The former had the slogan, if it swims, we have it. Vanessa, who worked in Mortells for years and years, was fondly recalled.

Where ODonovans office licence now sits, was a newspaper shop - Sullivans - from which, each day, Dad would collect the Examiner and Irish Independent newspapers that were made available to the clientele in the 96.

Liam Russells bookshop, of course, was then still in existence, and today is replaced by Heres Health. The Yankee Candle shop was Galvins, a Nemo pub, according to Dad and Tony.

An Bodhran had, in their time, been Geaneys, and next door to it, where Carl Scarpa now sits, was Joe Dignams. On the other side of Geaneys was Mias Picture Hall, later Hanover Cycles, selling Honda 50s, and which is now Saville Clothing company.

Dignams, being located near to the county board offices in Cook Street, attracted a considerable GAA clientele, they said.

Joe Dignam had been a manager in Mooneys but made the leap into pub ownership, and like a lot of proprietors at that time, lived over the premises as well.

McCarthys bread shop and McGraths haberdashery were also swiftly recalled, premises now occupied by Diesel and IT Repairs respectively.

The 96 was located where Lush is now to be found, opposite Geaneys and Dignams, with two entrances on the Oliver Plunkett Street side - one to the bar and the other to the upstairs lounge - with a third entrance round the Cook Street side leading to the bar as well. A snug was to the left-hand side, as you entered from the Oliver Plunkett side. Dad recalls the famous sculptor, Seamus Murphy, as well as the poet, Sean ORiordain, being among the clientele spotted in the bar over the years.

Seamus White and Tony O'Sullivan take a trip down memory lane.

The premises owned by J S McCarthy extended back into Cook Street, and what was once the Denim Store in more recent times was the location of the off-licence and the tea vending department, with the company offices overhead. On peering through the door, Dad could see the original staircase leading to the upstairs offices, where the whiskey blending and tea tasting were also overseen.

Directly opposite that door to the offices of JS McCarthy in Cook Street was a shop named Martins, though actually owned and run by three sisters and a brother, all named Philpott. Like other traders in the city centre, they too lived over the premises.

Martins specialised in flowers and cigarettes. It was handy to the 96 if the pub needed change.

Directly next door to Martins was the finance house of Lombard and Ulster (today the Central Shoe Stores), once the employer of Jimmy Barry-Murphy. Over Lombard and Ulster, Dr Jim Young, the Cork hurler, had a surgery.

Back towards Oliver Plunkett Street, at the corner opposite to the 96, where Murphys of Dingle now sell ice cream, was the offices of the Irish Press. Jim Madigan, a good friend of my parents, worked there before being transferred to Sligo on promotion.

Mam and Dad married in 1966, and while Mam made the wedding cake, it was generously iced for free by Lehanes confectioners, who operated out of the shop where Bperfect Cosmetics can now be found. Lehanes was later occupied by Wolfgang Grabbe, the well-known jeweller. Next door to Lehanes, in a shop which is now a nail bar, was Caesars Hair Dressing.

Down Cook Street was found one end of Elbow Lane, on the Patrick Street side of Mooneys, where Tony had worked at one time - as well as in Keeleys, the Marlborough and the Mountain, before moving to the Orchard in Ballinlough in 1974, where he retired in 2020 - while the other end emerged onto Oliver Plunkett Street, creating the elbow shape that gave it its name.

Mooneys also had an overhead lounge, accessed by a door to the right-hand side of the main entrance in Cook Street. Denis Atkinson was one of those who worked there. (Mooneys will be known to my generation of Corkonians as the former Ambassador Chinese Restaurant, having been Hennessys Record Shop prior to that.)

Off Elbow Lane was found another entrance into Mooneys, leading into what was wittily known as the Elbow Room. When Mam worked as a telephonist in the GPO, because Mooneys was one of the few places serving sandwiches at lunchtime, Elbow Lane was a discreet way for GPO telephony staff [mostly female] to pop out to for lunch without being seen entering a pub at lunchtime.

It was through the Oliver Plunkett Street entrance to Elbow Lane that not only were deliveries made, but John Chamberlain, the then manager of Mooneys, and later the manager of Nemo Rangers clubhouse, would park up his Lambretta moped. They recalled that John was not the first to make the transition from city centre pub working to managing a GAA club bar and premises, as Brian Clarke had made a similar journey previously, leaving his job in Kealeys on Faulkners Lane (now Tommy Hilfiger) to go to manage the social club and bar in the Barrs in 1970, where Dad was to become his Assistant Manager in 1980.

Opposite Mooneys was Horgans pub (now trading as Cafe Now), officially known as The Criterion, but more commonly known as the Crit, and one of Dads favourite haunts. It was owned by Eamonn Foley, and Breda and Mary Kingston were two barmaids there.

Returning to Oliver Plunkett Street, the duo identified the site of the Anchor Buffet at the other end of Cook Street, where the side entrance to Saville Menswear is found, and next door to the Rob Roy.

Continuing on up Olver Plunkett Street, they soon identified the former site of the Tower and Shamrock [now Wicked Vapes]. The Five Star Supermarket was based where Guineys now is.

Next along, they remembered the Arcade Tavern, named after the nearby Winthrop Arcade, owned by Annie and Paddy Crowley. And right beside the Arcade Tavern was Lombardis chipper, owned and run by Mickey Lombardi.

The Hi-B has remained a feature on Oliver Plunkett Street for many years. Picture: Dan Linehan

A few doors down further was the entrance to the Hi B. It, and Minihans Chemist next door, are a handful of traders still engaged in the same business and retaining the same identity as they did back then.

Surveying the street, they said it appeared that the only businesses that remained trading from that time were Cronins menswear, Keanes the jewellers, Caseys furniture, and Minihans Chemist, with the Hi B and the Old Oak the only pubs retaining their identities.

Looking round them, to the corner of Pembroke Street, they fondly remembered the Desmond Bar and Grill, (where Impress Alterations now operates) once managed by a former colleague of theirs, Dan Whelton (now coming up on a significant birthday), taking over from Sean OBrien, whom Dad remembered from the Grocers Club.

Mam remembered that the staff in the Desmond would sometimes keep little treats and delicacies back for the GPO staff, which otherwise might have been considered luxuries that they should not waste their money on.

The Long Valley, of course, still occupies pride of place at the junction of Winthrop Street and Oliver Plunkett Street, but at one stage, Tony recalled, the Moynihans also owned and ran a tailors shop next door, on a site now dominated by the Vodafone shop. Further along Winthrop Street, Tony could recall the Arch Bar (now Boojum).

The Long Valley Bar, Winthrop Street, Cork pictured back in 1934.

The junction of Winthrop Street, Pembroke Street, and Oliver Plunkett Street seemed to mark the natural boundary of the vibrant streetscape they remembered.

True enough, the Old Oak (then owned by an ODriscoll man from Schull, a distant relation of my mothers), Mick Murphys, and Hanleys lay further on, but it seemed to be a less frequented part of town in the 60s.

And so, the reminiscences naturally drew to a close, and the ghosts of friends and characters of yesteryear, having been fondly recalled by the duo, retreated once more.

This article originally appeared in the 2025 Holly Bough.
RIYADH, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A forum bringing together political, tribal and social leaders from southern Yemen to discuss the region's future opened here on Sunday under Saudi auspices.

The Southern Consultative Meeting aim to forge a unified vision for southern Yemen as part of efforts to reach a broader political settlement and enhance security and stability in Yemen and the region.

At the opening session, Abdul Rahman Abu Zaraa al-Muharrami, a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), said the consultations sought to unite representatives from all southern governorates around a common political path that avoids escalation and division, and is based on inclusive dialogue and partnership.

Ahmed Tuhaif, a member of the coordination team of a southern national initiative, said the meeting had launched an unconditional dialogue and laid the groundwork for a peaceful, civilian-led process, according to state media.

A statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's continued support for southern security forces, including the payment of salaries, capacity-building and backing efforts to protect the south from threats posed by the Houthi movement and militant groups.

Participants called on the international community to support the dialogue, respect southern Yemeni aspirations and back Saudi-led efforts as a practical framework for achieving lasting peace and stability in southern Yemen and the wider region.

Tensions have escalated in southern Yemen since December, when pro-secession forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched a military offensive in the eastern provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahrah. The advance prompted Saudi air strikes that forced STC fighters to withdraw not only from those provinces but also from Aden, the seat of Yemen's internationally recognised government, where the STC had wielded significant influence.

After the escalation, the PLC also expelled STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi and his ally Salem al-Khanbashi, the former governor of Hadramout. A statement issued by an STC delegation in Riyadh announced its self-dissolution, a claim denied by STC members inside Yemen.

Al-Zubaidi, who media reports said had fled to the United Arab Emirates following the Saudi air strikes, reaffirmed his commitment to an "independent southern Yemeni state" in a brief statement posted on Sunday. It was his first public comment since reports emerged that he had left the country. 
Washington state residents may soon be forced to produce IDs before getting onto websites with pornographic content. Within the state's House of Representatives, Rep. Mari Leavitt introduced House Bill 2112, which is informally known as the Keep Our Children Safe Act. Similar to the initiatives seen in other states, the bill proposes to restrict access to "online sexual material harmful" to anyone under 18.

In practical terms, those living in Washington state could see websites asking for digital identification or demanding the user go through an age verification system that requests a government-issued ID. If a website that has more than one-third of its content being "sexual material harmful to minors" is found not following these rules, the state's attorney general can pursue steep civil penalties.

If those restrictions sound familiar, it's because many other states have also passed similar constraints. Washington state's proposed bill is very similar to Texas' age verification law that went into effect in September 2023 and was recently upheld by the US Supreme Court. Like the Texas law, several groups expressed disapproval of the bill during the public hearing at the House committee level. As reported by The Seattle Times, groups including the ACLU, Lavender Rights Project and the Northwest Progressive Institute warned of privacy risks related to potential data breaches and the loose definition of "sexual material harmful to minors" in the bill's language.




He released a video where he can be heard saying, "Music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring our culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt." AR Rahman issued a clarification days after his comments on losing out on work due to the power shift in the industry and communal bias. His statement during a recent interview invited a lot of backlash, following which the Oscar-winning composer said that it was not his aim to hurt anyone with his statement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by AR Rahman: Official Updates (@arrofficialupdates)





He concluded his statement by expressing his gratitude to this nation and added footage of a stadium full of people singing Maa Tujhe Salaam with him. He continued, "I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices. From nurturing Jhalaa, presented at the WAVES summit in front of the honourable Prime Minister and Rooh-e-Noor, to collaborating with the young Naga musicians, to creating a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine orchestra, also building Secret Mountain, Indias first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana, alongside Hans Zimmer. Each journey has strengthened my purpose."

During an interview with BBC Asian Network, the music maestro was asked whether he felt any bias in Bollywood as a Tamil composer, to which he replied, "Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didnt feel any of this. The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also but it is not in my face."





Rahman also faced backlash for calling Chhavva a divisive film.



Also Read: AR Rahman on Composing for Ramayana With Hans Zimmer: "Coming From India to The World, With Love"


On late Saturday, actress-producer Charmmes Instagram post with fellow actresses Trisha Krishnan and Nikesha Patel took the Internet by storm. The trio were seen posing together and having a blast during their reunion trip in Dubai. Fans who saw the pictures went nostalgic recalling their enduring bonding and commented that these bonds redefine relationships in the industry.



For the unversed, Trisha, Charmme, and Nikesha are the definition of fabulous! They share an inseparable bond. The trio became close friends while filming director-producer MS Raju's 2013 trilingual romantic drama, Rambha Urvasi Menaka (RUM). The actresses' bonding during shoots in Muscat/Dubai grew with time and they even took joint holidays. From having fun on the film sets to sharing meals and going on vacations together, their camaraderie has been well-documented through their social media activity, with posts from trips to various countries like Maldives and Dubai.



While the film never saw light of day and was halted mid-way through production, Trisha, Charmme, and Nikeshas bond continued to grow stronger. They frequently shared their heartwarming friendship moments on social media with posts about trips and parties, highlighting their strong bond beyond their film collaboration. While they continue to share throwback photos, often sharing close-knit getaways for fun and relaxation, Charmmes latest Dubai reunion trip highlights and celebrates these actresses enduring friendship.
Warsaw, Poland--(Newsfile Corp. - January 18, 2026) - For more than a decade, website analytics has followed the same pattern: increasingly complex dashboards promising deeper insights, while everyday users struggle to find clear answers. Seline is betting that the problem is not a lack of data, but the way humans are forced to interact with it.

Seline Introduces Conversational Analytics to Simplify How Teams Understand Their Data

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/280487_8ca20298f4c2d884_002full.jpg

The idea for Seline emerged from a simple frustration shared by many founders and operators. Analytics tools are powerful, but rarely intuitive. Getting answers often means navigating multiple views, applying filters, and knowing exactly what to look for in advance. For non-technical teams, analytics becomes something to avoid rather than use.

"Most people don't want analytics dashboards. They want answers," said Kostya Nesterovich, Seline's founder. "If you're asking yourself what happened after a launch, where users dropped off, or which pages actually convert, you shouldn't need training or a tutorial. You should just be able to ask."

Seline started from a simple question: why does understanding your own data still feel so hard. Instead of adding yet another dashboard, Seline uses recent AI models to let teams talk directly to their analytics. Users ask questions in plain language and get immediate answers, without charts, filters, or setup rituals. Behind the scenes, the platform still tracks traffic, events, funnels, and user journeys, but the experience feels closer to a conversation than a report.



Seline's team reports that 37.6% of active users engage with the chat feature, indicating strong adoption and sustained usage of the conversational analytics interface.

Privacy was not treated as a checkbox as Seline was built cookieless from day one, does not collect personal data, and is designed to be GDPR-friendly by default. The lightweight tracking script reflects broader pushback against analytics tools that slow down websites and introduce compliance friction.

Seline is part of a broader shift toward alternative interfaces for analytics, as teams experiment with ways to reduce reliance on complex dashboards. By exposing standard metrics through natural language queries, the product reflects ongoing changes in how analytics tools are being designed and used.

About the company: Seline is a privacy-first analytics platform that lets teams understand website and product data through conversation. It replaces complex dashboards with a chat-based interface, is cookieless by default, and designed to be lightweight and GDPR-friendly.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280487

Source: Plentisoft
Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman says Chhaava was a divisive film with a core of bravery and suggests a perceived drop in Bollywood offers over the past eight years may have communal undertones.

Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman has stirred debate with candid comments about his involvement in the 2025 historical drama Chhaava and his perception of the decreasing opportunities in the Hindi film industry.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman described _Chhaava_ as a divisive film, while underscoring his respect for its central theme of bravery. Rahman also revealed that he was initially unsure why the director wanted him on the project.

It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show bravery, Rahman claimed in the interview. I had asked the director, why did he need me for this film, but he said that we need only you for this. It is an enjoyable film, but definitely people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience, which knows what the truth is, and what manipulation is.

Rahman went on to praise the films subject, noting the emotional resonance of portraying the legacy of a historic figure. He called the character of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj very moving and said he was honoured to have scored an album whose music has the pulse and soul of every Maratha.

On Reduced Work in Bollywood

Rahman also spoke about his reduced presence in Hindi cinema over recent years, suggesting that changes within the industrys power dynamics may have played a role. He said that in the past eight years there has been a shift in control to individuals he described as people who are not creative, adding that this could sometimes manifest as bias.

Maybe I never got to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff Maybe in the past eight years because a power shift has happened and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also but it is not in my face, Rahman said, describing how opportunities sometimes reached him indirectly, via Chinese whispers.

He insisted that he is not actively seeking work but prefers that projects come to him naturally, adding that his sincerity and craft will determine what he receives.

Reactions from the Industry

Rahmans comments have triggered a broader conversation about inclusivity and bias in Bollywood. Some industry figures have offered contrasting views. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar said there is no communal element in Rahmans reduced work, pointing instead to his towering stature and varied commitments abroad. Vocalist Shaan emphasised that music is not shaped by minority or majority identities, while others have highlighted structural changes in decision-making within the industry.

Columnist Shobhaa De described Rahmans remark as dangerous, asserting that Bollywood has been free of communal tension and that talent, not religion, has traditionally determined opportunities.
The sexualisation and nudification of photographs by Elon Musks Grok has led to the discussions whether AI should be strictly regulated. Many experts also wonder if technology can be used to prevent the creation and sharing of deepfake content of real people

xAI and Grok logos are seen in this illustration taken. File image/Reuters

The global outcry over the sexualisation and nudification of photographs  including of children  by Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musks artificial intelligence company xAI, has led to urgent discussions about how such technology should be more strictly regulated.

But to what extent can technology also be used to prevent this explosion in the generation and sharing of deepfake content of real people, without their knowledge or consent?

On January 10, Indonesia became the first country to announce it was temporarily blocking access to Grok, followed soon after by Malaysia. Other governments, including the UKs, have promised to take action against the chatbot and its related social media site X (formerly Twitter), on which the sexualised images have been shared.

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But while outright national bans can limit casual use of the chatbot, such bans are easily bypassed using virtual private networks (VPNs) or alternative routing services. These mask the users real location and make it appear they originate from a location that allows access to the service.

As a result, country-level bans tend to reduce visibility rather than eliminate access. Their primary impact is symbolic and regulatory, placing pressure on companies such as xAI rather than preventing determined misuse. And content generated elsewhere can still circulate freely across borders via encrypted social media platforms and on the dark web.

In response to the controversy, X moved Groks image-generation features behind a paywall, making them only available to subscribers. X subsequently posted that it takes action against illegal content on X, including child sexual abuse material, by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary. Grok itself apologised for the incident, describing it as a serious lapse.

How the technology works

While not all chatbots have image generation capabilities, most of the mainstream providers including OpenAI, xAI, Meta and Google provide this service.

Modern AI image generators are typically built using diffusion models, which are trained by taking real images and gradually adding random visual distortion, known as noise, until the original image is no longer recognisable. The model then learns how to reverse this process, step by step, reconstructing an image by removing noise.

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Over time, it will learn statistical patterns representing faces, bodies, clothing, lighting and other visual features. These patterns are organised within the model so that visually similar concepts sit close together. Because clothed and unclothed human bodies share very similar shapes and structures, the changes required to move between them can be relatively small.

OpenAI logo is seen in this illustration. File image/Reuters

So, when an existing image is used as the starting point and identity-preserving features are retained, transforming a clothed photograph into an unclothed one becomes technically straightforward. Of course, the AI model itself has no understanding of identity, consent or harm. It simply produces images that resemble what it has learned, in response to user requests.

However, after the core model has been trained, companies can apply retrospective alignment  rules, filters and policies that are layered on top of the trained system to block certain outputs and align its behaviour with the companys ethical, legal and commercial principles.

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But retrospective alignment does not remove capability; it simply limits what the AI image generator is allowed to output. Those limits are primarily a design and policy choice made by the company operating the chatbot, although these may also be shaped by legal or regulatory requirements imposed by governments  for example, requiring companies to disable or restrict certain features such as identity-preserving image generation.

Large, centrally hosted social media platforms could also play an important role here. All have the power to restrict the sharing of sexual imagery involving real people, and to require explicit consent mechanisms from those featured in images. But to date, the big tech companies have tended to drag their feet when it comes to labour-intensive moderation of their users content.

Jailbreaking

Research by Nana Nwachukwu, a PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublins Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, highlighted the frequency of requests for sexualised images on Grok. Other research has estimated that before the service went behind a paywall, up to 6,700 undressed images were being produced every hour.

This has prompted regulatory scrutiny in Europe and beyond. French officials described some outputs as manifestly illegal and referred them to prosecutors. The UKs communications watchdog, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into X and xAI over the issue.

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But this problem is not limited to one platform. In early 2024, non-consensual AI-generated sexual images of Taylor Swift, produced using publicly available tools, spread widely on X before being removed because of a combination of legal risk, platform policy enforcement and reputational pressure.

This photograph shows a smartphone bearing the logo of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by US artificial intelligence company xAI in front of the X (formerly Twitter) logo in Brussels. File image/AFP

Some platforms explicitly market minimal or no content restrictions as a feature rather than a risk. It is simple enough to find websites promoting unrestricted image generation and privacy focused use, relying largely on open-source models and offering far fewer moderation controls than mainstream providers. Furthermore, there is an even larger number of self-hosted image and video generation tools where safeguards can be removed entirely.

While precise figures are unavailable, independent estimates suggest tens of millions of AI generated images are created daily across platforms, with video generation rapidly accelerating.

Another potential issue is that some AI chatbots, including Metas Llama and Googles Gemma, can be downloaded onto computers (even those with relatively light processing power), after which these models are completely free of oversight or moderation when run offline.

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Even tightly controlled systems can be bypassed through jailbreaking  a way of constructing prompts to fool the generative AI system into breaking its own ethics filters.

Jailbreaking exploits the fact that retrospective alignment systems depend on contextual judgment, rather than absolute rules. Rather than directly asking for prohibited content, users reframe their prompts so the same underlying action appears to fall within an allowed category such as fiction, education, journalism or hypothetical analysis.

An early example was known as the grandma hack, because it involved a recently deceased grandmother recounting experiences from her technical profession in chemical engineering, leading the model to generate step-by-step descriptions of prohibited activities.

Speed and scale

The internet already contains an enormous quantity of illegal and non-consensual sexual imagery, far beyond the capacity of authorities to remove. What generative AI systems change is the speed and scale at which new material can be produced. Law enforcement agencies have warned that this could lead to a dramatic increase in volume, overwhelming moderation and investigative resources.

Laws that may apply in one country can be ambiguous or unenforceable when services are hosted elsewhere. This mirrors longstanding challenges in policing child sexual abuse material and other illegal pornography, where content is frequently hosted offshore and rapidly redistributed. Once images spread, attribution and removal are slow and often ineffective.

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By making countless millions more people aware of the possibility of sexualising and nudifiying images, high-profile AI chatbots make it possible for large numbers of users to generate illegal and abusive sexual imagery through simple plain English prompts. Estimates suggest Grok alone currently has anywhere from 35 million to 64 million monthly active users.

If companies can build systems capable of generating such imagery, they can also stop it being generated  in theory, at least. In practice, however, the technology exists and there is a demand for it  so this capability can never now be eliminated.

Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems, Cardiff Metropolitan University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
BRUSSELS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, on Saturday urged the European Commission to trigger the EU's anti-coercion instrument after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened additional tariffs on a group of European countries over Greenland.

"It is also now high time to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) ... and formulate a clear EU response," Lange said in a LinkedIn post, urging the Commission to start the ACI procedure immediately.

Trump said on Saturday that the country will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.

Lange called the threat "incredible" and "a new dimension" in the use of tariffs as a political weapon, adding that the EU could not "carry on with business as usual" under the circumstances.

Lange also said the U.S. step amounted to another breach of a political EU-U.S. tariff and trade deal agreed in Scotland in July 2025, and said the European Parliament would discuss the issue again with political groups next week.

"I cannot imagine that we can continue with business as usual, and I assume that we will suspend our further work," he said.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.

Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his interest in Greenland, from "buying" the island during his first presidential term, to the current employment of "a range of options" including "utilizing the U.S. military" to seize the autonomous island. The Greenland crisis escalated after Trump recently intensified his bid to acquire the island. 
The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has resulted in an outpouring of anger, with massive protests being held across major cities. Even Hollywood celebrities protested against agents at the Golden Globe Awards. But why does ICE continue to generate such rage?

High school students gather for anti-ICE protest outside the State Capitol in St Paul, Minnesota, to call for an end to federal immigration detentions and enforcement actions, days after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, on January 14, 2026. AFP

On January 7, a 37-year-old mother, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.

Since then, theres been tumult with protests raging across various parts of the United States, demanding their removal from their cities. These protests also spilled on to the red carpet at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards held on January 11 with many Hollywood stars wearing lapel pins to protest the government agency.

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Meanwhile, the Donald Trump administration remains steadfast in their support of ICE  US Vice President JD Vance slammed the media for its reporting on the issue, saying it 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.

Trumps White House Press Secretary got into a feud with a journalist over the shooting, calling the reporter a left-wing hack. Meanwhile, the US president has threatened to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act to quell unrest over federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

So, as we sit back this weekend, we take a closer look at what exactly is the ICE agency and why it has caused such a stir across the United States.

The origins of ICE

ICE came into being after the Homeland Security Act was enacted in 2002, as the United States sought to grapple with the consequences of the attacks on September 11, 2001. ICE is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which began operations the same year. Previously, immigration enforcement in the US was largely handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which was part of the Department of Justice.

ICEs mission is to preserve American security and public safety, mainly within US borders, by enforcing immigration laws. ICE also assists international investigations into criminal organisations and terrorist networks that threaten or seek to exploit US customs and immigration laws. It operates with a staff of over 20,000 across over 400 global offices and an annual budget of around $8 billion.

A 47-year-old man arrested by federal law enforcement agents led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Rex, south of Atlanta, Georgia. ICEs mission is to preserve American security and public safety, mainly within US borders, by enforcing immigration laws. File image/Reuters

However, while ICE may sound very much like the average police department, the power that their agents hold is slightly different. ICE agents can stop, detain and arrest people they suspect of being in the US illegally.

ICE under Trump 2.0

With Donald Trumps return to the White House last January, ICE has undergone a significant change. It has become a far more visible and fearsome force on American streets. As Mother Jones has written in one report, the second Trump presidency has taken ICE off the leash.

Dan Gividen, an immigration lawyer who acted as deputy chief counsel for ICEs Dallas field office between 2016 and 2019, summed it up perfectly. Today, what ICE is doing is akin to running into a crowded movie theatre and yelling fire, he noted. Youve got these ICE officers that are pouring out of these vehicles, pointing guns at US citizens  people whove done absolutely nothing wrong  and causing chaos.

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Moreover, ICEs use of force and firearms policy directive from 2023 states that authorised officers should only use force when no reasonably effective, safe, and feasible alternative is available. It also mandates that the level of force be objectively reasonable given the circumstances and instructs officers to de-escalate the situation.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been given a particularly free rein under Donald Trump 2.0 File image/Reuters

But under Trump, we have seen a significant shift; ICE agents have been provided tacit approval for more aggressive tactics. Its no wonder that 2025 was ICEs deadliest year in two decades with 32 of them dying in ICE custody  they died of seizure and heart failure, stroke, respiratory failure, tuberculosis or suicide. Some died at ICE detention centres and field offices, others after they had been transferred to hospitals, but were still under ICE custody. In some cases, their families and lawyers have alleged, they died of neglect, after repeatedly trying and failing to get medical care.

Shooting of Renee Nicole Good and ICE protests

And ICEs deadly turn continued in the early days of 2026 when a veteran agent, Jonathan Ross, fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, was in the drivers seat of her Honda Pilot in the middle of a residential street when the ICE agent opened fire.

Shortly after Goods death, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the woman of trying to use her vehicle to kill or harm ICE agents. She called it an act of domestic terrorism. Then US Vice President JD Vance opted to victim-shame, saying that ICE killing Good was absolutely a tragedy of her own making, while also calling Good a victim of left-wing ideology.

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But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and state officials pushed back, blasting the actions of the officers. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting totally predictable and totally avoidable.

This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying, Frey said. He demanded ICE get the f**k out of Minneapolis.

A demonstrator wearing a mask holds a sign reading Abolish ICE as she takes part in a protest outside the Whipple Federal Building, more than a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters

Videos from the scene of the incident also exposed the reality of what happened to Good. Visuals show the 37-year-old backing up her SUV slightly, and then turning the steering sharply toward the right, away from the officers. She then accelerates and appears to clip the officer with her vehicle before he opens fire, according to one video. A separate video with a different angle doesnt capture that possible contact. Instead, the officer is seen moving away from the front of the vehicle and toward the drivers side.

Soon after, nationwide protests took place with demonstrators calling for ICE to be removed from American cities. Demonstrators carried signs and shouted ICE out now!

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And on Sunday, January 11, along side designer gowns and custom-made suits, some Hollywood celebrities donned pins protesting ICE on the red carpet of the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. Personalities such as Mark Ruffalo Natasha Lyonne, and Wanda Sykes were seen wearing anti-ICE lapel pins on the red carpet. Some pins were labeled ICE OUT and others BE GOOD, in reference to Renee Nicole Good.

US actor Mark Ruffalo US wears a pin reading be Good, in tribute to Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, as he attends the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Ruffalo even said, Weve got, literally, storm troopers running around terrorising, and as much as I love all this, I dont know if I can pretend like this crazy stuff isnt happening. We have a president who says the laws of the world dont apply to him and we can rely on his morality, but he has no morality, so where does that leave us? Where does that leave the world?

Such is the anger that Minneapolis has continuously seen demonstrations since Good was shot, which resulted with a federal officer shooting a man in the leg after an attempted traffic stop in Minneapolis on Wednesday night.

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This has prompted US President Donald Trump issuing a threat to invoke the Insurrection Act. If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota dont obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the oatriots of ICE, who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the Insurrection Act, which many presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great state, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

We dont know what happens next in this chapter, but its for these very reasons that ICE is our word of the week.
Short sleep cycles are no longer an exception. Hectic schedules, long work hours, and screentime addiction mean that most people do not get sufficient sleep. A new study reveals that sleeping less than seven hours regularly reduces your lifespan

Sleep recovers the brain, immune system, memory, and physical health, as well as reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. Representational image/Pixabay

How much sleep do we know? Its a question that continues to come up in the age of hectic lifestyles. With long work hours and little work-life balance, sleep is something that is often compromised. But your bedtime is far more important than you think. While it may seem like the body can function properly with fewer hours of sleep, doing so regularly can damage it in the long run.

Sleep recovers the brain, immune system, memory, and physical health, as well as reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. While people know the benefits of sleeping, a new study shows that sleeping for less than seven hours a day reduces ones lifespan.

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What did the study reveal?

The study conducted by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, US, and published in SLEEP Advances stresses that sleeping for more than seven hours daily can increase longevity. The research was conducted by graduate students working in the Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory within the OHSU School of Nursing to better understand the effects of sleep on the body.

The researchers drew on a nationwide database, studying survey data to track life expectancy patterns across US counties. They also compared county-level life expectancy figures with detailed survey data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2019 and 2025. Life expectancy was consistently lower in counties where more people slept for fewer than seven hours each night.

The study noted that insufficient sleep was associated with reduced lifespan across all settings, from high-income urban areas to low-income rural counties. The report also noted that areas with a higher proportion of people sleeping less than seven hours a night saw reduced life expectancy. This pattern was especially clear in Oregon, where sleep-deprived counties fell behind their better-rested counterparts.

Andrew McHill, an associate professor in the OHSU School of Nursing, the OHSU School of Medicine, and OHSUs Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, and a senior author of the study, was quoted as saying by NDTV, I didnt expect it to be so strongly correlated to life expectancy. Weve always thought sleep is important, but this research really drives that point home People really should strive to get seven to nine hours of sleep if at all possible.

Its intuitive and makes a lot of sense, but it was still striking to see it materialise so strongly in all of these models. Im a sleep physiologist who understands the health benefits of sleep, but the strength of the association between sleep sufficiency and life expectancy was remarkable to me, McHill added.

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How the body signals sleep deprivation

The research team found that factors like smoking rates, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, food insecurity, unemployment, high school graduation, lack of health insurance, and social ties were some of the causes of sleep deprivation.

The body gives signs, but most people miss them. Daytime sleepiness, even after getting up, is a very good indicator that youre not sleeping enough. When the body is tired, it does not produce as much energy. Lack of sleep can lead to lack of focus and forgetfulness, as well as slower reaction times and more mistakes on the job or while driving.

Sudden weight gain is one of the most common signs of sleep deprivation. Image Courtesy: Pixabay

Frequent mood swings and irritability, along with anxiety and loss of control over emotions, can be another sign. If you have been catching colds or stomach issues more frequently, that can also be an indicator of poor sleep. Symptoms like elevated blood pressure, frequent headaches, unintentional weight gain, increased appetite, and low motivation are also some of the symptoms to look out for.

Taking these signs seriously is important as they help you gain insight into your body and its needs.

How to get a good nights sleep?

Sleep is easy to schedule, but often gets compromised because of our busy day-to-day. However, here are a few steps to take to establish a good and healthy sleeping schedule.

Stick to a fixed bed and sleep and wake-up times daily, including weekends. Consistency will strengthen your bodys natural sleep-wake-up cycle. It is important to sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet room. Use blackout curtains, earplugs, or white noise machines.

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Stop using screens before bed; try reading instead. Skipping heavy meals or alcohol before bed is advisable, as they can disrupt your sleep cycle. Switch to light snacks like dry fruits or fruits before bed, as these can help stabilise blood sugar without any interference.

Engaging in moderate activity like yoga or walking during the day helps deepen sleep. You can practice deep breathing, meditation, or muscle relaxation to lower cortisol levels, which will help you sleep quickly and have fewer awakenings.

With inputs from agencies
Donald Trumps biggest win this week has been the Nobel Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado visited the White House and gifted him the award she won. In our weekly wrap, we talk about the Nobel, Trumps Greenland ambitions, the Iran unrest and more

US President Trump meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize, in Washington, DC on January 15. Daniel Torok/The White House/Handout via Reuters

Venezuela, Greenland and Iran Donald Trump wants to have a say everywhere. After Nicolas Maduros capture, the US has made the first sale of Venezuelan oil at $500 million. If the White House is to be believed, this will benefit the American and Venezuelan people.

He has also finally got his hands on the long-desired Nobel Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, gave her medal to the president. In return, she is hoping for the US to back her to lead her country, plunged into uncertainty post-Maduro.

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The US presidents next stop could be Greenland. He has reiterated his ambition for Greenland. A high-stakes meeting between the Trump administration and Greenland and Danish leaders in the White House ended in an impasse. Amid this, European nations have been deploying troops to the Arctic island, but it is unlikely to make any impact on the US.

Meanwhile, after discussing security options on striking Iran for its brutal crackdown on protesters, Trump appears to have taken a step back for now. On Wednesday (January 14), he told Iranians that help is on its way, raising fears of a US attack. However, a day later, the president declared that very important sources on the other side had informed him the killing of Iranian protesters had stopped, suggesting there was now no imminent threat of military action.

In the US, tensions in Minnesota continue to rise. Trump warned that he might invoke the centuries-old Insurrection Act to deploy troops as state and federal agents clash over the tactics used by immigration agents. After the killing of a woman, a Venezuelan man was shot in Minneapolis, leading to more protests.

A protesting community member attempts to protect themselves as federal agents fire munitions and pepper balls, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in another shooting incident, a week after a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in north Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters

The US administrations crackdown on illegal immigrants has only intensified. It has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia.

We talk about all this and more.

1. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado walked into the White House with a gift that Donald Trump has long had his eyes on: the Nobel Peace Prize. A fierce critic of the Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, she won the award last year for her campaign for greater democracy. Machado has now given her medal to the US president as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom. But can the Nobel Prize be transferred?

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado departs the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump on Thursday (January 15) in Washington. She gave her Nobel Peace Prize award to the US president. AP

2. Another of Trumps long-standing desires is Greenland. The White House reiterated that the President wants to acquire the Arctic island. This comes after the talks between Greenland, Danish and US officials ended in an impasse earlier in the week. Now, soldiers from France, Germany and other European countries have begun arriving in Greenland to help boost the security. But can they save the strategically important territory?

A Danish serviceman walks in front of the Joint Arctic Command centre in Nuuk, Greenland. Denmark is increasing its military presence there amid US threats to take the island by force. AP

3. Until a few days ago, a US strike on Iran seemed inevitable. Donald Trump was issuing a threat after a bigger threat until he said that he was assured Iran had stopped killing protesters and was not going ahead with executions. But what made the US president change his mind? Reports point to his Gulf allies and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu.

An Iranian holds a placard depicting Reza Pahlavi, the son of Irans last shah and an Iranian opposition figure, and US President Donald Trump, during a demonstration calling for democracy in Iran, outside the Iranian Embassy in Athens, Greece, Friday (January 16.) Reuters

4. The Trump administrations crackdown on immigrants continues. It will pause issuing immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries. Among those nations on the list are Indias neighbours, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Whats the reason behind this move?

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5. While questions about Natos survival continue to be raised, a few Muslim nations are coming together to form an alliance. Its informally called the Islamic Nato. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have forged a defence agreement, and now Turkey is reportedly in talks to join. This alignment brings together Pakistans nuclear and missile capabilities, Turkeys military-industrial capacity and battlefield experience, and Saudi Arabias financial clout. Would this pose a challenge to India?

6. Pakistan grooming gangs continue to haunt the UK. In a shocking case, a 15-year-old Sikh girl was abducted, held captive and gang-raped by a group of six Pakistani-origin men. She was reportedly confined to a flat owned by a 34-year-old man and was sexually abused. According to investigators, up to six individuals were involved in the crime, said to be part of a grooming gang, using deception and coercion to exploit the victim. While the girl was rescued following community intervention, the incident sparked protests in Hounslow, West London. Here is what we know.

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7. Can men get pregnant? It was a question Republican Senator Josh Hawley asked Dr Nisha Verma, an Indian-origin OG-GYN (obstetrics-gynaecology) during a hearing titled Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs," at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington DC.

Verma, a senior adviser to Physicians for Reproductive Health, was called on by the Senate committee for the hearing, where she spoke out against restrictions on abortion medication. The exchange between the lawmaker and the doctor has now gone viral. But who is Dr Sharma? We tell you.

Thats all from us this week. If you want to know more about world news and geopolitics, you will find more such explainers here. Have a good Sunday.

PS: Who does not love a dog story? This one is about Aloka, the Indian peace dog, who is travelling across the US along with Buddhist monks. We leave you with this adorable picture.

Aloka is an Indian stray dog. who first joined the monks during a walk in Kolkata. Image courtesy: Aloka the Peace Dog/Facebook
Thyroid imbalance can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes in both women and men but experts say early screening, timely treatment and regular monitoring can restore fertility and support safe, healthy pregnancies.

Thyroid disorders, often dismissed as routine hormonal problems are emerging as a significant yet manageable factor influencing fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Medical evidence and clinical experience increasingly show that while thyroid imbalance can complicate conception and pregnancy, it does not rule out motherhood or fatherhood. With timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and close monitoring, most individuals with thyroid conditions can conceive and deliver healthy babies.

Endocrinologists and fertility experts stress that the challenge lies not in the presence of thyroid disease itself, but in how early it is detected and how well hormone levels are controlled before and during pregnancy.

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How thyroid imbalance affects fertility in women and men

According to Dr Anusha N D, Consultant, Endocrinology at Fortis Hospital (Bengaluru)- the thyroid gland plays a central role in regulating reproductive hormones that control ovulation, menstrual cycles and overall reproductive health. When thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), ovulation can be disrupted, leading to irregular periods, difficulty in conceiving and a higher risk of miscarriage.

She said that hypothyroidism in women is commonly associated with irregular or absent ovulation, heavy or erratic menstrual cycles and hormonal imbalance that makes it harder for the uterus to sustain a pregnancy. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can cause menstrual cycle disturbances, reduced fertility and pregnancy complications if left untreated.

Thyroid dysfunction is not limited to women alone. Dr Anusha pointed out that in men, abnormal thyroid levels can reduce sperm quality, count and motility, thereby interfering with conception. Despite these challenges, she emphasises that pregnancy is very much possible. A simple blood test can detect thyroid problems, and medical treatment helps normalise hormone levels. Once thyroid values are well controlled, fertility often improves and pregnancy outcomes become significantly safer. Early screening and close medical monitoring before and during pregnancy are crucial to protect both mother and baby.

Pregnancy risks, miscarriage and the importance of treatment

Highlighting the scientific evidence linking thyroid disorders to pregnancy risks, Dr Rakhi Goyal, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF (Chandigarh) said thyroid hormones are integral to reproductive physiology. Thyroid problems do not make conception impossible, but they alter key reproductive processes that support fertility and pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism affects an estimated 24 per cent of women of reproductive age and is linked to irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation and elevated prolactin levels, all of which can reduce the chances of conception if untreated. Clinical data show that overt hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity are associated with a significantly higher risk of miscarriage. Women with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in early pregnancy face a much greater risk of pregnancy loss compared with women whose levels fall within the normal range. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoantibodies have also been associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes.

However, Dr Goyal stressed that the outlook changes dramatically with correct treatment. When hypothyroidism is treated using appropriate doses of levothyroxine to normalise hormone levels before conception or in early pregnancy, pregnancy rates and live-birth outcomes become comparable to those seen in women without thyroid disorders. She underscores the importance of screening thyroid function including TSH and thyroid autoantibodies, in women planning a pregnancy or seeking treatment for infertility. With timely management, most individuals can conceive naturally or through assisted reproduction and achieve healthy pregnancies.

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Why screening and monitoring are crucial before and during pregnancy

Describing thyroid disease as a silent contributor to infertility, Dr Preeti Mahawar, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility (Kolkata) said that thyroid imbalance often goes unnoticed because symptoms can be subtle or absent. Beyond regulating metabolism and body weight, thyroid hormones orchestrate the hormonal cycles essential for ovulation, implantation and pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism can disrupt menstrual cycles, cause ovulation disorders and prevent the uterus from adequately preparing for pregnancy, while hyperthyroidism may lead to irregular cycles, anovulation, implantation issues and a higher risk of miscarriage. Dr Mahawar said that thyroid dysfunction may result from iodine deficiency or autoimmune conditions, and if left unchecked, it can disturb other reproductive hormones such as prolactin, further reducing fertility.

She emphasised that fertility treatment has brought increased attention to thyroid testing, as thyroid imbalance can be a standalone cause of infertility or coexist with other factors. Blood tests can identify abnormalities long before symptoms appear, allowing timely correction. Once thyroid hormone levels return to normal with medication, ovulatory cycles often regularise and the chances of conception natural or assisted improve markedly. For her, thyroid screening is not optional but a foundational step in fertility assessment.

Offering a pregnancy-focused perspective, Dr Rashmi N, Consultant  Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals (Bangalore) said thyroid disease should never be seen as a barrier to motherhood, only a condition that requires a proactive plan. Thyroid imbalances are particularly common among Indian women and can cause irregular periods before pregnancy, making ovulation harder to predict.

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During pregnancy, the stakes are higher. For the first five months, the developing baby depends entirely on the mothers thyroid hormones for brain and nervous system development. Inadequate or fluctuating hormone levels can increase the risk of miscarriage and preeclampsia and potentially affect the childs long-term cognitive development.

Dr Rashmi said that after conception, the bodys requirement for thyroid hormone rises by nearly 50 per cent. This increased demand can be managed effectively through regular blood tests every four weeks and careful dose adjustments of medication, which is a synthetic version of the hormone the body naturally produces. With vigilant monitoring, thyroid disease becomes a guide for closer supervision rather than a threat to pregnancy.

Taken together, the experts agree on a clear message: thyroid imbalance can affect fertility and pregnancy, but with early detection, proper treatment and consistent follow-up, parenthood remains well within reach.
Chabahar Port is not merely an infrastructure project but a symbol of Indias strategic requirements in the extended neighbourhood and a symbol of Indias strategic autonomy. India cannot afford to look weak and relent under pressure

The capture of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Iranian protests dominated the global headlines in the first week of 2026. With threats of direct military action, the US kept the Iranian regime and the entire West Asian region on tenterhooks till multiple media reports on January 16 suggested that President Donald Trump has decided not to attack Iran right now, but the diplomatic and economic pressure continues. As a part of this strategy, Trump had already announced on January 12 that any country doing business with Iran will face additional 25 per cent tariffs.

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For India, this presented the possibility that the tariffs by the US on Indian goods could increase from the existing 50 per cent (as a punishment for buying crude oil from Russia) to a massive 75 per cent! Most analysts opined that since Indian exports to Iran were merely 0.5 per cent of total Indian exports, stopping trade with Iran would not hurt India much. For the financial year 2024-25, India-Iran bilateral trade was pegged at $1.68 billion, with Indian exports at around $1.24 billion and imports merely at $0.4 billion. However, on January 17, a report suggesting that India may be forced to pull out of its Chabahar port deal in Iran shook the diplomatic circles in the country.

Why is this report so alarming? Why is Chabahar Port in Iran so important? How does it affect the trajectory of future foreign policy decisions for India, under American pressure? And finally, if this is the effect of US pressure on India at the start of 2026, how will the rest of the year pan out? These and many more related questions seek deeper understanding of the issue before we get some clear answers.

Importance of Chabahar

Chabahar Port in Iran has been the centrepiece of bilateral engagement in India-Iran ties for over a decade now. Its strategic location provides easy and short access to India from its Kandla and Mumbai ports. It also insulates Indias seaborne trade from any threat of closure of sea lanes due to conflicts in the Persian Gulf region, as it is located outside the Strait of Hormuz. With a direct land route to Central Asia via Pakistan an unlikely possibility due to strained relations, Chabahar Port provides direct access for India to access the Central Asian countries as well as Afghanistan.

In many instances, humanitarian aid and supplies to Afghan people have travelled through Chabahar Port. To facilitate smoother connectivity, a railway link of 700 km between Chabahar and Zahedan city was also being fast-tracked, to be later connected to the railway network of Iran. A further road link from Zahedan to Zaranj in Afghanistan could provide seamless connectivity aid from India to Afghanistan.

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Chabahar also has the potential of becoming a crucial link in the International North-South Corridor (INSTC). The INSTC, which was initiated by India, Iran, and Russia in September 2000, was aimed at boosting connectivity with landlocked Central Asian Republics. The current route moves goods from Mumbai to Bandar Abbas (Iran) by sea, from Bandar Abbas to Bandar-e Anzali by road, from Bandar-e Anzali to Astrakhan, a Caspian port in Russia, by ship, and from Astrakhan further into Europe by Russian railways. The INSTC was operationalised in June 2022 when the first cargo left Russias Caspian Sea port zone of Solyanka in Astrakhan and reached Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai, Indias largest container port.

With India getting contractual access to the Chabahar Port, it was hoped that an additional land link from Chabahar to link up with INSTC in Iran could prove beneficial to India in its quest to have multiple connectivity routes across the region to Europe.

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During his first term when President Trump imposed sanctions on Iran in May 2018 after revoking the nuclear deal, although India stopped oil imports from Iran completely after May 2019 (after getting a one-year grace period), the Chabahar port was kept out of the sanctions ambit, giving India crucial elbow room.

In May 2024, India and Iran further cemented the deal on Chabahar by signing a 10-year contract for the operation of the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port with a committed investment of $370 million. Under the agreement, Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) was to further develop the Chabahar Port for the next 10 years, providing India operational control over the cargo and container terminal for its own exports, with an option for renewal. It was hoped that this ten-year deal would not only expedite the long overdue infrastructure development at Chabahar Port but also give a crucial foothold to ensure the free flow of trade with Central Asia and Afghanistan.

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What has happened in Chabahar now?

In September 2025, as a part of a strategy of continued pressure on Iran, the Trump Administration withdrew the Chabahar-specific sanctions exemption it had granted India in 2018. It may be recalled that this was also a period of trade tensions between India and the US, as the US had imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports wef August 27, 2025. Going forward, on October 28, 2025, the US Department of Treasury issued a letter outlining the details, giving India a conditional sanctions waiver valid till April 26, 2026, to allow India six months to wind down its operations.

As per details now emerging, India had already transferred US $ 120 million back to Iran last year, the money it had committed to develop the Chabahar Port, thereby liquidating all its financial commitments and liabilities. Also, soon after the reimposing of sanctions in September 2025, all the Indian government directors on the board of IPGL resigned, and the website of IPGL too was taken down to insulate everybody associated with the port from potential sanctions.

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Options for India

While the Ministry of External Affairs statement on January 17 says that India is engaged in talks with the US on the issue, it is very unlikely that India will get any waiver on Chabahar again, especially at a time when the US is locked and loaded to take down the Iranian regime. Some source-based reports are suggesting that India is looking at a middle path on Chabahar while talking to the US! What this middle path can be is anybodys guess. However, it goes without saying that it will ask India to compromise on issues elsewhere with the US.

India had succumbed to pressure from the US in May 2018 and had stopped oil imports completely from Iran. This, India admits, was a strategic mistake. It not only soured its relations with Iran but also gave a free run to China to import crude oil from Iran at exclusive terms and cheap rates. If the Chabahar Port exemption was considered a consolation victory, the withdrawal now from Chabahar will add to the strategic mistake of 2018 and make India look very weak. Plus, with Chabahar gone, the direct and dedicated access to Central Asia and Afghanistan would again become perilous.

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It also raises fundamental questions on the trajectory of Indias foreign policy going forward. If India could resist American pressure on Russian oil imports, why cant it do the same in the face of US sanctions on Chabahar? In fact, it provides India an excellent opportunity to restate its priorities towards securing its national interests and not only continue with Chabahar but also commence oil imports from Iran, slowly and steadily. After all, where do sanctions from the US end, and how much can India compromise?

It may be recalled that the US House of Representatives had passed a legislative amendment in July 2022 to grant India a waiver from Caatsa (Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) for purchasing the Russian S-400 missile system, recognising Indias strategic importance and need to counter China. What if the Trump Administration now decides to revoke it, invoking his emergency powers, citing national security? Will India then stop the procurement of S-400 and other critical weapon platforms from Russia because the US threatens sanctions?

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Conclusion

The Chabahar issue can emerge as a blessing in disguise for India. Only if India sees Chabahar not as an independent issue but as a part of its strategy to exercise only those options which serve and secure its national interests. With the US pulling out of 66 UN organisations, threatening to take over Greenland, dis-inviting South Africa from the G-20 presidency this year, which it is chairing, threatening military and coercive actions against many more Latin American countries after Venezuela, openly courting Indias adversary Pakistan over the past year, and overall trampling over the rules-based world order that has served the world well for 80 years since the end of World War II, there can be no assurances of this and no more.

Tomorrow, there could be another threat of sanction on some other issue where India will find itself at a critical decision point. What will India then do? These are crucial questions that India needs to find answers to soon. Chabahar Port is not merely an infrastructure project but a symbol of Indias strategic requirements in the extended neighbourhood and a symbol of Indias strategic autonomy. India cannot afford to look weak and relent under pressure.

(Col Rajeev Agarwal is a West Asia expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi. His X Handle is @rajeev1421. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Recent days have seen a high degree of excitement around the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in South Delhi. A Grand International Exposition inaugurated by the Prime Minister himself has been drawing in visitors in significant numbers  a phenomenon quite unusual given that the show is about an aspect of ancient Indian history. Perhaps it is the publicity blitz about the antiquity of the objects as well as the manner of their return that has sparked the buzz.

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On display is a set of 349 gems that were buried in a stupa along with bone fragments of the Buddha himself after his death  an event whose timeline is traditionally estimated to be 483 BCE. To understand the exposition theme in the proper context, one needs to travel to the place they came from  the Piprahwa stupa, located close to the Indo-Nepal border in the Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

The gems of Piprahwa, seen at the Exposition in Delhi Source PIB

In a contradiction that is perhaps symptomatic of all such heritage destinations of India, while thousands visit the exposition of the sacred relics, the site of the Piprahwa stupa itself remains quiet. Strangely, none of the Insta-grammers giving deep insights about the exposition in Delhi have much to say about this site. It is entirely possible that most of them will be unable to trace the site on a map sans GPS. Sadly, this also means they will never know how tranquil the site is. Perhaps that is a good thing.

The restored Piprahwa Stupa

The stupa is part of a region that formed the Buddhas land of birth, the kingdom of the Shakyas. The story goes that after the Buddha had been cremated, a dispute arose about how to honour his remains, which were considered sacred relics. Ultimately, these were divided, and each of the eight kingdoms in the Buddhas circle of immediate impact received a part, including the Shakyas. Most of these relics were placed in caskets and stupas built over them. Along with the relics went precious stones and gems.

The Piprahwa stupa was one such structure. Gradually, with the decline of Buddhism, the stupas became footnotes of history, covered by grass and vegetation. A rediscovery of Buddhism began happening under the guidance of British Indophiles through the 19th century. The stupa at Piprahwa was one of the last beneficiaries of this rediscovery process, and that too by default rather than intent.

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In 1897, the land on which the stupa stood was owned by William Claxton Peppe, a British engineer and landowner. To give work to tenant farmers rendered unemployed by famine, Peppe led an unofficial excavation of the mound on his land, which was believed to be an ancient stupa. After getting through nearly twenty feet of stone, they hit pay dirt. In the form of a stone case containing five vases. On opening those, they discovered about 1,800 gems and semi-precious stones, along with ash and bone remains considered of immense religious value. In terms of sheer numbers, this was the highest quantity of precious offerings ever found in a single deposit. On one vase was a Brahmi inscription clearly saying that these were relics of the Buddha himself. The importance of the site and the relics skyrocketed. Further excavations and study of the objects found have drawn scholars for decades.

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The bone fragments and ashes were gifted by the British to the ruler of Buddhist Siam (Thailand). Of the gems and precious stones found, while the bulk went to what is now the Indian Museum in Kolkata, 349 were retained by Peppe, continuing the imperial tradition of looting the heritage of occupied lands. These included amethysts, coral, garnets, pearls, rock crystals, shells and gold objects. The objects remained with the Peppe family till last year, when they were put up for auction via Sothebys in Hong Kong. This crass commercialisation of sacred relics was strongly protested by India and some Buddhist countries. Resultantly, the auction was called off, and in a rare public-private partnership, the house of Godrej made a secret deal to purchase the gems and worked with the Indian government to bring the gems back to India. And this set is what is on display at Delhis Rai Pithora Cultural Complex.

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Picture of the vases within which the gems were found - seen at the Kapilavastu Museum

The excavated site of Piprahwa is a serene place with the restored stupa as its focal point. The Archaeological Survey of India has painstakingly maintained the site, which includes remains of cells where monks may have prayed for centuries before the site was gradually abandoned. On one side is a lovely lotus pond, of the kind that is described in places where the Buddha himself delivered sermons. Only a short drive away is a somewhat chaotic border crossing with Nepal, but that feels a world away from the peace here.

Lotus pond in the Piprahwa stupa complex

While Piprahwa was the spiritual hub, the nearby site of Ganwaria formed the residential area. Excavations done in the 1970s here have revealed four stages of continuous occupation, the earliest of which predates the Buddha. Apart from residential structures, the place had monasteries, votive stupas and, according to some scholars, even a palace-complex-like structure. A vast quantity of terracotta objects was unearthed from here, some of which are at a nearby museum.

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The museum is named after Kapilavastu  the old name of this area, which encompassed the entire region, including both Piprahwa and Ganwaria. It gives an overview of not just the history of the area but also details out the manner and timelines of archaeological exploration here. On display are pictures of the stone container in which the vases were found, replicas of the vases themselves, iron objects going back to the 6th century BCE, copper bangles, numerous terracotta objects and tools made of bones in the 2nd century BCE. It is a comprehensive understanding of a zones past. One hopes that some of those who are enthused at seeing the gems at the Exposition in Delhi will take time to come to the actual stupa site and relive its history at this museum.

(The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)

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In a multipolar, interdependent world of constant global churn, India and Europe can maximise leverage by capitalising on each others strengths and growth potential

Both India and the EU may benefit each side immensely by having strategic diversification and expansion in multiple sectors, including trade, economy, defence cooperation, the Imec initiative, people-to-people exchange, etc. Image: X/@EU_in_India

Relations between India and the European Union (EU) have been shaped by the fast-changing global power politics in the early 1990s with the end of the Cold War, the subsequent reunification of Germany, and the collapse of erstwhile regimes in Eastern Europe. While the India-EU Cooperation Agreement was signed in 1994, a decade later, in 2004, both sides signed a strategic partnership agreement.

The Joint Action Plan, which has been in operation since 2005, has been instrumental in identifying as well as in resolving divergent viewpoints on matters ranging from the scope and objectives of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and market access, greenhouse gas emissions, civil nuclear energy, etc.

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In spite of geopolitical turbulence and differing perspectives, including on the Ukraine issue and the buying of Russian oil, and differing interpretations in defining the contours of core national interest and strategic autonomy, what is remarkable is the resolute stands taken by both India and the EU in the creation of trust surplus initiatives, a pragmatic, forward-looking approach, and a strong political will by the top leadership on both sides in taking the relationship to newer heights.

Trade and Economy

The EU is Indias second-largest trading partner, accounting for trade in goods worth 120 billion in 2024, which is 11.5 per cent of Indias total trade. From the EUs side, India is its 9th largest trading partner, with 2.4 per cent of the EUs total trade in goods in 2024, well behind the US (17.3 per cent) and China (14.6 per cent). Trade in goods between the EU and India has increased by nearly 90 per cent in the last decade, with over 6,000 European companies operating in India.

What can take the trade volume significantly higher between India and the EU is having a comprehensive, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory, fair and reasonable, and time-bound agreement with appropriate regulatory and business ethics in place. There is a forecast that a meaningful Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the EU can take the investment level to over $100 billion and create 1 million jobs in the next few years.

Defence Cooperation

Both India and the EU are committed to forging closer collaboration on defence-related matters, particularly on maritime cooperation. Both sides are on the same page on freedom of navigation, curbing maritime piracy, adherence to UNCLOS (United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea), the development of the blue economy and diversified maritime infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific theatre.

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India and the EU have also been engaged in the Maritime Security Dialogue since 2021, which may pave the way for more joint plans of action in the coming years. India and the EU conducted joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Aden in June 2021 and in the Gulf of Guinea in October 2023. The Indian Navy participated in the Maritime Partnership Exercise in August 2022 with the EUNAVFOR Atlanta.

India and the EU also took part in the humanitarian assistance operations off the coast of Somalia in 2018 and 2019. Similarly, India and the EU, since 2023, are proactive partners in the Indo-Pacific region, such as in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). One area that the EU can look at is by examining and exploring the feasibility of having a co-production in Indias defence sector.

For example, Brahmos, the highly supersonic missile with robust defence and offensive capabilities for the land, air, and sea-based variants and which is being increasingly courted by various nations such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others, could be a starting point.

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The EU, India and the Imec Connection

The EU Global Gateway that was launched in 2021 is the first of its kind mobilisation of $300 billion in public and private funding, with the focus areas being energy, health, digital technology, education, and sustainable development. Global Gateway can align with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (Imec) initiative that was launched at the G20 summit in Delhi in 2023.

For the EU, with emphasis on de-risking from Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Imec provides an ideal outlet for assured supply chains, greater leeway in energy and transport diversification and in creating resilient trade partnerships across the EU group of nations. For India, with the EU on board, it provides a viable logistic and manufacturing hub linking India, the GCC/West Asia and Europe.

Further collaborative initiatives may include enhanced port facilities, augmenting naval and maritime logistics, green transport systems, digital corridors, data connectivity, customs regulations harmonisation, secured energy grids and pipelines, new fibre optic cables, etc.

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The EU may need to create a single nodal agency aligning with Imec objectives, including a corpus of Imec funds for integrating all 27 EU member states. Already ports such as Piraeus (Greece), Marseille (France), and Messina and Trieste (Italy) are vying for integrating Imecs proposed sea, road, and rail networks. The EUs regulatory and logistic capacity are likely to resolve issues such as long-term financing of Imec projects, customs alignment, etc.

Educational and People-to-People Exchange

The India-EU partnership puts people-to-people exchanges at the forefront for generating deeper understanding through high-end educational outreach. Forums such as Erasmus+ and the European Research Council facilitate student/research scholar mobility, research collaboration between major Indian universities and research institutes with their counterparts in the EU, and working on shared goals like sustainability, climate change, Stem, AI, critical and emerging technologies, youth exchange, striving for gender equity, public policy, food security, etc. What is needed in the near term is further easing of visa restrictions for entry into the EU and for creating more opportunities for Indian students and researchers to undertake teaching, training and research in their respective academic and research domains, which will be beneficial to both sides.

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The European organisation for nuclear research, Cern, the worlds leading particle physics laboratory in 2017, can be an area of immense interest to Indian researchers. India and the EU are both signatories to the ITER Agreement, the international treaty signed in 2006, and collaborate on the experimental fusion reactor facility. Two recent Indian educational initiatives, namely the Global Initiative for Academic Network (Gian) and the New Education Policy (NEP)-2020, are also instrumental in tapping international faculty and researchers, including those from the EU, and in establishing campuses inside/outside India. These collaborative arrangements help in fostering global fraternity and in creating stronger EU-India academic networks. These initiatives will bring dynamism to educational outreach beneficial to both India and the EU.

The Way Forward

Both India and the EU may benefit each side immensely by having strategic diversification and expansion in multiple sectors, including trade, economy, defence cooperation, the Imec initiative, people-to-people exchange, etc. In a multipolar world with a strong dose of interdependency in the highly surcharged global environment and with multiple global churnings and tumult always in an evolving state, perhaps both India and the EU can reap maximum leverage by capitalising upon each others respective strengths and their potential for further growth.

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(Mohammed Badrul Alam is Director of Research; Professor and Head, Department of Political Science (Retd), Faculty of Social Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Regional threats and doubts about the reliability of extended deterrence are pushing technically capable non-nuclear states like Japan and South Korea to consider developing nuclear weapons

Ukraine voluntarily renounced its vast Soviet-era nuclear arsenal after independence, transferring all nuclear warheads to Russia by 1996 in exchange for security assurances via the 1994 Budapest Memorandum from the US, UK, and Russia, but now deeply regrets this decision following Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion, which it calls broken promises. Nine countries possess nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.

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South Africa, under President FW de Klerk, voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program in the late 1980s/early 1990s, becoming the only nation to develop nuclear weapons and then surrender them, driven by changing regional dynamics (Soviet withdrawal, Namibian independence) and the economic burden of apartheid. This move, formalized by joining the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1991, ushered in a new era of non-proliferation, leading South Africa to become a strong global advocate for nuclear disarmament and a party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Former Soviet republicsUkraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarusinherited Soviet nuclear weapons but gave them up for security assurances. Meanwhile, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands host US nuclear weapons.

Ideally, the world should be made nuclear weapons-free, but geopolitical realities indicate that not having nuclear weapons is today considered a potential security liability, as it leaves non-nuclear states vulnerable to nuclear-armed adversaries, creating a security dilemma where deterrence through possession conflicts with global disarmament goals, prompting calls for verifiable disarmament or No First Use (NFU) policies to lower risk.

Eighty-one years after the atomic bomb was first used, a second nuclear weapons arms race has begun, and every nation that possesses nuclear weapons is either expanding or upgrading its nuclear arsenal. Nuclear weapons are becoming smaller, more accurate, and countries are developing tactical weapons alongside strategic arsenals. Those with technical and financial means want to possess nuclear weapons for security reasons.

German Nuclear Weapon Program in WWII

During WWII (1939), Germanys nuclear program, the Uranverein (Uranium Club), launched shortly after nuclear fission was discovered, failed to produce an atomic bomb due to underfunding, shifting priorities, scientific disagreements, and Allied sabotage, despite top German physicists like Werner Heisenberg and Otto Hahn being involved in early research into fission. While they made strides in reactor design, they never achieved a sustained chain reaction or sufficient uranium enrichment, focusing more on civil applications and other weapons as the war progressed. German scientists struggled with graphite purity (boron contamination) and faced difficulties with heavy water production (sabotaged in Norway). Heisenberg also believed that a bomb was impractical due to mass requirements. Nazi focus remained on V-2 rockets and conventional weapons over the bomb. By the wars end, Allied intelligence (Alsos Mission) confirmed Germany was far from developing an atomic bomb, capturing scientists and materials.

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Evolution of Nuclear Weapon States

The evolution of nuclear weapon states began with the United States going nuclear in 1945, during WWII. The Soviet Union (1949) broke the US monopoly, accelerating global proliferation. The United Kingdom (1952) tested its first independent bomb. France (1960) developed its own nuclear capability. China (1964) achieved nuclear status with initial Soviet help. India (1974) conducted its first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, declaring it peaceful but signaling bomb capability. Pakistan (1998) tested nuclear weapons in response to India, achieving parity. Pakistans nuclear capability was developed through a combination of indigenous scientific effort, the acquisition of sensitive technology through clandestine networks, and significant assistance primarily from China.

Israel is believed to have acquired nuclear weapons around 1967 but maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying it. North Korea (2006) achieved nuclear weapons status after withdrawing from the NPT. North Koreas nuclear capability stems from early Soviet assistance for peaceful nuclear energy, which evolved into a weapons program with technical help and materials, potentially sourced from Pakistan (AQ Khan Network).

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Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Efforts

Disarmament and non-proliferation efforts focus on reducing and eliminating weapons, especially Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) like nuclear arms, preventing their spread (non-proliferation), and controlling conventional weapons, with the NPT Treaty as the cornerstone, supported by treaties like the TPNW, international agencies (IAEA), export controls, and initiatives like the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), all aiming for global peace and security through binding agreements, transparency, and verification. Reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons, particularly WMDs, is the aim. Preventing WMD (nuclear, chemical, and biological) weapons technology from reaching new states or non-state actors is important.

The Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) recognized the first five states as nuclear-weapon states. The main international NPT (1970) had three pillars: non-proliferation, peaceful use of nuclear energy, and disarmament. TPNW, a newer treaty (2021), seeks to stigmatize and ban nuclear weapons. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) aims to ban all nuclear explosions. The Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) is a proposed treaty to ban the production of fissile material for weapons.

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The IAEA verifies NPT compliance through safeguards. The United Nations (UN) works on disarmament through various bodies, addressing WMDs, conventional arms, and emerging technologies. The Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) is a group of states pushing for practical disarmament steps. Groups like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) control sensitive technology exports.

The key USRussia nuclear treaty is New Start, extended until February 2026, limiting strategic warheads to 1,550 and delivery systems to 700, with verification measures like inspections. However, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty, 1987) collapsed after US withdrawal (2019) and Russias subsequent cessation (2025). Russia also suspended participation in New Start in 2023, leaving the relationship in a precarious state with future talks uncertain. China has chosen not to be part of any of these discussions and continues to modernize and expand its nuclear capability.

Prospective Nuclear Weapon States

Prospective nuclear weapon states are nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and Egypt, often driven by regional threats or a desire for greater security. Some possess the technical capacity or face geopolitical pressure to develop nuclear arms. Japan is technically capable but committed to non-proliferation, while Iran is closely monitored for enrichment, and states like Saudi Arabia are exploring nuclear energy. Key factors include nuclear latency (technical ability), geopolitical tensions, and existing nuclear infrastructure, with countries like South Korea and Japan possessing advanced nuclear power and potential for rapid weaponization.

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Iran has advanced nuclear enrichment capabilities and has faced scrutiny from the IAEA, though officially its weapons program is suspended; it could potentially build a weapon quickly if it chose to. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in nuclear energy and has discussed nuclear ambitions, potentially seeking technology or even weapons from partners like Pakistan. Turkey is developing nuclear power and has expressed interest in nuclear capabilities, though it is hosting US nuclear weapons under Natos nuclear sharing. Egypt is also exploring nuclear energy and infrastructure development for potential nuclear ambitions.

South Korea and Japan possess advanced nuclear technology and infrastructure, making them nuclear-latent states capable of developing weapons if security concerns escalate, but they are firmly non-nuclear powers currently.

Factors Driving Proliferation

Regional instability and perceived threats from rivals (e.g., in the Middle East or East Asia) push nations to seek nuclear deterrence. Availability of nuclear technology and expertise makes it easier for some states to transition from civilian power to weapons programs. Erosion of treaties and weakening global norms against nuclear proliferation may embolden states to pursue weapons. Japan can reportedly build a weapon within a year but is a strong non-proliferation advocate. South Korea had clandestine research and possesses technical know-how. Taiwan is believed to have designed nuclear devices, though it has strong US security guarantees. While many countries have the ability to go nuclear, only a few are actively considering or preparing for it due to geopolitical shifts.

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Why Japan Could Go for Nuclear Weapons

Japan is the only country that has been the victim of atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Seeing the suffering, the Japanese had chosen not to go nuclear. Japanese pacifist budgeting traditionally meant low defence spending, but recent threat perception from China, which has been making aggressive forays toward Taiwan and contested Japanese islands, has prompted a change. Article 9 of Japans pacifist constitution renounces war and the use of force, prohibiting a traditional military, yet Japan maintains Self-Defence Forces (SDF) under an interpretation of exclusively self-defence. There is a shift toward military strength due to regional threats, moving away from the post-war 1% of GDP cap toward a goal of 2% of GDP.

Japan may pursue nuclear weapons primarily due to a worsening regional security environment and potential doubts about the reliability of the US nuclear umbrella for its defence. The motivations for going nuclear stem from regional threats and the growing military and nuclear capabilities of neighbouring countries, particularly China, North Korea, and Russia. North Korean missile tests and aggressive rhetoric from China have heightened security concerns.

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There are serious doubts about the US security guarantee, known as extended deterrence or the nuclear umbrella. Concerns exist that the US might not risk a nuclear conflict over issues far from its own homeland, leading some Japanese strategists to argue for an independent deterrent to ensure national survival. While public opinion has historically opposed nuclear weapons due to the legacy of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, some politicians within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have increasingly suggested that Japan should discuss or even acquire nuclear weapons to address security realities.

Japan is considered a latent nuclear power, meaning it already possesses advanced technology, significant stockpiles of separated plutonium, and scientific expertise to produce a basic nuclear arsenal relatively quickly, possibly within one to three years if a political decision were made.

Despite these motivations, several factors make a Japanese nuclear arsenal unlikely in the near future. Firstly, Japan is a signatory to the NPT, which prohibits it from possessing nuclear weapons. Pursuing nuclear weapons would violate its international commitments and may result in diplomatic isolation and international sanctions. Secondly, strong anti-nuclear public sentiment remains deeply ingrained in Japanese society, rooted in its unique experience as the only country to have suffered wartime nuclear attacks. Thirdly, developing nuclear weapons would likely provoke regional arms races, particularly with North Korea, and further inflame tensions with China, potentially leading to a less stable security environment overall. All these factors can be circumvented, and the world may not react as feared. Japans deterrence capabilities will initially be focused on China and North Korea.

South Korea and Nuclear Weapons

South Korea currently has no official plan to develop nuclear weapons, but President Yoon Suk-yeols comments in 2023 sparked debate, suggesting it as a possibility if North Korean threats escalate, given its strong nuclear technology capacity and missile programs, including nuclear-powered submarine (NPS) development with the US as part of enhanced deterrence, reflecting growing regional security concerns despite heavy political and legal hurdles and US non-proliferation commitments. Earlier, Seoul had abandoned a secret nuclear program in the 1970s due to US pressure and signed non-proliferation agreements, but renewed regional threats fuel debate over these constraints.

Seouls technological ability, including advanced nuclear infrastructure, fast reactor construction, and missile tech (like Hyunmoo-V), allows rapid nuclear weapon development if political will changes. Developing tactical nukes or requesting US deployments has triggered debate but was quickly clarified as not an immediate plan, signalling a shift in rhetoric. The USROK Alliance discussions focus on extended deterrence (US nuclear umbrella) and enhancing conventional capabilities, including NPS, which South Korea is building with US cooperation for greater strategic reach.

To Summarise

Nuclear weapons possess a high deterrence value by creating a credible threat of unacceptable retaliation, preventing large-scale conventional or nuclear attacks through the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (Mad) and ensuring strategic stability by making the costs of aggression too high for any rational actor. This deterrence, including extended deterrence, enhances national prestige and sets an upper limit on conflict escalation, though it also raises ethical questions and doesnt deter lower-level threats like cyber-attacks or terrorism.

With North Korea routinely testing ballistic missiles over and around South Korea and Japan, both are feeling coerced and threatened. Similarly, Chinas war game exercises around Taiwan are part of a campaign to counter growing international support for the island nation.

Beijing is trying to intimidate Tokyo into silence on Taiwan. But Japan is a major economy and strong power with clear resolve. Japan is allocating much larger amounts in defence budgets. It has already started building and acquiring offensive weapons. Trump has left Europe to prepare for its own defence. The same could one day happen to Taiwan and Japan. Trump could even broker a deal with Russia or China that could impact extended security for Japan and South Korea. Between the two, Japan could be the first to acquire nuclear weapons to act as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, the showdown in Venezuela continues as Russian, Chinese, and Indian tankers are awaiting oil shipments. The globalization of trade has taken a back seat after Trump imposed tariffs and sanctions on many countries, especially Russia, China, and India.

Any nuclear proliferation will be bad for the world. More nations having WMDs will increase the risk of nuclear showdown or use. The world is going through a period of muscle-flexing. The US is again on rampage with an expansionist mood. After controlling Venezuela, Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, and Iran are in its military crosshairs. The United Nations has been left helplessly pleading. Because of the US military strength, it is getting away with it. Clearly, it is giving Might is Right signals to the world. More nations will thus invest in greater military capability, and some will pursue nuclear weapons.

(The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Alphabet Inc.s Google is appealing a landmark antitrust decision that the company illegally monopolised online search and search advertising, that will delay the implementation to the companys implementation of changes to the companys business.

Alphabet Inc.s Google has filed a notice to appeal a US federal court ruling that declared it holds an illegal monopoly in online search and search advertising, that will delay the implementation to the companys implementation of changes to the companys business.

The appeal was submitted on January 16, in Washington federal court which also requests a stay on certain remedies during the process.

Along with the appeal, a request was put to hold the lower-court ruling while the appeal is pending. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals will likely hear the case later this year.

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The federal court, which hears many appeals related to the federal government, takes about a year to issue a decision after an appeal notice is filed, according to statistics compiled by the US Courts.

The case, filed in 2020 during the first Trump administration, went to trial in the fall 2023.

Contrary to this trial, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in August 2024 that the company illegally monopolized the search market through contracts with Apple Inc. and other smartphone makers such as Samsung Electronics Co. that required its search engine be used as the default.

Google argues the decision overlooks user preference, rapid innovation like AI search, and competition from startups. The company seeks to pause data-sharing and syndication mandates to protect privacy and innovation, but accepts other changes like shorter preload contracts.

After holding a second trial in spring 2025, Mehta rejected a bid by the Justice Department to force the sale of Googles popular Chrome browser. He held that Google can continue to pay for its search engine and AI apps to be the default option, but required that the deals be rebid every year to allow rivals more opportunities to compete.

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California Attorney General Robert Bonta on Friday sent a cease-and-desist letter to xAI demanding the company stop the creation and distribution of artificial intelligence-generated nonconsensual sexualized imagery by its Grok chatbot.

xAI and Grok logos are seen in this illustration taken. File image/Reuters

The Attorney General of California Robert Bonta on Friday announced that it is investigating xAI over Grok using its chatbot to create the sexually explicit images of women and young girls.

Cease-and-desist letter

The government sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company, demanding to take immediate action to stop the production of nonconsensual images and child sexual abuse.

Today, I sent xAI a cease-and-desist letter, demanding the company immediately stop the creation and distribution of deepfake, nonconsensual, intimate images and child sexual abuse material, said Bonta

The avalanche of reports detailing this material  at times depicting women and children engaged in sexual activity  is shocking and, as my office has determined, potentially illegal, he added.

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Musk under scrutiny

xAI, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been unfolded under global outrage over the past couple of weeks after Grok began flooding the social media site X with nonconsensual images of women and some minors in revealing clothes and degrading clothes.

Although xAI has since rolled back Groks public posting of hyper-realistic sexualized imagery, sometimes called deepfakes, the chatbot privately generates such imagery on demand as of midday Friday US Eastern Time, according to Reuters tests.

Californias move joins a list of countries who have taken action against Grok after Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines banned Grok.

This mounted pressure on Elon Musk as the platform received major backlash after the episode unfolded. Earlier Friday, Japanese authorities said they too were probing X over Grok, saying all options were under consideration to prevent the generation of inappropriate images.

Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda said officials had requested that X implement immediate improvements but they have yet to receive a response from the company.
Kate Hudson is desperate to star in a movie with her mom Goldie Hawn.

Kate Hudson and her mom Goldie Hawn want to star in a movie together

The pair want to work on a project together, and Kate, 46, joked that the only way they will is if she pens a script.

Reacting to the idea of a joint film, Goldie, 80, told People: "Oh, yes! I dont know what."

Kate jumped in: "I hope so! Its got to! I might have to go disappear into the mountains somewhere and just write it myself."

Goldie - who has Kate with her 76-year-old ex-husband, musician-and-actor Bill Hudson - also praised her daughter's talent before a Q+A session for Kate's new movie, Song Sung Blue, held at the AMC The Grove 15 in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday (13.01.26).

Goldie gushed: "Were so deeply, deeply proud - not a word I use very often - but Im in awe of Kate, and I think we all are.

"Kates her own thing  I was lucky to carry this little one in my belly and bring her to the world, and thats what Im grateful for. She never stops to surprise me or any of us with her talent."

The Oscar winner - who also has actor sons Oliver Hudson, 49, from her relationship with Bill, and Wyatt Russell, 39, with her 74-year-old partner, film star Kurt Russell - added: "Its instinct. It isnt learning. We all live together. Were a family together.

And we have genetics that are very similar ... We learn by example. We don't learn by oration, rhetoric, none of that. Kate obviously comes from two people who make movies, and with that, you see how we behaved."

Goldie - who split from Bill months after her daughter was born, and finalised their divorce in 1982 after six years of marriage - Kate, Oliver, Russell, and Kurt try to separate their personal and work lives.

The First Wives Club star - who met Kurt in 1966 on the set of Disney's The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, and has dated him since 1983 - said: "Its balance - your life, your family, your kids, your things you want to do, and you care about. Books that were reading, we share that.

"Theres a lot of other things in life that are meaningful."

Goldie - who has not married Kurt because they believe their love means more than signing a piece of paper - added: "Our work is part of what we do, and it isnt who we are, and those are two different things."

Goldie is also stepmom to Boston Russell, 45, whom Kurt has with his 74-year-old ex-wife, former actress Season Hubley.
NEW DELHI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- India's civil aviation watchdog imposed a fine of 2.45 million U.S. dollars on IndiGo airline for its mass flight cancellations last month, officials said Sunday.

The large-scale delays and cancellations took place between Dec. 3 and Dec. 5, 2025, during which IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and 1,852 saw delays. These factors left over 300,000 passengers stranded in airports across India.

IndiGo, India's largest airline, has a fleet of over 400 aircraft, and used to operate around 2300 flights daily from over 90 domestic airports and 40 international airports. 
Irans internet shutdown amid the ongoing protest has turned Elon Musks Starlink into a lifeline for demonstrators, while exposing it to jamming and GPS spoofing. The response of SpaceX is being closely watched by the government and military amid rising geopolitical tensions.

SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks on a screen during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, June 29, 2021. REUTERS

Irans crackdown on dissidents is shaping up as one of the toughest security tests yet for Elon Musks Starlink, which has served as a lifeline against state-imposed internet blackouts since its deployment during the war in Ukraine.

SpaceX, which owns Starlink, made the satellite service free for Iranians this week, placing Musks space company at the center of another geopolitical hot spot and pitting a team of U.S.-based engineers against a regional power armed with satellite jammers and signal-spoofing tactics, according to activists, analysts and researchers.

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How SpaceX withstands Iranian attacks on its most lucrative line of business is expected to be closely watched by U.S. military forces and intelligence agencies that use Starlink and its military-grade variant Starshield, as well as China, whose own nascent satellite internet constellations are set to rival Starlink in the coming years. With SpaceX weighing a public listing this year, the situation in Iran also represents a high-profile showcase for Starlink to investors.

Were in this weird early part of the history of space-delivered communications where SpaceX is the only true provider at this scale, said John Plumb, the former Pentagon space policy chief under President Joe Biden.

And these repressive regimes think they can still turn off communications, but I think the day is coming where thats just not possible, he said.

Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the think tank Secure World Foundation, said Russia, which has deployed an array of technologies to counter Starlink in Ukraine, might be keen to examine the effectiveness of Irans Starlink interference.

I think a lot of actors are watching how Starlink fares here, she said.

Protesters use Starlink to send crackdown videos

Thousands of people protesting Irans clerical rule are reported to have been killed in the past week, while Tehrans order to restrict communications makes it difficult to discern the full extent of its violent crackdown on dissent.

Starlink, which is harder for Iran to tamper with than cable and cellphone tower networks, has become crucial for documenting events on the ground.

Raha Bahreini, an Iran researcher at Amnesty International, said they had verified dozens of videos from Iran, including footage of protesters killed or injured by Iranian forces, and believe that almost all of them came from people who had access to Starlink. She added, however, that the ongoing communications restrictions have impeded human rights organizations communications with people in Iran in efforts to assess the scale of the violence.

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Starlink is banned in Iran, yet tens of thousands of terminals may have been smuggled into the country, although it remains unclear how many are in use, according to Holistic Resilience, a U.S. nonprofit that has helped deliver Starlink terminals to Iranians and says it is working with SpaceX to monitor what it describes as Iranian attempts to jam the system.

Consumer Starlink terminals are rectangular antenna dishes that come in two sizes - one roughly the size of a pizza box and a smaller mobile one the size of a laptop.

SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York declined to comment on Thursday in response to Reuters questions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking to Al Jazeera TV on Monday, said the internet had been cut off after we confronted terrorist operations and realized orders were coming from outside the country."

Jammers and fake GPS signals

Starlink, the first massive internet-from-space constellation of its kind, has emerged as a crucial tool for communications in wartime and remote areas. The network, which drove SpaceXs $15 billion revenue in 2024, has expanded the geopolitical power of Musk, who in 2022 asserted control over how and where it was being used by Ukrainian troops fighting back Russian forces.

Roughly 10,000 low-orbiting Starlink satellites zipping above user terminals at an orbital velocity of some 17,000 miles per hour (27,360 kph) make its signals much harder to locate and disrupt than traditional satellite systems designed with a larger, single satellite fixed over a given territory.

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Iran is likely using satellite jammers to disrupt the Starlink signals, according to Holistic Resilience and other specialists. Iran also appears to be engaging in so-called spoofing, or broadcasting fake GPS signals to confuse and disable Starlink terminals, according to Nariman Gharib, an Iranian opposition activist and independent cyber espionage investigator based in Britain.

The GPS spoofing wreaks havoc on a Starlink terminals connection and slows internet speeds, said Gharib, who analyzed data from a terminal inside Iran.

You might be able to send text messages, but forget about video calls, he said.

Iran tries to locate Starlink terminals

Though Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, Musk has repeatedly confirmed its presence on his social media platform X, spurring a yearslong effort by the Iranian government to counter the service. Amid protests over the death of Mahsa Amini in December 2022, Musk posted that nearly 100 Starlink terminals were active in the country.

Following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, Irans parliament passed a law banning the use of Starlink, introducing severe penalties for those who use or distribute the unlicensed technology, according to Iranian state media.

Iran has also pursued diplomatic channels, urging a panel at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union last year to force the United States and Norway  where Starlink is internationally registered  to block the service.

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At a July meeting, Iran told the board that Starlinks use in the country is illegal and said an invading country had deployed its terminals on drones during a recent attack.

Iran told the board in November that it was struggling to locate and disable the terminals itself.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff)
OpenAI said on Friday that it will start showing ads in ChatGPT in a major step to boost revenue amid the high costs of the developing technology.

OpenAI on Friday said that it will start testing advertisements in ChatGPT to some US users in the coming weeks, as the widely evolving AI chatbot seeks to increase its revenue to cover its soaring costs and fund the high costs of the developing technology.

In the coming weeks, we plan to start testing ads in ChatGPT free and Go tiers.



Were sharing our principles early on how well approach adsguided by putting user trust and transparency first as we work to make AI accessible to everyone.



What matters most:

- Responses in pic.twitter.com/3UQJsdriYR  OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 16, 2026

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OpenAI said that the ads will be tested with users on the companys free tier and the lower-priced Go plan that is expanding globally.

Ads to start in US

The ads will initially appear in the United States for free and lower-tier subscribers, the company said in a blog post outlining its long-anticipated move. Premium Pro and Enterprise subscribers will remain ad-free.

CEO of OpenAI in a X post said, We are starting to test ads in ChatGPT free and Go (new $8/month option) tiers.

We are starting to test ads in ChatGPT free and Go (new $8/month option) tiers.



Here are our principles. Most importantly, we will not accept money to influence the answer ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations private from advertisers.



It is clear to us that a lot https://t.co/f9Dv53rWU7  Sam Altman (@sama) January 16, 2026

Premium users to remain ad free

Users on the more expensive Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise tiers will not have ads. OpenAI also said that advertising would not influence ChatGPTs outputs and that user conversations would not be shared with marketers.

Here are our principles. Most importantly, we will not accept money to influence the answer ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations private from advertisers, he added.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, its valuation has soared to $500 billion in funding rounds higher than any private company.

Ads arent a distraction

With its move, OpenAI brings its business model closer to tech giants Google and Meta, which have built advertising empires on the back of their free-to-use services.

Ads arent a distraction from the gen AI race; theyre how OpenAI stays in it, said Jeremy Goldman, an analyst at Emarketer.

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If ChatGPT turns on ads, OpenAI is admitting something simple and consequential: the race isnt just about model quality anymore; its about monetizing attention without poisoning trust, he added.

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has long expressed his dislike for advertising, citing concerns that ads could create distrust about ChatGPTs content.

Analysts said that ads could unlock a significant revenue stream from ChatGPTs 800 million weekly active users, but the move could irk some customers and hurt trust in the product.

If ads feel clumsy or opportunistic, users can easily switch to rival chatbots such as Googles Gemini or Anthropics Claude, Emarketer analyst Jeremy Goldman said.

OpenAI also said that it will not show ads to users under 18. The company also plans to block ads from appearing in health and politics.
Donald Trumps renewed push to bring Greenland under US control is drawing scrutiny over former aides tied to mining ventures linked to the islands rare earth resources

Nearly 10 per cent of Greenlands population marched across the island, waving flags and chanting Greenland is not for sale in protest against renewed threats by US President Donald Trump.

As President Donald Trump signals renewed intent to bring Greenland under US control, attention has shifted to the activities of several of his former aides who have been linked to mining ventures tied to the Arctic island. The developments come as Trump presses his case on national security grounds, despite opposition from Greenland and Denmark.

Trump has publicly vowed to acquire Greenland, saying it could be taken one way or the other. The stance has kept the island in global headlines while business interests connected to his former inner circle have quietly taken shape.

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Former Trump aides tied to GreenMet

Among those linked to Greenland-related ventures are George Sorial, a former executive vice president and chief compliance counsel at the Trump Organisation, and Keith Schiller, the organisations former director of security who later ran Oval Office operations during Trumps first term. Both men hold interests in a company known as GreenMet, reported OCCRP.

In April 2025, GreenMet announced a strategic partnership with Tanbreez Mining Greenland A/S, which holds a licence to mine rare earth minerals on the island. Reportedly, GreenMet described Tanbreez as the only shovel ready rare earth project in Greenland.

GreenMet operates as the trade name of Greentech Minerals Holdings Inc. Corporate registry documents in Washington DC list Sorial and Schiller among the beneficial owners, alongside chief executive Drew Horn. Horn previously served as an aide to former Vice President Mike Pence and worked as a national security official during Trumps first administration.

Limited public role acknowledged

Horn has openly discussed his business interests in Greenland. The involvement of Sorial and Schiller has drawn less public attention.

Sorial told OCCRP that he and Schiller are not actively involved with GreenMet or Greenland.

We are passive minority shareholders in GreenMet and have no management role in the company, he said in an emailed response.

Reporters also examined two other individuals connected to Trump who had business interests linked to Greenland and were later appointed to influential government roles related to the territory.

Ethical questions raised

The pursuit of Greenland-linked deals by GreenMet has prompted ethical concerns from observers.

Norman Eisen, a former US ambassador and founder of the Democracy Defenders Fund, said, Trumps illegal and illegitimate designs on Greenland would be bad enough. But they are made worse by allegations that Trump associates have ties to companies who could benefit from the presidents actions.

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The business activity comes as the US government continues efforts to acquire Greenland against the wishes of most of its population of 57,000. Leaders in Greenland and Denmark, which has controlled the territory since 1721, have both rejected the idea.

Despite objections, Trump and his supporters have continued to advocate for a US takeover.

Horn appeared on Fox and Friends on January 14, praising the administrations approach and claiming Greenlanders are absolutely tired of being exploited and oppressed by the Danes as they have been for the last 100 years.

He added, You know, the era of colonialism is over.

Web of connections around rare earths

Another figure linked to both GreenMet and the Trump administration is the companys former chief geologist, Ned Mamula. He was confirmed last October as director of the US Geological Survey, which a February 2025 Congressional report described as a lead federal science agency responsible for mineral resources research and analysis.

Mamula previously worked at the Energy Department during Trumps first term and is a former CIA analyst, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is still listed as an adviser on a GreenMet website, although he filed a form this month stating he had divested from the company.

In 2024, Mamula published a book titled Undermining Power, with Horn writing the foreword. Both argued for a strong US role in controlling rare earth minerals worldwide for national security reasons.

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Rare earth deposits like those in Greenland are critical for electronics manufacturing, including green energy and defence technology. Trump has repeatedly cited these resources, along with Greenlands strategic Arctic location.

One way or the other, were going to get it, Trump told the US Congress in March 2025.

High-profile visits to Greenland

On January 7, 2025, weeks before his fathers inauguration, Donald Trump Jr arrived in Greenland aboard a Trump Organization aircraft. Sorial later shared photos from the trip on LinkedIn using the hashtags #minerals #usa #nationalsecurity. There is no evidence that the Trump family is pursuing business interests in Greenland.

Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland soon after and urged residents to break ties with Denmark.

One organiser of both visits was Thomas Dans, a former Treasury Department official during Trumps first term. A former investment banker, Dans now runs an organisation called American Daybreak, which he registered as income-tax-exempt shortly before Trumps re-election.

Dans wrote on X that American Daybreak has worked on strengthening U.S.-Greenlandic ties for a long time, including helping to organise the visit of the Presidents son to Greenland in January.

Funding, appointments and unanswered questions

Arctic Today reported that Dans had worked on icebreaker construction after leaving the first Trump administration. American Daybreaks disclosure for 2024 lists $160,000 in contributions, grants or gifts, without naming the sources.

The organisation said it had educated Americans on the ways Greenlands traditions of self-determination influence the relationship between the United States and Greenland.

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Dans did not respond to questions about the groups role in the Greenland trips or its activities.

Last month, Trump appointed Dans to lead the US Arctic Research Commission, a body that advises the president on the Arctic region, including Greenland.

Sorial worked at the Trump Organization from 2002 until Trumps first inauguration. After Trump took office in 2016, Sorial reported directly to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump until leaving the company in 2019. He later wrote a 2019 book titled The Real Deal.

In December 2024, Sorial and Schiller launched a lobbying and consulting firm, Javelin Advisors LLC, describing themselves as former Trump advisors. The firms website states: Founded by Insiders. Defined by Access.

Javelin has no known business in Greenland but has worked on critical minerals. Justice Department filings show it was hired by the Pakistan government last year to pursue a proposed rare earth minerals agreement with the US.

Mining project advances with US backing

Sorial and Schiller continue to hold shares in GreenMet alongside Horn. Horn told OCCRP that both men resigned from board and advisory roles in early 2025 and have since remained passive shareholders.

He said GreenMet focuses exclusively on US business activities that support US Policy Goals.

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In June 2025, GreenMet said it helped Tanbreez investor Critical Metals Corp. secure backing to buy into the Greenland project. Both companies said they received a letter of interest from the US Export Import Bank for a $120-million package to help develop the site.

GreenMet has played a central role in advancing the project by securing US government support and working with private capital partners, the company said.

Bloomberg reported that Horn personally briefed Trumps team using photos of the site. Critical Metals Corp. took a controlling interest in September 2025, although Tanbreez began pursuing mining rights in the early 2000s.

As these business links developed, Trump made another Greenland-related appointment in December. He named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, despite Landry having no known previous connection to the island. Donald Trump Jr. had campaigned for Landry in September 2023.

A week before the appointment, Louisiana officials announced an $850-million investment to build a critical minerals refinery. The announcement did not specify where the minerals would come from. The company involved, ElementUSA, also contracts with the Defense Department.

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Out-of-control wildfires in Chiles Nuble and Biobio regions have killed at least 16 people and forced over 50,000 to evacuate. President Boric declared a state of emergency as firefighters battle flames fuelled by high winds and heat.

A vehicle and a house are engulfed in flames during a wildfire in Concepcion, Chile, on January 18, 2026.- AFP

Chiles government early Sunday placed two southern regions under a state of catastrophe as fast-spreading wildfires killed at least 16 people and forced the evacuation of around 20,000 residents.

President Gabriel Boric announced the emergency measures for the Nuble and Bio Bio regions, located roughly 500 km south of Santiago, after fires intensified amid strong winds and high summer temperatures. The declaration allows the armed forces to be deployed alongside civilian agencies to support firefighting and evacuation efforts.

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According to Chiles CONAF forestry agency, firefighters were battling 24 active wildfires nationwide as of Sunday morning. The most severe blazes were concentrated in Nuble and Bio Bio, where at least 14 fires have been burning for the past two days, Security Minister Luis Cordero said.

Nearly 4,000 firefighters have been deployed to contain the flames, which Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde described as creating a complicated situation. Boric announced the emergency decision in a post on X, saying that all resources are available to respond to the crisis.

Authorities said the fires have already scorched close to 8,500 hectares across the two regions, threatening several communities and prompting evacuation orders. Chiles disaster response agency, Senapred, said nearly 20,000 people had been moved to safety, while at least 250 homes were destroyed as the fires continued to spread.

Authorities say adverse conditions like strong winds and high temperatures helped wildfires spread and complicated firefighters abilities to control the fires. Much of Chile was under extreme heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38 C (100 F) from Santiago to Bio Bio on Sunday and Monday.

Both Chile and Argentina have experienced extreme temperatures and heat waves since the beginning of the year, with devastating wildfires breaking out in Argentinas Patagonia earlier this month.
European leaders and ambassadors are meeting in Brussels on Sunday for an emergency EU session after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on several countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, over their refusal to back his push to acquire Greenland.

Leaders and ambassadors from European countries are gathering in Brussels on Sunday for an emergency meeting of the European Union following US President Donald Trumps threat to impose tariffs on multiple nations  including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland  until Greenland is ceded to the United States.

Strong opposition from EU nations

Key EU members such as France, Sweden, and Germany, along with representatives of the European Parliament, have voiced firm opposition to Trumps tariff threats and his push to bring the Danish territory under US control.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola warned on X: The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic. They will result in emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life.

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She added, Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected. No threat of tariffs can or will change that fact.

EU officials cite risks of division and economic fallout

Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, highlighted the wider geopolitical consequences of Trumps announcement. China and Russia must be having a field day after Trumps announcement. They will be the only beneficiaries of divisions among Allies, she wrote on X.

If Greenlands security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermining our shared prosperity, Kallas added.

France condemns US threats

France took a particularly strong stance. President Emmanuel Macron drew parallels with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stressing Europes resolve: No intimidation or threat will influence us  neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations, he wrote on X.

Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld. It is in this spirit that I will engage with our European partners, Macron added.

Trump doubles down on Greenland push

These developments follow Trumps Saturday announcement, in which he accused several European nations of playing this very dangerous game by sending troops to Greenland for what he described as a purpose unknown. The US president vowed to maintain tariffs until a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland, escalating tensions between Washington and the European Union.
The European Union has paused talks on a proposed trade deal with the United States after President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs on several European countries, linking the move to his renewed push to acquire Greenland. The decision has put last years EUUS trade truce under strain and raised fresh uncertainty over transatlantic economic ties.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. File Photo/Reuters

The European Union has paused negotiations on a proposed EUUS trade deal after President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries, linking the move to his renewed push to acquire Greenland.

The decision has cast doubt over last years transatlantic trade truce, signed in July by Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The agreement was aimed at stabilising trade ties by keeping US tariffs on EU goods at 15 percent, while the bloc agreed to drop duties on American exports.

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Greenland dispute derails momentum

Momentum behind the deal stalled after Washington escalated pressure on Europe over Greenland. Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff on European countries that sent troops as part of a small deployment to the Arctic island this week. He said the levy would rise to 25 percent from June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.

European leaders said the troop deployment followed Trumps own warnings about increased Russian and Chinese activity in the North Atlantic and was not intended to provoke Washington.

Reacting to the move, European Council President Antonio Costa warned that the EU would deliver a joint response if the tariffs remain in force.

European Parliament halts ratification

Inside the European Parliament, political groups moved quickly to halt ratification of the trade deal. European Peoples Party president Manfred Weber said lawmakers could not support an agreement while tariffs were being used as leverage over Greenland.

The EPP supports an EUUS trade deal, but under the current circumstances approval is not possible. Zero-tariff treatment for US products has to be paused, Weber said in a post on X.

Siegfried Murean, an MEP involved in the process, said the vote had been imminent before relations deteriorated. The July agreement was meant to cut EU tariffs on American imports to zero.

We were meant to ratify the EUUS trade deal very soon. Given the new context, that decision will have to wait, he wrote.

Calls for retaliation grow louder

Others urged Brussels to prepare for retaliation. Karin Karlsbro, Renew Europes coordinator on trade, said Parliament would not give the green light this week and warned that the EU must be ready to respond to Trumps tariff pressure.

I see no possibility for the European Parliament to move forward with the tariff agreement when we take a decision on Wednesday, Karlsbro told Politico. Instead, the EU must prepare to respond to President Trumps tariff attacks.

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She said the bloc could not rule out retaliatory tariffs or the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument  often referred to as the bazooka  which allows the EU to impose restrictions on investment, public procurement and intellectual property protections against countries using economic pressure.

Von der Leyen warns of damage to ties

With tariffs now directly linked to Trumps Greenland push, EU lawmakers warned that a deal meant to calm trade tensions was becoming another casualty of them.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that the new tariffs risk damaging transatlantic relations. Tariffs undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral, she said, stressing that Europe would uphold its sovereignty and remain united.

She reaffirmed the EUs support for Denmark and Greenland, saying the bloc stood in full solidarity with both, and underlined that territorial integrity and sovereignty are core principles of international law.

Von der Leyen added that the EU remains committed to dialogue and to continuing discussions initiated last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States.

Deal at risk amid tariff escalation

The dispute threatens to unravel the July agreement, under which the EU also pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of US energy and increase investments in the United States by $600 billion. At the time, Trump had described it as the biggest deal ever made, while von der Leyen said it would bring stability and predictability to EUUS trade relations.

Trump said the new 10 percent tariffs would take effect on February 1 and apply to Denmark, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands. In a post on Truth Social, he said the measures would remain until a deal was reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland, arguing that the US had long subsidised Europe by not imposing tariffs.

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Calling Greenland critical to US national security, Trump has repeatedly said Washington needs control of the island, warning that world peace is at stake and citing alleged interest from China and Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned US President Donald Trumps recent threats to impose tariffs on nations supporting Denmark over the Greenland saga, calling the threats completely wrong

President Donald Trump, seated center, speaks during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seated from left, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the East Room of the White House, Monday, on Monday, in Washington. AP

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned US President Donald Trumps recent threats to impose tariffs on nations supporting Denmark over the Greenland saga, calling the threats completely wrong. The remarks from the British premier came after Trump said on Saturday that the levies would apply from 1 February to Nato members  including the UK, France and Germany.

The European nations came under the radar after they deployed troops to Greenland in response to growing uncertainty over its future. Trump maintained that the tariffs would rise to 25 per cent on June 1 if a deal to buy Greenland had not been reached.

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Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown  This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet," Trump said in a post on TruthSocial.

How Starmer reacted to Trumps latest tariff tirade

On Saturday, Starmer took to X to call out Trumps latest warnings. Our position on Greenland is very clear  it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," the British Prime Minister wrote in the post.

We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic. Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration," he added.

The British opposition leaders also took a similar stance on the matter. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said: President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland," she wrote in a statement.

These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland," she furthered. Meanwhile, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: Starmers US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and Nato allies just for doing the right thing."

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Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan," Davey averred. The Reform Party leader Nigel Farage pointed out that Trumps Greenland tariffs would hurt the UK.

We dont always agree with the US government, and in this case we certainly dont," he said. Meanwhile, Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: Trumps tariffs and threats mean its make-up time. If we cant rely on America and we dont want to cosy up to China, the answer is to get serious about our strategic future with Europe."

Nato needs this too  the reset must be real, and it must happen quickly for all our sakes," she added.

Other European leaders react

Condemnation also poured in from France, with the countrys President Emmanuel Macron hitting back at Trumps tariff threats. The French leader went on to warn that no amount of intimidation will persuade European nations to change their course on Greenland.

Macron immediately called the tariff threats unacceptable. He said they had no place in a context in which Europe was trying to defend Greenland, and in which Denmark was an EU member state, Nato member and signatory to the UN charter embodying international law.

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France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and our charter, Macron said. It is for this reason that we support and will continue to support Ukraine, and that we have built a coalition of the willing for robust and lasting peace, to defend these principles and our security," he furthered.

Macrons message was also echoed by the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, who warned the EU would not be blackmailed by Trump, and the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, who said threats have no place among allies. In a joint statement, EU leaders said tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. EU ambassadors are expected to meet for an emergency session on Sunday.

Trumps threats appeared to have fired up the EU. Manfred Weber, the head of the European Peoples Party, the largest voting bloc in the institute, said they would have to pause the legal rubber-stamping process. The Trump tariffs are threatening Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland, the countries that have been most vocal in their opposition to Trumps intentions to take over Greenland.

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Amid the ever-growing threats from US President Donald Trump, almost 10 per cent of Greenlands population marched across the country to take a stand against the United States proposition to take over the island region

Amid the ever-growing threats from US President Donald Trump, almost 10 per cent of Greenlands population marched across the country to take a stand against the United States' proposition to take over the island region. On Saturday, they held signs of protest, waved their national flag and chanted Greenland is not for sale in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover.

The march against Trump began in the small downtown area of Greenlands capital city, Nuuk, and proceeded to the US consulate. It took place after the news broke out that Trump had announced that he would charge a 10 per cent tariff on eight European countries from February over their opposition to US control of Greenland.

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I thought this day couldnt get any worse, but it just did, Malik Dollerup-Scheibel said after the Associated Press told him about Trumps announcement. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now. For the longest time, Trump has said that he thinks the US should take over Greenland, calling it crucial for American national security.

However, the strategic location of the island and the fact that it is rich in raw minerals made it an attractive piece of land. Things started to escalate after the US military operation to oust the former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

Rallies also took place in Denmark

Meanwhile, there were some who held rallies and solidarity marches across the Danish realm, including in Copenhagen, as well as in the capital of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canadas far north. This is important for the whole world, a Danish protester, Elise Riechie, told The Associated Press, as she held Danish and Greenlandic flags in Copenhagen. There are many small countries. None of them is for sale.

In Nuuk, Greenlanders of all ages listened to traditional songs as they walked to the consulate. Marie Pedersen, a 47-year-old Greenlander, said it was important to bring her children to the rally to show them that theyre allowed to speak up. We want to keep our own country and our own culture, and our family safe, she told AP.

Meanwhile, when the AP asked Louise Lennert Olsen what she would say to Trump, the 40-year-old Greenlandic nurse instead said she wanted to give a message to the American people. I would really like them to support our wish to be Greenland as we are now, she said as she marched through Nuuk. I hope they will stand against their own president. Because I cant believe they just stand and watch and do nothing.

With inputs from the Associated Press.
In a lengthy opinion piece, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina called out the radical extremism that has filled the political vacuum in Dhaka.

International Crimes Tribunal, the court in Bangladesh created by the country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has now sentenced her to death. Firstpost

In a lengthy opinion piece, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina called out the radical extremism that has filled the political vacuum in Dhaka. Hasinas remarks on the political instability in Bangladesh came just weeks ahead of the country going to the polls.

In the Op-ed to The Milli Chronicle, Hasina pointed out how her party, Awami League, has been barred from contesting polls this year, insisting that such exclusion would be detrimental not only to Bangladesh but also to the world. She went on to accuse Bangladeshs interim chief advisor of abandoning the independent investigation into the July protests and instead encouraging extremism.

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This troubling chaos and political vacuum has given extremist political parties with a fanatical religious ideology  the Jamaat-e-Islami in particular  free rein to assume power, in the absence of a secular counterpart that historically stood against and prevented its rise, Hasina wrote in her opinion piece published on Saturday.

This alarming situation will inevitably give rise to years of instability and serious threats to regional security. It is imperative that the international community, and the United States in particular, ensure that any elections are free, fair, and all-inclusive, she furthered.

Hasina calls out the judiciary

The former Bangladeshi premier also mentioned the atrocities that minorities are facing in Bangladesh since the overthrow of her government in 2024. There have been numerous violent attacks against Hindu, Christians, Buddhist, and other religious minorities and their places of worship. These reports document patterns of collective punishment in districts associated with secular and opposition political parties, and districts with a sizable minority population, she wrote.

She also spoke about how opposition political figures, including her, have been sentenced to death in widely-condemned trials before the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. Hasina recalled how, in her 16-year tenure, she and the government worked under enormous pressure and ushered in prosperity in Bangladesh with a 500 per cent increase in the countrys GDP.

This progress was achieved against the backdrop of several plots to assassinate myself and my sole surviving family member, my sister Sheikh Rehana. All of our parents and siblings, including our 10-year-old brother, were murdered in cold blood in 1975 by the same political forces that are today seeking power, she averred.

However, she also admitted her mistakes during the July uprising. Invariably, during this period of extraordinary prosperity, mistakes were also made, and there are many lessons to be learned on the historical path of progress. In particular, during 2024, amidst a campaign of hate propaganda, misinformation and violent insurrection, numerous protestors and police officers were killed, she wrote, adding that she ordered an impartial inquiry into the violence.

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Hasinas warning to the world

Hasina concluded her statement by insisting that excluding a secular party like the Awami League in the forthcoming elections would lead to the rise of extremism in Bangladesh. She warned that this would be threatening to the event, the United States and its allies.

The exclusion of the secular Awami League from forthcoming elections is inextricably tied to the rise of extremists, who present a dire threat not only to the people of Bangladesh, but also to the United States and its allies, as a once stable, secular, and prosperous country descends into a source of perpetual instability, decline and terrorism, the Bangladeshi prime minsiter explained.

Bangladesh, with a population of 170 million, is situated in a vital strategic region, at the centre of the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar. If it falls in the hands of extremists and their global network, its fallout will carry consequences far beyond its borders, she concluded.
A Hindu businessman was beaten to death in Bangladesh while another Hindu worker was crushed to death in a separate incident this week. The killings have intensified concerns over the safety of religious minorities and drawn scrutiny from rights groups and India.

A Hindu businessman was beaten to death in Bangladeshs Gazipur district after an argument over bananas, according to local media reports. It remains unclear whether the killing, which took place on Saturday in the Kaliganj area is connected to the recent wave of attacks against Hindus in the country.

The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Liton Chandra Ghosh, who owned Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel, The Daily Star reported. Kaliganj Police Station officer-in-charge Zakir Hossain said three members of a family Swapan Mia, 55, his wife Majeda Khatun, 45, and their son Masum Mia, 28 have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the incident.

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According to police, Masum owns a banana plantation and had reported a bunch of bananas missing. While searching for them, he allegedly found the bananas at Litons hotel, which led to a dispute between the two sides. Police said the accused assaulted Liton by punching and kicking him, causing him to collapse and die at the spot.

Litons family told police that Masum arrived at the hotel around 11 am and initially argued with a staff member over a minor issue. His parents later reached the location, after which the situation escalated into a physical altercation. Authorities said an investigation is under way.

In a separate incident on Friday, a Hindu fuel station worker was reportedly crushed to death in Rajbari district after trying to prevent a vehicle from leaving without paying for fuel. The victim, 30-year-old Ripon Saha, was employed at Karim Filling Station in the Goalanda Mor area when the incident occurred around 4:30 am.

Police and eyewitnesses said a black SUV refuelled around Tk 5,000 worth of fuel before attempting to escape without clearing the payment. Ripon tried to stop the vehicle and was fatally run over.

The killing has drawn wider attention as it adds to a series of violent incidents involving religious minorities. Earlier in the week, the house of a Hindu family in Sylhet was set ablaze, heightening fear and anxiety among community members.

Rights organisations and minority groups have flagged an apparent increase in attacks on Hindus amid Bangladeshs changing political situation. Since last month, several incidents have been reported, including the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched by a mob over allegations of blasphemy, triggering protests in multiple countries.

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These developments have also strained India-Bangladesh relations, with New Delhi expressing concern over the safety of minorities. Last week, India sharply criticised the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of downplaying the communal aspect of the violence.

The interim administration has rejected claims of targeted attacks, asserting that reports of killings and assaults on minorities are attempts to destroy communal harmony through false propaganda.

As police continue to probe Ripon Sahas death, the case has become part of a larger discussion on policing, protection of minorities, and accountability in Bangladesh during a period of heightened political and social tension.

With inputs from agencies
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A drone allegedly flown into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was suspected of involving two former staffers of the presidential office under South Korean ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol, Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday.

The two men, both in their 30s and former employees at the Yongsan presidential office, are under investigation by a joint military-police team.

One suspect is believed to have built the drone, while the other claimed he flew it to measure radiation and heavy-metal contamination levels near a uranium facility along the Ryesong River in the DPRK. The pair co-founded a drone startup in 2024.

Earlier this month, the DPRK accused South Korea of violating its airspace by flying a drone on Jan. 4, its official Korean Central News Agency reported.

Police are looking into the motive and circumstances of the alleged flight, including the possibility that the two suspects colluded in operating the drone. 
Hundreds of thousands in Russian occupied parts of southern Ukraine were left without power on Sunday, according to Kremlin installed authorities there. Meanwhile, Moscow has kept up its hammering of Ukraines energy grid in overnight attacks that killed at least two people, according to Ukrainian officials.

Hundreds of thousands left without power in Russian occupied southern Ukraine as energy war intensifies. - AFP

Power outages struck hundreds of thousands in southern Ukraines Russian-occupied territories on Sunday, as Moscow intensified its overnight strikes on the countrys energy infrastructure, leaving at least two people dead, according to Ukrainian officials.

In the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control, more than 200,000 households were reportedly left without electricity. Yevgeny Balitsky, the Kremlin-appointed governor, said on Telegram that nearly 400 settlements lost power due to damage caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on local power networks.

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Since the start of the war nearly four years ago, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraines energy facilities, particularly during the cold winter months, in a tactic Kyiv has described as weaponizing winter to sap civilian morale.

On Sunday night, Russian attacks hit energy facilities in the Odesa region, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished, the Ukrainian Emergency Service reported. Additionally, at least six people were injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region due to similar strikes.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges of repairing Ukraines energy system but reassured citizens via Telegram that efforts to restore power are ongoing. He confirmed that overnight attacks across Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa resulted in two fatalities.

In total over 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types were used by Russia to strike Ukraine this week, he added.

If Russia deliberately delays the diplomatic process, the worlds response should be decisive: more help for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor, Zelenskyy said.

He spoke the day after a Ukrainian delegation arrived in the United States for talks on a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the nearly 4-year-old war.

On Friday, Zelenskyy said that the delegation would try to finalize with U.S. officials documents for a proposed peace settlement that relate to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

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If American officials approve the proposals, the U.S. and Ukraine could sign the documents next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said at a Kyiv news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel. Trump plans to be in Davos, according to organizers.

Russia would still need to be consulted on the proposals.

With inputs from agencies
United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor praised Mumbai as he concluded what he described as a very successful visit to the city, marked by a series of high-level meetings with political, business and institutional leaders.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Sunday wrapped up what he described as a successful visit to Mumbai, underlining the expanding cooperation between India and the United States in areas such as trade, technology, education, energy and resilient supply chains.

Sharing an update on X, Gor said he had a productive series of interactions during the trip, including meetings with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, senior figures from Indias pharmaceutical industry, and leaders from various religious faiths. He added that these engagements reflected the growing momentum in the US-India partnership across multiple sectors.

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He said the meetings helped build strong momentum across trade, technology, education, energy and resilient supply chains, adding that the U.S.India partnership continues to grow.

Were building strong momentum across trade, technology, education, energy, and resilient supply chains as the U.S.India partnership continues to grow, Gor posted on X.

Wrapping up a very successful trip to Mumbai! Great meetings with @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis, @RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of @TataCompanies N. Chandrasekaran, executives from Indias pharmaceutical sector, and  Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 18, 2026

Earlier, Gor praised Mumbai as a city marked by energy, culture and striking sights. The remarks came a few days after he formally assumed charge as the 27th United States Ambassador to India on January 12.

In the post, Ambassador Gor spoke about Mumbais busy streets, historic landmarks such as the Gateway of India, and views of the Arabian Sea. The message expressed admiration for the citys character and everyday life, while inviting people to experience the spirit of Indias financial capital. Mumbai, as a key hub for business, culture and diplomacy, often figures in outreach by foreign diplomats.

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Discover the enchanting beauty of Mumbai  a vibrant tapestry of bustling streets, iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India, and the sparkling Arabian Sea. Everyone must visit to feel its magic! pic.twitter.com/S5q8UaIXov  Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 17, 2026

Before arriving in India, Gor served in senior roles in Washington. He previously worked as Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House, where he handled key responsibilities related to appointments and administration.

With inputs from agencies
Rescue teams in Indonesia have located debris from a missing surveillance aircraft on a mountain slope in South Sulawesi, narrowing the search area after the plane lost contact mid-flight. Authorities say challenging terrain and poor weather are slowing efforts as teams focus on locating passengers and crew

An ATR 42-500 (PK-THT) belonging to the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries went missing in South Sulawesi. (X)

Rescuers in Indonesia have discovered debris from a missing surveillance plane believed to have crashed while flying over rugged terrain in South Sulawesi, officials said on Sunday. The find comes nearly a day after the turboprop ATR 42-500 lost contact with air traffic controllers during its approach to Makassar Airport amid cloudy conditions, triggering a large-scale search operation.

Debris spotted on mountain slopes

Local search teams and air crews spotted pieces of the aircraft scattered on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region on Sunday morning.

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Among the wreckage were what appeared to be a small aircraft window, parts of the fuselage, and the planes tail section, as reported by the Associated Press. The discovery gives rescuers a more precise area to focus on as they continue to comb the site for survivors.

The discovery of the aircrafts main sections significantly narrows the search zone and offers a crucial clue for tightening the search area. Our joint search and rescue teams are now focusing on searching for the victims, especially those who might still be alive, Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of Makassars Search and Rescue Office, said at a news conference.

WATCH: Wreckage of Indonesian ATR 42-500 located on Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi after crash near MakassarSultan Hasanuddin International Airport; 11 feared dead. https://t.co/YQQVP4LiWb pic.twitter.com/lpdmt8Ae56  Intel Net (@TheIntelNet) January 18, 2026

Note: Firstpost could not independently verify the authenticity of the video

Challenging conditions hamper efforts

Despite the breakthrough, rescuers are battling steep terrain, thick fog, and strong winds that have made reaching the crash site difficult. Ground and air teams are moving cautiously, often trekking along narrow ridgelines blanketed in heavy mist to reach scattered wreckage across the mountain.

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Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, commander of South Sulawesis Hasanuddin military region, explained that the harsh weather and landscape have slowed progress, but efforts are ongoing with determination.

Who was on board?

The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, had been chartered by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for a fisheries surveillance mission. It was carrying eight crew members and three ministry personnel when it vanished from radar on Saturday afternoon near the Leang-Leang area of Maros.

Authorities have not yet reported whether any survivors have been found. A national investigation is expected to be launched to determine what caused the planes sudden disappearance from radar during an otherwise routine flight.

With the wreckage discovery, rescue operations have moved to a more focused phase, with teams combing the area around the debris for any signs of the missing passengers and crew.
While the protests in Iran have reportedly simmered down, the death toll of demonstrators has crossed the 3,000 mark, a human rights group said on Saturday.

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

While the protests in Iran have reportedly simmered down, the death toll of demonstrators has crossed the 3,000 mark, a human rights group said on Saturday. The Human Rights Group Activist News Agency verified the latest death toll after three weeks of protests, with 4,382 cases that the group said are still under review.

So far, 2,107 people with severe injuries have been identified, and the arrest of at least 24,266 individuals has been confirmed, the body said in its latest report. The figure emerged the same day Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said several thousands of people have been killed. He blamed the U.S. for backing the protests and for the deaths, claiming it is a U.S. attempt to devour Iran.

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We do not intend to lead the country toward war, Khamenei said in one of several posts on the social platform X on Saturday. However, we will not just let go of the criminals inside the country either. Worse than the internal criminals are the international criminals! We will not let go of them either," he added.

More from World Pentagon orders 1,500 soldiers to prepare for possible deployment in Minnesota amid unrest

In a separate post, Khamenei wrote that Iran has extinguished the fire of sedition, but the US must be held accountable. The Iranian Supreme Leader went on to accuse Israel of collaborating with the US to commit heinous crimes in Iran.

He said these crimes include vandalising 250 mosques and over 250 educational and scientific institutions. They damaged the power grid, banks, and healthcare facilities, Khamenei wrote in another X post. They murdered several thousand people.

Irans rollback of internet blackout begins

In the midst of this, Iran has begun easing sweeping communication restrictions imposed after deadly anti-government protests rocked the country for more than two weeks. According to Iranian news outlet Fars News Agency, authorities on Saturday said that they have restored the short messaging service (SMS) nationwide as part of a phased plan after eight days of near-total internet disruption.

Authorities said the internet blackout had significantly weakened the internal connections of opposition networks abroad and disrupted the activities of the terror cells. They made it clear that they would gradually lift other internet and communications controls.

As per the outlet, in the second phase, users are expected to regain access to Irans national internet network and domestic applications, before international internet connectivity is restored in a final stage.

Meanwhile, local sources said that access to Iranian messaging platforms, including Eita and Bale, had resumed after days of interruption.

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At least 5,000 people, including about 500 security personnel, were killed during weeks of unrest in Iran, an Iranian official said on Sunday, as protests that began over economic hardship appear to have subsided.

A woman displays the "Lion and Sun" pre-Iranian Revolution national flag as demonstrators walk toward the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

As protests and public outrage against the regime appear to have eased, an Iranian official based in the region said on Sunday that at least 5,000 people  including around 500 security personnel  were killed during unrest across Iran, accusing terrorists and armed rioters of targeting civilians.

The official said the figures had been verified and claimed the final death toll was unlikely to rise significantly. The protests began on December 28 over economic hardship and escalated over the next two weeks into nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to clerical rule, marking the deadliest unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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Iranian authorities have repeatedly blamed foreign powers for the violence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the unrest, acknowledging that several thousand people had died.

Over 24,000 arrests reported by rights group

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Saturday it had documented at least 3,308 deaths, with another 4,382 cases still under review. The group added that more than 24,000 people had been arrested.

The Iranian official rejected higher estimates, saying confirmed figures would not rise sharply, and alleged that Israel and armed groups operating from abroad had supported and equipped those involved in the protests.

Trump warns of possible US intervention

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene if protesters continued to be killed or executed. In a social media post on Friday, Trump said Tehran had halted planned mass executions and thanked Irans leadership, although Irans judiciary later indicated that executions could still proceed.

We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished, Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media on Saturday.

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said several cases had been classified as Mohareb  an Islamic legal term meaning waging war against God  which carries the death penalty under Iranian law.

In an interview with Politico on Saturday, Trump said it was time to look for new leadership in Iran.

Kurdish regions record highest casualties

The Iranian official said some of the deadliest clashes occurred in Irans northwestern Kurdish regions, where separatist groups have long been active and past episodes of unrest have also turned violent.

Three sources told Reuters on January 14 that armed Kurdish groups had attempted to cross into Iran from Iraq, suggesting foreign actors may have sought to exploit the unrest.

The Norway-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw also reported that some of the most intense clashes during the protests took place in Kurdish-majority areas.

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Crackdown suppresses protests, internet curbs continue

According to residents and state media, a heavy security crackdown has largely suppressed the protests. Internet access has been restricted, with shutdowns briefly eased early on Saturday before being reimposed later in the day, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks.
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted for the first time that thousands of people were killed amid the ongoing anti-government protests in the country that have been raging on for the last two weeks

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted for the first time that thousands of people were killed amid the ongoing anti-government protests in the country that have been raging on for the last two weeks. He also acknowledged that some of these killings have been inhuman and were conducted in a savage manner.

In a speech on Thursday, Khamenei said that thousands of people had been killed, some in an inhuman, savage manner, and went on to blame the United States for the high death toll. The Iranian supreme leader slammed US President Donald Trump and called him a criminal for supporting the demonstrations in the country. He also called for the strict punishment of protesters.

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By Gods grace, the Iranian nation must break the back of the seditionists just as it broke the back of the sedition," Khamenei said on Thursday. Apart from this, the Iranian authorities released a compilation of footage on Saturday that purported to show armed individuals carrying guns and knives alongside regular protesters  evidence, they said, of foreign saboteurs.

Amid the chaos, another senior Iranian cleric, Ahmad Khatami, called for the execution of protesters, demanding that armed hypocrites should be put to death. He described protesters as butlers and soldiers of Israel and the US, vowing that neither country should expect peace.

Trump had a different picture

Interestingly, Khameneis remarks on the ongoing protests marked a stark contrast from the statements Trump made this week. He appeared to postpone a military strike in Iran, telling reporters that Iranian authorities had agreed to halt the executions of protesters. On Friday night, the American president even thanked Tehran for executing what he said were 800 protesters, though it was unclear where he was drawing those figures from.

Meanwhile, human rights groups said that repression of protesters is continuing, with more than 3,090 people killed in the unrest and nearly 4,000 more cases still waiting to be reviewed. Other than this, over 22,100 people have been arrested in protests, leading to fears of mistreatment of detainees.

It is pertinent to note that the protest, which has been raging on for 2 and a half weeks, started on December 28, when traders took to the streets in Tehran in response to a sudden dip in the value of the rial. Protests soon started to spread across the country, and the demands expanded to include calls for an end to the countrys government, creating the most serious and deadliest unrest the country has seen since the 1979 revolution.

The brutal quashing of demonstrations by authorities, which Human Rights Watch said on Friday included the mass killings of protesters, has largely driven people off the streets. In his Friday sermon, Khatami claimed that 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls and 20 other places of worship had been damaged by protesters.

He also said 400 hospitals, 106 ambulances, 71 fire trucks and 50 other emergency vehicles had been damaged. It was unclear what the fallout of the protest movement would be, or if it would reignite in the coming days. As of now, Iran continues to remain cut off from the rest of the world as authorities maintain the more than week-long internet shutdown.

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Governments reacted cautiously to Donald Trumps invitation to join a new Board of Peace, with diplomats warning it could undermine the United Nations as questions grow over its mandate, funding structure and global ambitions beyond Gaza.

Governments across Europe and beyond are weighing US President Donald Trumps proposed Board of Peace with visible caution as diplomats warn the initiative risks sidelining the United Nations and redefining global conflict management around a personalised US-led structure.

While Trump pitches the board as a bold corrective to what he calls ineffective international institutions, critics see a parallel power centre that challenges the UNs legitimacy, norms and authority.

Cautious responses and quiet alarm among allies

Invitations to join the Board of Peace began landing in European capitals over the weekend, addressed to around 60 countries. The response so far has been telling. Hungary, led by one of Trumps closest allies in Europe, offered an unequivocal acceptance. Most others have either hedged or stayed silent with officials choosing anonymity to voice concerns about the implications for the UN system.

Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking during a visit to South Korea said Rome was ready to do our part, without clarifying whether that support was limited to the Gaza ceasefire framework or extended to Trumps broader vision. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had agreed in principle to the Board of Peaces role in Gaza, stressing that details were still under discussion.

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Behind the public caution lies sharper unease. The invitation letter and a draft charter, seen by diplomats, outline a body chaired for life by Trump, initially focused on the Gaza conflict but designed to expand into other global disputes. Member states would serve three-year terms unless they paid $1 billion to secure permanent membership, a provision that has raised eyebrows across Western capitals.

One diplomat summed up the anxiety bluntly, calling it a Trump United Nations that ignores the fundamentals of the UN Charter. Several Western diplomats warned that, if implemented, the board could directly undermine the UN by drawing political authority, funding and legitimacy away from multilateral institutions painstakingly built over decades.

A rival architecture to multilateral diplomacy?

Trump has been explicit about his ambitions. In comments and in the charter document, the board is framed as a more nimble and effective international peace-building body, implicitly contrasting itself with the UN, which Trump has repeatedly accused of obstructing or failing his peace initiatives. The charter argues that durable peace requires pragmatic judgment and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed.

Formally, however, the boards mandate has only been authorised through 2027 by the UN Security Council and is limited to the Gaza conflict. Diplomatic sources and an Israeli official say Trump nonetheless wants the body to evolve into a wider conflict-management mechanism covering disputes he claims to have resolved or could address in future.

That prospect is precisely what troubles many governments. The UN General Assembly president, Annalena Baerbock, avoided directly criticising the plan but warned starkly that the UN remains the only institution with the moral and legal capacity to bring together all nations. Questioning that role, she said, risks plunging the world into very, very, dark times.

The structure of the board has added to the controversy. The White House has named figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The list includes no Palestinians, despite Gaza being the boards starting point. For critics, that reinforces perceptions of a top-down, power-driven model rather than inclusive diplomacy.

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Gaza as test case for trumps global peace ambitions

The immediate focus of the Board of Peace is Gaza, where Israel and Hamas have signed off on Trumps plan for a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration overseen by an international board. A separate 11-member Gaza Executive Board is intended to support day-to-day governance, with figures from Turkey, the UN, the UAE, Qatar and elsewhere.

Even here, tensions are evident. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the composition of the executive board had not been coordinated with Israel and contradicted its policy, particularly objecting to Turkish involvement and expressing discomfort with Qatars role.

Beyond geopolitics, rights groups and analysts argue that the model itself is deeply problematic. A foreign-led board supervising the governance of a territory, chaired by a sitting US president, has been likened to a colonial arrangement. Tony Blairs involvement has also drawn criticism, given his role in the Iraq war and Britains imperial history in the West Asia.

Trump, who has openly expressed his desire for a Nobel Peace Prize, insists the board will be one of a kind. Yet as governments calculate their responses, the broader question remains unresolved: whether this experiment represents an innovative shortcut to peace, or a unilateral challenge that fractures the already strained architecture of global multilateralism. For now, the uneasy silence from most capitals suggests the latter fear is gaining ground.

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The US on Saturday announced that it conducted a lethal strike in Syria, targeting an al Qaeda affiliate leader it said had direct ties to an ISIS attacker involved in the Palmyra attack

One of the sites hit by the US military on 10 January in strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria. File Image: US Central Command/Twitter/X

The United States on Saturday announced that it conducted a lethal strike in Syria, targeting an al Qaeda affiliate leader it said had direct ties to an ISIS attacker who killed three Americans last year. The US Central Command confirmed the news in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said.

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The American forces noted that Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader and was directly connected to the ISIS gunman who killed two US service members and a civilian interpreter on December 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to CENTCOMs post, writing We will never forget, and never relent. It is pertient to note that the United States has been targeting ISIS in Syria after the deadly ambush through a series of strikes under the campaign titled Operation Hawkeye Strike.

ISIS remains the USs target

In the Saturday statment, CENTCOM said that the operation has hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets. Hundreds of American troops continue to be deployed in Syria as part of the USs long-standing mission to combat ISIS.

It is important to note that as of now, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the December attack that killed the two US service members and a civilian interpreter. According to CNN, Syrias Ministry of Interior Affairs said the attacker was a part of the countrys Internal Security Service.

However, the Syrian leadership was quick to distance the gunman from the countrys fledgling government, which has received strong American support in recent months.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the Gaza Board of Peace as part of Washingtons second-phase plan for post-war governance in Gaza, amid unresolved questions over aid, demilitarisation and Israels withdrawal.

Displaced Palestinians live amongst the rubble and debris of homes and businesses destroyed by the Israeli military in over two years of military strikes on the Gaza Strip enclave, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip on January 17, 2026.- AFP

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the Gaza Board of Peace, according to a statement issued by a spokesperson for Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The spokesperson said Pakistan would continue to engage with international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security in Gaza, with the goal of achieving a durable resolution to the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions.

Trump announced the formation of the Gaza Board of Peace on Thursday, describing it as a key element of the second phase of a US-backed plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the board had been formed and that its members would be named shortly, calling it the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled.

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The creation of the board follows the recent announcement of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with overseeing the day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza. Trump said the committee would operate under the supervision of the Board of Peace, which he plans to chair himself.

The broader plan also envisions the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to help secure Gaza and train vetted Palestinian police units.

Reacting to the developments, senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim said the responsibility now lay with mediators, the US as guarantor, and the international community to enable the technocratic committee to function effectively.

The US-backed Gaza peace plan first came into effect on October 10, leading to the release of all hostages held by Hamas and a halt to fighting between the group and Israel. While the second phase of the plan is now under way, it has been overshadowed by allegations of continued aid shortages and violence. Gazas Hamas-run health ministry has said 451 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire was announced.

For Palestinians, a central concern remains Israels full military withdrawal from Gaza, which is outlined in the framework of the plan but lacks a clear timeline. Hamas has also declined to publicly commit to complete disarmament, a core demand from Israel.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said in a Truth Social post that Washington expects Hamas to fully meet its obligations, a message later amplified by Trump. Trump also said the transitional Palestinian leadership he plans to appoint is committed to a peaceful future, adding that with the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, the United States aims to secure a comprehensive demilitarisation agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of tunnels.

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Hamas has meanwhile begun preparations for internal elections to rebuild its leadership, which has been weakened by Israeli strikes during the war. A Hamas official told AFP that the vote is expected to take place in the first months of 2026.

With inputs from agencies
The Pentagon has told 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota after President Donald Trump warned he could invoke the Insurrection Act amid escalating unrest

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents walk during a demonstration outside the Whipple Federal Building, more than a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans

Amid continuing unrest and sharp political exchanges, the Pentagon has instructed about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota. The move followed public warnings by President Donald Trump that he could invoke the Insurrection Act, according to defence officials cited by The Washington Post late Saturday.

The soldiers are drawn from two infantry battalions within the Armys 11th Airborne Division. The unit is based in Alaska and is trained for cold-weather operations.

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Officials said the battalions were placed on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in Minnesota escalates. They described the step as prudent planning and said it remains unclear whether any troops will ultimately be sent. Several officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military planning.

White House calls move routine planning

The White House said the Pentagons actions were standard.

In a statement, it said it is typical for the Defence Department to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.

Insurrection Act remains a last-resort option

The Insurrection Act, passed in 1807, allows a president to take control of a states National Guard or deploy active-duty troops within the country to respond to a rebellion.

Its use would be rare. The last time a president invoked it was in 1992, when President George Bush deployed troops during the Los Angeles riots that killed dozens of people and caused widespread damage.

The law is generally seen as a last resort when law enforcement agencies are unable to restore order during civil unrest.

Trump issues warning, then softens tone

Trump threatened on Thursday to invoke the act, saying on social media that unless Minnesota officials stopped protesters from attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, he would institute the INSURRECTION ACT and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.

On Friday, he appeared to temper his language, saying there was no need to invoke the law right now. He added, If I needed it, Id use it.

Pressure on Minnesota leadership

The threats come as the Trump administration has increased pressure on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other Democratic leaders in the state. The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded immigration enforcement.

Walz, Frey and other Democrats have said the move amounts to authoritarianism and is intended to silence critics of the administrations policies.

Both Walz and Frey have urged protesters to remain peaceful. On Saturday, Walz mobilised the Minnesota National Guard to support local authorities, though the force has not yet been deployed.

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Operation Metro Surge and recent violence

Minnesota has drawn sustained attention from the administration since at least December, when the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Metro Surge. The multi-week immigration crackdown has resulted in hundreds of arrests and repeated clashes between federal agents and protesters.

This month, ICE agents shot two people in the state. Renee Good, an American citizen, was killed. A Venezuelan migrant, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, was wounded during an attempted detention.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and one was injured after a speeding car went out of control and crashed into a tree in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, local rescue officials said Sunday.

The accident occurred in Fateh Jang city of Attock district late Saturday night, a Rescue 1122 official told Xinhua.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital for medicolegal formalities.

The injured person was provided first aid before being transferred to the hospital for further treatment.

Overspeeding was reported to be the cause of the accident, the official added. 
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that any US attempt to seize Greenland would undermine NATO and benefit Russia, as President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs to force a deal despite firm Danish and Greenlandic rejection.

Amid concerns over Greenlands future, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that any US invasion of the Arctic island would severely damage NATO and play into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His comments were published in a newspaper interview on Sunday, amid rising tensions between Washington and European allies.

Sanchez said a US military action against Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, would legitimise Russias invasion of Ukraine.

If we focus on Greenland, I have to say that a U.S. invasion of that territory would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his attempted invasion of Ukraine, he told La Vanguardia.

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He added, If the United States were to use force, it would be the death knell for NATO. Putin would be doubly happy.

Trump threatens tariffs to force Greenland deal

President Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to shift strategy, vowing to impose escalating tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said an additional 10% import tariff would take effect from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain. All are already subject to tariffs imposed by his administration.

Trump said the tariffs would rise to 25% on June 1 and would remain in place until an agreement was reached for the US to purchase Greenland.

Denmark and Greenland reject sale

Trump has repeatedly said he will accept nothing short of ownership of Greenland. Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea, saying the island is not for sale and does not want to become part of the United States.

Almost 10 per cent of Greenlands population marched across the country to take a stand against the United States proposition to take over the island region. On Saturday, they held signs of protest, waved their national flag and chanted Greenland is not for sale in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover.

The UK and France criticise tariff threats

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticised Trumps tariff threats, calling them completely wrong. His remarks followed Trumps statement that the levies would apply to Nato members, including the UK, France and Germany, from February 1.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called Trumps potential tariff threats over Greenland unacceptable, warning that Europe would respond in a united and coordinated way if the measures were confirmed.

No intimidation or threat will sway uswhether in Ukraine, Greenland, or elsewhere, Macron said on X. Tariff threats have no place here, and Europeans will react together if they are implemented.
A series of overnight Russian strikes hit northeastern Ukraine, killing a 20-year-old woman in Kharkiv and injuring several civilians across three regions

A pedestrian looks on while rescuers of the Ukrainian Emergency Service prepare to clear icicles that formed on the facade of a high-rise residential building in Kyiv after a frozen heating pipe burst following Russian missile and drone attacks. (AFP)

An overnight Russian attack hit several northeastern Ukrainian regions. A 20-year-old woman was killed in Kharkiv, and several civilians were injured. Local officials said the strikes damaged homes and critical infrastructure.

Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Telegram that one person was killed after an enemy drone hit a private house in the northeastern city.

There is information about one person killed as a result of an enemy drone strike on a private house, Terekhov said.

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Regional Governor Oleg Synegubov later confirmed that a UAV slammed into a residence, killing a 20-year-old woman and wounding another person.

Synegubov also said a 41-year-old woman suffered an acute stress reaction following the strike.

Sumy region reports injuries

The attacks extended beyond Kharkiv. In the northeastern Sumy region, emergency services said an airstrike hit a residential neighbourhood.

Three women and a seven-year-old child were wounded, according to officials. Preliminary assessments showed damage to 15 residential buildings.

In the Odesa region, officials in the Izmail district reported another Russian attack targeting critical infrastructure sites.

Initial information indicated no casualties. Officials said the strike followed a pattern of repeated assaults on the Danube port region.

Attacks coincide with diplomatic talks

The strikes came as Ukrainian negotiators arrived in the United States on Saturday for talks with President Donald Trumps administration on ways to end four years of war with Russia.

The discussions are expected to focus on security guarantees and post-war recovery.

The conflict remains Europes worst war since World War II.
Scotlands First Minister John Swinney has said he will push for a second independence referendum if his Scottish National Party secures a majority in the May Scottish Parliament elections, arguing that such a result would give a clear democratic mandate for another vote.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney speaks during the Scottish National Party (SNP)'s opening campaign launch in Glasgow on December 8, 2025, ahead of planned elections in May 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

Scotlands first minister, John Swinney, said on Sunday he would call for another independence referendum if his SNP won a majority in Mays Scottish parliament elections, a result he added could end Keir Starmers premiership.

Swinney, leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party which has governed Scotland for nearly 19 years, appealed to independence-minded voters to hand his party a big majority in May, when Wales will also vote in Welsh parliament elections and some voters in England will take part in local polls.

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In a referendum in 2014, Scots rejected ending the more than 300-year-old union with England by 55% to 45%, but nationalists argue that the vote for Brexit two years later, which the majority of Scottish voters opposed, changed everything.

Asked by Sky News whether winning a majority in May would be a green light to demanding another independence referendum, Swinney said: Yes  I am being straightforward  if people in Scotland want Scotland to become independent the SNP has got to do really well in this forthcoming election.

Britains top court has ruled that the Scottish government cannot hold a second referendum on independence without approval from the British parliament, but Swinney said he believed Starmer would not be prime minister by the end of the year.

The United Kingdom is allegedly a partnership of equals, so Scotland has a democratic right to decide our own future and secondly if I win a majority  I dont think Keir Starmer will be the prime minister.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a ceasefire deal with the Kurdish-led SDF including integrating Kurdish forces into state institutions, handing over key provinces to Damascus and transferring control of IS detainees to the government.

Syrian Defence Force soldiers drive through the streets the northern city of Raqa, on the North bank of the Euphrates River on January 18, 2026.- AFP

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that Damascus had reached an understanding with Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), that includes halting hostilities following recent advances by government troops into Kurdish-controlled parts of northern and eastern Syria.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential palace in Damascus after meeting US envoy Tom Barrack, Sharaa said the two sides had agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire. He explained that a face-to-face meeting with Abdi was delayed until Monday because of adverse weather conditions, but added that an agreement was concluded in the meantime to calm the situation.

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The presidency released the full text of the 14-point accord, which outlines plans to fold the SDF and Kurdish security units into Syrias defence and interior ministries. It also provides for the swift transfer of administration in the SDF-run provinces of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to the central government, and assigns Damascus responsibility for Islamic State prisoners and their families currently held in Kurdish-run detention facilities and camps.

Following the announcement, Syrias Defence Ministry said it had instructed forces along the front lines to cease combat operations. The SDF has not publicly confirmed the deal and did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press.

Since overthrowing former president Bashar Assad in December 2024, Syrias new leadership has faced difficulties consolidating control over a country battered by years of conflict. Although a framework agreement aimed at merging the SDF with the central government was reached in March, it failed to move forward, with each side accusing the other of breaches.

In recent days, government forces have largely taken control of Deir el-Zour and Raqqa, two strategically vital provinces previously under SDF authority that host key oil and gas infrastructure, Euphrates River dams and major border crossings.

State news agency SANA broadcast images of President Ahmad al-Sharaa signing and presenting the agreement. Abdi was not shown at the signing ceremony, though his signature appeared on the document. Sharaa told journalists that the SDF leader was unable to travel because of weather conditions and is expected to come to Damascus on Monday, after the agreement was finalised by phone.

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Its a victory for all Syrians of all backgrounds, al-Sharaa told journalists in Damascus after signing the agreement. Hopefully Syria will end its state of division and moves to a state of unity and progress. The two warring sides are key allies of Washington. US Envoy Tom Barrack met with al-Sharaa earlier Sunday as government forces were sweeping into the city of Raqqa and across Deir el-Zour province. Abdi reportedly joined the meeting over the phone.

Barrack praised the agreement, saying it will lead to renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria, ahead of working on the details of implementing the integration.

This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division, said Barrack in a post on X.

The agreement includes dismantling the SDF and having its forces join Syrias military and security forces, while senior military and civilian officials would be given high-ranking positions in state institutions.

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The SDF would have to give up the Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces to the Syrian military and government, as well as its border crossings and oil and gas fields.

Hassakah Province is only expected to give its civilian administration back to Damascus, while the Kurdish-led agencies that handled prisons and sprawling camps with thousands of detained Islamic State group fighters and families would be handed over to Damascus.

There is no clear timeline on when and how the different elements of the agreement will go into effect. Al-Sharaa told journalists that it will be gradually implemented, beginning with the cessation of hostilities.

It appeared that tensions following clashes in Aleppo earlier this month had calmed after Abdi announced that his troops will withdraw east of the Euphrates River, and al-Sharaa issued a presidential decree that would strengthen Kurdish rights in the country.

However, overnight the Syrian military seized Tabqa, continuing into Raqqa province. Syrian troops reached much of Raqqa city by the time the announcement was made. Armed Arab clans in Raqqa and Deir el-Zour that largely do not support the SDF backed Damascus. SDF lost control of large swaths of its territory and infrastructure, including dams and oil and gas fields.

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An Associated Press reporter in the area said that large military convoys swept into Raqqa city and were greeted by residents. It appeared that the SDF had withdrawn.

The SDF took Tabqa from IS in 2017 as part of its military campaign to take down the Islamic State groups so-called caliphate, which at its peak stretched across large parts of Syria and Iraq. At the height of its control, IS declared Raqqa its capital.

With inputs from agencies
Syrias army took control of swathes of the countrys north on Saturday, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory over which they held effective autonomy for more than a decade.

Syrias army took control of swathes of the countrys north on Saturday, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory over which they held effective autonomy for more than a decade.

The government appeared to be extending its grip on parts of the country under Kurdish control a day after President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a national language and granting the minority group official recognition.

The Kurds have said the announcement fell short of their aspirations.

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The army moved forward after implementation of a March deal  intended to see Kurdish forces integrated into the state  stalled.

Government troops drove Kurdish forces from two Aleppo neighbourhoods last week and on Saturday took control of an area east of the city.

Also Saturday, the Syrian army entered Tabqa in Raqa province and drove Kurdish fighters from the citys military airport, the official SANA news agency reported. Authorities also announced the capture of two oil fields in the area.

An AFP correspondent in Deir Hafer, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Aleppo city, saw several fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leaving the town and residents returning under heavy army presence.

Syrias army said four soldiers had been killed, while Kurdish forces reported several fighters dead. Both sides traded blame for violating a withdrawal deal.

Kurdish authorities ordered a curfew in the Raqa region after the army designated a swathe of territory southwest of the Euphrates River a closed military zone, warning it would target what it said were several military sites.

Betrayed

On Friday, Syrian Kurdish leader and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi had committed to redeploying his forces from outside Aleppo to east of the Euphrates.

But the SDF said Saturday that Damascus had violated the recent agreements and betrayed our forces, with Kurdish forces clashing with troops south of Tabqa.

The army urged the SDF to immediately fulfil its announced commitments and fully withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River.

The SDF controls swathes of Syrias oil-rich north and northeast, much of it captured during the countrys civil war and the fight against the Islamic State group over the past decade.

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US envoy Tom Barrack met Abdi in Erbil on Saturday, the presidency of Iraqs autonomous Kurdistan region said in a statement.

While the United States for years has supported the Kurds, it also backs Syrias new authorities.

The US militarys Central Command on Saturday urged Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in the areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron and the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, called for deescalation and a ceasefire, the French presidency said.

Presidential decree

Sharaas announcement on Friday was the first formal recognition of Kurdish rights since Syrias independence in 1946.

The decree stated that Kurds are an essential and integral part of Syria, where they have suffered decades of marginalisation and oppression.

It made Kurdish a national language and granted nationality to all Kurds, 20 percent of whom had been stripped of it under a controversial 1962 census.

The Kurdish administration in Syrias northeast said the decree was a first step but does not satisfy the aspirations and hopes of the Syrian people.

Rights are not protected by temporary decrees, butthrough permanent constitutions that express the will of the people and all components of society, it said in a statement.

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In Qamishli, the main Kurdish city in the countrys northeast, Shebal Ali, 35, told AFP that we want constitutional recognition of the Kurdish peoples rights.

Nanar Hawach, senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, told AFP that the decree offers cultural concessions while consolidating military control.

It does not address the northeasts calls for self-governance, he said, adding: Sharaa is comfortable granting cultural rights, but draws the line at power-sharing.

Damascus appeared to be seeking to drive a wedge between Kurdish civilians and the armed forces that have governed them for a decade, he argued.

Also Saturday, the US military said a strike in northwest Syria a day earlier had killed a militant linked to a deadly attack on three Americans last month.
Trump is considering widening the role of his newly formed Board of Peace, initially set up to oversee Gazas reconstruction, to other global conflict zones, including Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.

Trump gets a crucial point that most analysts, policymakers and even global leaders miss. China, for all its claims and status as Americas peer competitor, is not interested in an open conflict with the United States. File image/Reuters

US President Donald Trump is considering expanding the remit of the newly created Board of Peace, originally established to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, to other conflict zones around the world, including Ukraine, the Financial Times reported.

The boards executive committee, announced by the US government on Friday, includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner.

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According to a person briefed on its likely mandate and cited by the FT, the Trump administration views the body as a potential substitute for the UN  a parallel, unofficial mechanism to address global conflicts beyond Gaza.

Trump hails prestigious new body

Trump himself has praised the initiative, calling it unprecedented in stature.

I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place, he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday.

Expansion linked to Gaza performance

Earlier this week, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Washington was weighing an expansion of the boards role to cover other international conflicts  including the RussiaUkraine war and tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia  depending on its performance in Gaza.

Ukraine seen as key test case

A senior Ukrainian official involved in discussions with the Trump administration told the FT that Kyiv views the board as a potentially important component of negotiations with Russia aimed at ending the war.

Currently, it is suggested that this particular board will be established particularly for the UkraineRussia case, the official said, adding that it could be used to monitor the implementation of a proposed 20-point peace framework under discussion by Washington, Kyiv, Moscow and Brussels.

Venezuela also under consideration

Diplomats cited by the FT said US officials have also floated the idea of extending the boards remit to Venezuela, where the political situation remains uncertain following the US seizure of former president Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

White House response

Responding to questions about the initiative, the White House told the FT: The entire world wants to be part of President Trumps historic effort to deliver peace to the Middle East.

It added that any announcements regarding the Board of Peaces membership would come directly from the president.
Fear of crossing Donald Trump and deep internal divisions pushed the Republican-controlled House to one of its least productive years on record.

The Republican grip on Washington in 2025 did little to improve the Houses performance, which sank to historic lows in lawmaking as party tensions and anxiety over Donald Trumps reaction shaped nearly every major decision. GOP lawmakers frequently hesitated to advance measures that could trigger criticism from the President, creating a climate of caution that slowed the chambers work to its weakest pace in years.

A razor-thin majority and open disagreements between establishment Republicans and hard-right members further deepened the standstill. Routine business was repeatedly stalled, leadership votes became prolonged battles, and major policy proposals struggled to reach the floor.

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By years end, the House had enacted fewer laws than in any modern session, offering a stark measure of how Trumps influencecombined with internal Republican fracturesleft Congress unable to fully use the power it held.

Speakers strategy limits House activity

Speaker Mike Johnson spent much of the year attempting to keep the House operational while navigating internal party tensions and resistance to measures opposed by the president. The chamber was left out of session for nearly eight weeks, a period that coincided with the longest government shutdown in history.

Johnson also worked to avoid politically sensitive votes, including proposals to cancel Trumps tariffs, compel the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and extend health care subsidies nearing expiration. These manoeuvres heightened tensions within the Republican conference.

Backbench rebellion breaks tradition

Growing frustration among rank-and-file Republicans led to repeated efforts to bypass leadership by forcing legislation to the floor through discharge petitions, a mechanism historically viewed as symbolic rather than effective.

In 2025, however, several such efforts succeeded. Legislation related to the Epstein matter was enacted last fall, and the House later passed a bill restoring health care subsidies, though its path to enactment remains uncertain in an election year.

Votes and laws fall to near-record lows

The House recorded just 362 votes in 2025, the second-lowest total in the past 25 years. The only year with fewer votes during that period was 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted congressional operations in the United States.

It was also the fewest votes cast in a non-election year since 1990. The reduced legislative calendar directly contributed to a sharp decline in enacted laws.

Only one year since 2001 saw Congress enact fewer bills than in 2025. That was 2023, a year marked by turmoil that culminated in the removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker after he worked with Democrats to pass spending legislation.

Unlike 2023, when divided government constrained output, Republicans in 2025 controlled the House, the Senate and the White House, underscoring the scale of the breakdown.

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While Congress moved quickly to pass Trumps tax cut and domestic policy package, Johnson repeatedly blocked or delayed measures opposed by the president. He relied on obscure procedural tactics to prevent votes on cancelling tariffs and resisted efforts to advance other bipartisan proposals.

As a result, lawmakers increasingly concluded that the House had sidelined itself, with broader congressional authority effectively ceded to the White House.

Censures, exits and shrinking margins

As legislative momentum stalled, the House became increasingly consumed by internal disciplinary actions. Six official rebukes were brought to the floor in 2025, matching the total from 2023.

That earlier year included the expulsion of George Santos, who faced 23 federal criminal charges and was found to have lied extensively to voters about his background.

Disillusionment with the chambers direction prompted several Republicans to exit Congress, including Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, further eroding the partys already narrow majority.
Trump has invited India to join a proposed international Board of Peace aimed at overseeing governance and reconstruction in Gaza after the war, as part of his broader plan to stabilise the conflict-hit territory and manage its transition to long-term rule.

US President Donald Trump has invited India to join a proposed international Board of Peace tasked with overseeing post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza, according to multiple reports citing sources.

The invitation is part of Trumps broader Gaza ceasefire initiative and a 20-point Comprehensive Plan aimed at stabilising the conflict-hit territory and managing its transition to long-term governance.

Indias role and regional standing

Indias inclusion is seen as significant given its longstanding ties with both Israel and Palestine. New Delhi maintains a strategic partnership with Israel while also providing consistent humanitarian assistance to Palestine. India was among the first countries to send aid to Gaza via Egypt after the conflict began.

Israels envoy to India, Reuven Azar, had earlier said in an interview that Pakistan would be unacceptable to Israel for any future role in Gaza.

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Pakistan, however, has claimed that it has also received an invitation to join the proposed Board of Peace.

According to the White House, the Board of Peace will act as the central strategic body guiding Gazas post-war transition. Chaired by Trump himself, the board is expected to focus on governance capacity-building, regional engagement, reconstruction, investment mobilisation and large-scale funding.

Confirmed members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trumps special negotiator Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, billionaire financier Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and senior National Security Council aide Robert Gabriel.

The White House has said the structure will include a main board chaired by Trump, a Palestinian committee of technocrats to govern Gaza, and a second executive board with a largely advisory role.

Global reactions remain cautious

The board, formed on January 15 as part of Trumps peace plan, is also being viewed as a possible template for addressing other global conflicts. However, governments have responded cautiously to the initiative.

Only Hungary has publicly accepted the invitation so far, according to diplomats cited by Reuters. Invitations have reportedly been sent to around 60 countries, with many governments hesitant to comment openly amid concerns that the initiative could undermine the role of the United Nations.

The White House said additional members would be announced in the coming weeks but did not specify the responsibilities of individual board members.

Gaza Executive Board and Israeli concerns

A separate 11-member Gaza Executive Board is expected to include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UN Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag, UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, and officials from Qatar and the UAE.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the composition of this board had not been coordinated with Israel and contradicted its policy, reportedly due to Turkeys involvement and Israels strained relations with Qatar.

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France minister on Sunday warned that the United States could also pay a heavy price for Trumps decision to impose fresh tariffs on European countries, as tensions rise over Washingtons push to acquire Greenland.

France's Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard answers journalists' questions after attending an inspection of imported foodstuffs at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris, on January 15, 2026. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard on Sunday warned that the United States would also suffer from President Donald Trumps decision to impose fresh tariffs on European countries over their refusal to back his push to purchase Greenland.

Speaking after Trump announced tariffs on eight European nations, Genevard said the escalation could harm American farmers and industries as much as Europe, cautioning that trade retaliation must be handled carefully.

In this escalation of tariffs, he has a lot to lose as well, as do his own farmers and industrialists, Genevard was quoted as saying by AFP, adding that Europeans would not allow the United States to do as it pleases.

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EU urges caution amid tariff escalation

Genevard said that while the European Union has strong commercial leverage, the situation required restraint, warning that further escalation could be deadly.

But it could also be deadly for the United States, she said, stressing that any attempt by Washington to take over or purchase Greenland would be unacceptable.

Trump announces tariffs over Greenland dispute

On Saturday, Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, effective February 1. He said the tariff rate would rise to 25 percent from June 1, 2026.

All tariffs will remain in place until a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland, Trump wrote on Truth Social, arguing that the US needs the Arctic island  an autonomous Danish territory  for national security reasons.

NATO deployment cited as trigger

Trump said the tariffs were imposed after these countries journeyed to Greenland, referring to the deployment of military personnel as part of a NATO exercise called Arctic Endurance. The exercise followed prolonged tensions between Washington and Copenhagen over Greenlands strategic importance and mineral resources.

The United Kingdom and Norway, while not members of the European Union, were also included in the tariff list.

EU diplomats meet in Brussels

Following Trumps announcement, European Union ambassadors held an emergency meeting in Brussels on Sunday afternoon to discuss the situation.

Trump said Washington remained open to negotiations with Denmark and the other affected countries.

The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades, he wrote.
The White House called the report "misleading" and said there is no minimum membership fee to join the "Board of Peace".

A draft charter suggested that countries may be required to pay $1 billion to secure a place on a proposed peace board backed by President Donald Trump, cited Bloomberg News. The report, published on Saturday, said the plan outlines financial terms and leadership roles for the new body.

According to the draft charter, each member state would serve a term of up to three years, with any renewal requiring the chairmans approval, the report said.

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Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charters entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charters entry into force, the draft says, according to the outlet.

According to the report, President Trump would serve as the inaugural chairman of the peace board. It added that each member state would serve a term of no more than three years from the charters entry into force, with any renewal subject to approval by the chairman.

White House rejects membership fee claim

The White House responded by disputing the reports central claim. It described the coverage as misleading and said there is no minimum membership fee required to join what it referred to as the Board of Peace.

This simply offers permanent membership to partner countries who demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity, the White House said in a post on X.

This is misleading. There is no minimum membership fee to join the Board of Peace.



This simply offers permanent membership to partner countries who demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity. https://t.co/c4bVUBfnW8  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 18, 2026

The US State Department, responding to a query from Reuters, pointed to earlier social media posts by President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff about the board. Those posts did not mention any specific membership fee.

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Board of Peace

The Board of Peace received UN Security Council backing in November as part of Trumps 20-point Gaza plan. However, the draft charter does not mention Gaza, even though the resolution grants the board a two-year mandate that can be extended to December 2027.

Instead, the preamble points to a wider break from traditional multilateral systems. It argues that lasting peace needs pragmatic, common-sense solutions and calls for a more agile international peace body, echoing Trumps repeated criticism of the UN as slow and ineffective.
SAO PAULO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Saturday that the free trade agreement between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the EU protects vulnerable sectors and represents a direct response to rising protectionism and unilateralism.

In an opinion article published by several media outlets, Lula said that at a time when "unilateralism isolates markets and protectionism restrains global growth," Mercosur and the EU chose "a different path."

The deal, struck after more than 25 years of negotiations, covers about 700 million people across 31 countries, with a combined GDP around 25 percent of the world's total, making it one of the biggest free trade areas in the world.

Lula said the agreement will expand mutual access to strategic markets under "clear, predictable and balanced" rules, boosting investment, exports and transatlantic production chains.

According to Lula, the approved version of the agreement safeguards the interests of vulnerable sectors while ensuring environmental protection and the pact is expected to benefit sectors ranging from bioeconomy to high-tech industries, as well as small and medium-sized farmers and businesses, while offering consumers greater choice at lower prices.

He said the pact would also contribute to "active, representative, inclusive and fair" system of global governance, adding that "multilateralism remains relevant and indispensable in the face of growing political extremism and protectionism."

Lula said the signing marks only the first step, warning that the success of the deal will depend on its "swift and transparent" implementation and how quickly its benefits reach markets, farms, factories and citizens.

"It is a win-win agreement, without any form of imposition or subordination," said Edinho Silva, president of Brazil's Workers' Party, in a statement.

According to Silva, the deal stands in contrast to the U.S. acts of economic oppression or moves seeking territorial expansion. 
KUNMING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire has been raging for nearly two days in a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province as of Sunday, with 326 people mobilized for rescue efforts, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at 4:51 p.m. on Friday in Jiasheng Village, under the jurisdiction of Nujiang Prefecture. The local government has organized 326 rescuers, including personnel from forestry, grassland, and firefighting departments, to combat the blaze.

No casualties have been reported so far.

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the fire line spanned approximately 600 meters, with an affected area of about 600 mu (40 hectares). The government said the site is remote, with no residential areas or critical infrastructure nearby, but added that the fire is adjacent to steep cliffs and rugged terrain, complicating containment efforts.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, firefighting operations were still ongoing. 
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.
Attendees listen to stories being told by the Pea Green Brothers during Pea Green Saturday Night on Jan. 27, 2024. The shows are held the fourth Saturday of the month from January through April and the 20th season debuts Jan. 24. The show feels like stepping back into a simpler era. Held inside an old grange-style hall  worn but lovingly maintained  the shows vibe is friendly, informal, and nostalgic.
Tue Tuesday

54 /27

Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the upper 20s.
MOSCOW, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Western policy of promoting fear over purported Russian threats in the Arctic has demonstrated its failure, said Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov.

"The policy ... pursued by Western countries has demonstrated its complete failure, backfiring in the Greenland context as a boomerang against its initiators in Europe," said the Russian diplomat, according to RIA Novosti on Saturday.

Korchunov said Russia is closely monitoring NATO's frequent activities in the Arctic. He said NATO's presence in any region does not enhance security but instead exacerbates regional tensions.

According to media reports, Britain and Germany were leading discussions among several European countries on strengthening their military presence in Greenland, including the establishment of a joint task force known as Arctic Sentinel.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the Arctic Sentinel plan constitutes yet another provocation by Western countries in the Arctic region. Any actions that disregard Russia's interests in the Arctic would have negative consequences, she said, adding that Russia would respond accordingly. 
The Glasgow City Council will meet in regular session, Monday, Feb. 2, 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers, located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center.

The meeting is open to the public and are recorded for future listening, https://www.cityofglasgowmt.com/.
CTi News reporter, 5 military personnel detained over alleged leaks to China

ROC Central News Agency

01/17/2026 08:14 PM

Kaohsiung, Jan. 17 (CNA) A CTi TV reporter and five active-duty and retired service members were detained incommunicado on Saturday for their alleged involvement in a scheme where the journalist bribed military personnel to leak information to "Chinese individuals," according to Ciaotou prosecutors.

Taiwan Ciaotou District Court granted the request by prosecutors to hold Lin Chen-you () and five active-duty and retired military personnel in detention without visitation after a hearing, the local prosecutors' office said in a press release.

On Friday, Ciaotou prosecutors conducted a search of Lin's rented residence in Taipei and brought him to Kaohsiung for questioning, while the residences of nine active-duty and retired service members were also searched that day, the office said.

After questioning the suspects, prosecutor Chou Wei-chih () claimed that Lin paid active-duty service members amounts ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of New Taiwan dollars in exchange for leaking "military-related information" to "Chinese individuals," according to the office.

The suspects are believed to have violated the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, according to the prosecutors' office.

Lin covers political beats, primarily the Legislature, for CTi News and also hosts a political program on the outlet's YouTube channel.

In a statement, CTi TV called for a fair and just judicial process and denied reports the company was searched by prosecutors on Friday.

"We seek a fair trial and justice for all. God bless Taiwan. Reports that CTi was searched are untrue. We urge all parties to stop circulating false information," the statement said.

CTi News lost its cable television license in 2020 after Taiwan's communications regulator declined to renew it, citing repeated violations.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday that the case was handed over to Ciaotou prosecutors following an investigation initiated by the National Security Bureau (NSB), in coordination with the ministry and the Investigation Bureau, which pursued leads and uncovered evidence involving active-duty military personnel and others.

(By Chang Yi-lien, Lin Chiao-lien and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/AW

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ICYMI: Ranking Member Shaheen Interview with Bloomberg's Mishal Husain

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: January 16, 2026

WASHINGTON -- This week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was interviewed by Bloomberg's Mishal Husain this week for a conversation that touched on topics from American foreign policy to healthcare to the future of American democracy. Key quotes from Senator Shaheen on foreign policy topics during the interview are included below.

Denmark and Greenland

"Denmark and Greenland share our values. They've been our allies since before World War II. Denmark has always been there in support of the United States."





"What we've heard from Danes and Greenlanders [is that] anything the United States is interested in doing in Greenland, they would be happy to partner with us on. We've had a treaty with Greenland since 1951 that allows us to have bases there. In fact, we had 17 at the end of the Cold War and we've closed 16 of those."





"That's the route we should be taking: It should be diplomatic. We should be engaging in conversations if there is an interest on the part of this administration in additional operations there."



Venezuela

"I think there are a lot of unanswered questions about America's role in Venezuela going forward  about the need to maintain a flotilla [to] interdict oil. We all have an interest in trying to shut down that shadow fleet, but there are costs involved."





"My constituents in the state of New Hampshire are worried about the cost of living. For any dollars that we're spending in the Caribbean, the administration [is] not focused on the domestic concerns in the United States."





"We have about 20% of our ships in the Caribbean right now. We have 15,000 men and women in our military. Anytime we have that many people in an area of operation, there's the potential for escalation."





"What the administration has done is replace one repressive dictator with another repressive dictator. While I appreciate the need to try and avoid some of the mistakes made when we went into Iraq, we need to see some goals and objectives, a timeline for what's going to happen [and] a focus on democratic elections. We haven't seen any of that yet."





CLICK HERE to watch the full interview. The text of the conversation can be found at this link.

###

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PH continues lawful operations in WPS, protection of Filipino fishers

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

January 17, 2026, 6:32 pm

MANILA -- The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Saturday said the Philippines will continue to carry out lawful maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to protect the country's sovereignty and the Filipino fisherfolk.

The NMC issued the statement as it reiterated the Philippines' "clear and settled position" that its actions in the WPS are lawful, responsible, and firmly anchored on international law," citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

Responding to China's recent remarks concerning the situation in WPS, the NMC said the Philippines' lawful actions "should not be misrepresented as acts of aggression or provocation."

"Guided by these principles, the Philippines continues to pursue a policy of restraint, transparency, and respect for international law," the NMC said.

"Philippine maritime activities will continue to be conducted in order to protect the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos, especially our traditional fisherfolk and coastal communities relying on the sea for their livelihood," it added.

The statement came after the Chinese Embassy in Manila criticized the Philippines' alleged "provocative" acts, claiming that Filipino fisherfolk are being used as "political tools to intrude into sensitive waters."

The embassy also claimed that there is no such term as "maritime zones" in the UNCLOS.

The NMC stressed that the 2016 arbitral ruling, which is final and legally binding, clarified the application of UNCLOS in the South China Sea and the WPS.

The arbitral award also affirmed the Philippines' maritime entitlements, including its sovereign rights over features within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf such as Ayungin Shoal Panganiban Reef, the NMC said.

The NMC cited the arbitral tribunal's finding that large-scale land reclamation and artificial island-building, as well as the harvesting of endangered marine species by Chinese vessels within the Philippines' EEZ and in Bajo de Masinloc, "caused serious harm to the marine environment and violated UNCLOS."

"On the other hand, the Philippines has remained faithful to UNCLOS and its resort to arbitration was found to be firmly grounded in UNCLOS and general international law," it said.

"It is to be underscored that both the Philippines and China have already given their advance consent to compulsory arbitration upon their ratification of the UNCLOS and that the maritime issues brought by the Philippines for resolution by arbitration were found to be within the Tribunal's jurisdiction under UNCLOS."

The NMC reiterated the country's commitment to the peaceful management of differences through dialogue and confidence-building measures, while remaining firm in speaking out when its sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction are challenged, in support of a rules-based maritime order.

It said the country seeks to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations at sea, ensuring that activities are carried out "safely, professionally, and in accordance with international law."

"We remain ready to engage constructively, in good faith and with mutual respect, in the interest of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region," the NMC said. (PNA)

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Hamas says Israeli army, settlers coordinating West Bank attacks

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 7:05 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the ongoing attacks by extremist settlers against the Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank are part of a broader and systematic campaign to intimidate residents, complicate their daily lives, and create a new reality that paves the way for annexation and forced displacement of the people.

Abdul Rahman Shadid, a senior leader of the group, stated on Saturday that the relentless assaults faced by the West Bank governorates  ranging from demolitions and vandalism to theft and systematic intimidation  are executed in complete collaboration between Israeli forces and settler groups.

He added that this highlights the brutal nature of the Tel Aviv regime, showing a blatant disregard for laws or principles and a complete lack of concern for international warnings regarding the serious repercussions of its ongoing policy of forced displacement.

Shadid emphasized that these "crimes and acts of terrorism will not weaken our people's resolve, their strength on their land, or their commitment to their rights."

No matter how Israel's repression and aggression may become, Palestinians will never give up what is rightfully theirs, the senior Hamas official stated.

Shadid urged all walks of the Palestinian society to ramp up their mobilization and solidarity to confront these assaults, and to bolster the resilience of those living in the affected villages and communities.

He called on human rights organizations and the international community to take action and break their suspicious silence over settler offenses, and to take immediate steps to ensure accountability for the ongoing Israeli violations affecting the Palestinian people and territories.

Palestinians in the West Bank are experiencing heightened Israeli military operations and a surge in violent incidents by settlers following the onset of the devastating Gaza war in October 2023, which has claimed at least 71,548 lives in the coastal area.

Since then, at least 1,107 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 11,000 others injured in the West Bank due to attacks by the military and Israeli settlers in the occupied territory. Around 21,000 individuals have also been abducted by the forces of the occupying regime.

For months, human rights organizations have been sounding the alarm about the increasing risk of ethnic cleansing faced by Palestinians in the West Bank amid ongoing violence.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's prolonged occupation of historic Palestine to be unlawful and urged the removal of all settlements located in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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Israel says Trump's Gaza oversight panel 'contradicts its policy'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 6:54 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has criticized the recent formation of a Gaza oversight body announced by the White House, marking a rare public divergence from US President Donald Trump.

In a statement on Saturday, Netanyahu's office said the announcement "was not coordinated with Israel and contradicts its policy," a day after the unveiling of the executive committee of the so-called "Gaza Board of Peace".

According to Netanyahu's office, the Israeli premier has instructed foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar to raise Israel's objections with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio. Sa'ar, who previously had limited involvement in Israel-US relations, has now been tasked with addressing this development.

On Friday, the Trump administration announced the executive committee of Gaza's so-called board of peace, a body purportedly tasked with managing transitional governance in the blockaded territory.

The executive committee includes top officials from Turkey and Qatar-- countries openly critical of Israel's actions during the Gaza war.

Unlike the largely symbolic broader Board of Peace, which Trump will chair, the executive committee is expected to play a direct and pivotal role in overseeing Gaza's postwar management.

Separately, Trump has extended invitations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to join the Board of Peace.

According to the Turkish presidency, Erdogan has received the invitation, while Egypt confirmed it is reviewing the proposal.

Some key members of the Board of Peace include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.

The body is expected to supervise Gaza's temporary governance under a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since October.

Netanyahu's pushback underscores rising tensions between Israel and the Trump administration over Gaza, highlighting disagreements on the region's postwar reconstruction and governance.

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'Hands off Greenland': Massive anti-US protests held in Denmark, Greenland

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 2:47 PM

Demonstrators have begun taking to the streets in Greenland and Denmark as part of massive rallies in protest of US President Donald Trump and his threats to take over the Arctic island.

Demonstrations organized by Greenlandic associations are planned across Denmark and Greenland for Saturday.

Uagut, an association of Greenlanders in Denmark, said on its website that the aim of the protests is "to send a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland's democracy and fundamental human rights."

In the Danish capital of Copenhagen, people have begun gathering in front of City Hall to rally toward the US Embassy.

Protests are also planned in the Danish cities of Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense.

According to Camilla Siezing, the chairwoman of the Inuit Association, people are protesting "against American statements and ambitions to annex Greenland."

She said protesters "demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland's right to self-determination."

In Greenland's capital, Nuuk, demonstrators are set to march to the US consulate carrying Greenlandic flags to protest "against the United States' illegal plans to take control of Greenland," organizers said.

On Friday, the US president threatened to impose tariffs on nations that do not comply with his plans to annex Greenland, a self-governing territory controlled by Denmark.

The White House said earlier this week that Trump has been discussing "a range of options" to seize Greenland, including the use of the military. It claimed that annexing the semi-autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark was a "national security priority."

Denmark warned that any attempt by the United States to seize the territory by force would effectively spell the end of the transatlantic military alliance and "postsecondworldwar security."

The territory's position between Europe and North America makes it a key site for installing the US ballistic missile defense system.

Greenland also possesses vast untapped natural resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth minerals essential for modern technology and military industries, which, according to analysts, have fueled US interest in exerting control over the territory.

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Guo Xiaojing, director of the Hungarian Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, accepts the "Knight of Universal Culture" title in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary. The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center.

Guo, director of the Hungarian Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, was recognized for her efforts in advancing Hungarian studies in China and strengthening academic cooperation. According to the award citation, her work has laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation in education, research, and cultural dialogue.

As the first Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Guo played a pivotal role in expanding Chinese language education in Hungary. Her career also spans major lexicographical and scholarly projects, including significant dictionary and translation initiatives.

The citation highlighted Guo's commitment to the idea that the power of culture lies in "understanding and resonance." By presenting Chinese stories in Hungarian and interpreting Hungarian traditions through the lens of Chinese philosophy, she has contributed significantly to deeper people-to-people connections.

The gala, now in its 30th anniversary, brought together representatives from cultural institutions, civil organizations, and the arts to celebrate cultural heritage and international cooperation. 

Artists perform during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Artists perform during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

An artist performs during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Guo Xiaojing (R), director of the Hungarian Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, is awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Guo Xiaojing, director of the Hungarian Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, is seen during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

An artist performs during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Artists perform during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 17, 2026. Chinese linguist and literary translator Guo Xiaojing was awarded the "Knight of Universal Culture" title here on Saturday for her outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Hungary.

The award was presented during a gala marking the Day of the Hungarian Culture at the Stefania Palace Cultural Center. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
US announces Gaza 'Board of Peace' amid ongoing Israeli ceasefire breaches

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 10:36 AM

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced the executive members of Gaza's so-called Board of Peace, a body purportedly tasked with managing transitional governance in the territory, as Israel continues to violate its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

On Friday, the White House published the names of the Gaza Strip's so-called "Board of Peace" members and the head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), marking the launch of the second phase of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza.

Ali Sha'ath, a former Palestinian deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority (PA), will lead the NCAG, according to the White House.

The so-called Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump himself, with key members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The statement also listed members of a "Gaza Executive Board": Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; United Arab Emirates' Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy; veteran Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi; Egypt's intelligence chief Hassan Rashad; UAE-based Bulgarian diplomat and former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov; Cypriot-Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay; Dutch politician Sigrid Kaag; as well as Witkoff, Kushner, and Blair.

Mladenov will act as High Representative for Gaza, linking the Board of Peace with the NCAG, while Major General Jasper Jeffers will lead the International Stabilization Force (ISF).

The US also appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisers to the Board of Peace to supervise "day-to-day strategy and operations."

More appointments to the Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board are expected in the coming weeks.

The announcement follows Witkoff's Wednesday statement launching the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan.

The second phase is said to focus on "demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction."

However, most of the goals in Trump's 20-point plan that became the basis for a ceasefire in Gaza three months ago never became a reality on the ground.

Phase one was designed to immediately halt the fighting, facilitate the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian captives, set a boundary for Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza, allow the full entry of humanitarian aid, and open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

While the daily number of Israeli attacks has decreased since the start of the ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 451 Palestinians and injured 1,251 - an average of nearly five killed every day - since October 10.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has also returned 27 of the 28 bodies of deceased captives, while the search is still on for the remaining body, believed to be buried under the rubble of buildings bombed by Israel.

However, according to Hamas, Israel has failed to release all women and child prisoners as stipulated in the agreement.

Moreover, the Israeli military did not fully withdraw its troops to an area dubbed the "yellow line" and continues to restrict aid.

The opening of the Rafah crossing did not happen, either.

Since Israel launched its genocidal campaign on October 7, 2023, more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 172,000 wounded, the majority of them women and children.

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Trump Invites Turkiye, Argentina, Canada to Join Gaza Peace Council

Sputnik News

20260117

ANKARA (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inviting him to become a member of the Gaza Peace Council, the administration of the Turkish leader said on Saturday.

"On January 16, 2026, US President Donald Trump, as the founding chairman of the Peace Council, sent a letter inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to become one of the founding members of the Peace Council," Burhanettin Duran, head of the communications department of the Turkish presidency, said on X.

Trump also invited Argentina to join the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member state, Argentine President Javier Milei said.

"It is an honor for me to have received tonight the invitation for Argentina to join, as a Founding Member, the Board of Peace, an organization created by President Trump to promote lasting peace in regions affected by conflict, starting with the Gaza Strip," Milei said on X.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also accepted Trump's invitation to join the Gaza Peace Council, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported, citing a source.

 Sputnik

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Trump Puts Tariffs on Eight Countries Over Greenland

Sputnik News

20260117

WASHINGTON (RIA Novosti) - US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will introduce a 10% tariff against eight European countries in February, which will later increase to 25% should a deal for the US to purchase Greenland is not reached.

"Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also said that the US had long subsidized Denmark and all EU countries without charging tariffs on them. He further accused European countries of playing "very dangerous game" over Greenland.

"On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown ... These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump said.

Trump added that Greenland is of paramount importance for the US Golden Dome missile defense system, as it can function effectively only if Greenland is incorporated into it.

"This very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it," the US president said.

He also expressed readiness to "immediately" hold negotiations with Denmark and any other countries to resolve the issue of Greenland's status.

 Sputnik

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White House Deputy Chief of Staff Calls Denmark 'Tiny Country' Unable to Control Greenland

Sputnik News

20260117

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said on Saturday that Denmark is a "tiny country" that is unable to control Greenland.

"With respect to Denmark, Denmark is a tiny country with a tiny economy and a tiny military. They cannot defend Greenland. So they want us to spend hundreds of billions of dollars defending a territory for them that is 25% bigger than Alaska at a hundred percent American expense, but they say while we do this, it belongs 100% to Denmark... It's an unfair deal," Miller told Fox News.

Greenland is necessary for the United States to control navigation routes in the Arctic, Miller said, adding that adversaries of the US are spending significant resources in this region.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland should become part of the US, citing its strategic importance for national security. Denmark and Greenland's authorities have warned the US against seizing the island, stressing that they expect respect for their shared territorial integrity.

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.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the situation around Greenland as extraordinary from the international law point of view, stressing that Russia views the island as part of Denmark.

Neither Russia nor China have ever announced any aggressive plans to "capture" Greenland, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

 Sputnik

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UN Urges US to Comply With UN Charter Amid Trump's Claims to Greenland - Spokesman

Sputnik News

20260117

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United Nations calls on the United States to comply with the Charter amid Washington's plans to "acquire" Greenland and threats of tariffs on countries opposing a takeover, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump did not rule imposing tariffs on countries not accepting the US's claims to Greenland.

"You are well aware that our position is including the respect of the UN Charter which establishes sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states," Haq told reporters at a press briefing.

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. Denmark's and Greenland's authorities warned the US against seizing the island, noting that they expect respect for their shared territorial integrity.

 Sputnik

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Gaza Peace Board to Include Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner - White House

Sputnik News

20260117

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, among others, while US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of International Stabilization Force (ISF), the White House said.

Trump announced on Thursday that the Board of Peace for the Gaza Strip had been formed.

"To establish security, preserve peace, and establish a durable terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarization, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials," the White House said in a statement on Friday.

The statement added that Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov will serve as the High Representative for Gaza and will act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which will be led by Dr. Ali Sha'ath.

"To operationalize the Board of Peace's visionunder the chairmanship of President Donald J. Trumpa founding Executive Board has been formed, composed of leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy. The appointed members are: Secretary Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Sir Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, [President of the World Bank Group] Ajay Banga, [deputy national security advisor] Robert Gabriel," the White House said.

The Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of Trump's peace plan, the White House specified, saying that the board will be providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability "as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development." Each of the board members will oversee a different area, such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.

"In support of this operating model, the Chairman has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors to the Board of Peace, charged with leading day-to-day strategy and operations, and translating the Board's mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution," the White House said.

In addition, in support of the Office of the High Representative and the NCAG, a Gaza Executive Board is being established, which will also include Witkoff, Kushner, Tony Blair, US billionaire businessman Marc Rowan and Mladenov. It will also include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi; Director of Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS) Maj. Gen. Hassan Rashad; Reem Al-Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Cypriot-Israeli billionaire Yakir Gabay, and former UN Gaza coordinator Sigrid Kaag.

On Wednesday, Trump's special envoy Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, which includes the establishment of a transitional technocratic government, the disarmament of Hamas, and the transition from a ceasefire to reconstruction in the region. On the same day, the foreign ministries of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey announced in a joint statement the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to govern Gaza, headed by Ali Shaath, who previously served as deputy minister in the Palestinian government responsible for the development of industrial zones.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Jamaican Prime Minister Holness

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 17, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Prime Minister Holness to discuss ongoing U.S. assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and shared regional priorities. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for Jamaica's recovery and reconstruction.

Secretary Rubio thanked Prime Minister Holness for his leadership as a strong and reliable regional security partner. He also congratulated Prime Minister Holness on Jamaica's significant reduction in the number of crimes in 2025 and underscored shared concerns about drug and firearms trafficking, narco-terrorists, and transnational crime, and the importance of continued security cooperation.

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Trump's tariff threat over Greenland sparks European pushback; Chinese experts note widening transatlantic divide

Global Times

By Xu Keyue and Chu Daye Published: Jan 18, 2026 10:48 AM

US President Donald Trump's threat to impose new tariffs on eight European countries unless Denmark accepts a deal over Greenland has drawn swift rebukes from Nordic capitals and major European leaders, fueled calls for an EU-level response, and cast fresh doubt over the implementation of last year's EU-US tariff "truce," the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.

Chinese experts believe the US tariff threat over the Greenland issue would further widen transatlantic rifts. The US has instrumentalized Europe's dependence, experts said.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the US would levy a 10-percent tariff from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned the rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

Nordic leaders and senior officials were among the first to push back, stressing that disputes between allies should be handled through dialogue rather than pressure, Xinhua reported.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the tariff threat was a "surprise" given the "constructive meeting" with top US officials earlier this week in Washington, AP reported.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the threats "unacceptable" in comments to national news agency NTB, saying threats have no place among allies and reiterating Norway's support for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said issues among allies are best resolved through discussion, not pressure, warning that tariffs could harm transatlantic relations and trigger a dangerous downward spiral, CNN reported.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson rejected the tariff as "blackmail," saying Sweden "will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed" and arguing the matter should be handled at EU level.

Other European leaders also signaled a tougher posture should Washington move ahead with the measures.

Calling the tariff threat "unacceptable," French President Emmanuel Macron said Europeans would respond in a united and coordinated manner should the measures be confirmed, Reuters reported Saturday.

He said France's participation in a Denmark-organized exercise in Greenland reflects France's commitment to national sovereignty and independence, stressing that "no intimidation or threat will influence us."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was "completely wrong" to apply tariffs on allies for pursuing collective security within NATO, adding that Britain would raise the issue directly with the US administration and reiterating that Greenland's future should be decided by Greenlanders and Danes, BBC reported Sunday.

The German government also said it was coordinating closely with European partners and that an appropriate response would be decided jointly in due course.

At the EU level, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned in a joint statement that tariffs linked to Greenland would undermine transatlantic ties and risk a "dangerous downward spiral," Euronews.com reported Sunday.

They underlined that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, and said Europe would remain "united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."

The episode has also reignited debate over whether the EU should activate stronger defensive trade tools, including the bloc's so-called "bazooka," the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), and has further complicated the politics surrounding EU-US trade arrangements in the European Parliament, Xinhua reported.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, urged the European Commission to launch the ACI immediately, calling Trump's tariff threat "unbelievable" and "a new dimension" in the use of tariffs as a political weapon.

Lange said the US step would amount to another breach of the political EU-US tariff and trade deal agreed in Scotland in July 2025, adding that the European Parliament would revisit the issue with political groups next week. He said he could not imagine "business as usual" continuing and expected parliamentary work on the file to be suspended.

Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, said Sunday on Facebook that, given Trump's threats over Greenland, approval of the EU-US trade deal was "not possible" at this stage and that any move toward zero tariffs on US products should be put on hold.

Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said late Saturday it had called an emergency meeting for Sunday, with ambassadors from the EU's 27 member states set to convene to coordinate next steps, Xinhua reported.

Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday that this tariff threat stems from Trump's typical transactional mindset of resorting to tariffs to solve other problems.

"The threat has highlighted a tendency for Trump to solve every matter, including a sovereign matter, with the imposition of tariffs. This came on top of tariff approaches over drugs and immigration issues," Zhou said.

"However, for Europe, some issues are fundamentally not for transaction," Zhou said. He believes that such a statement will further frustrate the people of Europe and it is possible that some European companies will reconsider their business ties with the US, Zhou said, noting that US-EU economic trade and investment relations could be affected as the matter unfold.

"In fact, what the US is doing to Europe is also a kind of hybrid warfare - the US is deploying every pressure tool it can think of against Europe," Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.

The US is instrumentalizing Europe's dependence with the US with the goal to force Europe to accept American conditions so that Washington can achieve its objectives, Cui added.

By escalating pressure on the Greenland issue and resorting to tariff threats, the White House's coercion would deepen the transatlantic divide, Cui said.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 17 January 2026 - Day 1424

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 117 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 made 66 aviation strikes, dropping 163 controlled bombs. In addition, 3585 kamikaze drones were recruited to impress and carried out 2857 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, the Russian enemy made two aviation strikes, dropping eight controlled bombs, carrying out 64 shells, including two from the jet systems of spiral fire.

Today, Russian forces attacked eight times in the South-Slobozhans komu direction in the area of Vovchans kih Hutoriv, Vovchanska, Prylipki and in the direction of Round and Chugunivka. Four clashes are underway.

In the Kupians komu direction, the Russian opponent carried out six attacks towards Petropavlivka and Kurilivka. One fight is still going on.

In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled seven assault actions in the areas of Mirny, Zarichny and towards the settlements of Novosergiyivka, Stavki, Drobisheve, Lyman.

In the Slavic direction, the Russian enemy once attacked in the area of Svyato-Pokrovsky.

In the Kramators komu direction the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions.

14 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. Russian forces tried to storm the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Oleksandro-Shultine, Scherbinivka, Pleshiyivka, Rusyn Yar and towards Ivanopil, Torsky, Illinivka and Sofiyivka, two clashes remain unfinished.

In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of this day, the Russian enemy attacked 35 times in the areas of populated Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Suhetske, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Rivne, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske and towards Novopavlivka and Filija. Fighting is continuing in some locations.

Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 109 Russian occupants were defecated, of which 49 - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 10 car units and seven special equipment units, four antennas, two ATVs, one satellite communication terminal, 53 unmanned aircraft, REB station. Three artillery systems, five vehicles and one special equipment unit, two ATVs, eight shells for Russian personnel were also hit.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled five Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Vyshneve, Zlagoda, Zeleny Gorge, Sosnivka. Yet another battle is underway. Dibrova suffered an air strike.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, 19 clashes took place in the areas of the settlements of Solodke, Gulyaipole, Dorozhnyanka and in the direction of Dobropil, Varvarivka and Zelenoy. Rizdvyanka, Zelena Dibrova, Valley and Zaliznychne were under enemy air strikes.

In the Orihiv direction, the Russian enemy once tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the area of Primorsky. Russian aviation caused air strikes on Odarivka and Yellow Kruci.

In the pridniprovsk direction, at the moment the offensive actions of the Russian enemy is not recorded.

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. Losses were inflicted on formations of one assault brigade, two mechanised brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Rozhkovichy, Khrapovshchina, Novaya Sech, and Khoten (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, losses were inflicted on units of three mechanised brigades, one territorial defence brigade, one national guard brigade, and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Volchanskiye Khutora, Krugloye, Grigorovka, and Bely Kolodez (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 170 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, and one materiel depot.

The Zapad Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, two airmobile brigades of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades near Shiykovka, Cherneshchina, Smorodkovka, Kovsharovka (Kharkov region), and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 210 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, 30 motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. Three ammunition depots were wiped out.

As a result of resolute actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Privolye in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Losses were inflicted on formations of one airmobile brigade, six mechanised brigades of the AFU, and one marine brigade near Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Reznikovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 225 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns, including one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system. One POL depot was destroyed.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, one airmobile brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and five national guard brigades near Gavrilovka, Fedorovskoye, Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), Grishino, Gulevo, Belitskoye, Sukhetskoye, and Vodyanskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 440 troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and one artillery gun.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces advanced into the depth of the enemy's defence and liberated Priluky in Zaporozhye region.

Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, and two assault regiments of the AFU near Ternovatoye, Zaliznichnoye, Vozdvizhenka, Gorkoye (Zaporozhye region), and Pokrovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 210 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one mountain assault brigade and one coastal defence brigade of the AFU near Novoyakovlevka, Magdalinovka, Veselyanka (Zaporozhye region), and Antonovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, nine motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and one materiel depot.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation struck power and transport infrastructure objects used by the AFU, assembly workshops, depots, pre-flight check and launch sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 167 areas.

Air defence means shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, two Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 214 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost: 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 109,558 unmanned aerial vehicles, 645 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,170 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,642 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,634 field artillery guns and mortars, 52,076 units of support military vehicles.

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US judge bars federal agents from pepper spraying, arresting peaceful protesters in Minnesota

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 6:17 PM

US immigration agents carrying out a sweeping crackdown against peaceful protests in Minnesota are barred from using pepper spray, nonlethal crowd-control tools or detaining protesters, a federal judge ordered Friday.

In an 83-page order, US District Judge Katherine Menendez issued an injunction on Friday, saying the agents are not allowed to arrest or retaliate against peaceful protesters or use "pepper-spray or similar nonlethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools" against them.

She also ruled that officers cannot stop or detain drivers without "reasonable articulable suspicion" of interference with federal operations.

"The act of safely following officers at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion," Menendez wrote.

The injunction applies only to agents involved in the current operation in Minnesota and remains in effect until the federal surge concludes.

The ruling responded to a lawsuit filed on December 17 on behalf of six protesters and observers, who said their constitutional rights were violated by ICE and other federal agencies.

Protests have intensified in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old mother of three Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on January 7.

Demonstrators say the event reflects a broader pattern of excessive force, particularly as thousands of federal agents have been deployed to enforce immigration law and investigate alleged fraud in Minnesota.

The court order also comes amid US President Donald Trump's weeks-long crackdown on immigration in Minneapolis and St Paul, which saw the deployment of thousands of federal officers and more than 2,500 arrests.

The Department of Homeland Security defended its agents, claiming that they act "to uphold the rule of law and protect officers and the public."

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that agents follow training and use "the minimum amount of force necessary." Observers, however, describe the federal tactics as military-style operations against ordinary citizens.

The federal response has also drawn scrutiny from the Department of Justice, which is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over possible obstruction of federal law enforcement.

The inquiry raises questions about the treatment of local leaders who have consistently urged protesters to remain peaceful.

Despite bitter temperatures, demonstrators continued gathering near Minneapolis's Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, decrying the federal surge as intimidation rather than legitimate law enforcement.

Legal experts say Judge Menendez's ruling represents a rare check on federal overreach and underscores the tension between local governance and national immigration enforcement.

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People clean the debris of houses burned down during a fire at Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 17, 2026. A fire broke out here on Saturday, causing dozens of houses burned down. No casualties have been reported yet. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

People try to put out a fire in Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 17, 2026. A fire broke out here on Saturday, causing dozens of houses burned down. No casualties have been reported yet. (Photo by Henry Naminde/Xinhua)

People try to put out a fire in Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 17, 2026. A fire broke out here on Saturday, causing dozens of houses burned down. No casualties have been reported yet. (Photo by Henry Naminde/Xinhua)

People gather around the debris of houses burned down during a fire at Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 17, 2026. A fire broke out here on Saturday, causing dozens of houses burned down. No casualties have been reported yet. (Photo by Henry Naminde/Xinhua)
Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra

Transcript

Saturday 17 January 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

Minister for Women

Minister for Government Services

Minister for Finance

Minister for the Public Service

Manager of Government Business in the Senate

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. Firstly, I want to give further details about the National Day of Mourning that will take place this coming Thursday 22nd of January. The theme that has been chosen by the Chabad community in Bondi is: 'light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance'. I've said that flags in Commonwealth buildings as well as state buildings, we will ask flags be flown at half-mast and we would ask the private sector to join with that. National institutions in Canberra and in New South Wales will be illuminated on the day. And a commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, will be held here in Canberra. But in other cities as well. The community are also asking that there be a mitzvah for Bondi. A mitzvah is an act of kindness or compassion. It can be helping out a neighbour, checking on them. It can be volunteering. It can be donating money. It can be essentially any act of kindness. As a part of paying tribute to the 15 Australians who lost their lives on that tragic evening at 7:01pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time, we would ask that throughout Australia there be a minute silence. And we'd ask also that broadcasting institutions, including the TV channels, if they can participate in that as well. We're also asking that people consider leaving a candle on their windowsill or on the outside of their homes or buildings at that evening as well as a tribute. This will be a very important day of mourning. It will be an opportunity for us to pay respects as a nation to those people who lost their lives.

Can I speak about as well the upcoming Parliamentary Sitting. On Monday, there will be the condolence motion. There is agreement about the wording on that, and that will take place in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

One month ago, right here, I outlined a legislation package that would be developed that would go before the Parliament as well. We are now looking at introducing legislation on Tuesday morning to go through the House of Representatives and then for it to proceed to the Senate.

On that tragic day when two terrorists engaged in murder that cost 15 people their lives but injured many others and indeed damaged the fabric of our nation, they had hate in their hearts, but they also had guns in their arms. We wanted to legislate on both, and we've consistently called for support. And I've said that I want there to be unity of this Parliament. People, after all, had called for, pretty consistently called for Parliament to be recalled, called for hate speech to be outlawed. It's clear since then, we've engaged across the Parliament. The Greens Party have engaged in good faith and I thank them for that. And I had a discussion with Larissa Waters yesterday afternoon, where she informed me about where they had landed, that they would vote for the gun laws, but would not vote for the other parts of the legislation. In order to ensure passage of these gun laws, we will be separating out Schedule 3 and 4 of the Bill that is important to deal with customs updates, but also to have the National Gun Buyback Scheme along the model that was implemented after the Port Arthur massacre under John Howard. So, we'll separate out the bills, the gun laws will be separate, and then the laws on hate crimes and migration will proceed. But we will not be proceeding with the racial vilification provisions, because it's clear that that will not have support. We will only proceed with measures that have the support of the Parliament and are likely to receive that. And that's why we'll delay the introduction to Tuesday morning.

The Coalition need to come up with what their position is, because at the moment, they're defined by what they're against, but it's not clear what they're for. They have, up to this point, of course, called for Parliament to be recalled and then opposed it when we did it. They called for hate speech laws. When they've seen them, they're now against them. We want to know what their position is on these measures, because what we don't want to happen in this Parliament is for there to be an ongoing debate, an ongoing debate of conflict. The Opposition are so obsessed with opposing things, they've now begun to oppose themselves. And it's quite clear that in part, this has been driven by the division which is there within the Liberal Party, and the contest that's taking place openly for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

These laws, though, will still be very important. The hate crimes laws we know have led to the National Socialist Network, the Nazis, say that they would disband tomorrow. If these laws don't proceed, allowing for the listing of organisations that promote violence or hatred on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, then it will be up to those people who do not support those laws to actually outline how it is that they justify that. So, we're calling for the support of these provisions. I think it's important that Parliament deal with that this Tuesday after we deal respectfully with the condolence motion on Monday.

KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Thanks, PM. Well, next week is an important week for the Parliament. It's an important week for the Senate. Obviously, in seeking the unity that we need following the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in December and the calls for unity that the Prime Minister has been leading, we are working across the Senate to reach agreement. As you know, the Government doesn't have a majority in the Senate, so even to sit, we need the agreement of other senators. So, over the past week we've been working across the Senate to make sure that we are reaching as much agreement as possible. As the PM said, this is a moment for the Parliament to come together, to stand together and to respond to those horrific terrorist and antisemitic attacks on Bondi Beach. We've got the opportunity to do that with legislation that has, as the PM said, been called for by the Opposition. And we need to send a very strong message, I think the Australian people expect us to, that we are able to respond to these, this terrorist attack in a responsible and mature way. The passage of the legislation that the PM has outlined today will allow that.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are you confident that with the splitting of these bills and the removal of the racial vilification, or at least the delay of the racial vilification -

PRIME MINISTER: No, removing.

JOURNALIST: Removing. That with all the other aspects of the laws will pass Parliament? Are you confident in that?

PRIME MINISTER: Look, it's up to the Liberal Party who, I had another discussion with Sussan Ley this morning. I've engaged respectfully. I'm still waiting for them to say what their position is on all of this. They called for this to happen. They called for Parliament to be resumed on more than 20 occasions. On the 22nd of December they were making it very clear that the Parliament should be sitting today, they said, and passing laws today. They will have the opportunity. They will have no excuse. We know that there are some in the National Party who were saying they were against the gun law provisions. The gun laws will pass with the support of The Greens Political Party, as they have announced today. We are separating out the bills. That is something they have asked for. We are providing that opportunity for them. And the issue of the racial vilification issues has been removed from the bill as well. It is time that the politics stopped and that they stood up for what is in the national interest.

JOURNALIST: Can I confirm that will there be now two bills, one with the gun reforms and another with the hate speech provisions? And if so, have you spoken to The Greens? What indication have you had from The Greens, in fact, about their support for the Hate Speech Provisions Bill?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, they won't support that is what they have announced. But they've been upfront about what their position is. To be fair, it's not a position I agree with and not for the first time I disagree with the landing that The Greens Political Party have had. But I must say Larissa Waters has engaged constructively and honestly. She rang me yesterday afternoon and informed me of what their position was. And so, this is a way in which they can vote for the gun laws that they said they would vote for. And these gun laws are really important and there is no reason why anyone should oppose these gun laws, by the way. Let's be very clear about what they do. They amend the Customs Act to prohibit the import or export of violent extremism material, prohibited hate material or goods that contain such things. They remove the objectionable goods commercial quantity condition to allow for more severe penalties to be imposed where customs laws have been breached. They introduce a new public safety test for firearms and weapons to enable the Minister to refuse import permissions. They restrict the importation of firearms to Australian citizens only, to stop non-citizens importing weapons. And they strengthen the police certification test by removing open ended import permits. So, these are really sensible measures. They also will amend the Criminal Code to introduce new criminal offences for accessing, distributing, possessing or controlling online material for firearms and explosives manufacture. That is, we want prosecutions to occur if someone is basically looking up online how to create a bomb. Surely that is something that should be supported by everyone in the Parliament. And the other thing that it does is to strengthen, not just to have the National Gun Buyback Scheme, but to incorporate an ASIO Security Assessment and an ACIC Criminal Intelligence Assessment into background checks for people who are trying to get a gun licence. These are all really sensible measures, and I've spoken to state governments as well about making sure that their provisions of giving gun licences be only available for Australian citizens. These are common sense reforms. The actual gun licencing and those provisions remain with states and territories. That's something we do not have control of. But the things that we do control to strengthen these laws are what are in this bill. And it should receive the support of everyone in the Parliament. But it's clear that it will receive the support of a majority of Senators.

JOURNALIST: Do you have an updated timeline or plan for introducing the hate speech aspects?

PRIME MINISTER: The hate crimes legislation will continue. The racial vilification laws do not have the support of the Senate.

JOURNALIST: So, it's completely ruled out?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, they do not have the support of the Senate. We, on various things, that is what the Greens Party and the Liberal Party have made clear. So, we deal with the Parliament that we have, which is unfortunate because I note that that was one of the recommendations of the Special Envoy on Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, a clear and unambiguous recommendation. The Coalition called upon us to implement her report and recommendations in full. That is what we have sought to do, but it has not received the support that is required.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, why didn't you try to do this in the first place, split the bill?

PRIME MINISTER: Because what we were doing was putting forward sensible reforms. There's no overreach in any of this. A lot of the criticism that has been there of the laws, are criticisms from people who were calling for it, such as the racial vilification laws, they were called for consistently, not just by Sussan Ley, but by the Leader of the National Party, by James Paterson, and senior members of the Coalition all called for hate speech to be outlawed.

JOURNALIST: Are you frustrated that with such a big majority in the House of Representatives, you couldn't pass these reforms through the Senate?

PRIME MINISTER: No, I am very clear that we do not have a majority in the Senate. That is the Parliament that Australians voted for. That is what we deal with. We try to negotiate through. We've been able to get through, overwhelmingly, our legislation, including the environmental laws at the end of last year. We engaged constructively. I think it is the Coalition, are difficult to get an answer out of at the moment. And what you have seen over the last week is people like Andrew Hastie making declarations openly. You haven't had a Shadow Cabinet process and yet you've had people declaring different positions. And in negotiating with them, it's very difficult to negotiate with people who will not put forward an alternative position. As I said, I've had discussions with Allegra Spender, I've had discussions with the Greens in good faith. I've had discussions with Sussan Ley. But it's clear what they're against. It's not clear what they're for. We will see.

JOURNALIST: Are you confident that you can stamp out antisemitism and target this problem in Australia while removing that racial vilification clause?

PRIME MINISTER: No. It was there for a reason and it's up to others to justify why that is unable to proceed. It's something that we supported, something that we put forward. People called for it to occur. We met last week as well with leaders in the Jewish community, sat down with the Executive Council, ECAJ, for two days last week, and we worked through the legislation. We put it forward in good faith. It's clear that those provisions do not have the support of a majority in the Senate.

JOURNALIST: With that encouragement from leaders in faith communities, will the Government have another crack at getting those laws into a form that can be supported by the Senate?

PRIME MINISTER: No. Well, they haven't been supported. We've got a big agenda this year. We have brought back the Parliament, as we were requested to do by multiple people, and every day it was called for, and indeed the Coalition were calling for this to all be finished before Christmas. That wasn't possible because it takes time to craft legislation and also to consult. We've done that in good faith. It has not received the support and we accept that.

JOURNALIST: What's your message to the Jewish community, given that you've had to have this shift in the legislation?

PRIME MINISTER: We stand with you and we have in good faith done what we said we would do, which is to seek to implement the recommendations of Jillian Segal's report. It hasn't received the support of some in the Senate, and it's up to them to explain to the community the difference between what they said and what they're actually, what they're prepared to do.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, why are you only introducing legislation that will have support? Isn't that the point of Parliament, to debate different ideas?

PRIME MINISTER: The point of Parliament is the debate. The legislation is out there for everyone to see. What we are not going to do is to have further division. I have said very clearly from day one on this, I have sought unity. I'm seeking unity as well, not division, not a divisive debate. And we will proceed with measures that have support of the Parliament on Tuesday, and we'll get done what there's a majority of the Parliament willing to vote for.

JOURNALIST: Some legal and criminal experts have raised concerns that the debate around these laws have already heightened tensions in the wake of the terror attack. Do you accept any responsibility for that?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, they're right. They're right -

JOURNALIST: Do you accept responsibility for that?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, they're right. I have engaged constructively. Right through December and January, I have engaged constructively. I think people who have been observing the nature of this debate will know that I haven't slammed lecterns, I haven't engaged in some of the politicisation that's occurred. And I think it is unfortunate. It didn't occur, as I've said before, it did not occur after Port Arthur. It did not occur after the Lindt siege in Martin Place in Sydney. It did not occur after the Bali bombings. People came together. I am now calling once again for people to come together. We are going out of our way to support propositions that will promote unity. That is what is required. And that's why we need to get this done this week, not have ongoing debate, get it done, what is required in order to improve people's safety. But I again say that in the debate and the way that it's conducted, we need to lower the temperature of debate in this country across the board, not just on this issue. And people who've been following various court processes over recent days will understand the consequences which are there from some of the way that debate is being conducted. Now there's a whole broader debate about the role of social media and all of those things of how it is occurring. But it's very clear from the Director-General of ASIO, has made that point as well and has asked that temperature be lowered for some period of time. Thank you very much.

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Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: January 16, 2026 23:00

On January 16, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov at the latter's request.

Wang Yi stated that the strategic guidance of the two heads of state provides the most crucial political guarantee for the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. Noting that last year marked another fruitful year in China-Uzbekistan relations, Wang Yi said that cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, culture and sub-national exchanges has seen comprehensive expansion and sustained growth.

Wang Yi noted that since the beginning of 2026, the international situation has become increasingly turbulent, with the shadow of war looming and unilateral bullying running rampant. China and Uzbekistan should enhance strategic coordination and deepen strategic cooperation. The two sides should unwaveringly focus on managing their own affairs well, support each other in safeguarding core interests, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields. At the same time, the two countries should work closely together on international and regional issues, resist the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, uphold the basic norms governing international relations, defend the leading role of the United Nations, safeguard international fairness and justice, and maintain regional peace and stability. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan, Wang Yi said that the two sides should jointly design and develop bilateral relations in the next decade.

Bakhtiyor Saidov said that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's successful visit to China in September last year injected strong momentum into bilateral relations. Developing relations with China is a priority in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. The two countries enjoy a high degree of mutual trust, and the development of bilateral relations is not distracted by any single event. Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any actions that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Uzbekistan looks forward to working with China to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, further strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields, and advance the Uzbekistan-China all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era to greater depths. Uzbekistan is willing to continue strengthening multilateral communication and cooperation with China, defend multilateralism, and uphold international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

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115 officials at provincial level or above investigated in China in 2025

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:04, January 17, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China filed cases against 115 officials at provincial and ministerial level or above last year, with 69 receiving disciplinary punishment, the country's top anti-graft body said on Saturday.

These figures were released in a statement by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision.

Over the past year, China's rigorous anti-corruption campaign pressed ahead relentlessly, with authorities vowing "no pause or retreat" as they maintained their drive to root out graft and misconduct.

The CPC spared no effort to rectify conduct throughout the year. In March 2025, it launched a four-month education campaign to urge its 100 million members to bolster compliance with a code of conduct.

China has also strengthened its institutional framework. In June 2024, the revised Supervision Law came into effect, which further expanded supervisory powers and removed institutional bottlenecks, demonstrating a clear and firm commitment to severely punishing corruption.

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HKSAR Security Secretary writes letter to refute unfounded smears related to Jimmy Lai in WSJ editorial

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 18, 2026 11:27 AM

Regarding the unfounded smear in an article published by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) concerning the Jimmy Lai case, Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, has written a letter to the press to to express opposition against vicious attempts to interfere with Hong Kong's judicial system.

Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on December 15, 2025, on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

The verdict was handed down by the High Court of the HKSAR on the national security case of Lai and three companies linked to the now-defunct Apple Daily.

In his letter to the WSJ, Tang pointed out that the editorial entitled "How China Abuses Jimmy Lai" is entirely unfounded, "blatantly ignoring the facts of Lai Chee-ying's case, and has stooped low in an attempt to deceive the public and undermine Hong Kong SAR and China."

Tang stressed that Lai's trial was conducted by the court independently in an open, fair and impartial manner, with the verdict based solely on law and evidence. "We firmly reject any attempt to interfere with our judiciary, which exercises independent judicial power in accordance with the law," the letter read.

Tang's letter clarified that Lai's custodial arrangements are made having regard to his own requests. He has never raised complaints about these arrangements nor about the medical services in custody, as confirmed by Lai's senior counsel at open court hearing on January 12. Lai's general health conditions were stable.

Tang noted that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) adheres strictly to statutory requirements on handling custodial arrangements and is committed to ensuring that custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy, including adequate lighting and ventilation, social visits, correspondence, welfare and religious services, outdoor exercises, and appropriate and timely medical support.

Lai's daughter has repeatedly attempted to maliciously smear the HKSAR Government to mislead the public. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns such acts, the letter noted.

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Iran restores SMS access, eases curbs on domestic messengers

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 7:24 PM

Iran has decided to gradually ease restrictions on public access to messaging services on mobile phones, including Short Message Service (SMS), following riots and terrorist acts that affected the country earlier this month.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted informed sources in a report on Saturday, saying that authorities would soon allow group messaging on qualified channels across five popular domestic platforms.

The sources added that personal chats will also become available on these platforms in the near future.

The report came a day after authorities lifted a ban on personal messaging via SMS platforms.

Tasnim also said that access to the global internet, which was entirely blocked on January 9 following deadly street riots and terrorist acts, will be restored in stages.

Iran's National Center for Cyberspace, the country's top cyberspace authority, announced last week that global internet access would remain restricted until officials confirm full security has been restored.

The body stated that in the meantime, the domestic intranet system, known as the National Information Network (NIN), will be strengthened to offset the lack of global internet access.

Since the internet ban was enacted, Iranians have been using the NIN for basic online activities, such as banking and shopping.

However, personal messaging has faced heavy restrictions, as authorities maintain that the country is facing a "cognitive warfare" campaign conducted by Iran's enemies in cyberspace.

Government authorities say thousands of civilians and security personnel were killed in the recent bout of foreign-backed terrorist incidents in the country.

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Ayatollah Khamenei: US president main 'culprit' in killings, destruction during recent riots in Iran

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 10:18 AM

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran considers US President Donald Trump the main culprit for the killings and destruction in recent riots.

Ayatollah Khamenei addressed thousands of people from different walks of life in a speech delivered on Monday morning, marking the auspicious anniversary of Eid al-Mab'ath, the day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation and was chosen as the Final Messenger of God.

"The US president is responsible for casualties, damages, and false accusations directed against the Iranian nation," he stated, describing him as a criminal in this regard.

Ayatollah Khamenei also elaborated on the nature of the recent unrest, the tools used in it, and Iran's responsibilities in confronting such plots.

What began as peaceful protests late last month gradually turned violent, as rioters rampaged through cities across the country, killing security forces and civilians and attacking public infrastructure.

Iranian officials have linked the riots and terrorist acts to the US and the Israeli regime.

The US and Israel's Mossad have admitted their involvement on the ground, with former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeting, "Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also, to every Mossad agent walking beside them."

In a Farsi-language social media post, Mossad encouraged rioters to "Go out together into the streets. The time has come," adding that Mossad agents are with the rioters "not only from a distance and verbally. We are with [them] in the field."

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that in the past, when seditions of this kind occurred in the country, it was usually American media and second-tier politicians in the United States and Europe who interfered.

However, the leader said, "in the recent sedition, the distinctive feature was that the President of the United States himself intervened, made statements, encouraged the rioters, and even spoke of providing military support."

"This clearly showed that the recent unrest was an American-instigated sedition. The Americans planned it, and based on 50 years of experience, I state decisively and explicitly that America's goal is to devour Iran," he reiterated.

The leader emphasized that since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, "American domination has been dismantled under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, but from the very first day, the United States has sought to restore its political and economic hegemony over Iran."

He added that these actions are not limited to the current US administration; they reflect longstanding American policy.

"The United States cannot tolerate a country with Iran's characteristics, capabilities, vastness, and scientific and technological progress," the Leader noted.

"During the recent sedition, the United States portrayed those who took to the streets to set fires, burn property, cause damage, incite unrest, and carry out acts of destruction as the people of Iran," he said, adding that this was "a grave slander against the Iranian nation, and such actions constitute a crime."

According to the Leader, the reasons he outlined are well-documented. Therefore, both the US and the Israeli regime are guilty.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that some of the agents behind the sedition consisted of individuals who were identified, trained, and largely recruited by American and Israeli agencies.

"They had been instructed on how to spread fear, carry out destruction, and sabotage public order, and they were also given substantial financial support. These individuals had presented themselves as leaders."

He added that Iran's law enforcement forces played their role effectively, and a large number of these elements were detained.

"We will not lead the country toward war, but we will also not leave domestic and international criminals unpunished," he underlined.

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Iran dismantles terrorist cell behind armed attack in Tehran

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 7:22 AM

Iran's Ministry of Intelligence has successfully dismantled a terrorist team that had infiltrated the country through the western borders to cause casualties during recent riots and had carried out a criminal armed attack in Tehran.

According to the Ministry, members of this terrorist team, on the evening of January 8, conducted an armed attack against a Police Station in Tehran, using military weapons and firing more than 850 rounds with the intention of seizing the station and acquiring its armaments.

The attack resulted in the martyrdom of several members of the police force, Basij, and civilians.

During the arrest operation, the terrorists opened fire on operational forces. In the ensuing exchange, one armed terrorist was neutralized, and four others were apprehended.

In a separate announcement, the Ministry of Intelligence confirmed that one of the main organized cells responsible for widespread unrest and the loss of innocent lives in Tehran has also been dismantled.

Several members of this organized network and those involved in violence against civilians have been detained.

On Friday, Iranian security forces said they seized 60,000 weapons bound for Tehran and dismantled a Mossad-trained terror cell that exploited recent unrest to carry out deadly attacks.

Iran's Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) announced that "Sixty thousand weapons were discovered with rioters in Bushehr," adding that two terrorists were also arrested in the operation.

What began as peaceful protests late last month gradually turned violent, as rioters rampaged through cities across the country, killing security forces and civilians and attacking public infrastructure.

Iranian officials have linked the riots and terrorist acts to the US and the Israeli regime.

The US and Israel's Mossad have admitted their involvement on the ground, with former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeting, "Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also, to every Mossad agent walking beside them."

In a Farsi-language social media post, Mossad encouraged rioters to "Go out together into the streets. The time has come," adding that Mossad agents are with the rioters "not only from a distance and verbally. We are with [them] in the field."

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Trump Says He Convinced Himself Not To Strike Iran

By RFE/RL January 17, 2026

US President Donald Trump says he decided on his own not to launch military strikes against Iran, crediting Tehran's alleged cancellation of hundreds of scheduled executions as the decisive factor in his decision to hold back from military action.

"Nobody convinced me. I convinced myself," Trump told reporters outside the White House on January 16 when asked if Arab and Israeli officials had persuaded him to stand down. "You had yesterday scheduled over 800 hangings. They didn't hang anyone. They canceled the hangings. That had a big impact."

The Islamic republic has faced one of the gravest challenges to its legitimacy in years after demonstrations began on December 28, 2025, over Iran's struggling economy, before snowballing into antiestablishment protests. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has verified at least 3,428 protester deaths by security forces, while the US-based HRANA puts the verified death toll at 2,885.

Rights groups warn that the actual toll is likely higher due to an internet blackout imposed since January 8 that has severely hampered verification efforts.

Trump had initially warned that the United States was "locked and loaded" to take action if Iranian security forces killed protesters. He later threatened to take "very strong action" if Iran hanged protesters.

On January 17, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei repeated his claim that the United States had instigated the protests in Iran and blamed the casualties on Trump.

"We find the US president guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation," he said in an annual speech marking a religious occasion.

Earlier on January 16, Trump publicly thanked Iran's leadership on Truth Social, writing: "I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!"

Iran has not publicly confirmed plans to execute 800 protesters, nor has it announced the cancellation of any such scheduled executions.

The president's comment comes after US media, citing regional officials, reported that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt had been urging the Trump administration not to attack Iran over recent days, warning that military action could trigger a wider regional conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with Trump by phone on January 15, reportedly asking him to delay potential strikes so Israel could prepare for possible Iranian retaliation.

The White House maintains that all options remain "on the table" regarding Iran.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-decided-against-attack- protests/33652391.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US 'fueling tensions' in West Asia: Iran dismissed claim of planning attacks on American bases

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 18 January 2026 7:21 AM

Iran has rejected claims by the United States that it is planning attacks on American facilities, saying Washington is seeking to stoke tensions in West Asia.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Saturday after the US State Department alleged in a Persian-language X post that it had received reports suggesting the Islamic Republic is preparing options to target American bases.

"These statements and claims are in line with the United States' ongoing policy of fueling tensions in the region," he said.

Baghaei also stressed the determination of the Iranian Armed Forces to preserve and enhance their military and defensive capabilities in order to protect the country's sovereignty.

He further warned that Iran would respond "firmly and decisively" to any act of aggression.

Additionally, in its post, the US State Department claimed that "all options remain on the table" and that any attack on US assets would be met with "very, very strong force."

What began late last month as peaceful protests over economic concerns across Iran gradually turned violent after public statements by US and Israeli regime figures encouraged vandalism and disorder.

During the unrest, foreign-backed mercenaries rampaged through cities, killing security forces and civilians and damaging public property.

The US president has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran under the guise of supporting armed rioters.

Speaking on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran considers Trump the main culprit for the killings and destruction in the riots.

He added that some of the agents behind the sedition consisted of individuals who were identified, trained, and largely recruited by American and Israeli agencies.

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Trump Says Time For 'New Leadership' in Iran Amid Deadly Protest Crackdown

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda January 18, 2026

US President Donald Trump said it was time for new leaders to take control in Iran after tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in the country, presenting the Islamic republic with one of the most serious threats to its legitimacy since the 1979 revolution.

"It's time to look for new leadership in Iran," Trump told Politico in remarks published on January 17.

Trump also directly assailed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has represented the real power in the country for the past 37 years and had earlier attacked the US president on social media.

"What he [Khamenei] is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before," Trump said.

"In order to keep the country functioning  even though that function is a very low level  the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control."

"Leadership is about respect, not fear and death," Trump added.

Action Began With Economic Protest

The latest challenge to the theocratic government erupted on December 28, 2025, with demonstrators taking the streets over Iran's struggling economy, before snowballing into antiestablishment protests.

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has verified at least 3,428 protester deaths by security forces, while the US-based HRANA put the verified death toll at 3,090, including 2,885 protesters, with more than 22,000 arrests.

Rights groups warn that the actual toll is likely higher due to an internet blackout imposed since January 8 that has severely hampered verification efforts.

Internet restrictions were lifted for a short period on January 17, but the NetBlocks monitoring group said the blackout appeared to have been reimposed later in the day.

Trump has taken the lead among Western leaders in assailing Iran's hard-line rulers over the brutal crackdown on protesters throughout the country. The EU, UN, and rights groups have also condemned the Iranian government.

Trump initially warned that the United States was "locked and loaded" to take action if Iranian security forces killed protesters. He later threatened to take "very strong action" if Iran hanged protesters after word spread of potential executions of detained individuals.

On January 17, Khamenei repeated his claim that the United States had instigated the protests in Iran and blamed the casualties on Trump.

"We find the US president guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation," he said in an annual speech marking a religious occasion.

Scheduled Executions Of Detained Protesters

On January 16, Trump publicly thanked Iran's leadership on Truth Social, writing: "I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!"

"You had yesterday scheduled over 800 hangings. They didn't hang anyone. They canceled the hangings. That had a big impact," Trump said in separate remarks.

Iran has not publicly confirmed plans to execute 800 protesters, nor has it announced the cancellation of any such scheduled executions.

Iran's hard-liners have controlled all levers of powers in the Islamic republic -- led by the supreme ruler and the powerful Guardians Council -- since the 1979 overthrow of the US-allied Shah.

Experts say there is growing chasm between the ruling clerics and Iran's young population, many of whom have long demanded greater social and political freedoms in the Middle East nation of some 89 million.

Peyman Jafari, an expert on Iran at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying, "The gap between the population and the state has become unbridgeable without major compromises."

"I cannot see how, without major changes, the old guard can survive," he added.

After more than two weeks, nightly street protests appeared to have abated somewhat on January 17, but reports are impossible to verify after Iranian authorities plunged the country into what witnesses describe as a near-total digital blackout in response to the protests.

Reza Pahlavi, son of the late shah of Iran, on January 16 said he was confident the Islamic republic and its regime will collapse in the face of mass protests.

"The Islamic republic will fall -- not if, but when," he told a news conference in Washington. "I will return to Iran."

The former crown prince has emerged as a leading opposition figure during the unrest, although the Iranian opposition as a whole remains fragmented and unorganized.

Backing From Abroad

The protesters have received widespread support on the streets and at events in a number of US and European cities and elsewhere.

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi made an urgent appeal at the European Film Awards in Berlin for the world to "react" to the government crackdown.

"If the world does not react to this blatant violence today, not only Iran, but the entire world, is at risk," he said during the opening ceremony.

"Violence when left unanswered, becomes normalized. And when it becomes normalized, it's spread. It becomes contagious."

Panahi, who has previously faced imprisonment in Iran, has vowed to return to the country to continue his calls for freedom in the country.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-leadership-trump- khamenei-protests-revolution/33652591.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2026 shows buildings in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The average price per square meter of newly constructed apartments in Mongolia's capital amounted to 5.03 million Mongolian Tugriks (1,412 U.S. dollars) at the end of December, up 10.8 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Saturday. (Photo by Garid/Xinhua)

ULAN BATOR, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The average price per square meter of newly constructed apartments in Mongolia's capital amounted to 5.03 million Mongolian Tugriks (1,412 U.S. dollars) at the end of December, up 10.8 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Saturday.

Meanwhile, the average price per square meter for second-hand apartments in Ulan Bator was 5.06 million Mongolian Tugriks (1,420 dollars) in December, reflecting a 13.6 percent rise from the same period last year.

According to experts, this significant increase is largely related to an increase in per capita real estate demand.

Mongolia is the world's most sparsely populated country. However, housing is one of the most pressing issues in Mongolia, especially in the capital city, home to over half of the country's population of 3.5 million. More than half of Ulan Bator's residents live in the city's ger districts, with no running water, central heating, or sewerage systems. 

This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2026 shows a building under construction in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The average price per square meter of newly constructed apartments in Mongolia's capital amounted to 5.03 million Mongolian Tugriks (1,412 U.S. dollars) at the end of December, up 10.8 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Saturday.(Photo by Garid/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2026 shows buildings in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The average price per square meter of newly constructed apartments in Mongolia's capital amounted to 5.03 million Mongolian Tugriks (1,412 U.S. dollars) at the end of December, up 10.8 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Saturday. (Photo by Garid/Xinhua)
Iraqi army assumes full control of Ain al-Asad airbase after complete US withdrawal

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 9:22 PM

US forces have fully withdrawn from the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, with the Iraqi army now assuming full control of the strategic facility, Iraqi officials said on Saturday.

The withdrawal came as part of an agreement reached between Washington and Baghdad in 2024 to wind down the US-led military coalition in Iraq by September 2025. Under the agreement, US forces were to depart bases where they had been stationed as part of operations claimed by Washington to be aimed at the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had previously said that the original agreement called for a full US pullout from Ain al-Asad by September 2025. The United States, however, delayed the full withdrawal, citing, what it called, developments in neighboring Syria.

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah visited the base on Saturday to oversee the reassignment of duties and responsibilities to Iraqi military units following the withdrawal.

In a statement, the Iraqi military said Yarallah had instructed commanders to intensify coordination among units stationed at the base and to fully utilize its capabilities and strategic location.

A senior official at Iraq's ministry of defense, speaking on condition of anonymity, was cited by The Washington Post as confirming that US forces had completely vacated the base and removed all American equipment.

There was no immediate statement from the US military regarding the withdrawal.

The handover followed earlier announcements by Iraqi military officials that the mission of the US-led coalition at Ain al-Asad had ended.

In late December, Deputy Commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawi said coalition forces would withdraw from the base and transfer control to Iraqi security forces, adding that the process had been coordinated through the Joint Operations Command.

The coalition headed by the US rolled into Iraq in 2014 at the head of scores of Washington's allies under the pretext of battling Daesh.

US-led military campaigns that followed would feature carpet bombing strikes against various Iraqi cities that attracted widespread criticism for their sheer scale and indiscriminate nature resulting in wholesale destruction of large areas.

The campaigns were also brought into question for their inefficiency that saw Daesh continuing to wreak havoc and stage bloodshed across Iraq.

The group had reared its head amid significant and drawn-out chaos throughout Iraq resulting from the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion of the Arab country that was followed by momentous rise in anti-American sentiment.

Following 2014, various US military interests, including its troops at Ain al-Assad, turned into a sustained target of repeated rocket attacks.

In early 2020, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a retaliatory ballistic missile strike against the base following the US's assassination of the Islamic Republic's top anti-terror commander, General Qassem Soleimani.

The commander had played an indispensable role in helping Iraq and Syria defeat Daesh three years earlier.

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Vice Minister Funakoshi's visit to the U.S.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

January 17, 2026

On January 15th and 16th, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, held an exchange of views with the Honorable Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America among others. The overview is as follows:

On January 16th, Vice Minister FUNAKOSHI held a Japan-U.S. Vice-Ministers' Meeting with Deputy Secretary Landau. In light of the current international situation, the two sides exchanged views broadly on Japan-U.S. cooperation, particularly in the fields of security, economy and economic security. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely together to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, taking into account upcoming diplomatic events, including Prime Minister Takaichi's visit to the United States, which is currently coordinated to be realized this spring. Building upon the outcomes of President Trump's visit to Japan in October last year, the two sides concurred to steadily implement the agreement on tariffs between Japan and the United States, including the investment initiative. They also shared the view to further strengthen concrete cooperation on economy and economic security, including critical minerals and rare earths, critical technologies such as AI, and shipbuilding. The two sides welcomed the holding of the U.S.-Japan Dialogue on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). They concurred to promote Japan-U.S. cooperation in various fields through this Dialogue, and affirmed the importance of strengthening the network among like-minded countries under the vision of FOIP. In addition to issues related to China, the policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, the two sides exchanged views on regional situations in areas such as the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean including in Venezuela, and the Pacific Island countries, and affirmed the close coordination between Japan and the United States. Vice Minister FUNAKOSHI expressed his appreciation for the consistent support from the U.S. government regarding the abductions issue as confirmed by Deputy Secretary Landau. During his visit to the United States, Vice Minister FUNAKOSHI also exchanged views with Dr. Andrew Baker, Deputy National Security Advisor to the President of the United States. The two sides exchanged views broadly in light of the current international affairs, including on furthering close cooperation between Japan and the United States.

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US threatens to reimpose Caesar sanctions on Syria over SDF operations: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 January 2026 11:11 AM

The United States has reportedly threatened to reimpose the so-called Caesar sanctions on Syria over the ruling Arab regime forces' crackdown on the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group backed by Washington.

US Vice President J.D. Vance warned Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa against pursuing a military campaign against the SDF.

According to the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Vance told al-Sharaa in a phone call "to resolve differences with the Kurds."

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in June to ease Washington's sanctions against the Syrian regime.

However, according to US assessments cited by the WSJ, the Syrian regime is planning a "massive, multipronged operation" against the Kurdish-led forces, which could expand to include areas where US troops are stationed. The US is against the operation against the SDF.

Back then, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Trump's order to ease the unilateral US sanctions aimed "to promote and support the country's path to stability and peace."

Trump's executive order eased the US sanctions on "entities critical to Syria's development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country's social fabric."

Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces have been carrying out a massive crackdown against Aleppo's Kurdish neighborhoods controlled by the SDF.

The Arab state has been the target of US sanctions since 1979.

Washington intensified the sanctions against the Arab state in 2011, after the nation found itself under siege from foreign-backed terrorist groups, including Daesh. Scaling the scope of the sanctions even further, the US had approved the Caesar Act in 2019, targeting any individual and business that participated either directly or indirectly in Syria's reconstruction efforts.

In the meantime, insecurity has persisted across the Arab country a year after the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad.

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PLA drone enters airspace over Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Island

ROC Central News Agency

01/17/2026 08:00 PM

Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) military drone was detected in the airspace of Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Island, internationally known as Pratas Island, at 5:44 a.m. Saturday and departed four minutes later, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The MND said in a press release that the surveillance and reconnaissance drone was first detected at dawn, entering the territorial airspace of Dongsha Island, which is located in the South China Sea, approximately 444 kilometers from the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, at 5:44 a.m.

After Taiwan's military broadcast a warning via an international channel, the drone left at 5:48 a.m. on Saturday, the MND said.

The ministry condemned the PLA's actions as "highly provocative and irresponsible," saying they undermined regional stability and violated international norms.

The MND said Taiwan's military will remain on high alert and respond in accordance with its Regulations on Handling Contingencies During the Regular Combat Readiness Period.

(By Wu Shu-wei and Lee Chieh-yu)

Enditem/cs



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PM meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres: 16 January 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister met Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General in Downing Street.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 17 January 2026

The Prime Minister met Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General in Downing Street.

Congratulating the Secretary-General on the 80th anniversary of the first UN General Assembly, held in London, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's enduring support for the UN and the international rules-based system. He emphasised its pivotal role in tackling global problems which shape lives in the UK and all over the world.

The leaders discussed the UN's ambitious reform agenda, which the Prime Minister agreed was vital for the UN to meet modern challenges in a volatile world. The Prime Minister welcomed progress so far and said the UK would continue to support the UN in driving that work forward.

Discussing a range of important global issues, the Prime Minister underlined the UK's commitment to the UN's core principles, thanked the Secretary-General for his leadership, and they looked forward to speaking again.



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First anniversary of the UK-Ukraine One Hundred Year Partnership: 4.5 billion in support for Ukraine

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

16 January, 2026, 6:54 PM EET

Today marks one year since the signing of the UK-Ukraine One Hundred Year Partnership Agreement. The Ministry of Defence is summing up its results.

The United Kingdom continues to be among Ukraine's key and most consistent security partners, delivering large-scale, long-term, and systematic military assistance in response to russia's full-scale aggression.

In 2025, the United Kingdom's total support for Ukraine amounted to 4.5 billion, marking the highest annual total over the entire period of the full-scale war.

A substantial portion of this amount is the United Kingdom's contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) mechanism, amounting to 2.26 billion in loan financing repaid from proceeds generated by frozen russian assets.

A distinct priority of UK assistance is strengthening air defence capabilities. In 2025, the United Kingdom invested 600 million to enhance air defence capabilities, with a focus on safeguarding Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and the energy system from russian attacks.

Within the ERA contribution, 70 million was directed towards the procurement of 350 ASRAAM missiles to enhance air defence capabilities.

Furthermore, Ukraine received the newly developed Gravehawk air defence system, jointly funded by the United Kingdom and Denmark. Two prototypes of the system were tested in Ukraine in the autumn, and an additional 15 units are due to be delivered within the year.

The United Kingdom is also making a substantial contribution to the development of Ukraine's unmanned capabilities. In just six months, more than 85,000 military drones were delivered, alongside 600 million in investments to accelerate their production. In addition, a new bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom on the exchange of battlefield technologies is expected to bolster UK drone production for Ukraine's requirements.

The United Kingdom also plays a leading role in the Drone Coalition and the Maritime Capability Coalition.

Defence-industrial cooperation has become a separate focus of the partnership. A previously signed Defence Industry Support Agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom expanded the list of military equipment that can be financed through 3.5 billion in UK export finance. This has already enabled the implementation of a 1.6 billion contract under which Thales is supplying Ukraine with 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) manufactured in Belfast. Hundreds of these missiles were delivered to Ukraine five months ahead of schedule.

The United Kingdom continues to play a key role in the training of Ukrainian service members. In 2025, 247 million was allocated for training, with the programme extended through at least the end of 2026. Through Operation INTERFLEX in the United Kingdom, more than 62,000 Ukrainian service members have already received training.

In addition, the United Kingdom administers the International Fund for Ukraine, through which military equipment is procured for the Defence Forces. Overall partner commitments within the Fund have surpassed 2.1 billion, including new contracts worth 30 million with Anduril UK for the supply of advanced unmanned systems.

Overall, the United Kingdom has already provided 10.8 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion. London has announced and enshrined in the One Hundred Year Partnership Agreement its strategic decision to support Ukraine at a level of at least 3 billion per year through 2030-2031, and for as long as necessary, underscoring a shift from ad hoc aid packages to long-term security assistance planning.

The scale and structure of UK assistance demonstrate the strategic character of the partnership between Kyiv and London. It is not merely support for Ukraine in wartime, but a targeted effort to build long-term defence capabilities that can underpin national security and stability across the wider European region.

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Distribution of unmanned systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine goes digital, accelerating processes threefold

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

16 January, 2026, 6:08 PM EET

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has implemented an automated distribution of unmanned systems among military units in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Rapid logistics of enemy engagement assets is a key challenge for military units' effectiveness on the battlefield. Manual distribution of drones among units was causing a range of problems, including duplicate requests, slow issuance, human-factor errors, and outdated data. As a result, the military could not plan operations without clear timelines for receiving UAVs. We have therefore introduced a fully automated system for distributing UAVs among military units," said Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov.

What has changed

Military command bodies now have real-time visibility of:

up-to-date requests from each military unit;

the number of unmanned systems in warehouses;

scheduled deliveries.

Why this matters

This makes it possible to:

plan the distribution of each batch of unmanned systems more accurately;

avoid duplicate requests;

substantially reduce UAV dwell time at intermediate storage facilities;

respond more quickly to changing battlefield needs.

"With the introduction of the new system, the full cycle of unmanned systems distributionfrom arrival to receipt at bases, arsenals, and warehouseshas been shortened by a factor of 2-3, to roughly one day," noted Oksana Ferchuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization.

About the system

Unmanned systems are distributed through the SAP-based Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS), a defense resource management software used by 90% of NATO armies.

The DLMS functions in real time, enabling visibility of available resources, planned deliveries, and the actual requirements of military units. This reduces paper-based bureaucracy and errors, allowing decisions to be made based on current data. This means faster supply and better planning for the military, transparent oversight for the state, and clear, NATO-aligned rules for partners.

The system covers the entire supply chainfrom procurement of unmanned systems to their delivery to military units. This establishes a unified digital framework for the inventory management of unmanned systems in the Armed Forces.

A significant step was the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to designate, as of 1 November 2025, the data in the Digital Logistics Management System as the official source of information on the provision of unmanned systems to the military. As a result, the majority of data and reports are generated online, eliminating paperwork and duplication in daily report

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Ministry of Defence expands testing of military registration via Reserve+ to men aged 18-24

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

16 January, 2026, 2:15 PM EET

In the near future, men will be able to complete military registration remotely, without in-person visits to enlistment offices or paperwork. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine continues testing military registration in the Reserve+ app and is expanding it to a new age group.

The testing is open to men aged 18-24 who are not yet on military records. To participate, applicants must complete a form.

How it works

Complete the form to participate in the testing.

Wait for an invitation email.

Install the Reserve+ app or update it to the latest version.

Follow the instructions in the app and submit your application.

Receive confirmation and your Reserve ID document.

Please note: online military registration is available only to individuals who have never been on military records. If you were previously removed or excluded from military records, re-registration can currently be completed only through enlistment offices.

At the same time, online military registration is currently unavailable to women who are subject to registration based on their professional qualifications; they must register in person at enlistment offices.

Online military registration reduces bureaucracy, eases the workload on enlistment offices, and makes the process more transparent for citizens.

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NATO experts: Ukraine has achieved significant progress in professionalizing military education despite the challenges of war

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

16 January, 2026, 11:08 AM EET

A NATO expert group has completed an institutional audit of Ukraine's professional military education (PME) system, conducted throughout 2025. The international experts' principal conclusion was the recognition of Ukraine's significant and convincing progress in bringing its military training system closer to Alliance standards, despite the challenges of russia's full-scale armed aggression.

The purpose of the audit was to review the recommendations issued in 2020 and assess the readiness of higher military education institutions to certify courses in accordance with NATO standards.

The audit was conducted in several stages, ranging from institutional self-assessments to the expert group's direct review activities in the autumn of 2025. The analysis covered the regulatory framework, educational programmes, and the governance system.

Experts noted that since 2020, the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and higher military education institutions have implemented most of the systemic recommendations. Key achievements include:

The establishment of a multi-level education system (L-1 to L-5) for officers, alongside the reform of NCO education based on NATO models.

for officers, alongside the reform of NCO education based on NATO models. The incorporation of planning and decision-making procedures in line with Alliance standards (TLP, MDMP, OPP/JOPP) into educational programmes.

in line with Alliance standards (TLP, MDMP, OPP/JOPP) into educational programmes. The integration of leadership principles and the Mission Command approach into training programmes.

approach into training programmes. The strengthening of English language proficiency requirements in line with STANAG 6001.

in line with STANAG 6001. The formal recognition of military professions within the National Qualifications Framework of Ukraine.

It was also noted that Ukraine's higher military education institutions have been successfully integrated into the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) network.

The Ministry of Defence has already begun analysing the recommendations from the NATO expert group to incorporate them into the ongoing transformation of the military education system.

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Ukraine's Terms for Returning 12 Russians From Ukraine Unacceptable - Russian Ombudswoman

Sputnik News

20260117

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's conditions for the return of 12 residents of the Kursk region who are being held in Ukraine are unacceptable, Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said on Saturday.

The Ukrainian side proposes to simultaneously "repatriate" civilians under investigation in Russia and those accused of committing offenses or crimes against Russia, the ombudswoman said.

"They are not being released because the Russian side cannot fulfill the stipulated conditions. The Geneva Convention states that such individuals should be transferred to their country of citizenship without any conditions, but conditions are being imposed," Moskalkova told reporters in Geneva, adding that discussions on the return of Russian citizens have been ongoing for more than nine months.

The conditions of detention for 12 Russian detainees held in Ukraine are unsatisfactory, Moskalkova also said.

The ombudswoman said that the Kursk Region's residents were sending her photos of "completely unacceptable" food they have been receiving, so Russia's negotiations with the ICRC will include the return of the region's residents. She added that the Russian side is asking the ICRC to pay visits to these people and provide them with assistance.

"They are fulfilling these obligations, but recent complaints have prompted us to put the detention conditions and necessary provisions for these people on the agenda [of the ICRC meeting] as one of the issues. These people are being held in temporary accommodation and cannot leave the premises. They cannot travel anywhere, as they have no documents or money to do so. They are effectively hostages to this situation," Moskalkova said.

In November 2025, Moskalkova said that 12 residents of the Kursk Region were still being detained in the Sumy Region.

The issue of resuming prisoner exchanges with Ukraine was central in talks with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Chief Mirjana Spoljaric, Moskalkova also said.

"The number one issue today is to unblock prisoner exchange processes. Today, I handed over the lists of those Ukrainian troops who are on our territory, and whom we are ready to hand over. Previously, Ukraine sent us lists and requested these citizens, and we agree to their return. We hope that the exchanges will be resumed," Moskalkova told reporters in Geneva.

The timing of possible exchanges, as well as the number of prisoners, were not discussed, she added.

Russia has transferred 2,000 parcels for Russian prisoners of war to Ukraine, Moskalkova added.

"Another topic of our conversation [with the ICRC] is ensuring the process of delivering parcels for our prisoners of war and, similarly, for the Ukrainian military personnel who are currently in Russia. As of today, their transfer has been completed," she said.

 Sputnik

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Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday. Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops.

The spokesperson added that the firefighting teams have been working consistently to control the 3rd-degree fire, which spread to several floors of the plaza.

An official from Rescue 1122, Hassaanul Haseeb Khan, said that firefighting efforts had managed to control about 40 percent of the blaze by early Sunday morning.

"The majority of the shops contain goods such as crockery, clothing, electrical appliances, cosmetics and perfumes, which intensified the fire," said the rescue official, adding that a section of the plaza collapsed and a rescue worker was buried under it.

The rescue official said that several people are still trapped in the building and efforts are being made to rescue them.

Police officials said the fire initially broke out in shops on the ground floor of the building and appeared to have been caused by a short circuit before spreading to other parts of the mall. 

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Fire rages at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Locals and rescuers gather as a fire broke out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Locals and rescuers gather as a fire broke out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

A firefighter tries to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire breaking out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)

Fire and smoke rages at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 18, 2026. At least six people were killed and over 20 others injured after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

Spokesperson of the southern Sindh province, Sadia Javed, told Xinhua that the blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on the MA Jinnah Road, which houses over 1,200 shops. (Str/Xinhua)
Russian Forces Liberate Priluki Village in Zaporozhye Region

Sputnik News

20260117

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Vostok battlegroup liberated the village of Priluki in the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Units of the Vostok group of forces advanced into the depth of the enemy's defenses and liberated the village of Priluki in the Zaporozhye region," the ministry said in a statement.

The liberation of the village made it possible to create conditions for the further advance of the Russian army deep into the Zaporozhye region, the ministry added.

Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated more than 440 Ukrainian military personnel personnel

has eliminated more than 440 Ukrainian military personnel personnel Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated over 210 military personnel, five combat armored vehicles and five motor vehicles, while Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated up to 225 Ukrainian troops, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, three field artillery pieces, including a UK-made 155 mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system and a fuel depot

has eliminated over 210 military personnel, five combat armored vehicles and five motor vehicles, while Russia's has eliminated up to 225 Ukrainian troops, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, three field artillery pieces, including a UK-made 155 mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system and a fuel depot Russia's Zapad battlegroup has eliminated over 210 Ukrainian soldiers, combat armored vehicles, 30 motor vehicles, two field artillery pieces, three ammunition depots, and Russia's Sever battlegroup has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicepeople, two armored combat vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, two field artillery pieces, an electronic warfare station and a supply depot

has eliminated over 210 Ukrainian soldiers, combat armored vehicles, 30 motor vehicles, two field artillery pieces, three ammunition depots, and Russia's has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicepeople, two armored combat vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, two field artillery pieces, an electronic warfare station and a supply depot Russia's Dnepr battlegroup has eliminated up to 50 Ukrainian troops, nine motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station and a supply depot

 Sputnik

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All Political and Legal Decisions to Increase Electricity Imports Have Already Been Made, and They Must Be Implemented Without Delay - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

17 January 2026 - 15:31

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today I have already held a detailed coordination call on all issues related to the emergency situation in the energy sector after the Russian strikes. There are many tasks, and the situation is extremely difficult after this night and "shahed" hits in the Kyiv region. Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin - work is ongoing. The consequences of the strikes are also being dealt with in Odesa. Kharkiv - more than four hundred thousand people are facing a difficult situation with electricity, also as a result of the strikes. All repair crews and all necessary forces - everything is deployed. I am grateful to everyone who is working for restoration, for people, for their city, for their community. It is important that all political and legal decisions to increase electricity imports have already been made, and they must be implemented without delay. This applies to everyone - both state-owned companies and private ones - and I instructed government officials to address this promptly.

I thank every partner who is now ready to help Ukraine with equipment. There are arrangements for the import of generators and other equipment. We are accelerating all decisions as much as possible. Separately - regarding Kyiv. All government structures are involved, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has deployed additional assistance points. There are also decisions concerning everything that may be needed, including hot meals for people - implementation must be significantly more active. Ukraine's Ministry of Energy, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, and others must verify everything regarding the heating situation in residential buildings, as a significant number of buildings in Kyiv are still without heat.

We spoke with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine about air defense operations, about assessing the consequences of the strikes and the circumstances of every Russian attack. Everything the enemy does must be analyzed down to every detail - and our countermeasures, our protection, must become significantly stronger. And it will. There will also be decisions that are necessary to change our defense system, including personnel decisions. I thank everyone who is helping right now.

I also signed a new sanctions decision - these are sanctions against those who justify the aggression and are used by Russia in propaganda. I approved the next sanctions measures as well - decisions will follow shortly. Pressure on Russia must be maintained, and we will continue working on the synchronization of sanctions - not only regarding partners' decisions within our jurisdiction, but also regarding Ukrainian sanctions decisions being reflected in the lists of partners. Even now, a significant share of partners' personal sanctions, as well as entries in their lists against legal entities, is based on Ukraine's proposals.

Today the Ukrainian delegation is already in the United States. Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, and Davyd Arakhamiia. Toward the evening, Kyiv time, I expect the first reports regarding their meetings. The main task for the Ukrainian delegation is to present the full and accurate picture of what is happening and what Russian strikes are causing. Among the consequences of this terror is the discrediting of the diplomatic process: people lose faith in diplomacy, and Russian attacks constantly undermine even the limited opportunities for dialogue that existed before. The American side must understand this. Progress is also needed on the documents that have been in preparation.

Ukraine has never been and will never be a roadblock to peace, and it is now up to our partners to determine whether diplomacy moves forward. I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Speech for UN-Association 80th anniversary of United Nations General Assembly meeting

Speech

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC delivered a speech at the meeting marking the UN-Association's 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly

From: Attorney General's Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC

Published 17 January 2026

Location: Methodist Hall

Delivered on: 17 January 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Your Royal Highness, Secretary-General, Madam President, Excellencies, and our wonderful hosts at UNA UK.

Secretary-General, Madam President, welcome to the United Kingdom. Welcome to London, to our wonderful city, and thank you for your powerful remarks.

At the U.N. General Assembly in New York last September, the Deputy Prime Minister offered a personal message of congratulations to the U.N. on its eightieth anniversary from His Majesty The King.

"The King recalled that, on the eve of the first U.N. General Assembly, His Majesty's grandfather, King George VI, told the delegates gathered in London this:

in the long course of our history, no more important meeting has ever taken place within its boundaries.

Eighty years on, the King observed that:

millions of people across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider international community share the view that the UN's founding principles and the work of its Organisations remain essential, particularly as the world must face new and pressing challenges.

His Majesty said:

Let us reaffirm these principles as the United Nations responds to today's realities and evolves for tomorrow's challenges.

Respectfully echoing His Majesty's words, it is a real honour to be here with you all today, in the very room where, eighty years ago, delegates gathered for the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

At the time, the Trustee of this great hall took some persuading that this was the right venue. The then Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin prevailed upon them, telling them that for this historic first gathering, "there could be no better place than a House of God, with the atmosphere of a prayer already there".

Having attended the thanksgiving service this morning, I think he was right.

It is instructive to remind ourselves is that January gathering here in London in 1946 came just five months after the end of the Second World War.

Out of the chaos and bloodshed came a bold new organisation, built on a shared determination to save future generations from the scourge of war, ...

...to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, to uphold justice and international law, ...

...and to promote social progress and better standards of life for all human beings.

It was in the pursuit of that vision that the Charter was forged, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was born. Foundational documents that make plain the principles of our modern world.

Their essential insight is this - that the recognition of the inherent dignity of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in this world.

It was a clarion call, with human dignity and equality at its core.

A declaration that freedom is a right.

That every person, by virtue of their humanity, has protected universal rights.

It is an example of what the United Nations can achieve at its very best.

When we are not measured as big nations or small nations.

Nor wealthy nations or poor nations.

Nor powerful nations, or weak nations.

Instead, stronger, together, nations united as the United Nations.

And for eight decades, the UN Charter has stood alongside that vision.

As a source of inspiration, of course, but as a framework for translating these values into action too.

...

And so, for eighty years, the United Nations has been a beacon of hope.

An organisation founded on the belief that we are stronger when we work together.

It has prevented conflicts, resolved conflicts, delivered lifesaving humanitarian aid, helped countries grow stronger, fairer, and more resilient.

No international body has lifted more people out of poverty, protected more lives from deadly disease, responded to more natural disasters, or done more to uphold human rights.

Today, Blue Helmets stand watch across the world, in Cyprus, the DRC, and the Central African Republic.

Brave UN aid workers continue their work in the rubble and dust in Gaza, in Myanmar, in Sudan, and in so many other places where people are in desperate need of help, where humanity cries out.

And every day, UN agencies make all our lives simpler and safer.

From the aviation standards that keep our skies safe to the telecommunications systems that keep our phones connected.

To addressing emerging technologies like AI and cyber and helping countries prepare for and manage pandemics and other global health threats.

There is simply no other organisation like the UN.

The United Kingdom's commitment to the UN is as strong today as it was eighty years ago.

An aspect of that commitment is demonstrated through our support for the International Court of Justice, by accepting its compulsory jurisdiction.

The ICJ, as the world's apex court, demonstrates how international law can help states address the defining challenges of our era, challenging disputes that would have once been settled on the battlefield into a court of law.

But the multilateral system from which we have all benefited so much is under greater strain than at any point since 1945.

The world has become more complex and unpredictable.

Levels of conflict are the highest they have been in decades.

More than 800 million people remain trapped in extreme poverty.

Only a third of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track.

And climate change, once spoken of as a distant threat, is now destroying lives, homes, and livelihoods.

This is not a moment to turn away from multilateralism.

In a deeply interconnected world, our security and our prosperity depend on our willingness to work together.

Global peace, security, and prosperity still depend on a strong United Nations at the heart of that multilateral system.

And it is heartening to know that the overwhelming majority of people in the Global North and Global South want their government to co-operate across borders, because we all recognise the value of interdependence in a globalised world.

But we must face the world as it is, even as we seek to change it for the better.

So, an anniversary like this of course invites celebration, but also reflection.

Eighty years on, we must ask whether the UN is ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

We can't expect the UN to do everything, everywhere, all at once.

At times, many of us have asked too much of it.

What we need is a UN focused on the tasks only the UN can carry out.

We need a UN capable of delivering those more effectively and more efficiently.

As Dag HAM-AR-SHUULD reminded the world, "the UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell."

Those words carry as much weight now as they did then.

They remind us that the UN was never meant to be perfect, but it was meant to be indispensable.

And today, more than ever, we must work together to ensure it can rise to that task, whilst remaining true to the timeless values that inspired its foundation.

Reform has been spoken about since the early days of the UN.

But, at this historic inflection point for all international institutions, the time has come for ambitious change - nothing less than a collective vision of UN renewal.

Change that safeguards this organisation we value so deeply and ensures not only that it can survive the many challenges it faces, but emerges stronger, more resilient and more effective in giving practical effect to our shared values.

And we congratulate you on your leadership, Secretary-General, and fully support your reform initiative.

And in line with your vision, the UK wants to see a UN that is more coherent and more streamlined and focused, to achieve yet greater impact.

We want the UN to work as one team on the ground, not as a collection of separate agencies.

And we want the UN to restore its role as the world's principal mediator and peacekeeper, supported by a modern early warning system that helps prevent conflict before it erupts.

We want a UN developing, promoting, and ensuring compliance with humanitarian law and norms, and supporting local organisations - who know their communities best - to reach those most in need.

And we want a UN that stands firm, always, in the defence of universal human rights.

Eighty years ago, Britain helped build the United Nations.

Today, we stand ready to help renew it, working with the United Nations, with governments around the world, with civil society, and with all of you.

Reinvigorating the timeless shared values on which the UN was founded, by interpreting them in ways which meet the different challenges of today.

Let us not simply ask the UN to do more.

Let us help the UN do what only it can do, and do it even better.

Let us help shape the United Nations ready for the next eighty years.

Let us commit ourselves once again to delivering peace, prosperity, and dignity for all.

As Atlee said there 80 years ago, we can and must succeed.

Thank you.

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Secretary-General's remarks to the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom on the 80th Anniversary of the General Assembly [as delivered]

United Nations Secretary-General

17 January 2026

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Excellencies,

Dear friends,

It is an honour to join the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom to mark this special anniversary.

Let me begin with my profound gratitude.

Gratitude to the United Kingdom for its decisive role in creating the United Nations.

And, even more, gratitude for being such a strong pillar of multilateralism and champion of the United Nations today.

The UNA-UK is a key reason why.

I salute your 80 years of advocacy, awareness raising and unwavering commitment to keeping the United Kingdom global.

My thanks to you and all the members of civil society here today for showing up for the UN - and for honouring history with your eyes firmly fixed on the future.

We need you more than ever.

Dear friends,

We are here to celebrate "UNGA at 80"  when delegates from 51 countries came together in this Hall for the very first session of the General Assembly.

We also mark another moment  exactly 80 years ago today  when the Security Council met for the first time.

To reach this Hall, delegates had to pass through a city scarred by war.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the House of Commons had been shelled by the Luftwaffe.

And as those bombs fell, terrified civilians huddled here, in the basement of the Methodist Central Hall  one of the largest public air-raid shelters in London.

Throughout the Blitz, as many as 2,000 people gathered here for safety, hoping beyond hope that this building would last the night.

Every stone of this Hall is suffused with the wishes and prayers, sometimes desperate, of ordinary people  for peace.

It was just above that shelter, where so many sought protection, that the nations of the world met to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war".

In many ways, this Hall is a physical representation of what the United Nations is: a place people put their faith  for peace, for security, for a better life.

The General Assembly is at the heart of that work.

Down the road from here is the "Mother of Parliaments".

The General Assembly is the parliament of the family of nations.

It is a forum for every voice to be heard, a crucible for consensus, and a beacon for cooperation.

The first General Assembly resolution - adopted just days after the first meeting - focused on disarmament and the elimination of atomic weapons as a global goal.

And for eight decades, the General Assembly has been the place the world comes together to help advance peace, promote sustainable development, and safeguard human rights.

By its nature, the work of the General Assembly may not always be straightforward or seamless.

But it is a mirror of our world, its divisions and its hopes.

And it is the stage on which our shared story plays out.

Today, we are entering a new chapter of that story.

Dear friends,

In my first year as Secretary-General, I stood in this very place to address the UNA-UK.

It was 2017, in the wake of elections and referenda that shook societies around the globe.

I spoke of risks we faced:

Local conflicts becoming regional;

New technologies, including artificial intelligence, threatening to profoundly disrupt economies;

National sovereignty being invoked as a pretext to undermine human rights.

Over the last decade, all of this and more has unfolded at warp speed.

The conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan have been vicious and cruel beyond measure;

Artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous almost overnight;

And the pandemic poured accelerant on the fires of nationalism  stalling progress on development and climate action.

If this period has taught us anything, it is that our challenges are ever more borderless, and ever more interconnected.

The only way to address them is together.

And that requires a robust, responsive and well-resourced multilateral system.

Yet as we speak, that system is under threat.

2025 was a profoundly challenging year for international cooperation and the values of the UN.

Aid was slashed.

Inequalities widened.

Climate chaos accelerated.

International law was trampled.

Crackdowns on civil society intensified.

Journalists were killed with impunity.

And United Nations staff were repeatedly threatened  or killed  in the line of duty.

At the same time, we see powerful forces lining up to undermine global cooperation.

Last year, the UN reported that global military spending reached 2.7 trillion dollars  over 200 times the UK's current aid budget, or equivalent to over 70% of Britain's entire economy.

As the planet broke heat records, fossil fuel profits continued to surge.

And in cyberspace, algorithms rewarded falsehoods, fuelled hatred, and provided authoritarians with powerful tools of control.

Yet despite these rough seas, we sail ahead.

Look no further than news of this very day.

Today, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction comes into force.

This treaty establishes the first legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean beyond national limits.

The negotiations were a model of modern diplomacy: led by science, with the participation not just of governments, but of civil society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

These quiet victories of international cooperation  the wars prevented, the famine averted, the vital treaties secured  do not always make the headlines.

Yet they are real. And they matter.

If we wish to secure more such victories, we must ensure the full respect of international law and defend multilateralism, strengthening it for our times.

The world of 2026 is not the world of 1946.

As global centres of power shift, we have the potential to build a future that is either more fair  or more unstable.

If we wish to make it more fair, it is critical that the international system reflects today's reality.

That is the spirit of our UN80 initiative and the essence of the Pact for the Future - a blueprint to ensure that the United Nations is more agile, more coordinated, and more responsive.

It is also at the centre of our drive to update the Security Council and to reform the unjust and unfair international financial architecture.

And I would add that it is manifestly in the interests of those who hold the most power to be on the frontlines of reform.

Those trying to cling to privileges today risk paying the price tomorrow.

And so we must be bold enough to change.

Bold enough to find the courage of those who came to this Hall 80 years ago to forge a better world.

The circumstances demand nothing less.

Dear Friends,

In this moment when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, it is up to us  in our capacity as professionals, as voters, and as members of organizations like the UNA-UK  to take a stand.

More than ever, the world needs civil society movements that are fearless and persistent  that make it impossible for leaders to look away.

The General Assembly which we celebrate today exists because of a simple truth  humanity is strongest when we stand as one.

But that unity does not start in the General Assembly  it starts here, with people's movements like yours.

Each year, the UNA-UK bestows the Sir Brian Urquhart Award for Distinguished Service to the United Nations.

Let me leave you with a reflection on Sir Brian himself.

When the United Nations first opened its doors, many of its staff bore the visible wounds of war  a limp, a scar, a burn.

Major Urquhart was one of them.

He had been on a ship that was blown up in the English Channel;

Witnessed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen;

And carried, for the rest of his life, the limp from a parachute that failed to open.

There is a persistent myth  now echoing louder each day  that peace is naive.

That the only 'real' politics is the politics of self-interest and force.

But the founders of the United Nations were not untouched by reality.

On the contrary, they had seen war, and they knew:

Peace, justice and equality, are the most courageous, the most practical, the most necessary pursuits of all.

In a city marked by devastation, those first delegates in this Hall understood the stakes.

So did the people in that bomb shelter.

So did the first staff, like Sir Brian.

Our duty is to serve with the same sense of urgency.

I thank every one of you for choosing to live a life of engagement and participation.

Together, let us continue to strive:

For justice.

For humanity.

And for peace.

Thank you.

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Vancouver, January 18, 2026 - Wildsky Resources Inc. (TSXV: WSK) (the "Company") hereby announces that it has granted 2,100,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to certain officers, directors and consultants of the Company. Each Option permits an optionee to acquire one common share (an "Option Share") in the capital of the Company at any time at a price of $0.17 per Option Share up to the end of business on the fifth anniversary of the date of the grant. Each Option is subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

About Wildsky Resources Inc.

Wildsky Resources Inc. is a Canadian based exploration and development company with an office located in Vancouver, B.C. The Company's goal is to create value for shareholders through continuously exploring and developing its current properties in Nigeria, and at the same time looking for new properties to acquire through its international connections.

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 of accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280742
Willie Geist's daughter thriving in college has turned her family's anxiety into calm.

Willie Geist's daughter attends Vanderbilt University

The Sunday Today host and his wife, Christina, were full of "terror" as they dropped off their daughter Lucie, 18, at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, to start her freshman year last summer, amid fears she would not like it, but the pair were relieved by hearing her happiness at college.

Willie - who cried when he hugged Lucie before she left - told People: "She's good.

"It's funny - the anticipation I found of her leaving was much worse than the actual act of her leaving. She's so happy at school, and she loves it so much that if she's happy, my wife and I are happy."

He noted that Lucie performing well as a college student "kind of relieves all that anxiety".

Willie, 50, added: "It's obviously a huge step in our lives and in her life, but we're so happy for her that all that anxious energy and tension that was building over the summer, and what's it going to be like when she leaves, [has had a positive ending].

"It was sad to say goodbye, but the minute she went, she was thrilled and happy. So we're good."

Lucie - who graduated from St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Connecticut, last year - joins other students with celebrity parents at Vanderbilt University.

This includes actress Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, and her 48-year-old ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin's daughter, Apple, 21, ABC Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos, 64, and his 61-year-old wife, actress-and-comedienne Ali Wentworth's 20-year-old daughter Harper.

Also, Good Morning America journalist Lara Spencer, 56, and her 58-year-old ex-spouse, journalist David Haffenreffer's daughter, Katharine, 22, also attends the college.

Last June, Willie - who also has a 16-year-old son called George with his high school sweetheart, writer Christina - shared how he felt about Lucie going to college.

The broadcaster - who has been married to Christina since 2003 - told journalist Jenna Bush Hager, 44, when they co-hosted Today with Jenna + Friends: "As any parent who has been through this - or maybe you're going through it right now - knows, the excitement at times becomes terror."

In August 2025, Christina shared the moment she and Willie said goodbye to Lucie as she was dropped off at Vanderbilt University.

In an Instagram post, Christina penned: "As we walked away from campus and flew back home, we were proud, we were emotional, we were, of course, weepy. But, I just cant call it sadness. I was honestly so surprised at myself. It was - I guess Id call it - peace."

And a month later, Willie updated Jenna on how he felt when he dropped off Lucie at college.

Appearing on Today with Jenna + Friends, he said: "[It went] much better than we thought it would.

"And the reason its gone much better than we thought it would - of course, it was sad in the moment when we said goodbye, but because she is so happy and we realised she is so ready.

"And you realise all that youve poured into this person for 18 years is now paying off, and she can handle herself. And shes happy, and shes good."
BOGOTA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Four people died after inhaling toxic gases inside a coal mine in central Colombia, local authorities said Saturday.

The incident occurred at the El Diamante mine in Socha city of Boyaca region. Socha Mayor Oscar Hurtado said there was no explosion and that the deaths were caused by gas accumulation inside the mine.

The victims included three male miners and a woman who worked in occupational safety and health, Hurtado told reporters. Rescue teams entered the mine but found the victims with no sign of life.

Authorities said it took several hours to ventilate the site before the bodies could be recovered, and an investigation is underway. 
Minister orders GES action, stresses parents role in restoring discipline after video of SHS students using spiritual charms was shared on social media

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Obour steps in to complete Juaso-Yawkei JHS block with cash donation

GraphicOnline Education Jan - 18 - 2026 , 14:24 3 minutes read

A boost has been given to basic education in the Asante Akyem South Municipality following a cash donation by the Christiana Addo Memorial Foundation (CAMF) towards the completion of the long-delayed Juaso-Yawkei Junior High School block.

The undisclosed donation was made on Friday, January 16, 2026, by the President and Founder of CAMF, Mr Bice Osei Kuffour alias Obour, in response to appeals from the Yawkei community to complete the ageing school infrastructure.

The intervention was facilitated through the office of the Assembly Member for the area, Mr Alhassan Abdulai, with the support of traditional authorities and other opinion leaders in the community.

Presenting the donation to the Headmistress of Yawkei JHS, Mr Obour Osei Kuffour said the gesture underscored the foundations belief in education as a catalyst for sustainable community development and social mobility.

Our childrens education is the most powerful engine for community development. By investing directly into Yawkei JHS, we are investing in the future leaders, artisans, and innovators of this very community and the entire Asante Akyem Municipality. This is not just charity; it is a strategic commitment to fostering self-reliance and unlocking local potential, he said.

He used the occasion to highlight some of the achievements of the Christiana Addo Memorial Foundation, including the provision of six scholarships annually to brilliant but needy tertiary students since 2017, alongside the execution of several community sanitation projects.

Mr Obour Osei Kuffour called for closer collaboration among school authorities, the district assembly and other stakeholders within Asante Akyem South to address infrastructure and development gaps in education. He further pledged to personally finance the painting of the new JHS block once construction is completed.

The Headmistress of Yawkei JHS, Mrs Helena Kemevor Ayettey, expressed appreciation to the foundation for what she described as timely and transformative support.

We are overwhelmed by the kindness and foresight of the Christiana Addo Memorial Foundation and Mr. Obour. This donation is a game-changer for our school. It will directly impact the quality of education we can provide and the conditions under which our children learn, she said.

Mrs Kemevor also appealed for sustained community support, noting that the school was grappling with increasing enrolment and limited facilities.

While we are deeply thankful for this magnificent gesture, the needs of our growing community are ongoing and the school is overwhelmed with increase in enrollment. We therefore appeal to other individuals and organizations inspired by the Foundations example to join in this vital mission. Together, we can do so much more to ensure our school becomes a true centre of excellence for Yawkei community, she added.

The brief presentation ceremony was attended by Nana Gyebi, Juaso Dabehene and Acting Yawkei Dikro, representatives of the Yawkei Palace, members of the CAMF team, teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as pupils of Yawkei JHS.
Next article: 'I apologise...It won't happen again': Serwaa Amihere backtracks over PRESEC 'Breeding Ground' comments

53 suspects arrested in cybercrime raids across East Legon Hills, Afienya and other Accra areas

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Court remands Ekow Black as police probe fresh sextortion claims

Graphic.com.gh Jan - 18 - 2026 , 10:52 2 minutes read

A district court in Accra has ordered the remand of social media personality Christford Affadu Danful, known as Ekow Black, as police widen investigations into a viral assault video to cover new claims of sextortion.

Danful appeared before the Adabraka District Court on Friday, January 16, 2026.

The presiding magistrate, Nana Abena Asoh Owusu Omenyo, remanded him into police custody and adjourned the case to January 21, 2026.

The order follows ongoing police investigations into an earlier incident in which Danful was captured in a video allegedly assaulting a woman. The footage spread widely on social media, sparked public anger, and led to his arrest by the Ghana Police Service.

In an update issued on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Police said the case had expanded.

Investigators are now examining claims that the suspect threatened to release intimate images of the woman involved. Police said the conduct under review fits the description of sextortion.

Danful was arrested on Thursday, January 15, 2026, after an intelligence-led operation by the Inspector-General of Polices Special Cyber Vetting Team. Police said initial findings pointed to a strained relationship between the suspect and the woman in the video, marked by repeated disputes.

Police have not released details on the new claims but said investigations continue.

The case has drawn wide public interest, especially among Ghanaians worried about domestic abuse, online exploitation, and the influence of social media personalities.

The Police Service said it will pursue reports of violence and exploitation, regardless of the public profile of those involved.
Two in court over fire in Oyarifa apartment

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'I apologise...It won't happen again': Serwaa Amihere backtracks over PRESEC 'Breeding Ground' comments

GraphicOnline Jan - 18 - 2026 , 09:18 2 minutes read

In a response to a spiralling public controversy, lawyer and media personality Serwaa Amihere has issued an apology after the Management of Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, condemned comments attributed to her describing the school as a breeding ground for homosexuals.

The schools statement, released on January 17, 2026, left no room for ambiguity, stating: Management unequivocally condemns this statement. It is false, reckless, and deeply offensive, adding that the remark was an irresponsible generalisation that maligns our students, undermines the integrity of our institution, and seeks to attach a stigma to a school with a proud legacy.

The statement triggered widespread backlash, prompting Amihere to publicly express regret. I apologise to everyone who has felt slighted by the comments, especially the PRESEC community and the PRESECANS. I apologise, and I assure you that it won't happen again, she said.

This apology follows PRESECs detailed defence of its eight-decade legacy.

The school emphasised its foundation as a Presbyterian mission institution governed on firm Christian values dedicated to academic excellence, character development, discipline, leadership, and the moral upbringing of young men. It described the allegation as a gross misrepresentation of its ethos.

The controversy erupted amidst a heightened national conversation on LGBTQI issues in Ghana, where same-sex activity is criminalised and public sentiment remains largely opposed.

Recent debates were fuelled by an unauthorised teacher training manual that sparked fears of LGBTQI concepts being introduced into schools, a claim firmly rejected by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service.

PRESECs management positioned its rebuttal within this sensitive climate, stating such harmful comments unfairly expose young students to ridicule, prejudice, and emotional harm while damaging the institutions reputation. PRESEC will not accept or normalise such characterisations, the statement firmly concluded.
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Results from last weeks poll show that the Motorola Signature has a lot of potential, but there are many ways Motorola could screw it up and it already has to some extent. Heres what the people have to say.

First, thin is nice, but a bigger battery is better. The consensus was that a battery with 5,200mAh capacity is small in a phone with a 6.8 display. Maybe Apple, Samsung and Google would disagree, but concerns over battery life were a common refrain in the comments.

We heard a lot about market availability too  the phone will launch in Europe and India soon, but much of the world map is still covered in question marks. This includes the US too, where Motorola is one of the few brands available besides the trio mentioned above.

And then theres the price  nearly a quarter of voters will wait for a price cut before considering buying the Signature. Thats fair  a few months after launch Moto Edge and Razr models go on a near-permanent discount and theres no reason that the Signature should follow a different path. 1,000 for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite) phone was a big ask, anyway.

Around 20% of voters are interested in getting the phone as soon as possible  some have already pre-ordered it. However, just as many are waiting for reviews. The phone looks great on paper, but some have had bad experiences with older Motorolas and are taking a cautious approach.

Motorola has scheduled an event for January 23 to launch the Signature in India. It didnt reveal the price, but that did leak. Availability should come soon (if not immediately) after the event. As for availability in Europe, well get back to you on that one.

Motorola Signature 5G
Ethan Isiah Lefever, 25, a suspect in a 2023 Dededo drug case involving 44 grams of confiscated methamphetamine, was arrested on Jan. 14 after a coincidental encounter with the police during an unrelated armed robbery investigation in Maite, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Lefevers arrest some two years after the drug case coincided with a Jan. 14 police visit to the Taj Mahal apartments in Maite, where they arrested a suspect in an armed robbery of Liberty Game Room, based on separate magistrates complaints.

Lefever was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to deliver as a first-degree felony.

2023 drug search

Lefever was one of two individual targets in a Guam Police Department Task Force drug raid on Palm Court in Dededo in August 2023.

Besides some 44 grams of meth based on field tests, also confiscated were digital scales, ice pipes and other paraphernalia, the complaint said.

Prior to the drug search, task force officers received a tip, secured a search warrant and conducted surveillance of the Dededo residence at the target Dededo address. Police observed several vehicles at the location on Aug. 21, 2023, at about 7 p.m.

One of the vehicles observed was a red Mustang convertible, which pulled up and was approached by Lefever before driving off, the complaint said.

The task force stopped the vehicle operator and detained him for meth possession. He confirmed that he had purchased meth from the target location and confirmed that Lefever was the one who greeted him at the residence, according to the complaint.

Ethan was coincidentally encountered on January 14, 2026 at the Taj Mahal apartments in Maite during an unrelated armed robbery investigation as he was a suspect in the above-referenced cases, he was brought in for questioning and ultimately arrested at 1855 hours, the complaint said.

When the task force conducted the search, police arrested Joseph Gibbs, who said Lefever was kicked out of the residence the night before for stealing from him and shorting him on drug transactions, the complaint stated.
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026 shows a view of the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. One month into the island-wide special customs operations, Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has made initial achievements in trade and logistics efficiency. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

HAIKOU, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- One month into the island-wide special customs operations, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China has maintained smooth and orderly functioning, with initial achievements in logistics efficiency, passenger convenience, and economic aggregation, highlighting the country's commitment to high-level opening up.

Hainan Heren Pearl Co., Ltd., which mainly imports pearls from overseas, has emerged as a direct beneficiary of Hainan FTP policies.

Under the value-added processing policy, the company can sell its high-value products to the mainland duty-free, cutting its overall tax burden from about 52 percent to roughly 26 percent and redirecting the savings into research and development, said Zhang Shizhong, the company's chairman.

"The FTP holds great promise, with more policy dividends set to be released in the future," Zhang said.

One notable special customs policy is offering "freer access at the first line," referring to freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China's customs borders, and "regulated access at the second line," which involves applying standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.

According to Haikou Customs, from Dec. 18, 2025 to Jan. 17, 2026, the value of "first line" imported zero-tariff goods was 750 million yuan (about 107 million U.S. dollars); the value of processed and value-added goods sold domestically through the "second line" was about 85.9 million yuan.

In Wanning City, production lines at Chia Tai (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee Industry Development Co., Ltd. are running at full capacity. The company imports green coffee beans from Colombia and processes them in Hainan before shipping the finished products to the mainland, enjoying an 8 percent tariff reduction under the FTP policies.

"After the launch of island-wide special customs operations, Hainan will gradually become a value-added processing center and trade hub with global resource allocation capabilities," said Ye Jian, the company's general manager. "Enterprises will not only pass through Hainan, but also be able to put down roots here and create higher value."

Drawn by the policy incentives, a growing number of companies are choosing to do business in Hainan. The General Administration of Customs said a total of 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises completed registration in Hainan over the past month, an increase in a month roughly equivalent to the total registrations in an entire quarter of 2024.

The total number of registered foreign trade market entities in Hainan has surpassed 100,000, according to official data.

As the policy came into force, major ports across Hainan saw a surge in activity.

Days after Hainan began island-wide special customs operations, a flight from Prague carrying 115 European passengers touched down in the tourist city of Sanya, marking a breakthrough in the high-level opening up of the aviation sector at the Hainan FTP.

The arrival marked the launch of China's first official passenger route operated under the Seventh Freedom of the Air, which allows foreign carriers to operate flights between two foreign countries without having to land in their home country.

The route is operated by Kazakhstan's Scat Airlines, with one round-trip scheduled each week.

At Yangpu Port, the largest cargo port in the Hainan FTP, mega-ships berthing in quick succession, gantry cranes operating around the clock, and container trucks moving in tightly coordinated flows have become a routine sight.

"Yangpu will shoulder the role of the main logistics gateway of the Hainan FTP," said Yang Xiaobin, deputy head of the Transportation, Port and Waterway Bureau of Yangpu Economic Development Zone. "The port aims to build a smart and green international shipping hub and logistics center."

Container throughput at Yangpu reached 3.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, up more than 65 percent from a year earlier.

"It is particularly noteworthy that the Hainan FTP launched island-wide special customs operations at a time of intensifying deglobalization and rising global uncertainty," said Cui Weijie, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a think tank with the Ministry of Commerce.

"It not only demonstrates China's unwavering commitment to high-standard opening up, but also injects greater certainty and positive momentum into the global economy and international trade cooperation," Cui said. 

Costumers shop at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 17, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 17, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A customer shops at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures.(Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

This photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026 shows an interior view of the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers shop at the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 10, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Costumers select gold jewelry at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on Jan. 17, 2026. On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)
Octopus farming doesnt belong in Guamor anywhere.

Lawmakers are right to move swiftly to ban it before it begins. Octopuses are highly intelligent, sensitive individuals with complex emotional and physical needs that simply cannot be met in intensive farming systems.

Scientific studies show they can solve problems, use tools, remember past experiences, and feel painyet there is no reliable humane method to kill them on a commercial scale.

Farming octopuses would condemn these solitary animals to crowded tanks, chronic stress, and violent deaths, while also threatening local waters through pollution, disease, and heavy demand for wild-caught fish used as feed.

Preventing this industry is not anti-progressit is responsible stewardship. Protecting marine ecosystems means refusing to treat living beings as commodities.

Guam has an opportunity to set a compassionate, forward-thinking example by keeping octopus farming out entirely.




Haiti - Politic : 2026 Priorities, Strategic Retreat of the Ministry for the Status of Women





On Saturday, January 17, the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women's Rights (MCFDF) took a decisive step for 2026. The Ministry launched a three-day strategic and professional retreat at the Montana Hotel in Petion-ville. This retreat brought together the institution's senior staff to structure future actions in support of gender equality in Haiti.



Objectives of the 2026 Annual Work Plan (AWP) :

The main objective of this meeting was to validate the Annual Work Plan (AWP). Directors, Coordinators, and staff members worked on several key areas:



Strategic Alignment with the National Action Plan resulting from the National Consultations :

The 2026 AWP builds upon the actions undertaken during the National Consultations, ensuring their concrete implementation and impact on the ground;



Institutional Strengthening of MCFDF Entities :

The AWP includes actions to consolidate the capacities of MCFDF entities, enabling them to better meet the needs of the population and contribute effectively to the country's development.



Administrative Roadmap for the Adoption of New Organic Decrees :

A detailed roadmap has been developed to support the adoption of the new organic decrees, ensuring smooth and effective implementation.



Women's Political Participation and the Electoral Context :

The AWP pays particular attention to promoting women's political participation, especially in the context of the upcoming elections. Actions will be implemented to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advocate for equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies.



With the upcoming elections in mind, the Ministry's role is more crucial than ever. The retreat aims to define specific intervention strategies to :



 Promote women's political participation and combat gender inequality;



 Prevent gender-based violence (GBV) during elections and ensure a safe environment for everyone;



 Advocate for equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies, so they can fully contribute to political life and the country's development.



"Strengthening the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Family Development (MCFDF) is essential to guaranteeing effective, inclusive, and sustainable public policies," stated Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women.



Renewed international support from UN Women : Ms. Marie Goretti Nduwayo, UN Women Resident Representative in Haiti, welcomed this initiative. However, she expressed concern about the persistence of violence against women and social inaction. She reiterated the UN's commitment to maintaining close collaboration with the Ministry for the Empowerment of Haitian Women.



Towards a More Effective Institution :

For Minister Pedrica Saint Jean, "this retreat is not simply a working meeting. It is a consolidation mission aimed at establishing a common and shared understanding of our organizational framework, developing an Annual Work Plan aligned with our strategic directions, clearly defining our areas of intervention in the electoral context, and developing a realistic institutional roadmap for the adoption and implementation of the decree."



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : 2nd Day of the National Conference on the Refounding of the Haitian Education System





On Friday, January 16, 2026, the second and final day of the national reform of the Haitian education system was held in the Northeast Department, under the auspices of the Departmental Directorate of Education. This event brought together various stakeholders in the education sector, demonstrating a collective commitment to improving the education system in Haiti.



In the presence of Luckner Mompremier, Departmental Director of Education, the day saw the active participation of members of civil society, teachers, school principals, and students. The two technical assistants from the Ministry of Education, Jean-Rouzier Claircidor and Amos Simon, also played a significant role in the discussions.



The debates focused on two major themes : the effectiveness of education and the quality of education.



The speakers shared their perspectives on the current challenges facing the education system and proposed concrete solutions. The discussions highlighted the importance of quality education for the development of young Haitians and, by extension, for the future of the country.



Participants expressed their hope that the discussions held during this conference would translate into concrete and effective actions, thus enabling the building of an education system that meets the needs of students and the challenges facing the country.



Luckner Mompremier closed the conference and expressed his gratitude to all participants for their commitment and active contribution throughout the two days of reflection and discussion.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















MOSCOW, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have struck 149 Ukrainian targets over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The ministry said the targeted sites include enterprises manufacturing long-range drones, energy facilities, and transport infrastructure servicing the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as temporary deployment points belonging to the Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries.

The ministry noted that Russia's air defense forces have shot down 220 fixed-wing drones, six guided aerial bombs, and nine U.S.-made HIMARS rockets over the same period. 
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Taiwanese chip manufacturers are to invest hundreds of billions of US dollars in the USA. The governments of both countries recently agreed on possible framework conditions. Taiwan is playing along to avert high tariffs and maintain US favor. This also concerns its own security, as China continues to want to annex Taiwan and the USA has so far pledged protection.

It is said to be up to 500 billion US dollars. 250 billion are to flow through direct investments by Taiwanese companies in the USA: According to an overview from the US Department of Commerce, the goal is "to build and expand advanced semiconductor, energy, and artificial intelligence production and innovation capacity in the United States."

The 100 billion US dollars already invested by the world's leading chip contract manufacturer TSMC are already included in the 250 billion. For this sum, TSMC has built its first semiconductor plants in Arizona. Further plants are already planned.

The second half of the 500 billion is to flow through Taiwanese loans to Taiwanese companies, which will then expand in the USA.

US Threats

With the deal, Taiwan is primarily averting a massive increase in tariffs. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick otherwise threatens 100 percent tariffs, which would particularly affect US manufacturers like AMD, Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. They all have their processors, GPUs, and accelerator chips manufactured by TSMC. Lutnick mentioned the figure in an interview with CNBC.

In the best-case scenario, the USA will reduce tariffs for Taiwan. Originally, the Trump administration imposed 32 percent on most products and then reduced them to 20 percent. Now, tariffs are to largely decrease to 15 percent, with 0 percent exceptions on some product categories: "generic pharmaceuticals, their generic ingredients, aircraft components, and unavailable natural resources."

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For chips, tariff exemptions are to be based on US capacity: According to the framework conditions, TSMC and other chip contract manufacturers are allowed to import 2.5 times the amount of chips duty-free that they manufacture in the USA itself.

The USA thus aims for a massive increase in US capacity. According to Lutnick, Taiwan is to manufacture 40 percent of all its chips in the USA in the future and also build necessary supply chains there. He speaks of "gigantic semiconductor industry parks in the USA."

Demands Not Agreed Upon

However, the demands are hardly feasible: The semiconductor plants and supply chains are to be completed during Trump's term of office. That would be a little over three years under normal circumstances. This would require the immediate construction of numerous semiconductor plants, which would then also have to ramp up series production quickly.

However, statements from the Taiwanese side also make it clear that these goals are apparently not agreed upon. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin told Taiwanese media that a US share of 20 percent of exclusively advanced chips would be realistic by 2036. This refers to manufacturing processes from the 5-nanometer generation onwards.

Trade Agreement Not Yet Solid

As early as 2025, the USA proved to be an unreliable partner. Trump repeatedly assured tariff exemptions if companies expanded in the USA. Despite TSMC's 100 billion US dollars, tariffs were still imposed.

In Nvidia's case, Trump confused the value of newly manufactured US products with investments in production capacity. Nvidia announced that it would build AI servers in the USA with partners. Their value was to reach 500 billion US dollars accumulated over four years. Trump celebrated this as the provision of 500 billion US dollars.

In current times, it is therefore advisable to wait and see which sums will actually arrive. All the more so, as the deal has not yet been finalized by the Taiwanese side. According to the Reuters news agency, parliament still has to approve it.

This is not a foregone conclusion, as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not have a majority in parliament. Parts of the opposition have already complained about the hollowing out of the domestic chip industry under the trade agreement.

(mma)

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 prestigious political project Germany Stack, intended to form an important foundation for a technologically sovereign Federal Republic, is moving beyond purely conceptual considerations. Following a broad participation from industry and civil society in the autumn that set initial course, the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS) is now presenting an updated overall picture.

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The new sketch from Friday shows extensive further development compared to the initial draft from October. While the original version was heavily influenced by abstract goals such as "European sovereignty" and general "reusability," the current document reads like a technical and strategic requirements specification for a modern state operating system.

A direct comparison with the old, significantly shorter version of the "overall picture" makes it clear that the federal government has responded to the criticism from the first participation round. For instance, a few months ago, the focus was vaguely on "reusable technical building blocks" and a general connection to approaches like "Government-as-a-Platform." The current draft is much more firmly anchored in the political realities of the new legislative period.

AI Agents Are to Help

The new overall picture, for example, explicitly builds on the modernization agenda of the federal and state governments, as well as on resolutions from the Conference of Digital Ministers and the IT Planning Council. This brings political commitment to the forefront: The federal government intends to provide and mandatorily define the platform core, and to ensure a central cloud hosting offering in order to overcome previous lock-in effects and the federal patchwork.

The expansion of Artificial Intelligence has been added to the planned tech stack. While the first version only mentioned AI peripherally, the update focuses on hyped approaches like Agentic AI. This goes beyond simple language models to autonomous agents that are intended to communicate with each other via standardized protocols such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP) or the Autonomous Agent Protocol (ANP).

This "Agent-to-Agent" (A2A) approach marks a paradigm shift: In the future, the administration is not only intended to offer digital forms but also to act proactively through networked, intelligent systems. This is complemented by a focus on semantic technologies, whose task is to ensure uniform data interpretation across all federal levels.

More Open Source

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The new version defines guidelines such as "API-First," "DevSecOps by Default," and the principle of "Made in EU" for market solutions. In addition, there is a prioritization: in-house developments are to be implemented primarily as open source. When purchasing market solutions, European providers are to be preferred, provided they meet the sovereignty criteria.

In this way, the ministry addresses, at least in part, a demand from the Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA). The association had previously warned against the D-Stack degenerating into a vehicle for "sovereignty washing" by proprietary software providers. In their statements, the OSBA and the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) demanded that true digital sovereignty necessarily presupposes the four freedoms of free software. The outcome is that open source is at least to be enshrined as the primary solution for the platform core and integration elements.

Despite the technical refinement, organizational hurdles remain. State Secretary for Digital Affairs Markus Richter emphasizes that with a second consultation round, the executive branch is taking an important step towards interoperable administration and is deliberately seeking open dialogue. However, industry urges for swift action.

The industry association Bitkom, while praising the pace and the inclusion of external expertise so far, simultaneously calls for a binding obligation for states and municipalities to use the stack. Only if the federal infrastructure actually integrates the components can a real acceleration of administrative digitalization be achieved. The D-Stack must not remain an optional buffet but must become the common technical basis.

Second Consultation Phase Underway

Structurally, the BMDS has divided the overall picture into four strategic pillars: excellent user experience for citizens and businesses, a stable platform core as a foundation, the consistent use of AI and data, and the safeguarding of digital sovereignty. The department admits that the criteria so far lacked the level of detail suitable for automated compliance processes. Instead, the benchmarks have been consolidated to essential points to provide clear guidance for now. Work is ongoing on the technical linking of individual standards.

By 2028, concrete offerings are to be available for all federal levels. The path to this leads via the Marketplace Germany Digital and the portal for the German administrative cloud, which are to function as central "managed service platforms."

With the final consultation phase, which runs until March 31st and has now begun, the D-Stack faces its first practical test. It remains to be seen whether the ambitious plans for agent AI and open interfaces will fall on receptive ears and survive the impact with federal reality.

(vbr)

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.
Since the start of the ceasefire on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed at least 463 Palestinians and wounded over 1,200, according to Gazas health authorities. Israel reports the deaths of three soldiers over the same period.

Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians and wounded many more in renewed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip, as a new US-backed Palestinian technocratic committee met in Cairo to begin the second phase of a peace plan announced by President Donald Trump .

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli military activity has expanded. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that drone fire in Gaza Citys Zeitoun neighbourhood wounded civilians on Sunday. Shelling and air attacks were also reported in Rafah, Jabalia, Tuffah, Netzarim, and near the Bureij refugee camp.

In the middle of the continued violence, a 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) held its first session in Cairo. The committee, led by engineer Ali Shaath, is intended to govern Gaza under the oversight of Trumps Board of Peace, a supervisory body headed by the US president and including several international and business figures.

The Palestinian people were looking forward to this committee, its establishment and its work to rescue them, Shaath told Egypts Al-Qahera News. The committee will aim to restore electricity, water, education and healthcare, and oversee reconstruction.

The United Nations Development Programme has warned that rubble removal alone could take up to seven years, requiring continuous access to fuel and equipment. An estimated 90 percent of Gazas civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, with over 71,000 Palestinians killed and 171,000 wounded since October 2023, according to Gazas health authorities.

Despite its stated aims, the committee's ability to operate remains uncertain. Israel still controls major parts of Gaza, restricts humanitarian aid, and has banned several aid organisations from working in the territory.

Trumps plan includes a broader Gaza Executive Board to assist NCAG. It will work alongside the High Representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat and former UN envoy.

Among the executive members named are Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, and financier Marc Rowan. Blair is the only non-American on the founding executive board. Trump has also appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers to lead an International Stabilisation Force tasked with training a new Palestinian police force.

The announcement of the executive board drew immediate backlash in Palestinian circles for excluding Palestinian representatives and including individuals closely aligned with Israel.

Palestinian official and former Blair aide Ashish Prashar called for rejecting international trusteeship over Gaza and said the board lacked credibility. The future of Palestine should only be decided by Palestinians, he told Al Jazeera.

Trump has positioned the Board of Peace as a model for addressing conflicts beyond Gaza. Letters sent to world leaders, including Argentinas President Javier Milei and Egypts Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, included a charter describing the board as an international body for resolving conflicts. Reports indicated that membership beyond three years would require a $1 billion contribution, a claim the White House described as misleading but did not deny.

So far, confirmed board members include Trump, Rubio, Kushner, Blair, Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and US official Robert Gabriel. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, and billionaire Yakir Gabay were named to the executive board. The EU, France, Germany, Canada and Australia were also approached for participation.

The White House said the board would focus on reconstruction, demilitarisation, governance and regional engagement. The second phase of the Trump plan includes disarming Hamas and establishing a vetted Palestinian security force. Hamas has welcomed the formation of NCAG but has not agreed to disarm. Trump issued a direct warning to Hamas, demanding the return of Israeli captives and weapons surrender the easy way, or the hard way.

Over 2.2 million people live in Gaza, many in makeshift tents without reliable access to food, water, or shelter.

Hamas has indicated it is ready to hand over governance duties but remains outside the formal structure. There is no clarity yet on how much authority NCAG will exercise, or whether Israel will obstruct its operations. As attacks persist and aid remains blocked, questions remain over how the new structure will function amid ongoing occupation and destruction.

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC, Wafa

HT
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Some 1,500 active-duty U.S. Army paratroopers have been placed on alert for a potential deployment to the state of Minnesota, U.S. media reported on Sunday, citing defense officials.

The soldiers are from the 11th Airborne Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, according to ABC News.

ABC News quoted an official as saying that U.S. President Donald Trump had not made a final decision on whether to deploy two battalions.

"We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces," the official said. "This doesn't mean they will deploy; we are preparing options."

The 11th Airborne troops were recalled to base on Friday, amid the long holiday weekend, to stand by as a so-called quick reaction force, according to an internal notice to the unit's leadership reviewed by ABC News.

Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a federal law that gives the president authority to deploy the U.S. military domestically under certain extreme circumstances. Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to invoke the act.

On Jan. 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, triggering nationwide protests. Demonstrations intensified in Minnesota following a second related shooting within about a week.

Authorities said on Saturday that the Minnesota National Guard has been mobilized as tensions remain high in Minneapolis, the state's largest city. 
ASUNCION, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU) on Saturday signed a free trade agreement in Paraguay's capital city of Asuncion, marking the conclusion of 25 years of negotiations toward one of the world's largest trade accords.

The agreement aims to reduce tariffs and expand trade between the two blocs and now awaits approval by the European Parliament, as well as ratification by the legislatures of Mercosur member states Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior EU and Mercosur officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, together with the foreign ministers of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, whose country holds the Mercosur presidency, thanked leaders from both blocs for their efforts, calling Saturday "a truly historic day."

Von der Leyen said the pact sends "a very strong message" in favor of fair trade and long-term economic cooperation.

"This agreement is a firm commitment to openness, exchange and cooperation, as opposed to isolationism, unilateralism and the use of trade as a geopolitical weapon," said Costa.

The deal covers a combined population of more than 700 million people. According to the European Commission, the EU's largest trade deal to date would eliminate more than 4 billion euros (4.65 billion U.S. dollars) in duties on EU exports each year. EU exports to Mercosur mainly include machinery, chemical products and transport equipment, while Mercosur exports are largely agricultural goods, minerals and forestry products.

Negotiations on the pact have stretched about 25 years, repeatedly stalling and resuming amid shifting political coalitions, disputes over environmental safeguards in South America, and opposition from parts of Europe's farm sector. 
BAGHDAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraq announced on Sunday the full withdrawal of international coalition advisors from all military bases and command centers in Iraq's federal government-controlled areas.

The Higher Military Commission, tasked with ending the international coalition mission, said in a statement that the few remaining advisors have departed from Iraq's Ayn al-Asad Airbase and the Joint Operations Command headquarters, placing these strategic sites under the full control of the Iraqi security forces.

The first phase of the international coalition's military mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq's federal territories has concluded, and Iraq has now transitioned to a bilateral security relationship with the United States, it said.

This relationship will focus on activating the memoranda of understanding for military cooperation and developing the capabilities of Iraqi armed forces in the areas of equipment, armament, training, exercises, maneuvers, and joint operations to ensure continued readiness to combat the IS, read the statement.

The second phase of the international coalition's mission to combat the IS in Syria has begun, and coordination with the coalition will continue regarding the complete defeat of the IS in Syria, it noted.

On Saturday, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said the Iraqi army has taken full control of Ayn al-Asad Airbase, the country's second-largest military airbase, in the western province of Anbar following the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The move follows a joint statement by Iraq and the United States in September 2024, which set a timetable to end the coalition's mission in Iraq. In 2014, IS militants captured Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, and seized vast territories in Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the IS subsequently made its presence in Iraq. 
DAMASCUS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian interim authority and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed a new ceasefire and integration agreement on Sunday aimed at ending hostilities and resolving long-standing security and administrative disputes in northern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.

The deal calls for an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts and the withdrawal of SDF forces to areas east of the Euphrates River in preparation for redeployment.

Under the agreement, the interim authority will assume full administrative and military control over Raqqa and Deir al-Zour provinces, including all civil institutions and public facilities. Existing employees will be retained, and Damascus pledged not to pursue SDF fighters or civil administration personnel. Civil institutions in Hasakah province will also be integrated into state structures.

Damascus will take control of all border crossings and oil and gas fields in northeastern Syria, with its forces responsible for securing the facilities. SDF personnel will be individually incorporated into Damascus' military and security forces after security vetting, receiving official ranks, salaries, and benefits. The agreement also safeguards the administrative and social autonomy of Kurdish-majority areas.

Prisons and camps holding Islamic State detainees and their families, along with the forces guarding them, will be merged into state institutions under the interim authority's control. Senior military, security, and civilian officials may be appointed from lists submitted by SDF leadership to ensure "national partnership" in central state institutions.

A decree by interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa will appoint a governor for Hasakah, and heavy military presence will be removed from Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in Aleppo province. The SDF also committed to expelling all non-Syrian members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from Syrian territory.

The agreement welcomes a Damascus announcement recognizing Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights, addressing the legal status of formerly stateless residents, and restoring long-standing property rights. It also calls for efforts to facilitate the safe return of displaced residents to Afrin and Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood.

The accord follows days of intense clashes in Raqqa and Deir al-Zour, where pro-Damascus forces advanced into key areas amid unrest and defections from SDF ranks. On Saturday night, government forces secured strategic sites, including the city of Tabqa and Syria's largest dam. Tribal mobilization and clashes in Deir al-Zour prompted emergency measures and temporary closures of public institutions, highlighting the fragility of earlier 2025 integration efforts.

Syrian officials said implementation will begin immediately, describing the agreement as the most comprehensive framework to date for ending parallel governance, consolidating state authority, and stabilizing northeastern Syria. Forces loyal to Damascus announced an immediate cessation of fighting on current frontlines. 
MOGADISHU, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army (SNA) repelled an attack by al-Shabab militants on a military base in the south-central region on Sunday, the government confirmed.

The Ministry of Defense said that a large-scale operation, involving reconnaissance and security sweeps, is ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants in the Jabad Godane area, prevent regrouping, and ensure the safety of local communities.

"The SNA now has full control of the area, after dealing the enemy a decisive blow and inflicting heavy losses," the ministry said in a statement from the capital, Mogadishu, without releasing casualty figures.

Al-Shabab, which seeks to overthrow the internationally recognized Somali government, claimed responsibility for attacks on four bases near the Warsheikh district. The group alleged that it killed 21 soldiers, wounded 11 others, and seized armored vehicles and weapons.

The latest military operation occured as Somali security forces are ramping up offensives against al-Shabab militants across Somalia. Government troops, supported by international partners, have been conducting joint operations to secure and consolidate control in central and southern regions. 
OSLO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Sunday that European countries are coordinating their response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland, and that he has no doubt about support from Europe.

Rasmussen made the remarks at a press conference here after meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide. The two ministers, who appeared jointly before reporters, presented a united front on Greenland against U.S. tariff threats.

"We will not yield to pressure," Eide said.

"I have no doubt about the support from Europe," even if a tariff war would impose significant costs on other European Union (EU) members, Rasmussen said.

He added that while some agreements were reached with the U.S. following recent talks at the White House, a coordinated response remains essential. "We are not cooperating unilaterally," he said.

Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, and raise the levy to 25 percent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspects flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations. South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country. (GCIS/Handout via Xinhua)

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country.

According to local media reports, continuous rainfall since late December has caused severe flooding in Limpopo Province, where at least 17 people, including two children, have died. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said in a statement on Sunday that 20 people had been killed in flood-related incidents in Mpumalanga Province.

More than 1,600 homes and 31 schools have been affected in Limpopo, while over 1,000 homes in Mpumalanga have suffered varying degrees of damage. The flooding has also forced the partial closure of Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest wildlife reserves, with more than 600 visitors evacuated after rising waters inundated access roads and campsites.

The South African National Defence Force has deployed two helicopters to assist with rescue operations and evacuate residents stranded in hard-hit areas.

In Mozambique, data released Friday by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction showed that at least 103 people have died following an unusually severe rainy season, with more than 200,000 people affected nationwide. About 173,000 acres of farmland have been left waterlogged, threatening food security.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Department of Civil Protection said at least 70 people have died and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed since early January, with schools, roads and bridges damaged or washed away by floodwaters.

Neighboring countries, including Madagascar, Malawi and Zambia, have also reported flooding and weather-related disruptions.

According to The Weather Channel, a slow-moving low-pressure system has brought repeated bouts of torrential rain across Southern Africa. The agency warned that further heavy rainfall is forecast in the coming days, particularly in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, raising concerns of additional flooding. 

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2026 shows a road damaged by floods in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country. (GCIS/Handout via Xinhua)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspects flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country. (GCIS/Handout via Xinhua)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inspects flood-hit areas in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, on Jan. 19, 2026. Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country. (GCIS/Handout via Xinhua)